Scrapstart ins Neue Jahr! Scrapstart into the New Year! January 1

Ich freu mich so dass ich euch diese Challenge anbieten kann. Es hat so viel Spass gemacht die LOs auszusuchen und ich kann es kaum erwarten zu sehen wie sie euch inspirieren. Die LOs sind alle LOs die mir in den letzen Monaten aus irgendeinem Grund aufgefallen sind. Einige sind von Scrappern die wir alle kennen, andere von Scrappern von denen ich vorher noch nie gehört hatte.

I am so excited to be hosting this challenge. It was so much fun to pick out all the LOs and I cannot wait to see how they inspire you all. These are all LOs I have noticed over the last few months, each for one reason or another. Some are by scrappers we all know, others are from scrappers I had never heard of before.

So, bevor ihr jetzt in Stress geratet, dass ihr ein LO pro Tag machen "müßt"... keine Sorge. Diese Challenge soll Spass mache, also entspannt euch und macht einfach mit wie ihr könnt. Wenn ihr heute keine Zeit zum scrappen habt... macht es morgen. Oder, wenn euch ein LO aus irgendeinem Grund so gar nicht zusagt... dann lifted es eben nicht. Dies ist kein Wettkampf, bloss etwas womit wir das Jahr "scraptechnisch" gut anfangen wollen.

Now, before any of you get all stressed out about "having" to do one LO a day... don't sweat it. This is supposed to be fun, so relax, enjoy and go with the flow. If you don't have time to scrap today... do it tomorrow. Or, if you just don't care for one LO for some reason, skip it. This is not a competition, just something to get the creative juices flowing.

Also, um das Jahr richtig anzufangen, habe ich ein LO von einer Scrapperin aus Spanien ausgesucht der einen Rückblick auf 2008 zeigt. Hier ist ein Link zu ihrer 2Peas Galerie: Mabelm. Ich weiss, das LO ist ein digitales, aber ich fand dass man es auch gut als Papierscrapper umsetzen kann.

So, to start the year off right, the first LO I picked to be lifted, by a lovely gal from Spain, Mabelm, is a review of 2008. Here's a link to her gallery at 2Peas a Mabelm.
Though her LO is a digital one, I think it can be equally inspiring for paper scrappers.



Wenn ihr mit eurem LO fertig seit, hinterlasst bitte einen Kommentar mit einem Link zu eurem LO.

Once you have completed your lift, please post a comment with a link to your LO.

Have a good one.

Good bye 2008, HELLO 2009!!!

I finally got around to taking pictures of my "Journal Your Christmas" album. It is missing a picture or two, but other than that, I am on top of things. Yeah me! Here just a few pages....










There are another 6 days to go and I am pretty sure I will manage to get those pages done, too. And I have to say, I am looking forward to doing it again next year.

Alright, on to other things....

Tomorrow... January 1, 2009, is going to be the start of the Scrapstart into the New Year! I am so excited to show you all the fabulous LOs I picked out to be lifted. Cannot wait to see how you get inspired by them.

Morgen... 1.Januar 2009, ist der Start zur Scrapstart ins Neue Jahr Challenge. Ich freu mich schon so euch die ganzen LOs zu zeigen die ich für euch ausgesucht habe. Ich kann es nicht erwarten zu sehen wie ihr euch inspirieren lasst.

So, das ist es für 2008. 2009 wird fantastisch werden.... oder zumindest besser als 2008. Habt einen guten Rutsch und wir sehen uns im nächsten Jahr.

So, that's it for 2008. 2009 is going to be phantastic.... or at least better than 2008. Have a fabulous New Year and we'll see each other again next year.

Have a good one.

Scrapstart ins Neue Jahr! Scrapstart into the New Year

In den letzten 3 Jahren habe ich bei der Jumpstart January Challenge von April (happeagirl) bei 2Peas mitgemacht. Es hat wahnsinnig viel Spass gemacht und ich hatte so einen richtig guten Scrapstart ins Neue Jahr gehabt. Ich habe zwar nicht unbeding jeden Tag gescrappt, aber am Ende des Monats hatte ich fast 30 LOs geschafft.

