A Give Away from ImagiMeri

http://imagimeris.blogspot.com/2011/06/summer-giveaway-with-twist.html

This woman is a fabulous artist.  She can sculpt anything from an image.  She is currently offering a giveaway that if you are the lucky winner you can get a image of your choice sculpted.  So pop on over for a chance to win.

Has it really been this long???????

Well I do declare!   I must have forgotten all about this little piece of my world.  I've had sooo many things going on.  I'm going to try and highlight the key ingredients. 

Madison and Dancing.  We've completed all competition weekends.  We've had our Gala Show/Recital.  And completed all regular dance lessons/ballet for this year.  However, we are NOT done, yet!  We have one night of rehearsals this up and coming week for Dance Comp Nationals in 2 weeks.  Summer dance then kicks off on July 12th which will be 2 nights a week.  Then Dance camp the first week of August.  NO dance tuition this month.....YEAH!  But I think I will be smart and buy dance shoes this month with that extra money! 

Madison and School.  Madison has completed 6th grade with a Big Bang.  All A's.   She sure is one smart cookie!  She is looking forward to 7th grade and the Jr High experience this fall. 

Madison and I are heading to ValleyFair at the end of this month to experience RollerCoaster Fever.  It will be a good time and I'm not saying that because I will be on Vacation.

Madison and I went to Minneapolis last week to visit stages theater and their "For Women Only" show.  It was very enjoyable and humorous.

Mitchell and Sports.  Most recent is baseball.   I was a little dissapointed in his Baseball program this year.  It was done very "shotty".   He is way better than how this league was conducted by the administration and coaches.  GET IT TOGETHER PEOPLE!   On a way lighter note..............Soon football season will be upon us and all will be well in the world again!

Mitchell and School. ***  Proud Mother Alert! ***   Best Report Card ever!   1-A 1-B 5-C's and one lonely D.  D was in Science.  If you people only knew how many battles were fought over the last 3 -4 years you would share in my excitement!  :)

Mitchell and Rick are up north fishing right now with our good friend Steve (also bestman in our wedding).  They will be returning tomorrow.

Mitchell and I are redoing his bedroom.  And I do hope to get started on this next week.  Please pray for me.  He said he would like a Snowboarding/Hunting/Football theme.  Ummm Yeah.......How about NO!

Aunt Carla was in town the last 2 1/2 weeks.  I drove down to Southern Minnesota and spent a night before bringing her home (we call us up here in the Twin Cities-HOME).  We had a blast visiting the Calico Hutch Quilitng Company.  OMG.  I am in love.  I bought a pumpkin penny rug kit and will be posting pictures of all the crafts I've done over the last month.  I've made a quilt table covering and a Vintage Fabric table runner.  All because CarCar gave my Brother Sewing Machine some much needed TLC.  It's AWESOME!

Crazy Aunts went to Las Vegas and I picked them up from the airport on Thurs 5/26.  That happened to be the same day I had my Copic Cerification Class with the UBER awesome Debbie Olson and Lori Craig.  I really did learn alot.  I have a new understanding for the product and hope to put it to use in the next couple of weeks.  Crazy Aunts brought home presents for all of us...Awww aint that sweet.  I love presents.  Any kind, really!  Doesn't matter.  Big. Small.  I love 'em all!

I've got several things coming up.  Camping, Boating, weddings, Grad parties, Celebrations, sporting events, a lodge in the brainerd area, a trip to CarCar's.  Every weekend has got something for the next 3 months.  I hope I dont loose my sanity or time to relax and enjoy my Crafts.

Book Club news  The Help by Kathryn Sockett......CarCar is almost done.  JoMama is underway and GooGirl is 1/3 of the way.  Me...I haven't even read the first page.  Maybe tomorrow morning.

Saturday is my Friday.  This has been a long week.

Tonight.  Bethy and Sam are coming over after I get done with work.  Beth and I are taking the girls up to Hugo Good Neighbor Days.  Davey Wavy from the Navy might meet up with us later.  I dont know if it will be a couple of hour thing or an all night event.  Either way I'm really looking forward to a fun filled evening.

Tomorrow Sunday June 12th.  Dirty Dispatchers get together @ the Blue Heron.  We've got music, cocktails and plenty of laughs.  Really really looking forward to this.  I've got the perfect outfit.

My off days this week consist of Dentist, Orthodontist, Uniform Shop and a Meeting.   BLAH BLAH BLAH!

To my Margie Fans..................it's coming!

