West Coast Stamper and The Esqueda Family Blog

Pam's Holiday Cookie Exchange

2011-12-18T19:34:00.000-08:00

FUN FUN FUN!!!!
I love getting together with CREATIVE, Talented, Beautiful ladies and having snacks, talk, and sharing ideas. Today I went to Pam's cookie exchange and it was so much fun. While there we were talking about Cake Pops and Pam of course had a Cake Pop book and The Author has a blog- BAKERELLA. Talk about crazy creative...WOW! This is a blog I will probably visit daily :) I wanted to share it with you! Here are some pictures from her blog to entice you to head on over there!

Christmas Cards and Cookies

2011-12-17T17:06:00.000-08:00

I got a real hand-stamped Christmas card in the mail today!!!! So exciting! Even though I have a handful of very talented, creative friends that stamp, craft, and scrapbook....I usually get only one or two stamped cards. The photograph ones are SO cheap and easy- it's easier to just do those. But Melissa and Michelle rocked the stamped cards this year! Thank you girls...I LOVE them! Then Melissa called and said, "Are you home?" She ran over to show me another hand-made card that is adorable! It has soooo many possiblities (the stocking one)- hehe silly I know- but we love creativity!

Christmas in our house means COOKIES and lots of them! I had our cookie exchange last week (Prior post) and now I am going to Pam's cookie exchange tomorrow. A lot of the ladies that will be there are .....you guessed it CREATIVE so I thought I would show off the Stampin UP! cookie press.

These are so easy, fun, and yummy!

Holidays Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps125152
Regular Price: $18.83

Merry Christmas! Yep I said it!

2011-12-16T19:58:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas all my dear friends! I have been more conscious of saying it this wonderful season. I had to explain to a friend that it is not that we are against saying Happy Holidays, but that people (store cashiers) are being told NOT to say it. That is when us Christians have to stand up for our beliefs!

I had my 5th or 6th annual cookie exchange, we had our 13th annual ornament exchange, 17 wonderful friends came to exchange cookies, eat some yummy foods, play games, and fellowship! Loved it!

We are having a wonderful time so far! We went to the Festival of trees and turned in a coloring contest paper and checked out some beautiful trees, we went to Christmas 365 and enjoyed 50 beautiful trees there, with some yummy food. The kids had wonderful class parties today- Steven played Santa Claus at Alcott and passed out Candy Grams! Savannah got another one from Parker again...so stinkin cute!

We had our 13th annual ornament exchange. What a special treat it is knowing that I have been friends with some of these ladies for over 20+ years, I know these friendships will last FOREVER!

We went to Sand Haven Pines and Savannah and Shawn chopped (sawed) down our Christmas tree! It was SOOOO COLD...so we picked fast and then hurried to Nana's for a warm yummy dinner. Speaking of my mom, she said the BEST thing to me 2 days ago that she has ever told me. We were talking and she said, "Who would have ever thought when I was pregnant with you, (40 years ago) that you would end up being my best friend!"- That has to be one of the BEST presents I have ever received.

Summer 2011

2011-09-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

Wow time is flying by and we are having one of our best summers EVVA! We have already gone to the beach like 6 times, Pharoh's 3 times, and Sea World a few times also. Savannah is on her way home from a week vacation with the Jorgenson family up to Lodi, where Grandma and Grandpa Kerr live. This was her fisrt LONG trip away from mom. She also did a week of Nature Camp at Hidden valley were I volunteered so that Shawn could also attend for free :) Then she went and did a sailing class with Grant and Brandon Jorgenson, but she didn' finish becasue she didn't like it (the boats were too small and her feet fell asleep) and Grandpa ended up in the hospital with Colon cancer. He is now at Nana's recovering very well! Then she went to Art Camp at RAM with Mrs. Yeager thatnks to Melissa Utterbach (she had paid for her grandson but he didn't go- so Savannah scored :)

Both kids also did a week at VBS at the Grove and loved it! It was Star Wars themed. Savannah had a week off and then she left. Now she has one more week off then she gets to do another ART camp at RAM (Thank you Melissa :)

Daddy FINALLY got a J-O-B! After 2 VERY long years he got called out to Stateline to build a Solar Panel Power Plant. He will leave Sunday night and come home Thursday evening. He is sharing a room with Dave so it will only cost $10 a night pp. They will trade off paying for gas every other week.

Melissa Wilson and I have been scrapbooking every Wednesday together and we have done almost 50 pages each, so far! It is a very fun time talking and scrapping with her!

I also have been baysitting carter all summer long, he is fun to take along and introduce new things to!

Savannah * Rebecca* Lauren * Cayley dancing for the Alcott talent show

Savannah and her BFF Rebecca with thier awards- Savannah made honor roll!

Dickie and raylene (she graduated!)

Savannah starts water polo

We have a 40th birthday party for Debbie

Carter at the Nature Camp

Shawn in Canyon Lake, AZ

Me and Savannah and Stevie went cliff jumping

Enjoy!

SU! Summer Mini projects

2011-05-26T11:42:00.000-07:00

These most adorable projects are all made with supplies out of the Stampin UP! Summer Mini Catalog. SU! only offers 1 catalog/ idea book a year (but a mini catalog with all new stamp sets, designer series paper, ribbon, punches, and BIG SHOT accessories) every few months. Click HERE to go see the mini catalog now.

Sail Away 123013 $9.95

Fabulous Florest 123027 $17.95 and BIG SHOT impressions folder 123113 Flower Garden $7.95

Triple layer punch Bloosom Bouquet 122464 $23.95 and Bold blossom stamp set 122232 $9.95

Strength and Hope 123660 $13.95 (for every one of these stamp sets, SU! will donate $2 to the BCRF, Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Thanks for stampin by!
Samantha

More Meeting Cards

2011-05-24T08:22:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more cards from my Upline's meeting. I have soooo many to share with you! The first two are using the Cupcake punch so cute, fun, and EASY! The stamp set is Create a cupcake which will be available again in the new catalog starting July 1 and the build a cupcake punch is still available now # 121807 $16.95 wouldn't someone you know LOVE to receive an adorable CUPCAKE card....Cupcakes are so "IN" right now!

From the NEW Summer Mini are the next three projects. Flower Fest #122280 $19.95 is such an awesome set for cards, bags, and scrapbooking. Quick and easy.... that is what I like! The surfboard set is SUMMER SPLASH included in the summer mini #123037 $16.95 and isn't that a great set! Again, another great set for scrapbooking also! Don't forget the rhinstones...easy to add some bling to your card by using our Basic Rhinstones or Basic Perals on page 188 of the big catalog.

A few Cards to Share

2011-05-22T21:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday I traveled to Placentia to Beth's house for our Upline meeting. Lis Ljoung is my upline and her group is Women in Ink. We are also the Udderly Awesome group somehow???

What a treat for us! We got to make 5 FANTASTIC cards and had an amazing lunch. Lis is always so fun, pretty, poised, but yet sooo crazy! I got to bring my friend Debbie along this time and so that made it even more fun! Hope you enjoy them and if you have any questions or would like to have a class to make some...let me know!

Thanks for Stampin by!
Samantha

MAY is National Scrapbook month!!!

2011-05-05T13:18:00.000-07:00

So what do you say? Let's SCRAP!!!!
May 21st Come and Scrap all day long at my house. Enjoy your own table, lots of food, prizes, and fun! $20 from 10am-10pm. This price includes 2 adorable 12 X 12 scrapbook pages.

Please call me today to hold your spot. (951) 788-9640~ Samantha

Muddy Buddy MESS!

2011-04-26T17:44:00.000-07:00

Shawn and Emily were simply playing with water when I looked last. Half-hour later the fire pit (that I use for my tomato garden) was filled with water and both of them were taking a MUD BATH! OMGEEE! They were muddy from their head to their toes and sooo cute! They played in the mud for about 4 hours. Now to find a new place to go plant some tomatoes????

Who needs Glen Ivy???

My 40th Birthday Bash

2011-04-26T16:18:00.000-07:00

Leah and I took her parents to LAX and then headed to the Fashion district in LA and I got a tiny turtle for me and one for Blakie.While we were gone Tammy came over and sabotaged my house and car with 40th birthday sayings. She did a great job!
On Friday April 22nd-We headed to Rock the Keys (a piano dueling bar), in Rancho Cucamonga, for a party reserved for 29 people. Judy, Leah and Jeremi, Glo and Reye, Brittney, and chris met at my house first. The girls all rode in Judy's mini-van and the boys rode in Chris' Avalanche.

Shawn's 4th Birthday

2011-04-21T20:59:00.000-07:00

We started by making cookies for the party favors for the guests. Shawn did a great job getting the "4" in the bag upside right!

We always make a big banner to hang up for the birthday person. Savannah made Shawn's all by herself...her first banner :)

Wake up Issy...It time to open presents!

All of Shawn's gifts were hand-me-downs or ones I had in his closet for a really long time. When he opened this one he said, "Yeah, the race track from my closet." ....He is sooo smart!

He wanted cereal with whip cream and blackberries, but I was able to talk him into homemade banana bread with whip cream and blackberries.

Off to Chuck E. Cheese. Since we didn't have a whole lot of money I didn't want to spend more than $100 on his party and he really wanted it to be at Chuck E. Cheese so we made our own party and just invited our closest friends. Emmy and Shawn had the place to themselves for the first hour of the day!

Shawn and his 2- BFF's Mason and Emily!

Shawn and Ricki both born on April 16th- 10 years apart!

YUMMY!!!! Auntie's famous cupcakes!

Thanks for helping us celebrate Shawn's special day! We LOVE our friends!

Shawn LOVES his family sooo much! He is a total momma's boy...but Issy and Daddy run a close second!

Happy 4th Birthday Emily!

