feeling inspired

Was up late last night working on this. This was a challenge from these girls. When I saw that the topic was hope i immediately thought of my sister. I wanted to make this layout for her because she is so full of hope. Hope you like it Lisa!!

Been working on lots of stuff. I finished 3 projects last night. Really feeling inspired lately, hope it lasts.

I finished my day 1 of the challenge, i will try and upload it later today.

-r

21 day challenge

Last night i popped over to this blog and found out she is starting this 21 day challenge. I was so excited to see this, because i missed it the first time around. This is what i need right now! The whole idea is that it takes 21 days to create or break a habit. So i want to try my whole weight watchers thing and really stick to it this time. This way i will have an artistic outlet to journal about my ups and downs and use it as a motivational tool. I'm getting so excited about this. i worked on my book last night.

I've been wanting to just use an old book for an art journal, so i found this old childrens reader that i am going to make my own. i decorated the cover. it reads, "for me, for them, for us" . the meaning behind it is that sticking to my ww and losing the weight is definately for me, but also for Rich and the kids. I will be healthier and ultimately feel better. it is for US!! i'm feeling very motivated and excited to get started.

Last week I was so excited because a friend of mine from 2p's told me that 2 of my scrapbook pages were featured here. i was so out of this world shocked and honored. These gals that put on "the dares" are so amazingly talented, and they are so inspiring.

This week is gonna be busy. Lots of stuff going on, but I'm gonna check in tomorrow so you can peak at my page one of my journal. leave me a comment and let me know you stopped by. :)

Good News Day!!

This was the sight today at our house and then again at the property this afternoon. Ryne and Shannon rode their bikes without their training wheels. Both of them were so excited and beside themselves. Huge smiles all around.

And some exciting news for me. I got an email this morning that scrapbook trends magazine wants to publish a page i did about my grandma. I am SUPER excited.

veggie oil, HOF, and bacteria.

*Big things are happening at the MacIver household. We have officially gone veggie. Yep, you're seeing correctly, that is Rich filling up the Suburban with veggie oil. It was a very exciting moment after months of planning, experimenting, filtering, and collecting. Yeah!!
*So excited... i sent off my Hall of Fame entry this week. I have 42 days to dream that I have a chance at winning this thing. A girl can hope right. :)
*Last week I found out that i'm gonna be published again. Scrapbook Trends wants to publish one of my layouts i did of my sweet nephew, Grant.
*Finally got my copy of CorrespondenceART in the mail and guess who has a page in there? This is my first page in print. So excited to see it. If you want to peak at it...go to my gallery and its the pumpkin patch layout.
*Trying to stick my foot in the door of this whole scrapbook design industry. I don't want to say to much... might jinx myself...but i took a chance this week and hoping it pays off.
* Rich and I have been talking alot about getting healthier; eating healthier and exercising more. So we started this past week. i am 5.6lbs. lighter. Yeah for me!!!!! We got all the kids rollerblades so we can go out as a family and skate and play rollerhockey. Ryne and Shannon have been zooming around everywhere on them. they get up in the morning and put them on first thing. It's been really cool to do school with the kids skating around the couch. Nothing like a little movement to help the brain. :)
*speaking of school.....yesterday was our last day of the semester. Ryne has really done great this semester. Tons of improvement and is still super excited to learn. His favorite subjects are history and science. Lately he has been working on a bacteria experiment. He decided to take samples of various things around the house and grow bacteria cultures. so far the cultures of the toilet seat, and the bottom of mom's shoe have grown best. Eeewwww.

So that is what is going on in my little world. Leave me a comment and say hi!!!

dreaming of snow

Got up early this morning , got the kids fed and was baking by 8:00. I've been baking cookies all day today. Chocolate chip, sugar, russian tea cookies, gingerbread & pizzelle's. We got all the pieces made for the gingerbread house so we can assemble it tomorrow. The kids have been begging me to help them make a big gingerbread house topped with lots of candy. So I couldn't pass up the opportunity to use my tremendous culinary skills. (don't laugh too loud at that one.)

It's really starting to feel alot like Christmas around here, except for the 70 degree weather and not much snow in the mountains. The kids have already started talking about going sledding like we did last year. Ryne told me that he has been dreaming of snow.

remember me?

Wow, it's been a super long time since i have blogged. Guess not much to say, been so busy. Have just started to get back in the swing of things as far as my art stuff. Just finished & mailed some ATC's for a swap that was hosted by Marilyn. I loved the theme, and was so happy to be involved. Can't wait to get all these cards in the mail. This is a picture of how mine turned out. Been scrapping a little bit and have added some stuff to my 2P's gallery.

Today has been a lazy day off. We didn't have school today so finally got to catch up on all my cleaning & washing. I have also been trying to get some stuff ready for tonight. I'm going scrapbooking. More to come. 

new journal

This is a shot of my new art journal. I really like using this picture of my grandma. Love how it turned out. 

family 

art journal 

finally..some art

Just wanted to post some of the art I have been making. Loving my art journal. My class is over, but I will continue to make pages. I have fallen in love with this medium. I'm finding that I really enjoy mixed media type of art. Love just doing what I want and including whatever I want in my pieces. These stamps from Paperbag Studios are making me so happy; huge inspiration. Last night I finished the pink piece. Have been thinking about doing it for a while now. I have been wanting to use the picture of my Grandma and her siblings (the Kucia family). Absolutely love that picture.

ice creat at disney 

watermelon eatin' 

summer fun 

Shannon 

R & D 

daddy 

summer is over.

Well, this is our last day of summer. School starts tomorrow. We officially begin our homeschooling year tomorrow. Shannon started Montessori last Thursday and had a total blast. She was actually upset to find out that she didn't have class on Friday. Everyday she gets up and asks if she can go to school today. This just makes me want to smile. I'm so happy that she likes school so much. I will leave you with some pictures from this summer.

nature 

it's only nature.

We have been growing tomatoes and melons in our garden. Everything has been growing great and we have been getting lots of cherry tomatoes and were just starting to see some little watermelons. It has really been a fun experience for the kids to water the plants everyday. This past week the gardeners decided to come and clear out our whole patch of garden with the Crenshaw melons and watermelons. They completely wiped it out. Cut down all the vines. I guess they didn't realize they were fruits. :( The kids were completely devastated. They were crying and didn't understand why this had happened. So, the next day, we go outside to water the only thing left in our garden, the tomato plants. And we find half our plant eaten by these creepy worm looking caterpillers. EWWWW. But of course Ryne thought they were great. He wanted to keep the five that we found as pets, as well as the hatching larva. So we have just let the hornworms take over the cherry tomato plant to see what will happen. Ryne kept asking me why I was making funny faces and had goosebumps all over. I replied that the worms creep me out. His reply, " It's only nature mom."

please give.

I've been wanting to post the last few days, but just have not been able to put my feelings into words. I am in complete shock over the events in the south. please pray & give.