{happy leap day}

Okay so first thing, I got tagged by my friend Sarah a couple of days ago and I am just now getting to it. Busy, Busy, Busy.
Second this won't be long because I am starving!!! Plus, I won't have anything interesting to talk about until tomorrow (hopefully). Oh and I'll have another candy review for you...and before you ask, NO I do not just sit around and eat candy all day.

Now for the tag..
The Rules:You must list one fact about yourself for each letter of your middle name. Each fact must begin with that letter. If you don't have a middle name, just use your maiden name. After you've been tagged, you need to up-date your blog with your middle name and answers. At the end of your post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name.
Here's my middle name:Marie
M- mom. This is one of the greatest things about me. I was once known for saying I didn't want children. Then we were blessed with a child (which we lost) and it opened my eyes to see that I indeed wanted to be a mom more than anything else. So I am very happy to be a mom and hopefully I will be the best mom ever!
A - artist. I'm not sure I should call myself an artist but it's the only way I can get scrapbooking as one of my facts. I am an artist because I scrapbook it's my way of creating...
R - retired runner. I used to run track (it's how I met my husband) but I don't want anyone to think I still run... cuz I don't. That's why I said retired!
I - individual. I've never been one to follow. I like to go against the norm/grain. Sometimes it upsets people, but I have to be me.
E - emotional. I am an emotional person. I cry at everything, but I think it's just one of those great traits that continues to make me an individual.

So that took me like an hour to finish.... and I can't even tag 5 people, but I will find some people to tag. You know who you are: Jemma and Amy.
Until tomorrow...

{reeses pieces}

Okay anyone who knows me knows that I love anything Reese's... I like Reese's Pieces, Reese's peanut butter cups, Reese's peanut butter, Reese's Puffs cereal and last but certainly not least Reese Whiterspoon. So I'm sure with all that said you can all guess what my daughters middle name is... you guessed it Reese. :o)

Anywho imagine my surprise today when I went to the store and found these!!!! If you get a chance (and of course if you like peanut butter) you have got to try them, they are pretty good.

I also wanted to share a couple of layouts I did for the cybercrop over at Scrappy Girl Designs. We really had a blast this weekend with the crop and we are going to be online cropping again this Friday if you want to come join in. The first challenge was to use 5 each of flowers, buttons and arrows on a layout. Also your title could only be five letters. The second challenge was to use only cardstock on a layout (no pattern paper) and also to use three different ribbons and two circles....

There were actually 10 challenges at the cybercrop and I will post the rest of my pages once they are done.

{what about prom Blaine?}

I love that line from Pretty in Pink... what about prom? Where did that come from? Well, I have been watching Lipstick Jungle... and I must admit it's pretty good. I'm not going to say watch it because it's already on the 4th episode and if you are like me you don't want to start a new show when you don't know what's going on. BUT - if you can catch all three episodes on Oxygen then you can catch up!!!
I'm supposed to be scrapping right now for the SGD Cybercrop but I think I lost my mojo! I feel like I'm just moving the pictures around the page, nothing seems to look good to me. I'm trying to listen to some music to get me going. We have recieved some really awesome challenges, but I'm still having trouble.
Anyway.. I wanted to at least post something today since I have pretty much been MIA all week. Hopefully tomorrow I will actually have some pictures to post as well.

{missing in action}

Okay I realize that I have been missing for about a week now... but I'm sure that all you bloggers know what it's like to "want" to update but you just don't get around to it.
So I got kicked off Survivor... which made me a little sad, but I'm okay with it. I got the chance to make a couple of layouts and an altered project so I'm happy. I am currently hanging out at the Moments-2-remember site and at Scrappy Girl Designs site. You should come hang out at either one... the ladies are so friendly and the challenges are awesome. BTW - SGD is having a "You know you're a Scrapbooker if... cybercrop this weekend. If you get a chance to drop in and join the fun... let them know I sent you.
As for my scrapping... I have another quick card I put together last nite and a layout for a challenge over at SGD...



One more thing,for anyone that is looking for a kit club or that is a fan of Kelly P. check out Scrapcakes. Kelly P is the guest designer for February and she did some awesome stuff with the kit....and if you are interested in the kits - Anita is the most friendly person ever and will definitely take care of you, so go check them out...

{saturday nite live}

Don't ask why I picked that as my title because I don't know.... it's Saturday night and I'm coming to you live?
I have been so bad this week as far as my blog is concerned. I have been busy working on my projects for the Survivor challenge over at MMFY, believe it or not I've made it through the first two rounds so far.. keep your fingers crossed for me.