2011-04-16T18:23:00.000-07:00

We just love our little neighbor friend Emily. She is like apart of our little family. I usually can find Emily and Shawn under his bed, out on the swings, or running the streets together pretty much everyday! Kristi (Emmy's mom) and I kid swap on Tuesday and Thursday..last Thursday ended up being her birthday and my day with her. So after bible study at the Grove where we took cupcakes we went to go feed the ducks. Then we went to McDonalds playplace and had a little lunch! We LOVE spending time with Emmy...and hope she loves us just as much!

Savannah's 11th Birthday

2011-04-16T18:14:00.000-07:00

Well, besides all of Vegas (and getting a present everyday) she did get breakfast in bed served by daddy, her BFF got to spend the night, I made her an adorable card and put movie tickets inside, and then grandpa brought Maya by and she got a gift :)

Then we were off to the mall. Savannah got her eyebrows waxed for FREE at Macy's and a mini makeover at the MAC counter :) Then I took the girls to the Hello Kitty store and told them they could each spend $5. When the saleslady rang it up it ended being $30 and DECLINED. I said" OH Sorry!" grabbed the girls and got out quick. Rebecca was so funny, she didn't quite get why she didn't get her stuff. I told the girls I would make it up to them when we get some money.....oops!

Then Auntie Florie and Tia Jessie spoiled her with a ton of Justin Beiber gear....she is truely a Belieber! Auntie Jessie also made her a cake since we were at Jacinda's party on Savannah's actual birthday.

Our neighbors, the Jorgenson's, made this adorable sign and put it on the garage- so Savannah saw it as soon as we pulled up! Thanks guys! Then we went to home fellowship and since we were at a party all day I didn't have time to make anything for Savannah to take to her bible study (and we already know there was no money) so I looked and the cabinet and sent what we had.....mini candy canes, 2 bags of coal chocolate, and heart suckers! LOL! I told Savannah we will NEVER forget what she got and didn't get for her 11th birthday!

Thanks for stamping by!

Samantha

VEGAS BABY!!!! Spring Break 2011

2011-04-12T08:50:00.000-07:00

We hit sin city for Spring break 2011. April 1st-9th. We were supposed to leave on Saturday the 2nd, but we were so excited we left Friday around 5pm and got there about 11pm. We stopped at IN N Out for dinner in San Bernardino and then another stop in Barstow for McDonald's ice cream sundaes. Shawn got his first strawberry one and LOVED it! Savannah and I had caramel and Steven had a cone (soft serve is his favorite.) We got to our Condo, that I had won for the week for $450 at a Soroptimist event (mom paid :), at Vizcaya off of the strip and it was sooo nice.

Saturday we woke up and went straight to Wal-Mart, we do this everywhere we go, you could say we are Wal-Mart connoisseurs. Then came back and lounged around waiting for my sister and her two kids to get there. We didn't want to explore without them. We rented some movies from Red Box ($1 movie rentals- gotta love it!) and watched Life as we know it. I love Katherine Heigel, it was really good!When Ursie and the kids got there we headed to the strip and ended up at the Sahara Hotel Nascar cafe. It was the only place around so we decided to eat there even though they had no kids menu and the prices were steep. I am glad we did see it, supposedly the Hotel and Cafe are closing in May.

Then we headed down the strip to the Stratosphere.But first we had to hit the WORLD'S LARGEST SOUVENIR SHOP and can you believe what the girls found. Candy cigarettes...OMG! Ursie and I used to get these all the time when we were little because dad was a smoker for like 50 years. These ones were bubblegum and not quite the same as we used to get...but they did "Puff Powder" when you blew on them. The girls had NO idea which end you were supposed to smoke or how to hold a cigarette... we've come along way!

Then we were going to go to the top of the Stratosphere and do the roller coaster but we didn't have enough money so we just ended up walking around and window shopped. Savannah got a pair of purple glasses and Maya got a tattoo (which was supposed to last a month, but only lasted a couple of days before it got real light.) Sunday we hung out at the pool all day after hitting the gym and then went to the strip and hit CIRCUS CIRCUS!

Sunday we hung out at the pool all day after hitting the gym and then went to the strip and hit CIRCUS CIRCUS! But first we hit Bucca DiPeppo's for dinner. It was really good and a fun place to go. Shawn went to the bathroom and the paper towel holder fell down so we told the waiter and he told the manager and he said he would buy us this $13 sundae. But I knew we were already getting a FREE dessert for all three of our birthdays, so instead I asked them to take the $13 off of the bill, and he did.

Maya loves her Domo's????

I am not a real touristy type of person, and unfortunately don't appreciate a lot of marvelous, wondrous landmarks- but the Hoover Dam was kinda cool....humm maybe I am getting old? We went on Monday to the Hoover Dam and I was expecting this HUGE waterfall looking thing...but quite the contrary...the dam is to block the water...duh...so we saw a really BIG huge wall! OOOO....AHHHHHH! But it was neat to see and since my husband is a carpenter I think I respected the craftsmanship a little more. Savannah got a starfish necklace (to replace the one she got at the science center because it broke when she fell off of the zip-line at Micheal G's,) some pencils, and Dam good mints. Shawn got a dam hat...he was so funny he kept saying, "Hey, watch your mouth!"

On April 5th Tuesday Nana came to visit us. We hung out at the pool and then went to the Paris Hotel/ casino for a buffet that I thought was $17.99 but ended up being $25 per person. The boys luckily were free. Mom forgot her ID so she couldn't use her credit card so luckily Ursie had enough to cover the bill..phew! It was SOO GOOD! The teeney tiny creme brulee dessert was the BEST! Then we hit the Bellagio water show and all the designer shops in the Bellagio, Maya was in HEAVEN! The next day we snuck into the Tahiti Village's pool and had a great day laying around drinking, playing, and soaking up the sun!We went back to the condo had homemade tacos and watched Burlesque.

Since mom/Nana was leaving the next day..we had to get one more buffet in. We went to the end of the strip back towards the Tahiti Village to the SouthPointe Casino and had their famous Garden Buffet. We didn't make it for breakfast so we had the lunch which was $8.95 and it was very good. But we were all still full from the rest of the week and didn't eat very much and I was REALLY itchy and so I took a Benedryl and boy oh boy it knocked me out. We had to go back to the condo for nap time. Then we headed out to the strip for a night out on the town!

The girls rode the roller coaster at New York New York for $14 per ride...ouch!

The Strip at night...how can sin look so beautiful?

A trip to the M&M store.

Relaxing at the oxygen bar...AHHH!

Thursday we cleaned up the Condo and headed for home because I had gotten the flu...UGH! But overall, a great vacation!

Thanks for stamping by!
Samantha

I started!

2011-03-23T06:44:00.000-07:00

Subbing that is!!! HEHE!

Last week on 3/14/11, I started subbing for RUSD! I am so excited...it was one of my 5 year goals that needed to be completed by 2014. Now I am excited to finish up my teaching credential and eventually get my Masters. Just not sure whether to go multiple subject for K-6 on single subject (older kids- attitudes, but less work)????

I have done 8th grade at Miller, 4th grade at Beatty and 1st grade at Kennedy. This week was Highland- Rover, Pachappa upper, and PRESCHOOL Thursday and Friday- MY <3!

I hope you are achieving all your goals!
Thanks for stamping by!

No Knead Dutch Oven Bread

2011-02-16T20:31:00.000-08:00

What is the problem with carbs? Don't they know how delicious they are? Don't they know how they don't love me like I love them? I am SO mad at my neighbor Kristi (not really I love her to pieces) but she was babysitting my boy and she had a friend over who was showing her how to make this bread. Well, I should have never tried it but I did! So I RAN OUT to Wal-Mart and bought me a dutch oven (dang those things are so expensive, I got mine on clearance for $50) and whipped up- ok not whipped up it does take two days to make, but it is very simple. Here is the recipe if you are interested.

No-Knead Dutch Oven Bread

1/4 tsp active dry yeast

1 1/2 cups warm water

3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting. You may use white, whole wheat or a combination of the two.

1 1/2 tsp salt

Cornmeal or wheat bran for dusting

1.In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the flour and salt, stirring until blended. The dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let the dough rest at least 8 hours, preferably 12 to 18, at warm room temperature, about 70 degrees.

2.The dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Lightly flour a work surface and place dough on it. Sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let it rest for about 15 minutes.

3.Using just enough flour to keep the dough from sticking to the work surface or to your fingers, gently shape it into a ball. Generously coat a clean dish towel with flour, wheat bran or cornmeal. Put the seam side of the dough down on the towel and dust with more flour, bran or cornmeal. Cover with another towel and let rise for about 1 to 2 hours. When it’s ready, the dough will have doubled in size and will not readily spring back when poked with a finger.

4.At least 20 minutes before the dough is ready, heat oven to 475 degrees. Put a 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in the oven as it heats. When the dough is ready, carefully remove the pot from the oven and lift off the lid. Slide your hand under the towel and turn the dough over into the pot, seam side up. The dough will lose its shape a bit in the process, but that’s OK. Give the pan a firm shake or two to help distribute the dough evenly, but don’t worry if it’s not perfect; it will straighten out as it bakes.

5.Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake another 15 to 20 minutes, until the loaf is beautifully browned. Remove the bread from the Dutch oven and let it cool on a rack for at least 1 hour before slicing.

A rainy day in Southern Cali...means lots of fun, wet clothes, and mud. We do love when we get to have fun in some weather.

Thanks for stamping by!

Samantha

Disneyland DONE!

2011-02-04T13:24:00.000-08:00

This was the album I bought especially for all of our Disneyland trips. We had passes from 2005-2006 and 2009-2010- so we had A LOT of pictures. I worked on it for 10 hours straight a few Saturdays ago and then finished up last Monday! Whew... never thought you could have too much Disney... but I am glad it is all done!

My Favorite Song!

2011-01-29T07:27:00.001-08:00

SALE-A-BRATE COME ON!!!!!

