Who's that Girl?

Both images are stamped in black stazon, and colored with Bic Mark its, and Prismacolor. Punches are Martha Stewart, and the stamps come from My Favorite Things.

I love this set... Its a really "cute" set. I love the sentiments that it comes with. It has become one of my favorites to stamp for the boys in my life.

Happy Birthday Jen!

HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY JENNA ROSEMARY SHEPHERD!

With love from Diem and I!

I hope she enjoys it ... I had to incorporate some green in there as that is her favorite color... she hates pink though and well the bow and the balloon are both dare I say PINK?! Hippo is from SU Pun Fun when I borrowed it from Lena!

Family time!!

Here is Diem with her cousins, and her Grandparents John and Kathytacks.

(L-R) Diem, Mia, Aaron, Adam

In a few months, we will be doing this again because Jessica is pregnant with her third baby... and we will need an updated picture. :)

Memorial Day Weekend!!

I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend, and I hope you took time to remember our fallen service men and women and all that they have done for you... And in that same token, I hope you took the time to say thank you to a current service member or even a veteran.

We had a great Memorial day weekend. I made a cake!! SO!! My craft thing for today being featured is my FAMOUS FLAG CAKE! haha its not hard to make... But I will show you the final product... It is really easy to figure out!

Yes, This is an odd angle, But I like it!

This cake is made with 2 boxes of WHITE cake mix... (I was thinking red velvet next time ) 2 (well 1 1/2) containers of Cool Whip. Now.. for the fruit. I bought two containers of each but I only used one.

I made the cake with the egg white directions the night before, and for a few minutes less than the directions said to do. Cover over night.

As for the decorating... I decorated about an hour before because you are working with whipped cream and fruit... you do not want it to melt! I washed the fruit first, then cut the strawberries... Then placed whip topping evenly... Blueberries first... then strawberries :) See it wasnt all that difficult! Everyone knows I make this cake for patriotic holidays. I think I will make something completely different for July 4th. :)

Of course here is Diem supervising me making the cake with her Cherry slushie from Sonic... And yes. That is a smile... she is in mid "CHEESE". What are cute little turkey. And here is a picture of Angelica and I. I really enjoy this picture... I actually look DECENT for once... I love my white dress find at walmart... I think it was like $12, and its a Juniors dress.. and it ACTUALLY fit me! Woot woot! I think my Thinspiration might be actually paying off? Maybe?

And of course, here is a close up view of my hair for the day...

I am totally addicted to WWII era hair styles... and so far this victory roll is my absolute FAVORITE!!! Haha one day I may have to do a hair tutorial! Lol... I dont know. Probably not. I figured this hairstyle needed to make its apperance, and it was a success, and my curls (I only curled the ends) even stayed in for most of our BBQ!

I hope everyone had a safe and pleasurable Memorial Day weekend, and I apologize for NOW just posting.

THINspiration Weekend Round up.

First I probably should continue my stats from May 28th... I did two walks, but only posted one. Here are my other stats really quick.... 3857 steps.. 1.887 miles... okay now for the weekend round up.

Okay, so I had been crazy busy this weekend... Okay, not really... But a lot of cool things happened this weekend.

A neighbor from across the street came home from Afghanistan. He was picked up by at least 3 dozen motorcycles... Him and his family were escorted to the local VFW for a lunch welcoming him home. It was a moving moment. I am so glad that I was able to witness this moment. I was able to take a few pictures. From where we were standing... From those who know me. I come from a very Pro Military and VERY patriotic family. This event was very emotional for me, and it was nice to be able to share it with a whole other family.  I wasnt really able to capture all of the motorcycles... or as Diem was calling them... Mikercycles. Which was totally sweet. :) On Memorial Day there was a front page article about this little event. I saved the article for Diem's scrapbook and baby book. I want her to remember this moment in her life.... even if she is three.... :) She knows more than the average 3 year old!!!

But anyway!! On this same day... for my THINspiration walking time... I walked 3.083 miles, and 6303 steps. I was just a busy girl just trucking a long. I even got a little more sun. Which was nice.

I tend to make sure that I walk by the park every day. I dont know why... maybe its because it has a incline, or maybe its because it has TWO water fountains, and I always for get my water when I go on walks. I dont know what it is... but I like it. I have been finding these "pods" all over in the trees or on the ground.. They eventually turn into these pom pom things that are fluffy... and rather annoying!

So May 30th... I did 2.878 Miles and 5884 steps... I didnt take any pictures as well... I was walking at dusk.. but I have some other pictures from my past walks you can enjoy...

Angelica's Graduation

Congratulations on your graduation Angelica.

Here are just a few pictures of your graduation. I hope you enjoyed your day! We are all so proud of you and your accomplishments. Now onward and forward to the next step in your life. Just remember I will always be right beside you on your next step of your journey. Good luck to you, and keep your head held high.

Thinspiration FRIDAY!!!!

I literally just got home from my walk, uploaded my pictures, and now I am sitting here, about to post my walk of the morning... I may take a second one later... I am also writing a good old fashioned snail mail letter to my bestie Lena! **hi Lena!!!!**

So like I promised in yesterday's post. I would put pictures up from yesterday's walk!

