studio :: chaos

Back Again

2008-03-11T10:47:00.002-04:00

I took a hiatus from blogger to move to typepad and loved it but am very poor at the moment and would rather blog for free. So here I am back again and I have some very important news to post here tomorrow! Have a beautiful Tuesday! It's good to be back.

Typepad here I come!

2007-12-29T13:44:00.000-05:00

I have moved!!! Yay! my new address is::

http://studiochaos.typepad.com/

come see me and read along with my crafty, doggie, messy, random adventures!

love, amber

Right Now + RAK

2007-12-29T11:49:00.001-05:00

Right Now, originally uploaded by studio*chaos.

1. EXIT in the light, 2. HOW MUCH MONEY?, 3. Untitled, 4. polaroid 72., 5. Put On The Brakes, 6. Unlock, 7. Art Installation, 8. Lei Your Love on the Line, 9. Manzanas

Right now I am inspired by flickr and urban outfitters.

FYI :: I am giving away a RAK to celebrate my 1,000 visitor since I started this little blog. Just leave a comment and tell me what is inspiring you lately! I will choose a winner at random on New Years Day!

24 + 25 + 26 +27 +28

2007-12-28T15:24:00.000-05:00

I'm behind, I took some time away from the album to do other stuff. Working on getting caught up. I still have the 26th-28th to do, but it's a fun to do list!

How are you holding up with your album?

**updated to add the 26th-28th which I did tonight**

Mini.

2007-12-28T13:09:00.000-05:00

I have be very jealous of Ali Edwards acrylic Christmas album all through December. Wishing I had made an acrylic Christmas album instead. I love the see through elements. I love the simple clean look. I love the whole idea of being able to see whats next! So I decided to experiment with it last night.

I had a atlas that I had mutilated by taking out it's spiral binding to use with a calendar I made for my father and that left me atlas pages and some thick plastic acrylic looking covers. I took the maps that related to me, such as South Carolina, Louisiana (for our trip) and North Carolina. I cropped and cropped all the pages into 7 X 4 pages. Printed out some transparencies and photos, added some embellies and text and I was done. I punched a hole in the top and slipped a chain I got off my new Converse sneakers to bind it all together. Voila! Mini look back at 2007!

The idea started as a mini book of my favorite things right now, but it ended up being a mini look back at the important things that happened to me in 2007.

It was fun for my first try, but I love how it turned out and can't wait to make another one!

Donate.

2007-12-27T18:27:00.000-05:00

I get claustrophobic after Christmas. I think it's because my family always gives big Christmases and I always have A LOT of stuff to bring home with me after the holidays. I get home and have the daunting task of finding homes for all the new stuff.

Most years I look at my clutter and ignore the nagging cleaning purging vibe I get. I then proceed to stash my new stuff among old clutter, making even more clutter. The strange thing is, I hate clutter but am also a pack rat. Contradictory, I know. I keep everything, thinking to myself "I might need this someday." Sometimes I'm right and most of the time I'm wrong.

This year the claustrophobia could not be ignored. I had to purge. I have been meaning too, but I just keep putting it off. I'm a procrastinator too, yeah bad combo. I started with the attic, which didn't have that much stuff in it. Done. Now I have room for Christmas supplies.

Next task was the shed. Oh boy. Let me explain the shed. It is a catch-all. A "I have no where in the house to put this so I am going to throw it in the shed so I don't have to look at it", kinda place. It's also the tool shed, lawn mower parking, potting area and golf club house. It's also where we have A LOT of misc. boxes from when we moved into the house over a year ago and never went through ALL of the boxes we packed.

So I closed my eyes and threw and threw and threw and threw. 2 hours of throwing, but it's done and I can walk into my shed!! I still have the old computer armoire to give away(no room left in the truck today) and a fish tank that I still want to someday put together so I can have some pearlscale goldfish. And it all went to a great cause :: Goodwill.

Whew, I feel great. You should try it too!

P.S. We found GREAT homes for the 2 cats we found!! Christmas kitties! Yay!

Enjoy your nite!

A Very Merry Christmas Indeed

2007-12-25T20:10:00.000-05:00

Say hello to my new BFF! Her name is Pixie and she is just gorgeous!

Here are just a few images she caught today:

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

from me to ya'll ::

2007-12-23T21:37:00.000-05:00

Never too late...

2007-12-23T20:32:00.000-05:00

Journal Your Christmas Day 23

Journal Your Christmas Day 22

Journal Your Christmas Day 21

Journal Your Christmas Day 19

Click here for better views of all the above photos.

Daily Update + Free Kitties

2007-12-23T09:54:00.000-05:00

Last night on the way to my parents house dinner I spotted a white ball of fur on the side of the road about 2 miles from my parents house. This is not unusual. My parents live in a rural area and routinely you will see roadkill on the roads, but this was not roadkill, it was a big fluffy cat.

I made Jason turn the truck around (with 4 dogs in the back seat mind you) to see what it was for sure. We get back to the area and I now see 2 fluffy kitties just sitting there. I jumped out of the car and walked toward the first one, a grey and white short hair and he runs from me. I see the larger one (perhaps the mama?) and drop to the ground while extending my hand and saying "Here kitty kitty" and she walks right up to me! The grey one had run for cover beneath a patch of briar's but after a few minutes of persuasion I got him as well and loaded them into the truck.

Needless to say I have no room for one cat, nonetheless 2, so I can't keep them. My mother and father already have one cat and just got a rottweiler puppy for Christmas and my sister has 2 cats and lives in an apartment, she can't take them as well...sooo...

We are going to make sure no one lost them (but I doubt it, it looks like someone dropped them off on the side of the road, another thing that is not uncommon around that area) and then try to find good homes for them. I will be posting photos as soon as I can.

