Too Much Spongebob?

Kevin says he's hungry.
Tommy asks what he wants for lunch.
He replies, dead serious, "A peanut butter and jellyfish sandwich."
Tee-hee-hee!

He realizes what he said only after we crack up laughing!

Yep...too much Spongebob.

Anticlimatic Christmas

When the youngest woke us up at 7:00 AM this morning, we woke the rest of the kids too. Everyone went into the family room to see what Santa left and we exchanged presents. Meanwhile, Kevin had been digging into his stocking (Hershey's miniatures, sweet tarts, peanut M&Ms, etc.) and into the bowl on the table filled with Hershey's kisses. Soon he's complaining of a stomache ache and leaning over the toilet. I convinced him to go lay down and he slept for three hours but when he woke up and he still felt like he had to throw up. So here we are at home. On Christmas Day. Everyone is at my mom and dad's and here I am with Kevin and his Spongebob DVD. Hee-hee. I am so glad the cartoon is taking his mind off of everything he's missing.

Laura sat with Kevin while we brought the turkey over and I brought a plate of food back home with me. After they finish dinner, Tommy is going to trade places andI can go visit for a while. Then we'll trade places again this evening so he can go visit his mom.

The weather is fitting...overcast and dreary, looks like rain.

Deja-Vu

I am making reservations for evacuating! (Same day last year we were booking our rooms in Jackson, MS.!!!) I tried to ignore things at first, but my sister AND my mom called this morning saying that they are booking rooms and our favorite places are already sold out! :shock: Where do I want to vacation now? Destin? the mountains? Sea World in San Antonio? LOL! Might as well make it fun this time!

Well, we ended up booking 8 rooms (big extended family) in Memphis for Wednesday 4 nights. I'm hoping that we really don't need to go. But better to have those reservations and not use them than to be a wandering bunch of gypsies, unable to find a room at the inn! LOL! Been there...done that!

Textbook Costs

This just burns me up! Julie is going to college part time with only THREE courses this semester. She came home with her books today. She was able to get one of them used, but the others she had to buy new. (You know...the updated edition where the only update is the change in the copyright year on the second page. Grrrr!)

$600---Six hundred dollars! That is just ridiculous! And of course when she goes to sell them back she will get hardly anything for them...that is if she gets anything. They are good at changing books every year.

What gives? They are taking students (and their parents) to the cleaners.

Sketchlift a Friend

From the LM Archives

Sketchlift a Friend

By: Franny Lesniak, Design Team Member

It’s still summer, and very likely your scrapping time is at high premium. Did you follow Vickie’s suggestion and tips from her article in last week’s Lifetime Moments newsletter to select a layout or two of your own creation and scraplift it? If so, how did it go? Did the process occur more quickly than the first time around? Are you ready for some more scraplifting tips? Well, stay tuned, as I’m going to give you more pointers to complete layouts while shaving time off of the creation process.

This week, the topic is generating a sketch based on a layout that was created not by you this time, but by a friend or other scrapper whose work you admire.

When you see a layout that especially strikes your fancy, what is it in particular that you like about that layout? Is it the color scheme? Is it a particular use of an embellishment? Did that person make use of a design element that stood out? Or was it the overall basic design - the structural foundation - of the layout that you found appealing? Identifying the specific part of the layout that you might want to emulate will help you in the jotting down and sketching process.

Sometimes all you need to do is to jot down some notes about the color scheme that you liked, while other times you might want to draw a quick sketch of the layout, which may include just the basic bones design, or it may include more detail than that. Whatever the case may be, make sure to always have a notebook or sketchbook nearby so that you can record these inspirations. Some people find it helpful to use graph paper when making sketches. Just remember, you don’t have to be a talented sketch artist to get down the gist of the design elements!

Another point to remember – when perusing the gallery, if a particular layout strikes you, but you feel that it doesn’t really suit your style, don’t be dissuaded from sketching out the design. Focus on the basic bones structure. Keep an eye out for balance. Once you have made your sketch or notes, then all you have to do is fill in the blanks. You get to make the selection of papers and embellishments, which will result in a layout that will reflect your own style and flair.

