Thursday, December 27, 2007

How Can it Be?!?

I can't believe 2007 is almost over. Where did the year go? Every year seems to go faster and faster. Sometimes I wish I could push pause on life...just to enjoy everything around me.

Our Christmas was wonderful. The girls let us sleep in until 8am. Talk about a happy Mommy! :) My parents spent the night on Christmas Eve and we went to Church that night and then out to dinner.

My brother and his soon-to-be bride came over for Christmas Day. We had a great day and Katie is now the proud owner of thirteen Webkinz. {yikes!} If you haven't gotten into them at your house {yet!} look out! My little one hogs my laptop and can play all day. {Of course I limit her time on line!}

So, Christmas is over, the decorations are packed away, and I'm sitting here thinking of all the incredible things that have happened this year. I am so incredibly blessed. It brings tears to my eyes to think of everything that has taken place this year. Here are just a few things I'm thankful for: {in no particular order...}

1. First, the health and well-being of my family and friends. Kirstin still has her headache (she's had is since March 2, 2007 at 10:30am).....but, with medications, the pain is reduced to a dull ache most days. We are so blessed to have wonderful insurance....one of her meds would be $350 a month without our insurance!

2. My home and where we live. I've visited so many places (especially this year!) but I am so grateful to live where I do. Our home is so centrally located...(I have two Costcos within a 2 mile radius!) I have to admit, though, that St. Pete, FL is my home away from home. If I had to move, that's where I would go! (And they have some incredible scrapbook stores!)

3. I'm so thankful that I live in a country where I can believe in God and I can freely go to Church. It amazes me that this is a freedom not every human being has. My faith is so incredibly important to me.

4. My husband. A man I have been with since almost birth....(well not quite, I was 16 when we met....) He keeps me sane. He takes great care of me, the girls, the bills, the grocery shopping, the laundry, the cleaning....{I told you he was great!} Ken is even willing to travel with me....what a trooper. He makes sure I have bacon every morning and for that alone, I will always cherish him. God was thinking of me when he created Ken. I couldn't do what I do without the support Ken provides. I love him so much (even though he won't let me have a puppy.....) :)

4. I was able to realize my dream and was on QVC a few times this year. I joke that I live so close to Hollywood, yet I have to fly across the country (PA) to be on tv. ;)

5. I have a job that I look forward to every day. That probably sounds silly, but I truly love my job and find myself thinking about it 24/7. Not because I have to, but because I want to. What a blessing it is to have a job that I want to do. :) In fact, my kids tease me that I even have a job. They say I'm just 'playing' or 'scrapbooking'.....not working. ;)

6. My parents! They are the best. And as Grandparents, they are even better. They take my kids all the time...in fact, they are all at a hotel in Laguna Beach, right now! Next week when Ken and I are in PA, my Mom will have the kids.

7. UB was found! I still can't believe a rescue dog trained to sniff out lost pets found my precious tortoise. (For the full story, check out my blog mid April 2007).

I have been blessed so many times this year. Too many to count.

My prayer for my friends is that you will be blessed as well.

Here's to a wonderfully delightful 2008.

Look out, world! {grin!}

Hugs,
Stephanie

Saturday, December 22, 2007

I finally get to Share with you our WONDERFUL News!!!!

Remember in my last post I hinted to some wonderful news?!? Well, I finally get to share!

Announcing....



the most


wonderful,


exciting,


news,


to happen to,


Inque Boutique!!!!


Junkitz founders Stacey and Kenny Panassidi are joining forces with Inque Boutique!

Can you believe it?!? Stacey and Kenny are now on the Inque Team!

Woo Hoo! I am so thrilled to have them on our team. :)

They are the reason I flew to Florida last week. We had a five day Pow-Wow on so much! We worked until midnight, planning the new releases. We got to know them really well (working side by side for that amount of time will do that!)

They are great!

I can't wait to share our new products with you! CHA Winter....Look out! There's a new team in town! ;)

Stacey and Kenny, welcome to our team.

Big hugs!
Merry Christmas!
Stephanie

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Christmas is a week away?!?

My husband says I'm in denial.


I've purchased two presents so far, and Christmas is a week away. How did this happen?!? Just yesterday I was eating Thanksgiving dinner! I finally ordered my Christmas cards....YESTERDAY! I have to go pick them up tomorrow. Yikes. I'm in trouble.


Lucky for me, my incredible and wonderful husband has done most of the shopping. ;) AND the grocery shopping. Wow. I love him!


I just got back from a five day trip to Florida for work. What a great time to travel. Ha! ;) Although, I did have a wonderful time. Got to meet some new friends.


Here's a picture of me at my favorite place in Florida...


It's Twistee Treat! They have the most YUMMY ice cream. AND it's sugar free! (or so they say!) ;) Anyway, I got bubble gum soft serve two days in a row. The big joke was every time I said (or someone else said) Twistee Treat, I would clap....It's now called a 'quad clap'. I do it often, whenever I'm excited, so look out! ;)

I have more photos to share, but they are on the other computer. I'll upload more soon...

Big news is on the way...and NO I'm not preggers! ;) {ha ha!}

Big hugs to you all....work is keeping me busy, so I might not be able to blog until after Christmas.

I pray that you are all blessed,

Hugs,

Stephanie

Monday, December 3, 2007

I'm such a bad blogger!

I can't believe how long it's been since I posted last. Yikes!

I just had to share something funny that happened today...well, funny to me....and horrific to my ten year old! ;)

Every other Monday I help in my little one's fifth grade classroom (for an hour...). Last week, I showed up, thinking it was 'my' Monday, and lo and behold, I was wrong. So, I peeked in the classroom, said hello to the teacher and went home.

So, I show up today, to do my civic duty, and my daughter comes up to me with a look of horror on her face! {Imagine what I'm thinking....}

She then whispers to me....
"MOM! You wore that outfit LAST MONDAY!"