Does anyone in the Columbia, SC area want a kitty for Christmas? Or anyone lost one off of Syrup Mill Rd recently?

Settle for a Slowdown

2007-12-20T20:31:00.001-05:00

I swear the last few days have flew by and it seems that there will be no rest until the night of the 24th! Does it feel that way for everyone? The next few days are jammed packed with shopping, baking, wrapping and family stuff.

Went shopping with my mom, granny and sister today in Anderson. Drove up to Clemson to pick my sister up and spent the day with her. I pick up this great stamp ::

I just ♥ it!

I also picked this up for Jason and I wanted to get this for me. I also saw this and just fell in ♥!

Also finished up shopping for Jason's presents and I got everything wrapped! YAY! I am done shopping! Whew, good thing because I do NOT have the patience for the last minute traffic!

On another note, I cannot wait to see the Alvin & the Chipmonks Movie tomorrow! I grew up with these guys and their rendition of their Christmas song. Lucky for you guys YouTube has the video!!!

merry merry

♥♥♥♥

2007-12-19T09:18:00.001-05:00

Sleepy Tree Puppy, originally uploaded by studio*chaos.

December Day 18

2007-12-18T22:37:00.001-05:00

christmasjournal07day18, originally uploaded by studio*chaos.

Love, Elsie and EK Sucess.

I used photos from Thanksgiving, which kinda works well because in my journaling I talk about how Thanksgiving day and Christmas day dinners are almost identical. Easy and fun!

Photo ♥

2007-12-18T21:06:00.000-05:00

Not so Charlie Brown Tree

Mauii ♥

Driving Miss. Arabella

Twitty Family 2007 (very windy day!)Merry Merry Wednesday Nite!

Busy Busy ME!

2007-12-17T18:05:00.000-05:00

12-12-2007 ::

12-13-2007 ::

12-14-2007 TBF ::

12-15-2007 ::

12-16-2007 ::

Yes, I misspelled grateful. LOL and I'm OK with it.

12-17-2007

Finally catching up. Got out of the scrapbooking groove on Wednesday, then Christmas and birthday activities took up the other days. Slowly catching up. If I didn't have to call the HAVOC AC man this morning I would be totally caught up (thermostat bit the dust Sunday).

Quiet birthday for me. I celebrated with my parents Sunday night and was looking forward seeing a movie with J tonight but he ended up having to work. But I did get a beautiful bouquet of roses before he had to scoot out to work. He's wonderful, always thinking of me. I couldn't ask for anything more.

merry merry

Daily Update

2007-12-17T15:38:00.001-05:00

december122007-december172007, originally uploaded by studio*chaos.

December 12th thru the 17th. I should have some journal pages up tonight or in the morning. Ihave fallen behind because of the festivities, but I plan to catch up tonight!

merry merry

Happy 25 to me!

2007-12-17T11:19:00.001-05:00

Happy 25 to me!, originally uploaded by studio*chaos.

tonight.

2007-12-14T12:08:00.001-05:00

Old World Nutcracker, originally uploaded by left wing lucy.

going to see the Nutcracker this evening. An early birthday present from Jason. The Columbia City ballet is putting on the production.

I have never seen the Nutcracker and neither has Jason, so we are both trying to figure out the story line before we go so we are not sooo lost. soo...

I googled it. Seems the ballet is based on "The Nutcracker and the King of Mice" written by E.T.A. Hoffman. Basic plot line, but not as detailed. Seems there are two acts::

ACT I

"It's Christmas at the Stahlbaum home. There' s a huge tree, and many guests arrive to celebrate with the family. Clara's godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, makes magical toys. He entertains the guests with two life-sized dolls that dance around the room. Then he gives gifts to the children, and gives Clara a very special gift of a nutcracker. Her brother, Fritz, is jealous, and grabs the nutcracker and it gets broken! Clara is very upset, so Herr Drosselmeyer repairs the doll before handing it back to her..

Soon after, all the guests leave and the children go to bed. Clara gets up in the night and goes downstairs to get her nutcracker from under the tree. She falls asleep there, and is transported into Christmas fantasy where her nutcracker has grown to the size of a human. When the Mouse King attacks, the Nutcracker Prince tries to valiantly defend young Clara, but is struck down in the battle. Clara in turn saves her Nutcracker Prince by throwing her shoe at the Mouse King and defeating him.

With the nasty Mouse King out of the way, Clara runs to the Nutcracker Prince. When she kisses him, he turns into a human! Then she and her Prince are whisked away through the Enchanted Forest, where they see dancing snowflakes and other wonders. Then they travel further to the Kingdom of the Sweets. "

ACT II

"In the Kingdom of Sweets, Clara and the Prince behold the wondrous beauty of the Sugarplum Fairy. She invites the couple to stay for a while and enjoy the entertainment of her subjects. Clara and the prince watch in awe as the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Sweets dance before them.

When the dancers are finished, Clara and her Prince sail home in a magic sleigh made of ice and candy. On Christmas morning, Clara wakes under the tree holding her nutcracker doll. " - taken from kaboose.com

merry merry

80 degrees in december.

2007-12-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

So not having a camera that I can plug into my USB port and *PRESTO CHANGO* I have pics, is getting really annoying. I had a crappy one for a while there, but Moto ate the USB cord, as he did my sewing machine cord and numerous pairs of socks. So no luck until someone fulfills my Dear Santa letter and I find a new Nikon Digital SLR in my stocking. Well have to wait and see.

I am obsessed with sofites lately. ( that was a subject change, wasn'ti it?! ) Check out this cool blog :: Softies Central. I am in the process of making my very own softie pattern, which I hope to make available for free after I get it perfected. Check back closer to Christmas.

Now for some updates and fun things I found in blogland ::

*Etsy for Animails - is a great group of artists who donate a portion of thier etsy sales to animal charities. Check them out, there some really great artist over there.

