Freckled Star

I'm here..........

Yes I am.

This life of mine has just been so busy lately I haven't had time to gather any of my thoughts much less sit and type about them:)

This week my oldest son, my first born, is jumping out of planes. Flown by our very capable Air Force. But still a mom worries........

Then he called, he did it, he was safe on the ground, he had landed in a tree. 30 feet up for 30 minutes before they could get him and the guy who jumped behind him down. Apparently after the guy behind him they wouldn't let anyone else jump. You see the wind had picked up. My boy had already jumped. So as the wind carried him away he could see where he was supposed to land fade into the background and the ever lovely canopy of Georgia trees that awaited him. He's laughing about it now. I asked well that does jump count? He said yes as long as you get your ass out of the plane it counts. Whew! So he could of landed in Alabama and it would have counted:)

Also he told me he was fine. But he told his dad his legs got all banged up. Probably feels like he got hit by a car this morning. And now he's probably on another plane getting ready to jump. I try not think about it........

My daughter graduates high school today. She's worked so hard and had to get over many obstacles but she made it. I made it! There were days I wanted to strangle her, days I wanted to punch her teachers and days I wanted to just hide in my closet. I gave her a ring that was my mother's. Hard to believe that when she died that was the week Lindsay "graduated" from preschool. Where does the time go...........

Anyone?

Can you tell me??

Tyler will start working at the dealership this summer. Just like Chris, my brother, did and Zachary did at 15. A Rojas-Villarreal boys right of passage. Washing cars, picking up cigarette butts, pulling weeds, sweeping service bays, freshening up paint and listening to way too many dirty words and inappropriate stories from the salesmen. Yep he'll be my next one jumping out of planes before I know it! That was a JOKE God! Please let this one want to do something safe like go to college and chase skirts! I have a feeling that's not in the cards for me though.......

So Frank bought a motorcycle. May have not mentioned that before. Right after he got home from Iraq. Because you know that wasn't dangerous enough. His gear he has to wear also costs more than a Dolce Gabbana suit with matching handbag and Jimmy Choo slingbacks. And guess what??

Now I have all that crap too because he wants me to ride with him. Brings back memories of when I had to take all the classes to get certified in Scuba. I would rather have had a Louis Vuitton;)

But I went on my first ride Mother's Day weekend and it wasn't so bad. Especially when he took me to an Olive Estate with a tasting room. I also don't think I have mentioned my love affaire with olive oils and vinegars. It's a problem. I blame it on the cooking! But other than it being a little hot and looking like a doche in my BMW jacket that weighs 100 pounds and sporting the boots that make my legs look like tree stumps it wasn't that bad;) I guess I can't be fashionable all the time especially when we stopped at the oldest bar in Pozo and it's claim to fame is the pictures of the public hangings that used to go on out front. Which they proudly display in the restaurant along with the dollar bills they have stapled all over the ceiling. Cowboys back then were scandalous to be certain!!

And now it looks like I'll be taking my second ride on Memorial Day up to Ojai. I so hope a Day Spa is involved:)

So in between the growing of more gray hair I have only been in my scrapbook room to clean. It literally exploded Tiffany!! I still can't believe all the stuff I got. Not only from the event and swaps but the generosity of all the women I was with is just beyond measure!

And now summer is here and Zachary will be home for his 2 weeks soon. Then Lindsay will start college in July. I don't think I'll have time to breathe, I mean really breathe until August:)

I do have a some great classes coming up in Coronado though mid June and I can't wait. I hopefully won't fall asleep in them lol:)

I'll be back periodically so don't give up on me:)

Have a wonderful rest of the week!!

The classes.........

Kecia Deveney..........

The class sample.

The kit.

Mine in process.

And about finished, it's a little blurry:)

Laura McCollough.......

Now that's the class sample but mine came out the same sooooo.........

That's a better picture:)

Lonnie Jenck.........

The kit and a torch:)

Class sample.

And here is mine now.

Still a work in process:)

Jeanne Oliver.........

Class sample.

