Eight Things at 38 Weeks

From the looks of my ever growing belly, my baby girl’s arrival is just around the corner. The end of this miraculous stage is fast approaching. Of course, the thing I look forward to the most is meeting this little person who has been keeping me company for the better part of the year. What a moment that will be!

There are a few other things that I’m looking forward to. Nothing that compares to meeting my babe, but things. In honor of the 38 week milestone, here are just eight of those things:

1. Wearing shoes other than flip flops. Right now, my swollen feet won’t fit into anything else. Good thing warm weather is here.

2. Drinking a Red Bull. Oh, how I miss my wings. 

3. Bending over to pick things up without moaning and groaning. 

4. Walking without a waddle. 

5. Sleeping through the night without having my bladder wake me several times. Of course, that will likely be replaced with a babe waking me, but that’s A-okay with me. 

6. Drinking the occasional cocktail with dinner. Mmmm...

7. Wearing something other than the six-ish outfits I currently have available to me. 

8. Fully embracing Cory again. Bring on the bear hugs! 

Cheers!

Plus Size Model (and her cute hubby)

A few weeks ago, the talented Elisha Snow posted on Facebook about a beautiful, blossom-filled cherry orchard by her house, saying she would do photo shoots there if anyone was interested. I had been thinking a bit about a maternity shoot and I love Elisha's work, so I jumped at the chance. I'm happy to say that my sweet husband played along without the slightest grumble. How'd I ever get so lucky?

Here are just a few of the lovely shots Elisha took, both in her studio and out with the blooming cherry trees. For more on her work, be sure to check out her website.

Thanks so much, Elisha! You do beautiful work and these are photos we'll treasure forever! 

Cheers!

Win a Spot in Maggie Holmes Design's Photo Workshops!

Today I'm excited to announce the launch of some must-experience online photo fun--Maggie Holmes' Photography Workshops. Maggie has an amazing eye for photography with seven years of professional experience. I have the pleasure of working with her on many photo projects for Creating Keepsakes magazine, and I can assure you her style is striking, fresh and full of life. 

Now's your chance to learn from Maggie and use her tricks of the trade to master your own photography style! Here's a peek at just some of her impressive work:

Aren't these pics perfect? I adore how she combines light and color to capture true personality. You can see more of Maggie's work here. 

This is your opportunity to learn from Maggie and watch your own photo skills...ahem, develop! 

These two online classes have just opened for registration, and, for the first time ever, Maggie is offering an early bird discount if you sign up before the month's end. Giddy up! 

Win a Seat in Class

Naturally, this blog hop party wouldn't be complete without a chance to win a spot in class. Leave a comment on this post on or before this Wed., May 23, and Maggie may randomly choose you to join in the photo fun for free. Yes, free! She's selecting one of her winners from the comments entered at every stop along the blog hop way, so make sure you take a minute to up your odds by also entering at your next two stops, which are:

Kim Watson

Maggie Holmes

Double the pleasure--Maggie will randomly select a second lucky winner from comments received on her blog, so you'll definitely want to enter there. 

A Little Fine Print: If you purchase a class and then are drawn as a winner for that class, your registration fee will be refunded. Does not apply to purchases made for previous classes.

Good luck to you, my blog friend! Whether you win a spot or simply sign up for your seat, I'm sure you'll love this experience. Now, hop on!

Cheers!

A Washi Giveaway!

So excited to share some news! I'm teaching The Washi Workshop with my friends at Studio Calico. This online class kicks off June 1, and I want you to be there. 

A Washi Win

Winning your own seat in this class is easy. Simply leave a comment on this post between now and Wed., May 23. From the comments received, I'll randomly select a winner. It's that easy!

Have you played with washi tape yet? It has SO much creative potential. Here are just a few of the projects I've created recently with this must-have supply. 

Tape adds a little something extra to the cover of my creativity journal. 

As seen in the October 2011 issue of Creating Keepsakes. Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher.

Decorative tape seals the transparency pocket on the inside of my journal. 

On this layout, I used tape to back part of my title--an easy trick if you want to add a little kapow to your words. 

As seen in the February 2011 issue of Creating Keepsakes. Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher.

This is just a taste of the washi fun to be had today. Several of my creative pals have posted their own washi ideas. Plus, they're giving away additional seats in the class, leaving you with lots of chances to win!