*The Journal Your Christmas pool over at flickr is awesome. Wonderful scrappers from around the world. What a great idea shimelle! I'm having a blast doing mine!

*My newest obsession with magazines is adorn who have some fun and free projects for you to try! Check them out here.

*I want to make a couple of these for my studio :: trim box. Thanks to Melissa for this freebie.

*I want to make a whole forest of these soft trees and these stacked fabric trees.

*These just make me smile :: Jar of Whimsies, Unicorn Notes, a red checkered dachsie, Molly Apple and candy jar earrings.

merry merry until next time

Catch up.

2007-12-12T10:14:00.000-05:00

Day 10

Love*Elsie, Ki Memories and some yummies from Red Velvet Kit Club's December kit.

Day 11 (to be finished later)

Love*Elsie tags and paper, Making Memoies Stickers and letters, EK Sucess and Paper Bliss. The Fraser Fir tag is from the tree we got this year. On the back it has a short history of xmas trees and facts (I♥ that!).

AND on a lighter note, here is a conversation I had with Jason the other day::

(my phone rings)
A: Hi honey, how's your day going?
J: I'm crafty.
A: Oh yeah? How?
J: I was bored at work and I made a bunny.
A: A bunny?
J: Yep, a bunny. I made him out of a cup, coffee stirs, splenda packets and straw wrappers.
A: Really?
J: Yep. And I named him Latte. Latte the bunny.

And here's the proof ::

Merry Merry

A Christmas Daily Something.

2007-12-11T08:55:00.001-05:00

Advent Boxes, originally uploaded by studio*chaos.

They are up and I just ♥ them. Took me about an hour to paint them all, 1/2 hour to number them and about 10 minutes putting them on the wall. And yes, I am a mix the numbers up kinda gal.

Daily Update :: December 08 thru 11th.

merry merry tuesday!

Handmade Christmas # 3

2007-12-10T22:44:00.001-05:00

Mopsey the Softie, originally uploaded by studio*chaos.

Thanks to a wonderful blog called Wee Wonderfuls, I downloaded this great pointy kitty softie pattern. It's my first softie. I spent all afternoon on her. The details took up 3/4 of that time. I'm pretty happy with her though. She will be a gift for my sister. I hope she likes her!

If you want to make your own pointy kitty, click here.

Day 8 & 9

2007-12-10T08:03:00.000-05:00

I ♥ me some Love Elsie

The bulb up top right is actually a tab for the tag with my journaling on it.

The pages seem to be coming together fairly quickly lately. I did both of these on Sunday night (because I worked all day Saturday). I didn't spend a whole lot of time worrying about these LO's. Maybe thats why they are not my favorites so far. Still having a blast and I have been keeping up!

merry merry

This is what it's all about! ♥ it!

2007-12-09T19:09:00.000-05:00

P.S. Make sure your speakers are turned on! :-P

love it.

2007-12-09T17:03:00.000-05:00

My sister and I (on right) on Christmas Eve 1987 or 88 (not sure). *Thanks mom and dad for liking to take photos.* P.S. Comming soon:: Tree, boxes, bunnies and of course, journals!

thanks.

2007-12-07T20:37:00.000-05:00

Thank you Starbucks for being a constant source of graphic inspiration and bottomless grande sugar free vanilla soy lattes. ♥ it.

2007-12-07T11:42:00.000-05:00

Day 6 ::

The bird is a replica of a Scrapbook Etc. download. Find it here.

This page is about a not so perfect Christmas and for me, the one that stood out the most was the first Christmas without my Grandfather.

Day 7 ::Is about shopping! My favorite activity! This year I have made the pledge, so check it out::
Also, for some beautiful handmade gifts for the whole family, check out::

merry merry

a little daily ♥

2007-12-07T08:25:00.000-05:00

can you tell i'm obsessed with glitter stickers? find them here and here.back soon with some yummy xmas LO's.

just eh

2007-12-06T11:08:00.000-05:00

Today I woke up ready to see what shimelle had waiting for my in my inbox. I open it up, some encouraging words about not letting the season get overwhelming and enjoy the process. Well said Shimelle. Also, for some good reads on holiday crafty sanity, check out Ali Edwards AEZine article from Nov. 21, 2007 here.

I open up my file to read the assignment and all I feel about it is, well....eh. Not so excited about it. I have a terrible memory about past anything, heck I can hardly remember what I wore yesterday, nevertheless past Christmases, but she did bring up a good point:: talk to someone else. I plan on doing this today, using my mom as a muse(i hope). And I hope to find some inspiration in her stories.

Also, I have been doing a lot of creative projects lately, a lot of hand made presents that are works in progress and today all I felt like doing was sitting down and watching the latest episode of Project Runway. And that's exactly what I did. I felt a little bit refreshed after taking some me time out, but not enough to start my day 6 page (still haven't talked to my mother yet). But I was in a semi-creative mood, so I decided to make a December calendar page for my computer desk. Simple, clean and fun. (sorry about the pic, it's from my phone, I need camera batteries bad!)

On a holiday note, Jason and I got our tree yesterday afternoon! It's actually smaller than we normally get(6'6" this year) but it's just lovely. Rearrange the whole living room to accommodate it. Pics to follow shortly.

merry merry to you and your family too

The stars are shining bright::

2007-12-05T09:51:00.001-05:00

Day 5 is about counting down the days till the 25th. I love crossing the days off my regular calendar, but everyone I see now has advent calendars. I really never had one that I can remember, maybe one when I really little. Ali had a great idea (i think she got it from Martha Stewart) of having advent boxes, not only with gifts or candy inside, but a special outing or family get-together.

