Yep, it's another video!

Here I am, being an obnoxious mom!! Here's ANOTHER video of my "perfect" child!

Really, though - isn't she so cute up there singin' her heart out?! This footage is from her first chorus concert last night at Cassidy Elem. The program was short and sweet, emphasis on the sweet!

She is standing next to (on your left) one of her very best friends, Keely or KeKe as Olivia calls her. They were glad they got to stand by one another.

I love her seriousness. She gets this serious face on when she is focused on getting something done or doing something right. She has been doing this since she was a baby. For as much fun and silly as she is, she can get down to business in a big way too!



So you can probably tell that the lighting was AWFUL in there! Hence, the fuzzy pics and inability to really make out all of the video super well. Oh, and trying to look through people's heads helps too!

It is a shame that they don't have a proper auditorium. Just a stage in the gym - yuck!! But, those older schools were built that way, what are ya gonna do??

Well, regardless of the lighting, the heads in the picture, the wiggle worm standing next to Olivia, and the little brother who almost didn't make it through the program - it was a LOVELY performance!!

My Rocker Chick!

Livi had her first public performance as a musician today! We are so proud of her. She has really worked hard and done it with virtually no complaining! Today, wearing her electric guitar t-shirt, jeans and metallic converse - she played like a pro. Oh, am I bragging? I just can't help it!





There were about 18 kids on the program, she played about half way through the recital. She patiently waited, didn't express feelings of nervousness, and then just got right up there and blew us away!








I hope you enjoy the video. I have to admit, I was nervous for her so sorry if the video is a bit shaky!

I have a Hannah Hangover!

What a night!! Olivia & I had the BEST time at the Hannah Montana concert. We started the evening with friends at Applebees. There is a brand new one really close to our house and since we got there at five, no one was really there yet. We got a nice big table and had half price apps! Then, it was off to the concert. Heading towards downtown was a lot more congested than I expected. I guess almost everyone in Lexington was driving toward Rupp. Anyway, working downtown, I know some short cuts so we got to our parking lot pretty quick. We did have to walk a few blocks to get to the mega center that holds not only Rupp Arena, but also a huge shopping center, food court and the Lexington Convention Center.

Once in the building, I thought it would be really crowded, but it wasn't that bad. We did have to stand in a really squished area to get into the actual concert arena, but it moved quickly. Off we went to find our seats. I knew they were going to be high up, but OMG - I didn't expect it to be THAT high! We were so high up that the seats weren't individual anymore, they were bleacher seats. But, we were pretty close to the stage considering the size of Rupp.

Before very long, Jonas Brothers started to play and they were AMAZING! Really, entertaining and seemingly good musicians. Oh, and absolutely adorable too! They played for thirty minutes (not long enough in my opinion) and then we had a break.


Livi, her friend Marlowe and I went out to hit the bathroom and buy a t-shirt. We were in line for t-shirts for about 20 minutes and we started to hearing screaming from the arena. Then, we heard Hannah Montana's voice start to sing! Ugh, we were almost to the front of the hellish t-shirt line!! We decided to stay in line and miss the first song, but the girls were disappointed. Luckily, they got over it!

All in all, it was an awesome concert. Loads of talent on that stage for sure. I walked in a semi-fan and walked out completely hooked!


These are some pics from the evening. Lots of excitement, screaming and general fun!!

It's Christmas Time . . .

Feed the wo-rld!! I love that song. It is so old school but I don't care, it's a good one.

We finally got our tree. I think it is very pretty! Olivia picked it out almost all by herself. It was a bit of a rainy day, but we were all troopers. We even trekked out into the muddy field to see some farm animals. That was Aidan's favorite part! He keeps talking about the cow and then mooing - too cute!

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Bazaar Bazaar

I am donating a bunch of lunch paper bag books and scrapped photo mats to my schools Bazaar this week. Last night I spent the evening - okay, it was really late into the night but I didn't want to sound too crazy for being so compulsive about it all looking right! - putting together the books and mats, some samples (so people will know what to do with the product once they get it home) and a little framed sign that outlined prices and the fact that I will take custom orders. I also grabbed some cards for potential customers to have and hopefully, use!