Hop On!
Your next stops on this washi-tastic blog hop are:

The adorable Kelly Purkey's blog
The always innovative Piradee Talvanna's blog

And don't forget to stop by the Creating Keepsakes blog and the Studio Calico blog for even more ideas and chances to win!

Rock the Washi
Yes, it's a wonderful washi world! I hope to see you in class this June.

Cheers!

At last, I have nursery colors!

It's one of the biggest getting-ready-for-baby decisions I've had to make. What will my nursery colors be? I know, my little babe won't care, but I care. I just want everything to be perfect for her, including the place she'll rest her adorable little head. I've always had a general idea of what my colors would be, but I've had the hardest time finding a visual example of those colors, until...

Maggie Holmes to the rescue!

She posted this pic of a beautiful room in her home.

This is it! This is the vision that has been floating in my head but impossible to find.

Gray, yellow, aqua, raspberry, and light pink! 

With this image in hand, I went to the fabric shop and purchased fabric and buttons for a few nursery projects, which I hope to post soon.

And I had a fun idea for keeping my colors with me at all times. I used a cute new Fiskars bird punch to punch paint swatches. These cute little guys are much easier to carry around than carrying the entire swatches would be. 

Now, with the colors determined I can let the decorating fun begin. More on that soon!

Cheers!

34 things about pregnancy at 34 weeks

Since I’m 34 weeks for one more day (today). I thought I’d post a few things, 34 to be exact, I’ve discovered about pregnancy. I’ll probably come across as a bit nutty, so I hope you’ll let me know if you can relate to any of these random tidbits. 

1. Cory is going to be the cutest dad ever. Okay, I knew this already, but he just reconfirms it for me every day. 

2. I’m incredibly superstitious. Now that I’m forced to pass found pennies by instead of pick them up (and there are many pennies out there), I’m worried that bad luck will come my way. 

Image credit

3. People stare at pregnant women and it makes me uncomfortable. I know I shouldn’t, but I feel a bit like a freak show when I’m out and about anymore. I can’t go anywhere without encountering stares.

4. Your stomach isn’t the only thing to expand. My ribs and hips are also spreading, and I’m sure they’re not alone. 

5. My daughter (how fun to say that) is just like her mom--she gets hiccups a lot. I’m talkin’ 2-3 times a day. Poor thing. 

6. Baby bedding is WAY overpriced. 

7. Pregnancy = clumsiness. I seriously drop stuff ALL THE TIME! It’s all the more aggravating, because picking it back up is next to impossible. 

8. Young children are fascinated with pregnant bellies. I’ve heard many a comment from youngsters. Most have been good ones. 

9. There is no better sound in the world than hearing the baby’s healthy heartbeat. I go in once a week to be monitored on what’s called a non-stress test, and I get to spend 20 minutes listening to that magical, soothing rhythm. 

Her heartbeat is measured below. 

10. While it has been difficult being off of my narcolepsy medicine, it hasn’t been as bad as I worried it would be. I can still function at work, drive my car, get out of bed in the morning...far more than I thought I would be able to do. 

11. Compression socks are ugly and uncomfortable, but they sure beat varicose veins. 

Image credit

12. I adore watching and feeling my tum move. Just knowing there’s a small person in there making all that ruckus fascinates me. 

13. Deciding on nursery colors is next to impossible. Happy to report that I’ve finally made that decision. I’ll post more on that soon.

14. Being pregnant = serious Slurpee cravings. Love the red ones. Would drink one every day if the doc didn’t tell me to take it easy on the sugars.

15. I feel for people who suffer from heartburn. I didn’t know what this was all about until recently, and it’s no fun. 

16. This may sound nutty, but I honestly think my belly is getting bigger by the day. 

17. Having folks touch my tum doesn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. It’s nice to see them excited.

18. Bed rest, as nice and relaxing as it may sound, is not fun. 

19. Buying bitty clothing never gets old. 

Just look at this cute onesie that I spotted at H&M yesterday. It has a Slugbug on it! 

20. Creating a baby registry is hard work. 

21. I have no idea what my orbit is. I guess I’m growing faster than my brain can keep up, which has me running into things a lot. Of course, I’ve always been clumsy, so this could just be a symptom of that. 

