Tuesday, January 30, 2007
coolnes and an update
SO to inform my family all at once (and friends) so I don't have to make 10 thousand phone calls and email sends. Here is the latest from the dr. I went today. Dont know much still. just that Im still sick and I still have a freaky rash. I have good days bad days as usual. The medicine is making me sick as a dog but we knew that cuz all the chemo family med things do that. I can't be around any one sick or sniffling. I still have swollen areas and sore as crapp joints. They gave me some news meds (yeah to add to the collection I need to start alterin those bottles huh) and I have 2 appts On Valentines day with an infection disease dr (sounds freaky dont it) and back to my Rheumatologist. Hopefully by then my test results will be back and we will know more. SO as of right now DONT really know anything. They will figure out what this is He thinks I did have shingles originally but it migrated to something more chicken pox like and in that family ( did you know it had a family?) but it was too wide spread to be shingly... It wont go away so he is saying it is systemic so he said to expect some aggressive therapy to get rid of it. SO I still know what? that I feel like crapp and everything hurts and Im swoll up like a puffer fish. But we dont know EXACTLY why. SO hope that answers all the questions. Thanks for the continued prayers.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
CHA favorite releases?


Thursday, January 25, 2007
a little therapy for the soul
IM PRAYING FOR SUNSHINE tomorrow so I can re photograph this layout.... The scanner just will not let it be bright and pretty when you have popdots on a page. ANYWAY.. it got COOOOOOOLD down here last night (what is that about ain't it supposed to be warm in Mobile?!) and with all my recent ailments (violin playing softly my heart is bleeding for ya) my hands and joints were hurting. Yeah I know so HOW NANCY did you make this page if your hands were hurting. WELLLLL Im glad you asked that question. The dr said you need to move them and well typing and scrapping are the best exercise for my fingers I can think of. (cuz I really want shapely girly fingers so I gotta keep em exercised...whateverrrrrr!) but most of all IT IS A distraction. As I wait for the medication from hell (that turns me from my ussually charming self bwahahaa to a Total witch with a b in 20 minutes) to start taking effect. (therefore NOW YOU KNOW WHY... I hide in my scrap room or in my bed so much....because it makes EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY get on my last nerve....) THis time I instead hid in my scraproom. I wanted to scrap soooo bad and was just playing with this paper and I dunno if it was the medication or my creative brain...(shut up jeanne haha) but we will go with creative brain ok! I started seeing water, waves, and splashes in the designs. I LOVE this photo of my horrifically rotten toddler (aren't they still toddlers at 3? even if they act like teenagers?) she was chasing my nephew around the pool..ok we were pushing her in her floaty ring but she thought she was chasing him around the pool.. saying "come meya gwaysen... sooo's eyes can SOOOOT EWE" add the southern accent to it when you say it... (is that not the cutest?) so anyway... ta daaa a page was born. I love the smile on her face. It is a TOTAL giggly grin smile. Look how her nose is wrinkled (mine does that too) we all I think have that when we get really tickled about something. I had fun doing this page and it got my mind off of it for a little while (as Im pouting cuz I can't go to Annaheim to cha dadgummit but I keep thinking "CHICAGO CHICAGO stay healthy and go to chicago" so hopefully I can see ya there guys) I did cut out the paisleys for this page.. Yeah they dont look so great but geez my hands are hurting give me a break. I was lucky to do the page haha! I didnt add the glitter to the letters I cheated that is called K AND CO TWINKLE TYPE it is already glitzy and sparkly aint it cool?! and be sure and notice the amazingly ROCKIN ULTRA COOOOOL SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS that I got from "It's not just scrap" (thank you ladies yall rock) THIS is the most ultra cool bling IN THE UNIVERSE!!!! WHO all is droooling over some of the new stuff coming out at cha? DO you all hate that blame bird as much as I do? Im sorry to who designed that I really am but I just dont get it. I promise if I change my mind I will post it but I just dont like it. We are not gonna do another JONES CHALLENGE yet until after the first week in February matter of fact probably not till around the 10th. With cha going on and everyone is gone (but me......