So here is my page for the 5th. I had a hard time getting started with this one, but once I got going it was a breeze. Then I forgot something...my journaling!! ::whoops:: So, I had all these stars, the LO is about advent calendars...so I just made 3 of the stars little window boxes and put my journaling underneath. Easy solution and it looks fantastic. I ♥ it!

Here it is open::
hope your Wednesday is merry and bright! ♥

Day 04 and feeling fine

2007-12-04T10:02:00.000-05:00

Day 4 is about your perfect Christmas. I thought about this and all the things that make this season wonderful and I thought to my self: "I've never had a bad Christmas." I have been blessed to have a wonderful, meaningful Christmas every year that I can remember. They were not all alike, they were not all filled with loads of presents, but they all had a few things in common:

I feel that this page will overlap into a Christmas Traditions page as well, but that's OK for me because I am just going day by day and enjoying the creative process. This page is very different from my other pages in my book and I love that and hate that.

I love the idea of having a pre-made album full of the same colors, elements and theme and then adding things to it as the month goes on. I didn't do this. I am going day-by-day and just making pages as I feel inspired by the prompt. Today I wanted a photo and this one spoke to me and it was just perfect enough to use it as a background for my journaling (BTW I dislike my handwriting but I feel it adds a more personal touch to my pages. I could have typed the journaling onto the page before I printed it out but that defeats my purpose of having personal touch to it.)

So my album this year is going to be VERY eclectic, much like myself, so I'm OK with that. It's for me, right?

merry merry from me and mauii!

Happy Happy

2007-12-03T18:05:00.000-05:00

Jason turns 25 today!

I got up extra early today to bake him a cake before he got out of bed. He got cake in bed today! Yay!

And today was day three of Journal Your Christmas. It had to do with Christmas cards. I ♥ mail. Any mail and especially xmas cards! For the last few years I have been buying my cards because there are just so many great designs to choose from. This year I purchased Becky Higgins KOTM from Lisa Bearnson.com. I loved them, but I really wished I had made my own. There's always next year, right? Oh! and I got my xmas cards sent out this year on the 1st of December! I'm soo proud of myself!

So here's my page. I used the fun envelope from this years card kit as my inspiration.

Happy Monday (night)!

daily update & journal page numero deux

2007-12-02T19:17:00.000-05:00

November 29th thru December 2nd

Weather outside? Frightful or delightful?

I've been having a great time so far with the Journal Your Christmas from shimelle.com's online class. I almost wish I had all the prompts so I could keep at it. Today I was really having a great time and wanted to keep scrappin! There is also a lot of talent in the group of gals that are participating and it's not too late to join for yourself!

On the same kinda note, don't miss Ali Edwards daily christmas journal. Arylic. Need I say more? It's simple gorgeous!

And...for the bored and wanna be inspired ::
Oh JOy!

Indie Fixx
Carpal Tunnel Magazine
Softies Central
Into It. Over It.
Design Sponge

May your holidays be merry and bright!

December 01, 2007

2007-12-02T10:17:00.000-05:00

Merry Merry

2007-11-30T18:14:00.000-05:00

I am participating in Shimelle.com's Journal Your Christmas online class and have just finished my cover. It includes Martha Stewart Stickers ('07), Paper Bliss (tree) and Paper Studio (Merry Gems). Simple, clean and beautiful. The album itself is Making Memories Cream 8x8 Scalloped Leather Album and I ♥ ♥ ♥ it! It also comes with a clear vinyl protector over it so my cover is just as protected as my pages! ♥ it.

Started decorating today since I had the day off. I really need to start organizing when I pack up my Christmas for the year. It took me three trips to the attic and the shed to finally find all my stuff and I swear I'm still missing stuff!

and.. on another note. I know I'm two days late on this, but did anyone watch Project Runway wed night? Jason groins when I turn it on, but I had a blast rubbing in the fact that a football player was on the show! i ♥ TIKI! How cool was that challenge? It blows my mind that mens ware is harder to make than womens, but it makes since. And I loved the fleece dinner jacket that Kit made. I want to make one for myself!

happy happy merry!

bloom

2007-11-28T11:14:00.000-05:00

my roses bloom; even in november.

Check it out. I made the pledge, will you?

Love This Life

2007-11-27T08:57:00.000-05:00

While watching an old episode of Scrubs (Episode called "My New God") last night on the couch with Jason, eating pizza and just enjoying the evening I saw something that made me think about life. Seriously! I saw it and said "I want to blog about that." The first time I have ever had that thought, it was so cool! And it was all brought about by a t-shirt.

"Love This Life"

So simple and clean, yet full of thoughts and ideas. I was instantly in love and new I wanted to use it in some form of art for my house. I also knew that it was very appropriate for this holiday season.

2007 has been a beautiful, busy and often at times very difficult year for my entire family. Money issues seem to abound everywhere and this year it got all of us. So our normal very large Christmas present pile under the tree this year is going to be slightly smaller. Tiny.

But...this really couldn't come at a better time! For the last two years my family has been debating on changing our Christmas traditions a little. For one there are no small children in the family anymore (not until my sister and I have a child....not for a LONG time mom and granny!) and that leaves the youngest being 21. There's no real need for Santa to bring gifts on Christmas morning for awhile.

We all understand times are tight in the holiday season and we would rather speed quality time together rather than speeding time obsessing over getting the right gifts. A slow down and enjoy the magic of the season, not run around with your head cut off shopping till Christmas Eve season. Love this life. Love the quiet time. Love the lights. Love your family. Love the music. Love the smells. Love the sights. Love this life.

So this year I am going to celebrate Christmas. Just with less presents and more sentiments.

merry merry holidays everyone!

Originally Uploaded by ShazzMack

I ♥ this life.

"I wanna be Martha Stewart"

2007-11-26T14:46:00.001-05:00

I found myself saying this to Jason over the weekend after see the new Martha Stewart Living Magazine and her new paper craft line. Super fun and super inspiring!

