I Saw...

and it was AWESOME!!!! Yesterday I went and saw Wicked with Annaliese and Heidi, someone I met through Annaliese. I really didn't know much about this musical, but I have just known for a long time that I REALLY wanted to see it, so when tickets went on sale last fall, I did not stop bugging Annaliese until we had tickets. Then the problem is the long wait before you actually get to go see it. Well, it was worth the wait. I haven't seen an incredible amount of Broadway shows, but I have seen a few very good ones like The Lion King and Mamma Mia--even High School Musical was incredibly entertaining, but Wicked was, in the words of some annoying Bostonian portrayed on Saturday Night Live, "wicked awesome!" The set was AHHHMazing and the acting and singing were just incredible. At first, I was bummed because the understudy was playing Glinda the Good Witch, and somehow I felt cheated--like I wasn't going to get the best I could get. But if she was the understudy, then I couldn't imagine how good the main person playing the role is. Actually I did YouTube and watched the main gal, and I actually preferred the gal we had. It is an amazing story, which gives a whole new meaning to The Wizard of Oz. I will never watch that movie the same again. If you get the chance to see this show, I HIGHLY recommend it. In fact, I am thinking about making Dale go see it with me again when it goes to Seattle in September. I worry about seeing things a second time though, because can it live up to my high expectations a second time around? We'll see what happens.

Scrapdango March kits & DT Call

I'm a little remiss in getting these posted, but on Sunday we had another reveal of the designs that the Scrapdango design team did with the March Sugar and Spice kits. I'll post pics of both kits, but as you can see, once again, they were both sold out quickly. It is fairly clear after this happening for 3 months, that if you want either of the kits, you need to act fast when they are posted on the 1st of the month. Carrie, the owner of Scrapdango, and Dana, the kit planner, have done such an awesome job in putting together two great kits each and every month, that it's no wonder they go so fast. So here are the kits.

Sugar kit featuring Scribble Scrabble Ruth

Spice kit featuring Prima (You)th

And here are the layouts that I did with the Spice kit. I have to admit that when I first saw the kit, I was a little worried about what I would do with it, but I really love the results. The first layout is my favorite that I did with the kit and one of my favorite layouts ever. It really is a departure from my usual style, and I love that. Thanks for looking.

I have to share the journaling that I did on the "No Girly Girls Allowed" layout.

"My little girl who used to be so into princesses and anything pink and girly is no longer. Disney princesses, dolls and ponies have given way to Hannah Montana and High School Musical. Sweet little kid songs have given way to rock and pop. Ballet all dressed up in her lavender leotard has given way to hip hop in baggy pants. Pink and purple have given way to black. Dresses and anything frilly have given way to blue jeans. Pony and pigtails and little hair things have given way to short unembellished hair that usuallyisn’t even brushed. She got rid of her purple princess bike, which was too small, and picked out this boy’s rallyx bike. She didn’t want anything to do with a girly bike. She does still have a pink helmet, but it’s only a matter of time before she refuses to wear that."

And before I go, if any of you want to know a way you can be assured to get one of these great kits each month, you can apply for Scrapdango's design team. They are taking applications now until March 28th. You can see all the details here. Scrapdango has been such a wonderful site to design for, and I have had the time of my life these past 7 months. It's sad to think, my time as a designer there might come to an end after this month, but I'm excited to see what the new DT holds.

Goodbye Old Friend

It's sad for me to say that we have to part ways. You have been near and dear to my heart for over 4 years now. We have shared every holiday and celebration together. We have shared the little things and the big things. You were there with me at the birth of my last child and have watched as all three of them have grown. You have changed the way that I view the world and have made it a much brighter place. I know it sounds so cliche', but it's not you, it's me. I admit it, I'm shallow, and I only want the best. I have found a new friend. One that looks almost identical to you, but is so much more sophisticated. I'm sorry it had to be this way. I will miss you, but it is time for you to move on. You have new friends now. Someone that was so excited to meet you and take you home to introduce you to his family. You'll be happy there. I hope they treat you as well as I did. I will always remember you, and I will miss you. Here is a photo of the two of us together. I will always have the photos--the MANY MANY photos.

The Ides of March

March 15th was called the Ides of March by ancient Romans. It was made famous by Shakespeare in his play, Julius Caesar, but did you know that there are actually 11 other ides during the year. Ides is also the name for the 15th of May, July and October and the 13th of all other months. Anyway, there's a bit of trivia for you.

This is also the day that we remember my Grandma Mary Lou. It was on this day 3 years ago that she passed and ever since my mom, siblings and all the aunts, uncles and cousins have gotten together at her favorite restaurant, Smitty's. It's just a little hometown diner where she felt very welcome. I wish I had pictures to share, but for the 3rd year, I forgot my camera.

In other happenings for this weekend, Brown & Caldwell held a family bowling night for the company. There was good food and then bowling. I didn't actually bowl but Hannah, Justin and Dale did. Hannah and Justin had a great time. They bowled with a whole group of kids and did quite well--better than mommy ususally does, but I might do okay with gutter bumpers up like they had. Owen just had fun running around and clapping for everyone and trying to lift the bowling balls. I do have some pics to share from the bowling fun.

Here is another random photo from the weekend of the kids being crazy singing and dancing to songs from itunes.

My Sketch World March sketch

I'm a few days late, but the first sketch that I had to work with as part of the new design team over at the My Sketch World blog is up. Here is the sketch and the layout that I made with it.


If you do a layout using this sketch and upload it in the MSW forum, you will receive a ballot in the drawing for some goodies at the end of the month. MSW also has a separate contest going on right now with a brand new sketch and a theme. The prize is the awesome Feb. spice kit from Scrapdango, which I've had the pleasure working with. You can see my creations from it just below. Check out the MSW blog for the contest details.