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August 2008

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Check this out...

An amazing contest over at Jenni Bowlin Studios!!   You gotta check it out and you have until September 7th to enter!   You go girls *snap snap* :D

Oh, and here is a page made with all new Prima stuffs.  I LOVE these new tie dye flowers and their cutest new paper line called Makes Me Happy :) I cut it up into strips to really pull the cuteness factor out.  ha!   Thanks for peeking.  xo

Mom and Me Tea

mid august, random musings...

Hard to believe there are only 2 more weeks until school starts.   It is Friday today and I have the day off!  whoop.   I have my kids and my sisters kids here and we are getting ready to leave da house in pursuit of a mean game of mini golf!     I love playing the mini.  I'm pretty good too (or so I think :P)

Tomorrow is Alex's first football jamboree.  He started practicing two weeks ago.  He's moved up to jr. pee wee's and is kicking some football butt!  (not that I'm partial or anything ;)   He loves all sports, but football is, by far, his fave. ...  Ella got asked to be the cheerleading mascot and, is thrilled!    Stay tuned for lots of pics :)  hee.

So, I cant believe this mess that john edwards has gotten himself into.  His poor wife.    What a dolt.  I was at the grocery store last night and bought the new issue of People....and I never buy People.   This story is just swarming in my head.  I hate it. 

ln scrappy news, if you call it news :P,  I just finished a few pages with the awesomely romantic and FUN Jenni Bowlin August kit.   Thanks for letting me share and have a great weekend peeps!    P.S.  I have a bunch of new Prima goodness to share too, so pop back soon.  xo

So Sassy

Little Blue Fairies

Moments like this   

Girls


 

Is it really August already?

Wow.   This summer sure is zipping by.   The kids are having fun.   Alex had a blast at summer camp and Ella is enjoying morning parks & rec and her afternoons with us and her friends.   I've got two great girls helping me out at the shop, so I've been able to take a few days a week off and just enjoy.

My sister and her family were here for a week long visit.  They rented the cutest cottage on another lake.  We had fun hanging out there and got to take all the kids to Canobie Lake Park one day.

Glowing Bean Alex Backflip Dinner time for blue eyes Claire Garrett swim Daddy Alex blue eyes Ella Molly 2

Garrett Ella canoe ride 1 Ella merrygoround Ella Papa skyride Garrett Boom Claire Alex space Going up eeek

My parents came along with us for the day to Canobie, and my mom has always wanted to have one of those old fashioned *outlaw* photos taken,  so we got all the kids piled into the room and suited everyone up for the big photoshoot.  ha!   It actually turned out fun.  I snapped this one illegally, but we did buy one from the studio too.   hmmm...not sure if I like the b/w or color better?

  Outlaws in bw Outlaws in color

We've just started to think about school shopping.  The only thing Alex has requested are these fancy sneaks.  and, gee, at that price, that may be all he gets :P      Ella and I have been finding lots of fun, adorable things on Etsy.   We ordered this outfit that arrived yesterday.  omg.  $14!AC DOT OUTFIT   I am so hooked....and inspired to try and make clothes like this!    I also ordered this sweet set for her back to school pile... I heart Etsy.

All you talented women who make stuff for this site,  Thank you!

So, I got an email from Tracy at BHG who asked if I'd make a few things for one of their holiday issues!   I'm thrilled and am going to work on it this afternoon.   Ella and I are headed out to M's today to get a few supplies I need....and maybe to look at a few patterns and fabrics to start a little dress making project!  

Have a great weekend everyone :)

Welcome to my creative space...

Welcome

So, I finally have my room almost the way I want it.  I still have to hang up my Pottery Barn shelves and some artwork, but, I'd love to share with you what is finished.  Welcome.....

Whole room   

I labeled my walmart baskets with little handmade tags I made out of pink paper, prima flowers and ribbon.  I was totally inspired by the way Donna Downey organized her stuff into category baskets.  It is so working for me.  Thanks Donna!

Baskets  

I use my Clip It Up to mostly store my Prima hanging items.  I love being able to see everything I have.  This way, it actually gets used ;)

Hang around  

I created a little "sewing station" because I want to start sewing again!    I have dreams of making clothes for Ella....and maybe even teaching her how to as well someday :)   Above the table, I hung a raw canvas that I'm using as a memo board.  Pinned to it are some of my favorite things :)

Sewing station  

and just a couple extra random shots... Thanks for letting me share with you and if you're ever in the neighborhood,  stop in and scrap with me!

Paper storage  

Primas  

Hellloooo out there.....

...It's me, Rita.  You know, the one who hasn't updated her blog in like,  a million years.   It's so dusty in here!Dusty-game


ha!   Really, though, we have just been in full swing summer mode here at The Cottage. Stacey and girlsWe've been working tons at Details,  but trying hard to relax (when we can) here at the lake.  We've been entertaining some and trying to squeeze in some scrappy projects here and there.   My sister and her family are coming out next weekend for a week's long vacation!  We are all so excited to see them and my sweet baby nephew Garrett (who isn't such a baby anymore....He's riding a bike already!)   

Alex is coming home from summer camp this Friday!!!  He went for 2 weeks last year, and this year 3.  Not sure if Mom & Dad can handle 3 weeks, but, according to him....He's having the time of his life and already can't wait for next year. *sigh*   I feel blessed that we can give him this experience though,  even if we miss him so :(

So, CHA is starting this week!   I so wish I could have gone to Chicago for it.  However, with things as busy here right now, it just wasnt in the cards.   I did get to do some fun scrapping projects for a couple booths though!   Fantastic new Jenni Bowlin    .   I also just got a nice new box from Prima the other day which I plan to tear through tomorrow.   Hope to be able to share some of that goodness later.....

