Organize your Stuff Week 22 (round 5):WOYWW 150

Well, last Wednesday, we were on Spring Break and left home shortly after posting. So, now it is Wednesday again and while PA Me and OCD Me fight over whether to do laundry or dishes the POW decided to sneak on over to the computer and get up our What’s on your Workdesk Wednesday (WOYWW) picture. Travel over to Julia’s Stamping Ground to see all the other fabulous Crafty Places, Spaces, and projects…and to make a friend or two!
Here is our messy crafty space…

Creative Me really needs to pick up after herself more! Here is her card for this week…

Paper: Bazzill; Stamp: MME; ink: Momento;
Tape & paint: Tim Holtz; floss:DMC; buttons: misc. 

This is a pretty cool card for Tuesday Trio’s Sketch 115: Frames. Recently, Creative Me had heard that using the Fabulous Mr. Tim Holtz’s tapes with his crackle paints had fabulous results… and the results were awesome until Creative Me stood the card up and the crackle started popping off! Timmy Fans of WOYWW, do you know the trick?

Anyway, Creative Me is pouting now, and PA Me has decided that she needs some quiet space, so Dies this weekend.

*POW warning: Family stuff from here on out. Scroll to the end if just here for the desk ;) *

This was an interesting week at the Front. Fabulous Spouse’s base was amongst those targeted by the Taliban. The good news, nobody hurt, everyone survived the late boxed dinners that were delivered to their work spaces, and the Office Dodgeball team actually won a game. The bad news, Fabulous Spouse’s visitors were rerouted, and no new pictures for this week…except my newest flowers sent from the Front. (PS-Girl Friday is seriously convinced that they are for her).

As for the family, this week was Spring Break…a holiday from school. The Scary Orb in the Sky a.k.a. The Sun came out and we had fabulously warm days that popped into the 60s! We also took a trek down to see the rescue wolves at Wolf Haven (on the only rainy day of course!)…

…as the educational component to our three day stay at the Great Wolf Lodge.

Never heard of it? It is a water park …

That is also Harry Potter-esque world called Magi Quest that has you running up and down five flights of stairs and waiving your wands...

...to complete quests.

Then we got home just in time to send Oldest Child off to go camping with the Boy Scouts, and take Illusive Middle Child to a soccer game (which they finally won!).  Now we are back to school and homework and the regular run around!  Have a great week!

Organize your Stuff Week 21 (round 5):WOYWW 149 Pens& Pencils

Hey Wednesday! Good to see you again! We have been overwhelmingly busy preparing for the holidays this weekend. For our Jewish friends… Happy Passover! … for our Christian friends… Happy Easter! For those up here in the Pacific Northwest…Happy Spring/ Spring Break! We have sun, and thanks to the illusive orb in the sky, we have warm, dryish 60 degree (15.6 C) weather! Which also means that when it comes to What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday (WOYWW) , we have very little to show. For those not in the know, WOYWW is where creative folks all over the globe share their spaces, their craftiness, and maybe a little about their lives. Click on the awesome Julia’s Stamping Ground to see the 150+ lot of them!
Here is our desk today…

For us, it is Week 21 (and the POW does admit that somehow PA Me has commandeered these last few weeks and we are not exactly sure how so sorry for no organizing pics. ooops). It is the week of Pens and Pencils. Since we have gotten a number of inquiries about our Copic holder, the POW has decided they count in this category (although OCD Me disagrees).

It is quite simple really. We just took our Crystal Light containers and recycled them with rubber bands once we consumed the drink mix packets inside. They are the perfect size for Copic markers, and the top still fits. You could probably hot glue them, but this way I can take one canister or all of them.




As for the card…

Stamps: Avocado Arts, Ink: Momento,
Ribbon: Queen & Co, unkown, paper: Bazzill

Creative Me used this cute little chick for the Tuesday Trio Sketch 114: No text. She used the Copics too LOL!

(*The POW PSA: Family stuff from here on out. Scroll to the end if just here for the desk*)

Today’s picture from the Front is Fabulous Spouse and office mates with their mini Easter Baskets (which arrived two days after the box that we sent afterwards….the POW was very stressed that it was going to be a Who-ville Easter!). However, it did get there in time, and everyone was happy to have some jelly beans, Cadbury eggs and chocolate bunnies!

