Yummo Fabric Line-Ginger Blossom

Ohhhhh, my!! I just found this wonderful new line of fabrics called Ginger Blossoms. It is designed by Sandi Henderson and manufactured by Michael Miller. I'm totally in love with this fabric and need to get my hands on it. My head is whirling with ideas. My Bag-Lady sewing group is going to love it too!!! As soon as I get my hands on some I will create a new tote...I will post it, promise!

I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight...my head is whirling and whirling. LOL

nite all,

National Scrapbook Day, May 3, 2008

West Coast Croppers

National Scrapbook Day Crop

Saturday, May 3, Noon til 8 p.m.

$15 fee includes;

dinner, unlimited snacks, goody bag and door prize

Layout contest: Bring a completed scrapbook page

with a tropical/hawaiian/summer theme.

The first Saturday in May is National Scrapbooking Day!National Scrapbook Day was started in 1994 by the well-known album company Creative Memories. and is celebrated on the first Saturday each May. Since 1994 scrapbookers all over the county celebrate their passion for Scrapbooking on this day! There are even online groups petitioning the US Government to make National Scrapbook Day a federal holiday!

Here are the top ten scrapping activities for this fun day:

1. Attend a crop or scrapbooking party! Of course, this would be #1 on the list! There is nothing better, and more motivating, than to scrap with friends new and old! In honor of National Scrapbook Day West Coast Croppers will be hosting their 2nd annual National Scrapbook Day Crop.

2. Go shopping! There is no better reason to treat yourself to a few new scrapbooking goodies! Or find a local Stampin' Up! or Close To My Heart demonstrator and get your hands on some of the newest, coolest, trendiest papers, stamps and accessories.

3. Learn a new technique! Sign up for a class at your local scrapbook store or host a Stampin' Up! workshop.

4. If you are local to the high desert area, join West Coast Croppers yahoo group. This group will keep you on your toes and keep you laughing.

5. Submit your best layouts to magazines! If you find that you are home on Nat'l Scrapbooking Day, why not submit some of your best layouts to magazines?



6. Have to be at ball games or other events during National Scrapbook Day? It's ok, grab some scrapbook idea books or magazines and take them along. You will be so ready to Scraplift some pages when you get home that evening!



7. Share your passion for preserving family memories with a non-scrapper! Think of at least one friend or family member who doesn't scrapbook and bring her along to the crop with you! There is no better way to spend National Scrapbook day than teaching someone your favorite hobby!



8. Try something different! Is there a technique that you have been itching to try? Do all your pages look alike. Get out of the rut and add something new!



9. If there aren't any National Scrapbook Day crops going on close to you consider inviting some friends over to scrap! Have everyone bring a dish for lunch and then scrap the day away!



10. Organize your stash! Let's face it! Organizing your stash is part of the fun of scrapping!



Be sure and go to a local National Scrapbooking Day CROP!! They are everywhere! If you are in the area or don't mind the drive, West Coast Croppers would love to show you a scrapping good time. Most of all, enjoy this day to preserve precious memories. Happy Scrapping!!!

Wordless Wednesday--Pigmy Hedgehog

What does your name mean????

Found this on another friends blog. Thought this was pretty cool. Everytime I do a personality test, this is exactly what it says. At first I said, "NO WAY!! I wouldn't push my way around to get what I want!" But, according to Jim, he says, "Yup, that's you! Not in a bad way, but you never let people stand in the way of following your dreams or goals." Well, put it that way dear hubby and then I can agree. LOL Boy just scored points! For the most part, yup, it's all true. Pretty scarey, but that's me!!!


What Marlo Means

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated.You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want.You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way!

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you.At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.


Try it: See if it matches you or not. Come on, I dare you!!!

http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyournameshiddenmeaningquiz/

Busy weekend, busy week, busy month! Is it vacation yet?

Today Nathaniel is 4 months. I can't believe how quickly the time has gone. He is such a doll...gotta love that cute face!

