christine haskell

2009-11-08T13:05:00.000-08:00

Yippeeee! I won 2nd place {for mixed media} in the SOUTHERN NEVADA MUSEUM OF FINE ART's juried fall art affair!

My entry, Reeling with Rage:

Recent paintings

2009-09-17T15:43:00.000-07:00

I received a blue ribbon for 'best in category' for "Dissolving Plans, Fading Blueprints" at the City Lights Juried Exhibition! YEAH!

I also entered "Reeling With Rage":

I will try to get some better photos, I'm not so pleased with these. Thanks for looking! {you can click on the photos to see the paintings larger}

First Day Of Kindergarten

2009-08-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

Today was Quinn's first day of Kindergarten! He was soooo excited to wear his new shoes & clothes and use his new backpack.!

We got to stay in the classroom until the bell rang. Quinn played at one of the tables with a few other boys.

We were handed this from his teacher as we left. Like I wasn't teary enough as we left!!!!

Quinn has graduated Preschool!

2009-05-30T08:48:00.000-07:00

Quinn's Preschool Graduation, May 29, 2009

Springtime

2009-04-07T08:22:00.000-07:00

We went to the zoo yesterday, it's nothing like other zoo's that I have been to, but they sure are trying with what they have, they run on donations. The boys loved it.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T15:48:00.000-08:00

it was 1979...

2008-12-17T16:31:00.000-08:00

when there was this much snow !

from weather.com
... EXTREMELY RARE SNOW EVENT ACROSS THE DESERT SOUTHWEST...

but oh what fun!!!!

goof ball

2008-12-12T16:24:00.000-08:00

during the process of trying to get ONE good pic for our christmas cards.....

could they BE any cuter????

2008-12-04T14:51:00.000-08:00

we are watching adalyn a few days a month...she is such a sweetie baby and quinn loves to have her here at the house.

Halloween 2008

2008-11-03T10:36:00.000-08:00

We had our 6th annual halloween party this past saturday, here are a few pics. i am hoping some guests will email me some (wink wink nudge nudge) 'cause i didn't get everyone's photo!

borrowed W&B's halloween tree

The Gardeners

Emily & Clara (aka Ms. Cop & Ms. Mermaid, and you can see Frank's Bride in the back)

Frank :)

Buzz, Woddy & Jessie

well, no, it's not tomorrow tim

2008-10-18T21:16:00.000-07:00

but it is being posted ;)

first off, i totally forgot to put in the awesome pics of the pigs! apperantly, the large one gets so big in the fall from eating the dropping acorns, that his belly drags on the ground and gets scraped, so they have to cut him off!

i can't get over is hair though! more like Don King, or more like Andy Rooney's eyebrows??

we stopped by Jack Creek Farms and bought some pumkins and a super yummy apple cider/pomegranate slush.

pretty cute place i thought.

we headed to downtown paso to find some lunch. we parked and started to walk around and noticed that there were alot, i mean ALOT, perhaps ALL of paso robles' population at the park. then we noticed the lines of people and they were carrying pots and pans and containers. we asked a local couple (who were enjoying their lunch) what was going on. "It's Pioneer Day", there are free beans for everyone. They are pretty good, get in line and have some." So....if you know my husband, we couldn't get in line fast enough. ;) We got our beans (more like chili if you ask me) and sat in the grass enjoying our lunch. Then, they ran out. There was a rumble throughout the lines of pot-holding bean-goers. "Tim!" I say, punching him in the arm, "they ran out! We took beans away from the locals on their Pioneer Day!"

After that tramatic experience, we were in need of some wine. We head out to the East Side, off of the 46. We visited a few wineries, bought more than we intended. Our favorite by far is Mitchella.Could these people BE any cooler? I think not. We really enjoyed the wine, bought a Syrah and viognier. We were heading out and they invited us down to check out the grape crushing, as they were just getting started. what?!?!? yeah we wanna check that out!!! they had this way cute little jack russell, i think here name was hanna maybe. she just cruised around the tasting room and the vineyard.

Morro Bay and Paso Robles, anniversary weekend

2008-10-13T16:53:00.000-07:00

so hubby left me clues for just about 30 days, hinting at where we would be spending our anniversary this year.

here is the list...

So over the weekend we went golfing in Morro Bay. it was SUPER windy and F'in cold, but gorgeous views of the course and the bay surrounded us. We had THE best clam chowder EVER at the Harbor Hut. I know it looks WAY cheesey, but we sat in the bar and had a good bottle of wine, some appetizers (they were 'eh') and then had the clam chowder and bread. yum yum yummy.

The next day we headed to Paso Robles. I love this place, what a great laid back town! we headed to a little B&B to get checked in. What great people! SOOOOO cute....Willow Creek Farms, est. 1888, population 8. The dont have a website as of yet, but you can read about them here and here. If you ever have the chance to do so, stay there! We were in the cowboy bunk house:

It is decorated so very cute! With a cowboy/country/americana them, there are 4 queen beds and 2 full baths (showers, not tubs).
The property is gorgeous, huge oak trees, pigs, goats, chickens.

I will finish up tomorrow, we hit a few fab wineries!

its that time again!

2008-09-23T16:02:00.000-07:00

...fall...halloween...yeah! we (q and i) got out all (8) rubbermade bins today and started decorating. it is the first FULL day of fall afterall. i am holding off on the halloween village until tomorrow or the next day though. pics are soon to follow.

here is my latest fall item if you are needing some sparkle for your pages.

Hot Rods: Falling

available @ NDISB and ACOT

2008-08-11T15:06:00.000-07:00

we have returned from our vacay and the photos are up!!!
check 'em out.

also, i recently accepted the challenge to participate in the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network’s (FAAN’s) Walk for Food Allergy: Moving Toward A Cure. The event will raise funds to find a cure for food allergy and to educate others. FAAN’s mission is to raise public awareness, to provide advocacy and education, and to advance research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies and anaphylaxis.
if you can donate in anyway, it is much appreciated. take a peek at quinn's page!

here are a few of my favs from kauai...

look ma! no feet!!!

hanalei bay @ sunset

panorama of where we stayed

view from our room

quinn having a grand time

a 'berry' good day

2008-07-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

i stopped by ali edward's blog and found a link to keri smith's blog. i thought this post was really interesting. thank you keri for writing those things that i have thought but did not have the courage to say.

i haven't written about this yet, i was going to try to create a LO for it, but that hasn't happened yet, but it will. :)

we had quinn tested again for his food allergies. last time he was eight months old and it was a blood test. our allergist recommended that we have a skin test this time. he said it is more accurate. so we did. previously the blood test results were that quinn was allergic to dairy, eggs, peanuts & strawberries.

not the best photos, i know, but you can see his joy nonetheless.
yup, my kid finally got to experience strawberries. loves 'em. could this BE any cooler?!?!?!? his peanut allergy is non-existent too. off to make a PBJ sandwich for him, strawberry jelly of course.

