3 product challenge {and then some}

I finally got to take some pictures of what I made for my 3 product challenge! I decided to take my three things and create a mini book. Here is what I came up with...






I'm just waiting to get in those last photo's of summer before I start the inside pages. I think I am really liking the zipper closure! Might have to try that again on something! Look what have you started Lisa!!!!!!!!

Just snapped a few pictures of the table that I added to the craft area. It's the new home for my sewing machine..finally I won't have to lug it around when I want to sew something. Just a few pictures from the table...



Found these little glasses that fit together nicely at an antique shop! They are perfect for the little things and look cute on my new table!



Live laugh LOVE,
Heather

On {the level}

College level and blogger still thinks I am a spam blog! Honestly...I couldn't make this stuff up! More later...way too early for me to be on here!

3 product challenge

One of my local yahoo groups...MonmouthOceanScrapbookers is having a three product challenge this month. We were all partnered up and here is what I received from my partner...

1 "Summer" die cut from My Minds Eye
1 piece of ribbon
1 self adhesive zipper


I'm going to get started on it today sometime! I'll keep you posted on what I create! I have a few idea in mind...just trying to figure out how to pull them off!

Seriously...

I am here, but I haven't felt like posting much lately.

Been spending alot of time reflecting on life, the crafty thoughts swirling in my head, family, being newly unemployed, and the prospects of a new awesome job!!!

Also been spending my time making sketches and writing ideas down for an etsy shop of my very own in the future.

Since blogger has felt the need to classify me as a spam blogger, I will be moving my blog in the coming weeks. Dear Blogger....I really wish this could have worked out because I really love the blue/orange color scheme you are sporting!!

Stay tuned my bloggy friends!!

I'm back {the black cloud followed me here}

So here I am again! I am back and should be posting regularly again. I've needed the break to enjoy the summer with Jeremy and visit with friends. It wasn't the recharge I wanted because there was difficult days during the break, but I am here.

Today I am going to be working on a album about our sweet puppy. He went to heaven to be with his Jesse last week and we are all still devastated to have lost him. I cry whenever I look at his picture, hopefully this album will help me heal and be healing for all of us. I'll post more about him later.

I'm hoping to bind his little album I am making with my new toy that just came in the mail. I got a good deal on a Bind-It-All and I took it. It should be fun.

Today I have to clean my craft area too. Seriously, it looks like it has been ransacked. I know it is bad when Jeremy says "What happened in here"...so I think it is time.

I'm nursing a sore throat right now too. Lot's of tea with honey, vitamins, and rest in hopes that it doesn't turn into something else. There is an awful Upper Respiratory Infection going around work.

With the way things have been going these past few weeks(months), I am not surprised at all that I have caught something. I am hoping that a little down time with Jeremy today and time in my scrap area will help my spirits. I need a sign that 2008 is going to get better because right now, after losing Jesse in May and now puppy, I can only say that 2008 totally sucks. I am usually the hopeful one, but I need some help right now.

Here I am,
Heather

{Here I Am}

I didn't fall off of the earth...
I am still here.

If you haven't already noticed, I am taking a little blog break.
I will be back mid week with some fun!
Live laugh LOVE,
Heather

{2.5 lbs} better than nothing

Sunday morning weigh in reports that I am down 2.5 lbs.
I know that less is better in the long run but I so wanted at least a 5lb loss this week because I have been working really hard.

More to come later! It is still very early here!
Live laugh LOVE,
Heather

P.S. I'm sooo pissed at blogger this morning!! I have to enter a word verification every friggen time I post anything because they think I am a spam blog! Typepad is looking very good right now!

{One} year

Happy one year anniversary to Live laugh LOVE...ink something!! Someone go eat some cake for me, because it is not on my diet!!



1. Wedding Cupcakes - Black/white & red themed, 2. Farm Cake, 3. cupcake tree, 4. For A Shop Opening

{Links} some more favorites

A few more links were found this morning to add to my list...including a new DIY for fall!