This is totally unmotivating!!! I saw this trailer and I had to take a picture of it!!! Grub on the go! Tater tots, chili cheese fries, DEEP FRIED hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders, corn dogs, onion rings, BBQ Beef. French Fries, Nachos. WHAT THE HECK!!! I am avoiding this street from now on! Heck with your subliminal messages! I don't need this garbage. I am saying strong and not being tempted by this nonsense!!!! GRRRRR

 Here is my little friend who followed me down the street here for a few blocks. He was just be bopping down the street and I couldn't resist looking at him. By the way... Diem's grandparents, John and Kathy (Kathytacks) are MISSING their desert tortoise "Curly". I wonder if this was him!!!! And he knew me!!! HA HA. I doubt it.. But it could have been! But isn't this a face only a mother could love?Here is my picture for today!!! Me on my walk.... here are my stats for today:  3147 steps, and 1.539 miles. Yes, I know... Its not up to my normal 2 mile average... But... I am thinking about taking another walk today. I need to get my rear in gear! But here are some other pictures I took today. Basically of cars... hahah I like the classics ;)

THINspiration Update!!!

I have totally been slacking on the posting of my walks for my THINspiration. So... Here is my up to date total... kind of I need to upload today's pictures... So I WILL post that part tomorrow.

May 21- .611 miles (not even worth it. I got a delay, and it got too dark!) 1250 steps

May 22nd, I made up for the 21st by getting in TWO WALKS!!! So, walk number one... I walked 4595 Steps and 2.248 miles with cousin Amber.

This is in someone's yard. I thought it was pretty neat!

Walk number two! Was with Katie.... 3.555 miles and 7267 steps.

This was on a picnic table at the park. I loved the color!!!

May 23rd 2.056 miles, and 4203 steps

This on one of the streets I walked on... I thought this was funny... PAINe Lane... as there is a field of cacti behind it. I thought it was hilarious!

May 24th Miles 2.208 4541 Steps

So, as of the 24th... I had walked a total of 36348 steps, and 17.781 miles. I am on a roll!!! But today (5/27/10) I walked 5274 steps, and 2.570 miles, so that!!! Brings me to 41602 steps and 20.351 miles. I am on a roll to my first goal of 100 miles. Then it will be 250, then 500, then... who knows what. But I am on a mission and it needs to be completed. I hope my thinspiration is helping someone here! I need to just blog some more photos of me along the way... So please enjoy the next following photos!!

Altered Notepad

Here is another one of my crafty gifts I made for Kathy's birthday. I made it match her goodie box I made her by using my scraps that were left over.

#1) Scallop punch two red piece of paper.. One adhere black buttons and decorate with Glitter glue. Second Red scallop circle, adhere to covered notebook.

#2) Cover the notebook with red paper, then with the mickey patterned paper. I used my Xyron 900 for the adhering part as I can run them through at the same time. Then cover notebook. And add Red scallop circle.

#3) Using pop dots, add the scallop circle with the mickey on it to the scallop circle that is on the notebook. And finish off with decorating a paper clip to match. (I used red paper, and a rub on I got from Lena to help make it match).

Happy Birthday "Kathy Tacks"

Here is my first "tutorial-esque" project!!

I made this birthday gift for Diem's Grandma Kathy for her 49th Birthday present.

Here is kind of what I did :)

#1) Go to a place like Walmart, or your local craft store, and find one of these "storage" "bead" organizers. There are many to choose from... I picked this one out as it has 17 compartments.

#2) Pick out items your receipent will enjoy to fill the compartments. I chose things for a more "office survival kit" as Grandma Kathy is always on the road. Here are some of items included....

Blistex

Chocolate

Starburst

Nailpolish

Paper Clips

Powder drink mixes

Floss

Shout Wipes

#3) Go home and fill the compartments... I had to be secretive about this gift as it was time consuming... Plus I was eating some of the treats... Hey, I had to make sure they werent poisioned!!! ;)

#4) Tie a bow of the color of your choice around the outside of the box and cut off access.

#5) First... You will need to trace the top of the box with a sheet of spare paper... scrap mostly... Then use it as a stencil for the primary paper you are going to use. Use adhesive to keep it kept down. :) I used regular snail type adhesive...

#6) Decorate another set of paper (I did blue as the base) and build on top of it. Personalize it to the best of your knowledge of your receipent. Kathy really likes Disney and Disney land, hence the mickey mouse patterned paper. Her favorite color is red and it goes perfect with Mickey Mouse!

I hope she enjoys it.

This gift would also be perfect as teachers gifts!!

I have totally been slacking!!!

Everyone, I apologize. I need to update my blog like ASAP!!!! So First! I am going to post my SU- Always card! :) I love how the bird just pops!

My ippity card, using the scraps from my SU card.

I love this girl from The Greeting Farm... The swallow/sparrow whatever rub on and image of girl comes from Lena Lou. This card is better in person!!!

I got this image from a wonderful friend for my special week on WRAK. I colored with marker first, then accented with pastels from SU.

Here is another card stamped with a ippity set :) Stamped in Pacific point SU ink

Alterered treat box and covered with left over scrap paper. This container is used to hold just a few of my stamped images people have given me. I love it.

I am sooooo in love with this cowgirl easel (vertical) card!!! I didnt think she would come out that wonderful... BUT SHE DID!!! I was going to mail it to Drew, but I may just keep it for myself! ahahaha... <-- Evil Laugh.

My last card of the past... ummm few days? This is a horizontal easel card. I love it but not as much as the cowgirl one.

All of these cards have been made Saturday through Today (Tuesday). I hope you have all enjoyed them... I sure have!!!