Q's 4th Birthday Party

2008-06-02T15:23:00.000-07:00

the cake (2.75 hours to bake...5 minutes to cut and be eaten, not so sure i'll do THAT again.)

cake detail

blowing out the candles

a happy birthday boy

the bigger than life bounce house we rented...yeah...we didn't think it would be THIS big!!!

quinn in the bouncer

the pinata line

the kids grabbing the loot from the pinata...*quinn calls it a pina colada

suiting up to save the universe in his new suit

wow....it's been sooooo long.....

2008-04-30T08:11:00.001-07:00

papers (2 cream, 1 red) - flakes and flourishes - christine haskellalpha - little black dress - christine haskellInstant Art: Bracket Vol. 1 - christine haskellstaple - mefont - 2Peas Piano Recital

black & white papers, and vinyl brackets - christine haskell's Full Tilt (releasing 4/30)red paper - christine haskell's nantucket cottagefold - karah fredricks folded corners font - CK Alis Writing

warm fuzzies

2008-04-03T18:53:00.000-07:00

so i am in the computer room, designing some new papers. all the windows are open, and there is a soft breeze. i am listening to the sounds of tim and quinn playing catch and tim teaching him about throwing (which he is killer at BTW!!) such a storybook moment :)

and then he says to tim: "but if i throw like this, then i won't fall down because i have big muscles and they are't squishy."

oh. makes sense. :)

2008-04-01T15:55:00.000-07:00

credits

credits

2008-03-27T16:08:00.000-07:00

we are back from our weekend trip to tucson for easter. i m finishing up things for my class at DSAGuild.com and for a dear friend's baby shower this weekend.

so, as a lot of you know, quinn has sever food allergies. tonight is the last episode of Celebrity Apprentice. If you are not familiar with this season, celebs are competing for charities. The final 2 contestants are Piers (Piers Morgan) vs. Trace (Trace Adkins).

Pier's charity is Fallen Heroes Fund and Trace's is FAAN (Food Allery & Anaphylaxis Network). FAAN is the largest charity in the world dedicated to helping and advocating for the 12 million who suffer from food allergies.

I know that BOTH charities are wonderful. But Trace's charity is close to my heart.

You can vote for either contestant:
PSMS Text Messaging During the finale broadcast or bid in an auction. The winner's charity will receive $250,000!!!!

or you can download Trace's song "You're Gonna Miss This" from iTunes for 2 weeks, all proceeds go to FAAN.

I already downloaded it!!!

thanks all!

CRAZY busy

2008-03-19T14:24:00.000-07:00

we went to the carnival and parade (Paddy's day...this was on last sat.) he is such a big boy, riding carnival rides, i can hardly believe it.

terror

relief/joy...."can we do it again?!?!?!?"

spin, spin, spin away!!!

we also had a birthday party this weekend, happy 78th GG!!!

spring break is this week and he is in a golf clinic. he and his cousin are doing pretty good (as far as attention span) better than i had though they would!!!

guess what?!?!?

2008-03-11T14:52:00.001-07:00

along with being a Guild affiliated designer and teaching there too, and being at NDISB, i am now also at A Cherry on Top! Isn't that exciting?!?!?

2008-03-10T07:44:00.000-07:00

credits here

drumroll.....and the winners are....

2008-02-26T15:48:00.000-08:00

woohoo! it is time to announce the winners of my birthday contest!!!

first place, winning a $15 gift certificate is:
Sandy aka wvsandy!!!!

second place, winning a $5 gift certificate is:
Nancy aka nancyr

third place, winning a $5 gift certificate is:
Sandi aka sandilyn

i will be emailing you the gift certificates soon! thanks for participating!!!

birthday with the fam....

2008-02-25T08:29:00.001-08:00

the food was FANTASTIC! my family can cook if i do say so myself! mmm...mmm! they are all so generous too. but one thing that was so very nice about the evening was that the boys played so great together. there was no bickering or arguing, no hitting or crying. and in turn, that left the rest of us to do something that we haven't done in a loooooooonnnnnnngggggg time. vist. just sit and talk and sip on sangria (yum!) and did i mention talk? like adults. there were no interuptions because of the boys fighting. it was wonderful. we talked about big things and not so big things. i had almost forgotten what this had felt like! i just had a wonderful sense of calm and comfort. visiting in my parent's living room. i was in a happy place. ( they boys were haveing such a great time too, they didn't want to go home at the end of the night!)

2008-02-19T16:34:00.000-08:00

so i am heading out tonight to a food allergy group that i found on meetup.com. looks like there will be several parents from the area. there will be an allergist there to speak to us, hopefully i will com back with some good info!!!

celebrate my b-day!!!

2008-02-12T14:29:00.000-08:00

In 2 short weeks I turn 30!!! How should we celebrate? With a contest of course!!

Post a layout (by midnight EST, Feb. 24) with the theme “If I had 30 extra...” using mostly my products (lets say 75%, it is my birthday after all!) and PM me the link. You will then be entered into a drawing to win one of 3 prizes!!! (one $15 GC and two $5 GC, you may only win one.)

Winners announced Feb. 26. (On My Birthday!!!) on my blog (christinehaskell.blogspot.com)

You could win these for my store!!! (one) $15 gift certificate (one) $5 gift certificate (one) $5 gift certificate.

Can't wait to see what you come up with!!!

Credits:

my "Struck" kit @ NDISB.com

nasty & primer fonts

2008-02-11T14:27:00.000-08:00

so we missed out on the evening with the family last night due to quinn running a fever (102.4), sore throat, runny nose, etc. BUT the family came to the rescue and hand delivered a loverly muffuletta straight from New Orleans!!! how awesome is that?!?!?

quinn is a little better, fever is down and he is trying to be perky!!!

actions: virtual photographer and amy head eileen's soft pop @ NDISB.com

oh and i will ba having a scrapbooking contest coming up very shortly...in celebration of... :)

finished the pond mural!