Oh What a Sunny Sunday

After sooo much cold and rainy weather us Minnesotan's finally have a beautiful day.  Unfortunately I am working.  It isn't all that bad though.  Sundays are typically "nice" days to work. 

I came to work with great intentions to adhere some paper to a few of my altered projects I have going but instead opted to list several of my Unity Stamp Co Kit of the Month on Ebay.  I do hope the majority of them sell.  Many of them have never been touched and I would rather sell them and purchase items I am wanting from the beloved PaperTrey Ink. 

I've been a member of the KOTM club with Unity since Sept 2008 and am seriously considering discontinuing this Autoship club.

I also belong to Scrapscription and love their monthly kits but haven't really gotten much accomplished.  I have goals though!  A girl can dream.

On a way lighter note.  After work I'm heading straight home to remove my uniform and prepare for the season finale of Survivor Reedemption Island.  Yeah!

We have  2 pools here at work.  I have a name on each board.  First one is Matt (currently on Redemption Island and the other one is Grant who just got sent to redemption island.  It is exciting to think I may win!  I'm sure I'll be swigging my Nyquil at 9pm all bummed out at a 4th place finish.  Whatever the outcome I do really think Boston Rob played the best and if he wins I will have long forgotten it by Tuesday Morning.

Ciao for now!

I won a Prize

I can NOT believe it.  I won a prize from a K and Company blog.  It is one of the new SMASH books getting ready to make its debut.  I personally am very excited for this and it isn't because I won either.  The reason I feel like this may be the product of the year is because it is a totally ...what your doing today throw it in your purse kind of paper project.   I love love love it.  



And the winner is ...

Valerie from Minnesota!





Do you polka in Minnesota, Valerie?







Can you see the polka steps in the background?



If not, you should. And we really tried to come up with some lederhosen around here, but can you believe we were fresh out? So the Viking helmet and those little antlers (that's me.) at the bottom of the photo will have to suffice. Kim and Heather might be German. That should count for something, too.





Valerie, please send me an email at smash@kandcompany.com telling us where to mail your prize.


Here is the Blog if you would like to read more about it!  


http://www.smashstoriesblog.com/2011/04/and-winner-is_29.html

Oye Oye Oye! A Giveaway!

I just happened upon some fun and interesting blogs and discovered a new magazine.  It's called, "Creating a Vintage Charm".  How fun.  If you click on the picture below it will take you to the Giveaway for some fun whimsical charming items.

http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/167492

Oh my! It has been a few weeks

To all of my loyal "Margie Swanson" Happy Homemaker fans.  Please be patient,  I promise I will be getting it posted real soon.      Thursday night I have a date with my desk to complete the "Margie" tupperware party project. Check back and laugh along.

** The currator of Happy Homemaker Tag Along Swap is no longer able to continue. There are ladies that would like to continue posting their monthly tags.  I am still undecided if I will continue posting on that Blog. I will however continue with Margie Swanson and a year in her Vintage life on my Blog.







Over the weekend I did a Stamp A Stack with a group of "Virgin" stampers (I didn't even realize that they exsisted, but they do!).  It was probably the smoothest beginner group I had ever had.  There was just a small minute adhesive abuser in the bunch (Brynna)  I did turn the other cheek but only because she is sooo darn cute.  They all did an awesome job.  We did 3 each of 7 designs.   Of course my assistant, MISS Maddy Jo,  aka my personal photographer,  did not get all the pictures I would have liked but we will have to make due with what I have.  So here are a couple of the card designs...................

Here they are hard at work.......

Brynna

Kirsten

Kristy

My apologies to Samantha.  I did not have a picture of you.  Next time!

Again I must say that these gals were AWESOME!  I'll up the game for the Fall!

Still Almost Done.....

I post Pictures of my son.   He is a true athletic person.  Driven by success in the outcome of games (just like his father)  I'm proud of his abilities.  It is important to him.  Baseball is natural but football is passion!

