Small Change

Week 3 @ Scrapping the Music!

2010-03-25T20:43:00.003-04:00

Thanks for dropping by! Hope you join the challenge
Pennyhttp://scrappingthemusic.blogspot.com/

and here's my layout for Will Smith's song, "Just the two of us" I love the line in there about being a good dad... my hubby is a great Dad!

Free me... by Joss Stone

2010-03-16T18:23:00.002-04:00

The 2nd week's challenge at Scrapping the Music and here's what I created with the inspiration...

Come play with us~!! http://scrappingthemusic.blogspot.com/

Anyone Else But You!

2010-03-14T15:13:00.001-04:00

Here's my layout for the 1st challenge of March at Scrapping the Music...

Guest Designer - Me?!

2010-03-03T20:14:00.003-05:00

I'm so excited because this month I get to be a guest designer at one of my FAV's! I love Scrapping the Music. Music is inspiring in so many ways...

I hope you will scrap with me this month! http://scrappingthemusic.blogspot.com/

Love,
Penny

10!

2009-08-30T19:10:00.002-04:00

My 10th Anniversary is Friday!!!!!! Hard to believe it's been 10 years since my wedding; sometimes it feels like less and sometimes… much longer...

I haven’t had a lot of time for scrapping lately. Work has been busy and I haven’t felt a lot of creativity in me. But at least I’ve been taking pictures. I’ll be all set when the cold comes to visit. The way the weather is here it’ll be snowing by Halloween!

Here’s a layout I did for Julie’s Favorite’s challenge. I thought it would be fun to do something creative with pictures instead of a product. Thanks so much for looking and commenting!
Luv,
Penny

2009-07-24T22:12:00.006-04:00

Sorry to all 8 of my followers ---- LOL! I know it’s been awhile and I’m sorry. I’ve been a bit distracted. With summer, the girls birthdays, my Mom & Dad visiting, work and much more I’ve neglected my sweet little website.

I went to SISiversary in Tennessee the end of June and had a great time. Got to see some SISters again and meet even more. I was extremely to finally meet my friend Michelle LaPoint (Ravenea) in person! Michelle is as sweet in person as you would expect. I admit being surrounded by all that talent intimidated me last year but this year I found it extremely inspiring…

I finished 12 layouts… that’s a lot for me especially with all the fun going on around us. And we got to scrap with Jenni Bowlin; she helped us make an adorable mini! Here’s a couple layouts I did that I like…

I’m off to work on a layout for my friend Julie’s new challenge-website (These are a few of my favorite things) http://whatisyourfavething.blogspot.com/

Goodnight for now!
Luv,
Penny

Urrgghhh - {vent}

2009-05-24T21:46:00.001-04:00

Well… sux to be me.

I didn’t pass my exam and my boss died Friday… and oh DH and I are not, well, happy.

You all remember I started a new job a month ago? My boss, George, had a massive heart attack and passed away Friday morning. It is very sad really, he had 2 teenage daughters. Can you imagine losing your father that young? I pray for his family almost every hour now. I can’t help it but pray that things will work out at work now. I’m not sure I’m accepted there and it will prove to be more difficult?

I spent the last month doing nothing but studying and working and I still didn’t pass the SPHR exam. Good Lord I swear to you I put so much into that. I think I put more into the wrong areas. I am terrible with financial (accounting) and I had a ton of questions in that area. I’m so sad, mad, embarrassed. Dang! I will start studying again in October for the December exam cycle though.

I haven’t the energy to explain the hubby debacle right now. I will leave this one where it belongs, in the Lords hands. He is GOOD.
NOW… I NEED ME SOME SERIOUS ME/SCRAPPIN’ TIME AND SOON! J

On Hiatus

2009-04-20T21:16:00.002-04:00

Just dropped in to say that I'm working and studying my heart out! I may not have a lot of time to chat and crop for the next few weeks...

MISS YOU ALL!

Penny

Here's a cute page I did that I really like

HAPPY EASTER!

2009-04-12T12:20:00.003-04:00

We hope you all have a great Easter! I hope your basket is full today!

Love,
Penny, Eric, Isabel, & Paige

Cyber Crop - Happy Scrappy weekend for me!

2009-04-06T09:38:00.008-04:00

I participated in a lot of challenges this weekend and had so much fun. I actually completed 10 layouts this weekend alone! I need to take a break to study for a week or so...