2011-01-25T02:59:00.000-08:00

You know the song... cel- e-bration come on!   by Kool and the Gang- Well, that's what is in my head today! I am dancing   around singing that song...cuz' my favorite time of the year is here! Sale-A-Bration and it's almost Spring! So click on the SAB catalog on the side bar to be taken to the catalog filled with FREE STUFF!

Here's the deal: Spend $50 on any product before shipping and tax- get a free stamp set, DSP,decor elements, digital content CD, or a ribbon and button pack! Can't decide- that's OK......becasue for every $50 you spend pick something else out!  YES- MORE STUFF FOR FREE!

So call me (951) 788-9640 to place your order anytime now thruMarch 31st or email me samanthaesqueda@yahoo.com or go right to my online store http://www.westcoaststamper.stampinup.net/

And don't forget if you can't find anything in the SAB catalog that you have to have (which I really doubt that) then you can go to the last page of the SAB catalog and it will give you approximately another 40 items in the BIG CATALOG that you can get for FREE!
What are you waiting for???? Hurry up-   place an order today (January) another in February and March!

KIND! Please order today!
Thanks for Stampin BY!
Samantha

Card Swap Saturday!

2011-01-22T20:27:00.000-08:00

WOW- what a wonderful day. We had such a great group of girls this time and very creative beautiful cards. Have fun checking them out!

Yolanda, Katherine, and Marlene- very talented ladies!

My Card

Yolanda's love you much card

Marlene's pop-out heart card

Melissa's Sweet Birthday Card

Debbie's love's me, love's me, love's me card :)

Gloria's love you butterfiles card

Thanks for Stampin by!
Samantha

Card Swap this Saturday

2011-01-20T06:56:00.000-08:00

I am so excited that we are FINALLY having a card swap this Saturday and I have a couple of new gals that I met at a scrapbook day :)

All you have to do is design (A very wonderful) card and cut all the supplies for it for at least 8 people and then bring your adhesive, scissors, and cutter to my house and we go around making each others cards. We all bring a dish to share..... what could be better than friends, food, and stampin????

If you are anywhere near the riverside area we would LOVE to have you!

Thanks for Stampin by!

Samantha

Days 11-15

2011-01-14T08:47:00.000-08:00

Day 11- another picture of me and my friends

Stephanie, Brittney, and me New Years EVE 2011

Day 12- Why I have a blog, how did I find out about blogs???

I found out about typepad blogs that are $4.95 a month from my friend Sharon Rivera (check out her amazing work on her blog) but then I found out about blogspot for free! I was already a journaler and scrapbooker so of course I wanted to start a blog. I tried doing 2 blogs one for family and one for crafts but geesh... I just couldn't keep up... so I combined them (even though I don't like how my friends have my blog as Samantha's stampin blog on thier blog instead of the Esqueda family blog...but whatever!)

Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt me.

I am sorry that I gave you advise that you didn't like after you asked me for advise. Sometimes that is just how life is. I really can't believe that it was enough to ruin a great friendship and wonderful times. I hope that someday you can forgive and hope that when you say something to someone that they don't agree with that they forgive you and allow you to still be in thier life. I am sure that that has already happened- since no one is perfect and we all say stuff that is offensive or what other don't believe to be true, to others sometimes in our life. You may not even know about it becasue the person moved on and didn't even mention it. I know sometimes friendships are better ended when there are a lot more problems than good times, but I didn't feel that was the case with us. I wish you and your family well.

Love, Samantha

Day 14- A picture of me and my family

Day 15- The first 10 songs on my iPod

actually I listen to Pandora and I just typed in Lady Gaga and what ever that brings up is what I listen to...a lot of Katy Perry also

thanks for stampin by!

Samantha

off to scrapbook tomorrow so stay tuned next week for some great scrapbook pages!

Day 5-10

2011-01-09T19:10:00.000-08:00

Day 5 - A picture of somewhere you've been.

Lake Arrowhead, CA

Day 6 - Your favorite Superhero and why.

Need I say more?

Day 7 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you.

My mom and dad of course! They taught me well. They are so wonderful.

Day 8 - Short term goals for this month and why.

To lose 5lbs. So hopefully I can make 20 by April. For Steven to get a JOB!

Day 9 - Something you're proud of in the past few days.

My daughter turned the sled and took a pole in her side to save her little brother from getting hurt!

Day 10 - Songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyper, mad.

IDK! I like all different songs on different days.

MDS (My Digital Studio) Snow Play Days

2011-01-09T12:29:00.000-08:00

I am so in love with MDS. It is so user friendly and cost efficient. NO MORE trips to craft stores, no more high priced paper and embellishments. Now I have them all for FREE right on my computer! I went to the snow yesterday and I have all my snow pictures scrapped today in about 1 hour.... and they are so stinkin cute! If you are interested in purchasing MDS or have any questions about it please don't hesitate to ask!

Thanks for Stampin' by!

Samantha

Snow Play 1/8/11

2011-01-08T20:46:00.001-08:00

Day #4 and some Valentines

2011-01-06T20:30:00.000-08:00

Day #4 is a habit I have and I wish I didn't. Well, since it is the New Year I posted my New Years Resolutions and thought about this very seriously. My first bad habit is FOOD! I really wish that I had better control over it. I am learning but geesh it is really difficult. Another would be money spending. A good thing comes from a bad thing and since Steven has been out of work for over 2 years and then this last summer I was laid off, I have really had to learn to control my spending. I am still struggling.... but getting better everyday! Finally, gossiping and saying mean stuff. I don't know why I do... but I do. I have been working on this for the last few years and have gotten a lot better, but still need to keep myself in check. Ok so on with the more fun stuff. Thanks for listening (or reading actually) I don't journal in a book, so I also do this blog for a memorabilia for my children. I think it is good for our children to know our struggles, temptations, and failures.

Here are some cards that I have been making. I REALLY LOVE the stamp set Season of Friendship #111776 $23.95 This card can be used for pretty much any occasion and it is so stinking cute!

These next two are made with a wonderful oldie but goodie... LOVE YOU MUCH # 113756 $25.95

We also went to Apple Bees tonight for a Fundraiser dinner and then over to the Art Museum to see Savannah's Art Work that she made at school. We also took our neighbor, Grant, with us. They are in the same class. One night a year they display all the students artwork in the Art Museum. It is so neat.... they get all excited and name their pieces and talk about selling them for $1,000,000,000. So cute!

Thanks for stamping by!

Samantha

Savannah's Art Piece "AMAZE"

Grant's Art Piece "GRANT"

Day #3

2011-01-04T21:53:00.000-08:00

A picture of me and my friends!

Happy 81st Dad, Day #2 and some "JUST CARDS"

2011-01-03T18:47:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my dad's 81st birthday and we went out to dinner and celebrated at Claim Jumper. When he came over today we surprised him and my daughter with Angel tickets!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

LOVE YOU!

Day 2 of 30 days of blogging- What's behind my blog name? Well, I started stampin a long long time ago and I was at my nephew's house with his (ex wife Gracie :( and we were talking stamping and he said "What's with all this stampin stuff... next we're gonna have WEST COAST STAMPERS! and Wallah! A name was born and stuck with me! I was fun with paper for a while also but I liked WCS! and the ESQUEDA family thing is because I can barely keep up with one blog...let alone having another one for family stuff... so my friends and stamper buddies get a little piece of my world which consists of stamping, scrapbooking, and my family!

Valentines

Here are some cards that I made for my JUSTCARDS card swap

No Stamps

Brick Wall

Letter G

#1 on 30 days of blogging

2011-01-02T13:49:00.000-08:00

Today I have to post and picture of myself and 15 interesting things about me!

1- I Love God
2- I LOVE family
3- I love my computer
4- I love crafts
5- I love volunteering in my daughters class
6- I love my friends
7- I love CHILDREN!!!
8-I have two very small dogs (that I love)
9-I love my car and that it starts up everyday!
10-I love Weight watchers and everything it is doing for me!
11-I love snuggling and wrestlinig with my children
12-I LOVE FOOD!
13- My favorite color is green and all shades but I really love all the colors of the color graph!
14- I only like to wear fall colors during fall, winter colors during winter, spring colors during spring, etc...

15- I LOVE baking!

That's me on the right with my sister-in-law who I love and am so proud of!

30 Days of blogging

2011-01-02T05:15:00.000-08:00

30 Days of Blogging Challenge... Day 1- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself.

Day 2 - The meaning behind your blog name.

Day 3 -A picture of you and your friends.

Day 4 - A habit that you wish you didn't have.

Day 5 - A picture of somewhere you've been.

Day 6 - Your favorite Superhero and why.

Day 7 - A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you.

Day 8 - Short term goals for this month and why.

Day 9 - Something you're proud of in the past few days.

Day 10 - Songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyper, mad.

Day 11 - Another picture of you and your friends.

Day 12 - How you found out about blogs and why you made one.

Day 13 - A letter to someone who has hurt you recently.

Day 14 - A picture of you and your family.

Day 15 - Put your iPod on shuffle; first 10 songs that play.

Day 16 - Another picture of yourself.

Day 17 - Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why.

Day 18 - Plans/Dreams/Goals you have.

Day 19 - Nicknames you have; why do you have them?

Day 20 - Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future.

Day 21 - A picture of something that makes you happy.

Day 22 - What makes you different from everyone else?

Day 23 - Something you crave a lot.

Day 24 - A letter to your parents.

Day 25 - What I would find in your purse.

Day 26 - What you think about your friends.

Day 27 - Why are you doing this 30 day challenge?

Day 28 - A picture of you in the last year and now, how have you changed since then?

Day 29 - In this past month what have you learned?

Day 30 - Who are you?

New Year Sale $1

2011-01-01T20:10:00.000-08:00

$1 for retired SU! classic stamp pads
$2 stamp sets and stamps

Our Very First Diner, Drive-In, and Dive!