And for a Daily Up-Date

Sketchy

2007-11-25T20:47:00.000-05:00

Gettin' Sketchy challenge #6. A great site with fantastic ideas and inspiration. This months sponsor is the Red Velvet Kit Club, who also rock my socks off.

Everyday Love ( for scrapjacked! ):

CD Ornaments

2007-11-25T15:32:00.000-05:00

Handmade CD Christmas Ornaments:

If anyone wants a tutorial on how-to make these, just leave a comment!

Sunday Gameday

2007-11-25T13:27:00.000-05:00

today the Panthers are taking on the NOLA Saints. Go P-Cats!

and...new art and goodies (thanks to Jennifer Peebles for inspiration of the puppy cards!)

Duke

Hallway

Other Frame in Hallway

Close Up

Love

2007-11-24T22:18:00.001-05:00

this.

Black friday

2007-11-24T07:55:00.000-05:00

is always a marathon shopping event for me and my family. We all pile into the car early in the morning and drive to Charlotte, NC to visit Concord Mills Mall. This year Jason went with me and met up with his brother Stephen (who still lives in the outer banks of NC). We don't get to see him a lot throughout the year so this was nice. We also had lunch with Jason's Grandmother who lives in Concord and this Uncle Mike and his wife and 4 kids.

Down the Mall We Go

The Rohrer Boys

Lunch @ Quaker Steak

Mike Rohrer, Grandma Rohrer and Jason Rohrer

The Twitty Women

Jason new girlfreind: Emma (my cousin's 2 year old daughter, gorgeous!)

After a long 10 hour shopping expereince where I took over 300 photos and got LOTS of inspiration, but no actual shopping done, we finally got home. Went to bed at 8PM. I think that explains the day in a nutshell.

My New BFF :: Emma

We were both pooped but no one would carry me.

Tonight after another day of shopping the whole family will be hitting the Riverbanks Zoo for the Lights Before Christmas.

Thanks

2007-11-22T08:38:00.000-05:00

I'm thankful for this silly man in my life.

I'm thankful for my four legged children, my parents, my grandparents, my friends who I never get to see and the ones that are always around. I'm thankful for my car, my house, my clothes, my computer, the Internet, cameras, food, sharpies, cupcakes, Wild Wing Cafe, Starbucks, pedicures, debit cards, my job, flip flops, pools, rain, pansies and tulips, duvets, Sunday mornings, pillow talk, 409, aunts, uncles and cousins, rainbows, stickers, canvas, paint, and much much much much ( moocho much) more things that have blessed my life.

Cupcake Making 101

2007-11-21T12:24:00.001-05:00

1. you will need cake mix. :: check ::
2. you will need eggs :: umm....run to store....check ::
3. you will need vegetable oil :: crap! ::

maybe sometime today i will get around to making these cupcakes i want to make so much. i keep forgetting ingredients! i have everything i need for decorating the cupcakes, just not for baking them.

2007-11-19T18:18:00.000-05:00

Paper: Scenic Route, KI Memories, Basicgrey, Foofala and Making Memories Letters: Heidi Swapp and American Crafts Stickers: Scenic Route, Heidi Swapp and Who's There Inc. Rub-ons: Rubons Pens: Sharpie and Zig Memory Unknown: Chipboard and cork stickers

Paper: Scenic Route, BasicGrey and Bazzill Basics
Thought Sticker: Stickopotamus
Paper Frill: Doodlebug Design
Clip: Making Memories
Ticket: Indiana Ticket
Chipboard: Maya Rd
Pen: Zig Memory
Rub-ons: Urban Lily
Sticker: Lil Davis
Letters: Heidi Swapp

I know, I know. I need to get my digital camera fixed. soon.

Audubon Zoo Jungle Gym

2007-11-19T13:59:00.001-05:00

Audubon Zoo Jungle Gym NOLA, originally uploaded by studio chaos.

Despite his beaver teeth expression, I ♥ this photo. Fun, great angle, texture and the best of all, my man. Love it.

Daily Catch-Up

2007-11-19T08:36:00.000-05:00

November 8th thru the 19th Dailies

Ok, so how long is it supposed to take you to get back into your normal groove after you've been gone a week? Too long for me, I missed getting on the lists for the handmade ornaments swap. There are a couple of these going on this year. You can find info on a couple here or here. Also, you can make the pledge to make and buy handmade this year here.

On the other hand, I am in the whirlwind process of cleaning my house so it shines before I have company over the Thanksgiving holiday. It's amazing the clothes that two people can accumulate over the year and I loathe to put clothes away. I am in the process of weeding out the unused clothes which I will be donating to the Goodwill down the street.

Home Sweet Home

2007-11-14T16:47:00.001-05:00

My creation, originally uploaded by studio chaos.

I truly enjoyed NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) but it there's nothing like coming home.

New Orleans is more beautiful

2007-11-11T11:10:00.001-05:00

New Orleans French Quarter...., originally uploaded by A Queen's Perspective....

than I remember. Even after all the mess of Katrina it is still a colorful and vibrant city. The french quarter was even more lucky when the storm came through. It only got about 2-4 feet of water. It is still the gorgeous and lively place I remember back on 2002.

We have been very busy, site seeing for the first two days we were here. Hitting the French Quarter for Bengiets at Cafe at Cafe du Monde and wandering around the streets.

On the weekends the local artists are out by Jackson Square displaying their work, some even painting right there on the streets. There is a lot of talent here, wishing I had some money to spend on paintings and etchings!

I plan on hitting the flea market today. Unfortunately the French Market is under construction for some reason and is closed. And as you can tell, I found a computer cafe, the Bastille on Toulouse Street and they have saved me from way over spending my bank account by allowing me Internet access to check it!

That's it for now, off to take more photos!

