The Creche

I totally went real simple this year with the decorations and instead my santas I decided to bring out this beautiful creche made by cousin's wife Jean for my Uncle years and year ago but was passed on to me about 6 years ago at Colleen's wedding. Colleen also got one that Jean had made for her motherinlaw.
I decided with busy little Logan hands I couldn't put to much stuff out this year.
It made it easier but also a bit sweeter. Merry Christmas to all and hopefully a Happy New Year. God Bless!
Got to finish up my Christmas cards tonite or the wrath of my DH will be upon me. I can't understand why he is so concerned with Christmas cards. lol

Santa's Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Some More Drewisms

Today when Colleen and Drew came to pick up Logan, Drew spotted a ballon that a girl gave him at Walmart. Of course he wanted to take it home with him. Pawpaw told him he had to hang on to it at their house because they have really high ceilings and he would lose it if he let go of it. And Drew replied it won't get lost but it would be up there with Jesus and God. I am wondering if going to a Catholic preschool is rubbing off on him. lol

About two weeks ago Drew was here on his Thursday with us. We were eating breakfast and he pulled up his shirt and told me he had this stomach forever and never eats junk food. I had to bust out laughing because sometimes he eats too much junk.

Well today I basically finished up my Christmas shopping! Now for some Christmas decorations. I am going to have to limit some of the decorations because Loggie Bear and his busy hands.

I am finally starting to get into the Christmas spirit. One thing I am going to take out this year is my ceramic creche. I haven't done that in a long time. And this is what Christmas is about and not all the commericalizing stuff that goes on this time of year.
Take care and God Bless!

Christmas Edition of Getting to Know You

This is copied from my friend Renee's friend, Debbie Y.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? a little of both

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial this year because of new hardwood floors

3. When do you put up the tree? used to be the day after Thanksgiving, now it happens whenever I get a whim

4. When do you take the tree down? The day after Christmas or at least before New Year's

5. Do you like eggnog? no

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Life size Rocking horse made by my dad

7. Hardest person to buy for? not sure I have a hard person to buy for

8. Easiest person to buy for? John my son

9. Do you have a nativity scene? got one but its not been put out for awhile

10.Do you send cards or email cards? send

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? can't think of anything in particular

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It's a Wonderful Life

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? usually as early as possible

14. Ever recycled a Christmas present? no

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

16. Lights on the tree? Yes

17. Favorite Christmas song? The Christmas Song

8. Travel at Christmas or stay home? stay home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas eve

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? the crowds

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Santas

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? don't have a wish list

26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Theresa, Colleen, Beth

27. Who is least likely to respond to this? don't know
Ok if you read this you are tagged!
Oh wait Colleen and Beth just view my blog, just Theresa maybe.

Christmas List for Family

As we are trading names again for Christmas I thought I would put up a list of who wants what for Christmas.

Dennis- Catholic Bible
Debbie-
John- Best Buy gift card
Amy-
Colleen-
Jerrod-
Matt- Itunes gift card
Elizabeth- the limit towards a gym membership
Mark- Best Buy gift card

Stories In Hand

I finally got started with Jessica Sprague class Stories In Hand. I think it's looking pretty cool and some memories are flooding back that I want to write about for my children and grandchildren. Some stuff I have probably told them at least once or twice but might not be remembered unless I put pen to paper or use my computer. I know the grandkids haven't heard all the stories I have told and I don't want them to think when they get older how they wished like I do now that I had some kind of record of my grandparents stories. I want them to remember how a simple glass brings back memories of my dad making him and I chocolate malts. I saved the glasses but I haven't saved the story yet. I can't wait to dig in and start writing these stories down. Thanks Jessica for the free class!

From A Sketch

My friend Renee over at My(Life),(My Blog) had this sketch up the other day and it was just the push I needed to paper scrap again.


And here's my layout of the sketch.


Sorry for the bad scan. I used bazzil cs, Me&MyBigIdeas paper, DaisyD paper, AL stamp by Katie Pertiet,Karen Foster Snap Stamps, AL buttons,red rick rack, Alphalicious font by Cricut and a HP transparency and black Vibrance Ink.