On a scrappy note: I have been working on a few challenges for some sites and a couple of things for a DT call. I am so far behind on my challenges though (I plan to get some more stuff done tomorrow). Here is a card that I worked on this evening it is for a card challenge over at Moments to Remember. I was going to post another card but I received an email saying it will be published in the March issue of Magazine of Memories (Ezine), so I'm replacing it with a little note.

{another monday}

Okay, I don't want people to think I have completely stopped scrapping. I'm back from Florida and ready to go. I have actually been working on quite a few things. I'm participating in the Survivor Challenge over at Making Memories for You site but I can't post any of the things I make until my flame in extinguished. (I hope it's not soon.)
On a seperate note, I did come across another challenge blog if anyone wants to check it out here. Also if you have time stop by Amy's blog and try her Ricetta (Italian for recipe - she didn't want to use the word sketch. :o) ) I plan on working on it tomorrow night. I do have a couple of pages to post: the first is one I did for a DT call (didn't make it) and the other was for a challenge over at The Scrapping Spot (use a list on your layout).

While I'm thinking about it... I made a faux photography studio with some white cardstock and my desk lamp and noticed that it makes your layouts look so much better. Can you tell the difference between the two layouts? If you don't want to buy one and are crafty enough to make your own you can find the instructions here. TFL.

{trying to catch up}

Although I realize that I don't have 20-30 people stopping by my blog everyday I feel so bad for not updating it in like 5 days. I had every intention of posting on Monday night since I got tagged by my friend Jemma, but between trying to pack for myself and Caitlyn.... there just wasn't time - sorry Jemma.

So after two days of house hunting here in sunny Florida I have time to complete this super long tag and also post a couple of pictures from the trip so far. And in case you are wondering... we haven't found a house yet, but we still have 4 more days here.

The first picture is of me and Caitlyn and the second is the two of us by this freakiously large pelican... can you tell I am totally scared?



Now for Jemma's tag... here goes.

Where were you born? Germany
Middle name: Marie
How old will you be this year? 32 (where in the heck did the time go?)
Nicknames: nikki /Coach/Nicoli Volkauf ( don't ask)
Are you taller than your mother or father? Not taller than either one
Do you cry often during movies? Yes, all the time!
What is your biggest pet peeve? People who chew with their mouth open!!!
Favorite colour: Right now Purple/Lilac
Favorite foods: Pizza, Pasta Salad
Favorite restaurants: Olive Garden, Red Brick Pizza
Favorite beverage: Vanilla coke from Sonic
Favorite cold cereal: Reese's Puffs
Favorite smells: Hubby - Burberry Touch for men, Lavender/Vanilla
Favorite time of day: late at night when it's quiet
What brand of shampoo/conditioner do you use? Pantene
Favorite make-up products? Don't wear makeup
How many pillows do you sleep with? 1 standard size pillow
Do you play an instrument? nope
Have you ever been skinny dipping? Of course not!
Did you do any sports in High School? I ran track
What was the last movie you saw in the theater? I am Legend.
What is your favorite article of clothing? my pajamas
What is your dream vacation? Trip to Venice
What was your first impression of your spouse? Couldn't stand him...
If you were an animal what would you be? A Yorkie - they are so cute
What is your favorite "me- time" activity? Scrapping, but sleeping takes a close 2nd.
Favorite TV shows: Notes from the Underbelly, Law & Order (CI & SVU) and The Office
What is your dream car? a silver Range Rover
What is one of your weaknesses? I have trouble telling people no.
What do you fix for dinner when there's nothing to fix? Trick question... nothing, I go out!!!
If you could live in a different decade/era which one would it be? 80's - best music
What is the emotion you feel the most? Is sleepy an emotion? Happy I guess.
Do you consider yourself outgoing? Yes … and no!
What is something you are constantly working on? Organizing/decorating
Any hidden talents? If I do I haven't found it yet!
What is a word or phrase you overuse? Stop playing/awesome/Gangsta
What was the hardest thing that happened to you this past year? Lost a baby girl.
What is the best thing that happened to you this past year? Had a baby girl!!!
What is one thing you hope to accomplish this year? Find an "awesome" new job
The best piece of advice you learned this past year? God will never give you more than you can handle....

Wow that took a long time... sorry for just now getting it done Jemma girl!!!

{i scrapped...finally}

Okay it was my goal to get at least one page done this evening and I did just that. First, the card is for the Queen Kat Challenge and is based on a sketch. Am I the only one loving chocolate brown and blue? The layout is of my husband and daughter the day after she was born and I did this page for the Double Dog Dare Ya blog....I'm three weeks behind but I'm trying. The challenge was to use a post it, a staple and a paper clip on your layout. I'm off to do the next challenge after I post these....


Oh and one more thing... I got one of my layouts published in the Making Memories for You EZine... I am so excited. You can check it out here, it's the "Daddy's Girl" layout.