Boxer Scrapbooks Weblog

All is well in Boxerland...

Most people who know about our company, know that we're a mother-daughter team.  I'm the daughter (and only child), and my mom, Vicki is the other partner.  We're inseparable.  We've been through hell and back in the last few years after the sudden death of my father in an auto accident in July 2006.  We've leaned on family and friends, who have been so incredibly patient while we go through all the different and varied stages of the grieving process.

This week, I've dealt with a myriad of emotions.  Mom needed back surgery, and wanted it scheduled during our slowest time of year.  It's no secret that December and January are the "slowest" for us.  That's said with sarcasm, as we're never really slow then, just have more time to do things like develop new lines, count inventory, get snowed in for 14 days, etc.  Her surgery was scheduled for Jan 8th (yesterday).  Everything went as planned, and she's even home now, and resting with Koda and Molly (her puppies).  At home, George has been dealing with a cold that has kept him in bed for the better part of the week, so I was trying to keep him as comfortable as possible as well.

The roller-coaster of my mind was driving me nuts.  I have always been very close to my parents, and my mom and I have only gotten more so since dad's accident.  There is rarely a day when we don't see each other, and even after working all day together, we talk on the phone in the evenings usually several times.  So--when someone that close to you needs back surgery, or any surgery at all, you get a little paranoid.  You start thinking the worst case scenario, letting the "What If" thoughts roll into your mind.  The "worry gene" was passed to me in full force by my mom's side of the family, thank you very much!

But all is good.  She's propped up in her recliner loveseat, with Koda taking up the other chair.  Neither he or Molly are letting her out of their sight today.  They couldn't understand where she was last night, and why she wasn't there to cuddle.  They just had to put up with me instead.

Everything is great, and while she still definately has some recovery time, we've made it over the first major hurdle of the year.
~~Angie

Happy New Year!

Been so busy lately, that I haven't had time to blog.  Just crazy times.  We've been spending a lot of time getting caught up on lots of stuff at the office, as my mom/business partner is having back surgery this Thursday.  So, with her out of commission for a few weeks, and me at the hospital with her on Thursday and Friday, we need to be ahead.

I've also been doing some sewing lately.  Finished up a couple tree skirts before Christmas during all the snow-drama.

This one was for my cousin Jena.  Instead of using satin for the ruffle, I used one of the prints that I had enough of.  Jena uses very traditional colors for her Christmas decor, so this was perfect for her.

This one was a new technique I was trying with the same ruler that cuts the skirt above.  This photo does not do the skirt justice, as the quilting made this one.  In the red area, I did a medium stipple all over, straight stitching in the green area, and I did a bunch of free-motion in the black area outlining the individual dots and stars.  You really can only see it very close up, or for sure on the back.  Ruffle was made with the same red fabric from the center, and really makes the skirt pop.  I love the fabric in this as it's whimsical without being cute.

Here is the stocking I made for Kaya, my now 9 week old niece.  Took my first shot at alphabet embroidery, and it was OK.  It definitely could be better, and mom told me how to improve it for the next time.

On New Year's Eve, George and I hosted a poker game and NYE party here at our house.  We had a fun time, with good friends, and it was probably the most fun I've had in a long time playing poker.  At one point, my cousin Jena laughed for about 30 minutes straight.  Good times, lots of laughter.

I'm still working on resolutions, or if I want to make any.  I tend to not stick to them, so maybe setting some goals later in the month will be better for me.

Hope you all had a wonderful New Year!  Best wishes for an awesome 2009!

~~Angie

I can't remember...

...a day when I've been SO excited to go to work.  I am excited about tomorrow!  Why?  Not necessarily because of the work, but because of the weather!  We survived the 18 inches of snow we eventually got, and has now all melted.  We weren't even sure if we were going to get to celebrate Christmas Eve scheduled this year for our house, but my Uncle Frank made sure everyone from the McMinnville area followed him, and then went and go my mom up at her house.

Our offices are located at mom's house, and unfortunately, the snow plows basically blocked the driveways.  I went to get her on Christmas Morning, and got my Equinox stuck in the driveway.  Some very nice gentlemen assisted us in getting the car free.  The next couple of times we picked her up or dropped her off, we stayed on the main road, and she ran out to the car.  Just nuts that they'd block her in.  Today was the first day in 2 weeks she's had her car out of the driveway!  Dec 14th was the first big snow we had, so it's been 2 weeks today. 

