NANA NOTES

A BEAUTIFUL GIFT

I had to take a picture of the towel because I obviously couldn't put it on here and then I decided to "scrap" the picture.  The butterfly was an embellishment we made at Scrapfest.  The button ribbon was the "bow" on the package.  Don't you just love it??  Thanks, Cagney for the beautiful towel and the wonderful opportunity to scrap something.

SCRAPFEST WEEKEND

A huge room filled with 200 scrapbookers-each one with tons of "stuff"-you have NEVER seen the amount of scrapbooking accessories and equipment some of these women had!  I hate to think of the amount of money in that room just in supplies!  It was way over the top!!  Talk about collectors and addiction--this was a convention of addicts! And I thought I had a lot!!  There were 11 at our table and we had arranged to sit together-all friends or friends of friends---now all friends! :)

Two were missing from this picture but this is the majority of our group. The girls in blue are from Petal [Hattiesburg area] that met Pat and Melanie in Natchez. They have all scrapped in Jackson together. 

We finally rounded up Treasure for a picture. Don't ya just love our "Scrapping Sisters" shirts??  We had lots of comments about them-especially the fact that we had scripture on the back. Everyone liked them.  AND, we were easy to see! 

The first day I entered a challenge--not something I usually do. They gave the first 25 women who came up a package of "stuff" [awful stuff] and they had to make something with it.  It had to be turned in by a certain time and all of a sudden I realized I had about 30 minutes to get it done because we were taking two classes back to back and wouldn't be finished until 6:00.  I hurriedly took pictures of a lot of "stuff" and did this page. "It's all about the stuff"--I came in second.  My friend Treasure beat me. I told her a naked baby will do it every time.  Her layout was beautiful and she altered everything.  That always does it too. I'm learning everytime I go.

I probably should tell you that it rained all day Thursday and over ten [10] inches on Friday.  Saturday was an absolute bluebird day but cooler. I also should tell you that that building was the coldest building I have ever been in and I carried in a blanket and wore three shirts.  I also probably should tell you that going off with these two women (Pat and Sharon--we missed you Libby!) is one of the most fun things I can do. There is never a dull moment.  We truly are sisters-scrapping or not!

2009 BEACH SCRAPBOOK RETREAT WEEKEND MARATHON

This was our second year to attend the Scrappin' at the Beach Retreat. Pat, Libby and I left on Thursday loaded down with (most) of the materials we needed for a fun weekend of scrapping.

 

You can't see all the stuff because we deliberately sat in front of it.  :)  The first afternoon we got unloaded and settled down to "getting ready". That night was "PJ Night" and everyone came back from dinner dressed in their pajamas ready to scrap for the long haul.  We stayed until midnight.  I overslept the next morning and Libby got up to see the sun come up. 

  What part of God's creation isn't beautiful?  Just look at this gorgeous blue water and white sand!

We scrapped all day and went to dinner about 5:30. We were told by Gina to be sure to be back by at least 7:30 or 7:45 because it was a theme night [40's, 50's, 60's, etc.] and there was a special surprise.  I told her to please just don't resurrect Elvis!!  They told me there would be a cardboard cutout but not to worry!  Well, guess who just told me a fat fib??!! After the "Hippie Chicks" (employees of GiGi's) performed--yes, Elvis showed up!!  This guy is the Assistant Principal of the Foley High School who does this as a hobby--he was ok, but he definitely needs to keep his day job. We kept on scrapping as he performed and all of a sudden I looked up and this is what I saw--

He snuck up on Libby and I grabbed my camera.  BTW, he has a surger and makes his own scarves! We thought that was funny! The "Hippie Chick" in the white glasses is Gina who owns Gigi's Scrapbook Store in Foley and the girl in the pink hat is Jamie. They are both sweet, precious ladies. They were dressed up for the 60's night.  We only stayed till 11:00 PM that night!!

 

This is a painted canvas class we did today.  It's 16 x 16 with a red heart, ribbons, silk flowers and tags. The only thing left to do is use black marker and go around the green.  We did this on a lark and it was fun.  We also did an altered HUGE clothes pin with beach paper and shells.

Each of us did page layouts--some more than others--but we enjoyed it tremendously.  We're thankful to have family that will allow us to get away together for fellowship and girl time.  Our tablemates took this picture.

This afternoon (Saturday) we left Pat to take the last class and Libby and I went to the grocery store. We bought steaks, asparagus, salad stuff and ice cream for supper. After a wonderful dinner we watched "Mama Mia" and sang and laughed along with it.  What a great way to end a weekend.

PICTURES OF SCRAP RETREAT. . .