See the slow fade:)

I unfortunately had to miss Saturday to get ready for my dad's 60th birthday party. So about a 1/2 hour into Lonnie's class it became crisis central at my house when the tent/rental people showed up 3 hours early! Now had I been home they would have been 3 hours late. Isn't that how the universe works lol:) So I missed the last two classes but they will get done!! And when they do I'll post pictures. Can't wait to get my hands on that journal and it's a good thing I've got girlfriends (hint,hint) that can show me exactly what to do:)

But with that said..........

Dad's party was perfect!

And the cake was alot of fun!!

Look at the license plate. That's so cool!

I don't know what was a bigger hit the cake and cupcakes or the cigars! Either way they were all gone!

Well that about wraps it up for me! Leaving for Cayucos tomorrow and I must say I CAN NOT wait to get to the beach!!

I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day!!!

See you next week!!

The swaps........

Lots of pictures today!

The Oh So Chic Bottle Swap.......

Mine was made by the lovely Karen France and the swap was hosted by Erin Barraza.......

Forever Holly-Altered Vintage Jewelry Box Swap.........

My box created by Tara Wilson and the swap hosted by Angela Howard.........

A Very Charming Tiffany's Necklace Swap......

There were 20 ladies in this swap, each making a charm. Hosted by the so talented Rochelle Gaukel.....

The Never Go Lightly Tiara Swap..........

My fabulous tiara was made by Erin Barraza and the swap was hosted by Denise Hahn........

The Stylish Girl's Compact Swap.........

My pretty compact made by Terry Frias and swap hosted by me:)

And I am getting a nice collection started! Two more I got from Cheryl and Jessi:)

The Holly Go Comfy Slipper Swap........

My slippers were made by Cheryl Stoneham and she hosted it too!!

And those were all of them:)

I could not have been happier!

They were all absolutely gorgeous and I will treasure each one:)

Lucky, lucky, lucky to know and love such talented women!!

Happy Wednesday:)

 

The Affaire..........

The beginning........

Cheryl and Terry's Cocktail Party.......

Cupcakes provided by the lovely Julie Weller of Cupcake DD.........

The Little Black Dresses...........

And the lovely Erin Barraza.........

Then guess what......

I started drinking and there will be no more pictures;)

Vendor night is a blur but I did get some really cool necklaces from Rochelle, I broke down and got my Mermaid Necklace from Lisa Loria and I had to have this Santos from Kecia that was so beautiful I couldn't stand it!!

After that Kim and her little elves went to work!

This is what we walked into Friday morning........

The ladies started arriving and I just stood at the door watching everyone's expressions as they walked in. It was priceless! So much hard work goes into all Kim's events and I think sometimes she doesn't get to really appreciate it because of course she is working. But it was really something special to hear all the ohh's and ahh's as they walked in. And then of course it's camera action non stop:)

And that's just looking at everything! Then you get into all the goodies!! The goodie bags were overflowing with treats. Inside the Tiffany bag a Pottery Barn jewelry box and cuff. As if the Tiffany bag wasn't enough! Then a chocolate Tiffany Box that is just too cute for words! Everything thought of. The silver trays we got to keep, they hold all our jewelry making kit. The itinerary and Audrey wand. The beautiful brooch on the chairs. All ours!! Incredible and we haven't even started making anything yet:)

I think that's enough for one post. I'm getting overwhelmed lol:)

Be back soon........

Just a few words:)

Well I am back from Missouri!

It was a wonderful trip. We were both so proud of Zachary and he was over the moon proud of himself!!

He stayed with us at the B&B and it was perfect. Much needed R&R for him that's for sure. Home cooked meals, a long hot shower, a comfy bed and an HD t.v. what more could you ask for??!!

We could not have had a nicer place to stay. The Almoost Heaven Bed and Breakfast was perfect! Gorgeous home and land. Out in the middle of nowhere but you know me lol:) JoLynn and Brian were so nice it was like staying with friends. It was very peaceful and relaxing. Wish the weather would have cooperated a little more, the deck was awesome.

Speaking of the weather.........

It sucked!

If it's not hot and humid one minute, it's raining, if it's not raining it's socked in with fog and it's cold. Also seeing tornado shelters all over post was a little disconcerting. Seeing big black clouds gathering made me want to pee my pants as well. Especially driving down some back country road with no cell reception and acres and acres of open space. I'll take earthquakes any day thank you very much!!