2008-02-08T15:10:00.000-08:00

here are a few pics...

isn't this lil' guy cute?!?!?!?

2008-01-29T12:54:00.000-08:00

preschool is getting better, not 100% w/o crying, but TONS better. preschool has roped me in to participate in the community helpers week. this is where members of the community (you coulda guessed that) come in and explain their job/what they do. today there was a 'ballon lady' (sorry, unsure of the appropriate title), there is a firerfighter and florist coming in. the teachers headr that i painted murals, and it was all over. :)

i finished a new kit and it is in the store. take a peek @ "Struck"

details...

2008-01-21T13:23:00.000-08:00

saturday we attended the nevada democratic caucus. it was was very interesting..for us...quinn...not so much. but he did a great job.

later that evening we went to Vegas PBS's Splendor in the Glass...fun stuff!

yesterday was slow...sweat pants and football.

today we are sprucing up the house in anticipation of our annual superbowl party.

have you seen the latest goodie i have in the store?

matchbox memories: heart day

the wildlife on the golf course

2008-01-17T14:08:00.000-08:00

that what???? besides the usually bunnies and birds and thangs, this week we were visited by geese! and 2 days later, not the usual 1, BUT 3 coyotes! eeeek!

So I had a particularly tough week emotionally. Quinn is still not comfortable with me leaving him at preschool. He screams and cries and clings to me as if he is being taken to an orphanage. Sigh. I leave him….so tough, but I know he is in good hands, and the teachers are so patient and kind. I call to check on him and he is of course fine. But I cry all the way home, In addition to this he has become so nasty. Just a rotten 3 year old at times. Other times, he is the sweetest kid in the world. But these things were really wearing on me this week and I had my self a few good crying sessions. I know that these things will pass. I know that it is a phase and he will grow out of this, and I will hopefully grow from this. But I must have patience. A LOT of patience. LOL!!!!

sweet boy...

it was a magical christmas...

2007-12-31T07:42:00.000-08:00

quinn was so ill the entire week befire christmas that he missed his preschool program, we didn't get to make/decorate any cookies, or go to any of the holiday light displays as we had wanted. :( he was feeling better by dec 23...but still pretty worn out. but, on christmas eve, he called me into his bed room, and we both heard santa and the reindeer on the roof!!! the next morning, the cookies and milk were the first things that he checked on and they were gone! and, we found partially eaten carrots on the patio, right by a collar of bells! rudolph dropped his bells on OUR porch, can you believe it?!?!?!

...is santa up there?

i am behind in my being grateful

2007-12-13T14:34:00.000-08:00

but to day i am grateful that quinn did not cry when i took him to preschool today....phew....i am also grateful for a brother who is quite interested in cooking....so he experiments....and he is so kind in his experimentation, today he gave us quinn safe homemade chocolate. awesome or what?

2007-12-08T07:38:00.000-08:00

i am grateful for ...

Kohl's. after tring to find something (4 major dept. stores and a few boutiques) to wear to the holiday party tonight... i found just what i wanted at kohls....too bad i din't go there first. oh well.

palying catch up

2007-12-06T13:49:00.000-08:00

4 days late ... 4 things to be grateful for:

1) that wrigleys gum doesn't comtain the ingredient that is toxic to dogs. why? because percy decided to eat FIFTEEN peices of gum...and foil...and wrapper. but quinn did get to see what the Vet's office looks like and our 'presents' in the backyard are now sparkley!

2) that the KB toy outlet off of easter and serene is going out of business. i got quinn a buzz lightyear costume for $13!!! he has been jumping off th eedge of the bed and reciting "to ah-fin-ney and beyon" cute, eh?

3) that my DH went to AZ last night to watch the NAU vs UNLY game. he brought me back artichoke lasagna from oreganos!!!!

4) that albertson's carries a gingerbread house kit that quinn can eat! yahoo, fun sweet and messy all in one!

day 2

2007-12-02T07:22:00.000-08:00

oh! we're on a roll! ;)

i am grateful that my family (outside of tim and quinn) get along so well. i know that there are lots of families that bicker often and don't get together as much as we do. we love and support each other and accept oneanother for who we are.

day 1: thankful for...

2007-12-01T06:39:00.000-08:00

my friend has challenged me to blog each day in december. here is her challenge:

For the month of December, every day, let's take at LEAST a minute to blog one thing that we are thankful for, feel blessed for, or are generally tickled green about.

so here we go kids....

i am creting an ABC album for quinn for christmas. i am currently on "F". i am creating this album for him, so i didn't want it to be "A" is for apple, "F" is for frog, etc. i want it to be really personal. so..."F" is for food allergies. although they are really tough to deal with at times (social situations, preschool, road trips, etc) i am THANKFUL and GRATEFUL that he has no illnesses, disease or syndromes.

happy thanksgiving

2007-11-22T07:28:00.000-08:00

this morning i am making broccoli casserole (ya-um!) and a quinn safe cherry pie. 2 doors down the sweetest, funnest, coolest neighbors are frying turkeys for the neighborhood and their friends....all day. seriously. they have been doing this for years and since we are now part of the 'hood, they have kindly offered to fry for us too. and quinn loves the girls! they are (i think 9 & 10) but they love playing with him and are really good with him. after quinns nap we will head to my aunts and have dinner with the family.

i am thankful for:
my son, husband, family, friends, home, health, doggies, being a SAHM, being able to create art, each day, my friends babies, all that my DH does for q and i.

i hope you have a good, safe and happy one.

2007-11-08T14:49:00.000-08:00

brigit kerr's
--Brighten My Day elements and papers
--Little Paper Bits & Noteworthy Alphas
--Bedazzled Curls Folds
--Essential Sparkles
all from DSAGuild.com

journaling reads:
my sweet son.
how i love to watch you play. you are uninhibited and free, not a care in the world. but you play with concentration and seriousness as though nothing matters more in this moment than the joy you are finding. and that is how it should be. i hope as you grow you can keep being serious about playing. just a few days after your thrid birthday, we brought out the sprinkler toys to test out the grass in our new backyard. i am positive that you enjoyed yourself, and continue too. june 2007

fins to the left, fins to the right...