Oh.

Poo.

I'm so sorry. {hey, it's a cute outfit!}

What's a Mom to do? ;)

Now, if my fourteen year old would give me my clothes back, maybe I wouldn't have to wear the same outfit twice!

I can't win! {wink}


Gotta go...off to a choir concert...more soon....

Hugs,
Stephanie

Monday, October 29, 2007

Just the Scraps

So, I had a great time at the Ontario Expo. The Epson group is a blast to hang with. ;) The Sacramento Expo is right around the corner! Next week!

Kirstin and Katie went to Disneyland with their friends yesterday...(we have annual passes)...they left really early at 8:15am. Too early for me! So, they get there, hand over their passes, and WHOOPS! They have LAST year's passes and NOT the current ones. {tee hee!} Now, if I was the parents I would of been, "See ya!" {Well, not really, but I would of thought it!} Lucky for them, Mickey looked up their accounts and let them in....So, they are in the park, having fun and Katie goes to buy something using her Disney gift card...it's supposed to have $37 on it...come to find out, it has 22 CENTS! By now, the parents they were with must of thought my kids were orphans. ;) Luckily I gave them extra cash....

Saturday we were at the best restaurant in the whole wide world...Olive Garden. Yummy! In walks Captain Jack Sparrow! Really!!! This guy had the facial hair, the dreadlocks the hat, the works!!! {Halloween Costume Party} So, I offer Katie five bucks if she goes and asks him for an autograph....


and



she


did!

It was so stinkin' funny! I have it in my purse...Katie is so great. My only regret was that I didn't take a picture.

On a more serious note, thank you all so much for your emails regarding the Southern California fires. Thankfully, we weren't very close to any of them (although our schools were closed for two days due to the smoke). Unfortunately, some close family lost their home. To protect their privacy, I won't say who it was, but if you could say a prayer for everyone that lost their home, I would be grateful.

Lots going on at work...never a dull moment. It's funny...I never thought I would work, at least until the girls were older...but when something like this knocks on your door, I guess you have to answer. ;)

Hey, did you know we have new videos on the Creating Keepsakes website? New ones almost every week! Check it out! You can see the older videos in the sponsor section on their site, as well.

Well, I have to go put Katie to bed...she just finished her Jack-o-Lantern..she named it Billy Bob. Ahhh...never a dull moment...

Hugs,
Stephanie

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Scrapbook Expo in Ontario, California

Hey everyone,

I'm going to be teaching at the Scrapbook Expo in Ontario...I'm looking for people to 'hang' with after hours! Hubby was supposed to go with me, but Kirstin's cheering at her school's Homecoming Game on Friday night.

So, anyone up for a tag-a-long friend? ;)

Let me know!

Hugs,
Stephanie

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Various Ramblings...

So, school is in full swing...we had Open House this week for both girls. One night I was at the high school rushing through the halls to 'my' next class and the next night I was sitting in little chairs listening to the teacher talk about fifth grade science camp...


It's kind of weird to think I have a kid in high school and a kid in elementary school! It sounds so wrong! Actually, they are only four years apart, but since Kirstin is in 9th grade and Katie is in 5th, that's how it is...



I forgot to share what Ken bought me for my birthday. Sadly, it wasn't the white puppy and Brighton Puppy Bag that I wanted. :(

(Poor guy refuses to pick up after another animal!.....who can blame him!?!)


Anyway, here's a picture of one of my gifts....

It's the most adorable purple beach cruiser! It has a cute basket (ha...for my puppy!) and hibiscus flowers all over it. We don't go bike riding at the beach very often, but I guess we need to more often now! Imagine my surprise to see a bike when I honestly thought I was getting a puppy! Ha, the joke was on ME! {grin}
Well, I need to sign off. It's after midnight and I should be sleeping. Sometimes I find it so hard to turn off my brain. I'm always thinking (although most of the time it's not about anything important!)
Oh well, maybe I'll go catch a show on Tivo.
Hugs,
Stephanie

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Updates...

Thank you all so much for you kind emails regarding Kirstin's injections. Unfortunately, the Botox did not work. :(

We have been very deflated...we really thought this treatment would work. She is now on a new medication but due to the side effects, she has to start slowly. She won't be up to the full dosage for about a month. :(

I'm not quite sure how she gets out of bed everyday, but she does. She is such a trooper. I've talked to her about her coping skills because she amazes me. (When I have a headache I don't like to get out of bed...and her pain is much worse!) She commented to me that pain or no pain, she has to live her life. :) (I told you she was a trooper!)

So, on to more exciting things....

We went to the LA County Fair on Sunday. Ken and I grew up going there as kids, so it's fun to experience it with our girls. I can't tell you how much we ate! Well, I guess I can...let's see...

~BBQ Corn on the Cob
~Fully Loaded Baked Potato
~BBQ Sandwich
~Strawberry Shortcake
~Caramel Apple Tower (with Whipped Cream!)
~Fudge
~Deep Fried Twinkie
~Bloomin' Onion


Hmmm...I think that's it. I'm sure the kids will remind me of more. What a great day. And hey, my kids can throw darts! Katie threw four and popped three balloons! Kirstin threw six and popped three balloons! Who knew!?!

All in all, we are hanging in there. One day at a time, one smile at a time. We'll kick this headache, it's just going to take time.

Thank you for your emails and your prayers. They mean the world to me.

Big hugs,
Stephanie
P.S. We are having ANOTHER giveaway at Inque! Check out our blog http://www.inqueboutique.typepad.com

Friday, August 31, 2007

It's been ten days!?!

Wow, it's been ten days since I posted...

