10 Year Aruban Anniversary!

So my hubby and I just returned from our Aruban Anniversary trip - it's been 10 years that we've been married, which just doesn't seem possible....it seems like just yesterday!  As some of you know, Glen and I were married during the East Coast Black out of 2003.  As if getting married isn't stressful enough, we got married with NO POWER!  Can you say crazy?!

Well, we had a WONDERFUL time - relaxing, sand, sun, surf (and adult cocktails on the beach) - it was the PERFECT anniversary trip!  And POWER was included! :)

So, because I have very few projects together for this week since we've been done for nearly 2 weeks and it's been a month since I've been in my studio, I thought I'd share with you a few photos from our Aruban Paradise  :)

Ready for the Caribbean Sunshine?

 This was our view every morning when we had breakfast - pretty breath taking, huh?

Our Feet in the Sand Photo (we have one of these from EVERY vacation we've taken since we've been Married)

Dinner at the Ginger an Asian Fusion restaurant - YUMMO!

 On our last day on vacation, my hubby had to take a pic of his breakfast plate.
Needless to say after nearly 2 weeks of breakfasts like these, he's given up bacon, sausage & eggs for a bit.  :)

Gorgeous Beach view from our balcony - Every morning over coffee!

One of Glen's many scaly lizardly friends.

 Another view from our balcony at a different angle

Dinner at The Red Parrot - FABULOUS Beef Tenderloin!  YUMMO squared!

Twilight on the beach one evening

Yep, so those are a few of the crazy amount of the photos we've taken.
They make me smile just looking at them.  Can't wait to get them printed and start putting them in the scrapbook.

Oh and before I forget, I MUST share a funny shirt we picked up.
The FRONT of the shirt says "Chill..."
And the BACK of the shirt....

Yep, welcome back to reality! :)

Hugs & Happy Tropical Days!

Bugaboo Tropical Photo Challenge

So, today we have a photo challenge and THIS photo challenge says to me - VACATION and a TROPICAL DRINK in hand!  WOO HOO!

And Tropical Drink in hand is exactly what I created!  =)

Image - Bugaboo Stamps - Summer Drink

Papers - Papers from a 6x6 stack (my recent happy mail)

Coloring - Copics

Tools - EK Success Border Punch, Cuttlebug & Nesties

Extra STUFF - Studio G Sentiment, Stazon Jet Black Ink, Doodling, Dimensionals, Stickles & Crystal Glaze

Head over and see how the rest of the team was inspired by this AWESOME Vacation photo!!

Hugs & Happy Days!

Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge - W, 3E – No. 134 - Anything Goes

Delicious Doodles - W, 1E, SIO – No. 46 - Summer Time

Inspire Me Fridays– W - No. 113 - Anything Goes!

Kitty Bee Designs Aloha Friday Challenges - 2W, 2E, C10 - No. 4 - Week 2 - Summer

CDAC Progressive Challenge - WAVE COOL DUDE!

Whew - what a Week - so glad it's Friday.

With this crazy weather, seems we've got a little late summer/early fall bug in our house.  =(

Perfect reason to stay inside and do some crafting (since I haven't been in my studio in what seems like FOREVER!!!)

So, I don't usually enter into progressive challenges - half the time I miss the date, or can't get it together to get the project done. 

However, I thought this was a super cute image and figured I'd give the CDAC progressive challenge a try. =)

Kind of cute, huh??

Image - Tiffany Doodles

Papers - From my Scrappy bin

Coloring - Copics

Tools - EK Success Border Punch, Cuttlebug and Nesties

Extra STUFF - Studio G stamps, Stazon Jet Black Ink, Color Box & Dew Drop Ink, Homemade 'sand', Stickles, Bling and Dimensionals.

So, if you're looking for a new challenge, head on over to the CDAC progressive challenge group and play along with us (there's a REALLY CUTE Halloween cat image up next!! =)

And be INSPIRED too - there are some really great projects people have created!!

YUP, totally inspired! =)

Hugs & Happy Days!

Ready to do a little HOPPIN'!

So our Whimsie Doodles design team has finished their duty, however, US girls ain't quite ready to GO!