Tomorrow

2007-11-07T10:13:00.000-05:00

we leave for New Orleans @ 5 in the morning. That's early in itself, but we have an hour commute to get to the airport and we should really be there an hour before our flight. Thursday is going to be a LONG day.

It's Jason's first trip to New Orleans and my 2nd. I went in 2002 (?) before the Hurricane. I am interested to see the differences. Locals say the French Quarter is pretty much the same, it's the out lying areas that are still in need of lots of support.

I'm looking forward to taking lots of photos and eating some great food. Everyone has been giving me restaurant suggestions for the last week. I'm going to try and hit some of the most famous ones, but I hear the hole in the wall places are the best places for beer, music and fried food (mmm...yum).

I love flying, but hate what i does to my ears. I have MAJOR scar tissue in my ears from two ruptured ear drums and 3 sets of tubes ( all which took place before my 5th birthday). So the pressure change is really hard on me. Luckily my *love* Jason did some research for me and is committed making my flights this trip comfortable and fun.

So I'm off to pack...making sure I don't pack anything I'm not supposed to bring on the plane!

cupcake happy joy

2007-11-07T09:35:00.001-05:00

My creation, originally uploaded by ShamsD.

found this

2007-11-06T11:33:00.000-05:00

on Ana Cabrera's site.
So true...

Nine words women use:

1.) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

2.) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

3.) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something,and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

4.) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

5.) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

6.) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7.) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome.

8.) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying F@!K YOU!

9.) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to #3.

Send this to the men you know, to warn them about arguments they canavoid if they remember the terminology.

Weekend Joy

2007-11-05T19:19:00.000-05:00

I said I took a lot of photos, here are a few. Jason and I are really getting better at taking photos. Having a nice digital camera will make the mistakes easier to catch but we'll get one soon! As you can tell, I used up my stash of b&w film.

I'm saving the best photos for LO's :-P

Dailies

2007-11-05T07:57:00.000-05:00

OK, I've been doing them, but just haven't uploaded to the blog until today. I didn't do any scrapbooking this weekend, but I did take A LOT of pictures!

Sharpie Pen and Reminise Paper

EK Sucess Sticker, KOTM Ali Edwards Oct. Paper
Sharpie Pen

EK Success Flowers
Sharpie Pen
Unknown Paper

Game Day!

2007-11-04T08:08:00.000-05:00

Upload @ Flickr by: italian freedom fighter

Today the Panthers play at Tennessee. We have already had a hard season, losing my boy Jake to an injury. But we still have the best reciever of all time #89 Steve Smith. Just throw the ball at him anyway you can, he'll catch it!

10 things I ♥ about Sundays:
1. It's the only day of the week where Jason and I can spend all day together.
2. Jason and I's Sunday Starbucks morning talks.
3. It's race day!
4. It can also be football game day!
5. I can sleep in!
6. I don't have any obligations to do anything all day long.
7. Letting the dogs run and play at my parents farm.
8. Dinner with my parents (some Sundays).
9. I have all day to scrapbook if I want to.
10. Spending time with my puppies.

Have a very happy and beautiful Sunday!

Oh Well...

2007-11-02T10:58:00.001-04:00

No Stephen Colbert on the ballet. :-( Here's the story.

2 of hearts
basicgrey ad
sharpie

not much to say...

2007-11-01T10:59:00.000-04:00

Ace of Hearts
American Crafts Paper
Unknown Buttons
Fontwerks Stamp
Sharpie Pens

So....we suck. We didn't do anything last night for Halloween. So disappointing, but it was really nice to stay home and enjoy each others company.

Some random things about the first of the november:

1. it's 11:03am and I am still in my Hello Kitty PJ's.

2. Stephen Colbert is on the ballot in SC!

3. I really want to make a hand turkey as my next fun craft project!

4. I did some laundry this morning and am currently waiting for my jeans to dry so I can leave for work.

5. only 6 days till we leave for New Orleans!

I'll be working late tonight. Subing classes for cathy because she's sick :-( .

I ♥ Halloween!

2007-10-31T08:45:00.000-04:00

King of Diamonds
Making Memories Paper
EK Success & Making Memories Stickers
Martha Stewart Stamps

I eat bricks.

2007-10-30T09:45:00.000-04:00

True to his breed. And it's today's daily, 10 of spades::

Ok, so he hasn't ate a brick...yet. But he has attempted to eat just about everything else. He especially loves fuzz and electrical cords.

And while your at it, check this site out: Obey the Purebreed

& AllPopart.com

I ♥ Inspiration!

2007-10-29T12:30:00.000-04:00

While wasting time online this morning, I found this great blog: Elise Blaha. And her very inspiring Daily Cards. I just had to do it!

Jack of Clubs:
American Crafts(?) Paper
Heidi Swapp Chipboard
Fontwerks Stamp
CK Media: Ali KOTM Oct Rub-ons
Zig Memory Pen

really?

2007-10-29T09:08:00.000-04:00

a banana peal on the ground!OK, why am I so fascinated by trash? it's because you never see one and there's this long standing joke about people slipping on a banana peal, and yesterday i almost did! Not so funny to everyone else? ok.

Anyway...had a LONG day at work on Saturday. so did Jason. we were beat, but still managed to stay up and watch some TikiBar episodes before we hit the sheets.

On Sunday we laid around the house. And before I go any further: I have a confession to make:

I know, it's cliche southern girl but I love it! Maybe it's my fascination with going fast or the wrecks or cheering for a individual. I dunno but i love to watch it every weekend! And no, I'm not a Dale Jr. fan and I don't think Sr. was the best of all time. Sorry to disappoint!