2007-11-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

oh wait, that's jimmys page...sorry

c'mon, could this BE any cuter!?!?!?!?

quinn quote:"i've got a BIG belly!!!"

just so stinkin' cute, ya know?

2007-10-28T18:06:00.000-07:00

okay, here are the rest of the photos from the halloween party

"the blind leading the blind"

"jelly fish and sea weed"

"jack & jill"

"Mama & Bobby Boucher"

"Maid Marian & Robin Hood"

our new kitchen, party ready

our new great room

our new great room, the other side

2007-10-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

here are a few pics from our annual halloween party, i will post the rest soon....

"mama (from 'Waterboy') and reno 911"

he looks like this all the time...hee hee this is "white trash"

the party people

father ans son....the hippie and bobby boucher

prisoners of luv...

mom and dad...having a hippie flash back

the 'aints....i mean the saints

klaus...the chef

"bunny and carrot"

tag im it....

2007-10-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

alyson tagged me...

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?
sophomore at NAU, dating my future husband probably trying to find a halloween costume

2. What were you doing 5 years ago?
married for 2 yrs. wroking for parks and recreation. painting our house.

3. What were you doing 1 year ago?
getting ready for our 4th annual halloween party. raising a 2 yr old, designing digital scrapbooking products.

4. What did you do yesterday?
stayed at home taking care of sick quinny. :( set up my halloween village. :)

5. Snacks I enjoy:
snap peas, a fountain coke (thanks for the one the other day em!!!), cheese - yum.

6. Things I would do with $100 million dollars:
pay off the homes of my family members, sock it away for quinns college, invest for retirement, give to family if they want to retire, buy a secluded cabin in the Flagstaff Area, give to Food Allergy Research.

7. Locations I would run to:
Kauai, Laguna, Flagstaff...

8. Bad habit I have:
ummmm....well.....maybe later (procrastination) :)

9. Things I like to do: be a mama & a wife, graphic design, create art of any kind, hang out with family and friends, enjoy a good Pinot Grigio, sit on the back patio watching quinn play....

10. Biggest joy of the moment:
seeing quinn perk up from being sick....yeah!

good grief...does this lady post anymore?!?!?!!?

2007-10-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

tad bit busy....

i am excited to say i made top digi picks....check it out :)

nana nad grandma j were in town, i am designing and getting the house ready for halloween (a little decorating so far) and making curtains, hanging pictures, etc.

more pics of the house...the kitchen is DONE (messy still, but done!) and the wall between the living room and family room is gone, leaving one HUGE great room! the fireplace is soooo very close to being done too! (see the last pic for that)

in the midst...

2007-09-09T10:31:00.000-07:00

we started our remodel! covering the brady bunch fireplace (against the advice of my MIL *wink*) and tore out the 1978 dddddaaaaaarrrrrrkkkkk cabinets, replacing them with a more modern natural oak. (woo hoo!) we also took out the old light and have relpaced it with the "ultra dome" from ceiling concepts. more later!

barn burnin'

2007-08-23T15:03:00.000-07:00

oooo....she is at it again!!!! another post....look out!!!

so this morning we met aidan and warren at the park. the boys played or a while and the we went to the CCHM. I don't know when it was actually started the museum, but it was around when i was a kid. but we never went there. it was even just a mile and 1/2 from our last home, drove by it every day. never stopped. but we decided to go. today. i thought i had remembered that tim said his department was having a team building meeting there today, but wasn't 100% sure. so we pulled up and i decided to call him. he said that he was infact in a meeting there. he said that they were locked up in a barn. {at this point you need to stop and go back and click on the link if you haven't done so yet. please look for what you think looks like a BARN on that page. anyone have an answer yet? yes, you in the back? RIGHT! the barn IS red!!! And yes, it IS shaped like a barn, like EVERY barn i have EVER seen!!!! now what about the green and yellow building? there is a TRAIN to the right of it, AND behind the tree there is a sign that reads "depot", keep this in mind}

anywy, we are walking along the trail spouting off facts about the items we are seeing, trying to pique the boys' interests, while they are picking up rocks and screaming "oh! there is another jack rabbit!" or "whoa! i just saw a lizard!"

so we AVOID the RED barn, because (1) he said it was locked (2) he was having a meeting in there (side note, i have NO idea WHY they had there meeting there when they have ample room at their building)

so our next stop on the self guided tour is the TRAIN DEPOT. we walk in, and i hear voices, but assume that they are other people on the tour and keep going in.

uuuuuhhhhhhh WWWWRRROOOOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGG!!!!!!

it was tim's coworkers, bosses and HR people....! THIS IS NOT A BRAN TIM!!!!! sheesh!
so we scurry out, totally embarrassed! does my husband NOT know what a barn is, and could they NOT have locked the door???? helllooooooooo!

oh well. i have yet to hear from tim about what was said on his end. :)

side note, i saw this video {see below} on another blog....you have to read this woman's blog, so stinkin' funny!!!!

okay, quinn is waking up, so i am outta time....follow this link for THE mos wonderful/hilarious baby laughter!!!

alyson taged me...sheesh

2007-08-11T11:29:00.000-07:00

i was tagged.
The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules. (if you don't have a blog, email me)
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

randomoddities:

1. i don't know how to type correctly...its is kind of a hunt-n-peck/professional typist hybrid way of typing

2. when i put socks on, I HAVE to pinch the sock between EACH toe before i put on shoes

3. i hate to unload the dishwasher and put laundry away.

4. sometimes i paint with both hands

5. i abhor celery

6. i laugh out loud at america's funniest home videos

7. i have a birthmark on my back that has no pigmentation at all

8. i had a nose ring for 6 days

i am tagging:
emily
wren
sara
brigit
amy

2007-08-11T10:37:00.000-07:00

quick update...quinn is sleeping in his big boy bed for naps AND at night time!!! yeah! he is doing well, hopefully we can remove the crib soon.