Let's see...what's new...The girls start school on Tuesday. Those of you that know me, know that the first day of school is the worst day of the year for me. :(

Most moms are thrilled when the kids go back to school...not me. I cry. A lot. It's just another reminder they are getting older. :(

Anyway, in two days, Kirstin will have an anninversary. An icky one. It will be SIX MONTHS since her headache started. She has had it EVERY single day since March 2, 2007. We've seen 16 doctors, had numerous procedures, tried over ten medications...blah, blah, blah.

Moving on....we tried a new procedure today. Are you ready? It sounds crazy, but heck, I'll try standing on my head if it will work....


Botox. Yep, the stuff we use for wrinkles has been known to help with headaches. They have been testing it for years on headaches. So, we tried it. We won't know one way or another for a few weeks, since it takes some time to work. Bad news is insurance does not pay for it. She had 27 injections! Let's just say, what I paid for the visit was only a few dollars less than my house payment. WOW.

But, if it works....you just can't put a price on being pain free. Of course we had a Neurologist inject her. He's been working with Botox for about 15 years...he knows what he is doing. :)

So, we are praying...and praying......

Katie is, well, Katie. :) She found out who her 5th grade teacher is going to be. She's not happy. In fact, she cried. Poor thing. I'm fine with the teacher...Katie just wanted the cute young teacher. I'm sure she will fall in love with this teacher the first week of school. :)

Work has been busy! Good busy. I love it. I'm having the time of my life designing products. :)

Well, it's dinner time....I think we will go hit In-n-Out. It's too hot to cook!

Big hugs,
Stephanie

Monday, August 13, 2007

QVC, Luggage and Thanks!

Well, I'm in PA right now, getting ready to on the air at QVC. I'm going on at noon and 5pm EST.

Inside info: If I'm wearing a pink top, you will know that the airline not only lost my luggage, but didn't get it to me in time. :(

If I'm wearing a yellow top, everything is right in the world and I have my luggage, and makeup, and clothes, and my beloved pillow. ;)

Now, with all the flying I've been doing, I KNOW not to check luggage....I carry it all on. BUT today, there was no room on the plane and they made me check it at the door. :( Bye, bye, luggage. :(

Thanks so much for the wonderful emails on my birthday!

Hugs,
Stephanie

Friday, August 10, 2007

It's my Birthday!

August 11th is a very special day!

It's my Birthday! ;) Now, of course I'm expecting gifts from my wonderful family...{and hubby, if it's not that white puppy...look out!} ;)

But, I was thinking, wouldn't it be F-U-N to have a party and GIVE away gifts for my birthday!?! So, that's what I'm going to do!

Any new members that sign up on our site will receive a FREE stamp! :) Consider it a birthday gift from me to you!

Now, I can't give away free stamps everyday...so, this offer is only good from now until about midnight on the 11th. So HURRY! Feel free to tell your friends, too! Invite everyone you know to the party! ;)

Here's a link to our site: Inque Boutique Click on "Sign up" Now, here's the most important step....make sure you list your reason for signing up "Because it's Stephanie's Birthday". That way we will know you read it on our blog, and you want to be invited to the party! ;)

Big Hugs!
Stephanie

(This offer is for our friends in the US or Canada...sorry to our International friends)

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Summer's in Full Swing!

I love summer! Lazy pool days, beach days, hitting the water park....too bad I've only been to the pool once, the beach once and not one water park yet! :(


But that's ok! Things are heating up with Inque and that's more exciting to me than laying by the pool. :)


My kids are keeping extra busy....they went camping at the beach with their grandparents. Here's a photo I snapped on the last day....




They also went to Palm Desert with Grandma and Papa....


And this week, they are busy with Vacation Bible School! Luckily it's only in the morning, so we have the afternoons together.

Next week I'll be on QVC. And then teaching for Epson in San Diego. The kids are off to tour Hearst Castle with, of course, Grandma and Papa!

Oh, and tune in on Saturday, August 11th!!! {It's a VERY special day!}

Big hugs,

Stephanie

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

I'm home!



Chicago was wonderful! I couldn't of asked for a more fabulous trip. Our booth was busy the entire show and everyone was excited with our products.


What a relief! We worked so hard for so many months, it was so incredible to hear the 'oohhhs' and 'ahhhs' to our products.

Here's a small sampling of our booth:


Here's a photo of some of the team:

To see more photos of our CHA Summer adventure, visit our company blog. There you will find an entire photo album of photos from the trip. http://inqueboutique.typepad.com

On a more personal note.....

A funny thing happened to me on the way home from CHA. I was on the airport shuttle going to the airport....the driver asked everyone on board what airline we were on. The majority were on one airline and then myself and another lady were on another (the same one).

I turned around, smiled, and asked her what state she was flying home to.

She replied California. Hmmm! Me, too!

What airport? John Wayne...

Whoa! Me, too! (At this point, I probably sound like I'm full of it considering we are in Chicago and what are the chances that two people would be flying to the same {little} airport!?!)

I then asked what city she lived in...she hesitated a brief moment...(remember I sound like a wacko by now!) and then she replied "Laguna Niguel".

No Way! I mean NO WAY! I live in Laguna Niguel!!!! {At this point this poor woman is probably wondering if the windows on the shuttle bus open so she can escape from crazy me.....Laguna Niguel is such a small little city!}

At this point, we introduced ourselves and we both recognized each other's names. {What a relief....I was no longer a stalker!}

To make a long story a little short...we had enough time to eat dinner together, visit, share and find out we have SO much in common! We live about two blocks from each other! WHOA! ;) We both work in the scrapbooking industry we both have daughters, oh, it goes on and on. We both even got teary eyed at dinner when the waiter showed us a picture of his two day old daughter....

Some might consider my new friend and I meeting a coincidence, but those of you that really know me, know that I feel it was so much more. What a blessing it was for me to meet someone so far away from home. By the end of dinner we both felt we had known each other forever.

What a delight! C.W. You Rock! ;)

Off to work on projects for the next CHA!