Last year, I donated four lunch paper bag books and they sold like hot cakes. So, the lady that organized the bazaar asked me if I would do it again. My hope is that since I generated two orders out of that little bit of exposure, so maybe this year I'll get a few more?

Right now, I am working on the first of three books in an order for a lady who wants a Christmas gift for her husband and then birthday gifts for her kids. Yay! I was so happy to get this gig because this woman is a complete stranger. I feel like I am on my way now that I am working for someone who is not a family member or co-worker! We'll see where this bazaar takes me . . .

Turkey Day and Travelling

We have decided to go home for Thanksgiving. This after I had already bought the food for the event and moved the turkey to the refrigerator for defrosting two days ago! Oh well, we will pack the food and the bird in the car and hope it makes it to the big VA. I have to admit that I am looking forward to seeing my mom and to having some down time. I just hope the road trip isn't too taxing. Two children and 10 to 12 hours in a car just don't mix well! Both of them are thrilled of course to be going to Grandy's house. Aidan has been talking about it none stop since he woke up this morning and Olivia, has been weepy with happiness. Silly kids! Gotta love 'em.

Rick is happy to be going home because his best friend is having a party for all his old high school buddies. Apparently, there will be people flying in for this event oh, and no wives allowed!!! Hmmmm. Maybe us girls will have to have a party of our own.

So, hope your turkey day is plentiful and full of "thanks." I know ours will be as we spend it with family and friends that we don't get to see nearly enough. Gobble, gobble!!

Project Runway Season Premiere

I can't WAIT for Project Runway tonight! I have loved this show from the beginning and have been waiting for months for it to come back. From Jay to Chloe to Jeffrey, I have seen them all.


My favorite season was season 2. What colorful characters! Santino was my favorite. I know, he was a bit of a wild card, kind of a nut, definitely a cocky S.O.B. But, I couldn't get enough of his antics! In fact I found a very funny montage in his honor on youtube. I tried to link it but blogger is being difficult! So, just go to youtube.com and type in "Santino the Musical." You should go check it out, it is VERY good! I wonder if the new cast will be able to keep me wowed with their creations and entertained with their personalities?? Oh, and will Heidi be preggers on the show AGAIN?

Wingardium Leviosa!

Olivia was so excited to be Hermione today! It is Book Week at Cassidy this week and today was "Dress Up as Your Favorite Book Character" day. At first Olivia wanted to be Julie, the latest American Girl doll/character. Problem was, we didn't have any 70s looking clothing for Livi to wear. So, she decided to be Hermione. Which really fits her a little better given the fact that she LOVES Harry Potter right now. She is on book three and gives me a regular update on how many pages she has read.

The cape is from my costume closet at school. Thank goodness I am a Drama teacher and have costumes at my disposal! We printed the patch offline and I made the tie. I know, it's a little weird looking but I don't do ties. You should have seen us skulking around in the dark last night, searching for the perfect twig for a wand. Oh, the things we do for the most fabulous costume.

So, here she is as Hermione, messy hair and all!

Good News! As of this afternoon, Olivia is the second place winner for Best Book Character in her 3rd grade class - that's 97 students! Woo Hoo!! Her prize is to have a lunch date with one of the guest author's for Book Week.

Take Me Back, iTunes!

So Rick and Olivia stopped by my work this afternoon. What a nice surprise! They happened to catch me just opening my itunes acct on my MAC and so we took a little jaunt down memory lane. It was so fun to listen to everything from the Beastie Boys to songs that I knew Rick didn't like, but I wanted to see his reaction when they came on. Like, Horse with No Name or Shiny Happy People! Songs that I love, but he likes to roll his eyes at when they come on. Poo on you, mister Rick! So, I had opened my itunes to buy Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now," a song I have always loved but have especially grown fond of as it is in a hi-larious part of the movie "Shaun of the Dead." Anyway, it's bought and I have listened to it and chuckled while seeing the pub scene from the movie play in my head.

For those of you that don't know what I am talking about - you really MUST see "Shaun of the Dead," it is - as the Brits say - brilliant!!

The Week I've Had!