So now I know why it's called Fort Lost in the Woods! And although the countryside is beautiful the roadkill and bugs the size of Sandy Cheeks are not!! Which were evident all over our piece of crap Nissan Versa's windshield and hood:( And I used to think armadillos were cute but once you've seen about 50 of them squashed along the side of the road it starts to make your stomach turn a wee bit. It's like something out of a horror movie! They do not get hit by cars well at all! ICK!! And I don't believe they have animal control like here in good ol' California who come and get them off the road. I believe they must wait til something bigger than them comes and drags them into the woods. Apparently armadillos are not the tastiest, not even then vultures would touch them unlike that deer that we could still smell 5 miles down the road!! Moving on............:)

So we left our first born there. It was sad to say the least. He leaves for Fort Benning Georgia this week for Airborne school. By bus lol!! Gotta love the Army:)

Let's see what else........

My birthday was Monday:) I turned 39. One more year til the big 4 0!!

This last couple of days have been about getting all the final details hammered out for my dad's 60th Birthday party on Sunday. Lindsay and I decided to do the flower arrangements so things needed to be bought. Caterers needed to be called, party rentals needed to be scheduled and right now I am waiting for the carpet cleaner. And I just remembered I still need to get back to the Cakery with the cupcake flavor. See always something to do!! Jeez:)

But in less than 24 hours I will be in Manhattan Beach!!

Affaire at Tiffany's this week at the Belamar:) Gosh it seems like this has been in the works forever. I can't believe it's finally here. I am all ready. My swaps are packed. Along with gifties for friends, my craft tote and my little black dress. I can't wait to see everyone! It is so incredible to have friends from all over the U.S. that can come together a couple of times a year and just have the best time.

To old friends and new......

See you soon:)

*No Close to My Heart project this week. I'll get back to the program next week and it's a good one;)

 

 

 

 

"Dotty for You"

That is the name of the incentive paper packet going on now for National Scrapbook Month. Although it's officially May we started a little early:)

It's $5 with a $35 purchase. Good deal and some really cute, really functional paper patterns.

Over the weekend I got together with my two friends Char and Elaine for the annual April 3 Pea's Birthday:)

It's really only 2 of the pea's considering Char's birthday we do in July. Which she reminded us about 1/2 a dozen times:)

I decided to make Elaine a card. Do you know how long it's been since I made a birthday card!!?? Needless to say awhile! But I got some stuff out to play with and got to it.........

My "dotty" paper packet, cute cupcake stamp set and glue stick..........

Once I got my paper cut and glued down on a Colonial White Die Cut card, I trimmed and sanded a bit.

Then I got on to stamping. Two keys to the perfectly stamped image. Number 1 make sure you have a nice juicy ink pad. If your pad is old and dried out it will never look good! And number 2 make sure you use the piece of plastic foam that covers all Close to My Heart stamp sets underneath the piece of paper you are stamping. It insures even application of ink.

Then a little cutting. These are the BEST scissors I SWEAR!! I have been using my old CTMH pair for the last 6 years and was lucky enough to get a brand spanking new pair in my kit. These are by far my favorite and for $9.95 they are well worth it and they last forever.

Glued that to the little flap of the card with a glue dot.

The "Happy Birthday" was also in the stamp set. While I had them out I stamped the envelope too and did a little coloring. Which is always fun:)

And last but not least a little "sparkle" and it's all done:)

Well it's time to start packing...........

Tomorrow Frank and I leave for Missouri to see our oldest son, Zachary Ryan, graduate from the 31st Engineer Battalion's AIT program!! He has been gone since the 7th of January. Seems like forever ago!!

So Frank and I have never been to this part of Missouri so this is going to be a hell of an adventure! Starting with a 2 and 1/2 hour car ride after the flight into St. Louis. I have a feeling we will know why they have nicknamed  Ft. Leonard Wood "Fort Lost in the Woods" soon enough:) Also hotel accommodations are few and far between in this neck of the woods. Frank booked us at Almoost Heaven Bed and Breakfast and yes it's 2 O's like "All Moosed Heaven"! As you can see with the Moose in the corner. Look like fun? Hmmm...........