22. Etsy orders need to be placed early. I waited too long (surprise surprise) and now have a mini bedding crisis on my hands. 

23. Seeing my babe’s face on the ultrasound screen is so cool. I can only imagine what it will be like to see it looking back at me when she arrives.

I just love seeing her cute little lips in this picture. My dad says it looks like she has the "big Hoeppner nose," but what does he know? ;) And big or not, it's perfect to me! 

24. Baby loves her daddy’s voice. Cory has a deep voice, and I guess babes can hear this frequency better. She sure does react when he’s around. 

25. I love how happy an expectant baby makes everyone. Not just us as her parents. My friends and family are all as excited as we are. It’s awesome. 

26. There’s guilt associated with the loss of our last baby. Almost like getting too excited about this one is somehow not giving the last one the respect she deserves or something. It’s hard to explain, but there’s always a little ache in my heart where this is concerned. 

27. Car shopping is not fun. I thought it would be, but it just isn’t. There are too many to choose from, they all cost big bucks, and the idea of parting with my dear Sally makes me sad. 

We're looking at the VW Tiguan, but we still aren't 100% sure. There's just so much to consider. 

28. Speaking of Mustang Sally, getting in and out of a sports car gets more and more difficult with my size increases. 

29. Being pregnant and looking uncomfortable as you walk through the mall is like a free pass to escape all of those annoying cart people. You know, the ones who want to “ask you one question” or give you a free sample. I was delighted to find out that they pretty much leave me alone now. I must look pretty miserable, but that’s okay!

30. I crave water, but not to drink. Weird, huh? I find a great desire to be in water right now, and I love the smell of the water coming out of the shower. 

31. Speaking of smells, I’ll be happy when my pregnancy nose goes away. Having a Superman sense of smell is not fun. 

32. Scales are not your friend when you’re gaining at least a pound a week. Of course, when are they a friend?

33. Friends who plan baby showers are the best. Thanks, PK, Brandy, Michelle, and Joannie!

34. This is a strange time, but it’s a wonderful time, and it’s one I’ll never forget. Each day brings a new adventure, and, as difficult as some of those may be, I love every minute of it! 

Free scrapbooking crops, free comic books, and more!

Are you busy tomorrow? You know it's Nat'l Scrapbooking Day (NSD), right? It's also Free Comic Book Day (FCBD), or, as my crazy brother likes to call it, Fat Chance Belly Dance (FCBD). I plan on heading to the comic book store, but first I'll be joining my friends at Big Picture Classes for a live and totally FREE creative crop.

Registering for the crop is fast and free. Click here for more info. 

I sure would love it if you could join me for the fun. I chat and share my project--TEN ideas for using baker's twine on a scrapbook page--at 1:15 PM MST, but the party lasts all day with a bunch of incredibly talented ladies lined up to teach and celebrate NSD.

Here's a sneak peek my Ten Twine Techniques layout. Love me some baker's twine!

Plus, as is true with any good party, there will be giveaways, including this awesome setup from Doodlebug. You know you want to win this. :)

As if all of this isn't enough, there are many good things happening on the Creating Keepsakes websites, including another all-day party and more giveaways. Check out our blog for more details. 

I sure hope we can scrap and play together tomorrow. If our paths don't happen to cross, I hope you're doing something else to celebrate this awesome hobby. And maybe I'll see you at the comic book store. 

Cheers!

Another look inside and chance to win!

As you may or may not know, I once worked for Simple Scrapbooks magazine as a senior editor. I loved my time with that team and that magazine. Sadly, the magazine is no more, but I’m happy to report that its sister magazine (and my current employer), Creating Keepsakes magazine, has just released a Simple Scrapbooks special issue.

Some of the content in the issue is different than the former magazine of the same name, but the idea of creating simple scrapbook pages is absolutely evident. 

Here are a few of the layouts I created for this issue:

I made this page for “Scraplift It,” an article that encourages readers to find different elements from an existing layout and use those to inspire their own pages. 

As seen in Creating Keepsakes' special issue, Simple Scrapbooks. Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher.

One of the main ideas behind this issue is to show readers how they can get more from their current stash of scrapbooking supplies, so I was asked to alter pre-made scrapbooking products in five ways. Here’s what I came up with: 

As seen in Creating Keepsakes' special issue, Simple Scrapbooks. Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher.