I have to send a huge shout out to my girlfriend Paige Knudsen.   She recently sent me some beautiful photos to scrap of her daughter Caroline.  Paige is so darn talented with that camera of hers. If I  had a million dollars,  I'd hire Paige and her family to move in with us and document our life in photos for me!   Maybe then,  I'd actually be in a family photo or two ;)   Anyway, I feel honored to have been able to scrap these few photos of her sweet family.     Here is a page I made for her using all new JBS.  Isn't her little Caroline the sweetest?!!!        

Summer

I also made her a little mini album with some of the other photos she sent along....

Mini Book Cover Mini Book page 1

So then, I continued to scrap.  I tell you when I get the bug, I get the bug..... So here's some more JBS booth action:   OH~ That "ribbon" in the center of the page is actually her new yummy "crepe paper ribbon"!  It's brilliant and so fun to layer and work with....you guys will love it!

Lucky Me

Here is sweet baby nephew, Garrett, splashing at the water park!!

SplashMy Boy

and a sweet little plaque made with JBS chipboard, patterned paper & rub ons for the door to Ella's Room :)

Ellas Room

Hope you are all having a great summer.   Hope to be back blogging soon with more updates from the Cottage :)  xo

Greetings

I am so happy summer is almost here!   It's been so nice to have the door to the shop open everyday with fresh air blowing in.    What a difference it makes for business when you can open up the shop door and put stuff outside.   It really draws people in.  I love that.   Anyway,  I've been busy refreshing things around here in between projects and deadlines.   Thought I'd share some photos...Pics from shop

Working on updating the ol website too.  I have a ton of fun new stuff to put up there.   I  haven't done any real marketing or anything, but orders are coming in!   People must be finding me through google searches.   In any event,  I'm thrilled that people are enjoying the site :)



Ella is dancing in the ballet, 12 Dancing Princesses with our local ballet company.  She had her first performance last weekend.   There was no flash photography allowed (!!) so I didn't get any good shots.   However, here she is second from the right.  They were all so cute!

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We celebrated Alex's 10th birthday this week!   10 years. Where is the time going?   He chose to have a handful of friends over to go Go-Cart racing and then for a sleep over.  Fun night, except having 6 boys all together for a sleep over means, very little, if any, sleep.  oh well.  It was a fun night.    He loved the new watch that Auntie Coley, Uncle Brian and Garrett sent from Ohio!

DSC_0023















I have been working on these little favors for a bridal shower this weekend.   They were inspired by the butterfly centerpieces I made last year for the same group of women.   I painted the little pots,then added some tulle and ribbon and glued a little clip to the backside of the butterflys to hold a photo of the bride & groom!   Cute.

DSC_0032












Well, off to start uploading some new stuff to the website.   Oh, I did make this layout last week for Prima.  It's a page about how all the girls in my family went to Paris a couple years ago for a long weekend!  wahoo, was it ever fun!   Thanks for stopping by :)

Ooo la la Paris


Jenni Bowlin May

I haven't had a lot of time lately to scrap as I've been busy busy remodeing/repainting the shop and fixtures getting it all ready for the summer crowds sure to be coming to town soon...
 
However,  I did received a little package on my doorstep that stopped me in my tracks and made me put aside everything else, and scrap!    What a gorgeous kit!  Jenni outidid herself this month.  The new products & paper line  she is making now, too, are just amazing.   Here are a few I just finished up.  Thanks for letting me share and for stopping by :)
Waiting_for_the_parade_2
Day_at_the_lake_2
At_the_farm 

...and we have a winner!

Thank you everyone for stopping by and leaving a comment!     I love it!   With the help of Missy Two Shoes.....we picked a winner tonight to receive a big bundle of stuffs from Details and my big stash of stuff!  Congratulations...

First_shot

Shot_2

Final_shot_2 

Elizabeth!!!   I will email you.  Hugs to all my friends.  Thanks so much for leaving such wonderful Mother's Day messages!!!    I loved them all.... xo

Hope you had a.....

Sign_2

I had a lovely Mother's Day Tea at Ella's school.  If this wasn't the sweetest little tea party.  What a treat.   Certainly kicked off the weekend on a huggable note.... whatdaya think of my groovy hat?  handmade by Ella, of course ;)

Mothers_day_tea_collage 

ETA:  I had to add this pic that was taken today (mother's day) after Alex's lacrosse game.  He came up to me and said "Thanks Mom, I love you" and gave me a rose.  ohhhhhhhhhh.  it killed me I tell ya.  What a sweetheart xoDsc_0321_2                                                              So, in the spirit of Mother's Day,  I'm going to a do a little blog give away!!   I've been wanting to do one for a while...and what better time than Mother's Day!      

So leave me a comment!   That's it.   Just say hi :) ...tell me about your Mother's day, or link me to your blog.   I'd love to hear from you.....  and, on Tuesday, May 13th at 7pm, I will pick a random name from the comments left to receive a nice big bundle of gifts & scrappy goodness (from Details and from my mega stash!!!)     p.s. everyone is welcome to join in...international too!

Happy Mother's Day, friends!

...and she scrapped.

I got to dress up as a guest designer this month for Scrapmagie !  There was lots of Prima stuff in the kit so I was even happier.  I have been so behind on the scrap scene that I was thrilled to get a little double wammy/credit out of the kit :)   gotta love that.

Here are the pages I made.

I_love_you

Friends_are_the_flowers_of_life

Garret_like_to

....and with all the kit stuff I decorated an 8 X 8" Prima gift box to put all the wonderful and thoughtful cards that many pea's over in the Pub made for Trudi.   She is home from the hospital now, but her cancer has spread and she is facing a tough road ahead.  Keep her in your prayers.  I know I am.   Thanks for stopping by today and hugs from NH.

Thinking_of_you_box_inside