Made My Day

Yesterday I was still feeling really sick but better than the weekend. I was online checking email & popping in on some of my favorite sites... I am now Fiskateer number 6135 (Thanks Debby & Sudie for encouraging me to join - it's not a click & you're in site but very worth joining)

I saw MY name on the 2peas pub board! Noell (from Paperclipping) is just too sweet she tooted me in this post. Apparently one of you clicked on the sidebar link & purchased a premium membership. Well I was their first member who earned a commission (they started that reward about a week or so ago). So whoever you are thank you so much. I promoted Noell before the commission because I have gotten so much out of watching the videos & the community/live show has blessed me with some wonderful creative friendships. So I just wanted to share the sweet words Noell wrote about me...

Hey, ladies, I gotta toot for my girl, CraftySuz because she's done so much over at Paperclipping.com recently. Here's the list of her recent toot-worthy successes: She was the first to make a commission from Paperclipping's new affiliate program, which we just started! Woo-hoo, that was fast! She won the monthly Paperclipping Challenge for the second time. She was asked to be one of our two coordinators/judges of our monthly challenges (and she accepted). Thanks for letting me toot for Susan--she's every community's dream because she's always active and involved and welcomes others. Plus, she's a very talented scrapbooker. Congrats, Suz!

I hope you saw my post over the weekend & checked out the blogs I nominated for the award Kim gave me last week. They are all really awesome. I've been such a good blogger lately making so many posts I didn't want it to get lost in the masses... me making too many posts ha - too funny.

I go back to the doctor later today for more tests. Hopefully the stone is out so I can get this behind me. Everyone in the ER was very nice & took great care of me but I sure don't want to go back again any time soon. I guess having nothing weird in the refrigerator or dishwasher is a good sign. (If you didn't read that post check it out here - I'm still shaking my head lol)

The weather here is nice. Later this week we will be sunny & in the high 70's! I know some of you are still having snow & cold weather waiting for spring to come for good. What's the weather like where you are?

I'm going to add all those who commented in the last couple days to my basket (I am having my hubby double check to make sure I have EVERY ONE of you) for another drawing tonight for some of my favorite Sizzix dies (if you win & don't have a die cutting machine let me know & I can sub a stamp set that's not worth as much but you at least it will be something you can use). Reading back what I wrote it sounds like the dies are used because they're my favorites but they aren't I bought extras of ones I like so they are NEW lol.

I really appreciate each one of you who has taken an interest in my blog & sent me such sweet comments. You really encourage me & I enjoy visiting your blogs too for inspiration.

Hope you have a wonderful day. I'll have photos tomorrow I promise. I owe you photos of RAK prizes & I have a couple new layouts to show off. Thanks for putting up with the spazzy sicko lately.

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post If you haven't already done it sign up as a follower for more entries.

Great Music

I wanted to share this with you all....

I was logging onto ustream.tv to watch last weeks recorded paperclipping live since I missed it.

Featured on the front page was this woman singing & playing guitar. It was wonderful. So I went to the room & enjoyed the show for almost 1-1/2 hours. Singing & chatting. Who is this singer.... Candice Jarrett. Check out her ustream page or website. If you like folky kind of easy listening trust me you're in for a treat.

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post If you haven't already done it sign up as a follower for more entries. I'll be drawing tomorrow for some Sizzix dies.

ER Visit

Saturday I was feeling really bad by the end of the day. The headache that comes with this kidney infection is horrible. Worse than a migraine even.

My hubby had been out with Brandon working on fixing Andrew's Mustang that was hit in the college parking lot while he was in class - no note no nothing he just came out to a wrecked car one evening. It's nice having a mechanic/auto body worker in the family.

When they got home I was in a lot of pain & running a fever. Charley said he would make dinner & found the bin of dry cat food in the refrigerator instead of the pantry and the trash in the dishwasher not the trash bin! He thought I was losing my mind. When kidney function is down it seems people can get confused... well I'd say so. Good thing I didn't try to do laundry or cook. No telling what I would have put in the microwave or oven. I don't remember doing any of that.