ALSO dont forget to check in with Scrap that Moment/ SCrappy chick at booth number 543 and say hi to the scrappy chick/scrapthatmoment gang and LOOK AT MY DESIGNS ON THE VIDEO!!!! YES I have some projects at cha wheew Im so excited! so be sure and stop by and at least say HI! Also look at the new papers that HEIDI JONES created for The site. THey are gorgeous and I cannot wait to get my hands on them! OK Im out of here toodles
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
IDOL FANS ???
I felt sorry for them until Common sense told me that they had to sign releases stating they could publish them singing or whatever they were doing onto the tract that made the tv cut. They even sang other songs while the producers taped them. Im sure the producers kept a straight face while they discussed furtherment of their career with them. BUT, what got me was the ones that ran out cursing and screaming and tyranting such.. then went back and sang the OTHER songs they showed clippits of them performing (badly). COME ON. THEY JUST SAID YOU SUCKED so ughm LETS HEAR MORE!!!!
so err.. who all is watching it tonight with me ? let me hear a wheew hewww!!!!
Monday, January 22, 2007
its alive
Shout out to Karla, Marcy and the gang at "Its not just scrap" LOVE these swarovski crystals. IF you have not tried these... YOU are missing out. They are the most beautiful bling ever. They look so real. The sparkle is amazing. I hope to get to come crop soon. Thanks for this! Yall rock! ps: YES THEY COME IN BLACK get them!!!! I need them lol!
Bella went to Katie Ann's Birthday party saturday with Ms katrina, Cannon and Kellery. SHe had so much fun. She sang Happy birthday the REST of the day! Tomorrow is play group so I know she will be having alot of fun there too. Thank you GOd for such good friends. I know Bella is bored out of her mind here with me. John and Mom try to play tea party etc.. but it just isnt the same as playing with other children. TAKE PHOTOS FOR ME hehe. YAll rock I owe ya big time!
ALso shout out to Scott. Jeanne's son. Praying his poison sumac is better soon, He has it soooooooo bad and is miserable to say the least. (and I know that is making Jeanne a nervous wreck) when your kid is miserable.. you are miserable.. SO im praying yall are back to normal soon. Hard to believe I can't wait to hear Mobile Alabama Sucks rofl! *(but thats how I know he is feelin good he picks with me)
OK back to bed. IM getting the evil stare.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
I GOT RAK'd! (IM SUCH A DORK I HIT DRAFT NOT PUBLISH)
With everything that went on this week I almost forgot to say THANK YOU to my friend Cheryl for this awesome RAK! YOU ARE SO AWESOME CHERYL! I am so blessed to have you in my life. If you have never seen Cheryl's work. You must be living under a rock somewhere. SHe is an absolutly amazing artist. She does the most beautiful altered art I have truly ever laid eyes on. Be sure to stop by her blog and leave her some love. OK!THIS WEEKEND is the 2007 CYBER CROP at WWW.IMAGINECREATESCRAP.COM THE FUN starts on Friday and will last all the way through sunday. BE SURE and go check it out. We have lots of prizes to give away and challenges and games. SO if you wanna win some cool stuff and have some fun in the process.... come on over and have fun with us. I CANNOT WAI T TO SEE YOU THERE!!!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
TO bead... or not to bead...