We watched the Busch Race we recorded on Saturday while we were working. It was at Memphis Raceway. A short track, FUN! Short track are always exciting! Well...it got downright annoying. With 22 wrecks in the whole race, half the race was run under caution flags. I think the longest they raced without wrecking was like 19 laps! BUT...own man won!!! David Reutiman's first win in the Bush Series and in a Toyota at that! YAY! Go Beak!

Ok, enough vroom vrooms. On the other side of things, I got some new LO's done this weekend as well:

Gotta run for now, got some errands to run!

how appropriate...sigh

2007-10-26T15:50:00.000-04:00

So Creating Keepsakes 2006 SBOTY CD Muckosky has a new challenge out today. It's scrapping about life through children's eyes. So, since I don't have any children, only the 4 legged variety, I decided to make a mini book about things I have learned from my dogs::

Woof Album :: Life Lessons I learned from my dogs.

Duke

Moto

Mauii

Arabella

The End

I finish this beautiful project for my dear puppies, upload the photos and then go to take them for a walk. Before I can even get two feet out of the office I see....fuzz. Lots of it. Wafting out from my bedroom into the hall way. I look to my right to look and see where the fuzz is coming from and I see this::

While I was making this great album celebrating their existence, Moto and Duke decided it was time well spent to play tug-of-war on my bed{and Frisbee too apparently}. Thus, chewing a hole in my down filled comforter and spreading the pillow fight joy around the whole entire room. *uuuggghhh*

That was an hour ago and I still haven't cleaned it up. Kinda want Jason to see the mess for himself, but I should spare him the massacre and just share it through a story later tonight.

So thats today's chaos. ::OH!:: Oh and Moto chewed threw my USB connection to my digital camera and now I have to play Inspector Gadget to get it to work. *ugh X 2*

Sometimes, some moments, it's hard to ♥ these guys, but I do. I ♥ them lots!

I ♥ Photos

2007-10-26T12:13:00.000-04:00

Photos from our Myrtle Beach trip in September. I finally got them developed! I gotta get a digital camera soon!

I ♥ Fun Names

2007-10-25T08:56:00.000-04:00

Some new LO's are up at my 2 Peas Gallery. I did 4...no make that 5 last night! Most of them for blog challenges.

Found this on Jennifer Pebbles site, thought it was a lot of fun so I did one myself!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) -
Cocoa Mustang

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) -
Mint Chocolate Sugar

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
A-TWI

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) -
Pink Pony

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) -
Rae Anchorage

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) -
Twiam

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) -
The Turquoise Water

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) -
Gerald Norm

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) -
Princess Tootsie Roll (FANTASTIC!!)

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) -
Lee Brian

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) -
Ladd Los Angeles

12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) -
Spring Tulip

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) - Strawberry Hoodie

14. HIPPIE NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) -
Starbucks Willow

15. YOUR ROCK STAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) -
The Scrapbooking Sunshine Tour

Ok, now it's your turn! Here are some other FAB girls who have taken the name challenge!

Jennifer Pebbles

Michelle Guray

Do you have a life list?

2007-10-24T08:24:00.000-04:00

Photo by: Ole Kristian on Flickr

So by way of many blog readings I have stumbled upon this blog. What is a life list? Well.. it's actually just a list of things you want to accomplish in your lifetime here on earth (or beyond if your into that). It can be as simple as getting a haircut next week or as far fetched as becoming president of the US of A.

So I sat down to make my 100 list of action things I want to do with my life and realized that this was A LOT harder than you would think. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE TO-DO lists! But this was different. I got it done, but I am sure that the list will expand to over 100 after I remember things I want to do, or think of new ones!

So you haven't made one yet, what are you waiting for?! You might actually start getting some of them crossed off your list if you have them in writing. And they don't all have to be about you! They can be about helping other people realize their goals too.

so to start everyone out: here's MINE
________________________________________________

Also, while your at it, check out this amazing piece of artwork.

KOTM October :: Ali Edwards Courage Through Hope

2007-10-23T14:16:00.000-04:00

I sat down and got working on Lisa Bearnson's kit of the month. Normally projects like these (mini books, paper home projects) take me a few days to complete, but not this kit. I LOVED making this great gift for my Grandmother. It was more a mini Thank You book for her with images from the past and present.

The embellishments are beautiful, the colors are bright and elegant, and the rub-ons go on like butter ( I love rub-ons but they don't like me). I highly recommend this kit for any project you are making. Not only for someone who has been through a tough time or a sickness, but the items that come with this kit translate well to any theme.

I have to say that I have never understood the appeal of kits and mini books before now. I am in love with Kits and mini books now! I have even joined some KOTM clubs and plan to make a lot more mini books! I am soo excited! My first kit on it's way is the beautiful Studio Calico's Red Carpet and I cannot wait for November's kit already! Get your's now!!!

long weekend and finished projects.

2007-10-22T14:29:00.000-04:00

It's monday and the start of a whole new week. Leg Up's Schooling show went off without a hitch! It was a lot of fun! I tell you it's hard work judging soo many talented riders! It was a LONG weekend but it was great to see my students have a great time! I also met a lot of people and learned a lot of people's names! (i'm terrible at that!). My parents even took the V-rod up to see me, which all the girls thought was soooo cool. LOL.

@ home i have been starting a lot of projects at one time (4 to be exact). i finally have 2 of them finished! Woo hoo! My halloween craft project is finished (the decoupage tree) and the Ali Edwards Life Artist Challenge @ Scrap in Style is finished and uploaded!

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

I also got my October KOTM from Lisa Bearnson! Finally! It's beautiful and comes with so much more than I expected! It's being added to my list of "to do" projects (this is the fun list!).

the shy dachshund & halloween spirit

2007-10-18T10:15:00.000-04:00

a lazy impromptu photo shoot with my dachshund Arabella. She's camera shy.

getting ready to leave to go to the barn. helping set up for the show this weekend. I'll be there ALL weekend long! It's going to be a LONG weekend! But lots of FUN!