I even won the challenge over at Scrapping The Music!

Here are a few of my other layouts I did for the crop this weekend:

Anyone know how to rotate your photo if it loads sideways in your blog? I'd really appreciate some help! :)

Have a great week... I will be studying most of this week...

Autism Speaks!

2009-04-05T14:45:00.005-04:00

I completed a challenge today at Tallyscrapper.com to support Autism awareness.

The first part of the challenge was to create a layout using one of their logos as inspiration. The second part was to post my layout on my blog to help spread the news and help those families who are in need of support and encouragement to continue their goal to change the future for all who struggle with autism spectrum disorders.

Thanks everyone for looking at my blog and please continue to pray for those families affected.

Penny

How's the weather in your neck of the woods?

2009-03-30T19:44:00.006-04:00

We've been having a great time the last couple of weeks (minus a couple of rainy days here and there). Playing outside and airing out the house. The kids have been all over the woods and on the swings. Hubby has been cleaning out the garage and shed. And wouldn't you know it...

IT
SNOWED!

I know the pic is a bit dark but that's Paige eating snow off a spoon this morning...

It's just like this in Michigan... I grew up hearing that same comment... "don't blink, the weather will change!"

I hope you are having better weather! :)

Penny

March is almost over!

2009-03-26T12:03:00.006-04:00

Can you believe it? Time flies when you haven't enough to do... HA! that was a joke. Seems like I haven't had a chance to be bored yet.

School it going good. I really like going to class and listening to the instructors. I'm not a fan of reading the books but I like the quizzes and tests (odd aren't I?).

Scrapping is insane lately... I've had to really slow down on my challenges. I picked my Fav's and am trying to stick with just those... Here's a newer layout:

This is my Grandmother and Mother

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-16T07:20:00.002-04:00

I know it's a day early but I believe I may be kinda busy tomorrow ;)

I'm so LUCKY to have you

My Girls... I just love them!

They fill my bucket to the brim...

I had a lot of fun making this layout. I started out making this layout for the design team submission, then I thought I'd submit it for the Spring Green contest, then just as I was finishing it Category Stories posted a 'lucky' challenge... I was kinda surprised how hard it was to line up the lines for the floss on the shamrock... but at the same time I think it really didn't matter if it was straight. It still looks cute. Make sure you use a good stock of paper! if you use something thin it will be wrinkled like crazy when you're done! And the I traced and cut-out the cute little Hambly butterflies.

Have a great day!

Busy, busy, busy

2009-03-13T08:53:00.005-04:00

Well, between Fiona getting skunked TWICE (and all the bathing and washing of the house), looking and interviewing for a job, and studying for school I have neglected my sweet little blog here. So sorry to not keep up.

First, I would like to take a moment to thank my SecretSIS who sent me some amazing scrap-goodies (not once but twice). She sent me a card a week or so back revealing herself as Cassie. http://somethingfromcassie.blogspot.com/ I personally think she has awesome taste. I'm certain I wasn't as generous to my SecretSIS as I had hoped to be when I signed up. Sorry MaryJosie for being so tight... it's tough times for me this year.

Second, I want to brag about my excitement. My layout "What I love about being laid off" was chosen as one of the top 2 layouts at Tallyscrapper for the Category Stories Challenge (see it here: http://categorystories.wordpress.com/)! I won their February kit for free. Oh and Christine at Tally chose my layouts for Tuesday and Wednesday for their daily challenges. I'm so addicted to challenges. My goal this year is to scrap at least 5 pages just for me... lol

Here is my layout for Tuesday...

I combined the movie title challenge
with Pencil Lines Sketch#125

TFL!

Not much to say...

2009-02-21T20:08:00.003-05:00

just thought I'd show off a cute project

I did this for Lotus Paparie challenge. I just love the quote... so adorable.

Anyway, hope you all have a great day!
Hugs and love,
Penny

Quick update

2009-02-17T20:18:00.004-05:00

Not much time to make a long post (not that, that's a habit for me lol). Just want to show off a few new projects! I made this cute bin for a challenge over at TallyScrapper. We were supposed to makeover a game box but seeing I didn't have any that were capable of being remade I chose to remake a peanut can. I just love how this turned out. Check out the before and after...

BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!