Whew! I really wasn't sure I was going to make it to this morning. It has been a hectic last week, who am I kidding, it's been a hectic last month! I won't go there though, don't worry. Focus Lara, focus on just this LAST week. From going to the Bi-Water Pumpkin Farm to opening HAMLET to watching the leaves start to change and dressing in warmer clothes to anticipating Halloween and trying to somewhere take care of a sick little boy, my oh so tired self, AND keeping it all together while Rick went off to Toledo for 3 days!!!

That was the run on sentence of champions. Heh.

Thank goodness for the cooler weather, it really is helping me keep my wits. There is something about it, maybe it is just numbing the madness.

Opening HAMLET has been great. I really have enjoyed the cast and playing Shakespeare has been so interesting. I thought I would have to be so focused all the time that I couldn't let go and enjoy myself. But, I discovered that is not the case at all. This weekend I felt like I was hitting some kind of stride - I had a little more fun with it, ya know? I do wish more people were coming to the show. I mean, it's HAMLET for goodness sake, who doesn't want to see that? I know, remove my theatre head and put on my common person head - but still.

Bi-Water farm was fun. We hadn't been there before so we felt all excited about experiencing all they have to offer! We are such geeks . . . They had a haunted house, a petting zoo, lots of pumpkins for picture taking, a train (Aidan was so excited about that train!) AND a hayride out to the patch and the corn maze. BTW, does anyone else get the play on words there - corn maze? Get it?!

See the collage for a visual buffet of our last week!

Which Bag?!!?

So, I REALLY need a new laptop bag. I have searched the local stores for something cute and stylish, yet functional - but to no avail. Haven't found a thing. Zilch. THEN, I remembered Jessica Sprague's post that mentioned these great laptop bags from Janine King Designs. So I ran right over to her Etsy shop and started looking at bags. I soon discovered that what I really need is a laptop sleeve. But there are sooooo many to choose from, I can't decide which one to get. I think my top two favs are the two on top in the pic. Those are the ones Livi likes too. And that's where you come in - help me choose, won't you please? Drop me a comment about which one you think my little MACBook would look nicest in. Thanks!

Happy Birthday to Me!

So, yesterday was my birthday. It was a fine day but it wasn't really full of celebration. Mostly because I had rehearsal from noon to 10pm!! I knew there was no getting around it and so I just tried to stay positive. I thought of my new printer, the pillows and throw my mom had sent me earlier in the week, and the BEAUTIFUL roses my sweet hubby and children gave me. And, I was happily met with many Happy Birthday wishes from my fellow cast members - it was very sweet. To top it all off, my husband surprised me with a gorgeous cake. The icing work on it was very intricate, and the flavor was delicious! I didn't take a picture of it to share - sorry! Anyway, I am getting closer to 40 and this morning, I think I am feeling it. I am really tired and just want to sleep all day. Unfortunately, I won't get my wish. Oh well, suck it up girl and move on.

Crazy Day Today

So, this town is goin nuts! Our University team, the UK Wildcats, won against LSU today. I had no idea that LSU was ranked no. 1! I saw all the traffic on and around campus today, just figured it was a normal UK turnout (these people are wild for cats!!). Then, during rehearsal tonight, the cast was all a buzz about the game. I was like, what's the big deal about the game?! Many wide eyes and shocked gasps later and I was being schooled on Wildcat football. So, tonight when they won - after 3 overtimes mind you - this whole city was a little nuts with victory! Ah, sometimes it takes but a game to bring a town together . . .



On a completely different note, my son has a gash down the side of his sweet little face. He fell off the patio chair and landed on the brick with his face. He looks like the adorable version of a pirate or Frankenstein or something!! I caught this picture of him as he was hiding from my camera in the laundry room. He kept opening the door, looking into my camera and then slamming the door, all the while saying "no, no, no, no!" It was pretty darn cute.

Not a Baby, Mommy!

Oh, it's happened! My little boy looked up at his Daddy this morning and said "I not a baby, I a big boy, Daddy." I missed the moment but it's probably a good thing. I am sure I would've burst into tears!! Why, why does he have to come to this realization? I was so enjoying asking him who was Mommy's baby and him joyfully pointing to himself and saying "Aidan is the baby!" Thankfully, as soon as he informed me that he is a big boy now, he asked for his binky and snuggled into my arms. There is a little baby in there yet!!