1. These little wreaths are sooo cute!!
2. This DIY is a must for fall! So easy and I think I have everything I need here to make a cute little arrangement.
3. I really want one of these camera straps! They are gorgeous!!
4. For some reason I can't stop myself from checking this blog daily.
5. This one makes me smile

Tomorrow is the 1 year anniversary of my blog! YEAH!!!!!!
Live laugh LOVE,
Heather

{prompt}

I am a few blog prompts behind from my class...here are a few combined:


"Share a list of links with your blog readers, leading them to the websites that inspire you most."

OMG, thisis an easy one. There are so many sites inspiring me right now. Here are just a few...
1. Flickr
2. Red Velvet Art
3. Craftershock
4. OLW
5. Sew,Mama,Sew!
6. Gourmet Mama
7. Create Something Today
8. Going Green Mom
9. Etsy
10. Ali Edwards


"share with your blog readers - one thing you have accomplished and one thing you hope to accomplish. Bonus points if you have a photo from the event!"

The one thing that I accomplished would definitely be becoming a nurse. (and yes, I have a picture..bonus for me) This is me and my friend Amybeth from school. We were joined at the hip!! Finishing school was definitely the hardest thing I have ever done and it was sooo incredibly worth it!

One thing that I hope to accomplish is to get healthier and lose weight. I think I've gotten to the point that I need to be at and I've gotten a good start towards accomplishing it! Now I just need to keep it up.

{Fan fest Day} NYC

Yesterday we went to The MLB All-Star Fanfest at the Javits Center in NYC! I posted pictures from the day on Flickr here! We had a GREAT day! Sooo much fun!!

My favorite picture of the day is this one of ME...yes me...and the Woman of the Diamond (well 2 of them). @ of the greatest ladies to play baseball and the inspiration for the movie "A league of their own". They were incredibly nice and really enjoyed answering all the fan questions!!
Live laugh LOVE,
Heather

8lbs (and stuff)

This week I lost 8 lbs!!!

I am really excited to share that with you guys, because it has been a rough week. I only got to exercise 1 time this week due to my work schedule and I am hoping that this coming week I will get to do it more.

I'd love to go into what I think made me get started last week and keep me eating right for an entire week, but you'd think I was crazy and you would seriously question my eating habits...LOL...all I can share is that last week at this very time I was walking around the local mall. This is something I do rarely because I really have become someone who didn't go to the mall due to all of the walking and not feeling good about my self. But last Sunday I walked around without a care in the world and I felt good about my body image. I like that feeling!

My body is all mixed up I think. I sometimes have a hard time sleeping (I think everyone does sometimes) but these past few days I think my body has been in shock from the lack of carbs and the increase of fruits and lettuce!! I haven't slept really well in three days and last night I finally took something and got some really good sleep. I was sooo sleepy yesterday that I fell asleep in the sun for 1 hour!! Thank goodness that I had some sunscreen on or it would have been a worse story! I only have a little bit if red!

In other news....next week is my one year bloversary. Keep checking my blog for new posts and I will pull a name from those who comment on any of the next weeks posts for a chance to win a prize!!

{Scrap NIGHT} before and after

Last night I got to finish up a few things I've had hanging out on my desk so that I could start working on some stuff for the class I am taking at Shimelle!

After packaging up a swap and a whole bunch of RAK's to be mailed, I got to use this {new and cute} little baby on a set of note cards that I just made.





{Then} came the real fun!!

I've been trying to decide what size album to use for my class and I made my mind up to step out of my 12 x 12 box and go with 8 1/2 x 11 for once!! I had a whole bunch of these babies hanging out in the top of my closet from nursing school and they are just begging to be put to use. Wish granted....here is the after....

Well...this is really the middle....


This is the after!!


Yes I ripped the poor thing apart and I duck taped it back together all pretty!! Can't wait to start the inside of it now!
Live laugh LOVE,
Heather

Ready, Set, SCRAP!!!

I'm heading off to my scrap utopia to create for a little while! Soooo excited to start a new project! (and finish a few things in progress)

I'll have a bit of a before and after for you tomorrow! Be sure to check back!
Live laugh LOVE,
Heather

Prompt {2}

Today's blogging prompt from my online class here is:

"If you could travel in time for just one day, where would you go and what would you do?"

