hello monday|eight

hello citizenship of the month winner Naomi!

hello another month down.  Just a few days left of February.  This month was so busy that it went by super fast - the fact that it's the shortest month helps too!

hello erin! My dear friend Erin and her family is here for a quick visit. They are on the way to Redding, California to start a new chapter of their life. They are more than friends; they are family.

hello scrapbook retreat.  It's been so long since I last scrapped. The intention and desire was there - but it never got done.  Will work on my boy's album. Hoping this will get me back in the mood. =)  Looking forward to spending time with my good friend Desiree - we are both looking forward to a "get away".

hello swim meet. Hannah's first swim meet is this week.  Excited to see how she's grown in this area since last year!

hello beautiful weather. The weather is supposed to range from 70 degrees to 82 degrees this week.  So perfect!  Last week was quite cold and wet for our standards.

hello  Monday Mugshots.  The mug in this picture was given to me by Erin when we were in college. I still have it after all these years and love the memory of it!  French vanilla creamer with Folgers Black Silk brewed coffee.  
I've been working on my pages for my A Year in the Life of an Art Journal  prompt. A little here, a little there... As you know, I've had lots of company (which I love) so I haven't made much time to sit down and really get at it, but after everyone's in bed I'd sneak a little gesso onto the pages, then a cut out from a magazine... some vintage book pages...  Almost done. Lots of happiness creating this page.

So there you go. hello monday and new beginnings.

Inspired by my friend, Lee at Embrace Life, Hello Monday provides a peek into the coming week - in all its glory. Join us and Lisa for the Hello Monday fun.

The most effective way to do it, is to do it.

- Amelia Earhart.

I won! I won!!

There's nothing like getting a package or unexpected piece of friendly mail in your mail box!  I recently won a drawing on one of Donna Downey's sponsor giveaways.  As a matter of fact, it was just about a week ago. Anyway, my name was chosen and today my package from Hydrangea Hippo arrived!!

 It came in this really beautiful box that had a super-cool quote on the back. 

"I dream of painting and then I paint my dream." ~Vincent van Gogh

 The kit came packaged as if it were a kit that I had purchased from their etsy site: Hydrangea Hippo  That's a $30 kit right there!!  They even included a little bag of purple flower buttons as a thank you.  

How cute is that? =)

 Packaged very nicely inside...

 Here's the loot all spread out!

 Look at all the ribbon and lace! Really nice pieces here!

 I love this lace.

Here's a shot of some of the papers and tags, etc.  Enough to make at least 6 layouts.  I can't wait to play with my new kit. I've already got the pictures printed and everything. I'll be sure to post what I come up with. Thanks Donna and friends at Hydrangea Hippo...You made my day!

Anniversary album...

I made this album for our 18th wedding anniversary. It is a 9x9 Close To My Heart My Creations Memory Showcase album that you decorate yourself. The paper is also from CTMH and is the Notebook set.

The picture on the cover was taken by my good friend Mandy. I'd link to a website if she had one, but if you're local and looking for a photographer, I can give her your number. =) I used a bit of vintage crocheted lace and some of my favorite Prima paper flowers.

This is my guy. Boy, have we been through a lot together. =) I love this guy today more than I have ever loved him. He has the biggest heart of anyone I know. (Kissing photo by Mandy)

Marco with each of our children. Ahhh...we are so blessed.

This is the back cover. Photo also by Mandy.

This is the inside. Me with my four beauties. My life is complete and I am blessed beyond measure.