As for us, it was a bunch of running around as usual, with the addition of Easter egg dying…

...in preparation for the big day...

We had morning church service...

snacked on our baskets...

hunted eggs (Oldest Child finally decided he was too old to hunt)

Then we headed to the Space Needle for Brunch

Girl Friday snapped a picture of us with Illusive Middle Child...

and here is Oldest Child eating Fabulous Spouse's favorite meal...Alaska Salmon!

Hope you had a great weekend!  Happy Hopping!

Organize your Stuff Week 20 (round 5):WOYWW 148

WoW! What a Wednesday! This is one of those days that has been slow in coming…and yet, it is amazing how fast it has come! Today is What’s on Your Workdesk Wednesday (WOYWW) a day when wonderful workers of whimsy share their crafty places and the goodies that they have created! Take a peek over at the Fabulous Julia’s Stamping Ground for the international list of awesomeness…
The POW admits that with Easter on the horizon, and the activities that adds to the schedule she has taken PA Me’s approach…and will get to it later. *sigh* Here is our desk today…

With a very special card…

Today is a big milestone! Today is Day 100! It has been 100 days since Fabulous Spouse boarded a plane left home for the Front. Creative Me reigned herself in a bit, to keep the extras off. It is a simple card, but that is because Fabulous Spouse likes the simple things!

(*The POW’s warning: scroll to the end if you want, the rest is family stuff*)

This week’s picture from the Front is from a Black Hawk helicopter. Fabulous Spouse got the privilege of escorting a group off base. He got to go up in the helicopter, and even visit an Afghan castle! He also got to eat lunch with a Medal of Honor recipient (Our highest military honor for valor) two days ago. So, needless to say, it has been busy over there!

Oldest Child has hit a lull.  Wrestling is over except for the banquet (tomorrow), so the only picture that we have of him this week is the family group shot with the stuffed camels.  It is amazing, the shirt that Fabulous Spouse sent him is an XL...and it fits!

Illusive Middle Child is playing soccer (or football for the non-Americans).  It was just above freezing and raining sideways for his game, so Illusive Middle Child was dressed up as a ball burgler to keep warm!  However, he still likes it...and we had sun for practice the other day.

Finally, Girl Friday (and Illusive Middle Child) had Science and Math Day.  She got to see a disected salmon, play math games, cheat at chess and a bunch of other fun things!

Now we are off to peek!  Thanks for stopping by!

Organize your Stuff Week 20 (round 5): One Little Word March Homework

It may be April 1st, but this is no April Fool’s joke! We are here today to share our March One Little Word (OLW) Homework . What is OLW? It is the class at Big Picture Classes where we have all picked a word to represent our year (our one little word). The always awesome Ali Edwards gives us a monthly prompt to capture that word.  It is also a blog Hop, so you might have reached us from Orange Gearle.

Our word for 2012 is JOURNEY. This week, the homework was to do something concrete with our word. So, my magnificent mother-in-law flew out and watched the tribe, while I took three days of ME time at CKC Portland…a whole state (and what felt like an entire world) away!

Stamps:Tim Holtz, Avocado Arts,title: Thickers

Our text for this month reads:

This month I will actually take a JOURNEY. Not in any sort of metaphorical or spiritual way, but a get the heck out of dodge, on the road again, for real JOURNEY! My batteries need a recharge, and I am going SOLO!

This is the reverse side with the details of our trip.  Creative Me was so excited to use her Photoshop (one of the main reasons for the trip was to take photoshop classes) to put the pictures in...and to write on one during the journaling process!

OCD Me has reminded us to keep it short, but is was an AMAZING journey! We always are amazed at the wonderful people that we meet when our heart is open for any kind of a Journey!

Some of the previous posts about our trip are here and here.

Below is the rest of the blog hop list.  Jen is next if you are hopping. Thank you Margie as always for hosting!

