We may be a little crazier this week because we are getting ready for a few special guests this month.  The first is my parents.  Yippie!!! They will be arriving on Friday.  Needless to say I'm going crazy trying to work, clean and be a taxi.  As Russ says, put the cape on for a few days then take it off at night.  <smile>

Regardless of my crazy schedule I *always* try to find the time to create because it's just makes me HAPPY! Sooo…

It's time for a My Digital Studio Layout.  I want to let My Digital Studio users aware there is an update available for your software.  Just open your Digital Software and it should prompt you for the updates.  There is also a fantastic Holiday Hostess special you will want to check out.  This digital download is only available as a hostess item and I can bet this will help some of your holiday tasks.  You will LOVE it.  GUESS WHAT???? There are new digital downloads today TOO! What a GREAT MDS day!

Click HERE to view the new downloads. Hang on, they are super cute!

Lastly, a quick layout using the Beau Chateau downloads.  I went a little crazy and my son may not appreciate all the pink on this layout but I LOVE it. 

It's a vintage look and most of all I love the pictures of him. He is a sweet boy.

Hope you are having a fabulous week!!

XOXOXO

They are all the rage and so simple to make.  Let me show you one that I made in about 15 minutes.  I started mine with a clean Jelly Jar.  Just so you know I'm making the kids eat lots of Peanut Butter and Jelly so we can collect more jars.  Okay, just kidding. 

When you start with your fabric, the amount needed will depend on the size of your jar lid.  My lid was pretty small. I used pinking shears to get a nice edge all around the fabric.  It looks so nice. 

I took a wad (great technical term) of pillow stuffing and placed my Spice Cake Fabric over it and over the lid of my jar.  To help me out I placed a rubber band around the fabric and lid to keep it in place. I then took a strip of coordinating fabric from the Spice Cake line and cut this strip using my Pinking shears again.  I wrapped this around my rubber band so you couldn't see it and tied the fabric in a bow.  I placed my pretty heart pins into the pin cushion at an angle because my lid is very shallow.  It works perfectly.

I could add DSP around the bottom of the jar but I really like this simple look just how it is.  Wouldn't this be a fun gift to give to friends, Teachers or loved ones? They would make a great craft show project too. You could add a simple tag made from the coordinating products and SHAZAM you have a FANTASTIC gift. LOVE It!

You can order this amazing Spice Cake Fabric and others in my On Line Store. 

***NEW MDS DOWNLOADS TODAY!!!***

Click HERE to see the fun new downloads! Go to my Digital Store today to get your own. 

Make it a GREAT day!!

XOXOXO

First, just a quick thank you for all the tips on the iPod.  Ya'll are amazing.  Really AMAZING.  The iPod is still sitting in rice. I am going to let it sit there until Saturday and then we will see the results.  It did whirl around for a good 40 minutes in the wash so I figure it needs a GOOD dry out. LOL!! I'll update you once we know. The Prince also knows now.  He just shook his head as if he knew this would happen.  Silly him!

Now for some My Digital Studio inspiration!

Sunday I spent all day downloading tons of My Digital Studio downloads that I currently had on my laptop but needed on my desktop computer.  I love playing with my laptop but I'm finding these 40 year old eyes of mine like the BIG screen better.  The good part about going through all my downloads is that it refreshed my mind of the downloads that I own. It made me fall in love with the images again and excited to do a layout using My Digital Studio. The layout above was a quick layout more to play with the digital elements than anything.  I'm not a pro at the program but I love how easy it is to create FAST projects. 

A great place to find all the resources you need and updates is on My Digital Studio.net. Make sure you check out the       My Digital Studio Contest that is in full swing.  You don't want to miss out. 

My Digital Studio downloads are coming out more and more frequently.  This is SO exciting.  Make sure you stay up to date by checking on my blog or the My Digital Studio website.

The new downloads for this month are SO MUCH FUN!!! Make sure you check them out HERE! 

Here is a quick layout I made in seconds using a Newsprint Template.  This was one of my downloads I "stumbled" upon this weekend.  Uh-huh!  Can you believe it? Anyways, these templates are SUPER FAST!!! All I did was throw the picture in the spot and then did my journaling.  That easy. 