Two Weeks?

So, I have been trying to finish this book order I took in September. Ugh! I really should have it finished by now. Thankfully my customer has been very relaxed about setting a deadline! And despite the guilt over not having it finished - I am really having fun creating these pages. The subjects in the pics are beautiful and I have been trying some new things style-wise.




Sometimes, it is so hard to scrap outside your comfort zone, so I am trying to be a little more free with this process. For instance, I have played around with placement of the photos. I have also tried to come to grips with the fact that not every inch of the page needs to be embellished. It's okay to have some blank space - still having trouble with this one! Also, I have tried to use more layers and papers that don't necessarily go together. My customer told me that she doesn't want anything too frilly so restraining myself has been a challenge on some of the work as well. I think I have come up with some cute pages.

Oh, oh! How can I forget? I have used my new printer too! For the Christmas page, I printed out the tag and the striped bracket from a purchase made at Jen Wilson Designs - I LOVE her stuff. Anyway, I printed out those items on some lightweight cardstock, cut them out and added them to the page. Woo, hoo!

Should have it done in the next two weeks? I think I said that two weeks ago!!

Ooo, Aaah

I came home today to an interesting package on my front porch. It was a Hewlett- Packard blue box. Really, a BIG box from HP. I thought, oh I got the neighbor's package better go deliver it to them, but my name was on the box! Had I in some crazed fit ordered this printer and then promptly forgotten about it?? Noooo, surely not. Then I was reminded of a Dateline episode that covered an identity theft type story where those doing the id thefting, would have their purchases shipped to random people. Could I have been one of these random receivers? At this point it was a mystery as to where this box could have come from. So I give my hubby a call and, sure enough, mystery solved! He informed me that my dad had sent it for my BIRTHDAY!!! What a treat, an HP All in One printer, scanner and copier. Woo Hoo! I am so excited (especially since my B-Day isn't until the 14th!). Can't wait to figure out all the doo dads on this baby. I am a lucky lady - thanks, Dad!

"The Lady Doth . . .

protest too much, methinks." Yes, this is from HAMLET. It is a very famous line that the Queen speaks during Hamlet's play. I am trying to learn my lines by tomorrow and I am really trying not too protest too much!! I am so tired right now - this is where I launch into my pity party, ready? My son has been sick the last few days and so that means I don't sleep well. I guess in the back of my brain, I am thinking about how he isn't feeling well and is he sleeping okay and can he breathe and . . . worry, worry, worry! I am also putting together a short performance for my Upper School Drama students this month. It isn't that it is terribly stressful, I am just always worried (there's that word again!) that the students won't participate and that it will be a total waste of everyone's time. Then couple that with work, both at home and at school - I am just about worn out. Oh, and I didn't mention rehearsal!! We have been rehearsing about 4 or 5 days a week. And, don't get me wrong, I LOVE it - but it's just one more commitment that I have made and need to be sure I follow through with. Whew! I think the pity party is over, I feel better now.

Chicago

What a great town! This is my third trip to the Windy City and I have truly loved it everytime. I am lucky enough to go on the 8th grade trip to Chicago every year. The students and chaperones hit the ground running the minute we got there - lunch at the Museum of Science and Industry, the IMAX movie at the museum and, of course, time to explore the museum. Then, it's off to check into the hotel and back out to Navy Pier for dinner. After dinner, we hit the Chicago Theatre Downstairs for a really funny performance of "Shear Madness." On the second day, we just don't stop! Early arrival at the Rainforest Cafe for a really delicious breakfast (the BEST meal of the whole trip!) and then we hit the Field Museum, the Aquarium/Oceanarium, the Art Institute and, whew! - a break for a meal. It really was fun and I enjoyed the Field Museum and Art Institute very much. On the second evening we saw "The Blue Man Group." Lots of loud music, performance art and toilet paper! We left Chicago with a Hard Rock Cafe breakfast. 6 hours later, and we were back in Lexington, KY.