Had a Wonderful Birthday

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. The kids took me and Den out to dinner and movie. Well, Den didn't go to the movie! The kids went in together on a gift certificate from our local scrapbook store. Beth also got me my first Coach purse.
My BFF Theresa got me a cute pink t-shirt that said If you mess with my scrapbook stuff I will punch your eyelets out! And some stamps, and ink! By DH got me a Shark hand-held vac that I had been wanting. Definitely practical! hehe

The dinner was great but the movie wasn't all that good! The kids couldn't help that one! Take care and God Bless!

Move On

The election is over, the colder weather came today and another year older tomorrow.
I haven't done much blogging this week or so but with babysitting and the normal day to day stuff along with trying to add a few more lessons of Photoshop in my daily routine it keeps me busy. I want to give a BIG thanks to my friend Liz over at Illustrating Stories for all her help when I got stuck. I hope to post another digital layout soon.

It's a Pirates Life

I just can't resist this little man. He so lights up my world. He's changing every single day. The learning curve with him is just so awesome. And he knows how to work a SMILE big time.

I am still practicing and learning more and more stuff on Photoshop. So to keep in practice here's a simple template. Credit goes to MOrignals Template No. 27 and my Nikon D60. Font is from Adobe called Not Too Shabby.

Beth's Birthday Layout

Here's a digital layout of Beth on her 23rd birthday. I have been trying to teach myself one or two new digitl tricks a week. I cleaned off my desk tonite so I can do some paper and glue scrapping. I have made over 12 halloween cards, nothing fancy but kind of cute. I need to push myself away from this computer to get some more stuff accomplished. Take care, God Bless and TFL!


Credits: Vintage Dreams by Lori Barnhurst and Michelle Coleman at Little Dreamer Designs: paper, ribbon, rubons,and charm. MM Bohemian Summer tag by Michelle Coleman.

Some Random Shots

My fourth oldest just had her birthday on Wednesday and turned 23. So this shot is of her blowing out her candles. Something she said she wanted to do and hasn't done since she probably turned sweet 16. Sorry about not getting the cake and candles in the shot!


Next is a family shot of Jerrod, Colleen, Drew and Logan that I tried to Monday since they were dressed up coming from a funeral. I have been trying to get one of them together for awhile now.

Next is a random shot of Logan with a play pirate eye patch on. Just had to get my camera a click away. Look at those yummy cheeks!

And the last shot is of Drew and how big he has gotten over the summer! I can't believe how big he is. He has lost all of his baby fat. He has no tummy now. He is 4 going on 11.

And one more of Drew that I thought was so stinkin cute. I can't remember what was said during this picture.
I think it might be because of a sweat bee. He has a big fear of bugs of any kind lately.

I am So Addicted!

Here's another page I have had fun working on. This digital scrapping should come with a WARNING LABEL for sure. And here's a big thank you my friends Liz and Jackie for their awesome paper and stamps. You can catch them and their goodies at illustratingstories.com or at Liz Ness or Jackie Wood
Check out there store for the new stuff. They both are so talented!
Thanks for looking and God Bless!

A Visit to Wine Country

Last weekend was so gorgeous we decided to get up and go to Hermann, MO. Its only about an hour from where we live. Matthew, our son that lives in St. Louis now was down and went with us. Hermann is small quaint town established in 1836 situated on the Missouri River. During October they have what they called Octoberfest. They have a winery, gift shops, flea markets, historic sites and bed and breakfast. These are a few of the pics I tried to capture. I don't go anywhere now without my Nikon D60. Just love it!





Have a great week and take care. God Bless!

Still Learning

Ok I am still learning and trying to teach myself a few more tricks everyday. This is so doggone addicting. I hopefully after awhile I can learn munches of new stuff and my stuff while start looking as good as some of the magazines layouts. I got a long way to go in that department. But I am having fun learning. This digital scrapbooking should come with a label. Watch out Liz and Jackie I am working on one with your papers and elements. I can't wait to see how that one turns out. TFL! and God Bless.

Materials used: Autumn Medley kit and Autumn Leaves word art by Shabby Princess, cardboard frame from She's So Trashy Mini kit at Oscraps.com, and tree, twill ribbon come from Heidi Larsen's HootFest kit at Little Dreamer Designs.

Big Boy Haircut!

