I may not be the World's Best Mom

But once in awhile, I find that I accomplish something that gives me hope that my kids will still look back and think that I was pretty good. We made 21 of these tonight for T's Kindergarten Scarecrow Party tomorrow... you can find the recipe on www.bettycrocker.com

The *asterisk* girls...

Couldn't have pulled the PUB dinner off without **Rosy**, sara*w, and *karly*!

I'm still glowing and remembering silly things I said that I wished I could take back. I hate saying dumb things. Guess it's all part of my *charm*. I'm lucky that I have a few good pals that stick with me even with my foot in my mouth.

Some reflections on the evening...

- Desiree Swanson is the MOST amazing photographer... I was lucky enough to see some of her GORGEOUS pics... *drool*... - Gina and Renee' are so CUTE... totally identical... it was fun to talk to you girls! AND Congrats to Gina for winning the Scrapworks LO contest! - Kate Teague has the crazy, wild side I didn't know about... she *made* Tia autograph her arm (photos to follow) TIA!! I knew I'd like you... but I didn't know that you'd laugh at my jokes! I *heart* you for that - Kah-Mei is lovely... and her pp is lovely, too Note to LSS... MUST start carrying FontWerks pp immediately!! - Carol (giraffemom) had the coolest Book of Ten... but I'm still steamed at you, sweetie, for not introducing yourself at Cathy's party... stomp, stomp... oh, you know I can't stay mad at you - Rhonda is beautiful and sweet - thank you so much for laughing at my jokes... that was beyond gracious - Rachel and Brookes... you guys are awesome! I am still trying to figure out what Rachel was trying to tell me about zipping all the files... she's my new technical guru! - I love Alissa's mom! And now we've sucked her into the world of scrapbooking. Alissa - I'm totally serious about e-mailing the *minute* you find out someone cool is coming to your store!! - Sue... you ROCK! I love how easy you are to talk to, and you're a darn good TA for rescuing my camera!! - Jane, so glad you came, sorry we didn't visit more! - Kate Thaete... you are unbelievably sweet! I want to come to one of your classes soon. Melissa - you're my new hero. Consider me your stalker from this point forward... Although - you may have some competition in Karen Burniston... I totally loved Karen's class, and I heard that I didn't even take the *best* one that Karen taught... so I am going to try and absorb some of Karen's mojo. My definition of Karen: Grace Under Pressure. My favorite thing Sheila said all weekend was, "I'm not sick, I'm just pregnant." (on me commenting that I was impressed she was at the Convention while being 36 weeks)



Now it's back to reality. I didn't realize how much I missed my little girls until we were all snuggling in bed this morning. THEY are the reason I scrapbook. Not the beautiful paper, not the amazing friends I'm making, not to get published... I want it to all be for them. I love you, T & R!

The obsession continues...

This is a layout I did a couple of weeks ago... I had a few hours to scrap last night, had to work on some DT stuff for ScrapTalk. I am *dying* to get back to working on Riley's baby book! It's a huge mental burden... I MUST finish it - and SOON. *Sigh* So much to scrap, so little time!







Tomorrow, I'm going to my first scrapbooking convention! I'm kind of nervous... I'm not really going with anyone tomorrow. I know I'll probably meet a few people - notably, Cathy Z at her Backstage Party! I'm going to have her autograph a copy of her book for me... I don't feel like too much of a stalker for asking for an autograph in a book - LOL!

I have been working with a scrapbooking mentor, and based on some of her views on the industry trends, I have decided to go back to multiple photo/12x12 layouts. I think those are more suited to my ultimate goal of having meaningful family albums. Of course, that could all change after I see Cathy Z's new stuff. I guess I don't have to pin myself down to one format or another.

Here's hoping I make it through the CK Convention and come away with great new ideas and not spend too much money (yeah, right!). I'm looking forward to meeting some Peas, some Pink Ladies, and other scrapbooking addicts like me!

I *heart* sara*w !!!!

Let me tell you a little about Sara... I met her through our mutual friend, Karly. I liked her when I first met her - she was a teacher - a hero to be sure. This Spring, when I finally signed on to Two Peas In A Bucket... I found out that Sara was a Pea, too!