Well I spent a lot of the day Sunday in the ER. I hate hospitals so my hubby knows I'm really sick to even consider going. The infection AND stone are pretty bad. I got IV antibiotics & more medicine. So that's what has been going on with me. Still hurting but not putting anything in weird places... at least I don't think I am. Just crazy.

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post If you haven't already done it sign up as a follower for more entries.

I still haven't heard from Kimmie.... contact me with your snail mail address for you prize.

I don't know what's worse

The infection of the cruddy way the medicine is making me feel....

I'm giving myself a break today & taking it easy. I hate to lay around since I feel like I'm just wasting time... but sometimes I guess you have to listen to your body. With all the "stuff" that's been happening the last month it seems like one thing after another.... it's just crazy.

I can't believe I'm going to a crop on NSD since there is so much going on in the cyber world that day... but this is the big crop I did last year in Conyers & I'm going with a new friend (her b'day is that weekend). We're going to have a blast! It'll also help get me a start on my LOAD challenges for Lain Ehmann's blog in May. There are great prizes so maybe you want to participate too.

I had a saved post I was working on for a couple days & instead of posting like the most recent it goes back to the day that I started it. I was tagged & shared some of my favorite blogs. If you're looking for inspiration check out my post below.

My final enabling post is about Paperclipping. I just watched another video from Noell. They get better and better each week. I'm a premium member so I get to see them all. I get emails all the time about new online classes & for the price you sure can't beat the ones at Paperclipping. When you become a premium member you get instant access to all the archived tutorials. I download them on my ipod & watch them when I'm in doctor waiting rooms to pass the time. Click the link on my right sidebar for more info.

Well that's about all I have in me for the day.... hope you have a wonderful weekend & take some time to be creative.

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post If you haven't already done it sign up as a follower for more entries.

Back from the doctor

"Just" a kidney infection... hopefully it will go away quickly with medicines & not cause too much trouble.

Here's a picture of the tree that was my enemy this week & caused so much trouble. It wasn't that big but I guess it doesn't take much if it falls in the right place.

With no internet time I've been working on some layouts.

Here's one I did for the Flashback Friday group over on 2peas. We usually try to keep the photos to our childhoods or heritage photos but I stretched the topic (A Moment In Time You Would Freeze) to include my boys (who are 21 & 22 so I guess that is sort of heritage lol). I have so few baby photos and early childhood left since they were all damaged with our water leak. Thankfully I salvaged some & of course the ones I gave my parents/ones they took I still have but you know how sometimes you just love a photo for no particular reason.... these were those photos for me.

I had fun using the new Bella Bella line from My Mind's Eye. It was a challenge to take the girly-ness out of it for a boy layout. The background paper is Core'dinations cardstock & I dry embossed it with those old Fiskars plates I got on clearance a while ago for $2 then sanded lightly. I was inspired by Denise's Texture Challenge on the Everything Scrapp'n Blog. Remember you have until April 30th to post your creations for entries to win the $90 MME prize package

I had to show off this layout by Kelly that she submitted for my BINGO challenge. I love the paint, photo & everything about it.

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post If you haven't already done it sign up as a follower for more entries.

Tag I'm It

Kim surprised me with this yesterday. She's a very talented scrapbooker I met thru Paperclipping. Her children are just gorgeous & so are her layouts.

1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.
3. Nominate 10 blogs.
4. Put links to their 10 blogs.
5. Leave a comment for the nominees.

