Thursday, August 30, 2012

In Memory


This week I had the honor of making a photo board for my mom's upcoming 40th class reunion of all of the deceased class members.  I got to know each and everyone of their young faces and wondered what their life was like and how they passed.  It was also sad for me because I hate it that my mother's picture is on this board.  I mean I really really hate it. 
Mom has been gone for over three years now.  She was a very young 54 yrs old when she died. Ever since, I have felt a huge hole in my heart and life. I have not felt peace or acceptance...which I'm sure it holding me back in dealing with my grief.  I don't feel her. I don't see her. When I dream about her, we are doing everyday ordinary things like cleaning together or having lunch. But, she never tells me that she's ok. And I need her to tell me that. I've been praying for that one thing for three years. 

The thing is, you have to go on with your life. You don't have a choice. Right after Mom died, my kids were 5 and 3. I had to go right back into being a mom and taking care of my family.  And I know that's what Mom would want..to go on and be happy. Can I tell you sometimes that is so hard. I see my children's faces and it makes me so sad that they have to grow up without their grandmother!  I feel like they are being cheated. Hailey, being the first grandchild, knew Mom the best and will have memories of her. But, Noah and Sidney probably don't remember. And Deacon will never know her.    People say to me "she is here and she is watching over you", but it's not the same as having her here sharing life experiences. It's not the same!! I feel like my life changed the day she died. 
I know my mother really suffered the last few months of her life. Her cancer was too far gone by the time they found it. I know she is with our Heavenly Father and perfect and out of pain. I just want to say sometimes "why God, why?". What is Your plan? How is this benefiting anyone.  I know this question probably won't be answered in my lifetime.  I am going to have to trust Him.  It's just that the changes are hard. 


Love you my beautiful mother. Always and forever.
Donna Ann Burns Witt
August 19, 1954-June 29, 2009




Friday, August 24, 2012

Pebble's Sunnyside

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you have had a good week. I'm a little worn down since the kids went back to school. Honestly, I love sleeping in and I have been getting up at 7am.

AND tonight, I have 6 of my daughter's friends over for a slumber party.  So far, so good..but my coward husband ditched me to go watch the Bears game.  Too much estrogen in the house I guess. Even our son is gone for the night.

Tonight I am sharing a mini album I did using Pebble's Sunnyside collection.  I really love this paper...it's bright and has great patterns.  And I love the layered butterfly stickers!

I documented pictures from a trip our Brownie troop took to a local nature preserve. They earned the "Water Everywhere" badge and we had to wade in a creek!  The girls were so brave!


I layered a few of the patterns, as well as cut out the pennants from one of the papers. Threw in some washi tape and baker's twine!  I also used one of the vellum envelopes from Jillibean Soup!



Love these girls! Most of them have been in the troop since kindergarten!  This was my last year as a leader...kind of bittersweet, but I was ready to hand it over to someone else. 


It was the last half day of school so some of our "Brownie Brothers" tagged along. They had a blast....actually I was shocked Noah got in the creek. I think it helped that his buddies had no reservations about the water. Actually, Nick was covered in water and mud by the time we left LOL


Fun Studio Calico Mistables!  Perfect for your summer projects!
I also used my Technique Tuesday Studio AE Summer stamps!









Another Mistable sun...of course I used Dylusions spray ink! My bird house and bird are from Maya Road. I misted my bird and twig, then covered the house in washi tape.  The stamped quote is Technique Tuesday from the same Studio AE set. 


Ok, the girls are now downstairs having a singing contest. At least they have settled down some! LOL Any chance that they will be asleep by 1am?  


Thursday, August 23, 2012

Back to School



Hi everyone..it's been a busy week at the Haggerty household! My kiddos went back to school yesterday. I can say they were less than thrilled. Hopefully they will get into the swing of things and enjoy their new school.

I've been enjoying being at home by myself too...today I worked on my blog and ran errands. Mostly enjoyed the quiet!

Also, I've been trying to gear up and get organized for the design teams I am on. I love it that I have the days to sit and create!

Our beautiful daughter, Hailey, turns 9 on Sunday. She's having some friends from her old school stay the night Friday (help!) and then a family party on Sunday. I look at her and wonder where did the time go? She is such a tween!

