THE QUEEN OF QUIRK

busy, busy

Sorry it's been so long!

I've actually been busy designing and doing design team assignments. It feels good to have deadlines and projects and not just sit around on my duff. Well, actually I DO sit on my duff...but it's at the computer working, so it doesn't count! HA!

Wanna see what I've been up to?

"east side" was my first paper pack. Pretty cool even if i do say so myself.

"mall chick" is the second paper pack. I really like this one, too. I got the image, funnily enough, from a roll of store brand TP. Not bad for $1 toilet paper. So, technically, yes, I was inspired on the pot. HA!

If anyone wants the links to download the zip files to either kit, just let me know. :)

And I've also been asked to participate in something really cool, but I can't share it just yet. I have to wait til the announcement is made. It's not much, but for me, it's really nice.

I'm still searching for a new Design Team, but nothing is really grabbing my attention. I was hoping to be in the Rocky Mountain Hobbies contest, but far more talented ladies will be competing for a Design Team position over there instead of me. I can't tell you how bad I wanted it, but I am content enough to cheer my girlfriends on who are in the running. They are so stinkin talented!

Lara and Mia are doing well...fighting like cats and dogs, but that's to be expected. They put on a little song and dance show for Colin and me today and they were pretty hilarious. They would be all ballerina-like and then break into something funky and throw themselves on the floor. Where do they get this stuff?

Colin is still working from 2pm-10pm, but it's really nice having the mornings and lunch together. We've switched to having our big meal at lunchtime so we still get to be together as a family. Yesterday I made my first baked chicken and I have to say it was pretty darn tasty.

We have another ultrasound on Tuesday, but we're still keeping it a surprise. I still might take a peek at the monitor to see if I can figure it out, though. I'm 20 weeks. Can you believe it?

Halfway to insanity. :)

i'm back!!!

Hey everyone!

London was such a blast! Laura and I had an AWESOME time! I am so in love with the city! A little recap:

Friday: We BARELY made our plane. When we arrived, the check-in was already closed and we freaked until we found someone to check us in! :) We didn't arrive at our hotel until mid afternoon, so we decided to explore Notting Hill and grab a bite to eat. Notting Hill is so darling! We stayed up til 1 a.m. gabbing and yawning! Good times!

Saturday: Up and at' em! After an early breakfast, we headed for the famous Portobello Market. I was wary about what we would find, but I was totally blown away! At the first jewelry table we stopped at, I wanted to buy everything! Instead, I settled on a square piece of amber set in a thick square frame. The pendant is so pretty! Then I bought an antique silver and mother of pearl butter knife. The Martha wanna-be in me couldn't pass it up. We then saw a fab little brass stamp table. The girl, Claire, was so sweet and I ended up buying a handful of stamps. Coming soon to a scrapbook page near you! :) After that, we found a table full of antique books.....I wanted to hug the vendor! I bought a 1930's copy of Arabian Nights with the actual bookplates still in..ALL of them! I was blown away! This was something I had only seen in museums! Then I bought a 1940's copy of Peter Pan and Wendy, and a 1930's book of old fairy tales. I was in heaven! We then ate lunch and proceeded to Parliament Square to tour the Parliament House and to see Big Ben. We rode on the London Eye and had planned on touring Westminster Abbey, but for some reason it was closed. After that, we headed across town to eat at Hard Rock and get a T-shirt for my brother. Unfortunately, it was closed, so we went to the gift shop instead and then headed to Picadilly Circus to find Planet Hollywood. Our waiter was sooooo flaming! It was awesome! He was dancing so much that at one point he spilled my water glass over and declared "I'm way too gay today!" HAHAHAHAHAHA. He was fabulous! After a yummy plate of fajitas, we shopped a bit more and called it a night.

Sunday: After another wonderfully delightful breakfast at the hotel, we headed straight for the Globe Theatre. I was floored! The museum and the stage were incredible! After that, we headed to The Tower of London and took a lovely tour with the sweetest, loudest, funniest guard! Then it was off to St. Paul's. We couldn't tour since it was Sunday, so we wandered around inside and then came back to Notting Hill to grab dinner and call it a night early. Our feet were so sore!

Monday: Only two things were left on our list: Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey. We stopped by the Abbey first and took audio tours. Very cool and VERY well-paced. We saw the tomb of Elizabeth I. It was so wonderful to be already familiar with the history of a country and see it played out before you. Westminster Abbey is gorgeous! My favorite part was one of the ceilings. Just beautiful! I will have to post a pic later. Next, it was lunch and then back on the tube to Buckingham Palace. We decided half-heartedly to take the tour and I'm so glad we did! The State Rooms are incredible and I was floored! It is by far one of the most elegant and refined castles I have ever seen....and I have seen many! We took a walk through the gardens and past the lake at the end of the tour and then had to walk all the way around the castle to get back to the front. NOT fun! We then headed back to the hotel, grabbed some Subway and Starbucks and BARELY made it to our flight..again. We really tried but the train got there right as our check-in closed! The flight was delayed 40 minutes anyway, so it wasn't that big of a deal.

We had such an awesome time and it was definitely the break I needed. I came back refreshed and happy and I have noticed I am so much more patient with the girls.

Laura is truly special and I had such a wonderful time with her! I would do it again in a heartbeat! Love ya, girl!

Check out the London 2005 album on the right. I will add more to it later! :)

HOPE

hey all!!

if you're a digi designer or scrapper who knows digi designers, i need your help! please spread the word about the new kit coming to The Digi Chick. In an effort to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, all proceeds will go to the American Red Cross. The cost is $8.00 and it has over 100 pieces! Please spread the word!

And even if you don't digi scrap, I would be so grateful if you would add this blinkie I made to your siggy to help get the word out.

http://members.sparedollar.com/janvan3000/katrina-blinkie.gif

Since we will be in London, I won't have a chance to be seen on the boards. Thanks for helping a great cause and people in need!

I'm off to finish getting ready for London! And this time I have pre-addressed labels for the postcards! hahahaha