Hugs,

Stephanie

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Off to CHA in Chicago!

I'm off to Chicago! I thought I would post some recent family photos...(Just a note...I have permission from the photgrapher to post these, since I purchased the rights to the photos.) :)






What a fun day it was.....we had a blast. Can you only imagine what hubby said to me in the secrets photo!?! ;)
Hugs,
Stephanie

Monday, July 16, 2007

Kit Sneak Peek!

One of the projects I've been working on for Inque Boutique is a stamping starter collection for scrapbookers.....





The stamp images aren't up yet, so here's a sneak peek at just one of the sets. (There are eight sets in the kit!)




You can also see part of the journaling set on the box. This set ROCKS! They are so new, I don't even have the stamps yet! ;)

Hugs!
Stephanie

Friday, July 13, 2007

I can now share the news!

I can finally share my wonderful news! I am involved with a brand new company, called Inque Boutique. This company is my reason for all my travel...to Florida and Utah.

We will be debuting the company at CHA in Chicago next week. Until then, you can check it out here....

http://www.goinque.com

Let me know what you think!

Hugs,
Stephanie

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Quick Trip

I made a QUICK trip to Utah...I left Thursday and came home on Friday. It took 10 hours to get there and then 10 hours to get home! (No direct flights!)

So, I was there for about 25 hours...crazy! I went to meet....{whoops! It's a secret...} for lunch on Friday. All the travel was well worth it...but today I feel a little loopy... :)

I can tell you about my dinner on Thursday night. I got to go out with a dear friend that lives in Utah. Jen and I have known eachother for wow....what is it Jen? At least eight years, right? Anyway, she met me at my hotel and we went to dinner at the best restaurant in the whole wide world....Olive Garden. Yum!


Anyway, it was great to catch up, share stories and more. Jen even brought some projects she created using some of my stamps. I was amazed at what she did with them. [I love seeing what others create with my designs!]









Here's a picture of us....[thanks to a self-timer!]






While I was in Utah, I needed a rental car to get where I had to be....of course I reserved the cheapest one {The boss will be so proud!} and instead, they upgraded me f-r-e-e to this little baby....



Now, it might not look that small, but it is next to a normal sized car. Whoa! This baby was FAST! I was driving along and looked down only to see I was already past 80! Whoops. :) My luggage barely fit in the trunk/back. {I don't think it really had a 'trunk'}



I'm happy to be home, but I wish I could share what I was up to. ;) New reveal date will be July 12th. So far, the people that know the news (yes, they had to sign papers promising not to spill the beans!) have been VERY enthusiastic and encouraging. It's so exciting!


Big hugs,
Stephanie

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Ahhh...It's been awhile!

Hello Friends!


I wish I could report I've been on vacation in a far away land; however, I would only be kidding if I said that! Instead, I've been B-U-S-Y! The good kind of busy. Work is really heating up...we are almost ready! July is the month. I'm so excited to share everything we have been up to. ;)


Meanwhile, here's some things I can share......


My Katie turned 10. Wow. It should be against the law for kids to grow up! Here's a recent photo...this is what happens when you give Katie her own cake....
She begged me to let her put her face in the cake. I mean begged! It was like she was just itching to do it! This kid! :)
Then, my third baby (ok, my best friends little one that is really my Goddaughter) turned five. Yikes. Stop growing up! {stamp foot!} :)
I can't believe how time flies. Isn't she adorable? Happy Birthday Daely Bear!
Daely is so cute. Whenever I get her picture published (or when it was on QVC) she tells everyone how famous she is. :) {Mommy, I'm famous 'cause I'm on tv!}


Last Saturday I was at CKU in Anaheim (nice and close to home!) Epson needed a few extra hands so I was eager to jump in and help. I haven't been to a CKU in so long, it felt so wonderful to be among so much creativity! We helped Jessica Sprague with her classes...what a sweetie she is ! Here's a photo of Me, Jessica and Katye. It's funny, I don't think of myself as a Digital Scrapbooker, but I'm finding I do more and more on the 'puter. I guess I'm officially a hybrid scrapper. ;)
So, that's what I've been up to...next week I'm off to Utah for a secret mission. Don't worry, soon all the secrets can be told!
Big hugs!
Stephanie

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Just {me}

I love:
Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper if that's not available, then it's Diet Coke. (NOT Diet Pepsi!)
Splenda (yes, I'm an addict...just ask anyone!)
Long Haired Cats with no brains
Tortoises
The Beach (I live four miles from the ocean in CA...and I love St. Pete Beach in FL)
Cheerleaders (I have two in my house...and I have the bills to prove it!)
Sharing clothes with my 14 year old (she has some great stuff!)
Disneyland and Disneyworld

I dislike: (can't say hate...that's a bad word)
Headaches
Litterbugs
Being cold (I'm always cold!)
Running out of DCVDP and not having any more in the fridge (just happened...)
Getting up early
Sleeping on cement
Neighbor's dogs that NEVER stop barking (poor puppies!)

Monday, June 4, 2007

Random Thoughts

Life's been crazy lately, but I wanted to add a few thoughts....

Random Thought #1
When the Girl Scouts ask you to supervise an overnight at Sea World, RUN!!! As fast as you can, run away! {grin}
I'm just kidding. The girls and I spent the night with Katie's Girl Scout Troop on the cement floor in the Wild Arctic...watching Beluga Whales swimming and playing right before our eyes. It was an incredible night. Cement floor, 55 degrees, limited bathrooms, no showers and 24 little girls....all in all, it was wonderful...but I was exhausted the next day!


Here's my favorite photo...

We really did have a good time. Although, Kirstin offered to pay me not to make her go next year. {grin!} You know teenagers and their need to sleep in! ;)

Random Thought #2

My baby is turning 10 this week. I can't believe ten years ago she was born! Wow, time flies. She found out one of her friends couldn't make it to her party this Saturday due to some relatives coming into town. Her response? (To the child's mother!).... "Dump the relatives!" Ahhh, Katie. :) You are always good for a laugh.