And we wanted to take the time to THANK the wonderfully talented Owner of  Whimsie Doodles  - Melyssa with a fun little blog hop!

I thought this image was adorable and hadn't gotten to use it yet, however, today's hop seemed like the perfect chance to use it!  =)

Image - Whimsie Doodles

Papers - Miscellaneous scraps from a paper pack and bazzill cardstock

Coloring - Copics B00 B01 E31 E33 E35 E50 E51 R81 R83 R85 YG03 YG05YR 12 YR61 YR65 Y21 Y23

Tools - EK Success Border Punch

Extra STUFF - Prima Flowers, Bling, Bamboo & Dimensionals

Ready to do some hoppin'?

Here's a list of all the girlies that are hoppin' with us today!

Hugs & Happy Hoppin!

Some Vacation Photos

Hey there - as promised - here are a few more photos from our vacation - I'm attempting to get a video or two downloaded that we took, but no such luck yet.  But photos, we got photos! =)

Of course, still rying to get caught up from being on vacation, so things are still kind of crazy at our house.

Maybe things will slow down this weekend??  HA!

WARNING - I did a TON of playing with our camera on vacation, so my aplogies if the photos look weird or odd in any way.  Yep, that's the disclaimer for the day.

Our Home away from Home in Punta Cana - FABULOUS colors!!!

My Hubby & I in our Tie Dye on the beach! =)

Evening view from under our umbrella in The Plaza listening to the band

 Panaramic view from our room (can I tell you how much I love the panaramic feature on the camera?!)

Elvis is ALIVE & WELL in Punta Cana (this was our Anniversary evening entertainment) =)

 Panaramic view of the Ocean Sunrise - it was AMAZING!

 Sunrise on the beach looking at our resort

Love this sunrise photo with the palm trees and the moon in the background

Sunrise on the beach (love the shadow of Glen and I together - kind of neat) =)

Sunrise on the beach

 Toes in the sand - an EVERY TRIP photo =)

 Dinner at Mercure - YUMMO! (yep, took photos of lots of food on this trip!) =)

Playing with the no flash, no tripod 'night vision' setting our first night.  =)

 Part of the lazy river pool

Evening ambiance while listening to a live band one evening (yep, more tinkering with the settings)

 Our every morning view while enjoying breakfast

So, those are some of the photos we snapped that I thought I'd share. 
I hope you enjoyed the little snippets of our vacation! =)
Hugs & Happy Days!

We're BACK......

Oh my goodness what an AMAZING time we had in Punta Cana!!!  It's been AGES since we've had time together to just SIT on the BEACH and RELAX. 

(We had to look that word up in the dictionary just to see what it meant and HOW to do it!) 

Our resort was just Incredible!

We had an couples massage - It was so EXTRAORDINARY that we were absolutely speechless and spent the rest of the day floating on the lazy river in the pool on rafts like silly putty.  We ATE our way through EVERY restaurant at both the Royal Beach AND Now Larimer (both FANTASTIC resorts).  We were partial to La Riviera for breakfast where Glen had his very own Omlette Artist, Jose; Spice, the Asian restaurant where they do the Tepanyaki cooking on the grill in front of you - this is where we celebrated our 8th Anniversary with dinner and Mercure, a French Restaurant where you could eat a terrific filet - the filets were magnificent there - I took photos one night so will be sure to share with you . . . .   DRANK an absurd amount of tropical beverages that included umbrellas and names that make you smile just hearing them.  The best part - the SAND between our toes and the CRASHING of the waves on the beach.  Walked MILES and MILES of White Sandy Beach - our toes loving EVERY step.  And we even watched the sun rise over the turquoise waters that went on forever a few mornings. 

Sigh....well, here we are back to reality--So of course, after relaxing, we've come home with two suitcases full of laundry that needs washing before heading back to work.  UGH!  However, our furbabies are pretty darn happy to have us home (but they DID have a great time with grams takin' care of them)!  We've had permenant shadows since we walked in the door.