I wish I had some other fantastic story to tell, but it was pleasantly uneventful. The students were well behaved and fun loving. The chaperones were wonderful company, and I enjoyed getting to know my colleagues a little better.

So, until next September - thanks Chicago!

Hannah Montana Madness!

Whew! What an almost nightmare. Hannah Montana tickets went on sale this morning at 10am. My friend, Molly and I left my house at 9am to go get in line at Kroger's ticketmaster. We tried to choose a Kroger that we thought would be reasonably crowded, rather than the mad house that might be at other Kroger locations. We walk in and find out we are 14th in line. Not too bad, right? I am optimistic! I have my husband primed and ready on the computer at home and he is to call me with updates. 10am finally arrives and the line SLOWLY starts to move. By approx 10:10 there were only groups of three tickets left (the limit was 4), by 10:15 it was down to two tickets per person and by 10:17 singles only!! Only 5 people had gotten through our line at this point!!!! By 10:20 it was all over - SOLD OUT! I couldn't believe it. How was I going to go home without these tickets?? I was sick to my stomach. I kept thinking about all the disappointed little girls in Lexington. The 500 people that were in line at Rupp Arena - WHO BOUGHT THE TICKETS? Seriously, if we weren't gettin em, who the hell was? Mind blowing, big time mind blowing. Still, off I went to break the news to my baby. Get home, and the waterworks begin. It was AWFUL.

Sooooo, later that day . . .

The tears have stopped and we are still mad, still disappointed but trying to move on. We get a phone call from my friend Molly. Turns out she has a friend who has more tickets than she needs and did I want in? YE-AH!!!

I don't know what kind if luck has been sent our way, but oh boy, are we grateful!

So, there you are. We are going to the concert. Thank goodness.

Pirates and More Pirates

As you may know I am a drama teacher for middle and high school students. This year at the middle school, I am directing "Pirates of Penzance, Jr." Do you remember that movie from the early 80s? Kevin Kline, Linda Ronstadt and Angela Lansbury rocked Gilbert & Sullivan's music and lyrics. It was a very over the top movie. Well, obviously it stayed with me all these years because when it came time to choose the musical for this year - that's what popped into my head!

I am also helping out with costumes and the set and probably some other things along the way (that is the director's lot in school life!). Our process has begun and I have got some really cool "Pirates of the Caribbean" looking costumes on the rack. Honestly, costuming is my secret passion. I don't sew particularly well but I love to put already made pieces together and accesorize the hell out of the over all look! So, picture worn vests, colorful blousy shirts, belts with huge buckles and lots of crazy head scarves, sashes and tricorn hats. So much fun!!

I wish I had the time to try my hand at sewing but it's just not in the cards. I mean, I can handle some basic sewing elements and I can even figure out a pattern, sort of. It's just when you get up close and personal to the garment that the flaws can be seen. I guess for a piece that will be on a stage 30 feet from the front row, it's not so bad.

Once I get some photos of the costumes, I will share them with you all! Meanwhile, it's back to Goodwill for more blousy shirts and belt buckles! Arrggghh . . .

A Keep on Rockin' Me Baby!

Our little budding Rock Star started guitar lessons today! She was great in her lesson. So attentive and eager to learn. Her teacher was SO nice and did a great job making her feel like she could do it.

Livi has been wanting to take lessons for about 6 to 8 months now. She was so persistent, I figured she was really serious about it. So, I made the call and we got started!

She has already announced that she will practice 30 hours a day and when she becomes famous, she will give the guy who sold us her picks (sp? I don't know how to spell the lingo!!) an autograph. So adorable. Oh my gosh, SO adorable. I love this little girl.

Rock on, Liv!!

Stalling . . .

This morning, Aidan seemed ready to go to school - until we got outside! He slowly started to make his way to the car and then . . .He changed his mind! As the antics began I was so glad that I had my camera handy (fuzzy photos due to holding too much stuff and trying to take cute pics!!)He's off!!Ignoring Mommy's requests for us to get going.Did I hear you say breakfast is at school??
I am in the car! I am ready to go!!Or am I??

I Did That!