On the other side of things, I stayed up a bit last night and got my painting juices flowing a little more than normal(as of late). I have been getting some great feedback about my paintings so it's truly a confidence booster! I'm really into home crafts right now, want to try my hand at things other than signs. I'm thinking something spooky...a Halloween challenge! Luckily Jennifer Pebbles was thinking the same thing and has issued a challenge @ two peas and I am going to give it my best! And for the meantime, the blog is going into Halloween mode!!

Scrapbooking on Canvas

2007-10-17T18:07:00.000-04:00

Enjoy Life ::cc:: A.R.T. 2007

So it's harder than I expected to sit down without a muse or inspiration beforehand and CREATE. I find it very hard to create forcefully. BUT I did it! It took a lot of... "i don't like that" and "that's just not right" but I got it finished. I like the result.

Bottom text reads:: "don't sweat the small stuff...love the everyday moments...cherish your time...♥"
The circle on the left are actually tinfoil!! I love that stuff!

Sharing Online

2007-10-16T08:57:00.000-04:00

Duke, Mine and Jason's Dalmation. He is intent on helping me write this post.

So I posted my first layouts on Creating Keepsakes and Two Peas last night. I have been scrapbooking on and off since 2001, but have really just started to get into a groove. I am still in the process of finding my style, but it's a really fun journey.

Here are the first 3 LO's online:

I have been very skeptical about posting my pages in the online galleries. Why? At first I didn't know why, then the day after I posted them I realized what it was. The comments.

I am scared to get bad reviews! How silly is that? This is art, it doesn't matter what other people think about your art work or LO, it's how you feel about it. If you are proud enough to display your work to the public then you should not worry about the critics out there who just want to make themselves feel better by putting you down.

Now don't take this the wrong way, I have not received any negative feedback so far. I am expecting it, because there is always someone out there who can't resist making someone else feel bad.

I guess I am just a softy, I wear my heart on my sleeve. I want everyone to be happy, loved and positive. Not all people agree with me!

Anyway, I am excited and have decided no matter the feedback I receive from my LO's I will use them in a positive way to grow my artistic side.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On another note, Leg Up's Fall Schooling Show is this weekend! Come check us out and watch!

Blog Action Day :: the environment

2007-10-15T17:57:00.000-04:00

I took this photo about 6 years ago when I returned to Alaska for my Grandfather's funeral. It was this first time I had been back in 8 years. I was born in Anchorage and lived and grew there until I was the ripe old age of 10. I am lucky enough to still have family living there and I can visit when I like (+ the cost of the ticket to get there!).

Since this is Blog Action Day and the topic is about the environment, I thought this photo would be suiting. There has been a lot of talk about drilling for oil in Alaska's wildlife preserves and the global warming of the glaciers.

Having lived and breathed the essence that is Alaska, seen it's wildlife and awesome (and it is awesome, not just like a "hot dog" {{thanks eddie!}}) landscapes firsthand, I have to say that I am pro preserving this vast beautiful state.

There are MANY sides to this issue and luckily there are some GREAT websites devoted to the preservation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A great place to start is the Sierra Club.

If you think that we need to use every inch of America's resources so we are less dependent on foreign oil then the best place for you to start is ANWR.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

On the scrapbook side of things, check out Ali Edwards great post about green scrapbooking!

Ali Altered Canvas

2007-10-15T10:06:00.000-04:00

So Creating Keepsakes website is offering a challenge to you multi-medium scrapbookers out there. It's a call for an "Ali Altered Canvas" like the ones in Ali Edwards new book "Life Artist".

The idea of an altered canvas is not a new idea for me. I have been adding different media and objects to my paintings for while now, but for some reason it never occurred to me to use photos with the paintings. I am very excited to get started on some new altered canvases! I plan on making a set of 4 canvases for my studio, some with photos and others without. I will be posting these on the Creating Keepsakes website and here later this week!

NOTE::**I am also anxiously awaiting my October KOTM from Lisa Bearnson! This kit is the "Courage Through Hope" album Ali Edwards designed. It's going to be the perfect gift for my grandmother! Can't wait to get started!**

studio :: chaos

Back Again

Typepad here I come!

Right Now + RAK

24 + 25 + 26 +27 +28

Mini.

Donate.

A Very Merry Christmas Indeed

from me to ya'll ::

Never too late...

Daily Update + Free Kitties

Settle for a Slowdown

♥♥♥♥

December Day 18

Photo ♥

Busy Busy ME!

Daily Update

Happy 25 to me!

tonight.

80 degrees in december.

Catch up.

A Christmas Daily Something.

Handmade Christmas # 3

Day 8 & 9

This is what it's all about! ♥ it!

love it.

thanks.

a little daily ♥

just eh

The stars are shining bright::

Day 04 and feeling fine

Happy Happy

daily update & journal page numero deux

December 01, 2007

Merry Merry

bloom

Love This Life

"I wanna be Martha Stewart"

Sketchy

CD Ornaments

Sunday Gameday

Love

Black friday

Thanks

Cupcake Making 101

Audubon Zoo Jungle Gym

Daily Catch-Up

Home Sweet Home

New Orleans is more beautiful

Tomorrow

cupcake happy *joy*

found this

Weekend Joy

Dailies

Game Day!

Oh Well...

not much to say...

I ♥ Halloween!

I eat bricks.

I ♥ Inspiration!

really?

how appropriate...*sigh*

I ♥ Photos

I ♥ Fun Names

Do you have a life list?

KOTM October :: Ali Edwards Courage Through Hope

long weekend and finished projects.

the shy dachshund & halloween spirit

Scrapbooking on Canvas

Sharing Online

Blog Action Day :: the environment

Ali Altered Canvas

cupcake happy joy

how appropriate...sigh