Random Thought #3

I was at UCLA this morning. Had to leave the house at 5:30 am. Kirstin had an appointment at the UCLA Pediatric Pain Clinic. Her headache is still here...more than 90 days after it started. Not one day has gone by without pain. We are now trying a new medication combo. Poor kid. They have referred us to three more specialists. So far, we have seen ELEVEN doctors/specialists. We have an appointment with another one on Monday. Life isn't what it was around here. I hate to complain....so many people are going through so much more, but it's still rough. {Prayers are always welcome....}

Random Thought #4

I can't end today's post with a downer. It's just not my style. So, here are five things I am thankful for:

1. Kirstin made the JV Cheer team (despite the headache!) at her future high school (that has 3,000 students!)

2. This month, I'll celebrate my 17th wedding anniversary. I'm so blessed to say I married my best friend.

3. We recently had professional photos taken of our family. I can't wait to see the proofs! We haven't done photos as a family in so long!

4. I just went in to kiss my fourteen year old...and we giggled together. We started tickling each other and we laughed and teased each other. I'm thankful for the bright moments, when for a few seconds, she forgets the pain and is able to smile.

5. My Dad went with us to UCLA today. What a blessing he is. He drops everything to help us in any way he can. He is such a trooper! I can call him and say I need to go to Utah, can you watch the girls? And he immediately clears his schedule. Dad....thanks.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

As of this month....

It's official! I have been scrapbooking for ten years! Time sure does fly. Back then, backgrounds were only white and if we wanted a colored background, we had to piece 8.5x11 pieces of cardstock together to make it the right size! At the time I was using CM albums and they were about 11.75x11.75 inches.


Here's my scrapbooking timeline...


1997 Started scrapbooking (I even used....{gasp!} Crayola Markers in my album!) Here's my first ever {don't forget...it was TEN years ago!} layout...
I was so proud of this layout. I did 'fun' lettering, I used special scissors and I even cut one photo into the shape of a ghost! Woo Hoo. {grin!} You have to love the Ellison Die Cut shapes! Go Ellison! :)














1998 My first layout was published. It was a great turkey page and Memory Makers Magazine picked it up {and I can't find it to photograph it for you....boo hoo} . Then, this layout was picked up by Creating Keepsakes....










Here, you can see that I had just invested in a circle cutter. Can you have too many circles? Well, this page doesn't, but, let me tell you, yes, there is such thing as too many circles....





Here's an example of too many circles.... ;) Gosh, my kids used to be so cute!


In 1999, I started teaching scrapbooking classes at a local craft store. PaperKuts Magazine wrote an article about my classes and this PB&J layout was the beginning of my relationship with PaperKuts. Starting in 1999, I was in every issue of the magazine until almost the very end. I ended up as a co-author on two of their idea books and I was on their beginning scrapbooking dvd with the editor, Angie Randall. Later, I became a Contributing Editor for PaperKuts.

I'm having so much fun! QVC, Scrapbook LifeStyle, my own stamp line....wow!


The scrapbooking industry has been so incredible to me. Looking back over the years, I realize that I am so incredibly blessed! I have been able to turn my hobby into my job and along the way have met some wonderful people.


So, ten years down, so many more to go.

I have so many exciting things to share about the future...but, 'they' are making me stay quiet. {boo hoo!}


Soon, I'll be able to share so much with you. You'll be amazed at what we have in store....{wink!}





Thursday, May 10, 2007

QVC!!!

It was wonderful! Everyone was so incredibly nice and helpful. I had a great time. You would think after taking the red-eye to get there, I would of been tired, but I was so excited, I felt fine!



Here are some photos.....


This is when Ken and I first got there...we must of looked like total goobers taking this picture with my self timer!




Getting the set ready...notice the 'regular' make-up and hair!




The host, David is very tall....(and I'm short!) Notice the TV make-up and hair! {QVC has a salon that does hair and make-up...fun!}

We sold out of the Around the Block Paper Tagger in less than 5 and a half minutes! What a rush! I'm already scheduled to go back in August. Woo Hoo!

Thank you all for your wonderful calls and emails! They have meant the world to me!

Big hugs!

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Just a Reminder....

Quick reminder....I'll be on QVC this Saturday sometime between 5-6pm EST.
(Mom, that means 2-3 your time!) ;)


Poor Ken is going with me...we are taking the red eye Friday night...we land at 6am and then it's off to the hotel for hopefully a few hours sleep.

{For someone that HATES taking the red eye, I sure have taken a lot this year! Three so far, and it's only MAY!}

Big hugs!

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

It's Done!





My Studio is now complete! Of course there are a few more items I want to purchase, but, overall, it's done! :)




Wanna come over and scrap?!? ;)



















































Everything is nice and neat, and put away! My new *best* friend, Pattye designed the room. She even organized all 32 sqaures! If you need a wonderful interior decorator, call Pattye! She rocks! http://www.PattyeDuffner.com (You probably recognize her from our show, Scrapbook LifeStyle.)

My printers are hidden in the closet (they aren't pretty!). My paper is still the same....




And my favorite piece of furniture, my knob cabinet is now in the upstairs hallway. :) I just didn't have room in the studio for it. Of course it's still full of scrappin' supplies! Luckily, it's only a few feet away.


So, now that it is done, I guess I need to start creating again. Fun, fun!

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Just a peek.......

As you know, I've been working on updating my scrap space. I want a 'pretty' room, so here is an example of the look I'm going for.....


I took an old brown basket from a craft store (that I had for years)...painted it light pink, then painted the liner with white acrylic paint.
Once that was dry, I stamped pink and purple flowers using more acrylic paint. I then added a brad and some ribbon. And ta da! A new and improved basket!
I have lots more photos of my new room to share. I'll post more soon. I'm almost done! ;)

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

I keep working and working...

