Art Bar

These are the projects on tap at the K2 Art Bar this month. What is an Art Bar you ask??? If you are not familiar with K2 Scrapbook Studio, it is my local scrapbook store. Each week we have a fun project at our Art Bar they are priced from 5.00 to 12.50 dollars. The projects range from layouts to cards, to cute gifts, mini albums....the possibilities are endless. Have fun.
dream.design.create.
nikki

Tag, I'm it!

{thanks Kim}
Ok, here goes...

* Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
* Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
* Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


1. I am such a neat freak...one of my biggest pet peeves is to leave dishes or food in the sink...I LOVE a clean kitchen...{God help me that I have 3 boys in the house!}
2. I love great fashion...I just wish I was more stylish-LOL
3. I think it is gross when someone has dirt under their toenails...eecchhh
4. I eat salads almost everyday for lunch.
5. I love rollercoasters...I would ride them over and over if I could...the scarier the better.
6. I am deathly afraid of spiders
7. I failed my drivers test the first time I took it...the 3-point turn did me in :)


I tag... Jenn, Paula, Tammy... 3 is all I am tagging, hope that is OK!!

A beautiful story

I received this story via e-mail today and thought I would share. Enjoy.

Being a Mother.......
After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, "I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would Love to spend some time with you." The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my Mother, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. "What's wrong, are you well," she asked? My Mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. "I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you," I responded "just the two of us. She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I would like that very much."
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniver sary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. "I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our meeting."
We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My Mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mother sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. "It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small, she said. "Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," I responded. During the d inner, we had an agreeable conversation nothing Extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you." I agreed.
"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home. "Very nice, Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered. A few days later, my Mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place Mother and I had dined. An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son."
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: "I love YOU" and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till "some other time."

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to norm al after you've had a baby.... somebody doesn't know that once you're a Mother, "normal" is history. Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first....somebody doesn't have two or more child ren. Somebody said the hardest part of being a Mother is laborand delivery...somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten...or on a plane headed for military "boot camp." Somebody said a Mother can stop worrying after her child gets married...somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a Mother's heartstrings. Somebody said a Mother's job is done when her last child leaves home....somebody never had grandchildren. Somebody said your Mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her....somebody isn't a Mother.
This isn't just about being a Mother; it's about appreciating the people in your lives while you have them....no matter who that person is.

Watch your Thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions Watch your actions, they become habits . Watch your Habits, they become character. Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle".

nikki

Dinosaur World here we come...

A couple of weekends ago we wanted to take the boys to do something fun. We didn't want to drive very far... and just like everyone who has ever driven I-4 in Plant City we had seen the dinosaurs peeking out at us from the trees!...so we decided to give it a try. It was totally worth it! We all had so much fun. We let Riley lead us around the park (twice). The park has over 150 dinosaurs (that someone did a really nice job recreating), you get to "dig" for fossils, they also have a huge sandpit where kids can dig and look for a dinosaur skeleton...very cool. We totally recommend it to anyone whos kids like dinosaurs. We are definately going back!
nikki

First Oreo cookie...

(even though this picture is overexposed...I love how his eyes just pop out at you!)



I gave Brody his first Oreo cookie the other night after dinner and boy did he have a hay day! He was squeeling with enjoyment and then as soon as he finished the thumb went right into his mouth! Love it. These are the everyday moments that I love about being a mommy.

xoxo

nikki

Computer Techy!!

Well, my computer completely bit the dust and here is the repair saga...if you care to take this incredibly fun journey with me :-)
(above is my new HD...)
(above are all my re installation and software CD's...)
(above is my laptop in "mid hard drive surgery" :).... I googled "how to install a new hard drive on a laptop"...and of course a how to video came up! I watched it and installed it myself!)
(above is a picture of my old hard drive and my new one!)
If you are still with me, thanks cause I know these were the most interesting photos you have seen in a while...LOL :) Thanks for letting me share my feeling of accomplishment of "fixing" my computer!
nikki

26.2...again!!!