I'm still just about there on the March Happy Homemakers Tag Swap.   The Vacation to Cozumel at the end of February into March has really thrown me off.  My apologies.  I currently have many emotions running simutaniously.......for no real particular reason.  I'm perplexed, bewildered and bothered!  LITERALLY!  On the plate this week is Madison's first Dance Competition of the Season,  Mitchell being sick (my kids are never sick)  Preps for an upcoming Stamp Camp, an Uncertain future with a newfound group of ladies, A huge cancelation with another group of wonderful gals.  Always being the "BAD" diva/friend giving unwanted advice at the most inappropriate  times.  I just dont know where to run to this week.  But I must say the most remarkable thing of all.   I feel CALM!  This is crazy for me.  Am I at a pivotal moment?   All of the unwanted drama is not my center.  (Maybe one, but I'm not willing to compromise my integrity over it).  On a bright side I did have lunch with friends on Tuesday.  Missed out on a Dinner/Movie with one of the Aunts due to yet another SNOW storm.  Spent time with both of the "brats" Wednesday because of School Closing.  Mitchell, he really does crack me up.  He was doing the happy dance when the automatic call from the district came @ 0641.  It was the first since we have been in this district (2.2 years).  When Maddy woke up we did "Competition Hair and Makeup".  Not without a fight, mind you. But we did it and discussed what we needed to work on for the next "practice round".  ATTENTION***  I spent 3 hours in the "ROOM".  But of course, like always,  I had to re-organize and "spruce up" before I could settle.  My lovely cutie pie friend Misty works for a company that distributes Lable Maker Machines...I have one on loan right now( I really need to buy one though)  Madison, being my direct descendant,  (likes this kind of stuff too!  but is totally a messy kind of girl) was sooo willing to make all the labels I should have  2 months ago.  So I get to technically say I have accomplished a "to do" list item.  No prep work done though.  Stamps picked out and some paper but that is it!  I think I really work better under pressure anway!  Plans are to attack tomorrow.  RIGHT!  I have 3 of 7 designs prepared.   I'm not worried though.  I will post all of the card designs in the next couple of days.  Thank you for your willingness to wait and I promise to make it worth your while.

Stay Tuned...................

I'm behind but the latest installment of Happy Homemaker Tags aka The Adventures of Margie Swanson is coming real soon

I'm getting lots of Stuff done today.............

Well it must be my "nesting" instincts prior to Vacation, because I really cant think of another reason I would be so on top of things on a Snowy Monday Morning.

I have created a 2 page Calendar of events, phone numbers, teenager expectations, where I will be and so on...................sent it in a Word document to all parties involved while we are out of the Country enjoying Sun, Surf and Margarita's.

We had another wholloping in the snow category again.   Geez!!! Cozumel is looking good to me.

On another note..............The Pioneer Woman (Whom I love) is having a give away on her blog http://thepioneerwoman.com/ leave a comment as to what is your favorite dessert.  You could get lucky and win this.  

Isn't it beautiful?

I just love the brightness of it all!

And as if that wasn't enough she has a brand new book out.  You can get a copy at my fav....Barnes and Noble.

Everyone enjoy your day!!

Happy HomeMaker February Tag.

Boy was this a tough one!   Maybe it was because I waited until the last minute.  As you know my tag theme is about the Year in the Life of the Swansons.  And here are Margie and Neal at a Valentine Dance.

**Editors Note**  The Editor's Assistant (Darling Daughter) failed to photograph the displayed pieces in the "cheesy" little cardboard box aka professional photographers photo-shoot box.  She has been repremanded and put on notice failure to comply next month will result in cleaning the bathroom!

The Story..............

Neal and Margie Swanson were invited to a Valentine Dance hosted by the Maki's, Roy and Barb in the next town over.  It had been quite some time since Margie and Neal had been out and danced let alone invited to someone's home to "cut a rug".  Earlier in the day Margie could feel herself getting excited as she anticipated the nights activites.  Margie had picked up a new dress at Donaldson's shortly after the Christmas season when everything was marked down never knowing at the time she would have the perfect place to showcase it.  She set her hair in curlers the night before and woke up the following morning with a slight headache due to all the poking and prodding that happened on her head during the night.  Margie quickly got those curlers out first thing in the morning then took a Bufferin to eleviate the soreness.  Susie was sent to school  with her homemade Valentines in tow.  Before Margie could prepare her food items or herself  she needed to run to Kendall's Grocery Store for some items.   She prepared Liver Pate Spread as an appetizer and whipped up a batch of Lemon Bars for a sweet treat to go with coffee later in the evening.  It was hard getting the kids to settle down after dinner.  Susie was all a buzz about the many Valentines she received at school, especially the one from Ricky Martin.  Johnny didn't really understand why everything was red and pink or why there was sooo much more candy around than usual,  he just knew it was some sort of special day.  At 6:30 pm Neal's mother, Mary Lou,  arrived to sit with the kids for the evening.  MaryLou brought little homemade Valentines that she had made earlier in the day with the Ladies Guild.  Neal and Margie where finally on their way.  Margie was so excited she barely could contain herself.  As they pulled up in front of the Maki's.  Neal pulled out a small gift wrapped box and presented it to Margie.  She gasped then quickly opened her surprise.  It was BEAUTIFUL!  The Diamond Tennis Bracelet she had looked at when they both had stopped in Miller's Jewelry store last May.  Barb Maki had her house decorated to a "T".  In the bathroom there were tea towel with embroidered red hearts,  it was lovely.    Margie met a new couple that night.  Sharon and Ed Brandt.  Turns out Sharon is a "Tupperware" dealer and asked Margie if she would like to host an in-home party.  Margie was thrilled.  She had heard about Tupperware and had even seen a couple of Tupperware items at a potluck.  On the drive home she talked nonstop about this and Neal thought to himself......."Why would anyone be so enthralled by hard plastic"!

