Layouts

Here are some pics of just random items!

This is a little mini book I did of Breanna creating HAVOC in her room....I was in the process of weeding out old clothes that simply didn't fit...next thing I know...I was in a sea of clothes and books!!!!
(Made from Kasier Chipboard Board Book)

Some random layouts....no..I haven't been THAT busy, just haven't had time to upload!

It was nice to scrap this page...the chair seen in this page, my great grandfather gave me before he passed. It came with a huge snoopy dog...now its Bre's. =) I still have the snoopy dog to,but the little styrofoam balls are coming out of his poor neck!

Partners in Crime!

She has a thing with laundry baskets!

A layout of her messing up her room!

Untitled...hadn't got to that part yet...but love the buttons. =)


Tickle Wars...

Retreat Recap!

Okay, so since I am giving the commentary here, I might as well share with you the DAY BEFORE the retreat which was really really out of control.

You all know how excited I was for this retreat with all the events goin on in my life right now I really needed some time for Trisha. So…I had been meaning to get my car to the dealership to get my brakes checked or whatever…if they had to be replaced, I wanted them to be replaced and just to get it done. So….I drop my car off at the dealership and a coworker picked me up for work. Later in the morning I got a call indicating not only do I need rear breaks but my tire bars are showing…AKA….YOUR TIRES ARE BEYOND BALD! So….I was like crap! I know my tires had lacked some attention and of course they were the ones who reminded me it needed to get done! So….meanwhile I am on the phone with my dad and he tells me to not get it done (brakes) at the dealership because they WILL overcharge me. Well by the time I thought about it and agreed, it was too late as my car was already “taken apart” which I figured I would be told that…anyway…so I tell them just do the breaks and I will get my tires done later, since at that point I just wanted to get my car out of there. My dad does business for a tire shop (in Azusa), so he set it up for me to get that done. At this point I am getting bummed because my plan was to be at the retreat at 9:59am! I wanted to be one of the first ones there! HELLO!
So I was like dang….now not only do I need to spend money on brakes but it is probably best to get my tires done too.

Meanwhile….it is still Thursday, sitting at my desk and dealership calls. Car is ready for pick up. I go and pick it up, and pay. CRAP! I gave the cashier the wrong darn card! Meant to give her the credit card instead of the check card. I needed my check card for the weekend ahead of me! So…I kindly and politely in my sweetest and apologetic voice, “I am SO sorry, I made a mistake. Is it possible to cancel that transaction so I may use an alternate card?” She replies, “Sure!” I say, “GREAT!” So…BEFORE I give her the alternate card, I wanted to ensure that I am not charged twice….can you feel where I am going with this???? Cashier says, “Oh, no…it will be cancelled.” Okay great. (I thought). The coworker that took me to get my car, we decided to go to Bakers for lunch….about to pay for my PAPA MEAL…the cashiers at Bakers says, “Your card is declined”….I say, “You are kidding right?”, she says, “I’m afraid not…” So at this point I know exactly what has transpired. So you see why I am fuming at this point, because I asked the girl at the dealership whether or not it was going to be a problem!!!! She said NO!!!! If this was a possibility I would had just let it be! So….now, I’m pretty p&%%ed off….and I am out about $600 in total between 2 different cards! And what stinged the most was that the money I was using for the weekend retreat was no longer available to me. I get back to the office and of course call the manager….the cashier who helped me remembered me, and thought I was stupid enough to know she really hadn’t talked to her manager when she asked me to hold. So…when I asked to speak to her manager instead of her it took the manager about 7 minutes to get to the phone….(I guess so she can really tell the story). The only reason I was upset at this point in time was because I specifically asked the girl was it going to be a problem…she said, “NO.” So I explained this to the manager and I told her, I really hope my money is back into my account before this weekend…she says, “me too.” So anyway…my money finally showed up a little past midnight (was up late packing).

So anyway, since I have taken up most of your time with my dreadful night before retreat I will try and fast forward. I ended up getting tires 1st thing Friday morning and STILL managed to be the 3rd one there at the retreat, showing up maybe about 10:10am! WOOOHOOO!!!!