You know, like that commercial? Well, anyway - I did that! I figured out how to create a link to my custom scrapbook prices and order procedure information. I am so darn proud of myself! So, go check it out and let me know if there are improvements to be made or other ideas you have to make it better. Thanks everyone!


So, our little girl started 3rd grade last week. The whole summer was spent agonizing over whether or not she would get her favorite teacher, Mrs. Schmidt. Well, guess what? She got her wish. This is one happy little lady! The week went by without a hitch. She seems to really like her classmates even though her BFF's of past school years are not in her room. She has adapted well and made new friends, which is what it's all about, right?? So, here's to a continued great school year. Now, if I can just get the little brother to consistently be happy about going to daycare . . .

I've Got A New One

I recently met with a lady to discuss the creation of a family scrapbook and shadowbox for she and her sons. It has been really great to go through so many of their pictures and experience some of their memories. I have started their family book and this is one of the pages. I just love this one of her boys! They are in high school now, but look at those little boy faces covered in bubbles!
I have never made a shadowbox page before, but I am looking forward to the challenge. I have some ideas in my mind's eye, now it's just getting them out and into reality! The theme is the Grand Canyon so I am thinking about using maps and earth tones, and of course pictures of them hiking. That is a must! I will post a picture of the finished product and you will have to tell me what you think of my first time creation . . .

On a Roll!

I guess I have been a little "mat" crazy this week! The bottom two mats can be personalized, while the summer vacation one is sort of as is. Having sold the ones on the previous post, kinda got me started making more, and I have been unstoppable! I cannot tell you enough how cute these look in a frame, adorable really.



So my next inspired project is mini journals. Heading out to get chipboard and other materials to come up with some fun creations. Wish me luck!

Just One Word, Just for Fun!

Just One Word - Just a little bit of fun for tonight:

1. Where is your cell phone? non-existant
2. Relationship? Hot
3. Your hair? Mid-length
4. Work? Teacher
5. Your sister? Kate
6. Your favorite thing? Scrapbooking
7. Your dream last night? Forgettable
8. Your favorite drink? Coke
9. Your dream car? Beamer
10. The room you're in? Living Room
11. Your shoes? Flip-flops
12. Your fears? Drowning
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? Proud
14. Who did you hang out with this weekend? Family
15. What are you not good at? Relaxing
16. Muffin? Banana Nut
17. One of your wish list items? Printer
18. Where you grew up? Everywhere
19. Last thing you did? Laughed
20. What are you wearing? Clothes (silly!)
21. What aren't you wearing? Naughty
22. Your pet? Old
23. Your computer? MAC
24. Your life? Busy
25. Your mood? Intangible
26. Missing? Hubby
27. What are you thinking about right now? Hubby
28. Your car? Mazda
29. Your kitchen? Small
30. Your summer? Short
31. Your favorite color? Pink!
32. Last time you laughed? Tonight
33. Last time you cried? Yesterday
34. School? Work
35. Love? Babies

If you play, be sure to leave a link to share.

New Photo Mats!

While I was away on vacation, I sold two photo mats! Both of them with a seaside theme and both for new babies. I can just picture the sweet baby pictures that will fit inside the mats. Add the perfect frame and what a keepsake! So unique, not something that either new mother will find themselves opening again and again at a shower. I am really pleased to know that my creation will be a one of a kind for their baby's nursery.

Vacation was great, now back to the grind!

So, we St. Peter's have been on a much needed vacation. We traveled from KY to VA for a visit with family and friends from our home state. We accomplished so much while we were there; shopping, haircuts for Rick and Aidan, pool time, beach time (Nags Head, NC), sleepovers for Olivia, time spent with Mom, etc.

We had a really great time in NC on the beach with Rick's Dad. Aidan really loved the water, but didn't want to sit in it! He was perfectly happy to stand as the water rushed over his toes. Olivia, of course, was a little fish! She had a blast making sand angels, playing putt putt and riding the go carts at night. Oh, and who can forget the trips to get ice cream?!

This picture I've posted is from a photo shoot we took on the beach. We did some shots of just the kids and some of the family. It was really fun and we got some good moments out of it. Yea, us!