I planned on a light Christmas, cause we're all last minute shoppers, and I finally just told mom and George we'd worry about it after the holidays!  George snuck off to Target one night, and did some shopping.  And mom went with cash.  I've actually put it to good use, hitting a great sale at Macy's on some 600 thread count sheets at 75% off, and a mini-cusinart food prep thing at Costco.

Other than that--we've been taking lots of naps, sleeping in, staying up late, and generally screwing up our sleep schedule.  When I go to the office in the morning, I'll probably be ready for a nap by 11am!

Hopefully--this "Arctic Blast" was it for us this winter...I don't think my sanity could endure another event that lasts more than a couple of days!

~~Angie

Happy Tuesday!

Looks like we have a break in the weather, and are going to try to open about 9:30 am today (Tuesday-12/23).

Please note that our offices are scheduled to be closed the rest of this week for the Holiday.

Thanks!
~~Angie

Monday Update...

Woke up to another 4" of snow this morning, and have got a few more during the day, and it's still coming down!  Just trying to not go completely crazy.

~~Angie

Update from Boxerland....

So, my last post was on Dec 14th, talking about the beautiful snow we were getting, and funny shots of Cabo out in it.  Well--we now have 10 INCHES outside our house, which are covered with 1/2" of ice.  We've had to chain up my old car just to get to the grocery store 5 blocks away (newer car takes spider chains?!? that are $350 a pair.  I REFUSE to pay that!).  Here is what we've experienced...

Sunday--Dec 14th--Beautiful snow day...is it going to stop?

Monday--Dec 15th--Oh--4" of Snow!  Haven't seen that in Portland in a good 10 years...stay home from work, roads are awful.

Tuesday--Dec 16th--Roads graveled and plowed.  Made it in to work, but snow front moved in about 3pm, so left for home.

Wednesday--Dec 17th--Oh--another few inches!  Road crews can't keep up!  Refuse to buy spider chains for the Equinox!  Why doesn't the dealership carry these?  Aren't they an accessory?  Boxer office closed again.

Thursday--Dec 18th--Roads cleared enough that I can make it in to office in the chain-less Equinox.

Friday--Dec 19th--Freeways clear, and most major roads in great shape!  Worked full day, but left a little before dark.  Great 1 hour pedicure I'd had scheduled for about a month.  Thank you Adriana for sticking in there for me!

Saturday--Dec 20th--New front moved in sooner than expected!  10 inches today (most everything else was gone from earlier in the week).  Snowed from 5am to 9:30pm.  Guess what happened at 9:30?  FREEZING RAIN!

Sunday--Dec 21st--Mom's Birthday!--Woke up at 6am to dog whining that birds were out in her backyard!  Oh--and she might have needed to go out.  You can't tell that we have a step out the sliding glass door.  She steps out, and promptly freaks out!  1/2" layer of ice from freezing rain on top of the 10" of snow.  Cabo's feet start breaking through the ice, and she's sinking down in the snow, and that was just the end of the snow fun for her.  George went and shoveled some space for her to easily go out.  Took a photo of him holding up a piece of ice that he picked up off the yard.  Chained up my old car, because chains are now required in our county on all roads.  Drove to gas station (7 blocks), picked up best friend Karen who was out of food & low on formula (and with 5 of them in the house was going nuts--one is my 6 week old niece Kaya), and back to the grocery store.  She couldn't get her car out of the driveway at all!  After that, decided to pick up some pizza, and go see mom, to celebrate her birthday.  Only 1 pizza place open in either of our towns, so the three of us went for a visit (George, Cabo and I).  Was good to converse with someone besides George and the Dog, and believe me, Cabo and I have had some good talks this week.

We're supposed to get more snow tonight, and again tomorrow, clear on Tuesday, then snow again Wed & Thursday.  I'm so glad I already have shopping for my nieces, nephews, George and Cabo done.  Mom and I decided that we'd worry about each other after the holidays, when we weren't so stressed.  Besides, rumor has it some quilt stores are having inventory clearance sales!  LOL!  Like we need more fabric!