2010-12-29T09:50:00.000-08:00

We watch the Food Network Channel a lot in our house. My daughter loves the Iron Chef and the other challenges. I LOVE Paula Dean and Guy. My Hubby LOVES anything having to do with FOOD :)

So we decided that we wanted to start visiting all the fun, yummy places that Guy visits. He goes all over the USA tasting great food at not so expensive places. We went to San Diego yesterday for a short visit to Sea World and decided to find a place Guy visited in San Diego. We found Hob Nob Hill about 5 miles away from Sea World.

When he visited he had the chicken and dumplings and leg of lamb. I wanted to try the chicken and dumplings but they had braised short ribs for a special and it was highly recommended. It was DELICIOUS! Steven had the chicken fried steak and it was not a favorite. It had no flavor and not enough gravy. The special came with a dessert and a soup or salad. I choose a garden salad which was nice. It was very small and the bowl was small so the salad was falling out of the bowl. It had lettuce, beets, onions, and croutons. The dinner was served with a starter of bread and muffins. The bread was dry but the peach muffins were WONDERFUL! I chose a coconut cream pie for dessert which was very tasty. The crust was more of a bread than a flaky pastry. The prices were a bit high and this was a diner 60 years ago, but now a nicer restaurant with chandeliers and fancy table settings. I was not sure I wanted to take children in there, but we did and it was a good visit.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-27T07:26:00.000-08:00

I hope that your Christmas was as wonderful and full of blessings as mine was. I think we had one of the BEST Christmas' EVER! Even though we were the poorest we have ever been.... the tree was still filled with presents, and the house filled with family, friends, and food! Here are some of my favorite pictures....ENJOY!

Mystery Swap #1

2010-12-27T07:17:00.000-08:00

Don't know why thses never got posted.. but aren't they stinkin' cute?

Christmas Can

2010-12-06T08:17:00.000-08:00

Is this stinkin cute or what? OMGOSH... I am in love with this one! I have been opening the bottom of pull-lid cans for over 2 years saving them for gift cards and little treats. This one uses the SU! Candy cane DSP, satin red ribbon, Christmas buttons, and sincere greetings stamp set. I just used regular glitter for the top and tag. Just measure your can wrap it and decorate it. I am sure that these are going to bring a sure delight to whoever receives this gift. My dad is getting one filled with lottery tickets...shhhh!

Thanks for stamping by!

Samantha

A Christmas Sale you don't want to miss!

2010-11-24T14:12:00.000-08:00

50% off Products
Item          Description                Retail Price           Sale Price

11810        My Digital Studio™     $79.95     $39.98

121715     Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric     $9.95     $4.98

121716     Deck the Halls Designer Fabric     $9.95     $4.98

124240     Sweet Shoppe Alphabet Wood-Mount Bundle
Includes Sweet Shoppe Alphabet Upper and Lower Wood-Mount Stamp Set $63.90    $31.95

124241     Sweet Shoppe Alphabet Clear-Mount Bundle
Includes Sweet Shoppe Alphabet Upper and Lower Clear-Mount Stamp Set    $47.90    $23.95

40% off Products
Item        Description                            Retail Price         Sale Price

124242     Simply Said Bundle
Includes Simply Said Stamp Set and Daisy Dash Jumbo Stampin’ Around® Wheel $37.45 $22.47

124243     Amitié Bundle
Includes Amitié Stamp Set and Daisy Dash Jumbo Stampin’ Around Wheel     $37.45    $22.47

124245     Fire and Ice Brad Bundle
Includes Circle Fire, Circle Ice, and Square Fire Rhinestone Brads     $32.85     $19.71

*From the 2010 Holiday Mini Catalog
**From the 2010-2011 Definitely Decorative brochure
Item                  Description                    Retail Price       Sale Price

124244                     Striped Ribbon Bundle                             $39.80                        $23.88
Includes Night of Navy, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, and Pumpkin Pie 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

116819               Table Setting Bigz XL Die                             $42.95                         $25.77

116760            Pop-Up Three Tier Cake Bigz™ XL Die          $39.95                         $23.97

115961            Perfect Setting Bigz XL Die                              $42.95                         $25.77

115966            Pop-Up Look Here Bigz XL Die                       $42.95                          $25.77

115973            Joyful Sizzlits® Die                                            $5.50                            $3.30

114516           Cherry Blossom Embosslits™ Die                     $11.95                           $7.17

115957            Thanks Embosslits Die                                      $11.95                            $7.17

114514            Simple Flower Embosslits Die                        $11.95                              $7.17

115952            Hi Embosslits Die                                           $11.95                               $7.17

121091     Large Kraft Botanical Flower Décor Elements      $19.95                             $11.97

114888**Medium Basic Black Season of Thanks Décor Elements™$19.95                $11.97

117970**Medium Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements$19.95                     $11.97

117971**Medium Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements$19.95                      $11.97

114838**Medium Chocolate Christmas Countdown Décor Elements $25.95             $15.57

114837**Small Chocolate Christmas Countdown Décor Elements $19.95                  $11.97

30% off Products
Item                        Description                  Retail Price    Sale Price

124249 Bots Bundle (Includes Best Bots Forever and Lots of Bots Stamp Sets)$42.90       $30.03

124250 Funky Four Wood-Mount Bundle                                 $33.85                                   $23.70
Includes Funky Four Wood-Mount Stamp Set, Play Date Designer Series Paper, and Play Date Quick Accents

124251       Funky Four Clear-Mount Bundle                           $30.85                         $21.60
Includes Funky Four Clear-Mount Stamp Set, Play Date Designer Series Paper, and Play Date Quick Accents

124253        Hello Again Bundle                                               $19.45                       $13.62
Includes Hello Again Stamp Set and Retro Remix Stampin’ Around Wheel9.45

124254 Hola de Nuevo Bundle
Includes Hola de nuevo Stamp Set and Retro Remix Stampin’ Around Wheel

124255 Salut à Toi Bundle
Includes Salut à toi Stamp Set and Retro Remix Stampin’ Around Wheel

*From the 2010 Holiday Mini Catalog

**From the 2010-2011 Definitely Decorative brochure

Item             Description                          Retail Price    Sale Price

124252   Neutral Brads Bundle
Includes Neutrals 5/8” and 5/16” Brads Assortments              $14.90                          $10.43

124260
Accessory Assortment Bundle                                                 $31.80                           $22.26
Includes Clips Assortment, Build-a-Brad, Flower Designer Brads, and Neutrals Flower Brads

112454   Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware                    $29.95                           $20.97

111325       Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware                  $29.95                           $20.97

115604           Fleurettes II                                                    $9.95                             $6.97

103179        Craft Rubber Scissors                             $19.95                         $13.97

118402        Scallop Trim Border Punch                                 $15.95                           $11.17

114890         Matchbox Bigz XL Die                                        $42.95                         $30.07

113484          Baskets Blooms Bigz XL Die                              $39.95                        $27.97

116823          Merry Details Sizzlits Die                                   $5.50                            $3.85

113452           Join in the Cheer Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die    $21.95                          $15.37

114510            Billboard Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die              $21.95                        $15.37

124256            Friends Rock Bundle                                      $39.40                         $27.58
Includes Friends Rock Stamp Set, Rockin' Stampin’ Around Wheel, and Fine Supernova Stampin’ Glitter®

124257           Pony Party Wood-Mount Bundle                     $41.40                         $28.98
Includes Pony Party Wood-Mount Stamp Set, Dream Stampin’ Around Wheel, and Fine Galaxy Stampin’ Glitter

124258          Pony Party Clear-Mount Bundle                      $36.40                          $25.48

124246          Notably Ornate Wood-Mount Bundle               $30.90                       $21.63
Includes Notably Ornate Wood-Mount Stamp Set and Vintage Type Rub-Ons

124247         Notably Ornate Clear-Mount Bundle                 $24.90                        $17.43
Includes Notably Ornate Clear-Mount Stamp Set and Vintage Type Rub-Ons

124248          Déco Noble Bundle
Include Déco noble Stamp Set and Vintage Type Rub-Ons

124259          Note Card Bundle                                           $38.85                        $27.20
Includes FYI Stamp Set, Elegant Notes, and Fresh-Cut Notes

*From the 2010 Holiday Mini Catalog
**From the 2010-2011 Definitely Decorative brochure

40% off My Digital Downloads
Item                Description              Retail Price     Sale Price

118121   Great Moments II Stamp Brush Set                        $9.95                $5.97

118124          Medallion Stamp Brush Set                             $1.95                  $1.17

122145           Contempo Alphabet Stamp Brush Set              $9.95               $5.97

30% off My Digital Downloads
Item                  Description                   Retail Price Sale Price

120880           Christmas Cocoa 2 Digital Kit                               $9.95                          $6.97

118117           Berry Christmas Stamp Brush Set                         $5.95                        $4.17

122154            Ornament Digital Punch                                       $0.95                           $0.67

122142           Presto Patterns Overlays Stamp Brush Set            $3.95                          $2.77

121434          Typewriter Numbers Stamp Brush Set                    $5.95                         $4.17

20% off My Digital Downloads
Item                  Description                Retail Price Sale Price

123953     Jolly Holiday Digital Designer Series Paper                      $4.95               $3.96

123954     Holly ; Jolly Embellishments                                              $3.95              $3.16

123956         Christmas Cheer Digital Kit                                         $9.95               $7.96

123962        Welcome Christmas Stamp Brush set                          $3.95                 $3.16

122176           Deck the Halls Photocard Digital Kit                        $3.95                  $3.16

123959           Deck the Halls Digital Designer Buttons                      $2.95               $2.36

120172           Spring Shades Digital Designer Series Paper               $4.95                $3.96

121067            Summertime Splendor Digital Designer Series Paper   $4.95              $3.96

Contact me today to learn more or visit http://www.westcoaststamper.stampinup.net/ to place your order.