So….when I almost get there I already knew I was going to make an entrance so I started honking my horn like a mad woman to let everyone know TRISHA WAS IN THE BUILDING!!!! WOOOO!!!!! So, when I pull up to this really tucked away home, I see Alondra, Rochelle and Beth. The owners were there as well so I got to meet them, really nice ladies. I walk in and I am like WOWZAS BABY!!! WHERE IS MY ROOM!!! I WANT A GRAND TOUR!!! So…Alondra was kind enough to give me a tour of the spot. Your sheets and towels matched the bathroom…very cute. So I chose hot pink, my sheets were hot pink, my face, hand, and bath towel were hot pink along with some super soft fuzzy warm socks to go with it! There is also a color coordinating basket in the bathroom to keep your personals in and in the HUGE commercial type fridge. It was great. Anyway…after scoping out the sleeping quarters on to the real deal! The scrap space was AWESOME! The owners left some goodies on the tables, coupons for Pink Pineapple, Ever After and Cool Scrapbook Stuff. Speaking of goodies, there were HUGE tall canisters of goodies, one with M&M’s trail mix, assorted mini chocolate bars, gold fish, etc. It was insane how much stuff there was. There were assorted sodas, enough for the entire weekend, bottled soda, and coffee for those who needed it.

Blow by Blow…

FRIDAY...we all arrived in the AM with the exception of Janice. She had a hair appointment in LA and ran into major MAJOR traffic on the way back. I told the girls that we had a surprise guest coming by and we must be here by 2:00pm. What the girls didn’t know was Elena from Scrapbook Royalty graciously contacted me to see if we would like some goodies brought by their fly-by-fairy! I thought that was very sweet of her to think of us…..THANKS ELENA!! Unfortunately they came a little earlier and a few of us were still out at the store so we missed the little cute fairy! Heard she was really really cute! We truly appreciate your goodies that were dropped off! Thanks again!

Well…apparently while we were out…the girls who stayed behind at the house began to worry about us because apparently there was a man on the loose with only HANDCUFF! How did they know this you ask? Well, have you ever heard a helicopter make an announcement of such from the sky!? I guess that’s what they do in Escondido! LOL! It was funny because we were only up the street and totally heard the helicopter but didn’t hear the message. So the ladies in the house gave a sigh of relief when we came through the door.

Everyone gets situated and for dinner Friday night, I cooked tacos for all, Marie made the 7 layer dip and everything was just yumm-o! Janice actually got there right in time for dinner!

By this time everyone had given out all their goodie bags, treats and so forth. It was not a prerequisite, but it was nice how a few ladies brought something for each other. Marie made us our own personal pumpkin breads, and everyone got a few goodie bags. To add some excitement to the weekend, I made some acrylic “Hi My Name Is..” tags, but instead of everyone’s personal names, I made up scrap related names, Scissors, Zots, Adhesive, Buttons to name a few. So…how it worked was…just like the baby shower game. Beth was no longer Beth, her name was “Buttons.” If someone called Beth out of her scrap name whoever was caught would have to give up all their brads punched in their tag. So the one with the mist brads by the end of the weekend would get a super nice gift. That winner ended up being Melissa. I think she actually won because she wasn’t really talking too much! LOL! So that game started early Saturday morning.

It got late for me…I went ahead and turned in…not sure I if I was the first to turn in…but was rudely awakened by a monstrous snore’er. I had to leave my hot pink sheets! Thank God there were plenty of other beds to choose from! I was out! Couldn’t take it!