The knobs on the dresser, bed and armoire (sp?) are fire truck/police car related. tim tried to remove them and replace them with plain wooden knobs and quinn about came unglued!!!! so i guess that will be his "theme" for his bedroom...

i havent been able to paint too much with being so busy with the boys, but i did get a whale done.

ch ch ch changes

2007-08-04T15:48:00.000-07:00

the patio guys FINALLY cam back today...sheesh..thought they had run off with our chashish. they are finishing the stamping today and then will stain it tomorrow. we had our shutters installed today too!!! woo hoo! nice & dark!!! ahhhhh.....maybe it will cut down on some of the a/c usage....ha! and drumroll....quinn got a 'big boy' bed!!!! he is so excited, but after an hour of NOT falling asleep for his nap, he decided he wanted to go back to the crib. oh well, baby steps...i would post a pic, but he is sleeping in there. it is aidans old bedroom set, but looks new.

posting pics later.

day 2, sans cousin, Jared & Tessa, and books

2007-07-31T14:21:00.000-07:00

quinn attended preschool again on monday, and his cousin was not around for support....so how did he do? due he's a rock star! he even told me 'bout a friend he made too! awe! but the teacher does want me to come for snack time...i guess things were a little crazy and he ended up taking a drink of someone else's juice...the teacher looked as though she was going to pass out...so i will bet attending snack time for at least a little while...no biggie.

need a good read? two of our friends, who happen to be pretty hip world travelers, not to mention wonderful people!, have just MOVED to spain! they moved there for jared to earn his MBA...i am sure they will be having tons of wonderful tales to tell...

speaking of stories...quinn's latest favorite bedtime book is no matter what...if you have kiddos, i recommend it.

an i am spent....phew....now THAT was tough

2007-07-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

...FOR ME!

quinn couldn't wait to get rid of me! sheesh! if i hadn't of asked for a kiss i woulnd't have even gotten that! no lookin' back for this kid, just head on into preschool...no crying (on his end)!!!!!

he was great! not a single tear. He went through 'the gate' (safety feature) and was greeted by his cousin -adian- who took him by the hand and began showing him around. (side note: i was watching this from the other side of 'the gate'....his cousin led him to a room off of the main room, where they aren't allowed to go unless the teachers go with, and showed him that room. so of course quinn wants to go in and check it out. aidan comes running over to the teacher, and tells her that quinn went in that room, and the teacher tells aidan to go get him out. aidan tells quinn (i can't see quinn at this point) and aidan runs back to tell the teacher that he wont come out. so the teacher has to go get him. he wasn't in trouble, but that little stinker aidan!!!)

so i watch for a minute longer, and they are playing with the other kids. no freak out, no worries...he is just having a great time.

so i feel useless, and un-needed (is that a word?) and head to my car to go i-don't-know-where while i cry my eyes out. My baby is in preschool!!! being taken care of by someone else! and he didn't bat an eyelash! (which i know is great, but c'mon...a little sad to see me go????)

i call alyson...crying and talking to her as i drive to joanns to look at fabric for new curtains (which i didn't get b/c i was in a daze)...she helped me feel better...she has a fabulous way with words that i will never posess...so i stopped crying, but it felt so weird to not have him there...it was so quite...

i snuck in to pick him up and saw him eating his snacks at the little table with the little chairs, just like all the other kids. aidan spotted me, but i preformed the universal signal for 'shhhh' and he smiled and nodded his head. i watched little quinners be such a big boy, drinking from a big boy cup, sitting there so politely. he finshed his snack and skipped away, i just continued to watch.

another mom came and the teacher said...so-and-so you mom is here...quinn turned around and looked towards 'the gate' and saw me. he squealed with delight..."mommy!" and ran towards me.....i melted inside!!!! ah! he DOES love me!

the teacher gave us the EpiPen back along with his craft for the day, yup, my little guy made his first craft and i got weepy all over again.

he told me about his day in the car, and when he was done i asked if he liked it there and if he wanted to go back. yup. ok buddy, you got it.

so we came home and had lunch...i have never seen him eat a cashew butter and jelly sandwhich so fast, watched a bit of a movie and went to take a nap....and i took one too. i was emotionally spent. phew.

i woke up to the sound of rain...ahhhhhh....and he is still sleeping and that's that.

off to preschool....man i look sharp!

empty...

log cabin & covered wagon

future engineer...

abcd...efg...hijk...lmnop...qrs..tuv...wx..y & z

2007-07-25T05:30:00.000-07:00

so i really strongly dislike (hate is such a nasty word) getting up early. REALLY DISLIKE. but i couldn't sleep this morning. at all. i looked at the clock...5:02 am. this is probably the norm for lots-o-folk....but not me. tryed, tryed to go bacl to sleep, no luck. why? completely anxiety stricken. my baby is off to preschool today. not only do i have the standard anxieety about letting you little one off into the world by himself...being taken care of by someome other than me or a close family member....but i also have to deal with the food allergy issues. We are taking baggies of snacks for him to have there and each day we have to take his epipen and benadryl in a baggie. he will do a few 'drop-in' days to get used to everything there, and at the end of august he will go each week, 2 days per week. i spoke with them administrators there the other day for quite some time, i felt better after that. they have had kids with FA before, just not this many or severe. keep us in your thoughts...i will post pics later.

{almost} month in review

2007-07-20T14:06:00.000-07:00

ca-ray-zee busy i tell ya!

phew...*maybe* it will be a little calmer now....ha!

so what's been keeping me from posting? well...i was worinking again, creating ads for the fall issue of the henderson happenings for 2 weeks.

i watched aidan a few days and will be watching him more in the near future.

we gor our patio cover finished and i go tomorrow to pick out new cabinets & counter top for the kitchen! woo hoo!

i was getting my graphic design portfolio together.

and i have been getting things & products together for Christmas In July at the Guild.

I will be having a chat on friday at 7 pm...come join us....i BET there might even be a gift for you!!!!

sparklers in hand?

2007-07-03T08:05:00.000-07:00

oooo! tomorrow is the fourth! (a dear friends fav-or-ite holiday!)

if ya get the itch to scrap your photos, go grab my newest mini kit, OH My Stars! super cute!

lazy weekend...