Don’t forget, a sketch doesn’t tie you to any commitments. If as you create your sketch you think that this round element in the original design would look better in that location on your layout, and maybe as a different shape entirely, don’t hesitate to make the changes that you feel would work better for you. The sketch is only a starting place. You are free to take creative license and make it your own.

Once you get into the habit of sketching, I am willing to wager that you will find that this little bit of effort may make a significant difference in your creative process. You may begin to find inspiration all around you, all the time. But without making sketches and notes of these moments of inspiration, they can easily slip into the part of the universe where uncaptured inspirations go, sad and unused. Don’t contribute to the waste of perfectly good inspirations! Make sketches!

If creating sketches just isn’t your thing, but creating layouts based on sketches does work for you, then be sure to take a look at these books by Becky Higgins (“Creative Sketches for Scrapbooking”, and “Creative Sketches for Scrapbooking2”). Her sketches will certainly provide you with some great inspiration!

On a final note, there is truly nothing like the good feeling that comes from asking a friend if you can scraplift her layout. Just try it, you will see. :wink:

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Design Team Examples

To view all layout ideas and products used, please be sure to visit the Design Team Gallery: Sketchlift a Friend

Or Click each image below to see a larger view!

Sonya		Scraplifted From ConnieT
		Scraplifted From Mestebla
		Scraplifted From Purplbtrfly
Franny		Scraplifted from Scrappin Jenn
		Scraplifted from Debbie V
Susan		Scraplifted From Deblew
		Scraplifted From EdFred
		Scraplifted From Annalee
Miranda		Scraplifted From RJNetta
		Scraplifted From Debbie King
Madeline		Scraplifted From Joannie
		Scraplifted From LaLunatique’s
Nancy		Scraplifted From Clairbug
		Scraplifted From Melissa in SC

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Scrapbooker's Summer Survival Guide

From the LM Archives

Scrapbooker’s Summer Survival Guide

By: Madeline Fox, Design Team Member

“99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer. Take one down and pass it around, 98 bottles of beer on the wall!” Endless rounds of the aforementioned song would drive just about anyone nuts, so before embarking on a family road trip, most parents pick out a few well loved CDs (or DVDs) to stash in the car. Since a little preparation can make a big difference in the outcome of ANY summertime activity, family photographers, scrapbookers, and memory keepers would do well to heed this advice and do a little prep work before getting too caught up in the lazy hazy days of summer.

Remember that old scout motto, Be Prepared! Good advice if when you want to capture the season in photographs! Have that camera easily accessible and always ready to go, with fresh charged batteries, extra film and/or a clean memory card. (Kate keeps her camera and an extra memory card in the kitchen near the door, charger plugged into the wall, so that as she goes out the door she can “grab and go”, and not have to worry about dead batteries or full cards.) If you are leery about taking your good camera to the beach or on a boat, purchase a water resistant disposable, always a good choice for events like canoeing or snorkeling.

Along with the change in temperatures, summer brings a change in schedules and routines. The days are longer, the nights shorter and for many kids it’s a welcome respite from school and homework! This is a magical time for children, but while filling their summer with memorable moments, you may find that there is little time left to scrap them! You will need to set up a new schedule for your scrapping as well. If evenings that were once relegated to creating are now spent at the ballpark, try scrapping in the morning while the kids are sleeping in. Prepare a little tote bag to take with you to the beach or pool, and include idea books, magazines, notebooks and pencils. Do your planning on the go so that when you finally sit down to work, you can make the most of your time. Journal events as they occur instead of waiting until you get the photos back. It feels great to have that task done ahead of time!

While looking forward to summer activities, take a moment to look back at the milestones that have just passed. Now is the time to create that special page honoring a favorite teacher, scrap school memorabilia, and create a layout or mini-album that provides an overview of the past school year. Summarize the year while it’s still fresh in your mind! Or, for an unparalleled perspective, ask your child to take over some of the journaling duties.