I have one last layout and this was my favorite so far.  You know I love Halloween so seeing the latest downloads with Halloween and my all time FAVORITE Halloween stamp set just made me squeal.  Check this out:

If you are looking to see more downloads you can visit my Digital Online Store! There are TONS to look at!!

Have a Fabulous Wednesday!!

Click HERE to view them! They are amazing once again!

New card will be posted tonight. All I can say is, "Arggghhhh!!!"

For this particular page I made my photo the background.  I thought this was pretty darn cool.  I'll call it, "Kimberly DSP!" HA! Anyways, the rest of the elements came from the Downtown Grunge Kit.  This is the coolest digital download.  I love all the elements that you get with the kit.  I made this page super simple… that is why I love it.  Took me only a few minutes to put together.  Now that is just amazing! Look how fun this kit is:

You can check out the My Digital Studio software in my Online Store along with all the great downloads that are available.  Stampin' Up! is really pushing out more and more downloads every month.  It's really exciting and addicting. PLUS, you have to check the Online Store anyways.  It's a NEW look and EASY to navigate.  My cheeks hurt from the big smiles I have.  Yippie!

Have a SUPER week!

XOXOXO

Edited because my grammer STINKS at midnight!

The day before we were leaving I was running errands around town.  The last stop was CVS.  I felt something strange on my finger.  When I looked down I noticed my engagement ring was missing.  All I had was the back of the gold band.  The diamonds were gone.  My heart sank and of course I was late getting the kids from school.  I rushed to get the kids and then we were on a hunt for the other half of my ring.  Long story short- the last stop was CVS.  I walked in and spoke with the manager and explained my mess.  He took my name and info and the kids and I set off throughout the store just to look and see if we could find it.  About 5 minutes later, Abby (my new friend and CVS store manager) came to me with my diamonds in hand.  I wanted to french kiss the man I was so excited.  I couldn't thank him enough.  I just cried. I walked the kids to the car and when we got in I told them I would do something special for Abby like a gift card to dinner. Brandon says, "Mommy, first you want to French Kiss him, now you want to take him to dinner! This seems like a relationship starting!"  All I could do was belly laugh.  I was so happy!!  This three hour ordeal meant I had a lot of packing to do and not a lot of time left. 

This is my ring:

I realize today I could probably write a book on this Alaska trip alone.  First, have you ever traveled across country with two kids as a single parent? I am sure a few of you have.  I am sure I am not alone when I say there are  challenges that come with traveling with kids- PERIOD!  My biggest challenge was packing!  Good grief! 6 suitcases, one just for shoes! Then the formal dresses, and pants and of course winter coats that were worn ONCE.  The weather was fantastic and NO rain.  That is a miracle.

Let me share my journey with the kids.  These pictures are just of the first day and our first Sea Day.  Overall I took 900 pictures.  Oh my!  It appears I was not on this trip since I was behind the camera, but rest assured I was there every moment of the way. <smile>

Ya know how we always say we live in a small world? Boy is it.  When I was sitting on the plane, I noticed someone that looked so familiar to me.  Couldn't put my finger on it.  Then we both looked at each other with disbelief!  It was my friend Stacey, another cool Navy wife that we used to live near 10 years ago!  Unbelievable.  10 years ago I didn't have kids! There I sit with my two kids…   To me she looked just the same, cute as ever!   She didn't say that to me.  ROFL.  I must have really aged.  <sigh> Isn't that amazing? 10 long years and we run into each other on a plane out of DC.  CRAZY!!

The plane ride to Seattle was a quick 5 hours.  <just poke my eyes out!>  The kids kept busy with the Digi player I rented on the plane and the $30 in food we also purchased.  Russ would not be so happy.  I chose to make myself happy! LOL!

Once we arrived to the ship we had to go through a long line for processing.  Seriously, had I known I would have fed the kids more.  They were starving at this point and the only thing they cared about was getting into the pool on the ship.  The temp was a whopping 58 degree's or so. 

We had a beautiful view of Seattle from the top of the ship.  The kids thought this was SO cool.