Saturday...we woke up and Alondra cooked us pancakes, and we had eggs and sausage to go with it. Beth made some MIMOSA for some of the girls and we dined out on the terrace overlooking the pool. The weather was perfect!!! It was so nice, just out there relaxing!
A little after breakfast we participated in a white elephant type gift exchange that Marie put together for us. Each person had to make up a page kit and wrap it up and we did an exchange. If you made a page out of it, you would get a RAK from Marie. I think everyone participated and that was a fun activity. There were a few kits going back and forth being stolen twice! We got some more scrappin in before we left the house. We decided to go to Cool Scrapbook Stuff since there was a Michaels and Joanne’s in the same shopping center. We spent too much time there we ended up eating late and we just did our own thing. Someone had a “brilliant” idea to purchase a fake mouse…MELISSA! LOL! Her and Rochelle were pretty much in Cahoots and thought it would be funny! So after Melissa agreed to go to the store with someone later that evening, she wondered if the mouse would be discovered, and YES IT WAS!!! Discovered by Marie…LOL! Rochelle, plead the 5th….and said she was against the whole thing….but come to find out, that wasn’t the case! LOL! So Melissa and Rochelle went at it for hours on who said what and whose idea it was. I swear we were laughing for hours and it gave us our 2nd and 3rd wind!!! For dinner that night Janice made us spaghetti and Beth made some BOMB garlic cheese bread and Melissa provided salad. After dinner…the party started! Who said a group of women with no rhythm could not be taught the cupid shuffle!!!!???? LOL!!! Yes…..it was hilarious! There is video floating around in someone’s house, but I better not find it on YouTube! LOL! That was BEFORE Alondra made us Pink Panties!

We had a surprise up our sleeve and celebrated Rochelle’s birthday. She had no idea and I think she almost started crying. That was nice and fun! So we had some cake and ice cream…yummy!

Saturday we got A LOT projects done! INCLUDING…these really really cute Acrylic Tissue Boxes that came from Kits2Remember. I was a little afraid of them at first but thought it would be a nice challenge for the group! So…I got one for each person and 4 out of 8 of us actually completed them. They turned out really cute! (Thanks Jessica!)

Melissa gave out prizes throughout the weekend, first to put their pajamas on, 1st to go to bed, etc. It was cool, everyone got something.

Sunday…I THOUGHT I was leaving early, so I can get back to my baby, because I missed her so much. HA! We all drove out the driveway with the exception of Beth left at 4:00pm, check out time. We allowed enough time to clean up, it was required to gather all the trash and put by the front door, and strip all sheets and place towels in the hampers. We had plenty of food left over from Friday and Saturday for lunch on Sunday so it was cool!

I asked to take pics of everyone’s projects so we can really see everything that was accomplished. Yeah, we had a lot of FUN but we still got our scrap on!!!

I am sure I am missing a lot, but that was most of everything….the house was beautiful as well…very spacious and I think it was just enough room with the 8 ladies. =) We had a very memorable time and can’t wait for next year.

Here is what I did...

***My tissue box is missing, but you can get a glimpse of it on the slide show*** Not formatting correctly. =(

Counting the Days...

WhoGivesaScrap is about to embark on our first annual retreat! I am beyond excited, because I so need this time, to just get away right now! There will be 8 of us and I am so excited! Thanks to the ladies who have said OKAY to spend whats about to be a WILD AND CRAZY weekend!!! LOL!

We have found a place in Escondido called San Diego Scrap Inn...looks really nice, so I will deifnately give a recap next week!!!


Other news on a sour note...one of my favorite, excuse me....ANOTHER one of my favorites,
It's About Time is officially closing their doors I believe on Thursday..don't quote me...but you can check it out. Of course Jennfier has already been down there and says they didn't have too much good stuff left, but of course she didn't leave empty handed! =) Jennifer...like you need any extra stuff! I wish the store owner luck on her future endeavors...


Man what tough times...