For the last 3 years I have been participating in teh Jumpstart January Challenge at 2Peas, hosted by April (happeagirl). It was always a lot of fun and it gave me a good headstart into the new year. I didn't necessarily scrap every year, but by the end of the month, I had scrapped almost 30 LOs.

Und, weil ich ja sonst nichts zutun habe...LOL... habe ich mir überlegt diese Challenge auch hier anzubieten. Also, habt ihr Lust?

And, since I don't have anything else to do... LOL... I thought I would host a similar challenge here on my blog. So, are you game?

So funktionierts: Jeden Tag stelle ich ein LO vor welches mir in den letzten Monaten aufgefallen ist. Ihr habt dann bis 7.2. Zeit dieses LO zu liften. Unter "Liften" kann man alles verstehen von die Anordnung zu kopieren, das selbe Farbschema zu benutzen, bis einzelne Elemente, Farben, Titel, etc. als Inspiration zu benutzen. Jedesmal wenn ihr ein LO fertig habt, stellt es irgendwo ein (blog, Forum, gallery, etc.) und verlinkt in einem Kommentar unter dem "Original". Am Ende, also nach dem 7.2. verlose ich ein kleines RAK unter den Teilnehmern.

So, this is how it works: Every day I will post a LO which I have noticed over the last few months. Then you have until February 7 to lift this LO. "Lifting" can be anything as using the same layout, the same color scheme, or using elements, color, title, etc. as inspiration. Whenever you are done with a LO, post a link to it in the comments under the "original" LO. At the end, so after Feb. 7, I will draw for a small RAK among the participants.

Alles klar? Dann hoffe ich auf zahlreiche Teilnahme an der "SSiNJ"!

So, everything clear? Then I am looking forward to lots of participants in the "SSiNJ" challenge.

Have a good one.

Just a short update....

1) Mom is still in the hospital. Surgery was scheduled for tomorrow, but her surgeon got sick. Go figure. So things are kind of up in the air right now.

2) Trouble #3 is good for me. He is making me get out and walk. We go for a long walk in the morning, about 45 minutes to an hour. The weather has been beautiful, cold but dry, so walking and soaking up the sun has been great. Even though it is hard every morning to leave my super soft, warm, cozy bed and get all bundled up.

3) I am totally excited about the fact that my "Journal Your Christmas" album with Shimelle is absolutely up to date. I am all caught up. Okay, there is one photo missing, but heck... I am right on schedule, can't wait for tomorrows prompt. I will post pictures hopefully tomorrow. By the time we got home today, the light was too poor to get decent pictures.

4) Trouble #1, #2, #3 (yes, even he came along) and I had Christmas Dinner at Nat and her DH's house. I can't remember the last time I had turkey with all the fixin's. It was delish. I was so stuffed I hurt. But, ohhhhh!, it was delish. And T#3 did great, considering he had to climb all the way to the 318th floor LOL, meet a bunch of people, including a baby, who he didn't know yet, be surrounded by food, and last not least, NILES! Actually, Niles was hiding and I don't know that T#3 even realized there was a cat in the apartment. But heck... he didn't bite, he didn't bark too much, he didn't pee on the carpet... what more can I ask for?

5) well... somehow I am thinking there should be a No. 5, but I really don't have anything else to say....

so... have a good one.

STM-Germany

Es ist wieder soweit: ein neues Lied bei Scrapping the Music-Germany.

It's time again for a new song at Scrapping the Music-Germany.

Hier ist mein Beitrag zu "Helden gesucht" von Thomas Godoj.



Ich hoffe ihr fühlt euch inspiriert.

Have a good one.

Meet Trouble #3

aka Rajah! He is the newest addition to our family. My mom was not released from the hospital as planned. Looks like she will be needing heart surgery, so any prayers you can spare... we'd greatly appreciate them. That also means, that she will be "out of commission" so to speak for at least 4-5 weeks (as in recovering in the hospital) and then, who knows how soon she will be back to her old self to take care of her dog. So, Trouble #3 moved in with us.