They were so excited to get to the pool.  Then they found out it was salt water.  They only stayed in for a little while.  I was freezing just watching them.

Alexis was so excited to meet her Pen Pal, Jordan Bauer.  Jordan and Alexis had been writing each other for about 3 months prior to the cruise.  It was so cute watching them finally meet.  They became best buddies on the ship.  In the Stampin' Up! hospitality room there was this HUGE pale of buttons.  The kids would "pan" the buttons in search of the Big Red Button.  This was the coolest thing and the highlight for the kids each day.  Alexis would also spin the prize wheel for me. I could just sit in that big pile of buttons.  What a happy place and you can see from the picture that the girls were having a great time.  

Formal night with kids was so fun.  Watching them get ready, priceless! They were a little nervous on the "proper" way to do things at the dinner table.  I won't lie, I was a wreck about formal night.  If you could see Brandon eat, you would understand.  He typically wears everything he eats. <sigh> Overall, they had a blast.  Brandon did wear his food and Alexis was not impressed with her dinner selection. She is just like me.  If I cannot pronounce it, I don't want it! They couldn't understand WHY there were so many utensils.  It just made me giggle.  Our table mates were awesome.  Heather Summers and her little boy Mark (the best eater I've EVER seen) made the night so special. 

The kids were fine until the ADULTS next to us started playing….

Really? Is there anything I can say here? Again, they had a blast.  Brandon even tried a frog leg.  WOW!

This is just the beginning. I have much more to share.  The trip does get more interesting. 

I won't leave you without something Creative.  I created an MDS page last night.  My dear friends on the ship taught me some cool tricks using the My Digital Studio.  This page only took me about 30 minutes from start to finish.  No tricks really. 

I am using the new Digital Download Travel Log Kit.  Great kit. 

You can view all the new digital content in my Online Store!

Here are the PDF's of all the new Digital Content for May:

May 3rd

May 10th

May 17th

May 31st

I hope you are having a GREAT week!  More photos to come!

XOXOXO

I'm excited because I have a few things to share.  I've been a creating QUEEN today. I completely got my groove on and the ideas were coming so fast that I had to start writing them down and sketching them out.  This doesn't happen all the time and lately it feels like it hasn't happened in FOREVER! Plus I am still SICK!  Sneezing constantly.  Maybe I should take the cold medicine all the time to keep the ideas coming.  ???

Anyhoo- First I want to share a scrapbook page.  Over Christmas Alexis got a little sewing machine.  She has really enjoyed sewing and we've kept it pretty much to straight stitching.  We have a cute owl project we are going to start soon. 

Boy there are a few products on this page.  <smile>  Lots and lots of fun things.  Here is a list of the fun products I used:

Sweet Stitches Rub On's 121887, Sweet Stitches DSP 121781, Sew Suite Stamp Set (clear) 122009, In Stitches Jumbo Wheel 121946, Sweet Stitches Big Buttons 122302, Pom Pom Trim Melon Mambo 123322, Sweet Stitches Fabric Designer Buttons 121880, Fabulous Phrases Stamp Set! The letters "SEW" are die cut using Alphabet Simple 115960.  This is my favorite die cut alphabet.  It's the perfect size for scrapbookers.

My favorite part about this layout are the sweet little hands guiding her fabric with the machine.  Check out that GREEN nail polish!  Good Grief!

Next I have a quick little Valentines card for you. 

I used the new stamp set called Valentine Defined 123057(clear).  The bottom sentiment "Feb 14th" came from the Filled with Love stamp set.  I love Valentines! I'm working on a stash of cards to give to my Prince.  I like to shower him with cards with a few hints of things he can do for Valentines Day.  LOL! I have motives.  <smile>

Have a GREAT Tuesday!

I'm going to share 6 of the layouts tonight and the rest tomorrow.  Keep in mind these layouts are fairly simple and fast.  Still working with the 8 x 8 album.  I pulled out a lot of the Holiday Mini products that I wanted to use before they go away.  Remember, you have until January 3rd to order from that Mini Catalog.  I really love these little albums.  I can now say that my "Fall 2010" album is DONE! Phew! I have a BIG habit of starting to play with all the new stuff before my current stuff is used.  I've been looking at that album forever and when I rest my head tonight I will feel a sense of ACCOMPLISHMENT! It's a good feeling! Now I just have to finish my Christmas 2010 album.  Oh Boy!