Why had this been so dramatic?  The Portland area RARELY gets snow.  We might have one day, but it's gone the next day!  Kids MIGHT have 1 snow day per year.  They were off ALL this week!  So most kids got an extra week of Winter Break here in the metro area.  So, we've been watching tons of "KGW Special Report--ARCTIC BLAST".  I'm soooo tired of the news!  I had to switch stations yesterday just to look at different people!

Looks like the thaw won't start until next Saturday or Sunday....my goodness.  Don't be surprised if tons of people go crazy in the Pacific Northwest.  Of course, we don't want a quick thaw, as that could cause major flooding.  Talk in town is about how getting out for Dutch Brothers or Starbucks is the big outing of the day for people! 

I've rambled long enough.  Don't know if office will be open tomorrow or not.  I hope so--tons of work backing up on my desk!

Be careful out there if you're in the area....
~~Angie

Beautiful Snow Day!

The weathermen on KGW have been threatening snow for this weekend pretty much all week.  Snow here in the Portland, OR area is a maybe-once-a-year occurrence, so it's always met with a lot of skepticism.  Well--they were on target!  I'm sitting here at home at noon, and it's snowing outside.  I was up at 5:30 am with the dog, and the sky was a little cloudy, but nothing special.  At 8:30 I got up again, and wouldn't you know--SNOW!  And it's sticking!!!  This will shut the city down.  Here are some photos of Cabo that I shot in the backyard:

This was at 8:30.  She didn't know what to think, as she's never seen snow before!  Last Thursday (the 11th) was her 1st birthday, so it's like a late birthday present for her.  I get all the laughs from watching it....

She's standing on the part of the patio we extended this past summer, and that's my outdoor fireplace George got me last Christmas.  Might have to fire it up tonight....

Here she is trying to catch snowflakes!  She did this for about half an hour each time we went outside.  HILLARIOUS!

She's such a pretty girl, but I'm totally biased on that.  This shot really shows off the redness of her coat, although it's a little exaggerated....

Off to spend the rest of my day sewing.  Just wish I could go out and get a Dutch Brothers Peppermint Hot Cocoa....mmmmmmmm, that sounds wonderful!

Happy Sunday!
~~Angie

The short week...

I love short weeks.  I actually try to plan time to sew when I know I have a few extra days where I won't be in the office, so I'm hoping that comes together this week.

I finished a few projects up this weekend, and started some others!  I finished the cards that will be our new "7 minute cards" class at conventions in 2009.  Only things that might change are some of the papers we'll use as we're working on new lines right now.  But the designs are done, and I have to say, I'm loving them!

I also finished another tree skirt this weekend.  It was the last of the 3 with little gingerbread men on it, and I just love it.  I put a ball trim on the edge, and it looks real cute!  Don't know who I'm going to gift it to just yet, but will figure that out soon enough.

Have two other classes worth of projects in the works, too, and am needing to finish those by Wednesday afternoon.  Show promoters need photos for the websites so class sales can go live with images.  Makes sense, but it's hard to be in 2009 mode already.  I need to get thru the holidays!

Have you checked out our design team blog lately?  You need to make this a daily destination, as our design team is creating fantastic projects for the season!  Just some stunning creations, fabulous tutorials, and great gift ideas!

Vicki (mom) and I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Please travel safe.
~~Angie

My take on Wednesdays...

Wednesdays are rough for me.  The past weekend is long gone, and the coming weekend can't come soon enough.  I've been fighting a cold on and off for over a month, and I just generally feel tired most of the time.  Today I'm feeling pretty good, other than if offered, I could take a nap at a moments notice.  Cabo came to work with me today, and is making her presence known by whining that we're not constantly playing with her.  HELLO!  I need to work in order to feed you, dog!  LOL!

We've got tons of projects going on at the office, too, which doesn't help when all you want to do is nap.  Currently, I'm working on 2009 class projects for conventions.  Seems early, doesn't it?  Well--most of the early shows for the year pre-registrations go live in December, so those images need to be on the respective websites.

We're also assembling kits about as fast as we can.  I've got some that are already on the website under Kits, but I've got a few more that I need to add, so I'm working on the images of those, and getting them ready to go up!  PhotoShop and I are spending a lot of time together this week.