Thanksgiving/ Fall cards for $ALE!

2010-11-18T12:52:00.000-08:00

Here are a variety of 5-pack of cards that I have for sale. They include fall- thank you's, birthdays, and Thanksgiving. They are $10 each (an amazing price at only $2 each) These will go quick. I can take PayPal, credit cards, checks, or cash. Please contact me ASAP! I can ship a pack for $1.50 anywhere in the U.S.

Thanks for stamping by!

Samantha

Fall Pack 1

Fall Pack 2

Fall Pack 3

Fall Pack 4

Fall Pack 5

Another Simple Christmas Card

2010-11-17T13:52:00.000-08:00

I am REALLY getting to like the FREE CLIP ART you can find on the internet. I have tried to color, shade, and draw my whole life...but I stink! So I love that these are already colored in and I can just go with the colors they give me. For this one I used my creative Memories oval cutters and paper and punches from SU! Yoyo yellow (retired), garden green (102584 $6.95), real red (102482 $6.95), whisper white (100730 $8.50 40 sheets). Stamp set...heard from the heart (120006 416.95 set of 4) and star punche ( 119875 $16.95)

This one is being entered into Stamp Somethings... Digi Challenge and Cute Card Thursday anything goes.

Thanks for Stamping by!

Samantha

Christmas Card Swap

2010-11-16T03:04:00.000-08:00

By Heather Bell

By "V"

These were some cards I received from different Christmas Card Swaps that I have been in over the last couple of monthes. Again, these ladies, over at SCS, really impressed. I love the polar bear one the best. I think she just used stickers, again NO COLORING...YAHOO! Please enjoy and feel free to CASE!

By "V"

Thanks for stamping by!

Samantha

by Linda Hurn

By Betty

A video share...not stamping LOL!

2010-11-15T07:16:00.000-08:00

Simply Amazing DEAL!

2010-11-14T00:19:00.000-08:00

What do you call it when you get over $310 in crafting and business supplies for only $87.50? You can call it an amazing deal, but Stampin' Up!'s calling it an amazing opportunity! From November 15-30, you can purchase either the Standard or Digital+ Starter Kits at 50 percent off the regular retail price of $175 (plus free shipping!), and enjoy the GREAT benefits as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator:

• Earn additional income while sharing creativity.

• Make new and lasting friendships.

• Enjoy access to nearly unlimited creative ideas.

• Receive a free subscription to an exclusive monthly magazine.

• Receive two free months subscription to your own business website.

• Opportunity to earn free products and incentive trips.

Contact me TODAY if you would like to discuss this AMAZING offer from Stampin' Up! The offer ends November 30, 2010, so if you've ever thought about becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, NOW is the time!

Thanks for Stamping by!
Samantha

A lil mini vaca.... Sunday Share (a little early)

2010-11-13T12:15:00.000-08:00

We went to San Diego for 2 days. I thought it would be a nice little get-a-way for my family since we have been so broke and out of work for sooooo long. We had a couple of garage sales and were able to save up $300 and so we went away. We went to Sea World, The Gas Lamp District, and the beach. We did lots in just two days... but even just the getting away and staying in a hotel is so much fun! We got the Sea World passes becasue if you buy a day you get a year free and free parking, so it's $9 a month for each of us.... we will be visitng it a lot.. even my daughter figured out that we will have the passes during the summer so "We can go a lot!"

Today I have to go pick up all the fall product that the girls sold for Girl Scouts and then Sunday we are going to do a 5K before church! The Mission Inn Run. Even though I didn't pay for it.. we are just going to do it for fun!

Thanks for Stamping by!

Samantha

Thanksgiving Thoughts

2010-11-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

This was one of the cards that I received from a Fall Birthday Swap on SCS that I was in. I love doing these swaps because you never know what you're going to get. Sometimes I get beautiful cards from talented people...then sometimes I get...well, let's just say Tina and I have this saying, "Better luck next time!" I really liked this card becasue it was so simple. The sketch is an easy one to CASE (copy and share everything) and the punch is SU! punch Decorative Label 120907 $16.95 . The main card is made with More Mustard (one of my favorite colors from SU!) The DSP is Autumn spice 120808 $11.95

Some of my friends on FB decided to be thankful everyday for something...I like that idea. I am going to write something down on my calendar and on Thanksgiving share all my thankfulness with everyone....especially my family.
Thanks for Stamping by!
Samantha
click on name to shop now

Simple Christmas

2010-11-10T15:43:00.000-08:00

The challenge this week at Polka Doodles was simple Christmas...and this stinkin' cute card is just that. I googled FREE CHRISTMAS CLIP ART and of course came up with tons. I picked some out that I liked and copied and pasted them into a Word document and then printed them out. It was so easy... no coloring, which I am terrible at. I just cut out the three tags, put a silver brad (104336 $6.95) thru them and glued them down. Then I stamped the saying from Heard from the heart (111644 $22.95) and it was on Whisper White (11730 $8.50) and mounted on Pacific Point (111350 $6.95)... and a snowflake (119852 $16.95) to top it off, all from SU! except for the clip art.
Thanks for stamping by!
Samantha

Thanksgiving Cards

2010-11-10T05:41:00.000-08:00

Here are some more of the cards that I received for the Fall theme birthday swap on SCS. I LOVE this owl punch (SU! 118074 Two-Step Owl $16.95). Aren't they the cutest and sooo simple to make. I am going to have my girl scouts make a whole bunch of these for a craft show that we are doing to raise money for the Juliette Gordon Low foundation. I think we will make Christmas owls. Stay tuned....

Thanks for Stamping by!

Samantha

Clixk on my name to do some Christmas shopping now!

You've got a friend in me!

2010-11-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

Over at Scrap it with a song... You've got a friend in me... is the pick of the week. How perfect that is because on Friday Family night we watched Toy Story 3. My most favorite place is being anywhere with my children-they are my reason for everything!

This page was done in 5 minutes with the MDS (My digital studio) from SU! THis is the Hoppy Memories kit. Soo stinkin cute! Click HERE to go to my store and check it out!

Thanks for stamping by!

Samantha

Cute lil' girl

2010-11-07T19:56:00.000-08:00

This was a secret mystery swap on SCS. A different hostess every month sends out 6 different stamped images and then we have to create a card and send four back to the hostess. Then we get 3 different ones back, the hostess gets to keep one of the four. So I am not sure which company she is from...but isn't she stinkin cute!

The paper is pretty in pink and basic black from SU! The flower paper is paper I had in my supply room, and the flower punch is an old SU! punch. I think she might be the cutest card I have ever made.

Thanks for stamping by!
Samantha

Challenges entered-

stamp something- sketch
paper romance- lots of something

Samantha's Sunday Share

2010-11-07T04:54:00.000-08:00

What a fun little week we had. Not to busy...just kinda recovering from Halloween. We had the usual day care kids plus 2 extra on Thursday because the Temple was closed where they go to day care. My friend Janel came over and vented about how horrible some of the teachers and her principle are being to her. I feel so bad for her. I can't believe these people call themselves teachers. UGH...I don't like not being able to fix things.
Savannah had soccer practise on Monday and Wednesday. I cleaned my friends Kristy's house on Mondays. Tuesday we went to the library to get some books on Amelia Earhart for an explorer report that Savannah has due on the 17th. We voted for Meg Whitman (she lost, but were not upset.. we just picked the lesser of the two evils.) We voted no on 19- to easy to just start growing some marijuana just becasue...heck I might even try it..I do like to garden...lol!

Speaking of gardening I have a heck of a time with the simple things. Lemon trees and squash are supposed to be so easy to grow, but yet I can't grow a squash to save my life. I did manage after 2 years to get 5 meyer lemons out of my miniature tree. Today I picked the first one...It was delicious. My daughter and I shared it with some salt. YAHOO!

Wednesday is my Weight Watcher night. I was up 1.8 lbs but I am ok with that....after Halloween and a good dinner. Thursday is our relax day :)

Friday is Family night...We watched Toy Story 3 for the first time and have now watched it 4 more times not even 24 hours later.

Sunday Morning off to the Grove after sleeping in for an extra hour....yeah right not with Shawn in the house...and then off to home fellowship in the evening. I am hoping to get a couple pages scrapbooked today also......til later!
Thanks for stamping by!
Samantha

Happy November

2010-11-05T07:33:00.000-07:00

I went to the local pumpkin patch before Halloween, which was at a local church about a 1/2 mile from my house and they had a few craft items for sale along with the pumkins. There was a pile of handmade cards for $1 each so I snatched them up! I don't know where the stamps or paper came from but I thought I would share so you could just enjoy them, use them for some ideas, or CASE them. The creator of the cards was Lisa (signed on the back of the cards) Enjoy!

Thanks for stamping by!

Samantha

Happy October! is over :(

2010-11-02T09:53:00.000-07:00

Buddy up against drugs...Red Ribbon Week at Alcott

WOW! what a truely amazing October! So much to share....

We started going to The Grove a church that we got married at 14 years ago (used to be called VCC Victoria Community Church and used to be around the corner from our house it is now a mega chuch about 5 miles away from us.) We have been torn on finding a HOME church simply because we have been going to Calvary Chapel Moreno Valley (CCMV) for 16 years and we don't feel as if we belong yet. I know a lot of it falls on us becasue we only go on Sunday mornings and we don't serve where we are needed or get involved. But I feel it has always been a cliquish church. If your in..you get special benefits ....if your not in... you don't. They have a waitng list for people to go on that can't afford everything that they have going on...so with us both being out of work...I put us on the waiting list (for another family to sponser us) to go to Family Camp, a tradition CCMV has been doing for many years. Unfortunaetly, NO ONE paid for my family to go. I also put my name on a waiting list for a book for the Ladies Bible Study and again no response. The fact that the pastor still doesn't know my husband's or my name still kinda frustrates me. Robin the pastor's wife does know me and hugs me when I see her...but if I don't show up for monthes at a time...no one calls to see where we are at, or if everything is ok? But then again I don't wanna find a SMALL church where everyone knows me....cuz' then I would have to be too involved! I do feel blessed to be able to try new churches and go to where God is calling us...even it is in His time and not mine. So as of right now we are attending both churches. The Grove on Sunday mornings and CCMV (home fellowship) on Sunday evenings.