I am so excited! I just got back from meeting with a client. For the next few weeks I am going to be completing a scrapbook for her son. She compiled all the pics she could find from this past year, his senior year BTW, and I can't wait to get started putting them into a form that she and her son will enjoy for years to come. I will post pictures of my work as soon as I have some. I think the book is going to be my first hybrid book. A little bit of digital scrapping and a bit of the old fashioned kind! Well, I am off to get started. . .

No, I am not dead . . .

Woa, I have been sooooo busy this last month! I thought I was never going to slow down. So, what have I been up to you may be asking? Well, finishing up the school year, making props for "Love's Labours Lost," planning my daughter's 8th birthday, AND completing two scrapbook orders both due within a few days of each other! While the last month has been k-ra-zy, I have enjoyed the heck out of all the creative energy that has been flowing in and around me. Woo hoo!
I mean, my first scrapbook orders for my new business? Come on, how exciting is that!? The first was a birthday scrapbook (8x8) for a little girl who was turning 3. Lots of pinks, greens, blues and reds - so pretty. The second scrapbook was for a man who was stepping down as president of a board. I was hired to put together all the memoriabilia from his time on the board, which was a number of years. So, a 12 x 12 book later - and a finished product was born. I have 3 more orders to complete this summer and who knows, maybe more will come strolling my way??
Olivia's birthday was at the local bowling alley. She and her friends had so much fun! And what an easy party, I tell ya. We were there for two hours. Plenty of time for 1 and a half games of bowling, opening presents and eating cake/ice cream. Most of the kids seemed to really know what they were doing on the lanes, it was sweet.
Making props for the Shakespeare show was fun and stressful. But, it is done and I am not going back only forward.
Oh, I also had a table at a local craft show last weekend. Got a lot of foot traffic, lots of very nice comments on my product but only sold one photo mat. Disappointing but I am trying to move on. Have a couple of marketing ideas for my local mommy and me groups, just need to make it happen.
Enjoy the pictures of all my various work from the past month!

Great Fun at MayFest

Every Mother's Day, we go to MayFest at Gratz Park here in Lexington. It is the sweetest little park with a fountain that depicts children playing in the water. We love the atmosphere and we especially love checking out the artisans that come to show their wares. The kids have the best time riding the ponies, getting their faces painted, petting the "exotic" animals in the petting zoo and, this year, bouncing in the moon walk. Weeeee! I just loooovvvee these pictures of the babes in the moonwalk, aren't they too fun? After we go to MayFest, we typically go to Midway and walk this little quaint strip of shops, galleries and cafes. This year, Aidan was desperate for a nap, so we postponed our Midway jaunt for mid afternoon. The drive through horse country was bee-utiful. And, I found the sweetest painting for Aidan's room at a gallery in Midway. The print shows "Jack" climbing a beanstalk wrapped around a giant tree upon which sits a castle. All in all, a wonderful day with the family - I am one lucky lady!

It's Been Awhile . . .

I have been soooo busy with work, acting, keeping up with family and the dreaded housework! Last weekend my mom came to visit. It's funny because her visit coincided with the Queen's visit to KY. Yes, THE Queen of England came to Lexington, KY. It was the Oaks and Derby weekend here in horse country, so it made sense that Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip were here. They are big into horses. Anyway, the state was all a flutter!

I have continued to work on honing my digital scrapbooking skills! I have some opportunities to show my work again and want to go about it differently than last time. When I showed my work at the last show, there wasn't one bite! Everyone said the product was cute, but they thought it was geared toward people with kids. So, I have had my thinking cap on trying to figure out how to market what I want to do for people. I really believe that the service I can provide in making albums for people is a good one. And the fact that it is important to me that the albums have a quality to them that expresses an art form is important to me too. Can it be that even though people want their pictures in an album but don't have time to do it themselves, also don't have time to send me their pictures so I can create an album for them?? I just don't know. There is definitely an element to this that requires the consumer to participate in some of the leg work. I am a bit stumped!

Well, here are some layouts I have created recently. One personal layout and one for a friend, sorta client. I am ready to use that word client on a more regular basis!