So I get to pass this on to: (No particular order)

1. Heather Turner

2. Cristi Snow

3. Michelle Impatient Scrapper

4. Patti Hamil

5. Lesley - Hungry Heffy Crafts

6. Sandy - Scrappy Habits

7. Camilla Cottage (beautiful cards)

8. Cathy The Stylish House

9. Debby's Dare

10. Janaina Oliveria

Ones I would have chosen but were just tagged

Crystal Brothers

Dedra Long

Stacey Michaud

Some other blogs I love but didn't think they would carry on the award post

Patter Cross

Stephanie Howell

Samantha The Everyday Scrapper

Noell Hyman Paperclipping

Jennifer McGuire

Nichol Magourirk

Katie Watson

Lain Ehmann

I'm Back in the 21st Century

It's so nice to have TV, Phone & Now INTERNET back. It was interesting to be without it and see just how many times during the day I go to check email, sneak in a few moments in my favorite forums & just connect with people.

I have an early doctor appointment today so this will be a short post. The new card reader should be here later today & Andrew will install it tonight so I'll be back to posting photos too.

I wanted to share the blog with an awesome talented woman with you... she's on my sidebar but wanted to make sure to point it out (because my sidebars get a bit cluttered with all the blogs I like/follow.... Head on over to Dedra Long's blog to see her amazing layouts & home dec items. Dedra designs projects that are showcased in the scrapbook.com videos. It was incredible what she came up with for Easter. I just love the layout she posted of her 2 girls. Dedra puts so many eclectic details into her designs & her photos are just amazing. She is also one of the nicest people around.

Today is Unity Stamp Blog Hop so if you have some time check out the blogs/forum for lots of inspiration & prizes.

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post If you haven't already done it sign up as a follower for more entries.

Still No Internet

At least I have Andrew's iphone for a minute.....

The tree nicked the cable line so they will be restringing it in the next day or so. I feel disconnected from the world without it.

I finished a couple layouts to play along with the challenges on the Everything Scrapp'n Blog (even though I can't win the prize I couldn't resist creating with the great challenges the designers are posting over there. I hope you are joining in too because you DO get a chance to win the huge MME prize for every layout you create.

We have another winner.....

Tracy you win a package of new Prima Birds

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post.

I'm was in the dark

Yesterday with all the crazy wind we had there was a tree that hit a line nearby. We lost power for most of the day. I'm using my sons iphone (those things are just amazing) since the Internet, tv & phone still aren't up....

It was so dreary & dark I couldn't even enjoy a day of scrapbooking without distractions. So I brought out my battery operated book light & read a book & listened to music on the ipod until the battery ran out. A quiet day. I was pushing cereal/milk for dinner to use it up. Thankfully we didn't have too much in the freezer that would spoil. I guess we'll have steak on the grill tonight & tomorrow to use them up since they defrosted. I'm just so thankful that the house or cars didn't get hit by a tree like so many around Atlanta were dealing with.

Well hope you all have a great day.

Winner drawn yesterday was KIMMY - I have some of the new Prima flowers for you. Send me your snail mail address sgray110 at gmail dot com

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post.

Rainy Monday

Rainy days here in Georgia are such a blessing since we have been dealing with a drought for so many years. Boy have we been getting "blessed" a lot lately. It rains hard several times a week now but every time I'm tempted to complain.... I think about our need for filling up Lake Lanier. Friday we had some wild storms & an evening filled with tornado warnings/watches. Today is just rain but the winds are really kicking up & I keep hearing limbs falling out of all the old trees we have in the neighborhood. Hope they keep falling in the yard & not on the house or cars.

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter holiday.

I had my son Andrew look at why I couldn't get the photos to load using the memory stick... it seems the stick is fine but the reader slot isn't working... so he is going to put another one in the computer (it's so nice to have a techie in the house - it has me spoiled) Hubby has the cord to transfer pictures in his desk at work... a lot of help it is doing me there. So that's why I'm not posting any photos/layouts. I've got to learn how to scan a 12x12 I just can't seem to stitch them together where they look right so if I need to scan I always make a 8-1/2x11 layout to get around my shortcomings.

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post. I'll be drawing a name tonight.

Everything Scrapp'n Scrapbook Bingo Challenge

It's my day over on the Everything Scrapp'n Blog so head over there to see this challenge & post a link to your creation for a chance to win the enormous MME prize package.