I just got some fun new Jillibean Soup paper in the mail so I'm hoping to make some projects this weekend! Maybe I can sit downstairs in my scrapbook room and supervise during the slumber party! LOL I may need a drink for that. Until next time!

Announcing The Scrapbooking Studio Bloomington Design Team

So happy to be announcing the newest members of our design team at the Bloomington store!

Be sure to check out these talented ladies!

I myself will be continuing to coordinate the design team! I look forward to working with all of these ladies and cannot wait to see what they create!  

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Exciting news!





Yesterday via email, I found out I was selected to be a part of the Clear Scraps Design Team!  I'm so excited and very honored! I love working with acrylic...especially the mini books!!

The blog post is here:  http://clearscraps.typepad.com/my_weblog/2012/08/introducing-the-newest-clear-scraps-design-team-members.html


I begin the first of next month...can't wait to see what goodies I get in the mail!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Pink Paislee's Prairie Hill mini

Hi everyone...today I am sharing a mini book class I did for The Scrapbooking Studio last month.  I used Pink Paislee's fun Prairie Hill collection for my book, along with magnetic clasps for a different opening.


 I placed the magnets underneath the brown cardstock strip so the book opens in the middle. 



The inside of the front left cover. I "popped up" the umbrella to give it a fun effect!  



I am a big fan of the colors of this line!! And love the Accolade Stickers!  




A fun tag I added as an insert. On the front is one of the cardstock stickers...love love love the camera!


Journaling spot on the inside of the tag



Using some of the fun cardstock stickers!






Another tag insert...this time I bound it on the fold.


The inside of the tag for more journaling.


I absolutely LOVE these stamps from Maya Road. I've used them so much!  


Here are some of the Chipboard Pops that I made into a banner:


As you can tell, I love to make mini books!  I have a monthly class at The Scrapbooking Studio in Bloomington. This month, I actually have two on the 25th. It will be a "Teresa Collins Day"..in the morning I'm teaching with Posh.


In the afternoon, I am doing a mini book with World Traveler


If you are in Central Illinois call the store to sign up! :)












Wednesday, August 15, 2012

I moustache you....


It's been almost a week since my last post. Chris and I had a blast in Louisville at the wedding. While shopping with the ladies on Saturday, a friend found these very fun temporary tattoo moustaches.   They were great for pictures :)  Here is one of the group:


Anyway, I am STILL recovering from the weekend. I am not used to staying up late!  LOL But, it was worth it! 

I've been working hard in my scraproom this week but can't share anything just yet.  The kiddos go back to school a week from today...I told my husband the first full week I am not doing anything but scrapbooking! 

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Sweet Afternoon

Hi all..it's been a busy week. I filled in at an office one day this week, took care of a sick boy, plus still re-cooping from my brother's wedding.  Today, I'm registering the kids for school.  Tomorrow, my husband and I leave for Louisville, KY to attend a wedding.  I'm looking forward to getting away but lately I feel like I haven't had time to breathe.  Secretly, I want to hole up in my scrapbook room and not come out for awhile. Ok, maybe for Diet Coke.

Today, I am sharing some projects done with a line from one of my very favorite designers!  For this layout, I used Teresa Collins' Sweet Afternoon collection.  As from previous posts, you know that I love TC! Our store, The Scrapbooking Studio, just received two of her newest lines:  Tell Your Story and Vintage Findings. LOVE them both!  

Back to my layout...I created this for the design team at The Scrapbooking Studio.  I love the soft pastel colors of this line!  My two favorite patterns are the newsprint and the yellow/white dot.


One of the coordinating cardstock stickers.  I added a small bit of bling as well!

A portion of the banner I created. I incorporated some of the brad/pennants, as well as die cuts.



A Teresa Collins line needs Blingage!  Unfortunately, you cannot purchase it anymore.  But, the new lines have lots of shiny embellishments!


Here is a card I created as well.  I used a background stamp on the white flourish pattern and incorporated some of the fun die cuts.


To give my card some dimension, I added three of the Maya Road mini spools. I think these are so cute!


I love Studio Calico's wooden veneers!  I can't wait to get my hands on some more! :) Here, I used the wooden people shapes.  


Well, I need to pack for the weekend and clean the house. (I'm one of those weirdos that need to have my house clean before leaving town).  I'll be back next week to share some more projects!