I thought I'd share a quick photo (will be sure to share more when I have a chance to get them uploaded this week - I went a bit PHOTO crazy on this trip....and Video crazy too!!). 

This is a sunrise we caught one morning - just fabulous!!

THIS is why I ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE our new camera!  =)

Hugs & Happ Days!

Grab your Oldies...

and PLAY 'EM LOUD!!  

With living in Michigan, every summer, there is what is called the "Woodward Dream Cruise", made up of TONS of classic cars that cruise up and down Woodward Avenue between Detroit and where we live.  Of course, with the cruise just around the corner, there are LOTS of Classics that are out and about on the road.  The Aqua Blue & White 50's convertibles with big fins, the 50's Black and Yellow Vics (one of the classic cars my mom and dad have), Classic Ford, Chevy and GM of many years past.  They all make me smile and want to play Beach Boys Music REALLY LOUD as I cruise with the windows down (most days I do...sorry to be one of THOSE people).  

It makes me think of my dad and his love for the Oldies - both the Cars and the Music!  Much of my childhood, when driving with my dad involved singing the Oldies together.  Wonderful memories for me.

Okay, so how does this rambling about Classic cars and Oldies music have anything to do with anything?

Well, today is Thursday and you know what that means?  It's an Oldie But Goodie Day over at Bugaboo Stamps and Catch The Bug!  =)

If you haven't seen this cute Knobby Knees Oldies couple, you'll definitely want to give 'em a look - and if you're feelin' nostalgic, grab that oldies music and TURN IT UP LOUD! =) 

I KNOW I AM!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Knobby Knees" Collection "Boy Vacation" & "Girl Vacation"

Papers - Kraft, Multiple Prints from Paper stack from Hobby Lobby

Coloring - Copics

Tools - Cuttlebug & Sizzix Scallop Die

Extra STUFF - Sand & Surf Stamp from my stash, Stazon Jet Black Ink, Miscellaneous Bling from stash and Fish Net & Dimensionals

Thanks so much for stoppin' by today and checkin' out our Bugaboo Oldies.

Hugs & Happy Days!

A Perfect Day

Today was a busy and cold day.  I had a class that I'd planned to teach at the scrapbook store today.  We were surprised to get a call from Amy & Andy this morning that the baby might be on the way.  We're Colin's 'handlers' when his momma and daddy go to have baby sister.  So, off we went to pick up Colin and wait for baby labor news.  We had so much fun - we painted some chocolate molds, played hide & seek, made some neat Cuttlebug cards Colin style, and even had Mickey D's for lunch. 

Turns out it was a false alarm, no baby sister yet.  We're VERY excited for her to arrive - she is definitely waiting for Aunt Susan and Uncle Kris to get home from vacation. 

So, this weekend (Tomorrow actually) wraps up the month of January - Sketch A-Thon at Scrap-Friendzy.  We've had an amazing month - Everyone has been SO productive - the gallery is bursting at the seams with amazing layouts and cards.

Today was the last of the sketches I was posting - today the sketch we used was one that I created - a little quickie, but I love the way the layout turned out.  We've had this great sunset photo printed out and in my studio since before Christmas.  Today was the perfect day to scrap it (it only made it up to 20* today - it was downright bone chilling cold this morning.  Even our 'kids' (2 cats) thought it was cold - which is why they ended up in bed with us this morning.

Anyway, enough blah blah blah from me.  Here's a little Aruban warmth - my hubby took this photo on our last evening in Aruba in 2008 when we went to celebrate our 5th Wedding Anniversary. 

Makes you want to get your toes in the sand and feel the salty air on your face, don't it??

This was definitely one of our PERFECT DAYS!

Paper - Cardstock - Coredinations.  Paradise & Sunset Cruise 'cards' from paper from my stash, striped paper - Daisy Bucket, tan cardstock from my stash

Cricut - Life's a Beach - Sanddollars & Title

Cuttlebug - Bamboo & D'vine Swirl embossing folders

Miscellaneous - Starfish, Fish & Shell Brads from my stash, Scrap Swirl font - computer generated for Journaling

I hope this warms you up a bit - it sure does me thinking about the 10 days we spent in Aruba. 