2009-02-12T10:30:00.003-05:00

I can't believe it... I'm back in school again. I think I'll never be done?

<<<<---Check out all my books

I'm taking the SHRM certification course to prepare me for sitting for either the PHR or SPHR exam. This means I'll be a certified Professional Human Resource person ;)

In other words... proof that I know what I'm doing. lol

I think I'm going to be busy! It's an 11 week course and all these books and more are going to be covered!

Goodbye scrappy world... lol JK!

Have a great day peeps!

My new brag book!

2009-02-08T15:26:00.005-05:00

How cute and fun is this!

I made this sweet little mini album today for the Dream Girls Challenge. Check it out if you interested: http://www.dreamgirls.typepad.com/

Now I can finally produce some cute pics when someone asks me!

What I love about being laid-off

2009-02-06T10:13:00.004-05:00

I've spent the last 5 weeks being frustrated and extremely stressed about being laid-off. I decided yesterday to stop being so negative. Finally, getting hold of unemployment and at least getting enough money to pay some bills helped! I love Michigan - not...

Anyway, I created this layout yesterday with a little help from Category Stories Challenge blog. They asked us to create a LO that started with , "What i love about ___________". It took me a bit to see the light but I adore this LO. I should have made the ribbon a heart instead of a circle though... oh well. Most important is that I realized that I have been very lucky to have more time with Paige!

Hope you all have a great day and thanks for reading my jabbering! ;)

Thank You!

2009-02-03T10:52:00.005-05:00

Gotta take a moment to thank my Secret SIS from SIStv! She sent me some lovely Valentine scrappy goodies! Take a look-see!

Thanks so much! I've made quite a few lovely things with these goodies! Wanna see?

I'm working on a sewing tutorial... check back soon!

Thursday

2009-01-22T12:57:00.003-05:00

Hello!

I was chosen for pick of the day over at All Moment Remembered. I'm very excited... The community seems very friendly and talented. What a great compliment! http://amrforums.altrock182182.x10hosting.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=22181

My pick of the day was for this layout:

Isn't it funny how sometimes you put so much into a layout

and other times it just flows and looks great.

I try to make them all this easy... of course the color

matching is so key.

Most of this is all prematched. It's from the SIStv Songbird kit.

Hope you all have a great day!

2009-01-12T18:03:00.004-05:00

Laid off again! I really don't like being out of work... Besides the money part I'm bored. I always have fun the first week with the kids and organizing but now that's all done...

I took Paige to the Library this morning; that took an hour... and I'm having trouble trying to think of what we did last week that was so fun. My mind is consumed with just wanting to be alone or be BUSY! My hands and mind are itching to scrap so badly...

This was a sweet moment...

while I was making dinner

Bel was reading to Paige.

Funny how I want them to be close

and yet I'm not with my sister...

Anyway, have a great day! I'm going to see if I can sneak a little late night scrapping after the kiddies are sleepin' tonight. Hopefully, I can get my Color Combo, Pencil Lines, and Scrapping the Music Challenges started...

PUBLISHED! wooo hooo!

2008-12-01T18:54:00.003-05:00

I have been published! Two of my layouts are in Scrapbooking.com Magazine, take a look: http://scrapbooking.com/article/72643

I love these layouts so much. They have such special meaning for me. Family and heritage has always meant a lot to me and having others see this and of course my scrapping lol is AWESOME!

I GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-27T19:50:00.003-05:00

How exciting... the economy as it is and I actually got the job! right before Christmas too.

The second interview went pretty well. Met 2 owners and 2 other guys and was told they had 3 more people to interview that they'd get back to me the next day. Within 2 hours I got a call from the HR Manager (the one who's leaving for another job). She told me they didn't like the 2nd guy and didn't want to interview the other 2 they offered me the job. They offered me what I asked for and gave me 2 weeks vacation. They asked me to start the next day also. So I started Wednesday (1/2 day) and they're paying me all week too (holidays too).

The company seems pretty sound in these times so I'm feeling pretty good so far! I'll miss all the scrapping I was hoping to do though lol.

I'm still going to go to school in January to get my PHR certificate. It will be tough but it's only 1 night a week for 11 weeks to prepare for the test. Hopefully by January I'll get the hang of things at work enough.

Hubby took the kids up north for the weekend so I'm off to scrap my little heart out! Hope everyone has an awesome Thanksgiving!