Everyday the room gets a little better. Finding places for the dies has been the hardest!

Before...great die station...but not very 'pretty!'

Well, it works, but not the look I want!

AFTER

Here we are so far...lots to do still!

Still more to be done...valance is gone...need to put up the new blinds...

Sunday, April 15, 2007

My Story....



Thursday April 12th started out like any other day. My husband and I were busy upstairs re-doing my home office. We completely gutted it and started all over. Since I was distracted, I asked my older daughter to put UB out. (It was around 10:15 am and she was wandering around downstairs ready to go out and eat.)

{Background info: UB is my wonderful desert tortoise. She belonged to my most favorite person, Uncle Bill. When he passed away suddenly in 2000, I ‘inherited’ this incredible reptile. She is about the size of a salad plate and is the light of my life. I take her to the vet at least twice a year for checkups, I plant food especially for her, and I even adopted two baby tortoises so in a few years she will have some company. This pet is a family member 100%}

Back to the story….

About four hours later, I saw a beautiful red hibiscus flower in the yard. I went outside, picked it and looked for UB to watch her devour it. But I couldn’t find her in her pen. I searched her favorite spots, no luck. I called frantically to my daughter and asked her if she put UB in her pen…she then cried back that she just put her in the backyard (forgetting that UB’s pen has recently been moved.) {In my daughter’s defense, she has been suffering from a headache for over a month. She is unable to think clearly. She has seen six doctors…long story}

At this point, I started with a high pitched scream. Our backyard backs up to an incredibly huge slope, and UB can go under our rod iron fence. Approximately 40 homes are at the top of the slope and there are about 30 at the bottom of the slope…at the small part, it’s probably 50 feet in width and at the large part about 150 feet in width. That’s a lot of real estate! The land is full of trees, bushes with huge branches, mud and dirt. We’ve been visited by skunks, raccoons, coyotes, bunnies, rats and even mice. Somewhere out in that wilderness was my dear UB.

Our entire family jumped the six foot fence and started searching…UB only had a four hour lead on us, so it couldn’t be that bad! Right? We started searching with no luck. I then found some local friends to help in the search. At the best time we had at least ten people searching the brush. My dad drove over 30 miles to help in the search as well. There were so many great kids helping. As my anxiety grew, so did my reward for UB. I started at a lousy $10 thinking we would be finding her quickly; however, I was so wrong. The reward grew by the minute. $25, $50, $75 an hour later it got up to $100.

I was desperate. I was sobbing. I just wanted my tortie back.

As it grew dark, I knew UB was fast asleep somewhere. But where? We searched the slope behind our home. I wouldn’t let myself believe she went to the right and straight to the street. No. Thoughts of her being hit by a car or picked up by a stranger burned my heart.

It was dark. We had to call of the search. It wasn’t safe for us to be on the slipper slope.

We searched for four hours. No sign of UB. Defeated, we came into the house. By now, tears had been flowing and we were all exhausted. I comforted my children the best I could and told them that in the reality of life, this was a sad happening. But, we still have each other, and our health. Family members are more important than a pet. The pain was so strong for all of us; my pep talk fell on deaf ears.

I was unable to search outside, so I went to work inside (anything to keep busy!). I went online and searched for places to post LOST PET messages. I wound up on Craig’s List and posted LOST Tortoise in Laguna Niguel. Once that message was posted, I read some of the other posts…lost cat….found bracelet…and then another post caught my eye….My search dogs and I will help you find your pet!

WHAT?!?

I opened that message and there was someone saying they had three dogs trained for pet search and rescue. Are you kidding me? My husband had asked me earlier when we were on the slope if there were search dogs for animals and I almost smacked him. Of course not, silly! No one cares about my lost pet except us. But, I was wrong. I was looking at the proof.

The message directed me to a website that explained the company, Pet Search and Rescue. I was flabbergasted that there was someone out there that might be able to help me. The website urged pet owners to call immediately for a free 10 minute consultation. What did I have to loose? I looked at the time…it was after 9pm. But I was desperate. I picked up the phone and dialed….

The phone was answered immediately. The calm voice on the other end listened to my story in between my sobs. At this point, actually telling the story, by body started to shake uncontrollably. I was a wreck. The woman on the line with me was Annalisa. She listened to my story, asked a few questions and said she could probably help me. The problem was, in the morning she was scheduled to find a lost dog, and she had no idea how long it would take. She could possibly help us on Saturday morning….and hopefully sooner, but she didn’t know yet.

She promised to take my number with her the next morning and if she was able to find the dog in a reasonable timeframe, she would call me. I told her I would be praying for a quick recover of the lost dog.

I told the kids we had some hope. This lady on the internet and her dogs. Did I believe what I told the kids? Not really. I didn’t really believe that a dog could sniff UB’s bedding and find her on that slope. But I had to try. I had to believe. I prayed. I prayed and I prayed that we would find UB. I didn’t want my daughter to have this tragedy on her shoulders for the rest of her life.

I tried to sleep. I tossed and turned all night. Dream after dream, we found UB…in a closet, at the beach, on the slope. Each time, I woke up relieved that we found her, only to discover it was my mind tricking me into believing she was found.

I woke up at 7:30am and was unable to convince myself I needed more sleep. I planned the day in my mind. Make posters, make fliers. Spread the word. My Dad was coming back at 9:30am. UB would wake up around 10am, so we needed to be ready. While I started printing photos of UB, and creating posters, my husband jumped the fence once again and started listening. Listening for a twig to break, or a leaf to move…something to indicate UB was on the move. He heard nothing. Except the beginning of a new day; birds were chirping, families were waking up and the wind was softly blowing.