He is just a baby still, only about 5-6 months old. But he thinks he is a big, tough guy. He and I are getting to know each other and I am getting better at understanding/reading him, which really helps with the "peeing in the house" problem. LOL. Good thing I have tile floor throughout the house.

Anyway, he's only been with my mom for about 3 or 4 weeks. He was a stray of sorts who was turned in to a friend of my mother's . He was just skin and bones and just so sad looking. But, I can say, that he is looking much better and is overall a really sweet dog. Only bad habit, other than being not quite house broken.... he steals food like there is no tomorrow. It gets pretty tricky trying to cook with him in the house, because he tries to get at everything on the counter.

Oh, and I guess another habit he has adopted... he sleeps in my bed. Yes, I know, totally bad, but I am such a heavy sleeper when I finally do sleep, that I never notice him jumping in. And the odd thing is, he never did that with my mom.

So, that's what's new in our neck of the woods.

Have a good one.

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy new Year!

And a quick update on my mom: after a bunch of tests and treatments, she is doing better and will be released from the hospital today. Of course, she will have to take it easy for a while, so Rajah (her dog) will stay with us a while longer. I guess I will have to start blogging about Trouble #3.... because he is just as nuts as T#1 a #2.

Have a good one.

Sunday....

sorry, I keep meaning to post, but life gets in the way. So, just a quick recap/update so no one sends out a search party. LOL.

-trip to the ER with Trouble #2. Misterious spots, bruising, and swelling on her left leg. Follow up visit with our PCP, who took lots of blood. T#2 was so brave.

-Lots of last minute Christmas preparations... baking, wrapping, decorating, shopping...

-Christmas breakfast on Thursday with the always fabulous Nat Kalbach We stuffed our faces for breakfast and then went into the city, some impulse shopping, checking out the Christmas markets, drinking some yummy coffee.... all in all a wonderful day. We really should do this more often.

-Friday I had to work all day. Got nothing accomplished otherwise.

-Spent forever waiting in line at the postoffice mailing Christmas cards and a couple of packages. I hope it gets there in time, Maggie.

-Spent forever at the grocery store. I figured I'd get my major shopping out of the way early.... but apparently everybody else thought so, too.

-And, last but not least, had to take my mom to the ER early this morning, because she complained about chest pains and shortness of breath. She is still there under observation, having tests done, but in the meantime, I am watching the dog. So, if you could spare a prayer that she is alright and have patience with me for not posting... it's just a bit crazy around here right now.



Have a good one.

Proud Mama Moment....

Last night Trouble #1 wanted to make Christmas cards. Oye.... So she looked through the cards I had made and picked one that she wanted to copy. And this is what it looks like. The white one is mine, the red one is hers.



So, not be be outdone, Trouble #2 wanted to make a card as well. Mine is the one on the left (all Stampin'Up), T#2's on the right.



I think they both did great. Proud!!!

And, two more pages for my Christmas Journal

Christmas music:

Gifts:


So, that's it for now. I think I might just be in the mood to make some cookies. And when THAT mood strikes, I better stick with it, because really... I detest baking cookies.

Have a good one.

Lazy blogger here...

really, I meant to post, but with it being winter and the weather crappy, I didn't have decent light for pictures. I finally managed to get everything photographed today...so this post will be picture heavy. Bear with me.

Without further ado, my pages for my pages for Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas Class.

December 5: Counting down

December 6: The "not so good"...

December 7: To do list

December 8: Sights of the season

December 9: Traditions

December 10: Gift wrap-sorry, no picture on the left page yet. I am planning on taking a picture of the gifts under the tree.

December 11: Real or Fake?

December 12: Same old...


Have a good one.

Journal your Christmas

I am not doing much these days... scrapping or otherwise, but I did start a Christmas Journal again, using the prompts by Shimelle. I did this last year, but about halfway through fell behind and never finished. This year I decided to keep it super simple. I am using a small album, this Maya Road 5 Ring album, to be exact, and keeping embellishments to a minimum.