Bella and I had a pretty good day.. we were rockin along, I have been cleaning house and dragging her OUT OF everything she is getting into. You know, normal Bella stuff for her. We played go fish and barbies, scrapbooked and etc. I was just off the phone with the insurance co for the SECOND time of being on neverending hold, just plugged my phone in for the battery to charge so it woudln't go dead. I go and Im cleaning the kitchen washing dishes loading the dishwasher getting ready to cook supper. When I hear... SCREAMSSSSSSSSSSSS. Im going what the... Its bella. its the: OMG!!!! IM GONNA DIE! IM IN PAIN THE world is falling on my head scream. Im thinking, while running, OH great what did she break. She was screaming. I look at her, no blood, she isnt on fire.she didnt pee her pants ... I get on my knees "what baby? what is it? I dont see anything?" no glass. no fires. no anything toppled over she finally gets out in that snuffuded cry and talk at the same time voice.. "I TUCK A BEAD up my NOSE." My first reaction"why in the world did you..." but then IM thinking YOU WHAT? THEN.....OH grrreat. (The bead is one of those if you are familiar with them "pony beads" as my mother calls them) So I SAY "Let mommy see. which side?" SO I see it. It's up there man, I feel. It is right at. where the bone part starts, above the cartlidge part, way up *(you just felt your nose didnt you hehe. I did too) anyway on the right side. I said "is it on both sides?" she says "NO MOOMMY JUST ONE." Ok I look and yeah just one. I tried the, hold the other side and get her to blow.. and nothing .I tried the tweezers" OH NO she wouldnt be part of that... adn me with a sharp pointy instrument pointed at my kids face and eyeballs and nose while she is screaming kicking and squirming AINT A GOOD COMBO... SO I call My husband. He is stammering with " errr ughmms" I siad "OK! RIGHT NOW. YOUR NOOO HELP" I was getting angry cuz he was like NO DONT take her to the dr yet.. Im like W T HECK? YESSS I AM!!!!!... what Im supposed to JUST LEAVE IT? UGHM NO!!!!!!!! (he was on his way home from florida by the way and Im having a flash back from when he got roast in his throat caught and he refused for 5 hours to go to the ER and we had ot sit with the LOVELY Night crew in the ER for HOW MANY HOURS?????) * IN HIS DEFENSE NO HE wasnt meaning to just leave it. He was thinking try to get it out other ways, before spending a million dollars at the dr for them to get it out.. but she was screaming, I was stressed and she wouldnt let me touch it or her so the best thing in my opinion to do was go in... but anyway) I say OH HECK NO well that aint what I siad but... UGHMM NO IM going NOW to DR OFFICE WHILE OPEN! SO I say YOU ARE NO HELP I NEED SOMEONE WITH A M.D. BY THEIR NAME. I gotta go. bye. So I call my dr office. They(amazingly) put me right through.. something about when you say, kid bead and up nose all togehter...THEY rush you through to the nurse. So ... she says... can she breathe? I stop and look at the phone .. Im thinking ughmmm? I wouldnt be on the phone with YOU now ID BE ON MY WAY TO ER or with 911 if that the case.. but instead I say "yes and that I have tried the normal routine to get it out and it is IN there.way up in there.. so she said "COME ON IN NOW before the dr goes home..." GREAT. So I change bellas clothes OK SO SUE ME She had on more pj's and stuff. We are still working the potty training!! I look OH GOD like heck with 2 hockey sticks.. I had been cleaning everything BUT ME... so I throw on more clothes I attempt to brush my hair and I m like OH well Ill just have to go. give up . so we zoom on (and I get to the car.. HUBBY HAD NOT put the car seat BACK TOGETHER IN THE CAR... ITS POURING RAIN. IM fuming mad IM so angry .... ( yeah I know he just forgot but at the time, I was really really mad cuz I asked him to put it back in there several times and he forgot THAT IS WHY I TELL YOU SO MANY TIMES DEAR CUZ YOU FORGET!!!) so anyway.... I had to run the pad through the straps and put it all back together...(we are still potty training so you do the math we had to wash it) THAT WAS FUN TRYING TO FIGURE THAT OUT.....and do that while its raining and kid screaming, cuz its raining and it is cold and the situation just SUX! I get it back INTO the back seat, stick my knee in it set forward with my weight and OMG no. not now, please, no.. KNEE feels like it is dislocating. it really ISNT dislocating but feels like it when IT starts to pop... so Im holding my breath put the blet loop through the back. Im crying in pain and anger Bella is screaming (we are in the garage,!! she isnt getting wet. I dont know why she was crying. cuz it was raining? probly ....just dramatic overture to the entire freakin situation!!!!. SO ,s he stops. Dead in her tracks, Looks at me and says angelically "MOMMY WHY YOU CWYIN. I SOwwy i TUCK A BEAD UP MY NOSE." "OMGOSH BABY, NO ITS NOT THAT, IT'S OK, JUST, COME ON. GET IN. SO I SUCK IT UP try to pop my leg back, get her in the *&^%$# car and in the *&^% seat. Off we go... get to the dr office.