Scrapbooker's Dream--three days--nonstop scrapbooking!!  Was it a dream or a nightmare?  I've never seen so much "stuff" in my life---and I thought I had a room full. You can see that the "stuff" is packed to the top of the car when we got Terri loaded. And you know that someone was going to buy something at the retreat!!  It's pack up and go at the end and I let them do it.  Five chiefs don't do a good job so Libby and I were the photographers.  It was all packed up and in and no one got hurt.  We all had a great time and look forward to getting another chance to "scrap till we drop"!

SCRAPBOOKING BEACH RETREAT...

Look forward to a report on this wonderful weekend.  Five fabulous friends have been here at the beach--three scrapping 24/7--two beading and reading.  What fun we're having.  I'll post pictures later.  Gotta go for now.

KIT OF THE WEEK

Take a look at the "Studio Projects" album to see the latest page.  It seemed to work perfectly with Sam's registration photo.  Be sure to double click to see it in super size!

LAZY ? SATURDAY

Today I slept a little later than normal and watched a couple of my Tivo'ed shows.  The guys came in and we had our normal Saturday pancakes and then it was off to Snap n Scrap to pick up my auction items that hopefully I had gotten. The proceeds were going to the Pregnancy Crisis Center in McComb. Of course I felt obligated to do my part! :)

When I came home Ed had the tractor all ready for me to clip the Cotton Branch "bottom".  I love tractor drivin' and I got in some good cutting today. Some of the stuff was taller than the tractor but Ed assured me that there were no holes or ditches.  Just as I finished it started raining and Ryan came in and said we got 2.2 inches of rain.  Of course we did--he had hay on the ground.  Ed and I both were too lazy to get cleaned up to go eat our favorite Mexican food so we settled for what was in the fridge.  I think we ate our LAST fresh tomatoes and we're a little sad about that.  Maybe I can plant some more before cool weather comes. 

Rest, Fun, Family, Peace, more blessings from the Lord.

Tomorrow is Cookie's birthday.  I won't say how old she will be--forever young! Happy Birthday Cookie!

PAGE OF THE WEEK. . .

Snap and Scrap is having the best thing going on this summer.  It's called "Page of the Week" and we're loving it!  Libby, Sharon, Cookie and I are all addicted to "getting our page".  This picture was made a week or so ago when Sharon couldn't go--now that I mention it--she hasn't even been with us!  Anyway, we had a great time and are loving the pages.  We hope they keep them going even through the fall and winter. This is a page we worked on one time we went.  This is Maureen's of "sweet Maggie" but you get the concept anyway.  If you don't scrapbook or stamp--get busy!  Snap N Scrap (McComb) or Scrapbook Friendzy (Brookhaven) are my two favorite places.   Do you think that will get me brownie points?!

HOW TRUE IS THIS?

Well, here I sit playing with the computer while Ed and Josh watch a movie (Josh dumped my stack of magazines and got disgruntled and left). I came across this scrapbook page on 2peas and really liked it.  It caught my eye because of the colors and design and then I read it.  I thought about the saying--not so much in terms of bad habits--but in terms of being brave and branching out.  I'm a safe kind of girl. I resist change; I like security. As a few of my "closest friends" would say, I'm sheltered and protected.  I happen to like it that way.  I want to be adventurous and try new things but that nagging little voice holds me back.  As I sit here thinking about it--maybe I'm adventurous in some things:  I drive a tractor!  I clip pastures!  I have championed causes and raised lots of money for them!  I'll take on anyone who brings harm to my family!  I'm loyal to a fault and if I believe it in my heart, I'll never let go of it.  "If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got.  So what's wrong with that?  Absolutely nothing!  If you live, love, laugh and praise God--life is good.

OK, IT'S OVER AND I'M TRYING TO MOVE ON. . .

I had my little fit and I am going to move on.  (That includes doing this post TWICE and loosing it at the last word!)  Maybe third time is a charm.  The deck is coming along nicely.  It will be finished ENOUGH for the reunion.  The construction crew has gone above and beyond.  That is all I could ask.  Today will be spent cleaning up and placing the container plants and furniture.  I'll post pictures later.

I promised a picture of Ben and Shelby at their graduation from Lower Elementary to Upper Elementary.  Check out Tiffany's and Jennifer's blog to see all the awards they won and to see the other kids at their graduations.  I couldn't make it to all of those. They are all growing so fast.

And on that note:  Today is Sam's last day at Cotton Branch Day Care.  That thought is bittersweet.

Thursday was spent baking and getting other foods ready for the reunion.  I always enjoy being in the kitchen and seeing the results.  Then I planted some annuals in pots that I wanted sit around.  I need to bake another Brown Sugar Pound cake.  I gave the other one to the builders.  I will bribe if I need to!!

Tuesday I snuck away to the scrap room.  I wanted to get the reunion pictures from last year finished for the scrapbook so the family could see them.  Click on the "Studio Projects" typelist and you can see them all.  Here is a sample.

Have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Please take time to remember why we have this holiday and why we ARE ABLE to celebrate.