2007-07-01T16:30:00.000-07:00

i am painting a mural in quinn's playroom, an ocean, here is what i have so far:

friday our patio cover was torn down, and saturday our new one was put up. quinn thought it was pretty cool to watch this go on. this morning we went to see Ratatouille...pretty cute and funny, but a little long and a touch to 'old' for quinn, as far as the plot. very very funny short film before the start, Lifted

and at the guild, our theme for the month is gifts from the heart.
i made a calendar that is business card size, for 2008. you can place your photos under, print them, cut them and set them in a business card holder on a desk, or they can fit in your wallet, great stocking stuffer!!!! start your holiday crafting now!!! :)

hold on to your hats...2 blogs in one week....whoa

2007-05-24T15:13:00.000-07:00

so since i had such a horrible experience with ABC Distributing trying to get the inflatable lightning mcqueen bed with expedited shipping (which appearently they can not do..okay what company DOESN'T offer thant!?!?!?) and since their customer service was lacking on many, i cancelled the order and got quinn a bed via Amazon.com, which turned out to be cheaper AND quicker....it isnt' mcqueen, but it is cute and quinn was excited about it, sleeping in it right now! hopefull he will be used to it before vacation!

moved in...

2007-05-22T15:46:00.000-07:00

phew....well, we are all moved into the new house, and partially unpacked!!! we just love it and quinn loves his new back yard, all the fruit trees and going for walks in the evening on the golf course.

the mature landscaping is so nice! we have had a few apricots and they are yum-mee! i transplanted my pumpkin seedlings and am crossing my fingers that they make it! i was starting to get blossoms before we moved!!!!

here are a few LOs using my newest item at DSAGuild.com, Hot Rod Charms: Alpha & Hot Rod Charms: Frames.

i.updated.my.blog wink

2007-05-08T14:53:00.000-07:00

uncle JoeJoe invited us to see the fire station and
we took aidan and quinn to a friend's house to see the baby chickens....

on the move...

2007-04-29T14:14:00.001-07:00

2007-04-21T15:13:00.000-07:00

scraplifted from christie frachioni

stephanie's scraplift #2

paper-2 of jen wilson's spring robin blended together

ribbons, tab, staples, embellished ribbon slide- angie miner's timeless beauty element pack

joy - the guild's avant garden kit

pure - michelle colman

photo frames - andrea burns

my brother has...

2007-04-20T19:14:00.001-07:00

...has posted easter photos...

2007-04-13T12:05:00.000-07:00

papers, happy easter folded ribbon, pink, yellow, green buttons from Happy Easter Mini Kit - Brigit Kerr @ DSAGuild.com

pearl buttons from Whisper Element Pack - Kryss Bourque @ DSAGuild.com

stitches from Eat Lots of Cake Element Pack - Kryss Bourque @ DSAGuild.com

pink torn paper from Simply Beautiful Element Pack -Angie Miner @ DSAGuild.com

ric rac & felt/stitched alpha from Hoppin' into Spring - Lisa Dozier @ DSAGuild.com

white washed wood alpha from DSAGuild.com Avant Garden (guild membership)

alpha beads and string & orange label from stefanie burt

bent photo frames from andrea burns

staples and folded corner my own creation

i like coffee but i LOVE

2007-04-12T19:03:00.000-07:00

flavored coffee creamers....

i found this and thought i was in love, but it was just a crush...

then i found my soulmate :) chocolate raspberry....
could it GET any BETTER?

easter

2007-04-10T15:13:00.000-07:00

tim helping quinn with the spoils :) {the hunt @ grandma/grandpas}

on the hunt for the eggs

such a cute couple!

mircovich and percy enjoying easter together

that easter bunny sure hide 'em good!

candy + 7:15 am....nice.....

he just couldn't stand to wait to open the eggs!!!

a bubble maker that the easter bunny left in his basket

look what the bunny left!!!!

photos

2007-04-05T15:08:00.000-07:00

laughter

tim (DH) and jamie (MIL)

so stinkin' cute!

went to lake mead

spring is here, we planted flowers!

tumbleweeds & crickets

2007-04-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

wow.....dude...i KNOW. way too long.....BUT i havent been able to post because i have been sooooooooo busy and stressed. i threw a surprise 30th b-day party for tim. and it worked. but i am nver doing THAT again. ever. phew.
also i have been busy designing cute stuff for you! chickity-check it out:

Loved From the Start: Clara

Buy Loved From the Start: Clara & get these free!

Loved From the Start: Carter

whe you purchase the carter combo pack you get carter's clips for FREE!!!

get out! she updated this thang!?!?!?

2007-03-16T22:59:00.000-07:00

hee hee....why yes, yes i did!

1) happy belated bday to Dh (not that he reads this) he turned the big three-oh 6 days ago.

2) happy birthday GG! (quinn's great grandma) she turned 77 today, we too her to lunch.

which brings me to

3) i am thinking about adding another blog.

WHAT!?!?!

a) you don't update this one enough lady

b) you don't have enought time to add something else to your plate

i know i know....crazy right?

well, hear me out:

at lunch today, i called ahead and asked what was in the dough (we were at a FAb pizza place) and they told me, no prob. but when we were there i saw that there were chicken fingers on the kids menu. well, since quinn cannot have dairy, i thought i would ask about what was in the batter on the chicken. the waitress was super nice and went to ask. the MANAGER came over with the box of chicken fingers (yes frozen, but i didn't care) he sat down next to me and had me read the ingredients. i thought that was SO nice. (FYI, quinn could not eat them)

so we ordered quinn a pizza with sauce and black olives only. then they brought a bowl of bread. i once again asked our kind and patient waitress if she could find out the ingredients in the bread. she did and quinn could eat it. yeah!

so where am i going with this??? well, i thought i would start a blog and 'review' restaurants where we take quinn. tell what we had to deal with or how wonderful the service was related to his food allergies. i also thought that if i do this, i would pass on my blog url to the vegas parent newsletter that i get emailed to me, and they could include it in their publication, or not, whatever.

i was just thinking that if another food allergy parent we searching, the might stumble across it and it *might* help them pick a restaurant. i dunno, whatcha think?

anyway....i am tired so off to bed....

oh! almost forgot!

myself & DH on our recent cruise. i scraplifted c.d.muckosky's LO on pg 80 of the april CK magazine.papers - amber clegg's the gazeboflowers & some buttons & stitching - amber clegg's the gazebobuttons - dianne rigdon's paisley in repose paperclip/charm - christine haskell's on the wings of lovepewter word charms - lisa whitney's a beautiful mess

and my newest product:

we've been back for a week

2007-03-06T16:12:00.000-08:00

and i haven't even posted!!! i was supa dupa busy, now i am just busy!!

here are a few pics to whet your appertite and a pic of the mural i did over the weekend :)

new pages

2007-02-17T21:06:00.000-08:00

2007-02-11T21:42:00.000-08:00

q- i am going to put your bra on (we are folding laundry when this happens)
me-(chuckling) okay....
q-these are my boobies (the bra is around his neck)
me- oh yeah?
q-yeah....and you can't touch them.
me-oh?
q-yeah...they are fragile.
me (laughing outloud)

up for a trip to Nantucket???