By this time, she is fine. cuz, well IT doesnt hurt. It is just in there. I tell the nurse. "THis is Isabella, with the bead in her nose... and they say "AHH ok go this way" ( I tell the nurse "BY THE WAY, I have had shingles and just now getting over it I need to be.... and she finished the sentence "AWAY FROM BABIES AND PREGNANT WOMEN!!!!"" with the look of horror on her face. I siad "look, it was an emergency! I HAD to come, she siads "OH I KNOW, its ok. I just feel bad, for you. (I guess my face is purple it is so red from the fact IM in pain and just sooo angry and just well .......stressed) so we go to triage, e.r. in the back. Away from babies and pregos. So bella is telling all the nurses "I HAVE A BEAD IN MY NOSE "and she says "hey whats wrong with that little girl? does she have beads in her nose" I say "NO HONEY, JUST YOU!" Of course they all think it is hysterical but for me the novelty has WAYYYYYYY worn off at this point. The nurse comes in and looks at it says "yeah we can get it blah blah whatever" we are talking she said "OH ok they wrote on here you have ....shingles" I siad "NO, I HAD, them. Am getting over them,about 4 days so far. she looks at my ear and said "this one is still open you realise?" I am like "yeah, I know" she said "ok put a band aid on it while you are here"... I am thinking ....that makes it all better? so no one will get it or something?. Just stick a band aid on it? .. wonder if the bead will fall out of her nose if I put a bandaid Over her nose like a pore strip or one of them YOU SNORE TOO LOUD things...
So anyway the dr comes in (snickering) they take the loopy thing and get the bead out.. (we are HOLDING HER DOWN KICKING AND SCREAMING)
THEN Bella stops crying, looks up at the dr and says" CAN I HAVE THAT BACK PLEASE?" and we bust out laughing cuz it was so matter of fact. she takes it from him and Im going EWW lets wash it....... and YOUR HANDS.. I wrap it in a towel and she announces to the NURSE the dr and the rest of the dr office "MY MOMMY IS GONNA PUT THIS IN A SCRAP BOOK FOR TO GIVE TO ME" (they learn quick you save EVERYTHING for the scrapbook huh?) so Yeah we will "scrap that moment"
NOW after I got home, I finished washing dishes. STARED NAILS through my husband for a little bit, informed him he is cooking dinner.. Ok asked him to please cook the spaghetti!!! IM hiding in my scrap room getting stuff done catching up on posts, and gonna wait for American Idol. AND I might just go drink something alcholic, but IF HE DARE SPEAK right now OR BELLA mention a BEAD.... I will leave him alone. but with her, tomorrow tooo! SO IM in my room now, (My cave as he calls it) Drinking a glass of lemonade (no alcohol though .. I really can't because of this medication. but dang, it would be nice rofl)
SO, HOW wAS YOUR DAY????????
IM SURE that your kid or neighbors kid or SOEMONE you knows kid has stuck a something up their nose (rubber snake even? yeah just ask my sister in law about that one roflmbo) The nurse said once a week at LEAST they pull stuff out of a kids nose or ear or whatever. (i dont wanna know any wahtevers) I feel bad cuz I KNOW my mother is gonna SPAZZ totally out because she gave bella the beads. Then she is gonna say WERE YOU WATCHING HER.. but you know we sit and STARE AT HER in a BUBBLE all day 24 hours a day.. SHE IS NOT a mischivious kid that GETS INTO EVERYTHING (moma knows this for fact now she kept her 7 days for me while I was unconscious with shingles WHICH UNCONSCIOUS almost sounded like a good option there while it was happning...) BUT anyway... Ma I have already thought of all those reactions... for you, so go ahead... I REST WELL RIGHT NOW.. KNOWING IM dangling mY MOTHERLY WAND that I got when I gave birth to her over her little NO BEAD in nose having head, Granting her the magical power to have NOT ONE but 2 JUST LIKE HER so she will get blessed with a challenge as of such I had today. I LOVE YOU BABY and when your little one some day sticks I dunno AN ELEPHANT up its nose and you are freaking completly out as your ROBOT probably LAZER BEAMS it out (cuz that is how in my idea of the future it will probably work) YOU will sit back and grin as YOUUUUUUU stare darts through Your husband (yes you will have one of them BEFORE YOU have a child since I waved this wand) PLEASE! YOU will remember YOUR MOM put the curse on YOU like My father did onto me... THIS second, I do LOVE YA...