I made two huge posters. They included the words: MISSING ~TORTOISE~ REWARD~ HELP and a big photo. I created flyers for the kids to hand out. I even laminated three flyers with color photos and dropped them off at the two local vets and at my favorite place, 7-Eleven.

While I was at 7-Eleven, Annalisa called (it is 11am by now). She had already found the missing dog! If I still needed her, she could be at my home in a little over an hour. I was ecstatic! Finally some good news! I gave her my address and rushed home to spread the news.

Once I told everyone the news, we all breathed a sigh of relief. Did we think she would find UB? I’m not sure. But my thinking was that hopefully the dogs could tell us which direction she went and where we should be looking.

As she was driving to my home, Annalisa would call to let me know her location. This helped me calm the family and assure them help was coming. Annalisa and her dogs arrived just when she said she would. When I saw her SUV and trailer pull onto my street…well, words cannot explain the rush of peace that came over me. This was my last hope, but, at least I could say we tried everything.

After a brief orientation, Annalisa got one of her dogs, Lilly, out of the SUV. She sniffed some of UB’s bedding and went to work….

Of course she went straight to our back fence. Luckily, the side gate was open and Annalisa didn’t have to climb the fence! Sniff, sniff, sniff….Lilly started down the hill and then to the left….she then went back to directly below our home. Her movements indicated to Annalisa that UB’s scent was in the yard that backed to the bottom of the slope. After examining the yard and coming up empty handed, my heart ached even more. No UB.

Annalisa wasn’t discouraged. She put Lilly back in the SUV and then got Rainbow out. (What a great name….Rainbow!) Rainbow sniffed UB’s bedding and after hearing Annalisa’s command “Go to work” she started to the left on the slope. Rainbow began taking Annalisa on the jog of her life. They went through the bushes and branches and onto a small dirt path. They jogged next to a large and long drainage ditch. They kept going and going and going…

They were gone for so long, my hope turned to despair. With each passing minute, I realized that all optimism was lost. I could no longer see Annalisa or Rainbow. They were too far away on the slope. Too far away to find UB. Rainbow must be smelling or searching for something else.

My cell phone rang. The caller id showed me it was Annalisa. With dread I said hello.

Annalisa then said, “WE FOUND UB!”

I couldn’t believe my ears. It was impossible! They were too far away! How on earth?!? I remember saying something like, “What?” or “are you sure?”

I then started running in the direction she and Rainbow had taken off. I was yelling into the phone, “I’ll be right there!” I ran and I ran. Faster than I had ever run before….but where were they? I couldn’t see Annalisa’s orange shirt… I called her and asked her where she was and she said, “keep coming! Follow the path! We are on the path!”

Well, let me tell you, that was the longest run of my life! As I was running, people were watching me from their backyard wondering, “What in the world is that wacko doing up there?” I shouted out to a few of them that we were looking for a missing tortoise and we had found her! The shouts back were so encouraging! (Keep in mind, I’m STILL running!)

Finally, I turn a corner, and there is Annalisa, with Rainbow. Annalisa pointed a little further down the path and I saw the most beautiful site.

My tortoise looking up at me.

I was in shock. I didn’t know what to do! Everything got really slow…I ran to UB, I hugged Rainbow I spurted out questions…could this really be real?

It was real. UB had been found by Rainbow the wonderdog! We would have NEVER found her on our own. We hadn’t searched even half of the distance she went because we had no idea she could go that far in that short amount of time (28 hours total).

I started to make phone calls. I called my husband first and then the kids. The kids and my Dad came running. They called and said “Where are you?” And I said the same thing Annalisa said to me, “Keep coming! Follow the path!”

Annalisa had me check UB over to make sure she looked ok. She looked GREAT! What a sight for sore eyes she was. When we were done checking UB out, we started to make our way home…via street! It was so much shorter that way!



On our walk home, we ran into many neighbors. What a joy it was to call out to them, “We found the tortoise!” They were all amazed and thrilled. Imagine my joy as I began to tear down the LOST posters…one by one. Little did I know when I hung them that morning that I would be tearing them down just five hours later!

Once home, we all gathered on the front lawn to show off our tortie. The neighbors came over, we laughed, we smiled and boy, did we hug Rainbow! Cameras were snapping all over the place. What a party we had created!

After the excitement wore off (it took awhile!) we decided we owed the neighborhood kids ice cream for their time they took in the search. Annalisa needed to get back home, so we hugged the dogs once last time. The gratitude that I felt for Annalisa and Rainbow will be with me forever. Words cannot express how thankful I am to them.




We now estimate UB traveled about half a mile in the 28 hours she was missing.


We have already begun plans to block anymore traveling for UB.


I figure a six foot cinderblock wall will be just fine…. ;)






Rainbow the Wonderdog!
My oldest daughter took this picture of us on the long walk back towards our home.

What a great day this turned out to be! Friday the 13th is my lucky day! ;)

A big thank you to Annalisa and Rainbow!

Friday, April 13, 2007

Scrapbook LifeStyle Voting Day!

Run, don't walk...to www.ScrapbookLifeStyle.com . Today is voting day!

Watch today's episode and vote for your favorite canvas....you might win it! (You don't even have to vote for mine!) ;) Voting is in the forum section.


Sunday, April 8, 2007

Happy Easter!


Happy Easter! No bunny photos, so here is a photo of my two newest friends. He visits a few times a day, she visits once a day. (Of course I feed them, so they keep coming back!) ;)
Hubby is cooking tonight, we are expecting twelve for dinner. I should go set the table....
Happy Easter!

Thursday, April 5, 2007

Sharing Time!

I've been so busy designing stamps, I haven't gotten to actually scrapbook! Here's a layout I created using my new stamps.