2007-02-10T22:15:00.000-08:00

i am VERY excited about my newest kit...i have been working on it for quite a while.....and i think there are a lot of fun elements in there for you!!!

if you purchase the Natucket Combo Pack during Feb 11-17, you will get my new chipboard alpha, Pin Stripe, as a gift!!!!

Nantucket Cottage Papers

Nantucket Cottage Elements

Nantucket Cottage Ready Made Page tm

Nantucket Cottage RMP, sample

LO usign this kit

awe....look at him!

2007-02-10T16:23:00.000-08:00

this is my newsest LO...from my Fabric Challenge

journaling reads:

i don't know which you thought was funnier

squirting yourself or your laughing audience

just be you

summer 06 aidans house

credits:

background paper from my new combo pack ~ Nantucket Cottage available Feb 11!!!!

cream paper, journaling strips and ribbon from my Flakes and Flourishes Combo Pack at DSAGuild

Instant Art at DSAGuild

alpha, Pin Stripe, my GWP for Feb 11-17

Free Alpha for 1 week ONLY + enter the sweepstakes!!!

2007-02-03T16:15:00.000-08:00

starting tomorrow (2-4-07), my NEVER BEFORE RELEASED Just Charming Alpha will be FREE when you purchase my Afternoon Tea Combo Pack! Only for one week, then it hits the store shelves and the freebie is lost forever!

detail - 3 different attachments are included!!! Fiber X, Pink Stitches, & a staple.

and check the new blinkies in the side ....DSAGuild.com is hosting a Sweepstakes and a CT Call

2007-02-01T08:14:00.000-08:00

new layout of the q man....from week 2 of my challenge at DSAGuild

in less than 1 minute...

2007-01-29T16:07:00.000-08:00

we came home from music class and picking some things up from the grocery and as per our usual routine, we give percy a milk bone. so i decide (bad, bad judgement!) to let quinn hold the box of milk bones and give 1 to percy, just as we ALWAYS DO. i return to the garage (yes, the door to the house is open so i can hear him, don't worry) to get the last 2 bags of groceries. now, if you have not been to our home, please note it IS NOT huge. the time it has taken me to walk from the kitchen to the garage and back to the kitchen is MINIMAL. however, when you have a quinn living in your home, nothing is quick enough. i turn the corner in the hallway to see that quinn has pushed one of the nook chairs over to the sink, and he is standing on it. i said "what are you doing?!?!?!?" he replys (matter of factly) "putting water in it." insert panic here. "you are putting water in WHAT?" i say back as i round the corner of the counter so i can see what his precious hands are holding. he says "percy's milk bones." he is holding the CARDBOARD box of milkbones and is filling it with WATER, at this point it is about half full. NOOOOOOOO! ack! (but yeah, it is kind of funny) we proceed to talk about how this is not a good thing to do as percy barks up a storm wanting the now moist and oh-so-fragrant smell of milk bones. ah...little boys. have fun alyson!

cookies

2007-01-27T14:20:00.000-08:00

this is our *NEW* and *FAVORITE* thing!!!!
chocolate chip cookies, just like the rest of the kids with Cherry Brook Kitchen's Mixes!!!! woo hoo! can't wait to try the brownies and pancakes!!!! THANK YOU!

this is us with our happy faces after eating the cookies (no, not ALL of them!)

i got my new camera!!!!!!!!

2007-01-24T15:51:00.000-08:00

the pug (oooo he is gonna hate tomorrow, theeth cleaning!)

and the q man showing us his mad face...scary, i know

go check out my challenge!

2007-01-22T18:56:00.000-08:00

LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION?!?!?!?!
each week i am hosting a realistic paper-style challenge at the guild....there have been some awesome layouts so far, PLUS a neat-o lesson in making your own vellum! stop by and join us, won't you?

here is my layout created with my passionate paisley kit...

Go check out the Guild!!!!!!!!!

2007-01-18T21:55:00.000-08:00

woo hoo!
the Guild is now OPEN!
wonderful challenges, awesome classes and great products!
go check it out!!!!

If you purchase my Passionate Paisley Combo Pack during the Grand Opening, you will also receive my Inked Alpha as a free Gift With Purchase!

When you purchase the cobo pack, you also get a BONUS Ready Made Page TM to give you a jump start on your layout designs.

no photos

2007-01-15T08:19:00.000-08:00

i have no new photos for you (yes i STILL need to post christmas!!!!) because our camera has moved on to a better place in digital camera heaven....sigh. but! have no fear, new and better photos are coming! i get to buy a canon digital rebel xti!!!!!!! OMG! can you believe it?!?!?!?!?!?! we saved up, sold a few things on ebay, and tim won a few bets (woohoo, thanks honey!) so now i am just comparing prices!!!! yahoo!

could i wait longer to post?!?!?!?

2007-01-08T14:49:00.000-08:00

maybe but i won't (wink wink)
anyway, super busy, why you ask? oh, because i am now part of a new digital scrapbooking site opening soon!
woo hoo this wite is going to be so neat, fresh and different and the designers will knock you socks off!!!!
it is Digital Scrapbook Artisan Guild.
check out some of the awesome scrapbook pages the CT has made ... here are a few
LO 1
LO 2
LO 3
LO 4
LO 5

Yes Virginia, It Does SNOW in the Desert

2006-12-19T07:13:00.000-08:00

and not just a sprinkling!

this is for you em...

2006-12-11T15:05:00.000-08:00

Journaling reads: you light up my life, you make me strong, your smile brightens my day, you are all i need. Kit Credit: Metalmama's Little Lady Mega Kit, Canvas Overlay Shapes (heart used) - Christine Haskell, Font: Clear typewriter emily is teaching my how to knit...this is how far i have progressed in my "homework"

cool new products...