Savannah is always number 10!

Steven and I took up coaching Savannah's soccer team for AYSO becasue there was a shortage of coaches. WE SUCK! or well I don't really know if it's us so much as the team. We were really getting beat bad for the first 4 or 5 games and then we got a new player and we were doing much better (still not winning but only losing by 1 point.) But this last Saturday we got beat again 0-8. So not really sure we will continue on as coaches, even though Steven was talking to another coach last night about Spring Season???? Savannah says she wants to play..... She is just like her mom..into everything but perfects NOTHING....ugh!

Savannah was going to start playing piano again but then school started and she took up trumpet and as of today she has not practised once. She wants to play volleyball now...this after taking swimming and horseback riding this summer.

Aunt Boop makes the cutest costumes again this year!

Shawn is growing like a weed. I feel bad that he is not in school, but I do preschool with him on Tuesdays when I babysit Emily ( a neighbor's little girl- we switch off, she takes Shawn on Thursday's :) He is such a joy and fun little guy..but VERY trying at times.

I am STILL the Girl Scout LEader of Troop 526. What a FUN bunch of girls. I really hope that I am making a difference a least a little bit in at least one of their lives...but sometimes I feel like Girls just wanna have fun....ALL THE TIME! I had 8 parties that I had to go to this Halloween season. This one was the girl scout party at the Easlands.. the first of a whole lot of parties! It was a lot of fun. We did our ceremony, ate, played a couple of games and then went to the Utterbach's haunted house.

Then we had a school dance that Steven DJ'd, put on by Tammy Wamsley...she did great! Then a party at my friend Tina's and another one at Steven's friend George's in Victorville. and on and on and on!

We ended the Halloween Celebration Season with a block party in our cul-de-sac. FUn Fun FUn!

It was soooo much fun...but I am so glad that OCTOBER IS OVER!!!!!

Faux Dry Embossing

2010-11-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

Check out this video http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/fauxdryembossing/
on how to create a wonderful dry embossed look with out the machine. Perfect for those of you who don't have access to a BigShot or cuttlebug. It is also a great idea when you want a dry embossed card and have a punch or die cut that matches with your design ( we don't have EVERY shape of embossing folder that we would like!) You can't tell very well in the picture...but I have pumpkins punched out and glued on to the old olive card.

Thanks for stamping by!

Samantha

TOP NOTE Halloween

2010-10-28T13:01:00.000-07:00

Don't ya just love the Big Shot 113439 $99.95. It is so versatile. This card was made by simply folding a piece of paper in half ( take a 8 1/2 X 11 piece of paper and cut long ways at 5 1/2) and running it thru the big shot with the TOP NOTE die 113463 $21.95 (just place the fold a little further up then the edge of the die. The stamp set is now retired, but you could use another image. The moon is cut out of so saffron and sponged 101610 $3.50 whisper white craft ink 101731 $4.25 around it.
Thanks for stamping by!
Samantha

SO Stephanie

2010-10-26T19:18:00.000-07:00

I have a dear friend that is an attorney and boy she dresses SHARP! She hosted our Girl Scouts party this weekend and I wanted to send her a Halloween Thank you! So I went thru all my cards...found this one and knew it was for her. Isn't it so FANCY? Well that fanciness can come off of the card and be worn. That lil' dracula is a pin. So Stinkin cute! The stamp is from Batty for you116576 $23.95 (MY FAV) from SU! along with the circle 119860 $15.95 and scallop punch 119854 $16.95. It is stamped in Staz-on and then covered in crystal effects 101055 $6.25 ....LOVE that stuff! (The other stamps are now retired, but hey you could always substitute)
Thanks for stamping by!
Samantha

2010-10-22T13:34:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it.......well, JUST BELIEVE! Stampin UP! just lowered all their printing prices and they are now comparable with Costco! Click Here to find out all the details. I am sooooo in love with the My Digital Studio from SU! Last night I whipped up an adorable 10 page scrapbook for a Christmas present in 15 minutes. Picked it up in one hour at Costco and it is sooo stinkin cute! The first initial price of MDS is $70 but after that all the add-on's are only a couple of dollars and NO shipping...they go right onto your computer. Call me to find out more!

Thanks for stamping by!

Samantha

Sooo spooky!

2010-10-20T15:55:00.000-07:00

Don't you just get eerie just looking at the card? This is called the soot technique. So fun and simple...NO INK required. Take some glossy paper and hold it over a candle. Take a dry rubber stamp and stamp your image on the soot. Taa-Dah!
Thanks for stamping by!
Samantha

Tee-hee a little witchy

2010-10-19T11:20:00.000-07:00

Love lil' things... my dogs are little, I want to be little, lil' note pads, anything little...will do! So this little witches hat is right up my alley. So simple to create, and a bag of lil' PB cups and a little paper will make a bunch!

Supplies:
Circle (112530 $29.95) 4 inches in diameter (cut in half) (DSP paper)
Sticky strip (104294 $6.95) around the PB cup
wrap the 1/2 circle kinda funnel like around PB cup
scallop punch (119854 $16.95) a cicle for the bottom of the hat
glue dot (103683 $4.95) it on the bottom
ribbon (109027 $4.95 (basic black 1/4" grosgrain) for the bow.
Thanks for stamping by!
Samantha click my name to shop now!

Happy Halloween....BOO!

2010-10-18T08:37:00.000-07:00

Isn't this idea so stinkin cute???? I had soooo much fun making this card...I really like when you can use a product from SU! in multiple ways. Can you tell which punch I used for the ghost...leave a comment and you could win a prize! I used the oval punch (119855 $15.95) for the pumpkins and sponged (101610 $3.95) the sides. The stitching is made with the White gel pen (105021 $3.95) and the stem is a fancy corner punch that I had laying around. The purple paper is Top Note big die cut (my fav!) (113463 $21.95) I CASED this idea from Dawn.
Thanks for stamping by!
Samantha

challenges entered:
http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/
http://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/2010/10/week-41-challenge-something-spooky.html

Little Monsters....ok not my kids...lol

2010-10-16T13:06:00.000-07:00

I got this over at Carols creative corner...aren't they stinkin' cute? Love 'em...gonna make a whole bunch!

Thanks for stopping by!
Samantha

Bugs and Kisses!

2010-10-15T15:05:00.000-07:00

Cute Card Thursday had a wonderful challenge this week.....What's buggin' you? Well, this card is definately not buggin...but STINKIN cute! This is one of my favorite sets EVVA! (Bugs and Kisses 116580 $26.95) Super simple card. The main reason I love stamps over stickers...you can use them over and over and they never run out. I love making patterened paper with stamps for cards and scrapbook pages. See the glitter on the wings.... love the sparkle! SU! has the BESTEST paper and glitter and glue pen. Stop by my online store and get some today!

tooth FAIRY cards

2010-10-14T10:34:00.000-07:00

Dawn had made an adorable tin with this Fairy stamp( SU! 119216 $7.95)...so I had to have it. I have some Altoids tins...but I haven't made a cute tin with this stamp yet...but I will. I was just messing around today and here are two cards that I came up with. Creative Card Crew is having a Fairy challenge so I entered it. The sketch is from SCS Wednesday sketch. I wish she was a little bigger so I could add some cute wings...but I will keep playing and hopefully figure it out!

Thanks for stoppin by!

Samantha

BE FORWARNED!

2010-10-11T13:23:00.000-07:00

So I just came upon this FREE Digital Stamp blog and WOW....can you spend some time there getting all the FREEBIES!!! Click HERE to go there!

Here is a FUNNY coffee video.....

and Dont forget to check out the clearence rack! Click here!

Fall Swap Cards and some Challenges

2010-10-08T19:50:00.000-07:00

These are the cards I made for a fall swap with SCS (Split Coast Stampers). You can go there to get a million ideas for any type of papercraft. You can even go to their SU! gallery and look up any SU! stamp set and it will give you hundreds of card ideas for that particular stamp set.

Cute Card Thursday's challenge was to..."Do it yourself"... make something yourself.....so I made a turkey....seemed appropriate.

Stamp Something was "Something punchy".... the feathers and turkey is all made with punches from SU! The circle punch and the window punch.

Stacey's Stampin Page has some wonderful Fall combination colors..

All the paper used for the projects where just scraps that I had laying around. The leaves and felt pumpkins I picked up at Joann's Craft store.

Thanks for stopping by...and take some time to stamp!

CLEARANCE SALE!

2010-10-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

From October 5–18, we’re adding over two hundred more discontinued items--some at up to 80 percent off--to our Clearance Rack.

Things to know about the Clearance Rack Blitz:

•Orders for Clearance Rack items can be placed through my Online Store or through me personally. Click HERE! Just click on "shop now" up in the right hand corner and then clearence rack on the left hand side.

•Qualifying orders are eligible for hostess benefits/Stampin’ Rewards.

•While the Blitz last from October 5–18, some items, depending on availability, may be made available in the Clearance Rack in the future.

•All discontinued items are available only while supplies last.

•All sales of discontinued items are final.

Let me know if you need any help.

Thanks for stopping by- Samantha

Black Velvet

2010-10-05T19:13:00.000-07:00

How do you like this technique? This was for one of the swaps that I am doing in my Just Cards group, Scrap it with a song (a beautiful song this week!) and Creative Card Crew (who is going crazy for flowers). The technique can be found here. You use white craft ink, watercolor pencils, and Odorless Mineral Spirits (found at craft stores.) Colors: Only orange, basic black, and summer sun

Stamp set: Short and sweet and Inspired by nature.