At home, I'm slowly working my way through the mountain of laundry from both before the trip to Seattle, and add to it what came home dirty in suitcases.  I knew I should have had it all done before we left, but again, the cold was in full force.  I haven't had time to do any sewing in the past few weeks, and it's beginning to make me agitated.  I'm loving working on these 2009 classes, as that is giving my creativity a jump start, but I just love fabric so much, along with the hum of my sewing machine, and that is where I'd prefer to be.  I'm scheduling some time, after Emma's birthday party on Saturday, for me.  Me and my sewing machine....gotta love that "me time".  George has plans for a poker game (if he's well by then as he's fighting the worst part of this crud again now), and I've decided to skip it.  The house will be quiet (except for our four legged monster) and I can turn on CNN in every room if I want, or a Chick-Flick marathon, even!  To escape from ESPN for a few hours is crucial!

Have you taken time for yourself lately?  What is your favorite activity when you do take the time?

~~Angie

Recapping the week!

Hello!
What a great week it has been in the middle of November!  Here's the recap:

George and I left for Bellevue for the Seattle CK Convention Wednesday afternoon.  Mom and Laura left several hours after we did, so we met them at the hotel.  Karen was induced that morning, given pitosin at about 6pm that night, but it was taking a long time working.  Mom held off leaving town as long as she could, and ended up having to back-track to the office anyway, putting her another 2 hours behind.  OOPS!

Karen had Kaya LeeAnn at 5:389am on Thursday, November 13, 2008!  Kaya weighed in at 6# 3oz and was 19.5" long.  Here are the camera phone photos I received throughout the weekend:

Such a pretty girl!  But I'm biased!  George and I had planned on running over to their house to see her, but my cold is coming back (or allergies) and George has come down with the flu, so we're staying away for the time being...

Seattle show was wonderful!  Didn't see Wendy from Canada this year (Wendy--where were you???), but classes went great, and people loved our new booth set-up.  It worked really well for us, too, which is always nice.

Cabo spent her first time at a kennel while we were gone.  The staff at Windyridge take such good care of the puppies.  Cabo was very excited to see us, but fell asleep on the 7 minute drive on the way home, and has been napping ever since we picked her up at noon.  When I say napping, I mean crashed-out!  See?

 

This is her pink bed we got for her the first night that we brought her home.  She's a bit big for it now, but loves to lay in it when she's in the computer room with one of us.  I had another photo of her curled up in a ball and fitting into it, but i somehow deleted it when I uploaded.  :o(  Funny dog.

About the show:  As always, had some great food in Bellevue.  Ate at California Pizza Kitchen again, which is always nice.  We have one here in Tualatin now, but it's at Bridgeport Village, and the parking sucks, so we never go.  Also ate at Pogatcha.  FABULOUS Croation food, this is our second year eating there.  The wonderful quilt store from that same center is gone now, and I don't know if they moved or closed completely.  Then Saturday night, had a gathering of lots of old friends (and some new) from the show circuit.  Had a great time, and great food, served by our hostess Vicki.  Great pinata that she created too!  That was a blast! 

Our good friends Judy and Danita of Galloping Horse Productions officially celebrated their last show.  They say forever, but are also leaving the door open for a few shows here and there.  They are wonderful ladies, and we'll miss having them on the road! 

Our newly married friend, Britney, who works for SEI, also celebrated her last show.  She and her new husband Mat are moving back to Idaho next week, and we're sad to see them go.  I took their engagement photos a few months ago for them on a rainy day at the Oregon Coast, and then they just got married on Nov. 1st!  Saw the wedding photos at the show, and she was a beautiful bride!  They're coming back to town in December, and promise that we'll get together for dinner with Danita, too.

Also, our friend Terri celebrated her last show on the CKC travelling team.  She'll be working for one of the vendors next year, so we'll still get to see her on the road!

In many ways, I'm happy that show season is over for us!  We're exhausted, but have tons of work to do in the next few weeks, and for the coming year.  I'm just excited I don't have to go to the airport for almost 4 full months!

George made the decision last night at midnight when we got back to our hotel room from Vicki's that he wanted to drive home then.  We ended up getting home at 3:30am, and slept until around 10:30.  At noon we picked up Cabo, and she and I went back to bed.  George stayed up and watched football all day while checking out the new World of Warcraft expansion, and I mad a dash over to Red Robin for dinner around 7:30, after realizing we didn't have anything to make in the house!  Guess I'll be grocery shopping Monday...

Wow--I'm tired just re-reading that.  Guess its time I went to bed, too!  Have a wonderful week!