Monday, January 15, 2007
LUCKY DAY
Sunday, January 14, 2007
another day another layout... I WISH!
YUP that about sums it up!!!! This is the gingerbread man line from Piggy tales. I used their coordinating cardstock tags labels and photo turns as well as the coordinating chipboard (I had to use an H and a D to make me a n and a a but that is ok I never have enough letters) I LOVE this font for that reason. I wrote on the photo turns naughty? Nice? naughty? nice? and doodled on the rest of the page added ric rac and bling and called it a page. the blingy sticker letters are by making memories. You can see this along with the rest of our PIGGYTALES sponsor pages at SCRAP THAT MOMENT.com
I would LOVE to be one of those people that can do a layout EVERY DAY. bwahahahaa is that not funny! It ain't happnin around here. My mom went home today :( I really enjoyed her being here (when I was conscious.... I slept through most of it cuz, well she kept DRUGGIN ME UP) but, she was just following the dr orders. let me tell you. That woman every time the buzzer went off she popped another demrol in me.Secretly I think she was slippin a mickey in my milk shakes. She didnt wake me up to give them to me though. I will give her that. BUt, John told her how painful shingles were and I guess she figured unconsicous was better. I agree sometimes. Im just kidding she wasn't that bad I was seein stuff there for a while. haha. ANyway. I have been awake 2 days in a row now. (not completely 24hours a day but well YOU KNOW what I mean) and it feels good to be part of the world again.
We talked to a friend that is a Nurse. She told me not to get around anyone that: was pregnant, on chemo therapy, or kids that have not had the chicken pox vaccine for another week. Which sucks. cuz Hobby lobby has my adhesive 50% off so guess where my happy polka dotted butt will be at 9 am SO warning: If you are any of these things YAll better steer clear of the adhesive row! I am goin' in.
I am debating play group with Bella tomorrow. Bless her heart, I know she is bored out of her mind. BUt I worry that if I get any body sick I will never feel welcomed again. Yeah I know.. IM risking the lives to get adhesive by gosh... but I KNOW there will be kids at playgroup. I WOULD THINK they all have had their shots. but ya never know... anyway Im waiting on my friend to tell me what she thinks and I will let you know the final verdict. It is ussually on Tuesdays but since today is some holiday or something we are doing it today. Here is the last page with Piggy Tales. Keep in mind Im still ailin but it felt good to scrap again. I love the new funky freestyle that is goin on all over now. IM gonna go hit the hay for now. SHOUT OUT TO MY PAL JEANNE ! SHE IS NOW A FREELANCE CHICK AT SCRAP THAT MOMENT WHEHEWHEW YOU GO GIRL! CONGRATS and WELCOME!!! (we get to work together::jumping up and down together::)
Friday, January 12, 2007
whewhew its Friday...
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Toots and That sponsor PIGGY TALES
( <~~Journaling is: U are the Beauty among Flowers) Piggy Tales Snow white line.
( ^^Journaling for above is: IF raindrops were gumdrops candy canes or lollipops, Oh what a ran that would be YUM YUM!! Frog Prince line, chipboard letters and tag sheet. <~~ JOURNALING for page to the side is: Playing in the rain.. oh how I LOVE to play in the rain.. 12 06 06, Little Boy Blue line chipboard and cardstock accessories)


Wednesday, January 03, 2007
CAN YOU KEEP UP?
ARE YOU READY FOR ANOTHER JONES GIRL CHALLENGE?
We (The Jones girls) of STM have a new Challenge for you this month. Here is a peek at the page I did. BE SURE AND go to Scrap that Moments gallery and show some love on all the Jones girls pages. You can see the Challenge HERE on the Keepin up with the Jones' Blog.
The challenge was to write about a life changing event and use the words to a song in the journaling. It is hard to see but on the right side the page pulls back to reveal the entire lyrics of the song.
The journaling says:
When I heard this song the first time, I thought it had been written just for me. We wanted a baby so desperatly. I had been very sick. We didnt think it possible and it was very dangerous to say the least for us to have a child. God sent this beautiful little girl here to me without a doubt.. just like this song says. I'm so glad he did.