Luv ya!

Four Days till Thanksgiving!

2008-11-23T18:28:00.002-05:00

Although it's not one of my favorite holidays I do like hanging out with Eric's family and the kids love to get together with their cousins. And who doesn't like all the food? YUMMY

Eric is taking the kids up north and I'm having a scrap weekend with the girls. All day Friday and Saturday we're gonna scrap till we have nothing left to scrap... YEA right. I just took Christmas pics of the girls today...

Tomorrow I have a 2nd interview. Hope it goes well!

Huntin's Season still

2008-11-17T13:54:00.005-05:00

Eric got an 8 pt Buck. Check it out!

Thank a Vet!

2008-11-11T14:06:00.003-05:00

I'm a proud Vet and I'm even prouder of my fellow Veterans.

Thank you very much for your service and dedication!

Penny

Oh my it's November!

2008-11-04T17:38:00.000-05:00

Time flies when you're... BUSY! lol

After voting we started cleaning. Seems fitting to send out the old... I put away the Halloween decorations and Eric brought out the Christmas decorations! We start early. It just seems ashame to have these gorgeous things out for such a short time... so START EARLY!

Tomorrow I'm registering for classes... Looks like I'll start in January for my SHRM certification. Hopefully this will help the job situation!?!

Here's my girls and nephew: 2 little Indians and Erkel! We had great weather and the hour just flew by. Probably the first time I wanted to stay out longer! :)

Goodnight!

The weekend

2008-10-26T10:20:00.001-04:00

I luv the weekends. I especially luv it when we have nothing to do! Most times I run my circuit on Saturdays. My circuit is the laundry/scrap routine. When I'm not doing laundry I'm scrapping. I got 4 layouts done just yesterday. It cheered me up.

Friday was my last day at work. I knew it was coming and I am excited about my future of returning to school but I seriously had put a lot into that place. I worked with some amazing people. People who deserved better than to lose their jobs!

I found out that I'm going to have 2 of my layouts published at Scrapbooking.com Magazine. I'm very excited because 1 of the layouts is a comparison I did of my Gram and me at around age 19. We look so much alike and I luv being compared to her. I miss her a lot.

Off to finish my circuit ;)

Penny

2008-10-15T20:00:00.000-04:00

Time for a monthly blog... lmbo I sure thought I'd post more often but alas I have fallen into the busy working-mother routine & the I have nothing to say thingy...

Been busy with the kids and summer and work and trying to figure out what I'm going to do when i grow up. Thankfully I'm still working... still trying to save up as much as possible until D-day. Which will mostly likely be early December.

Then it's off to school again. A free Master's degree thanks to the government and Plastech. I just need to sit down with a counselor to narrow things down. WOW a master's degree seems so amazing to me... never thought I'd go there.

8O'clock time to get the kids to bed and maybe just maybe... 10 minutes with hubby before he starts snoring. HA!

nighty-night all

2008-09-06T17:22:00.000-04:00

Lots of fun things at the Michigan Ren Fest! It was pretty hot both days we went but we had a good time. We took the kids the first time and were able to go just Eric and I went for the Feast again the following weekend.

The feast was awesome. We met some pretty cool people and drank and ate way too much...

I finished one scrap page of the day we took the kids. Hopefully, I'll get time later on today to finish the other one. Heres the first one...

it's been a while...

2008-08-18T15:07:00.000-04:00

This summer has been crazy... I've been looking for a job and trying to spend more time with the kids. We really haven't done anything extra-special just trying to get by. Eric was home for a little extra time in July but the traveling is so hard on them. I admit I miss him too but it makes me angry to have to be in the middle. I know he's sad to not be at home and misses them tolo of course.

The job scene stinks! I think I'll be going back to school soon. Maybe I'll get my Labor Relations certificate? I enjoy the HR law more anyway...

As my favorite Uncles says... "you want sympathy? it's in the dictionary between shit and syphalis!" He's right... nothing more lame than pitying yourself eh?

On a brighter note... it's Renaissance time again! It actually started last weekend but because Eric is gone we will go this weekend! WE'RE GOING PIRATE this year matie! AAAARRRRGGGHHHHHH! The kids are almost as excited as I am! lol

Lots of pictures soon!
Penny

New Tattoo!

2008-07-11T14:24:00.000-04:00

I did it - Finally...