~~Angie

Another week almost gone?

Wow...time is flying this month, and I'm still shocked it's November!  I ran into Michael's Craft Store the other night for some quick thing, and it's loaded with Christmas merchandise.  I know my favorite store, Target, has re-set for Christmas, but I've been trying to avoid that store lately.  I have a problem of walking around and just buying stuff.  :o)

We've been busy at the office with all kinds of things.  Mostly orders, updating some products on the website, and prepping for the Seattle show this next weekend!  Just never enough hours in the day.  For some reason, I was up at 5:30am this morning, which never happens in my little world, unless I'm catching a plane!  Yet here I am updating our blog...

I do have some great news!  Back in MAY I posted this about my King Size Bed Quilt that I'd been working on for awhile.  I also talked about the thread breaking, and having some issues with the machine.  Those issues turned into a nightmare, when I literally could not sew for more than 6" without the thread breaking.  Long story short, it finally got fixed in October, and a few weeks later, I officially finished the quilt last night (Thursday, November 6th).  I laid it out on the bed, and was going to take a photo, but Cabo and I decided to curl up and take a little nap.  Now George is under it, so I doubt he'd appreciate me taking a photo of him sleeping.  He puts up with a lot, but that might be taking it a bit far!  LOL!

Well, better get a move on.  Lots of shipments coming in today, that need to be turned around quickly.

Have a wonderful day!

~~Angie

PS: Update on Karen...They sent her home from the Hospital that night.  She's still having contractions, but nothing steady or increasing.  Just sporadic.  Anyway--they may induce on Tuesday.  Waiting to see...

Happy Halloween!

Received this photo in an email joke.  Thought it was great! 

Hope you and your family get all treats and no tricks!
~~Angie & the rest of the Boxer Crew

Fall is in the air...

Our one week off from shows in October is now gone, and I'm sad to see it go.  I didn't really get to enjoy it, as Tuesday night I came down with the killer cold.  Was worried it would turn into a sinus infection, but I'm out of the woods now for that.

So I've been spending a long time on the couch, curled up under my favorite flannel quilt.  I even skipped a poker game on Saturday Night, which would never happen had I been feeling good!  I like my poker friends, so no need to punish them with my virus.

So off to the poker game George went.  I had a bit of Cabin Fever, so I went to Costco and Fred Meyers to get some household stuff we needed (laundry detergent mostly), and at Freddies I was looking for pre-lit pumpkins.  I've decided to not carve pumpkins every year.  Just too messy, and frankly, I don't have time.  I ended up at Michaels, and found some hollow foam pumpkins you can carve, and put a strobe light in.  PERFECT!  And, they were 60% off!  My other deal of the day was some fall bushes of flowers for 60% off.  All my potted plants are dead, and look like crap, so I bought $15 worth of flowers (quite a few in those bushes), and then waited until just before sundown to put them out.  Faking my neighbors out that I'm actually gardening!  LOL!  I used wire cutters to cut them up, and then arranged them in the dirt of my pots.  Turned out nice, and when George came home, he mentioned them.  When I told him they were fake, he laughed, and then laughed harder when I told him I put them out just at dark, and that I didn't think any of my gardening-crazy neighbors saw me. 

I did take a picture last night:

This is the tree in our front yard.  It was the first one planted on the street, so it's the first one to show off it's color.  I love it.  And the light was hitting it from the right just so pretty last night.  I have some funny memories of my dad and this tree.  If we ever move, I may have to call a tree surgeon and have them transplant the tree for me.

Also--notice the Ohio State Banner hanging there on the right edge of the photo!  Buckeyes won this week!

Off to eat dinner...Have a great week!

~Angie

White & Nerdy...

We've been back in the office since Monday.  Two back to back shows is rough on us.  Mom's hurting this week, and I've caught a lovely cold.  But, we're powering through.  Have more to post on our trip, but for now I leave you with this...found it via a link from another blog, and it made me laugh.  And that's hard to do thru the haze of cold medication...
Enjoy!
~Angie

White & Nerdy from waymoby on Vimeo.