Grandma and Nathaniel

Whew.....another weekend down in Whittier. I think we spend every weekend down there these days. This weekend was for a baby shower. I had two to attend, one for my cousin and the other for my niece. I only ended up attending my niece's since they were both at the same time. It's always a wild ride when all my family is together. The shower was wonderful, Monique got a lot of beautiful stuff. Baby Audrina will be well dressed.

My nephew Christian

On Saturday Christian got his first haircut. He is such a cutie patootie! He'll be turning 2 in the summer. This kid is total boy and always has a smile on his face.

My nephew Timothy

This is Christian's big brother. He is so funny and so attached to his mommy. He does not like to get dirty, probably the cleanest kid I know. Next month is the big "4"!!

Nina Natalie and Nate

Natalie is always fighting over Nathaniel. She likes to hog him up just like grandma. She and her hubby are god-parents to Nathaniel.

Tiffani, Nathaniel, Abigail and Sarah

For the first time, all the new babies were all together. Nate was born in December and Abigail, my niece was born in February. Pretty soon they'll get to play together.

Val, Nate, Amber, Abigail, Monique, Audrina and Peter Jr.

Well our girls have been busy the last 16 months. Four new little ones to enjoy. My dad is in heaven.

Grandma Sylvia and baby Audrina

I love this picture of my sister-in-law and her grandbaby. My sister-in-law is such a beautiful person inside and out. She has 3 grandsons, now she has a grand-daughter to spoil.

My brother Al, his wife Sylvia and their grand-children

After the baby shower we went over to my dad's house. Actually, all my brothers and my dad live on the same property. There are four houses on the property and they all live there. We call it the compound, LOL. We go there and sit around a fire and just visit. Arrived home super late as usual.

Sunday was spent recovering from our trip down the hill and finishing up the quincinera dresses. This week will be spent on the birthday girl's dress. May 17th is almost here!! Yeah! After this, I'm done. Stick a fork in me. No more sewing for others. I'm exhausted and need to focus on my family now. They've been neglected too long.

So, if you're still with me, this ended up being more of a show and tell. But, this is my wonderful, crazy family that keeps growing and growing.

Thanks for looking!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY WCC!!

Well, it's been 1 year since we started a new scrapbook group, West Coast Croppers. Originally I started this group for my SU! customers. Most were new to stamping and scrapbooking and wanted thier own time to do projects. I had one particular customer that wanted to join my stamp club, but said she'd only do it if we met on a regular basis. So we did. The girls began opening up their homes once a month on Sundays.

It was then that an old friend, who wanted nothing to do with stamping and scrapping, tells me she is 'starting' to get into it. Let me tell you, she is the one that gets 8-20 pages done at a crop night. They are elaborate too!! She plans well.

We officially decided to open a Yahoo group for our stamp club April 17th, 2007. We celebrated National Scrapbook Day together, then held our first official crop night in June. This first year has been good to us. We have new friendships, some old, lots of completed scrapbook pages, tons of handmade cards, weddings, quincineras, babies, adoptions,...you name, we've had it. Each crop night is eventful. I'm totally in awe of this first year. I'm thrilled to see what our 2nd year holds.

If all goes well, we will host our own bus tour throughout So. Cal and host a weekend retreat before this year is up.

So...HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEST COAST CROPPERS!!!

Here's to many more! CHEERS!

Feeling the blahs!

Oh, I hate to complain. Shouldn't really because I'm well and so is my family. I guess I'm just feeling the stress of school three nights a week. Two math classes back to back. I know, I know, many of you are thinking, "What! You LOVE math!" Well, I DID!! Until this lousy math teacher at the local college. She is very kind, but a lousy math teacher. She doesn't teach. For the first time I'm hating math. This is a tough class and she is no help. I'm really on the verge of dropping it, but I need it to graduate December 13th!!! So...what's a girl to do? Stick it out I guess. There goes my 4.0 gpa. CRAP!

I'm in the middle of reading this book, The Number Devil. Yup, it's a novel about numbers and math. I'm not reading it because I've chosen to. I have to read it for my APU class. I'm almost embarassed to admit, but I'm actually enjoying it. LOL Beats having nothing to read in bed.