I’m not going to lie—creating this layout was a challenge. I was allowed only two supplies beyond the scrapbooking basics (pen, adhesive, cardstock, and photos). That’s right, TWO! My choices: cupcake liners and washi tape. 

As seen in Creating Keepsakes' special issue, Simple Scrapbooks. Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher.

Admittedly, this isn’t my favorite layout, but I’m glad I was able to meet the challenge and show that you really can come up with a lot, using only a little.  

Hop On!
There is SO much more to be found in this issue. See some of what it has in store by participating in our happy little blog hop. Hop on over to the following sites and see what Simple Scrapbooks ideas they have to share:

Erika Hayes
The Scrap Review
Laura Vegas

But wait. Before you hop along your way. I thought you might enjoy a virtual look at some of what you'll find inside this issue.

Did Somebody Order a Chicken Dinner?
And what party would be complete without a party favor? For a chance to win this cool special issue, simply leave me a comment on this post between now and Friday, April 27, and I’ll select a winner at random. Sa-weet!

Thanks for hopping by! 

Cheers!

A look inside and a chance to win!

It’s no secret that I love creating with cupcake liners. If you follow my creative endeavors at all, you know that I use these treat cups in all sorts of ways, including the way shown here—I put them on a layout. I love the way the liners fill the space and add some movement to this page.

As seen in the May/June 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine. Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher.

Creating this look is simple. All you have to do is:

1. Spray white cupcake liners with spray ink (or buy ones that are already colored). Note: I used extra large treat cups for this particular project.

2. Remove the centers from the liners, and cut two of the liners down to get three varying sizes.

3. Adhere the liners to you layout by hand stitching around the centers using baker’s twine. Note: I first backed the liners with patterned paper so that it would pop through the centers of the cut liners. 

This page was created for the “Kitchen-Inspired Scrapbooking” article, found in the brand spankin’ new May/June 2012 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine. Visit creatingkeepsakes.com to see more of what this issue has to offer, including free downloads, videos, and other delights!

Win

Don’t have the May/June issue? No worries. I’m giving away a copy. Simply leave me a comment on this post between now and Friday, April 20 for a chance to win. Good luck!

 

I hope this layout has inspired your creativity. For additional looks inside the magazine, please join us (CK) in today’s blog hop. You’ll find more chances to win a magazine, and you’ll see lots more layout ideas that you can pin, scraplift… you name it! 

Hop On!

Next on the list:

The lovely Erika Hayes
My friends over at The Scrap Review
The talented Laura Vegas

Cheers!

P.S. If you’re in Utah, check out Studio 5 today at 11:00 AM. I’ll be announcing the winner of our big The Amazing Space contest and showing fresh organization ideas with a kitchen twist. Hope you can tune in.

Respect for Regret?

Regret. It should be a four-letter word. Here it is, the wee hours of the morning, and my mind has wandered to regrets. 

I would love to say I’ve lived a regret-free life, but this just isn’t the case. Like so many, I have things I’d change if I could do them over again. Those things include:

I regret...

...working too much. I've allowed my life to be out of balance for years--this is time I won’t get back.

...going years without cleaning/organizing my house on a regular basis. (Weekly? Daily?) No wonder I’m currently in the cluttered state I’m in.

...spending the majority of my life thinking I was F-A-T when I actually had a cute little figure for many years that went unappreciated. 

...not smooching Brent Lingwall that night in the hammock. We were in jr high. I was young and shy, but I still should have planted one on him and let him know how I felt about him at that age. Did he ever know?

...not blogging more. I have so many projects and ideas to share, but I never find the time/energy to share them. Goes back to that work/life balance thing, I suppose. 

...losing track of Brandi Skinner. She was one of my dearest friends growing up. We ended up on different paths in life and I don’t know what happened to her after high school. I miss her and hope she’s well. 

...following all of the rules. Yes, I was and still am an avid rule follower. There are times when this is good, but there are also times when it’s nice to let lose a little. 

...the years I spent allowing doctors to tell me I was fine when I knew I wasn’t. Oh, how the quality of my life could have improved if I had only demanded more answers. 

...checking out for much of my twenties. The later half of this decade proved extra difficult, and I checked out a bit in order to cope. What did I miss out on in that time?