With all the possibilities that summer holds, you’ll still hear it eventually…”I’m bored.” No reason for that! Give your kids their own spiral bound sketchbook and let them in on the fun! A summer journal is something that will give young ones much needed practice with scissors and writing, while affording older children the chance to work on organizing thoughts and creating something that will be a keepsake well beyond their childhood. Have them use these pages to keep track of books read, recount family stories, list favorite activities and places visited. They will enjoy including ephemera such as brochures and ticket stubs and are sure to feel quite special when you let them use some of your supplies.

While there’s no shortage of scrapbooking subjects this time of year (pool play, beach vacations, road trips, ball games and outings to the park or zoo), you may want to take a fresh approach when photographing these events and don’t forget to include everyday reminders of the season. While photographing your little one with Popsicle dripping down his chin, don’t forget a shot of the ice cream truck as it comes down the street. When at the beach or pool, get a picture of your tote bag brimming with colorful towels and sunscreen, sunglasses clipped to the side. Photograph your favorite shady spot in the yard with your tea glass sweating on the table. And don’t forget to get yourself in those pictures! Ask another parent along on an outing and take turns photographing each other’s families.

Hope you have found some of these tips to be helpful! When you’re searching for papers to scrap those memories, check through this list of summer-inspired collections in the Lifetime Moments store:

• 7-gypsies-lots of fun florals and gorgeously colored patterns in these island-inspired papers.
• Carolee’s Creations-a plethora of papers specifically geared towards some of our favorite seasonal subjects such as Camping, Graduation, BBQ, Summertime, and Freedom.
• Daisy D’s sidewalk chalk collection…funky collection of beautifully patterned papers in a bright palette toned down by its scuffed-up look. And just in…the new Girlfriend’s line, awash with summer color!
• Doodlebug-The Summer and Uncle Sam collections from their Spring 2006 release include papers and accents (buttons, jellishments, flowers, and clips) sure to mesh with your seasonal photos.
• Flair Designs-Additions to their popular Summer fun collection include the most precious swim suit papers, bright tropical patterns of fish or flowers and a sunny towel stripe paper, rubons, tags, and scrap beads.
• Foofala Going Places collection-beautifully colored collection of travel papers and accessories (printed twill, buttons, rub-ons, epoxy stickers and tags)
• Paper Salon’s Cabana and Palazzo papers speak of summer fun and travel respectively.
• Pebbles, Inc. has you covered with the most precious BBQ, Outdoors, and Zoo themed papers, stickers, market tags and their new unique magnetic clips.
• Nunn Design Decorative Details Summertime Embellishment Kit -includes mini frames, flower brad accessories and decorative paper clips.

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Mini Feature: Bazzill Shadow Box Frames

By: Nancy Thomas, Design Team Member

Home décor products have exploded in the scrapbooking industry this year, and one of our favorites is the new shadow box frame by Bazzill. These freestanding quality-made boxes have hooks inside the top which hold a plastic sleeve where you slide in your layouts for display in your home! What a fun gift for grandparents too! They come in both 8x8 and 12x12 sizes!

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Design Team Examples

To view all layout ideas and products used, please be sure to visit the Design Team Gallery: Scrapbooker’s Survival Guide

Madeline Susan 

FrannyMiranda

Nancy Sonya Tracy

Beshka

Beach or Bust

We LOVE to vacation with our extended families and have been renting a succession of condos/townhouses on the beach in Florida for many years. Some years it all pulls together and we ALL can make it and it is a blast, kids running everywhere, poker games way into the night. Well, the place we had been booking was wiped out two years ago in a hurricane, so last year we didn't go anywhere...except that unplanned 3-week evacuation/vacation. Kinda good we had money set aside for that little adventure, huh?!

Fast forward to this year! We finally found a place that had 5 condos available right on the beach with a pool, on one of our favorite beaches. Everyone had their vacations set aside, my sister that lives in Jupiter is driving in. We have been looking forward to this for so long! Can't wait!

Then we get a call from the Realty office..."So sorry, but the pool (which had been toppled during the aforementioned hurricane) will not be ready." BUMMER! While it's not the end of the world for ME, my sil won't go now. She said they will only go somewhere with a pool. Guess we'll miss them!

It is nice to have a pool for those times when there's thick seaweed or jellyfish swarms, but just give me white sand, gulf breezes and a good book and I'm happy! Destin, here we come!