Daely is my best friend's little one. We share custody....well, not really, but she is a very special little girl to our family. Recently she asked me to be her God Mother. What an honor! :)

Anyway, I got to scrapbook! Woo Hoo! It was so fun to use the stamps that I created...for years I've wanted specific sizes, fonts, etc. in stamp form. Now I have them! Supplies: Patterned Paper by Around the Block, Stamps, Embossing Powders and Ink by Sugarloaf Products, Alphabet Brad by Queen and Co., the flower was purchased at a craft store. For instructions, visit http://www.sugarloafproducts.com/ .

I'll post more layouts soon!

Thursday, March 29, 2007

My Addiction


Well, as you know, I'm not much of a Starbucks/coffee person...so, I'll share my addiction with you....




It's a Super Big Gulp...44 ounces of Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper. :)

I used to be a strict Diet Coke Girl. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. But, I'm now cheating on DC. I LOVE DCVDP.

I still drink Diet Coke for breakfast. Just two cans. Then, I run to my local 7-11 and get my yummy drink. At lunch time, I go get a refill and by the end of the day, I'm there for the third time. ;)

As you can kind of see from this picture, I re-use the cups (they are dishwasher safe!). Oh, and I also have to have a pink straw. Have to. That's just the way it is.

Luckily 7-11 is just down the street. I sometimes (just sometimes) am walking in to get a refill while I'm drinking the last few drops of my previous refill. Ha ha. Yes, I'm addicted!

So, let's add this up...two cans of DC for breakfast...24 ounces...3 Super Big Gulps...132 ounces...total....156 ounces a day.

Well, that's not entirely true....since I'm being honest, I better tell the whole truth. I also have Diet Coke with dinner and then before I go to bed...........

Friday, March 23, 2007

I need a new Scrap Studio!

I've finally decided I need a new office. I've tried to talk my hubby into having us move our bedroom into my office and then my office could be our master bedroom. He doesn't think it's a great idea. Bummer. ;)

So, I've recently been given a kick in the rear to get this room looking better. I need it all....new furniture, new organization, and maybe even a chance to see the floor again! (yikes!)


So, I need ideas. I think I want an island for the middle of the room. I'd love to keep my drawers....



It's my *favorite* piece of furniture....it's about 5 feet tall and four feet wide. I'll also keep my cardstock files...



This is in 1/2 the closet and is about six and a half feet tall. Love it! So, other than that, I want to gut the room. Ha! Help! ;)

This room is a distaster...I think I just have too much stuff! A computer, fax machine, FOUR printers, two scanners, a tv, three die cut machines, I can't tell you how many dies, Help! I'm buried!

So, if you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them! I'd love some phone numbers of some quality custom cabinet builders in So. CA. (I can't use the guy that did our kitchen four years ago...he fell asleep in my house! SCARY!)

Big hugs!

Thursday, March 15, 2007

We are Home!

We made it home safe and sound from Orlando. It was an incredible trip. I missed Ken, but it was fun spending six days alone with the girls. Luckily I remembered earplugs...the hotel gets pretty crazy filled with cheerleaders!



Here's a picture my friend Keri took of our teams. It's around 200 cheerleaders! I can't even find my own kids! ;)





On a scrapbooking note....


We taped all day for Scrapbook LifeStyle on Tuesday. More taping for my team on Friday and Saturday. On Season Three, I'm on a team with Donna and Johanna. What a blast!

Oh, I'm on this week! Check us out! www.ScrapbookLifeStyle.com

Big hugs!

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Off to see Mickey!

Well, we leave tomorrow morning for Walt Disney World. The girls have a cheer competition in the park. We are big Disney fans, so we are really excited to going back. (We live close to Disneyland and we go whenever we get a chance.)


Here are my girls and hubby at the last competition....





On another note, thank you all so much for your wonderful emails and suggestions regarding Kirstin's headache. She still has it, but now it isn't as strong as it was....(we spent another four hours in the ER on Sunday!)


We were told to go to a pediatric neurologist for a diagnosis. What a journey!

Thanks again for your thoughts, prayers and emails. They have meant a lot to our family!


Hugs,

Stephanie

Saturday, March 3, 2007

The Curve Balls in Life

Isn't it always interesting when you are thrown a curve ball?

Yesterday my older daughter's school called me at work...she had a terrible headache. I talked to her and she complained it was the worst she had ever had, and she couldn't stay at school. Since I was teaching, I couldn't go get her. Luckily my Dad was able to pick her up.

He took her to the doctor and I met them there...they gave her some Tylenol and that didn't help AT ALL! They then sent us the the ER. We went to the hospital while my Dad picked up Katie and helped her sell Girl Scout Cookies with her troop. {My dad is such a trooper!}

At the ER, they gave Kirstin a CAT Scan....we were there a total of five hours (and two at the doctor's office!) The ER doctor said the CAT Scan was normal...meanwhile, Kirstin couldn't lay down or sit forward....it was too painful!

They gave her Motrin in the ER....and that did nothing for the pain. :(

So, in the end...she received Vicadin (sp?). That still didn't do much, but they sent us home, anyway. She fell asleep around 11:45pm and woke up this morning around 9:30. She still has a headache, but it isn't as bad as yesterday.

The Motrin isn't working today, either, but she is too nervous about taking more of the Vicadin.

Luckily it's the weekend and she can rest.

Poor thing! I hate it when I can't make my little ones feel better.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

My First Starbucks

On my recent trip to Florida, I ended up being stuck in a few airports...(approx. 12 hours!) Well, I've never been a 'Starbucks Junkie' although, my kids have been hooked for years (thanks, Mom!)...anyway, there is one thing I love that Starbucks has. So, I broke down and got it. Yummy....


Yep, it's one whipped cream....just for me! Ok, I know it sounds kinda gross, and to be honest, the last bite, was...but, for a low carb girl that doesn't like coffee and can't eat chocolate, this is the best! The funny thing is, Starbucks didn't have any idea of what to charge me so they gave it to me free! ;)

I'm now a Starbucks Junkie! {grin}