Jim will be traveling again this week to Indiana. I hate when he's gone. He hates it also, but it comes with the job description.

We had gorgeous weather over the weekend. Felt like summer. Then Monday rolled around and the wind and cold showed up on my doorstep. Darn it!! My legs are in need of a tan. I don't think I've seen them this pale in a long, long time.

On a happier note, my niece Moni gave birth to a tiny little girl on Friday. She is so sweet. She arrived a week before her baby shower, so now it will be a WELCOME shower.

Audrina Page Centeno

I'm so excited to see her again on Saturday. I made her a beautiful quilt which I know her mom will treasure.

This makes the third baby in 5 months. Christmas will be crazy but a happy time. I think we are done with babies for the year.

No new pics of Nathaniel this week. I have cute ones on my cell phone but can't figure out how to get them on the puter. Crazy kid holds his own bottle. I miss him when he's not here. Seems like every weekend he's changed and grown some more. I'll be sure to get pics this weekend.

Well, I'm off to bed...early, I know, but my head is aching from math class. Seriously, I'm on the verge of taking up drinking!!

toodle lou!

Wordless Wednesday--Waiting for winter to end!

Sand-Filled Weekend

Before I get started, I thought I'd show you the cutest little guy on the planet, Nathaniel. We came home from the Dunes to be surprised by the baby. He was up here this weekend. He just can't stay away from his grandma. He was dressed so cute, jeans, this cute tee and some Vans. Oh, and could you believe, his two bottom teeth cut through! I last seen him on Wednesday and he was teething like crazy. Today, they are there. Too fast!!

When we found out that Val was having a boy, we started picking up different tees with crazy little sayings. This one was my favorite. We joke about it now, but I'm sure in about 17 years we'll be going crazy trying to get him to respect the ladies. I'm sure his daddy though will keep him in line...now grandpa, that's a different story. This little guy has grandpa wrapped around his finger!

So we headed to Dumont Dunes to camp and ride. For years I heard the guys cry over going there. All they want to do is ride the dunes. Blah, blah!! So we go. My brothers, brother-in-law, and my family. It was a nice drive, about 2 hours away, half way between us and Vegas. I wanted to yell, "Keep going, take me to Vegas!!" But, I would have hated seeing grown men cry. LOL

This is what one of the dunes looked like Friday evening.

The dunes are amazing. Big huge mountains of sand that let the wind determine how they look day to day. When we arrived there was a huge movie crew filming a military movie. We set up camp...QUICKLY...because the dunes were calling them. Then they all jumped on their quads and headed out riding. I sat in the trailer doing math homework...my idea of a great weekend!! LOL The wind picked up really bad, 30+mph and there was no visibility. It was horrible!! There was sand everywhere...everywhere...yup, even in the chonies!! Now tell me how it can get there! My trailer was a mess and I was not happy.

Tiffani was going up and down a really small dune. She ditched her quad for a Honda TRX 440. Alot bigger than her own. This is the first time she had to shift gears. She caught on too quick and is now bugging for a bigger quad with clutch and gears. Crazy psycho chick!

The next morning was calm, sunny and the place was busy with lots of families and party goers. It wasn't even a holiday weekend. We all headed out to the dunes, including myself, against my better judgement. I begged the guys to leave me alone and let me stay in my peaceful trailer doing math homework. But NOOOOO!!! They bugged and bugged so I jumped on a quad and out I went. I HATED it!! I love riding, but not in sand. After an hour of pouting and frustration, I headed back to the trailer. Jim was not happy with me. He wants me out riding with him, he thinks when I'm in the trailer that I'm bored. H-E-L-L-O!!! I'm perfectly happy in the trailer...doing math homework! LOL

James riding the dunes. He didn't go up too far, but to him, this was big enough. He was also on a bigger quad than his own. He was riding a Raptor 660. A little too powerful according to me, but not for dad.