I don't have any personal pictures of this to share with you...Sorry kids...the following pictures are all from flickr.

If I could travel anywhere in time, it would be back to any day around the age of 13-14...before my father got sick. I was a momma's girl, I followed her everywhere. Dad worked alot and I guess I took the time for granted.

Lately I've been thinking about character traits, things you get from your mom and dad, and how I am like them in certain ways. There isn't a whole lot of things I can remember about him. I have his eyes and nose and the same taste for hot tea anytime of the day, but it ends there. I would love to go back and ask him questions, pick his brain and see what he though about.

The good things that I do remember are the summers we all spent on his boat in the bay and learning how to clam...seining in the bay for crabs...riding in his pickup truck in the woods..going to the inlet to fish with him.

I know it is not good to live with regret in your life because life is too short, but I do regret not spending time with him when I could.

Live laugh LOVE,
Heather

happy SUNDAY

Just wanted to share the mini that I made the other night! Inspired by OLW!

I love this little book! {think I'm addicted to mini's now! For my green friends out there...I used a piece of cardboard for the front...100% recycled by me) LOL

(clicking on the pictures will make them larger)

{man & woman} Husband and Wife

dreaming...of things to come

Back in NJ for now
Planning for things that are important to us!

DISCOVERING new things around us

{Save, Save, SAVE} for the future

[2 hard workers] A-TEAM of two
Trying to be healthier for each other

Grieving for who was taken from us

we are...Living each day the best way we know how

Enjoying LIFE's little things!!

the end

xoxo

Live laugh LOVE,
Heather

~ happy 4th ~

Happy 4th of July friends!1. Sydney New Years Eve Fireworks 2007, 2. Fireworks NYE2005, 3. A display of Fireworks 2007, 4. fireworks in Taipei

I'm drinking my tea and reading email, trying to wake up! Not much planned here! Just going to try and enjoy the day before the ruckus starts tonight.

I'm going to try and get back into my play area tonight to work on a mini book I started last night. (crossing my fingers)

Live laugh LOVE,
Heather

Just Pictures Thursday

Hello NJ pine treeLooking for something moreJust a gurl and her cameraSee you tomorrow...I'm off to play before work
Live laugh LOVE,
Heather

I ::heart:: WEdNesday

...because it is my favorite day of the week. ((I would love to explain to you all why, but it's a long story!!)) Maybe I will on a scrapbook page sometime soon! :)

Today we are all set to relax by the family pool and catch some rays! This little guy is up to 18 lbs at just 10 weeks and he is going to the doctor for another puppy visit today!

Today I went on an inspiration road trip from the comfort of my own computer. Sometimes following links brings you to some sweet things! (an idea brought about through Ali's book that I am reading...see previous post)

New word-up at OLW...go see it NOW

Found lots of info today on some creative classes while visiting this blog :Eye candy and I am psyched for this one.

Can't wait to see what happens this month here....which really makes me want to make one of these and a few of these and a whole lot of these little sweeties!!!

What do you ::heart:: about today?

Live laugh LOVE,
Heather

..it IS ok!!

These past few weeks I have been reading this book by Ali Edwards and one of the main things that stayed in my head so far is the title and info in Chapter 1. It's entitled "it is OK" and there are some powerful inspiring words there! I know already that this book is helping to change some of the ways I see things around me and my scrapbooking. Just a few quotes because I don't want to get myself in trouble sharing too much of her book...

It is OK...to let go of the feeling that you need to have a specific style
It is OK...to repeat what works for you
It is OK...to use what you have on hand
It is OK...to use the awesome products you've been collecting

I'm still in the middle of reading this great book and I will hopefully share some more insight about it later this month!