I am glad to say that I am done. I completed 2 marathons in 3 weeks!!
Well, I can tell you one thing, running a marathon is such a mental game.
A couple of weeks ago when I ran the Gasparilla Marathon I pretty much had a runners high the entire race, I felt good, never hit "the wall", and never really had to talk myself through anything...and actually felt, "Wow this isn't so bad".
This Sarasota Marathon was entirely different. The first 13 miles were great. I had shaved 7 minutes off my goal time (which was 4:45:00, 1 minute faster than last race) and if I could have kept up that pace it would have been great, BUT at mile 16 or so I hit "the wall" and boy did that suck. I had to seriously convince myself to keep going. Right at that moment this guy behind me asked me if he could run with me for a while (he was dying and needed someone to pace him) and I said sure...which I think helped me keep going. He stayed with me for about 5 miles then he fell behind and I didn't see him again. I saw my Mom, Sean, Riley and Brody at mile 22 1/2 and that helped too. (They made a sign that said "Go Mommy" and they screamed and cheered for me as I went by, and Riley had his disposable camera just clicking away...but by that time I was so done, I just looked over and said please pray for me that I can finish this race! Needless to say...I ended up finishing at almost the exact time as last race 4:47:11 (about 30 seconds slower than my last race)
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers yesterday...I really needed every one!!
run on.
nikki

On a lighter note...

...here are some pictures of a 12x12 and a 4x4 canvas I was playing around with. I used MM paper, thickers, black and pink paint, a small clothespin, a vintage pin and lace, I hand doodled the flourishes, 7 gypsies rub ons, buttons, and these really cute conversation cards I picked up at Wal-mart! TFL. (You could substitute the card with a photo...that is why I used a clothespin instead of gluing it to the canvas.) TFL

dream.design.create.

nikki

How to Print your "My Favorites" list...

Would you like to print out a list of your favorite websites to share with others or to view when accessing the Internet from another machine? The following tips will print out a list of favorites, followed by a list of URLs.
1. From Internet Explorer, choose "File" - "Import and Export".
2. When the "Import/Export Wizard" dialog box appears, click the "Next" button.
3. Select "Export Favorites", then click "Next".
4. Make sure the "Favorites" folder is selected, then click "Next".
5. Select "Export to a File or Address". Underneath, enter "C:\favorites.htm". Click "Next"
6. Click "Finish" to close the dialog box, then "OK" to close the dialog that follows showing your favorites were exported.
7. In the Internet Explorer address bar, enter "C:\favorites.htm" and press ENTER.
8. Select "File" - "Print".
9. When the "Print" multi-tabbed dialog box appears, click the "Options" tab.
10. Check "Print table of links".
11. Select the "General" tab and select your desired printer. Change options as desired.
12. Press the "Print" button to print your list of favorites, followed by a list of links.

I found this info here
Enjoy, I know I did!!
nikki

Just when you think...

...you have your day all planned out, something comes in and puts a twist in all your plans. Today was supposed to be spent relaxing, taking the boys to the park, and doing my end of the month backups! Well, after trying to boot up my computer...do I even have to go into the rest...everyone that has had computer problems knows what I am talking about!!!!!!!!! My computer decided it was no longer going to work for me. After many attempts of "trying" to fix it myself...I called my techy guy Mike. As I am writing this (on my PC) my laptop is going through a process to hopefully help fix (for the meantime...he said that when things like this start happening on your hard drive you make have a couple of weeks to a couple of months before you have to get a new hard drive)my computer.
I am so disappointed since my laptop is not even 1 year and 4 months old. I asked him the cause and he said it really could be anything like a virus, spyware etc.... AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
I am really trying to not stress, but as you can imagine...everything is on that computer...my picts, my digi stuff, all my e-mail addresses, my life is on that computer!!
Needless to say I have no picture to post (since they are all on my other computer). So if you think of me, say a little prayer that this can be fixed...at least for now!!
xoxox
nikki

A few more LO's

Love Elsie paper, stickers and tabs etc...


Below Melissa Francis paper and rub-ons, 7 gypsies stickers, autumn leaves stamp, american crafts chipboard star.
TFL.

dream.design.create.
nikki

Cherish mini book

I stamped the journaling block on each page, so I can write down funny things that Riley and Brody say and do!!

Supplies:

-mat board for the cover/back and spine (I found directions on how to make this mini book here)

-digital kit Calico Vert found at DragonFlaire Studios (thanks Maggie for creating this beautiful kit!!)