The guys rode for the rest of the day and had the time of their life. Unfortunately for the guys, my brothers had to go home because of their wives having to work and such, so we called it a short weekend. I tried to act all sad for them, but reality was, I was thrilled to be going home. I had about enough of the sand and the mess. Everytime I touched my hair, which btw I had just had it done Friday morning, I would get sand in my nails. If I rubbed my face, I had sand on it. It was nasty!! I'm really glad riding season is almost over and river season is in. I'd rather sit in the water in 120+ degree weather anyday.

Jim climbing a dune. Doesn't look big in this pic, but it's pretty steep. Too crazy for me!

When we arrived home, Val, Daniel and the baby were there. It was a super nice surprise. Oh, and to take a wonderful, long, hot shower was amazing.

Jim and the guys are planning to head back out to Dumont Dunes in 2 weeks. I will purposely punish myself and stay home. I don't care if I have to sleep with all the lights on, I will gladly stay home in my sand free house.

Bring on the warm weather and boating season!!

XOXO

marlo

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah!!

First I have to wish my bro, Al, a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! He is 40-something today. He is the oldest and the craziest, but we love him that way. Happy Birthday Bro!!

Whew!! I forgot how hard it was to care for an infant 24/7. I had Nathaniel here for a few days. Val just started working so I thought I'd keep the baby for a few days so she could save on daycare fees. Wow! I'm totally wiped out. He is a good baby too! He just started teething. Crazy as he's only 3 months. But I could totally see and feel his little teeth. Sweet little guy went home today and I'm totally missing him. Jenny and I went out for coffee tonight after class and I just chilled...needed that after caring for a little one. I'm glad my baby making days are over and now I can just enjoy every one else's. Here is a cute pic of Nathaniel. He hates hats and beenies so my sister was pulling out all his beenies and trying them on him. He finally got mad and started to cry. I just love how he looks in hats, he looks like a little elf. Just don't tell Val, she'll kill us.

Well, I made great progress on the quincinera dresses. They are very pretty and so retro in color. Very 80's. I feel like I'm in a time warp. LOL

When we were in San Diego, we went to Julian, a cute little town in the mountains. It's very pretty up there. I've wanted to go there and do some apple picking, hopefully I can this coming season. While there we went and had the best apple pie in town at MOM'S. This place is fabulous and packed!! It was worth the long, long drive. The little town has alot of great little shops and the people were so friendly. I definitely need to go back.

We are headed to Dumont this weekend. I'm trying to act like I'm totally excited, but I'm really not. I really don't want to spend the weekend in sand dunes. I was hoping to head to a resort before heading back to work, but looks like I'll be a sand bunny instead. LOL I wish I could just send the family and stay home alone. Man...that would be ideal. I think I would do the whole Risky Business deal...dance around the house in a t and undies. LOL

I'm working on plans for National Scrapbook Day. The girls are really excited as many of them are new to scrapbooking and stamping. Should be a fun day if I could just decide on a theme. If you don't have NSD plans and would like to join us, come on over. We usually have a great time. This year will be with a whole new group. I'm excited and sad at the same time. I really miss my old group and friends. However, this new group is new to it all and have a whole different energy and excitement. Speaking of scrapbooking, has anyone tried this? I have two Crop-a-diles and love them. I thought about buying this new one, but I haven't. I know...SHOCKING!! But I'm really trying to buy only what I need...yeah, right, but anyways, I don't have this. I would love to hear some reviews.

Ahhh, and congrats to Angie Knight who just had her first baby girl, Grace. I'm so excited for her and can't wait to meet her. She is our little cowgirl in training.

Okie dokie, I should head to bed and do some reading. I just finished reading, "Daniel Isn't Talking," forgot the author's name, but it's a great book about a family that has a son with Autism. It's fiction, but I'm sure there was alot of truth in it and with what families have to deal with. Great read. I just started "Back on Blossom Street," by Debbie MacComber. I love her books, very light hearted and easy reading. This is the third in this series. It's about friendships, cancer, divorce, marriage, adoption, anything relating to life really. Should be done with in by the weekend. If you have any books to recommend, pass it along. The weekend in Dumont is going to be my time to read in the trailer while everyone else is riding.

Toodles and goodnight!