I don't know about this!!!

All I know is the proprietors are really sweet and emailing back and forth to make sure they make our stay as comfortable as can be:)

We are in the "Bearly Tame" room if that isn't funny enough!! But hey at least it's got it's own bathroom!!!

Wish me luck and I'll be back soon:)

Lucy

Last week I mentioned I was going to start doing a post a week featuring Close to My Heart products.

So here we go:)

This is the beginnings of "Lucy" and Lucy is also the name of the paper packet available from CTMH (from now I am abbreviating it or I'll be here all day:)

Just one of those paper mache dress forms from Michael's. It was $5.99

Now to start you'll need some Modge Podge, a foam brush and a bowl of water.

Then tear your paper into strips. I used the newsprint paper in the packet for the base and the large flower for the bodice.

Then what I do is cover a spot in modge podge, dip the paper strip quickly in water and attach to form. Adding a little more modge podge to top and all around, use fingers to smooth it down. And you just keep doing this til it's covered the way you like. One final smooth down. I use my wet fingers to get any bumps out. It's pretty forgiving and if you tear a spot or miss a spot you can cover with another piece of paper. She's ready to go outside to dry.

Now I left her in the sun for about an hour and she was good to go! She dried nice and glossy:)

Then it's time to dress her up!

Ribbon skirt so easy! Just a little hot glue to attach ribbons. Be careful!! I went around her twice for a little more fullness.

And what's a girl without a little bling??!!

She is awfully sweet and looks too cute on my work table:)

So what did I use...........

Lucy Paper Packet

Pink Collection Designer Ribbon

Color Ready Seam Binding

Designer Brads

Mini Medley Accents Collection

Clear Sparkles

All available through my website!!

Button in the upper left hand corner:)

Hope you enjoyed my first edition and I already have next weeks done and ready to go!

That's what happens when you wait two days for the county to come get a huge beehive out of your backyard;)

 

The Round Robin..........

This idea came up over chips and salsa (there may have or not have been margaritas involved:) last July......

There actually must have been margaritas involved or I may not have said yes lol:)

Holly of Holly Loves Art came up with the idea of doing a Round Robin book where we all picked a theme. We did the cover and maybe 3 or 4 pages to get it started. Then every 6 weeks it moved on to the next person and they add to your book..........

Now I should say the other 6 ladies had all done this before. I was the "newbie" and let me tell you when I got the first book I needed to make pages for I wanted to bail immediately!!! It was Cheryl's and it was barely even started and it was incredible!! And it was huge!! Mine was this little Tim Holtz 8x8 journal. And another thing she had all these cute little tag holders so everyone could make a tag who had the book and she had a story too! Excuse me but what the hell! I didn't get that memo:( I had a library card for everyone to sign their name. LAME!! But oh well live and learn. Oh and I did write a little story and I had Terry, I think, add it to my book so I didn't look even lamer:)

The themes were so much fun. Everyone's was different so each time you got a book it was a whole new experience. It was also cool to see everyone else's work especially as we were getting to the end and the books were almost full.

I was "beach" of course;)

Holly-Doggies

Kim-Pink

Cheryl-Fashion

Terry-Bathing Beauties

Erin-Paris

Cynthia-Dolls

We all went out to breakfast which was not very good but lots of fun:) And of course I forgot my camera at Kim's!! But we got a few pictures at her house after. I'm missing Cynthia and Erin:(

And I look like hell but moving on........

That's Cheryl and her book:)

Holly and her sweet doggie book.

Terry's Bathing Beauties. So much fun!

And Kim's gorgeous pink book. Would you look at that cover!!

Now on to my book which to say I LOVE would be an understatement!!

Truly I am so happy to have been involved in this and I sincerely hope everyone loved the pages I added to their books because I love every single page of mine:)

First off I forgot to mention Cheryl's book came in this fantastic place mat cover. I guess you sew two place mats together fold over one of the tops tie a ribbon with a button for closure and viola the cutest little book cover ever!! Which I would know nothing about because I couldn't sew to save my life! Which also made my heart sink a little when I got it because I sent mine off in I think a brown bag.