What a fun day with my Dear Daughter

Keeping with my crazy schedule and the need to get the Pointe shoes before Monday Jan 24.  I allowed Madison to stay home from school on Tuesday.  We leisurely got ready and traveled down to the "uber" cool and swanky part of St Paul known as Grand Av in the Highland Park area.  Our first stop was The Tea Garden to get Coolers with pearls (tapioca balls).  Madison had never heard of this before let alone taste it.  But in the end she was thinking I was really cool. Oh Yeah!

She must have tried on a good 12 pair before the very knowledgable owner selected the Bloch Balance in size 4 XXX.  She then got pads for the toes.  I opted for the sewing kit the waxed ballet pink thread and "special" needles inside a neat little container.  I guess before this outing, but having seen the  Black Swan, I thought the expensive Pointe shoes came with the PRETTY ribbon and elastic.  UMMMM Not so!  We will be given a lesson in this next Monday on how to prepare these costly little gems. 

One of the instructions is NOT to put these Pointe shoes on at home.   There is a very good and logical reason behind this rule.  To prevent injuries and not damage the shoes in case your Ballet instructor does not like the ones you so painstakingly chose.  Like clock work the first thing I said when we got home..............Madison Jo let me try them on.  Yep I did!  Unfortunately I have Fred Flintstone feet and they were too wide.  I almost felt like Cinderella's ugly step sister trying to cram my stout little foot into this beautiful slipper.  Wasn't gonna happen. 

We had a wonderful day together.  The Tea with Balls, Pointe Shoe fitting, Salad Bar.  It was another expensive day.  But the memories and laughs were certainly priceless!

Saturday is my Friday

Oh At last!

We have an odd schedule here at the RCECC (Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center).  I work a Rotation of 5 days on and 3 days off for 4 weeks, then a schedule of 4 days on  and 4 days off for 3 weeks.  In the center we call it .............on my 5's or on my 4's.  We work 10 hour shifts and mine happens to be days (0630-1630).

This week has been a long one because of overtime and snow.  When it snows it isn't just getting to and from work but it is dealing with all the emergencies during the shift due to snow also.  But for the most part, like usual clockwork 75% of our calls are from people with little or NO common sense.

Normally I would have something planned for a Saturday night.  But not this one.  I reserved 2 movies (Social Network & Night and Day) and dinner is going to be something along the way home this afternoon.  I'll do the grocery shopping, cleaning and crafts tomorrow on my off day. And yet again more snow is forecasted for Sunday Afternoon.

I hope everyone enjoys their weekend.

Pattern of Friendship

I wanted to quickly post this card I had made over the weekend.  It is a Stampin' Up! set called Pattern of Friendship.  Way back when it came out and I was still a Demo for SU,  I remember thinking to myself, "cute set but it really doesn't have many options for use".  So I passed the pre order purchase up.  Well that was in 2006.  Amazing how your styles and opinions can change in just a few short years.  When I discovered I was going to be participating in the "Happy Homemaker Tag" swap  I knew that I wanted this set for 2 reasons.  First one being..........the images are small enough to incorporate onto a tag .  And the second reason being was that it was sooo retro looking.  Boy, now if I had a fraction of the patterns I passed up at garage sales  I was fortunate to come upon these 4 patterns in a lot being sold on the evil EBAY! 

Are they not the most awesome?!

Here is the Card

Pay no attention to the stitching ....My sewing machine was acting up.

  I really liked how it came together.

  One of the nice "fringe" benefit of having teenagers is.........they are way into technical computer/electronic stuff.  So I asked that darling daughter of mine if she would take a couple of pictures for me.   I like how she arranged them in the photo box but she didn't use flash or the photo box lights so here is her photos.