-7 gypsies stickers

-autumn leaves journaling stamp

-cardstock for the inside pages

-needle and thread (to sew pages together)

TFL.

dream.design.create.

nikki

Show and Tell

Digi LO created from this kit Flames of Love found at DragonFlaire Studios.


I created this simple LO below using Daisy D's stickers and patterned paper and 7 gypsies rub ons!
I created this LO below for a challenge I have going at iSCRAP this month...it was to use a heart playing card on a LO!
Below is a digital LO created from kit A New Day found at Dragonflaire Studios. (I used my wacom tablet to draw the flowers on the background paper!)
dream.design.create.
nikki

Happy Birthday Kim!!!

Happy Birthday my friend. Hope you have a great day!

nikki

Everyday beauty

my valentine tulips from Sean...
nikki

Lilly the Lash

(Above, the cover and below, a few pages from inside the book)

My friend, Julie Woik wrote the most amazing childrens book called "The Life and Times of Lilly the Lash". An eyelash turned fairy who teaches children life lessons, good values and morals. The story is amazing and the illustrations in the book are like none I have ever seen...and we are huge book fans around our house. To learn more, please visit Julie's website Lilly the Lash to find out more about Julie, Lilly, what she offers (like lesson plans for all ages of children), meet the characters and most importantly how to order this amazing book!! I can guarantee you will want one. Another really cool thing is that a portion of proceeds from each book (there is going to be a series of about 20 books) goes to a different charity, this book goes to breast cancer research!


nikki

My official results...

nikki

Happy Valentines Day Sean

I love you.
Nikki

Creative Team Call at DFS

Maggie over at DragonFlaire Studios had just added a call for more designers to add to our already amazing design team...if you are interested then click here to read the announcement.
Good Luck!
nikki

Pictures from Gasparilla

Nikki

26.2

I did it!!! (4:46min and something)...my goal was 5 hours, so I was excited I came in almost 15 minutes under!!
run on.
nikki

fun at the park...

Sean and I took the boys to the park and man, did we all have fun. It is not very often I can actually take a picture with both hands. Riley was all over the place...hanging from the jungle gym, walking the balance beam, jumping off everything, sliding upside down on the slides, playing chase with daddy, and swinging on the swings. TFL

nikki

We were robbed...

...one the Gulf Coast Florida Railroad train. It's "National Steam Month" and in honor of that the Manatee line hosts a "Train Robbery" on their local rides each weekend for the month of February. The boys had so much fun seeing the deputies and the robbers re-enact a train robbery...too much fun!!! If you are interested check the link here.

nikki

Creative Cafe Art Bar Project

Take a look at the Art Bar project at K2 this week. I made up the example and it is ohhhh so cute! What a perfect gift for your valentine! The front cover is embellished with die cut flowers and buttons and doodling with a white pen. It also comes with a piece of white twill ribbon to tie around it! Too Cute.

dream.design.create.

nikki

passion

pas·sion
1. any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.

When I think about the word passion or passionate, many things come to mind like Sean, my family, being a good wife and mother, scrapbooking...so you may be wondering why I posted a picture of my running shoes. Well, mainly because I wanted to challenge myself to write about something I am passionate about that I may not talk about or scrapbook as much...but I would want to remember when I look back at this ten years from now!

Less than a week away from my first marathon, my thoughts turn to running. After watching Spirit of the Marathon the other night at the movies, it got me so excited and pumped up. I have never experienced anything quite like a runners high...like I get usually around mile 7 and then again around mile 14 to 15...it is truly exhilerating.

The passion I feel for this competitive sport is like non I have ever known before (even with playing volleyball, softball, basketball and golf). Like most sports you are on a team, you support each other, you help each other, but with running you are all on your own. I love that and my competitive spirit does too. I have NEVER felt such mixed emotions as I did 2 weeks ago walking to my car after running 26 miles. Feelings of accomplishment, tears of happiness (that my body physically could do that for 5 hours), a smile that just wouldn't quit, an inner strength that I had never felt before...all I can say is Wow.

So when I think of passion, yes running is my passion!

run on.

nikki