So, this is what I have done so far.
Cover

Manifesto

The Weather

Christmas Mail-for this entry I made a mini-version of my "main" Christmas card and attached it between the photo and the journaling.

The Perfect Christmas


So, that's it for the first four days. I am hoping I will be able to add a page each day.

Have a good one.

STM-Germany

Sorry for not posting more, but I am not doing so hot right now. I did want to show my latest LO for STM-Germany. The song is not really my thing, but the lyrics aren't bad. So, this is what I came up with.



Have a good one.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a good one.

Looks like I will be looking for work again...

The store I was working at closed as of this past Saturday. It was really quite the surprise... my boss didn't tell me until Friday afternoon. Geez... you'd think she'd give us a bit more warning. Anyway, I didn't lose my job per se, because I am supposed to keep working at the other store, but with reduced hours and a 30 minute commute (by car) rather than a 5 minute walk... it just doesn't add up. So I will have to see....

BUT, on the bright side, I did get another LO done. Not like I don't have lots of free time now.



Well, it doesn't show up terribly well... okay, not at all, but the red letters are chipboard letters that I painted red and then used crackle accents. Love that stuff.

Now I am slowly getting into the christmas spirit. I am all ready to set up my Christmas tree this coming weekend. The girls and I are thinking of doing a little thanksgiving dinner for just the three of us on Saturday, so I am hoping I can get the tree up Sunday. I am also working on Christmas cards. I made a super cute Thanksgiving card, but obviously there aren't too many people here in Germany I can send those to, and it is a bit late to send the to the US... I know, I was slacking there... Anyway, Christmas cards... need to be done by this weekend, too.

That's it, have a good one.

Exhausted....

Freitag Abend hatte ich endlich meinen Stampin'Up Minialbum Workshop.

On Friday night, three lovely ladies came to my house and we made this little Album:






Die Alben wurden aus dem Stampin'Up Simply Scrappin' Kit "I wish" gefertigt und sind perfekt als kleines Geschenk oder für die besonderen Weihnachtsfotos. Wir haben recht lange gebraucht um fertig zu werden. Am Ende waren wir kaputt aber zufrieden.

We used the Stampin' Up Simply Scrappin' Kit "I wish". It took us quite a bit to get the albums doned and I was exhausted, but everyone was happy with how it came together. Now I cannot wait for them to fill the albums with their own special pictures.

Falls ihr auch Interesse an diesem Minialbum habt, einige Kits habe ich noch. Im Kit sind eine Schritt-für-Schritt Anleitung und alles Material enthalten (plus reichlich extra) um das Album fertigzustellen. Kosten: €25 plus Porto.

Have a good one.

Hey... I scrapped!

I know, I posted the STM-G LO just a couple of days ago, but really... that LO has been done for a while. And I hadn't scrapped much since then. But, this weekend I really got something done. Can't show most of what I did, but this one I can...



It is an old picture and old paper and other stuff, but I love the picture and the paper... well, it all just came together.

Starting this week, I have to work more hours. Not quite FT, but close... not what I bargained for when I signed up for 15 or so hours on two days a week. Only until Christmas, but oh well... good thing I have most of my Christmas shopping done and then there is always online shopping.

Have a good one.

Scrapping the Music-Germany....

die zweite! Schaut mal HIER

Dies ist mein Beitrag für dieses Lied.

My LO for this song. I love the beach pictures from this summer.



Other than that... I am a bit under the weather, so between trying to sleep and trying to stay awake... that's pretty much how I spent my day.

Have a good one.

Lazy Blogger....

that's me!

Haven't been feeling too well, and the icky fall weather is making me want to crawl into bed.

BUT... I got some new Stampin'Up Goodies in the mail today. Maybe I can come up with something to show.

Have a good one.

It started....

Have a good one.

Cupcakes....

nothing exciting, but I did want to post pictures nonetheless. I had an order for a dozen chocolate/vanilla cupcakes for a 50th birthday today. Only request: sick colors (including smurf blue)!

well... I hope this qualifies....



and I hope the guest of honor can see past the colors, because... they do taste yummy.

