All the projects for my first book deadline are on the way to F&W Publications. And gosh does it feel good to have them out of the house. I will tweak and tweak and tweak until I make myself nuts! This Saturday, I will be teaching at The Crafty Scrapper. I cannot wait to shop either. Carolyn has her store packed. I have to make at least two trips around the store before I can focus enough to think about purchasing items. I tell ya if you have never been to her store because you worry about the drive. Let me just tell you it is so worth every mile.

Since my sister and her family are still having to stay with us due to hurricane Ike. Madelyn and I had a little photo shot yesterday. I got this one photo that I really love and just in the nick of time I might add. As soon as I took this one a mosquito bit her on the little toe and she was done. In the house she went. But she did politely say, I could take some more tomorrow.

I thought I would share a little sneak peek to a class I am teaching Jan. 15th - 18th at Split Rock Retreat for Scrappin’ Away Vacations. This Maya Road Townhouse and Mini Album kit is loaded with lots of Maya Road product, vintage items and gorgeous Webster’s Pages.

While there I’m also teaching a Triangle Banner, 6″ Circle and 4″ Binder class. So if you are near the area and want to come and play I would love to meet you and teach you some neat techniques. Registration opens today and Rollie is taking the first 175 people. So sign up now if you want to attend. You do not want to miss out on all the weekends events.

Gosh, I so stink at this blogging. I am trying but right now I have too many pots boiling over at once. I was doing great until hurrican Gustav decided to give the gulf coast a little visit. Labor day weekend I had my mom, dad and their bird, sister, BIL their 4 kids & dog, my MIL, FIL and their dog staying at our house. So throw in our family and our 3 dogs it was a bit tight. It was quite a visit. Mind you we live in a one story, 4 bedroom 2 bath house and one bedroom is DH’s office and one bedroom is my scraproom. So we had air beds all over and coolers lined up in the kitchen. It was crazy. Everyone left Tuesday and now are watching hurricane Ike. So Tuesday I washed and cleaned and Wednesday I was dragging and did absolutely nothing.

So this brings me to Thursday and Friday… well I am happy to say I will be teaching classes at one of Rollie Stillings events “Scrappin Away Vacations“  January 15-19. This will be her 5th anniversary and man does she have some fun things planned… make-n-takes, art auction for a charity, raffles and so much more. The event opens for registration Sept. 15th. She is only taking the first 175 reservations and then it is sold out. Rollie will post the classes Oct. 1st, which brings me back to Thursday and Friday… I have been working on creating a super cute class project for this event.

And how ironic… I got this award from Wendy Vecchi last week and then a few days ago from Celeste Smith. I guess they like my blog even though I am a bad blogger.

So here are the rules:

1. The winner puts the logo on their blog.
2. Then link the person you received the “I Love Your Blog” award from.
3. Nominate at 6 other blogs.
4. Then put links to those blogs on your blog.
5. Then leave a message on the blogs of the people you nominated.

So here are my nominations in no particular order.

Santa Claus: Because I still believe.

Sande Krieger: I love her style, she makes me want to try digi so badly and her photography is out of this world.

Linda Albrecht: Her attention to detail is incredible and her altered projects are too cute for words.

My Crafty Life: Neat tutorials and templates

Jenny at Everyday is a Holiday: Love her paintings and seeing all her vintage finds.

Caroline Lau: Always discovers some neat technique for sheers or chipboard.

Now I am off to finish up my class project and work on some tutorials for next week. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

Sept. 20th? The Crafty Scrapper in Waxahachie, Texas!!! I will be teaching a mini workshop. Three mini album classes and 2 layout classes. I am so excited to be going back. This store is incredible and it will be great seeing everyone again.

I got to see Carolyn, Sherri and Heidi at GASC in Arlington in June. They had one hopping booth and were running around like crazy. That booth was filled with loads of Maya Road products and lots of other great scrapbooking supplies. If you have never been to The Crafty Scrapper you need to check it out. It is so worth the drive.

Taking a solo flight.

I have been watching momma and daddy bird care for their two babies over the past month. Let me just say… birdie parents are BUSY… I had no idea how much work it was to care for baby birds. This bird house (which by the way was made by my dad and is my favorite) is hung just outside my kitchen window so all day long I get to sneak some peeks of them in action. I’m sad knowing the babies are gone but something tells me I will be busy enough these next several months that bird watching will be slim to none.

I have decided to go ahead and teach the free “Our Home” layout class and have set up a private Ning forum. If you want to participate please either email me or post a comment here and I will send you an invite. I am trying to work out the kinks before NSD so please all I ask is that you be patient and understanding. I am a techniques girl not a techy girl. I think it will be a fun couple of hours so come join me. I just might even have a few surprises up my sleeve too.