I hope you're having a productive weekend!  Hoping to have a few more projects to share with you tomorrow.  I'm working on a fabulous kit that Scrap-Friendzy is offering beginning on Monday.  Be sure to stop by and check out some of the sneaky picks!  What a lovely kit!

I also want to say thank you to everyone for your prayers for my dad.  We continue to pray - his appointment with the oncologist is scheduled for Wednesday morning.  Hopefully at that time we'll get a bit more infomation and a plan of action.  I think once we have something like that, we'll all feel a bit better.  So thank you all again - prayers are a powerful thing and for those, we are so thankful.

Happy Craftin'!

Min

The Summer Survivor FINAL Vote!!!

It has come down to the last 2 survivors......and our mission was to create treasure from trash!

And now it's time to VOTE! Help me become the Scrap-Cation Survivor Winner!

Click HERE to go to the voting page!

I created this super cute little 3 card set from Capri Sun packages, Straws and a syrofoam egg carton.

Trash:

To Treasure - It's amazing what one can create when you do a little dumpster divin'!

Thanks for stopping by today and voting for me! Happy Craftin! Min

A Dragon Size THANK YOU!

I've been attempting to get caught up with a few of the Scrap-cation challenges over at Scrap-Friendzy and I tell you - Amy and her girlz must have been reading my mind! I needed to make a quick little thank you card for a birthday gift I received and Wah-la, like magic they gave me the perfect challenge.

The challenge was "X 3" -

Create a card and repeat three elements.

This was a super fun challenge as I don't usually make cards based on things to 'do'.

Didn't this turn out cute?!

I think I went a little overboard on the repeating elements, 3 columns, 3 printed papers, 3 different colors of cardstock, 3 buttons and 3 little bling pieces.

Materials:

Papers: Bo Bunny Dots Cardstock; tropical paper I've had in my stash for some time & of course, can't remember who makes it......DOH!

Image: Dustin Pike's Swim Dragon

Techniques: MCPT

Ribbon, Buttons & Bling from my stash

Thanks so much for stopping by today to take a look.

Happy Craftin'!

Min

A little bit of Summer

Like so many scrapbokers, I continue to try & get 'caught-up'. So, this morning I was able to work on one of my 'getting caught-up' layouts. This was from our Long Boat Key trip the summer of 2005 - it just so happened to be the summer Hurricane Dennis arrived in Florida. The large sunset photo was taken just before the hurricane came through the gulf. The additional photos were taken during our trip. The journaling along with the smaller photos are on a large pull-out behind the 8x10 photo.
The Journaling was typed & printed on my computer.
Papers: Peach & Deep Ocean Blue from my stash
Footprint embossed paper from my stash
Quote which reads: "Our memories of the Ocean will Linger long after our Footprints in the Sand have gone." Printed on vellum & matted on white & peach paper.
Cricut: Life's a Beach - Seagulls
Most everything is popped up on dots (Large photo, seagulls, Quote & a few of the smaller photos).
Enjoy your weekend!!
Happy Craftin'!
Min

Month of June Challenge

Happy June 1st - gosh, where has the first 1/2 of the year gone? Seems like just yesterday we were dealing with 12 inches of snow, ice and cold. I'll take this weather any day over the cold & snow though!!

I've decided that since I was such a bad blogger and crafty completer in May, I'm setting goal for June - My goal for June is to post something creative every day incorporating some sort of challenge in it from my favorite challenge sites. I really do spend a little time every day in my studio, but it seems like last month, everything I worked on took more than one sitting (or several sittings) to complete.

So, with that said, here's the first crafty post for June - the inspiration is from the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge, week 89 here.

So, here's what I came up with. . . . . .

Image/Sediment: G-Stamps

Flowers & Brad: Miscellaneous from my stash
Acrylic Circle
Papers: Bo Bunny Double Dot Paper in Buttercup Dot &Citrus Dot
Core-dinations Color Pink & Green
Cuttlebug: Spots & Dots
Stickles: Orange Peel

Thanks for stopping by today! Wishing you a Summer of Craftiness!

Happy Craftin'!

Min