...not sending out birthday cards. So many special days come and go and I don’t get cards made and sent. A text message is NOT equivalent to a card. 

...dating the same boy for almost my entire high school life. Don’t get me wrong; he was a wonderful boy and I’m glad we dated, but no high schooler should limit their full three-year experience in this way. It wasn’t the best thing for either one of us. 

...not spending enough time with my family. Sure, I see them on special occasions, but I want to see them on the not-so-special ones as well. More game nights. More trips for ice cream. That sort of thing. 

...thinking I could tan as a kid. I spent far too many hours laying out, only to burn my whiter-than-white skin to a crisp. Sun spots and wrinkles are starting to appear now. I hope they’re the worst of the damage that will come from this stupidity.

...worrying too much. I spend a great deal of time worrying about things beyond my control. I can't help it and I know it does me no good, but I don't know how to turn it off.  

...being awake and writing this post at 4:00 AM when I should be keeping an appointment with the sandman. I KNOW I’ll regret this in a few hours when I’m struggling to keep my eyes open at work. 

I could go on, but you get the idea. I have regrets. 

What’s my point? Well, I wonder if we shouldn’t learn to respect our regrets. Appreciate what they have to offer us by way of living a better life going forward. I’m 31. If I learn from this list, perhaps my list at 61 will only grow by half. I’m realistic enough to know I’ll never live an entirely regret-free life, but I can minimize the list by paying attention to what’s already on it and working to avoid the same pitfalls in the future.

I’ll conclude this odd rambling session with what led me to this thought process to begin with. I was lying in the dark, a bit uncomfortable and unable to sleep, with one hand wrapped around Cory’s and the other wrapped around my protruding belly. In that quiet moment, I was blissfully happy. The two loves of my life in my hands. That got me to thinking about the things that got me to this point. Naturally, the regrets and poor decisions, both big and small, were part of that journey to this moment. 

I suppose this only further supports my thinking that regrets aren’t all bad. If they helped get me to this quiet, peaceful point of existence, then I’ll take every last one of them. 

Cheers!

Quick Easter Basket Ideas

Need a quick Easter idea. I have two Target finds I just couldn't resist sharing.

1. Target has washi tape (Japanese masking tape)!

And it's only $4 for a set of four. That's $1 per roll! Fantastic. You can find it in the stationery section of the store.
A great big thanks goes out to my CKC students for sharing this tidbit with my while in Louisville last weekend.

2. Target has SMASH books and they're on sale this week!

After teaching rooms full of people all about SMASH Books by K&Company in our CKC No Rules Scrapbooking class (so fun!), I couldn't resist getting my own. This one was only $12, and I've already smashed a few tidbits inside.

I think either of these happy, creative items would make excellent Easter gifts. Or, simply treat yourself to a little something fun. :)

Cheers!

The Homestretch, AKA the Third Trimester

Cory and I went to the doc early this AM for an ultrasound. Being high risk, we were there to check on the babe's growth. Great news! She's right on track at a whoppin' 2 lbs. 12 oz.

I know these pics will mean next to nothing to you--sonograms aren't much to look at--but we LOVE them, so I just had to share.

Look at this adorable little foot. Actually, this is a shot of both of her feet. They're crossed and looking cute!

Here's a shot of her pretty face. Sure, it looks a little Skeletor-ish with her bones showing, but it's perfection to me. :)

And, while this shot isn't much to see, it's absolutely my favorite. You see, it's her healthy heartbeat. That's what those lines are across the bottom. 145 beats per minute, which is just where she should be. There's nothing more calming in the world than hearing that sound. In fact, I always catch myself holding my breath at these appointments until that music fills my ears.

This is week 28, which means I'm officially in the third trimester. I can't believe we've come this far. I still have SO much to do. Here's just a glimpse at what's left on our to-do list:

* Sign up for birthing classes--still deciding between the hypnobirthing and traditional classes
* Everything for the nursery--well, we have a crib, but that's it. I don't even know what colors I'm doing. Yipe!
* Register
* Wash and hang all of the sweet little outfits I have.
* Replace all of our puppy-stained carpet with a more sanitary option.

Yowza! I hope our little squirt stays put for the full three months remaining. There's much to do before she gets here. In the meantime, I sure enjoy seeing her on the ultrasound screen. What a wild and wonderful experience that is!

Cheers!