Thanks for stopping by!

BLOG CANDY TIME!!!!!!!

2010-09-28T15:46:00.000-07:00

CELEBRATING 15,000 views! YAHOO!!!!

Follow me and you could win all of this......

Leave a comment here, link to your blog, and follow this blog and WIN!!! Drawing will be held by Random.org on October 15th. Thanks for stopping by and Good LUCK!!!!

Stamps for Sale

2010-09-28T15:44:00.000-07:00

Friends are Sunshine- Very Old SU! retired set $10.00

~~Cat Christmas 2 stamps $5-~~ Sold

Love hearts 3 stamps $10

Paypal accepted
shipping is extra

Cute Card Thursday and Stamp Something and Creative Card crew

2010-09-24T08:19:00.000-07:00

Over at CCT they had an image challenage. Again I used one of the soft pencil images and some of my SU! markers. Stamp Something and CCC was anything FALL theme. So here is my card... isn't it cute? I LOVE Fall! But I know our summer weather is going to return until November.....it comes later and later every year. So in my words.... Happy Fammer or Summall! (Fall and Summer combined!)

Halloween card packs for sale

2010-09-23T13:54:00.000-07:00

It's creeping up on us.... it's kinda scarey how time is flying.....but these cards are sure to be BOOtifully created and sure to bring many happy jack-o-lantern smiles! Only $10 per pack or buy 2 or more for only $8 per pack. $1 s/h in the USA- only 1 pack of each so get your ASAP. Paypal accepted... Visa and M/C

blackbird pack

SOLD

Happy halloween pack

Halloween Squeal pack

SOLD

Frank Card Pack

Small wonders

2010-09-23T11:25:00.000-07:00

In my card swaping group....Just cards in Yahoo groups...someone stopped by yesterday and told us about another challenge blog- so of course I popped on over. It is so stinking cute! Every week they pick a song for you to listen to to get inspiration from.... wow what a cool idea! You have to check out Scrap it with a Song. Needless to say I got busy with lots of inspiration and here is the page I came up with... we will be making them at my scrap class tomorrow night.

Beautiful you!

2010-09-21T18:56:00.000-07:00

Isn't she cute? She is from Soft Pencil. The extras are just stuff that I had laying around. I am going to give her to my Weight Watcher friend Wendy who will hit the 70 lb mark tomorrow night!!! Yay! GO WENDY! This little cow is also completing a couple of challenges. One is at Stamp Something and another at Cute Card challenge. Stamp something was to use a digital image and Cute Card Challange was to use something with a bird or butterfly. Thanks for stopping by!

Batty for you!

2010-09-17T07:34:00.000-07:00

OK.... I am still in love with Batty for You (116576 $23.95) and the NEW Wicked Fun DSP(117400$11.95) this little treat holder that I learned to make over at Dawns Stamping studio... it's so easy and fun... I am going to make these for my daughters class and hopefully the kids won't just throw the holder away and eat the candy! Another project we will be making at my upcoming stamp camp....only 2 spots left. Email me today to come and have fun!

Bananas for you!

2010-09-16T09:47:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday we had my daughters award ceremony for Tidal Waves. It is a local swim team she swims for during the summer. She has only same for 2 summers (4 months) and is pretty good! She got a "c" time trophy but hopefully next year she will get some "A" times

So Savannah had a bad dream and came to my bed (who I was already sharing with a grizzly bear and his cub) so needless to say I couldn't sleep anymore. I was up at 4am and I had wanted to bake some cookies for a while now but it has been too hot... so I beat the heat and made banana nut bread loaves and chocolate chip cookies... very early this morning.

I love getting up early and getting stuff done while I have the house to myself... such PEACE I wrapped a package up for Savannah's teacher and snuck into his classroom and put it on his desk. Then I came home and made some matching cards.. not sure if I will give them to him since he is a man? The stickers did say "Houseworkgives me hives" but I took a sharpie and changed it to "Homework gives me hives"

Anyways we Love our banana bread her is the recipe:

1 Cup sugar

4 eggs

1 cup shortening or butter

2 cups mashed bananas (approx. 6)

Mix well then add

2 cups flour

2 tblspns baking POWDER

1 tsp salt

2 cups chopped nuts (optional)

bake for 50 min at 375 degrees

October classes and SCS swaps

2010-09-14T12:16:00.000-07:00

Scarey card HUH??? hehe... I am so in love with this batty for you stamp set. This was a card that I made for a split coast stamper card swap I am in and it is also one of the projects we will be making for my October stamp camp. Hope that you can join us!

Supplies:
Batty for you (SU! 116576 $23.95)
Rich Razelberry Gable Green (retired- have 1 pack for sale $7.00)
black yarn (Any craft store)
spider web paper by Die Cut with a view (Micheals)
Jumbo brads (craft store)

What Halloween would be complete without an adorable jar filled with all sorts of goodies? This is another one of the projects we will be making. Bring your own candy!

September 24th- Scrapbook class
6 12X12 pages for $25- please bring tape, scissors, and paper trimmer- 7:00pm

October 1st- Stamp Camp (limited to 5 people- please RSVP ASAP)
Come and make some adorable projects, while making new friends and spending time with old ones- a light dinner will be served$25 5:30pm please bring tspt- tape scissors and paper trimmer- The pictures are two of the projects we will be making at the stamp camp and one more SURPRISE!- Bring your own bag of candy!

Waterfall ....Finally and SSC

2010-09-09T14:06:00.000-07:00

OK .... I went to a Sizzler meeting about 7 years ago and we learned this technique called a waterfall and I never finished the card and didn't learn how to do it. But leave it to my bloggin BFF friend Dawn (even though she has no idea who I am) to do a video and by golly molly... I got it... now I want to go make 100 of these little qt pies! I am in a christmas card swap so I am going to try to bust these out this weekend for that swap. If you want to hop on over to Dawn's blog and learn how to do this also click here.

For my card I used darling dots (retired... for sale $10) and short and sweet 115060 $17.95. I used my new favorite color crushed cranberry with some retired paper. Oops almost forgot... this card is the one I am using for the STAMP SOMETHING chalenge...spots and stripes. Thanks for stopping by!

Thank you teachers!

2010-09-03T08:20:00.000-07:00

I gave my daughters teacher a $15 gift card to start the school year to use for what he needed. He sent me back a thank you on a scratch piece of paper and said he didn't have any thnak you cards so....... I made him some. Then a lady I babysit for walked in and said, "I need some too!" As I was cleaning my room I found a sheet of Suzy Zoo stickers my three-year old tore up.... so I salvaged what I could and made some ADORABLE thank you's for her. The manly thank you's were fast and easy and NOT cute..... I used the Extreme skateboard from SU! and the Extreme background set with it, some punches, and that's it... quick and easy- kinda difficult to make manly cards!

S'Mores anyone?

2010-09-02T09:35:00.000-07:00

Maya (my niece and my daughter) Savannah

Troop 526- Juniors (minus a few)

We had a great time camping at Camp Winacka with the girl scouts. We had 10 girls and 3 adults and it was so much fun.... especially because there was NO DRAMA!!! The camp is in Julian, CA and the weather was great during the day.... but FREEZING at night (I thought I was going to die!) The hiking was great for our Activity Points... but the food was bad choices (but that's just what you do when you camp... right?) The mice that crawled all over the cabin were oh so cute!

Troop 526 cadettes doing the flag ceremony

When I got home these cute images where waiting for me (I am in a card swap where it was a secret image sent to you, then I have to make the cards and send them back and then I will get 3 cards sent back to me, same image different designs). It was perfect since we had just want camping... I am going to send them to the mom's that went with us camping. The image is from MFT- My favorite things- Fred bear goes camping. So Cute!!!! I also entered this for the Stamp Something Challenge -Back To School... I know it has nothing to do with school... but we always go camping one last time before school starts... so...... now it's back to school!

Another 3 in1 challenge card

2010-08-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

This one was kinda of put together with papers that I already had out- scraps- and whatever... but I really liked how it turned out! I used an old hostess set from SU! (measure of life- for sale for $10) with some retired papers. This one goes in for the Shiney challenge at Creative Card Crew ( the glitter on the wings, even thou it's hard to see in the picture) and the sketch was from MOJO Monday. The colors I choose were from(luckily the ones I had out) Stacey's Stamping page- The curtain call. I used the rock n roll technigue with certainly celery and cherry cobbler (stamp your whole stamp in the liter color then just kind of ink up the side of your stamp in a darker color by going around and around). Thanks for stopping by... and have a great day!

Thank you's for July

2010-08-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

Here are my thank you cards that I will be sending out to everyone who placed an order in July. I do appreciate my customers (even though I am not the most on-top-of demonstrator) so I stole this little idea of thank you cards from Dawn Griffith (check out her blog- found on my side bar).

They are made with Fifth Avenue Floral.. A Gotta Have from SU! This is great for stamping and scrapbooking (check out my post from my last scrap class) I embossed the big flower and saying with whinter white embossing powder and cut it out. I am offering 20% off of this stamp set this month.... just let me know how many you want!

Whooo can do 4 challenges in one?

2010-08-13T14:49:00.000-07:00

ME! I did the Mojo Monday sketch along with Stacey's Curtain Color Challenge (Certainly Celery, Expresso, summer sun, and garden green were the colors I choose), Creative Card Crew (something CUTE and boy is he, I love this Whimsey Owl- check him out at Whimsey Stamps, and Cute Card thursday wanted something TREE-mendous!) So there you go.... this wise ol' owl is ready to hit the books, are you?

Happy Halloween Faux Button

2010-08-10T09:51:00.000-07:00

I went to my friend Sharon's house to learn how to use MDS and we got to do a make in take So I thought today I would share with you what I learned last night....drum roll Please......