Today was another one of those 1st of the months where I said to myself that life moves fast and that you should enjoy every minute! I spent quality time with my loved ones and did just so. It's also another one of those days where I had time to think and jot down creative thoughts I had in my head. When I sat at my desk tonight though, I was unable to make anything. Is it possible to have too many ideas or too much creativity in your head? I didn't think it was, but I was wrong. I'm blessed to have wonderful product around me to capture our life and I was unable to tonight. I finally pushed away from the desk and turned out the light.

But...it is OK!! Because it is OK to be open and embrace the process of creativity!! (and I certainly have some of it going on right now!!) I am the creative director of my creativity!!

Live laugh LOVE,
Heather

Now you try it!!

alittlebitofscrap had this fun idea on her blog!! I decided to give it a try for fun!

The concept:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.


The Questions:

1. What is your first name? Heather
2. What is your favorite food? Mom's Lasagna
3. What high school did you go to? Central Regional Eagles
4. What is your favorite color? Red
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Peter Gallagher
6. Favorite drink? Tea
7. Dream vacation? Hawaii
8. Favorite dessert? Strawberry Shortcake (from shoprite)
9. What you want to be when you grow up? A nurse
10. What do you love most in life? My husband
11. One Word to describe you? Crafty
12. Your flickr name? wenhether



1. Damp heather, 2. Lasagna, 3. Tioga, 4. How much more red could this be?, 5. Smoldering eyes, 6. Lonely Tea Time, 7. anini beach, 8. `Strawberry shortcake! :D, 9. vintage nurse, 10. J, 11. crafty mini folder, 12. Camera Love

Now it's your turn! Be sure to let me know you did it! I would love to see your mosaic!!
LIVE laugh LOVE,
Heather

OLW: Strong

Such a powerful word this time around from OLW. I really drew a blank at first when trying to think what I wanted to do with it and then I heard a song on the radio and the inspiration bug got a hold of me. I had to pull my car over and write it all down!!! The song is "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera.

Here is my take. The journaling is below. Created with one of my RV Kits...



Journaling:
"after all you out me through
you'd think I despise you
but in the end, I wanna thank you
cause you make me that much stronger"

Those kids in high school who thought it was funny to torment me

Those backstabbing nurses at my first nursing job

The hand that slapped me out of love with you

(MADE ME LEARN A LITTLE BIT FASTER
MADE MY SKIN A LITTLE BIT THICKER
MAKES ME THAT MUCH SMARTER
SO thanks FOR MAKING ME A FIGHTER)

The guys I wasted my time with

The friends I have lost over time

The ones who claimed to be my friend

The small soul I lost

Thought I would forget, but I remember
I'll remember...
So thanks for making me a fighter!

What's your Carbon Footprint?

Just read about this on a friends site....Check out this site Carbon Footprint to see what your number is.

Our number is 10.030 tonnes. The national average is 20.4 tonnes so I guess we are doing ok. There are still a few things we can do to improve it though.

Have you noticed the new green look of my blog? We are looking for things to make us more green everyday, so why not the blog too! :)

Post your number in the comments...I would love to know where everyone is!!
Live laugh LOVE,
Heather

(continued) Randon Thing #7

7. I'm a chocoholic with no wish to recover.

For 1 thru 6 see the last two posts!
Live laugh LOVE,
Heather

P.S. This is seriously the last one. I HAVE TO go to work!

(continued) Random Thing #6...

6. I spend way too much time online!

For 1 to 5 see the previous post!!
Live laugh LOVE,
Heather

Random Things and More

Today on my NJ Scrapping group there was a post for random things about yourself. Here are 5 Random me things:

1. I am a tea drinker and I save the little tags on my Red Rose tea bags (for a huge project someday).

2. I have a thing for blog's...I check about 25 on a regular basis.

3. I love all animals but cannot stand bugs of any kind!! They really gross me out!!

4. I text ALOT....I would rather text a person that call them (the shy person in me I guess)

5. I broke the needle on my sewing machine this morning and scrapped the project I had just started

Here is the proof for Number 5...it is my little garbage can in the scrap room!! The little needle just snapped in half!! Very sad because I was soooo excited about making it, especially because for the first time I took my little sewing machine off of the straight stitch and tried a zig zag :( I saved the little broken needle. I might have to scrap it. :)

I am traumatized over this needle thing, so that is it for now. My goal for today is to take some pictures for a few projects I am working on before I have to go to work.
Live Laugh LOVE,
Heather

Today...