In my Daughter's Eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
but the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes.
In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the world
is at peace
THIS MIRACLE GOD GAVE TO ME
GIVES ME STRENGTH WHEN I AM WEAK
I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE
In my daughter's eyes
And when she wraps her hand around my finger
oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about
ITS HANGIN ON WHEN your heart has
had enough
It's giving more WHEN you FEEL Like GIVING UP
Ive seen the light
ITS in my daughters eyes.
In my daughters eyes
I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she will grow up and someday leave
maybe raise a family
WHEN I'M GONE I HOPE YOU SEE JUST HOW HAPPY SHE MADE ME.
FOR I WILL BE THERE
IN MY DAUGHTERS EYES.
Martina McBride~
I love you Bella..... Every second is worth it.
Love,
Your Mommy
Monday, January 01, 2007
CHECK OUT THE NEW KIT

Hope everyone is enjoying the FIRST day of the year! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
WHOA DUDE what a HAPPY Birthday it is today!!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Happy new year!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
here are those christmas photos i keep forgetting


WE had alot of fun at Aunt Liz and Uncle Ty's house . This is the 2006 family ornament. The dog/ferret rodeo and the kids opened their gifts. SHe got 3 Stuart little movies that she says stuart little looks JUST LIKE DAISY so she calls them the DAISY movies (daisy is the ferret you see riding the dog waldo in the above photo) SHE also got her very OWN scrapbook to fill up!
Then we went to Uncle windale and Aunt Karen's (and taz and Marlee's house, that is marlee anxiously watching Bella) and she redecorated their tree for them. They spoiled her and Grandma and all her cousins even more. (Uncle WIndale spoiled me by making me my FAVORITE stuffed bell peppers (kasi's favorite too) instead of the usual christmas dinner) She got the Leap pad reader system and several of the books she LOVEs that thing. and the 12 dancing princess tea set (she LOOOVES the 12 dancing princess's by the way) and grandma got her the cinderella barbie doll THe little mermaid movie on dvd and some other things I didnt get to see cuz she kept running off with it.




ANd she played with the puppy and showed her the sign on her house.Bella opened lots of gifts there too. And got this cinderella doll she LOVES and sleeps with from grandma. 
Here is her stocking.. it was SOOO FULLL santa couldnt fit everythign in it, IT was spilling over onto her presents! SHe was so excited!



Santa found his way to Nana's House and left an OBSCENE amount of gifts from EVERYTHING of the 12 dancing princess's (she loves the movie and had to have like everything she saw 12 dancing princess even the PRINCE DERRICK with the 12 sets of dancing shoes that John calls broke back mountain barbie cuz he has swively hips and a zuit suit on... it is something to behold im telling you) to the bella dancerella ballet studio, make up (a girl has to have her lipstick and nails painted and dry.of course..., she got lots of movies, a dvd player that is dora the explorer, barbie dolls, cinderella dolls, an elmo aqua doodle mat, a hop ball that has dora on it, and I dont even remember what all else it was a ton of stuff LOTS OF CLOTHES that she needed... she got a lovely 12 dancing princess dress from papa the hop ball was from papa and nana too.. She got an ariel head that you fix its hair (that was funny cuz she kept telling everyone that santa brought her ariels head for christmas.... that was pretty funny) Santa must have thought she was a pretty good girl! HE EVEN left her the v smile system and dance mat and 3 movies back at our house.. we think he must have gone there, realised there were no cookies and milk and made his way to nana's. Out with the old... hey! Wait a minute!
SO what are you doing this lovely night as it is Rain rain raining and windy here?