2006-12-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

I thought that Canvas Overlays were just too fun, so I created some in a few shapes for you (see below) & I have been dying to try to create some journaling stamps.

Credits For Canvas Overlays Shapes Layouts

LO-1 (top left)Blue paper & elements by Amber Clegg for the ScrapArtist Apprentice Challenge - The Gazebo
Cream paper - Christine Haskell's Flea Market Finds Kit at DigiScrapDivas.com
Woven Canvas Overlay - Christine Haskell's at DigiScrapDivas.com

LO-2 (top right)Ann Marie created this from papers by K.Fredricks,
pewter plates from Lisa Whitney's ScrapArtist A Beautiful Mess Kit;
Canvas Overlay Stars- Christine Haskell's at DigiScrapDivas.com

LO-3 (bottom left)Little Lady MegaKit by MetalMama available at oneofakindscrapz.com
Heart Canvas Overlay - Christine Haskell's at DigiScrapDivas.com

LO-4 (bottom right)Christine Haskell's Urban Tapestry Kit at DigiScrapDivas.com
Doodles - my own creation, NFS
Star Canvas Overlays - Christine Haskell's at DigiScrapDivas.com

holiday decos

2006-12-07T14:43:00.000-08:00

so we are all up & decorated....so fun with a little guy!!!!

in order...
*some of my snowbabies collection
*our stockings and noel banner....yes i realize the stockings are not hung by the chimney with care, but 1) we have no chimney and 2) these babies (the stocking hangers) are H-E-A-V-Y!!! so we dont want them in the q mans reach
*our "little" trees and a collection of animated christmas items
*kitchen garland & bows
* and THE TREE, yes, it is about 4 inches away from the ceiling! :)

pretty cute

2006-12-06T15:08:00.000-08:00

we went and had the boys' photo taken in their xmas jammies at target today...THAT was fun, as my mother said "its like hearding cats"
between not listening, annoying one another and their fake "say cheese" smiles, we didn't have a whole lot of good takes to choose from...oh well, we get 'em on the 21st, i will post then.

quinn said something pretty darn cute....he was holding ernie's car keys, and there is a honda logo and the word honda on her key chain, and he said "mama, what do these ABCDs say?"

out of the mouths of babes

2006-12-04T14:11:00.000-08:00

quinn is officially 2.5 today. i haven't posted much lately about his vocabulary, so here is some new quinnese:

i have a leaf in my bottom
(translation: durring the summer he was out back with out any clothes on - scandalous, i know - and he sat down to play. well...he sat on a "crunchy" leaf, part of which broke off and found itself stuck on his well, you know. he bent over and had mee look at it and remove it. fun. so when se says this, he is letting me know that something is just not feeling quite right in that area.)
little nemo, big nemo
he calls nemo's dad, whos name is marlin, big nemo, even though he knows his name is marlin
i want to watch magic
means that he wants to watch marry poppins
i want nothing
is his response when i ask what he wants santa to bring him
its charging
is what we tell him is going on when we need - and he needs - a break from watching his movies. he wanted to watch nemo the other night, and tim wanted to watch monday night football....quinn told tim that football was charging!
here mommy, its a rock
is what he said after pulling out at little "hard" goodie from his cute little button nose

okay, not boasting, but i think this is pretty neat-o

2006-12-01T15:57:00.000-08:00

i came up with a new product, canvas overlays. in digi scrapping, or in altering your photos in your photo editing software, you can make your picture look like it was printed on canvas, cool, huh?!?! check out the pic below to see what it looks like!!! you can get it at DSD, of course!

get it while its hot

2006-11-30T14:36:00.000-08:00

here is the new mega kit at DSD...purdee stuff!

list made check

2006-11-21T15:12:00.000-08:00

lollipop check
elmo slippers check
pug coveting the lollipop check
hoodie on and zipped check
just another day in the life of...
quinnerino

neat new product!

2006-11-17T09:10:00.000-08:00

check this out....i am super excited about this element pack, plus, here is a coupon code - CHHRW - for 20% off my products at DSD through this weekend only!!!!

A Digi-Scrapping MUST-HAVE

2006-11-15T15:05:00.000-08:00

There is a fun & whimsical kit available this friday (Nov 17) at DSD. it will be $5, but if you sign up for the newsletter, there is a coupon in it!!!

Today we tested out some quinn-safe pie crust for thanksgiving. the boys made cinnamon/sugar crisps out of the extra crust. it turned out well, so i think we are in luck. i will post those photos ASAP.

things i have promised

2006-11-10T14:44:00.000-08:00

halloween decoration pictures....well, this is all that i took of the few pieces that i put up of the halloween village...the other pics of the haloween decos are in the trash, they were crappy. i put a slide show of q's halloween costume on the side bar, you may have to scroll down to see it.

check out the fine photos of the 4th annual halloween party

Congrats to my first Creative Team

2006-11-06T07:03:00.000-08:00

oooo! ooo! new kit

2006-11-02T22:04:00.000-08:00

i {{heart}} this new kit....so gurlie...must be 'cause i am inspired by my now nearby clara... :)

i will post halloween pics soon & my CT Call info soon.

CT Call

2006-10-29T21:05:00.000-08:00

isn't he beautiful?

2006-10-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

sigh...he is so wonderful...anyway, it is just the kind of day i love...cool & cloudy/rainy...we drove to OST (other side of town) this morning for another possible mural project...fun stuff!!! it was 30 miles each way (blech!) but quinn (the kid who HATES car rides over 15 minutes) did great, yeah, i bribed him with a few pieces of candy corn, but 'cumon, who wouldn't?!?!?!

oh, and on an irritated note, wallyworld is out of spider webs (you know, the white stringy kid that you pull apart) how can they be out? it's not even halloween yet!!!! argh!

happy friday the 13th!!!!!!!!

2006-10-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

here is my new kit,,,available at DSD in a kit or paper pack

i have been sooooooo bad about posting!

2006-10-12T07:36:00.000-07:00

sorry! but i have been way busy (arent we all?) any way i have been working on a new kit that i am excited about...urban tapestry...it comes out tomorrow, and i thought i'd give you a tiny preview... it is called Urban Tapestry and tomorrow you can get it here. oh yeah and here is a little treat too, a coupon for my stuff, it is only good through the end of october CHUTKR enjoy 20 percent off.