Know what I love the most...

...about this little "hobby" of mine? The people! There ain't NO people like scrappy people to get you fired up and motivated and creatively charged. I'd like to welcome Lisa Burt (http://livelovescrapbooking.blogspot.com) to my crop circle! Lisa emailed me about my Memory Works consultantship and, after a series of emails we met for lunch and traded stories. I know so many people around me just shake their heads when I do things like pick up friends at the Scrap Store or my online girls on HYWWP but the women that have come into my life through this medium have been the greatest blessings that a girl could ever dream up.

Even MORE inspiration has just been pouring out of our amazing sponsor - Sketch Inspiration I was totally scared of this kit when I first came across it - there is so much glitter and glamour and sparkle and its totally out of the element of where I usually create that - well - it gave me the shakes a little...but I kid you not, after working with it for only just the past few weeks I have used up all but a few scraps of each sheet and ALL of the flowers and brads and ribbons. Skyline and butterfly kisses both came from that kit Every luscious drop has been squeezed out of this kit and I have loved it. Not only that but Sketch 136 was the inspiration for "butterfly kisses" below. I never think of using circles but I think it really sets off that photo. The last one is just for fun - wanted to showcase my HYWWP girls from our Chicago trip a few weeks ago. Miss them SO muchly.

T - 4 days until Derrick arrives and operation redo the house goes into FULL effect! I promise photos will ensue - this is going to be really interesting...

It has been awhile.

So I thought that I would take a few moments and update you on the comings and goings of life at the Stuart household. Insomnia does have its advantages ;)

Starting at the top: I am no longer with Metlife (has it really been JANUARY since I last updated this thing?) I now work for CNA Company in home improvement sales - windows, siding, gutters and gutter protection. I never imagined that would be what I am doing but - here I am and I'm doing great. It looks like I may even be brought on as a trainer for new recruits!

Still scrapping! Never as much as I want to but my page count is up to 80 for the year so far so I can't complain! More importantly I am really enjoying my pages again and have PLENTY of subject matter. Namely our trip to Florida in April, Chicago in June, and two growing blooming boys to keep me in photos!

Here are some of my latest. Family Tree and Smile Marathon are both ALL because of the August Sponsor for Have Your Way with Paper. Trisha at Sketch Inspiration provided our design team with this absolutely beautiful kit full of glittery beautiful papers and coordinating embellishments. I'm so in love with the whole thing. Smile Marathon is based on her sketch 135. Nothing better than a sketch to jump start some creativity! Stay tuned for more.

Next on the docket - My Jackson! Can you BELIEVE that he is going to be in Kindergarten in two short weeks? He has just grown up overnight. Yesterday he had on a shirt that was WAY too big for him in April and it fit him perfectly. He continuously amazes me though. His new affinity is talking on the phone and he just sounds so completely grown up...observe....

And the baby! He hardly even seems like a baby anymore. He started walking at 8 months and hasn't stopped since! He definitely keeps his momma on his toes!! He is 11 months old now and totally rules the roost. I have him enrolled in the Kids Academy in Bondurant starting in October - I can't wait to see how much he learns and grows and gets interactive when he is around more structure and other kids his age!

So that's the update - I will try not to suck so much at updating my blog in the near future.