I'm hating that I have to go to work!!!

I'm drying Capri Sun pouches for one of these lovelies (hey Gretchen...these would be a great Girl Scout project)

I'm cleaning everything in site(yeah b12)!!

I'm down 3.9 pounds!!!

I'm loving this new blog I've found: Journal With Me!!

I'm looking forward to Overlooked starting again fresh!!

Live Laugh Love,
Heather

Diana!!!

A few weeks ago, I was picked to test a great new pattern by Ginny at iSew!! This is the Diana bag that I made from her pattern.I definitely think it is my new favorite bag. I just need a matching wallet to go with it!!!

This is a really bad picture of the inside. There are 4 little pockets in it to hold my cell phone, wallet, pen, and lip gloss.

Check out Ginny's iSew etsy for some great handmade bags and MONKEYS!!!!! (I ::heart:: her monkeys!!)

Live Laugh LOVE,
Heather

b 3

Just finished this layout last night. (I'm working on scrapping all of the pictures that I have printed out before I print out more)
I've uploaded this layout to one of my yahoo groups as part of our monthly layout challenge.

This months challenge was to use ribbon in an unusual way. Let me just say this...I don't do ribbon on layouts. I am pretty good at buying it, and it looks really pretty in my little ribbon storage on my desk but it never gets used.

I didn't intend to use ribbon on this layout but when I made a journaling boo-boo and needed something to cover it, it fit!
The polka dots on white is what I am talking about. It covered it well!

Happy Father's Day

Hope everyone is having a nice Father's Day!! Not much to report today...spent most of the day cleaning the house and making a shopping list for tomorrow!

I'm always looking for another way to be earth freindly!! Just wanted to share with you the wrapping on my FIL's present from today. It's been a tradition for a few years now that we get my FIL shrimp and lobster as a present for him to cook his way! He loves it and it's a pretty simple present. This year I was trying to think of a way to wrap it and this is what I came up with...
My FIL was the first one to come home with the reusable shopping bags from the grocery store and I thought it would be a cute idea to put it inside one. Add a little curly ribbon and ta-da!!!

Live Laugh LOVE,
Heather

P.S. He loved the wrapping!!!

ONE

I've been a fan of the OLW blog for a while now. Another blog that I visit alot!!! Love the inspiration that is coming from them. They are celebrating their ONE year anniversary this month and I made this ONE layout to share.
I've had this picture on my inspiration board just waiting for something!

TWO, THREE...

Also made these...


Made all of these layouts using my RV kits stash(June and February).

Live Laugh LOVE,
Heather

No Title Tuesday

I visit this blog on a regular basis. I love Ali's style and the fresh ideas she is always coming up with. The inspiration is just flowing from her and someday I will catch some of it. :) Anyway....She has a little contest at the bottom today and she asks today what your favorite tip for journaling and getting your words down are. I thought I would share what I do while creating. Here are mine...

I'm usually thinking of my journaling before the page/project is made...I keep some scrap paper next to my desk and jot down what I am thinking of saying.

What I have done to help my journaling easier and quick is, I purchased little journaling spots from a great little shop on etsy: everyjotandtitle.etsy.com! (love the name) They come in white and Kraft and really match almost everything I am creating. Follow these links to see them....
White
Kraft

I also bought some journaling spot stamps from Autumn Leaves which make it really convenient to stamp right on my project and some journaling spots from Heidi Swapp.



All of the spots have a special place on my desk and Now when I go to put a page or project together, it is just like picking out an embellishment!
Hope this helps someone!

Pics will be up tomorrow of the layouts i just finished! I am up to three! Still working on the little canvas's. I need to go steal.....borrow...acquire. Yeah, that's it I need to acquire some beach sand. LOL

Live Laugh LOVE,
Heather

:|

It's 11 AM and I am one cup of tea down and I can still just barely open my eyes :|

I have to share that it was a very productive weekend here for me! I actually had Saturday AND Sunday off!! Can you believe it!!!