Amanda http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com/ <---YOU ARE HERE***

Jen http://www.jenritchie.com/                    <---NEXT***
Melissa S http://blog.mshanhun.com/
Kaylea http://www.myscrappylife.com/
Missus Wookie http://www.mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.co.uk/
Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com/
Beth http://www.thesingularlyordinary.blogspot.com/
Tere http://terecontodomicorazon.blogspot.com/
Kelly http://mindingmynest.com/
Heidi http://mommy.heidimdavis.com/
Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com/blog/one-little-word *Start of HOP
Monica http://scrapinspired.com/
Jill http://jillconyers.com/
Jenn http://www.studiojenn.blogspot.com/
Kara http://iwannabemewhenigrowup.blogspot.com/
Cheri http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com/
Catherine http://myview-catherine.blogspot.com/
Nikki http://www.inkyart.com.au/
Cindy http://www.cynthiacrysdale.com/
Lisa http://backtoallen.com/category/one-little-word/
Donna http://holimess.blogspot.com/
Coley http://www.coleybelle.blogspot.com/
Naomi http://poeticaperture.com/
Stephanie http://playinghouseinmaryland.blogspot.com/
Ruth http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com/
Eydie http://www.whatwecreate.net/
Janet http://lifeinsideascrapbookroom.blogspot.com/
Orange Gearle http://orangegearle.blogspot.com/

Organize your Stuff Week 19 (round 5): WOYWW 147

Well Wednesday, you have got us again! Where did you come from? …and how did you do it so quietly? We swear that Wednesdays sneaks faster and quieter than any Monday could hope to…Why? Because today is WOYWW (What’s on your Workdesk Wednesday)! It is time to peek and drool over the desks and creations of fabulous folks all around the globe! The always super, spectacular, and fabulous Julia of the Stamping Ground hosts this lot, so see the folks that make WOYWW so hot!

Today’s desk is our kitchen table as we copic’d twenty mini basket handles for Fabulous Spouse’s office on the Front. In true PA Me fashion, we have waited until the absolute last minute to do this, even though OCD Me and the Inner Hoarder went shopping for the insides of the baskets over a week ago (hence the late post today).

*spoiler alert Fabulous Spouse* This is what the finished basket should look like. (yes, those are camoflage easter eggs for the jelly beans!)

Also, Creative Me did some more traditional paper crafting, and came up with this card for Tuesday Trio Sketch#112 Brads or eyelets (PS- in total violation of the no sales pitch, please visit Tuesday Trio, as it is possibly closing down if they do not get more sketch players).

*The POW’s warning: the rest is family. Skip to the end if you are just peeking at the desks*)

From the Front, Fabulous Spouse has provided his photo of the week…volleyball in T-shirts out of doors (remember that there was snow inches deep like less than a week ago!)…Men! He swears that it was warm and the sun was out, but the POW is sure that it was still too chilly for her.

Oldest child had a rather eventful week. He had his first pin EVER in wrestling (which was the only one of the three matches that we missed…as we were taking Illusive Middle Child to soccer). Then Oldest Child had a small solo on trombone for Jazz Band at the Middle School Spring Concert. Then he was elected by his Boy Scout Troop to join Order of the Arrow (a Boy Scout Honor Society of sorts) just last night!

Illusive Middle Child has been in soccer land. It was mucky for our Saturday game (where yet again he is the ball thrower- inner). He is having some frustration that he keeps accidentally touching the ball with his hands and getting yelled at by his teammates)… and yet the coaches ssem to like him so….hmmm. We did however get to see the scary and bright yellow orb in the sky for practice this week. It is gone now, but It was here, we SWEAR!

Girl Friday has been enjoying her sports free time by hanging with her mom and helping with the tidying and cooking and crafting (we have a bunch of Cricut paper doll cut outs now). Also, this week, our Council celebrated the Girl Scout’s 100th birthday…with a 100th Birthday Bash. Girl Friday joined the Uniform Fashion Show with our old Cadettes/ Senior vest. She also had her end of season basketball party at a bouncy house place.

…just a little crazy here…LOL! Well we are off to peek at your places! Thanks for visiting!

Organize your Stuff Week 19 (round 5): WOYWW 146

Whether the weather be hot, or whether the weather be not, Happy Wednesday! It is that time again when we take time out of our day to snap that picture of our happy craft place in all its glory…sometimes neat…oft times not (we raise our hand at that one!). This fabulous peek-fest has been coordinated by our lovely Julia at the Stamping Ground. Come pop on over to her place to see over a hundred fabulous places and crafty spaces.