Busy Weekend ahead

It's been a rough week emotionally, as I can't seem to stop thinking about Courtney and her family.  Saturday (tomorrow) morning is the service, and mom and I are both going.  I've already got a couple travel size tissues in my purse tonight.  We did have somewhat good news from the Martin family.  Apparantly, she and her husband were secretly married on Sept 15, 2007, and then just had the big to-do at her folks house last month.  It warms my heart that she had almost a full year as his wife, instead of just 3 weeks.  As most things do when it comes to weddings, it brought me to tears.  I was thinking about how she was lucky enough to get married with her dad to walk her down the aisle....and I just lost it.  Mom had told me the day after the wedding that when the pastor asked "who gives this woman", her dad Tom announced he would share her but not give her away.  I love that, and it sounds just like something Tom would say.

In other stuff going on this weekend, we have a full schedule of festivities at our house tomorrow.  At 3:30, we're celebrating Wyatt's first birthday tomorrow with Cake, Ice Cream, and PRESENTS!!!  Woo Hoo!  Then at 5pm, the Ohio State/USC football game is on.  Then at 6:30, our monthly poker league game is at our house.  So, we're basically going to have a housefull from 3pm on tomorrow.  AAAKKK!  Sunday's also a huge football night, as the Steelers are on Sunday Night Football!  AWESOME!  Will have some exciting shots of my favorite fans to post for you.  :o)

Hope you have a nice weekend...

~~Angie

Quick Update...

Just a quick update from Boxer.  We got back from Valley Forge, and have been super busy ever since.  Calendar season has begun, and it's just going nuts around here.  Toss in getting ready for the Tulsa Show, which George and I will be doing together (Vicki's staying home), and then directly flying to Ohio to see his family after the show for almost a full week.

Oh--and we're going to have a heat wave this weekend.  Supposed to be in the upper 90's today, about 104 tomorrow, and hot, hot, hot until Sunday at least.  It sucks.  We are Oregonians; we don't do heat well.

So--in to work early for me today, in hopes I can get out of the warehouse early and back home to my air conditioning.  It's a good plan, but we'll see if it works out...

~~Angie

Recent Projects...

We've had some home projects up our sleeves lately, and have finished one!  George and I decided to put paver's down in our backyard.  This project accomplished two goals.  1.  Cabo was destroying the plants there anyway, so we took away the temptation.  2.  We've just recently got a new fire pit (one of my Christmas gifts from George) and a new BBQ, and our 10 x 12 concrete patio was just too small for the both of them.

Here's some photos of how the patio came along over 1-1/2 weeks...

and the finished product!

The large paver's were from friends, Mike & Cindy, who tore out their small patio to put in a larger one.  We were able to re-purpose their paver's, and mixed them in with the new red paver's.  We continued the red paver's, around the outside edge of the existing patio, too, in order to tie it all together.

Both George and I could feel the burn of this much work.  It's the kind of project you do once, and probably never do again.  But I love it--really  extended our outdoor living space.

I'm looking for the perfect outdoor furniture, that puppy-safe from destruction.  Does it even exist???  The search continues.

Have a wonderful Weekend!

~~Angie

Blast from the past...

It was a beautiful weekend here in the Portland area.  About 70 degrees, clear blue skies, and well, perfect!  We had so much to cram into this weekend, as I only had one weekend between shows this month, but we were able to do it.  Yard work at our house got done, two parties to attend, cupcakes to bake for one of the parties, more yard work up at mom's, and lots and lots of laundry and housework.

The shiny bright-spot on the weekend was a birthday party for Asher!  Meet Asher and his mommy, Chris.

Chris and I met in the 5th grade, and went to school together and lived about 2 blocks from one another until high school graduation.  Long, long time ago.  Oddly enough, George met Chris when she was in High School, at a pizza parlor where they both worked.  On a total fluke, about two months ago I sent Chris some funny joke email, with other people listed on it.  My cousin Jena was one of them.  She knew a Dan with the same last name, who married a Jena, and wrote me back and asked me how I knew them, and if he had worked at this pizza parlor.  UUUHHH yeah--we're related! 

Long story short, we'd never made the connection that she knew George, as we've mainly been corresponding via email for the past couple of years.  I asked her if she'd remembered our Christmas Card Photo, where George was CLEARLY pictured.  She ended up digging it out, and laughed hysterically that it was in fact the same George.  I went home that night, and asked George if he remembered her, and it was one of those "ah-Ha" moments. 