My Mind's Eye has been a long time favorite of mine. They have such beautiful papers with lots of textures & depth to the patterns. They really out did themselves this season with the release of Penny Lane, Bella Bella & Bloom Grow.

I love playing Bingo so I thought it would be fun to merge my challenge with Bingo. Just pick a row: horizontal, vertical or diagonal & create your layout including all those supplies/techniques.

Make sure you use some new MME papers/embellishments for your layout & link your creation back to the comments section of my post ON THE EVERYTHING SCRAPP'N BLOG before midnight eastern time April 30, 2009 for a chance to win that super My Mind's Eye prize valued at $90!



I have 2 sons - so sometimes I feel limited when using all the pretty new papers that hit the market. Usually I can pick a stripe & a polka dot out of any line (as long as it's not pink) & make it work. I love the dark browns in Penny Lane - it really makes the colors pop. The perfect background in my book is a piece of Bazzill kraft cardstock.


In my example I used photos of my younger son Brandon marching in the Atlanta Braves Stadium before a game with his t-ball team. He was so honored to be allowed on the field where his heroes played. He loved sharing his big day with his grandpa & they both had fun watching the game.

Products Used:
My Mind's Eye Grow Accessory Sheet
My Mind'e Eye Grow Just Stripe Paper
My Mind's Eye My Friend Paper
My Mind's Eye Peace Large Accessories
My Mind's Eye Chasse' Notebook Doodles Paper
Bazzill Kraft Cardstock 12 x 12
Buttons - misc. from my stash
Thread - Coats & Clarks
Letters - American Crafts Thickers

I can't wait to see what you come up with!





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SALE SALE SALE SALE

Everything Scrapp'n is having a special Easter sale.
30% off your entire order (coupon EASTER)
The new Fancy Pants Designs products have arrived.





Including the hot Bracket Mixed Media Album (It combines all of our favorite medias in one book. 3 Chipboard pages, 1 Transparency, 2 Printed Transparency & 2 Felt pages all in one book) , Journaling Books & their beautiful trims by the yard



Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post.


Hope you have a wonderful meaningful holiday

Are You Ready for Easter?

This week seems to have dragged on. So much to do & so little time with Easter coming.


I HAD to clean my house Thursday but did sneak a little time in at the Unity Blog Hop & Splitcoast Chat.


I also spent a little time in the garden.... things are just starting to bloom. My camera memory stick seems to have messed up - I can see the photos on there but can't get them onto the computer? Have to ask my tech wizard a.k.a. my older son Andrew

We'll be going to church on Sunday morning & having dinner at my parents house on Sunday. With the boys grown we keep it pretty low key but they do still know they'll get a little basket from me... you're never too old for candy... I always have to color some eggs even if I do it by myself


What are your plans for Easter? I hope you & your family have a blessed day!

My Challenge will post on Saturday over at the Everything Scrapp'n Blog. I hope y'all will make me look good by creating a layout..... {please} as with all the challenges you have until the end of the month to post a link/photo of your creation.

This week on sale at Everything Scapp'n - Daisy Bucket (cute new rub ons) 15% off.


Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post.

Thursday Fun

I had a busy Wednesday but had a chance sneaking into my favorite LSS after a doctor appointment. It's always so much fun hanging out with other scrapbookers & Susan is one of my favorities. Lots of fun new products & inspiration from her designers/teachers... if you're ever in Atlanta you must visit EMI Scrapbooking.

It's such a beautiful day outside & the garden is calling me... flowers to photograph, weeds to pull, limbs to trim, pond needs tending & even a tree that didn't get planted screaming for me to find it a REAL home somewhere in the yard - it's tired of that old pot... There's always work to do but being out in nature really rejuvinates me. The down side is that here in Atlanta EVERYTHING is covered in green powder - pollen count is already in the extreme range... oh well I guess that's the price we pay for such beautiful green spaces.