Anyhow I do believe Cheryl took pity on me and made me this beautiful place mat cover for my book. I almost cried:)

Absolutely perfect and I can't say thank you enough I swear!!

Here's my book I did the cover and the first 4 pages.............

I also added the ribbons when I got it home to finish it off:)

Here is my lame library card and story:)

Two of Terry's pages....

Love the sea fan and the coral color.

One of Holly's pages...........

Love the image!!

Two of Cynthia's pages..........

Her pages were so cool. All the glitter and the color!!

One of Erin's pages........

The cheesecloth is one of my favorite techniques and who doesn't love weathered beach signs!!??

A page from Kim............

The color, the lace and the little vintage piece. And jeez even beachy music paper!!

And last but not least 2 pages of Cheryl's.......

Now that's just beyond fun!!

So there is some of my book:)

As you can see it's pretty full:)

It's absolutely lovely and something I will cherish forever!

Thank you, thank you to all the SoCal Round Robin girls!!

Can't wait to get started on the next project:)

Have a great week everyone!

New adventures.........

As some of you may or may not know I have decided to sell Close to My Heart scrapbook products once again:)

I've been out of the scrapbooking game for a while. With kids getting older and me exploring other art expressions I just stopped...........

Until the creating of mini books this last year which became more than just fun! It was addicting!! Who knew you could add so much stuff! Embellishments galore which is right up my alley. My previous scrapbooking experience was a little flat and a little tedious just trying to get them all done. It was like a chore:( But these mini books were like pieces of art! So once I started filling my mini books with pictures, some as old as ten years past, it was starting to become fun again. I had to get my mind out of my OCD, chronological order of things of course!! But that is one thing my departure from traditional scrapbooking to the more artsy side of things has changed me this last 4 years and I could do it:)

With my dad's 60th Birthday coming up and me wanting to create a beautiful book for his party for people to reminisce over I decided to look into Close to My Heart again and saw they had really come a long way the last 4 years. And then I saw the consultant kit and add ons and said SOLD!!:)

Now you will see that little tab to the left that says "shop with me" and it will lead you directly to my website. This shopping online stuff is so great:)

I have decided that starting next week I will be posting one Close to My Heart project a week here:) Not only to hopefully inspire you to create but also to get me motivated to create and post on this silly blog. I mean I pay for it right!!! I need to use it!!

If you ever have any questions about something I have made or how to order to get started please contact me:) Either on here or on my Close to My Heart website. I would love to help!

I will also post the months "Specials".........

This April these are the two "specials" of the month.........

This is the "Stamp of the Month" called "You are...." it is $5 with a $50 purchase.

And this is called "Dotty for You" and it is the special for National Scrapbooking Month. Our promotion will run April 17th thru May 31st or while supplies last. You can get this super cute paper packet for $5 with a $35 purchase. Love the butterflies!!

 

You can see all the details on my site andrea1.ctmh.com

Well that's it from me today! Busy weekend ahead.Getting together with my Round Robin girls to exchange our books. I can't wait for mine! Can't believe we started this last July:) I will definitely post pictures!!

Sunday is all about dad's book, after cooking class of course;)

Have a wonderful weekend!

New life........

Over the weekend I decided to get a project done I have been putting off for years.........

I had this box of old, broken, beat up frames in the garage (the small space in the garage Frank let's me have:).........

Out of site out of mind right?:)

So I got out my trusty Dreamcoat White paint, a crappy paint brush and an old Pottery Barn catalog I could tear up...........

They all needed 2 coats. Especially the old frames they just soaked up the paint............

Then out to dry.........

The end result........

This is the new guest bedroom. Which I have just started putting together. It was Tyler's room and the walls are a very dark gray but I just had it painted less then a year ago (had no idea he'd move so willing into Zachary's old room lol:) so I wasn't getting it painted again and it really needs some white accents to brighten it up a bit. I'll show more when it's completed. Currently waiting patiently for the lamps, chair and wall art I want from Pier One to go on sale:)

Anyway just a simple idea to get more life out of some of the stuff you have around the house. They won't stay empty per se either. I'll probably add little accents to the middle of some or add a picture or two. That's the beauty of having no glass or backing they can be changed around all the time.

Off to work:)