The tat is located on my right side closer to my front than the back. I will go back and add her sister soon. 4 1/2 hours is enough for one day! lol ;)

I have been wanting to start this for a long, very long time. I am getting tattoo's of my daughter's. Here's the first one, Paige. The artist is Matthew Hockaday http://www.creativestains.com/. He's fantastic, yes???

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

Hugs,

Penny

Hump Day!

2008-06-25T11:25:00.000-04:00

Wednesdays...
middle of the week
half way to the weekend
Usually it's a fun day but not today. I had to leave work to go get the kids. Bel has a high fever.
A rock hit my window & my phone still isn't working right.

However, Eric is coming home tomorrow evening... halaluyah! The kids miss him so much (i do too).

I have some adorable pics of the kids at Wagon Trails in Ohio. Here's Paige and I feeding a (i think) Carribou. sweet eh?

How do you like this guy? He has one brown eye and one blue and he likes to nuzzle! :)

I love animals. I feel better looking at these pics.

penny

The Picnic

2008-06-22T22:09:00.000-04:00

We had our last company picnic yesterday. It was a lot of fun and we laughed so much I hurt. Or maybe I hurt because I was on my feet from 10am to 5pm. Or maybe it was because they BUM-RUSHED ME INTO THE LAKE! Clothes and all in the lake.

My phone was in my pocket! My favorite thing in the world and it still isn't working. I'm having withdrawals from not texting!

The sad part was they kidnapped my daughter to get me down by the lake too. Scared me to death honestly. Truely not funny - don't prank someone like that! I have high-blood pressure! lol ;)

Eric's mad about the phone but I have insurance so it'll only cost $50- I think? Course i have to wait another day to get it though.

Eric told me today that he will be home Friday! 3 days sooner than I expected. Thank you Lord! He makes me feel safe... kinda like a 'happy bubble' kwim?http://www.scrapinstyletv.com/portfolio/view_layout.php?layout_id=107427&user_id=9233

Off to bed. nighty-night.

SISversary June 2008

2008-06-16T11:51:00.000-04:00

I don't know what to write but dang SISversary was fantastic. Had a great time meeting all the sisters and hanging. I didn't get a lot of scrappin' done but I sure came home inspired. I have at least 6 unfinished projects! Here's a few of my memories!

Barbara and Helen (po Helen)

Gigi's class (300 page book and I got 2 done lol)

the challenges (thanks Sandra for helping us win and giving me the album - YOU ROCK)

the suspense (driving was difficult when you're that excited, made it there in 9 hours-home took 10 ;)

the presents (the backpack is awesome)and the prizes (seriously, I'm so lucky)

the ice cream(brownies and caramel and fudge...)

the waffle house (hashbrowns, covered and chunked!)

omg I adored Trynity's poem! girl you RAWK!

belly'ing up to the bar with SEVERAL sis's
My car-mates, Mandi and Pam! girls you can chat like noone! I hope i didn't scare ya!? lol

The pink elephant with the glasses and martini! OMG!

My roomies, Misty, you only snored for a few minutes - tee hee

Here's a link to my pics from the event: http://www.flickr.com/photos/27767559@N08/?saved=1

Big Crapola!

2008-06-11T19:43:00.001-04:00

I know great thing to say, right? WELL that's what happened... life took a big crapola. My boss told me today that the new company that was supposed to buy our company has decided to close us down instead. NICE?

NOT!

So we proceeded to tell all the employees. The sobbing was so horribly sad and infuriating. I'm angry and so worried about them. The economy is hideous as it is and now I have 3 couples who went home today to their kids knowing they would both be out of a job soon.

OMG I'm angry!

My first blog

2008-06-11T11:07:00.000-04:00

I took the jump! I finally see a purpose to having a blog. I actually like sharing with people now. Maybe it's age... maybe it's the internet age and so many of my friends are online now rather than next door. Oh how I miss my BFF next door though...

Anyway, what a great way to share my life with my not-so-close family and friends then to let them in when they have time.

So, what should I write about first? I think the thing on the top of my mind is SISversary.

Less than two days and I'm off to Tennessee to make new friends and scrap with some of the best scrappers in the world... yep even international scrappers will be there. If you've never heard of Scrap in Style (SIStv) check it out! I love it. http://www.scrapinstyletv.com/welcome.php

Off to attend a meeting for now.