I will post some layouts as soon as I can. They are a surprise for the dt's Im on for the kit and also THAT sponsor for January but OMGOSH THEY ARE SO FINE! I LOVE these papers you are gonna be so Jealin when you see them but dont be jealous for long run dont walk to ICS and SCrap That moment and purchase them. THEN You tooo can be having as much fun as me (and my old butt)
See ya tomorrow :)
Thursday, December 28, 2006
YIPPEEEEKIIIIIYAAAAAAAHHHH WHEHEHEWWW
Reflecting on 2006
TO make goals for ourselves for 2007 we must look at what we did in 2006. I know one of my goals I wanted was to be published in a mainstream magazine/idea book. Which I had a small victory for 2006 for a local well I say local it is national in the south east Hobby lobby magazine and several online magazines. I did get published in scrapbook trends but it wont be out till 2007.. so I guess I really cant list that for 06 can I? Alot of people ask how did you reach this goal. There are several things that have to be done and realistically have to be done if this is what you want to do. FIRST thing is look at your photography. Think like a magazine. when you look at the photos on the scrapbook pages what do you see. You see the PERSON or the focal image and THATS IT. If you look at your photos and you see clutter in the background a wide angle that shows laundry, access furniture, alot of other people that have nothign to do with the theme of the photo its out of focus or at a bad angle then your starting out with unpublishable. Now alot of you may argue with me cuz yes there are calls out there for pages with NON Perfect photos but lets face it people. grab you a scrapbooking magazine.. what do you see in the photos.. I rest my case. I made a point to get a better camera and work on my photography skills. I asked lots of questions and looked at the people that were being published. what were they doing that I wasnt.
Follow your own method.. In scrapping develop your own style and polish it. I did this by getting someone I really respect that is an amazing scrapper/artist and get her to critique my work. Most people will be glad to do this but be warned. YOU MUST be prepared for the good and the bad. Remember YOU ASKED to get help so get on your big girl panties and deal with the constructive criticism or either DONT ASK. By doing this I was able to pick up those little tips that help you get the edge on your layouts to make them polished and more noticeable. You have to make your work stand out from the other 500 that are sent in every month.
Watch for the pub calls and submit regularly. Just because you are turned down once KEEP TRYING dont give up. ALot of times they may like your work but they want to see that you can continually give them quality work. WHY ELSE do you see the same people over and over in the magazines.. They want dependable people they can call and say I need one more page that is on this subject WHat do you have... that is the reality of it people. Now not all magazines are this way but most of them are. At least what I have seen. The more you scrap and look around at your personal goals and the more you try to focus on them the easier it will get.
Start with baby steps. Get published on a local front first at a local scrapbook store or an online design team. It will help you get practise and get the motivation to get those pages done and also have you working with the latest greatest product. Sorry but it is hard to get published with last years paper. Manufacturers want to sell what they are spending their money to produce RIGHT NOW. so you need to use whats hot. what you see advertising. say if in one magazine you never see a certain brand advertise... DONt use primarily that brand on your page to submit. look through the magazine what products are the sponsors and what products are in the ads. Use primarily that product. You always scrap a season ahead also.. It is crazy to do but that is what is published. Magazines are always a month ahead.
NOW I AM NOT AN EXPERT by any means on this. THese are just the tips I have picked up along the way to try to accomplish my goals. I thought it may make someone else stop and look at their work and re evaluate what they are doing and help them attain their goals.
I also spent alot more time with my family in 2006. Whether I wanted to or not haha just kidding. I stayed sick in 2006 between kidneys and female issues which they think caused all the other problems it is amazing what ones ovaries can cause to go wrong with the rest of your body. Im really really trying to focus on getting healthy in 2007. Not only for me but for my family. Bella needs me here with her and John needs me to help him raise her. WE got into this marriage together and we planned our daughter toghether.. so I want us to raise her the same way. Together. so I gotta get healthy. Whatever it takes.. if it is running my butt up and down the road every day with a big old mean dog chasing me then fine Ill have to do that. If it is juicing all the nasty veggies I hate and holding my nose and swallowing them hard.. then I guess that is what I will have to do. BUT I have to get healthy for all of our sakes. 2006 was rough on us physically mentally and still financially so we have to do this for all those reasons.
Get my baby FULLY POTTY TRAINED. WHy is this the hardest thing about being 3. WE have good days we have bad days. Bless her heart. She just is so busy with her life and her day that taking 2 minutes to potty is just such a waste of her time. IF we ever get FULLY potty trained Im gonna jump for joy! I did accomplish in 2006 getting her out of the pullups into big girl panties. Now to just keep em dry that will be for 07 haha!










