Busy week...

Although this layout is true, this week I have a lot of housecleaning to do since that darn "Housekeeping Fairy" has yet to make an appearance. With Grandma coming to visit and Tessa's "Creatures & Critters" 5th birthday party on Saturday, well, let's just say it's time to focus on the house. I have loved creating with Scrapbook Circle's "Share the News" Oct. kit! If you have a minute, check out the Idea Gallery - fun stuff! And join us Oct. 24-26 for an online crop in the Community!

And I'm so excited to have won a stamp set from Unity this weekend, over at the fabulously talented Heidi Sonboul's blog. I'm still working on my WCMD cards, but hope to get some finished today! Happy Monday!

Hello October... and a challenge

It's October 1! Wow, love October... crisp fall days, blue skies, multi-colored leaves, Tessa's birthday (she's so excited), Halloween... fun fun month!

Today Stacy Julian posted a GREAT challenge on her blog: Give Yourself a Present. Go read about it. I think it's a super idea. I'm already snapping pictures this morning (ahem, have a feeling I may take more than 10... but I promise to weed out the best 10 that most capture my day or our lives NOW... 10-01-2008). Will be fun to see the changes in a year.

Here's a layout that very much captures who I am today and this year. I used the fabulous Scrapbook Circle Oct. kit (and you can check out more designs in the gallery today and in about a week even more):

September is flying...

I can't believe how the days (and months) fly by... especially after school is back in session! I am finding it difficult to get as much done as I'd hoped once the kiddos went back to school. Tessa's "little" Kindergarten meets every day from 9-1, and of course Seth's schedule is different (8-2:30), so lots of time spent in the car (or van), I'm afraid. We're finishing up a fun LEO (layout every other day) challenge over at Willow Traders. The layout above was done for Challenge #11, a "Non-Scrappy Inspiration challenge" and it was inspired by a Target ad. Used one of my new favorite stamps from Unity on it, too. And a digi label by Andrea Victoria from Paula's new Hybrid challenge over at Get It Scrapped. And just wait, Scrapbook Circle's October kit is going to be fabulous. Here's a peek: Scrapbook Circle Blog.

Hip Hop Thursday!

I'm getting really addicted to Unity stamps and Hip Hop Thursday! Today, I made 2 cards for challenges. I have signed up to receive the monthly kit (starting with Sept.) and I'm so excited!

Zany Zinnia Sept. Kit: Autumn Afternoon

I was so honored to be asked to guest design for Zany Zinnia in September. My new "Fall" blog header was made using the kit and you can see other designs here:Zany Zinnia September Gallery. Stacy & Dolores consistently put together lovely, reasonably-priced kits that are so much fun to use for layouts, cards, and other great creative projects. And while you are there, check out the "sneak peek" page for October, too!

Almost Fall... but not quite yet...

I'm getting ready to decorate my blog for Fall soon... any day now, really. But before I do, wanted to post at least one more bright layout, this one done for the LEO Challenge we're doing over at Willow Traders (layout every other day). Challenge was to use a "non-square" or edged shape. I used the August Studio Calico kit and some felt shapes from The Dollar Tree and felt ribbon from the Joann's $ spot.

And here's a little card I made about 2 weeks ago using my new Unity butterfly stamp:

I am loving Unity stamps (link is over on the right). Can't wait to do more with them soon... am in a stamping mood! Check back soon for a new "Autumn" blog header!

September... back to school, back to reality...

September has arrived, and it is sort of hard to get back into all the school/homework/carpool routines! Tessa's first day at Lawndale Kindergarten (half day at our church) was Tuesday and she did great. Here she is, ready for school... and looking at Mom like she really shouldn't have to take this picture (oh, come on, she wouldn't let me walk her in... had to snap a shot from the car):

I've found some new stamps that I love: Unity stamps - wow, they are great! My first ones came last week and I made a few simple cards:

Be sure to join the fun on Hip Hop Thursdays when you can blog hop to see what the designers have recently created with their Unity stamps. I've been missing my stamping, so I am happy to be getting back into it a bit more (on layouts and cards). If I can just find time between all the carpooling the kids to school and activities, that is!