1....I was able to get my scrap area cleaned as I wanted. It is 98% done! I still have a wall to work on. I will post pics after it is done.

2....I was able to scrap yesterday(2 layouts completed) and I start my altered canvas project for our bathroom.

3....I worked on my tan yesterday (thinking I went from Ultra Pale to pale, I definitely see a color change though)

Right now our Internet connection is really Pi**ing me off!! It is not the best and saying no signal so pictures from the weekend will have to wait!

Live Laugh LOVE,
Heather

Happy Wednesday Stuff!!

~This commercial is keeping me laughing!! Love the woman at the end! I am hysterical when it is on...my husband just stares at me!!




~Ali Edwards new AEzine is out....very inspiring!!


~The new song that I am sooo in love with!!



~Can't wait to get this cutie of a kit so I can start scrapping this cutie...


Live Laugh LOVE,
Heather

New and Fresh

I love how the start of a new month can make everything fresh and new. It can be a time for a new beginning to something that you started and haven't had luck with and it can inspire you to do things you have been waiting to do. It's new years all over again!!! Come on friends....Let's do more!!!!

I took some me time this morning to journal feeling that have been swirling in my head and jot down a few ideas I have had for this blog and for life as we know it. I am hoping to share them with you all really soon!

Live Laugh LOVE,
Me!!

SATC!!!

Just wanted to post that yes, I did get to go see the movie!! Jeremy took me to the first show on opening day and it was awesome!! I have to say that Jennifer Hudson was great! Everyone was great!!!

I just purchased the soundtrack on itunes and I am sooo in love with it.

I am going to see it again on Saturday with some friends!!!

I am here...

I missed my little blog and my blog friends. I will be posting more now....the hiatus is over!!

After a rough few weeks, it is time to get back into life. A death in the family has left us distraught and mad and sad! Thank you for all of the kind words! i will be posting more about it as soon as we are ready!

Hugs,
Heather

This is 100!!

Yeah for me...I made it to 100 posts!

Just letting my little blog friends know that I am going to be MIA for a few weeks or so.

See you soon!
Heather

Happy Place?

While reading blogs and checking email this morning, trying to find my happy place, I came along this site...Inspire Me Thursday. It is a lovely site filled with inspiration. After just 10 minutes it has me full of ideas and has me jotting away in my notebook. I'm definitely closer to my happy place now!!

Finding my happy place is usually not hard. There are a few things that are a sure thing to work on me:
~listening to anything from "LIVE"
~Episode 50 of Sex and The City
~snuggling with hubby
~watching my favorite movie "while you were sleeping"

Do you have something that helps you find your happy place?

Dear Blogger...

...it's been 9 days since my last confession!!

It's been crazy and extremely stressful around here the past few weeks...been working horrible hours and making 3 hour trips back and forth to the hospital to see a very sick family member. Stress is definitely starting to take a toll on me.

Today Jeremy and I were both off so we took the day to relax and catch up on each other. Us time is definitely a luxury lately!

Right now I am taking a brake from a sewing project that I just started. As if I really need something else to stress me out...I've decided to make tote bags/purses for the mother's in my life. I just hope they are done in time!!

Back to work I go! More to come!

Today...

...I'm a little more upbeat!! (just a little!!)

...I'm working on a layout for a challenge on one of my yahoo scrapping groups. 7 pictures, 7 Buttons, 7 Brads, 7 letter title, and 7 of something my choice!! OMG...think I have an idea

...I'm dreading going to work!! (Ugh!!! Why can't I win the lottery!!)

...I have to start planning what I'm doing for this. (yes, I didn't even snap it yet)

...I'm in awe that it is May!!!

...I'm thinking of something cool to do to celebrate my 100th blog post that it coming really soon. Any ideas?? Maybe a contest, a challenge, or a giveaway!! Thinking of sending a little packet of scrap things out to random people and see what they can do with them.

...I am out of here for now!!!