Then, I saw her designs. I was BLOWN away! She is amazingly talented. Then Karly sent me to Sara's blog... it was so CUTE. Sara started showing me a whole new world - filled with Ali, Cathy Z, Tara W... I was hooked.

Sara was chosen as Pubster Of The Day last summer... and Impearia was so impressed when I told her that I knew Sara IRL (in real life). I felt pretty cool.

Now, I am so glad that I have gotten to share in the project of planning the Pub dinner with Sara. She's been with us every step of the way... cheering us along in our collection of vendor items, contacting local scrapbook stores, and designing a logo to use with some promo items at the dinner. Two Peas has this amazing power to connect people... even those who are already connected in other ways. I feel like I have made a tremendous discovery in Sara*W! Thanks, girl, I *heart* you!!

Results may vary...

I'm not really sure what I expected when I decided to plan a Pubster dinner for the CK Convention. I'm sure that I didn't expect our goodie bags to look like this. It just kind of happened.

I remembered that Jennifer Donnelly had done similar goodie bags for CHA last summer. That's where the idea came from. But I had no idea where to start. Then, Rosy contacted someone who had helped with the CHA party and got some contact names. When the initial answers were "YES" - that got me excited and thinking about how easy it was to request donations. So - I just made a list and started sending inquiries. And there were a lot of companies willing to help out.

Hey! That was easy and fun. That doesn't happen too often in my life right now. It was like a fudge-covered Oreo kind of high... but without the calories. You have to LIKE that.

So - here we are - Rosy and I - stuffing the goodie bags - and talking 2Peas gossip... when it hits us. These are INCREDIBLE. And then... where are we actually going to put these new things??? That's a good problem to have. Like having too many cute shoes to choose from.

A big thanks to all of our sponsors!!

Ben Franklin of Bonney Lake, WA
Cathy Zielske
Colorbok
Creative Imaginations/Scrapperware

Fiber Scraps

FontWerks
Gin-X/Imagination Project
Heidi Grace
Karen Foster
Li'l Davis
Maya Road
MoBe' Stamps

MyLifeInAScrapbook.com
Pressed Petals
SEI

Simply Cardstock.com

Two Peas In A Bucket (store)

Under the Autumn Sun...

You would never know it was late October on the Oregon Coast... sunshine and warmer temperatures brought out the bikini-clad girls of summer that I thought had gone to sleep for a season of sweatshirts and jeans.

As always, we had a fabulous time with our friends Mike, Jeannie, Craig, Karly, Tori, Aaron and all the kiddos. It's a great time to be a kid - sand castles, waves, rocks to climb... these are the times they will remember most!

Riley's favorite thing about the beach was "Seeing Ben and Caleb".

Taryn's favorite thing about the trip was "Playing at the beach with Ben and Caleb."

Obviously, these are very popular boys! The kids all got along so well, let's keep our fingers crossed it continues to be so easy and fun for us all to meet in October. This is definitely a tradition worth preserving.

Pumpkins!

We had such a great time on Saturday at the Pumpkin Patch! The girls loved tromping through the maze of vines and trying to pick up the enormous pumpkins. It was a perfect Fall day - sunny and crisp - and Grandma was able to join us, so it was extra special!

Sites To See...

My ScrapTalk Gallery: http://scraptalkphotos.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=2939

My Two Peas Gallery: http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/userprofile.asp?user_id=194623

October Guest Designer Spot: http://www.mylifeinascrapbook.com/

Here I Am! Now what?

I've been wanting to start a blog for a while now... just because so many of my scrapping friends do and it seems fun. Now, I actually have more reasons to do it, I've got info to share!

October is going to be The Month Of Cat. I'm proclaiming it so because I have so many fun things going on! We get to go on a small trip with friends to the Oregon Coast - LOVE that! I am the Guest Designer for MyLifeInAScrapbook.com - SO fun!

AND... it's the month of...........................................................

CREATING KEEPSAKES CONVENTION OCT 28-29!!!

And mostly the Pubster Dinner on October 29 at 5:30 pm at Azteca in Bellevue! Woohoo!!

I can't wait to meet some other Peas... including some really {hot} designers and a genuine Garden Girl! Can life be any better than this?

Well... yes. We could stop having all these horrible natural disasters. But, I can't do much about that besides pray.