This is all I have for the day.  I'm looking forward to lounging clothes and the television tonight.  New TV show Off the Map on tonight but I bet I dont make it that long 4:20 am comes awful early.   I'll get something else posted here in the next couple of days for your amusement.  But keep in mind my next off day is not until Sunday.  Which reminds me that it is Picket Fence Gals occassional sale today through Sunday.  Sunday's you get an extra 10% off.  I'm for sure going.   I'll post the pictures from that outing. 

Until we meet again enjoy your day and tell someone you love just how much you love them!  ( I just told my BFF Julie)

As Promised...

It took me all day to get to this point, but alas I'm here and I'm ready, willing and able to share with you all of my details with the Happy Homemaker Tag Swap.  Dear Elizabeth put out the challenge details.  Ten pieces of 12x12 paper (our choice), We were to make all of our supply purchases only once.  Make 2 identical 6x3 Tags each month (my bad,  I made mine 6 x 3.75, I'll do better next month).  One to share, one to swap at the end of the year.  We could chose our own theme.  I racked my brain continually and had a hard time.  I did not want to be the one that said My theme is Happy Homemaker..........I wanted to be clever, unique and edgy.  I thought somemore.......Still nothing.  

I went away this past weekend with 9 other women on a Scrapping/Stamping retreat.   It was fun, relaxing and quite enjoyable.  On Friday night as we were all busy with our noses deep in our work I asked the group what they thought my theme should be.   After I gave them the details and showed them this piece of paper

My Theme is a

Year in the Life of the Swanson's

My wonderfully funny girlfriend Misty (in her most appropriate "Fargo" voice) helped narrate the story however this was truely a bunch of crazy girls with a story to tell.....Here goes

Meet the Swanson's.  We have Margie (Margaret) age 26 and Neal age 30 along with their children Suzie age 6 and Johnny age 3 with a Birthday coming up.  The Swanson's live at 2573 Meadow Lane in the town of Red Bud.  (We couldn't decide on a state).  The house is a Colonial Revival and was given to them by Margie's Grandfather as a wedding gift 7 years earlier.  Neal was a football star in College and after graduating landed a job as an accountant with Ford Motor Company.   He takes pride in his lawn and in his spare time enjoys woodworking.  He bowls with College buddies every Thursday night.  Margie enjoys all the frills of being a stay at home mom.  She loves cooking, sewing and decorating and general crafts.    On Monday mornings she attends a Bible study class at St Marks Lutheran Church.  Suzie attends 1st grade at Pinewood Elementary and her best friend, Julie lives directly across the street.  Johnny will start Preschool

next year at St Marks Lutheran Church 3 days a week.  The Swanson's have one dog and his name is buddy.   If your curious what happens tune in next month and see what this "Charming" family is up too!

My paper choice is October Afternoon's Modern Homemaker.  I have 2 lifetimes worth of stuff.  While I could have done without a paper purchase I couldn't resist this line by OA.  So I jumped at the opportunity and the rest I will just figure out as I go along.

Happy Homemaker January Tag Along

Good Afternoon Ladies ............I'm so delighted to share with you all of my thoughts behind my Tag this month and my plans for the year.   However, I just returned home from a weekend away and need to quickly get out the door for our Bowling night.   I promise tomorrow to give every last detail involving my Happy Homemaker Tag but for now please enjoy the picture.

Out of Sorts.

That's how I kind of feel today.  I've got a pain in my shoulder.  My checkbook is sad and rather pathetic looking.  And a conflict with another that has been brewing for some time now.  I left home knowing that I was going to stay late at work tonight on some OverTime, but by the time we get out of rollcall  at 0645 we are in need of filling a PSD (public safety dispatcher) position from 4pm-9pm.  The pool to choose from is not that large.  Think of it like the checkbook thing.............always robbing Peter to pay Paul!

Now,  I do NOT like when I feel this way.  Not ever!  So the only immediate thing to do is PRAY and list 10 things that I am grateful for............

1.  My Kids
2.  Having a good paying Job with benefits
3.  A home
4.  My friends
5.  A very mellow good natured Husband.
6.  Medical Insurance
7.  A totally cool Dentist
8.  Having the love for "Vintage"
9.  Loving GOD
10.  My Health

You see when you look at life after creating a list such as this.  You get to put things into perspective and realize that other stuff is just peanuts compared to what really matters.

On a way lighter note.   My daughter is going  Pointe at the end of this month.  I am so very proud of that one.   She excels at everything she does.  (She is a "Messy Marvin" though).