*Note* I used a lot of chipboard on these layouts.  Some of the chipboard may be retired.  Go diggin' in your stash and you may find the same chipboard. <wink>

There are TONS of products used on these layouts.  More than I wish to list.  I will tell you the main DSP I used is the Autumn Spice (#120808).  You can find it in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I also used lots of buttons from the Mini.  Two stamp sets that got a nice workout tonight … Fall Foliage (#121166-Clear) and Day of Gratitude (#121148-Clear)! Lovely sets and they can be used for much more than just FALL. 

Tomorrow I will share the rest.  I have another project I am working on but this one is intense.  I am putting together a list of 10 things that I will accomplish this year.  Oh jeez!  So many things I would like to do.  I will share-don't worry!  It makes me more accountable and gives me the ability to stick my tongue out when I accomplish it! ~

Until tomorrow-

There has been lots of creating going on in my stamp room however by the time I get done creating I look at the clock and it reads an awful time of 2am.  By this time I squeal with delight about what I made and dream about it for a few short hours before it's time to start the mayhem all over again.  I'm sure many of you can relate to this crazy life I have, right? 

I'm finally feeling caught up where I can show you a few fun things. I held a workshop last weekend that was SO much fun.  I met lots of new stamping friends and my ride home I noticed my cheeks hurt.  I couldn't stop smiling from all the fun we had.  I have to share a few things that we made. 

My hostess that day loves to scrapbook.  This was right up my alley and I wanted the scrapbook page to really be one of building memories.  This is such a fun page and easy.  We used the new Scallop Lunch Bags that are in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I love these things.  You can use them for so many things.  I used them on this page as a way to journal.  Each person will write on the tag what they are most thankful for on Thanksgiving day.  I did something like this a few years ago.  It is so fun to read today.   

Really fun layout and I encourage you to make your own to remember what you were thankful for this Thanksgiving.  The two stamp sets used are: French Foliage (#121166) and Thankful For (#120795). The Mini Lunch Sacks (#121031) are from the Holiday Mini and only available for a limited time.  These are so easy to dress up.  Stock up on these!  You get 10 per pkg for only $4.95!

This next card was made for my kids Music Teacher. 

It was just a quick card and I wanted to share. 

Time for me to get busy this morning.  Lots and lots to do.  Have a GREAT weekend!

Here we are playing with stamps…

It felt GREAT to teach again.  Ahhhh…. This is what I LOVE!

Let me show you what we made last night. 

I first demonstrated how great the Big Shot is.  Who doesn't love the BIG SHOT? Seriously, it's the BEST. I wanted to show how the Two Tags Die Cut is fabulous and versatile.  Remember the last card I showed to you?  Remember I said I created that card with something in mind? I wanted to show many ways to use this die cut.  I showed the card, Birthday/Christmas Tags and then this little cutie:

I will share how to make the project above tomorrow.  It's fast and easy and great for party favors. 

Then my workshop guests made these two projects:

I love the bright colors of this scrapbook page.  The inspiration for the colors came from my Color Coach that Stampin' Up! has.  This is such a GREAT tool that everyone should purchase. If you struggle with color combinations, Get the "COACH!" -120148

Lastly, we made a Christmas Card.  It's that time to get busy on your Christmas cards.  There are tons of great stamp sets to choose from and this one is a fun, simple set to use.  It's called Welcome Christmas- 120597

It was a fantastic night and I can't wait until the next workshop…. Yes, we will be meeting again.  WHOO HOO!!!!

The rest of my weekend has been filled with enjoying my family and more organizing.  Today I took Russ to IKEA.  He was in a state of confusion because he didn't "get" the store set up.  He probably couldn't concentrate either because I was singing the entire time we were in the store.  What can I say?  The store just makes me happy! I did get a few goodies for my stamp room.  I'll share soon.  LOL!

Enjoy your week.