4-1-1 Week of 11/3/08

4-1-1 ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 3rd, 2008

What will the future hold for Jennifer Hudson? Hudson buried her family, her mother, her brother and her nephew, this past week. They were tragically murdered, and no one has been charged in connection with their deaths. According to sources, Hudson plans to stay close to fiancé David “Punk” Otunga as she tries to put the pieces of her life back together. She is staying close to family and leaning on them for support. As she deals with her loss, there are many unanswered questions. Did the gun involved in the shooting belong to her brother? Were drugs involved? In 2001, her brother and sister were arrested for drug dealing, but the charge was dropped because of an illegal search. Julia Hudson, Jennifer’s sister, is also feeling the heat because her ex-husband remains the prime suspect. Did he murder her family? During this time of tragedy, Hudson realized she is not alone. She is currently planning to start a foundation that will help families of murder victims. The Hudson-King Foundation is named in honor of her slain family members. The foundation will care for the needs of families who have lost relatives to violent crimes. They will provide food and shelter, clothing and grief counseling. Hudson’s American Idol family have been there for her including Fantasia, who was on hand to sing at the funeral services.

How can Janet Jackson pick up the pieces of her broken career? She has cancelled the remaining dates on her Rock Witchu Tour. Low ticket sales did her in. There were stories of her being sick, but the truth is it was heartbreaking for her to realize that she was no longer selling out concert venues. Ever since the Superbowl fiasco, her career has gone downhill, and her relationship with Producer Jermaine Durpi has not done her any good. She may love him, but his career advice sucks. What will it take to get her back with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis? Janet fans are very upset with her. They feel she let them down when she cancelled her tour.

Speaking of the Jacksons, the answer is: Thanks, But No Thanks! Michael Jackson says he wishes his brothers well, but he has no plans to join them on a reunion tour. Last week, Jermaine Jackson announced plans for a Jackson reunion tour, but Michael says he wants no part of it. When Michael plots his comeback, he wants the entire spotlight to be on him and not his brothers. The other brothers really need Michael to go on tour with them so they can make money, but Michael won’t budge.

What will be left of the estate of James Brown? Well after two years of fighting… not much. Once the dust settles after the lawsuits and DNA tests, his children may not be left with anything. What happened to all that money? Unpaid debts and inadequate accounting have dried up the estate. Now, future earnings will have to come from movies, royalties and the sale of his likeness. All of the Brown children are still not happy with the DNA testing. Terry Brown feels there should be more DNA testing to see who is lying and who is telling the truth about who their father is. He feels if James Brown is not their father, they shouldn’t get any money.

Chilli from TLC is looking for a man! The Grammy award winning- artist and former girlfriend of Usher is turning to VH1 to find her new love. Chilli, 38, is ready for a new shot at love via her new dating show.

Lionel Richie is getting ready to release his new CD next year. Richie will be teaming up with Singer/Songwriter Ne-Yo for his next CD entitled Just Go.

Will there ever be a Tony! Toni! Tone! reunion. According to group founder Raphael Saadiq, don’t count on it. In the 90’s, the group was best known for the hits It Never Rains In Southern California and Whatever You Want. Saadiq says there will be no reunion. He’s currently on tour with John Legend. Saadiq is promoting his latest CD, The Way I See It, featuring the hit single, Love That Girl.

Rapper/Actor Ice Cube has just signed a deal with NBC. He’s going to produce a comedy cop show for the network.

The reunion of LABELLE has a lot of their fans excited. Patti LaBelle, Sarah Dash and Nona Hendryx are back with a new CD, Back To Now. They also have a new DVD based on the album, which features an inside look at their recording sessions and reunion after 30 years.

Music Industry Vet Jheryl Busby has died. In the 90’s, Busby headed up Motown Records, and he was instrumental in the careers of Boyz II Men and Johnny Gill. Busby was 59.

At the movies this week, the late Bernie Mac and the late Isaac Hayes make their final screen appearances in the movie Soul Men, which also stars Samuel L. Jackson.

Musiq (Soulchild) returns with his latest CD, On My Radio, on December 9th. The CD features his hit duet with Mary J. Blige, If U Leave.

Lee Daniels latest movie with Mariah Carey, Tennessee, opens in theatres December 19th
Sinbad and Yolanda Adams will be hosting the 21st Annual Stellar Awards. Gospel Sensation Marvin Sapp is leading the pack with nine nominations including song and male vocal. The show is taking place January 17th.

Bishop T.D. Jakes’ new movie, Not Easily Broken, opens in theatres early next year. The movie stars Morris Chestnut, Taraji P. Henson and Jennifer Lewis.