Lucky for us, Mr. Asher here turned 1 year old.  Isn't he just adorable!?!  Chris and her husband Corey (who was also in our graduating class) were throwing a Luau Birthday party, and we were invited!  So this past Saturday, we donned our best Hawaiian gear, and went off to celebrate.

George was so excited that he even went shopping with me for the gift for Asher.  George hates shopping, so this was clearly something he was excited about.  We found the perfect outfit at Target (I love their kids clothes), and off in search of a bag.  They've recently re-merchandised the area for gift wrap in our Target, and well, it sucks now.  They have tons of newborn baby, tons of wedding stuff, and then birthday bags and wrap for older kids and adults.  Nothing cute for little kids.  So, I ended up getting just a plain blue bag, and was going to call it good.

Got home, and said, I've got time while I bake those cupcakes!  Why don't I make the bag a little better, and create a matching card, and forget the one we bought!  So--here is my quick bag fix, and quick card idea...

For the Bag, I used: Boxer Red Gingham Paper, Boxer Dino Cardstock Stickers (main sticker and the two border stickers) and two colors of cardstock from my stash.

For the card, I used: Card Blank from DCWV, dark blue cardstock from stash, Boxer Green Multi Dot Paper, Boxer Dino Cardstock Stickers (three round dino's), Boxer Metal Rimmed Tags (new product in many sizes coming soon), Boxer Celebrations Limited Edition Stamp Set (Happy Birthday) and Judikins Diamond Glaze (on top of the three round dino stickers--can't see it real well in the photos).  I also put foam tape behind the tags to give them a little dimension off the card.

I can honestly admit that this is the first non-class project I've whipped out in about a year.  It really made me happy to make it, and I knew that Chris would appreciate it.  I'm seriously thinking about stocking up on those bags from Target, because they do have some fun color combinations, and they won't break the bank.  I could so see myself making a ton of bags with matching cards from my crazy stash!  I just might do that....mmmm....can you hear the wheels turning?

Again, Happy Birthday Asher!  You've got a great mom & dad!

~~Angie

Trying something new...

So, my best friend, Karen, is pregnant right now with her 3rd baby.  She's miserable, unfortunately, so any chance to perk her up is to be jumped at.  A few weeks ago, we were talking on the phone, and asked if I'd be interested in taking a knitting class.  She and I don't get to spend as much time together, so that was a plus, not to mention that I have lots of friends having babies right now, and some of those little knitted caps are sooooo cute.  They'd make good plane projects while I'm flying all over the country.

Last Monday was our first class.  I've knitted some before, but it's been about 20 years.  I never really knew what I was doing, just picked up needles, and went for it.  Now I've learned the stitches for both knit and purl.  For our first project, we're making a scarf.  Not very exciting, since it's summer, but it's a good way to learn techniques.  I've done about 20 rows on it, and to be completely honest, knitting is not grabbing me like scrapbooking and quilting have.  I don't think it will be my favorite craft, but certainly one I'll be able to whip out and pick up again if the mood strikes me.  The really good thing is it's lightweight and compact, which makes it good for travel.

Have you tried anything new lately?  Maybe a new technique in your favorite craft?  Tell us about it!

~~Angie

Back from Arlington

We're back from Arlington, TX, and very glad to be able to sleep in our own beds.  We took a chance on a hotel, as most everything was booked when I made reservations, and I swear--I'll never do that again!  I'd read the on line reviews of the place at several websites, and all indications were it would be just fine.  Ummm....NO!  So now I'm worried I shouldn't read on line reviews at all...

The show itself was fun.  I'm used to only teaching 4 times over 2 days, so teaching 6 times in 3 days was tough on my voice.  It ended up being fine, as I tried to keep as hydrated as possible.  I forget how muggy it is in Texas (or the Midwest in general), so that was rough.  Was wonderful to get off the plane on Sunday evening in Portland and just inhale without feeling like an elephant was sitting on my chest.

Already getting prepped for Chantilly, VA show in less than two weeks.  Shipping lots of stuff out tomorrow, and we'll do the final stuff for suitcases later this week.

Been floating some ideas in my head for new make & take kits for our events, and I'm hoping to make them come to life in the next couple of weeks.  Some of the members of the design team have also been designing project kits, which we hope to start offering on the website in July and in our show booths.

Other than that, it's back to business as usual....

Have a wonderful week!

~~Angie