Here is our disaster area…

Federal funds are tied up in committee, but hazmat suits have been issued and TLDs must be donned at all times. PA Me does not really seem fazed by this. She figures that it will sort itself out when Creative Me needs more space. …besides OCD Me is busy doing laundry, dishes, and keeping the kids' schedules straight!


Stamps:Avocado Arts, paper: CTMH, button: unknown
ink: Momento & Copic, twine: Queen & Co., punch: Fiskars

Creative Me does not mind the mess. It speaks to her Mojo Muse (this definitely does not make OCD Me happy). So, this is the card that Creative Me was able to craft for her Design Team Entry for this week’s Tuesday Trio, Sketch 111: Something torn. Creative Me just loves this Avocado Arts stamp set…and living in the Pacific Northwest… AKA: Starbucks land, we can foresee this being used often!
*A POW PSA (Public Service Announcement): The rest of this post is family, so skip to the end if you just came for the peek.*

picture from ISAF media

Well, this week, the world was green, and not in a let’s hold hands and recycle kind of way. It was St. Patrick’s Day. Therefore, everything, including the Front itself was Irish…if just for a day.  Word from the Front was that those in Her Majesty’s Royal Army were issued shamrocks.

The rest of the lads and lasses had to find another way to represent and show a little wearing o’ the green.

Our little clan back stateside wore green as well (although the POW was quite sure that we were going to have to put the Come Hither on them before we could get a family shot).

They also had some green “brostaches”…the Oldest Child begged to be disavowed and not posted… even though he took the extras to school to share with his friends.

It has been a total Irish weekend.  Dress up for school on Friday, Disney's Darby O'Gill and the Little People for Pizza and a movie night on Saturday, loaded baked potatoes on Sunday, and Guiness beef stew and Guiness molasses bread on Monday!

We hope that you enjoyed yours as much as we enjoyed ours!

Organize your Stuff Week 18 (round 5): WOYWW 145 & tools

Welcome Wednesday! It seems like you come quicker and quicker these days! If it is Wednesday, then it must be WOYWW time…AKA…What’s On Your Workdesk Wednesday. It is the time that we share our creative spaces in all their messy glory (ok there are a few not so messy ones too) as well as what they are crafting. The always Fabulous Julia at the Stamping Ground has the links to over 100 desks throughout the world for us to sneak a peek.

Here is our desk (in the Mariott Courtyard Hotel) from this weekend at the Creating Keepsakes Convention (CKC Portland). It was a wonderful weekend with fabulous new friends and lots to learn!

Most of our learning was done on our new favorite tool- Photoshop Elements. Here OCD Me and Creative Me took copious notes and WOW! …after six hours of classes over the weekend, this is the last of the three one page layouts that we created…

Now, all of the credit goes to Patty Debowski (of http://thedigitalscrapbookteacher.com/). She took us from zero to hero (the POW is eternally thankful for Patty’s patience with all of OCD Me’s questions). Total infomercial: We recommend her to anyone wanting to learn about Photoshop elements! …and she was totally fabulous about it too. (Even posing for a photo!)

*Warning: The POW is letting you know that the rest of this post is family stuff. Scroll to the comments if not interested*

Well, as for news from the Front, Fabulous Spouse is “off the grid” this week on an off base field trip. However, he did send this “Stop” sign posted along the way. It is quite humorous in the English translation. We do not really care where he is, as long as he is safe, and brings home souvenirs!

Oldest Child might as well be of the grid, but he had two more wrestling matches. He lost the one while we were in Portland and then had a forfeit yesterday (making him 2-3 as of now). He has also discovered Xbox live…and his friends who are also on it… *sigh* The POW feels that the upside is that it is one more thing that we can take away when the grades slip….

Illusive Middle Child started soccer…in the freezing rain! ...and has his first game this weekend. We also wrapped up the basketball season at Round Table Pizza with the obligatory awards (and a pull aside by the coach that if we needed a good coach for next year to let him know because our boy has POTENTIAL!)…that makes a mom feel good…except that means more basketball games LOL!

Girl Friday missed her last basketball game this week. She did have one more Girl Scout Cookie sale down town…in the cold with her Girl Scout BFF…

Did we mention that we got Voodoo Donuts from Portland? Awesome!

Now only if we could convince Mother Nature to stop snowing… (picture from today)