Chef G Garvin has just released a new cooking book. Dining In features 115 new recipes.

The American Music Awards are set for November 23rd. Jimmy Kimmel is back as host. Alicia Keys is leading the pack with four nominations, and she’ll be performing.

The movie, Notorious, based on the life of Rapper Biggie Smalls, a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G., is gearing up for its release, which is scheduled for January 16th, 2009. Angela Bassett will be playing Biggie’s mom, Volletta Wallace.

Motown Records is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a new box set of songs that the fans have picked. The box set is due December 9th. The 10 disc CD will feature 191 songs from your favorite Motown stars including Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross & The Supremes, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Mary Wells and Martha & The Vandellas, to name a few.

The Whispers are coming out with a holiday DVD. The famed singing group has been performing for over 45 years. Christmas With The Whispers features holiday classic and interviews.

All this weekend it’s the Philadelphia International Art Expo presented by October Gallery. This is the nation’s largest African American Art Expo. It all takes place at the Liacouras Center, Broad and Montgomery. Special guests include NBC 10’s Lori Wilson, CN8’s Arthur Fennell, Bern Nadette Stanis & Ralph Carter (“Thelma” & “Michael Evans” from Good Times) Actress Ella Joyce (“Eleanor” from Roc), Dancer/Actor Darrin Dewitt Henson and Rapper/Actor Ice-T. There is a $10 admission fee that will cover all three days.

Cedric The Entertainer is headed to Broadway. The stage play American Buffalo, about small time crooks, also stars John Leguizamo. American Buffalo opens on November 17th.

Poet and Author Dr. Maya Angelou is going to be honored along with TV Producer Norman Lear at the 2008 Annual Marian Anderson Awards. The ceremony honoring them is taking place November 17th at the Kimmel Center. Lear is best known for the TV classics All In The Family, Sanford & Son, The Jeffersons, Good Times and Maude. The award is named after the famed Contralto Marian Anderson, a Philadelphia native. Past honorees include Sidney Poitier, Richard Gere, Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck, Oprah Winfrey and Harry Belafonte. Dr. Angelou and Lear go back a ways back. The doctor is godmother to Lear’s youngest children. Scheduled performers include Harry Belafonte, Kirk Franklin, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ben Vereen.
Beyonce teams up with Oscar Winner Adrian Brody and Jeffrey Wright for the movie Cadillac Records. Beyonce is playing the Legendary Etta James. The movie opens in theatres December 5th.

WHAT’S THE UNDERGROUND BUZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Actor is going to find out the hard way it doesn’t pay to be rude and disrespectful to your peers. He may be good looking, but his bad attitude and weird behavior is ruining is career.
Were they really tears of joy when this well known figure cried in public at a major event? Or, was it just another publicity stunt?

YES WE DID!!!!!!!!

Wow....I am SO extremely overwhelmed and just excited with pride and joy of this historical moment!!!! YES WE CAN!!!! YES WE DID!!!!

As me and Reggie went to the polls yesterday, I just felt a sense of awe...as I saw SO many young citizens of our country walk out proud, smiling. We have broken records today!!!! While watching tonight...Oprah mentioned something that is SO true....I have not felt such a huge sense of unity since 9/11. So many people have come out and voted.

I am looking forward to my daughter Breanna learning about her first African American President. WOW...did I just say that!? I am so happy and proud!!!! Obama worked very hard and I am anticipating some serious CHANGE!!!

My prayers and thoughts continue to go out to the Obama family as his grandmother is smiling down on her grandson right now!!!

Damn...we made history right now....and I am here to see it. How much more emotional this all be?

Truly amazing! And now we must pray for his safety....

Whewww!!! I can't even say it was a close call! I was watching those numbers! I can't even say that! Obama was pretty much kickin butt all night...Oh...AND STILL IS!!!!

As of right now 333 to 155...he only needed 270 to win! Wow...Still kickin butt! Simply amazing!

Did I see "Reverend Jackson crying?" What a hypocrite!!!!