FAUX BUTTONS! Ok so many of you probably already know how to made a fake button but I didn't and I just want to make a ton of these! SO.... you take two circle punches and punch two circles.. then take a smaller one and punch a smaller circle out of the middle (but to make it easier do the center- smaller circle first then punch the bigger one... so you have the paper to hold while punching. then layer them, and place on wax paper and cover with Crystal Effects #101055 $6.25- (you can order some from me!) Let dry and then decorate.

Like my New Banner

2010-08-09T22:39:00.000-07:00

OK so..... I did steal a beautiful picture from my friend Sharon (you can get the template to make the wagon at her website www.artfulavocations.typepad.com- but I am so excited about my banner becasue I made it on My Digital Stuio by Stampin UP!

Do you like it? I sure do... I need MORE downloads :) Thanks sharon for teaching me all your wise ways :)

Sketchy Challenge #50 but my #1

2010-08-09T07:54:00.000-07:00

This is a new to me challenge blog... so I whipped up a card real quick for their challenge #50. Here is the sketch

and here is my card. I used the big shot to emboss the background pretty in pink. Some DP from who knows where? and the bird punch from SU!

Yahoo group- Just Cards

2010-08-08T14:03:00.001-07:00

These cards are the cards that I received from one of my Yahoo groups- "Just Cards." My friend Jenny has a Slice and she is in a group and I told her I wanted to join one also and she introduced me to Yahoo groups (thanks Jennie :) Sorry the pictures are not the greatest- my camerea is slowly dying :(

These were the first cards that I received from the group:

Letter "C" card from Judy L

Tissue Box Card from Trish D.

Shape Card from Shirley H.

4 simple cards from Vaudene. I really loved these cards... the colors and use of layers were wonderful! Thanks Vaudene :)

Scrap til you craMp! 8/6/10

2010-08-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

These are the pages from my scrap class last night. I try to do a class every couple of months- sometimes that happens every month sometimes every few months. Anyways everyone really seemed to like the pages. I try to do the holidays that just passsed or the season. I charge $25 for the six pages, all the people need to bring is a paper trimmer, scissors, and adhesive- everything else is provided. Then they take the pages home and put in their own pictures and wha-laa! If they bring a friend, are in my downline, or placed an order of $25 or more, they can get $5 off a class for that month.

Tissue Box card for some challenges

2010-08-06T07:44:00.000-07:00

This was the front of my tissue box card. This was one of my swap s I had to make for my Just Cards yahoo group. I really like the way it came out- so I am entering it for a couple of challenges. The first one is at http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/ this one was easy is could be whatever and had to be a new card, the next one was for http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/ I tood the pink and the flowers fromt he birthday hat for my colors. Lastly it was the sketch from Mojo Monday found here http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2010/08/mojo-150-contest.html. If you would like to learn how to make this card... you can find it here http://craftingwithclass.blogspot.com/2010/05/tissue-box-pop-up-card-video-tutorial.html Have fun and STAMP SOMETHING!!!!

Sharon is at it again

2010-08-05T13:55:00.001-07:00

Is this not the cutest card ever.... OMG- how does she take an ornament punch and turn it into the cutest pirate I have EVVA seen???

She just had a contest and I missed it.... but I sure hope she has more! Make sure to check her out!

www.artfulavocations.typepad.com

Best "Fishes"

2010-07-25T18:41:00.001-07:00

I made these cards with an old retired SU! set Fishy friends (some are too good to get rid of). These are four my four interns that I had this summer semester. They did such a great job!!!! They are going to be GREAT teachers! congrats to you Cesar, Rosie, Berenice, and You Yun!

This is sooo cute in the real. It actually has hair gel in the card with some foam fishes. I am in a card swap that is supposed to have a "Paradise" theme (either Underwater, Rain forest, or Tropical). Not sure if I will make 4 more of these or not- but it was fun making one!

Card Swapin in July

2010-07-19T21:07:00.000-07:00

We have not had a card swap in a very long time. So we F-I-N-A-L-L-Y did one and boy was it GREAT! It was my two best stampin buddies Pam and Melissa and a brand new Stampin queen- Jennie. We had so much fun we decided to do this once a month rotating who's house it's at and who is the hostess.

This one was made by Melissa. She used a Flower for all seasons 111592 $14.95 set of 4 and used the colors old olive and pumpkin pie- they look great together and this card is so cute!

This was Pam's card and my FAVORITE- simply because it is for a boy and we don't make enough of these...... and now that I have a boy..... well, I really like them. She used the set Extreme Elements #115181 $26.95 set of 6 and Extreme skateboard #115179 $8.95

Last but not least Jennie's beautiful water colored card. She used one of my favorite stamp sets- Fifth Avenue Floral # 113734 $24.95 set of 5.

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-17T17:32:00.000-07:00

We celebrated the 4th at our dear friends Steve, Stephanie and their daughter Meghan ,Stephanie's friend Betsy and her family, and Stephanie's sister and her family, and Steph's mom (who also was turning 71). They have become very close friends and they have been a true blessing to us- thank you guys! We had Graham's BBQ for dinner which was pretty yummy and Stephanie's beans which were to die for Then we had this cake from somewhere in Redlands and OMG! Then Steve busted out the fireworks and we hid as the helicopter went around and then Steve said that he was gonna blame it all on his gardener (Steven) But the best part was when I was saving a water balloon to throw at Steve and when I went to throw it over my head it busted all over me! What a great night!

Scrapbook Saturday #2

2010-07-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

These were the scrap pages that we made at my class last night. I love having pages ready- for some quick scrapbooking, when you want something cute but don't want to take a lot of time on a page layout. These are all ready for pictures. I used SU! retired colors, punches, and some stickers.

This one is an ALL ABOUT ME! page for the scrapbooker who never makes it into the picture. I thought this would be a super cute way to leave behind some information for my great, great, great grandchildren (kinda like this blog) to get to know me! I hope the ladies find it fun to make and fill out all thier info!

This next page was my absolute favorite but very time consuming- isn't that true about everything we do? This was our "Just Clownin' around" page- He is so stickin' cute!

Finally we had to make a Forth of July Page. This one was simple and quick using stickers and Mega Marvey punches. Enjoy your Saturday!

Firsts!

2010-07-08T19:19:00.000-07:00

Today I picked my very first picks of the season. 4 carrots and 4 tomatoes- so excited- can't wait to make SALSA!

I also made my very firsts Christmas cards for this year. I figure if I can make 10 a month I should have enough to send out by November. This beautiful card was made using all current SU! products. Stamp set- Snow Swirled, inks- Night of Navy, Tempting turquoise, and bashful blue. Order your Christmas Stamps today through my SU! website!

Retired Stamp Sets for Sale

2010-07-03T21:54:00.001-07:00

Scrapbook Saturday

2010-07-03T21:17:00.000-07:00

Every other Saturday I have been going to my friend Hope's houes to scrapbook with her and our friend Jenny (LOVE THEM!) Here are some of the pages that I made today and from the last Saturday..

Up in the top corner I made a little flip up book for extra pictures that I didn't want to do extra layouts for.

This one is for my dad- a belated Father's Day gift.

It's HERE It's HERE!

2010-07-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

The 2010-2011 catalog is here and ready for you to strum it's pages, caress it's colors, and embrace the embellishments! Click on the sidebar to see it all NOW!

Summer Fun 2010

2010-06-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

Newport Beach- 6/17- Our favorite beach- fun little shops, perfect waves, and the best sandy beach!

Pharoh's Lost Kingdom- Nana got us passes for the summer $29.99 We love spending fun times with her :)

BUNCO! Can you guess the theme?

me, Lyneet, Tina, and Special K (on her knees;)

Snow cones and lemonade for sale.... $0.50- FUN!!!!

MY very first 5K!- YEAH!

2010-06-08T18:10:00.000-07:00

Wendy and me- this lady is SUCH a blessing to me- she is so helpful at keeping me on track! Thanks Wendy!

My Leader Donna, she has lost 80 lbs and kept it off for 9 years. She did NOT walk yet- can you tell?

Our funnest group friends

My WW BFF- Jennifer :)

Weight Watchers does a 5K every year and the closest one to us this year was in San Diego so my leader (Donna) put together an unofficial WW walk. If we completed it we get a 5K charm to put on our key ring. Well, if anyone knows me.... I will do ANYTHING for a prize or a pat on the back. So my WW friends- Wendy, Jennifer, Jeannie, and I walked the 5K in about an hour, along with about 100 other WW's.

So as I am writing this I guess I should talk a little about my CRAZY life. I have had hives for about a week now and the doctor does not know what is causing them and keeps perscribing more and more drugs- which I am refusing to take- especially steriods that make you GAIN weight. So as I am waiting all day for the doctor to call back, Shawn decides to rub Ben-Gay all over his naked body..... as he comes SCREAMING down the hall holding his penis (I am scared to death to look) and I throw him in the sink to wash him off and he is sreaming that he wants a band-aid- guess who calls... and I miss the FREAKIN phone!!!!! Well, hummmm.... don't know if the hives are stress related??????

A "Tweet" for Sandra

2010-05-24T06:26:00.000-07:00

This was a card I made for a teacher at my school. She gave me a whole bunch of insects for my kids to eat- yep eat.... and so I made her some thank you cards.

It is with Fresh cuts stamp set and Brocade blue ink and paper. The new punches are AMAZING!!!!! So easy to punch! Check out my website and order some today!

www.westcoaststamper.stampinup.net

BUGS! Card Swap

2010-05-03T15:57:00.001-07:00

So this was one of my first card swaps I did on SCS. Kinda fun. I had to send in 6 cards of the same design and got 5 back. 1 was even a shaker card- REALLY CUTE!

Can you see me?

2010-04-24T12:45:00.001-07:00