It's been a busy day today, with Trouble #1 getting her first retainer, baking, and running errands. Tonight there will be a couple of ladies coming to my house to learn more about Stampin'Up. So excited to share with them.

Have a good one.

It's a good... no, a GREAT day!

Barack Obama becomes America's 44th President.



It is a great day!

Have a good one.

Go and Vote today!

Remember.... Election Day. So go and vote.





Have a good one.

STM-Germany....

I had never heard of this song, but I did like the lyrics. So, this is what I came up with. Translation of the title is something like "never forget, you are unique".



Now I am going to take a nap. I had to work last night and didn't get to bed until 5am. Oye... I am too old for that.

Have a good one.

Aaaaaaannnnnddddd.... we are live! (auch Deutsch)

Scrapping The Music-Germany is online.

I am tickled pink to be part of the Design Team for STM-Germany, especially since it is going to be a challenge for me to a) scrap using German lyrics, and b) actually focus on German music. Most music I listen to is American, the occasional British thrown in, but German? Not really.

Ich freue mich wahnsinnig in Design Team von STM-Germany zu sein, ist es doch eine besondere Challenge für mich, a) mit deutschen Texten zu scrappen und b) mich überhaupt mit deutschsprachiger Musik zu befassen. Was ich meisstens so höre, ist amerikanisch, ab und zu britisch...aber deutsche Musik? Nicht wirklich.

So, take a peek.... for the first song, the entire design team created LOs. And wow! It looks fab!

Also, schaut vorbei. Für das erste Lied hat das ganze DT LOs gemacht. Fantastisch!


And, I know some people (yes, you Maggie, grin) are waiting for pictures.... here are a few of yesterday's birthday/halloween party. Somehow, by the time supper rolled around, I was so tired, I didn't take any pictures, which really bugs me, because my little Taco Monsters, the cucumber snake and "Creepy Eyeball Cheese spread" looked super cute, if I may say so myself.


The decorations/table and (just pretend you can hear the spooky music). Maggie, you did good!



Cupcakes are a must at our house...



THE cake. Trouble #2 insisted on having a black cat cake. Amazing what you cannot do with a Ladybug cake pan. The cat's face didn't turn out quite how I wanted it, but heck... I ran out of time (and buttercream)



And the aftermath:
that's what happens when you decide to let the kids decorate their own trick or treat bags.



Have a good one.

I am done!

I was going to post a party recap, but I am sorry... I just can't. I am exhausted.

Will post tomorrow. I am going to have myself some wine and fall asleep.
But, the party was a good one.

Have a good one.

Weihnachtskarten Workshop.... (deutsch)

ich wollte nur schon mal ankündigen:

Ich werde wieder einen Weihnachtskarten WS anbieten, Datum steht noch nicht fest, aber entweder letzte Novemberwoche oder erste Dezemberwoche.

5 verschiedene Karten mit verschiedenen Schwierigkeitsgraden.... von ganz schlicht bis kompliziert. Alles natürlich mit Stampin'Up Stempeln und Materialien.

Also, meldet euch doch einfach wenn ihr Lust habt, ich lasse euch dann die Details zukommen.

Have a good one.

Super-Mom to the rescue....

well, at least that's what Trouble #1 and #2 seem to think of me. Today was the first day back to school and since T#2's birthday was during fall break, she wanted to take treats to school for her classmates to share. No biggie.... 25 cupcakes. But only after I nixed the idea of having a three story cake or a lifelike spider cake....

Then, after I picked her up from school today, she tells me, that she wants treats for afterschool care, too. That'd be 48 cupcakes! she wants spiderweb cupcakes. She wants spider cupcakes.... no.... we'll be sticking with simple piped ones.

And, I am considering miniature cupcakes....

Anyway, this is what today*s batch looked like. Vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting. There are no official school colors here in Germany, but all the "official" school shirts are blue and orange. So... blue and orange frosting it was.



Off to bed I go. I am exhausted.
Have a good one.