Make sure you check out Michelle's challenge over at the Everything Scrapp'n Blog! She shows off a great layout & a photo of her with Ali Edwards!!! Remember you have until April 30th to finish the challenges & link a photo on the store blog for entry into the huge My Mind's Eye Prize. So Get Scrapping.

While out yesterday got some more prizes for my month long giveaway too... Prima Flowers, Stickles, Sizzix Dies, & more so make sure you enter to win by leaving a comment & if you haven't already done so sign up as a follower since that gives you an automatic 5 entries for the month. I'll draw names from all the entries on random days thru the month with one starting this week so keep checking back & enter every day to see if you're a winner!

I sure enjoy reading all of your comments & thanks so much for making my blog a stop during your day.

Don't forget the Unity Stamp Blog Hop today. It's always a fun filled day of giveaways. I've won great prizes 2 weeks in a row. Angela at Unity is so generous & gives away tons of stamps all day long so HOP on over today for your chance to win some too on the Splitcoast Stampers forum.

Challenges Everywhere....

The monthly challenge for April is up over at the Paperclipping forum . Head on over there to see the topic for the month.

Everything Scrapp'n Blog has another new challenge up this time it's from the talented Jana. Remember these challenges go toward entries into the huge My Mind's Eye prize for the month. Don't miss your chance to win this prize.

Scrapperie has their month long card making challenge

I'm posting this Tuesday night because I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow & will be in a rush.... I may even stop by my LSS if I get a chance it's been forever since I've been up to EMI to see Susan the owner - she's such a doll & so fun.... I think I may have some paper up there I asked her to put back for me. I love that Making Memories green small floral paper that was in the Paperie Line.

Speaking of Making Memories.... I wrote them an email since I'm having withdrawal because my favorite papers have been discontinued & I can't find a source for any more. Which ones... if you look at my layouts I'm sure you know my love affair with the cream colored lined noteworthy papers. The scallop blue edged one & the teal edged noteworthy shaped one were my go to papers... now I'm down to 1 sheet of each & dying to use it but being a hoarder.... I told them in the email that these are a good basic & they should keep them as a staple of the noteworthy line... who knows if one lonely email will make a difference but I'm hoping they bring them back because they are so me.

I thought I would share one of my Flashback Friday layouts with you. (for those of you who don't know about the group it's over on the 2peas pub board & we do a weekly heritage challenge) this weeks topic was something you did as a child (I think--- it's late & I've been a bit bird brained all day today) Feel free to join us if you're looking for a great heritage group.

I have always been crafty & loved to create. I wasn't the best at drawing so I got this purse/jewelry making kit for Christmas when I was 7 years old. I credit that kit with the beginning of "craftysuz". That's what my family always called me because I was always getting into another new craft. It's really been a way of life for me. Yes some of the stuff over the years when I was in my country phase in the late '80's was a wee bit tacky.... but all in all it's fun & I love it - that's what counts

I think I've tried everything but the ones that still stick with me are:

--scrapbooking (of course)

--knitting (I taught myself how to do that in the last couple years while watching Knitty Gritty on HGTV on Demand - I just kept hitting pause & rewind until I got it. Perfect to keep me occupied while I was recovering after surgery)

--quilting (I started in 1980 & made 100% hand stitched quilts - now I do it on the machine. With the rheumatoid arthritis in my hands I can't get those pretty little stitches anymore)

--jewelry making (I love making earrings & have started making necklaces that are a natural magnetic stone mixed with turquoise - they really help my neck muscles & spasms & I was a doubter but they work for me... anything not to take more medicines. I've been thinking about putting them on Etsy this photo shows the necklace... what do you think?)

Sorry got a little long winded there....

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post.

Have a great Wednesday & take some creative time for yourself.

Scrapperie April Challenges

Scrapperie is having another fun month of challenges.

You know they always come up with some catchy name....

this time it's Snail Mail Soiree

There will be games, challenges & you know Sandi will always have some prizes....

Join in the fun. Use up some of your stash & get those photos scrapped.

Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry into my month long RAK contest for more details see this post.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!