Here's a new pic of Logan with his Big Boy haircut! I just love seeing his little neck and wanting to munch on it. He got his haircut late Sunday evening and he looks so much like a little boy instead of a baby! Take care and thanks for stopping by. God Bless!

Completely Addicted

Here's a digital layout of my oldest granddaughter, Kiera at around 6 months. I can't believe she will be 10 in December. I used paper, the flowers, the butterfly and the flower border at the bottom. I am having fun and finding out you can teach a old dog new tricks. I think I am becoming a bit addicted to this digital scrapbooking. But I will always be a paper scrapper but this is nice to fall back on when you are in a scrapper's slump. Take care and God Bless! TFL!

Completely Digital

I am still experimenting with digital papers and elements and I still don't know for sure how this worked out the way I wanted to but here's one of my first simple tries at digital scrapbooking. TFL!

More Layouts!

Here's a couple more layouts! I have been working on trying to learn how to make some digital layouts. Maybe in a few more days I will post something.



Here you go, Colleen!

My Boys!

This last week has been a bad week for the Schlueter boys! The end of last weekend Logan decided to take a dive right off his mom and dads bed head first and landed right smack into their rocker. He had one gigantic goose egg on his forehead. It looks pretty good compared to what size the goose egg was...

Then on Friday Drew went with his mom to deliver checks to their guys on the site and decided to take off running and ran smack into a 2x4 with his nose. It was bleeding and swelled up but its not that bad anymore and I don't have a pic of that accident.

I have been on a roll lately and have actually been scrapping pretty much lately.
More later. Take care and God Bless! Have a good week.

Another Layout Done

This is of Drew last year on his first day of preschool. I just redid it because the first one didn't turn out like I wanted to.
Take care and God Bless!

Week #4 Challenge

Over at Scrapbookdeals4U my friend Amy Birch did the challenge this week. And this is what we had to come up with:
Create a birthday layout with the following requirements:
* Use more than one photo
* Use primary (nice and bright) colors accented with black or white or both
* Use rounded corners somewhere on your layout. So this is what I did.

I am really trying to come out of my box and also use up some of my stash.

My Latest Layout

I am on a 10 week challenge over at Scrapbook Deals4U. This what I did this week. We had to choose from three different pagemaps and choose one. These pictures were only taken a couple of weeks ago of the boys.

Birthday Boy!

JD turned 4 on Monday so we had his celebration on Saturday evening. Here are just a few pics of the party. The theme for his birthday was Monster Trucks. Amy made the cake and John decorated it to fit the theme. John also made a big Grave Digger truck for all the kids to play on.

Creating Again!

I finished this last nite while watching a movie with Beth. I have had these letters forever. They were white and I was suppose to spray paint them black for Drew's new room. I sprayed them black over a month ago and decided last nite to get out my Rusty Pickle pirate themed paper and do something with them. This is how it turned out. This was inspired by the pirate theme to Drew's room. They even have a large wooden chest for treasures(oh, I mean toys).

Thanks for looking!

Because You Grew Up...

I saw this in my current issue of AARP and had to put it up here. "Because you grew up in an age before video games. When we were kids, we played outside. Our bodies were hard-breathing little rainbows of energy and earth-red cheeks from the running, brown hands from mud, green-grass streaks on our pants. We dreamed of grandiose forts that never got built, had sword flights with sticks while riding our bikes(okay, that was more of a boy thing). But we lived, baby. We lived! Unlike so many kids today, whose every micromanaged, remote-control moment is seemingly spent indoors. Oh, how the play times have changed.

Then:
eating wild berries in
the woods-Now: Eating lunchables on a play date
climbing trees-Now: allergy tests
walking with pals along
train tracks-Now: walking with parents on a leash
stickball-Now: Xbox
"be home by dark"-Now: answer your cell phone when I call
Summer camp-Now: Fat camp
Doing cannonballs off the high dive-Now: wearing floaties in the shallow end
Skinned knees-Now: Carpal tunnel
Jumping on a trampoline-Now: What's a trampoline?

It's shocking how much of this rings true. Got to run. Take care and God Bless.
Off to the movies with Theresa! Girl's Nite Out!

The Sweetest Thing

This is one of the sweetest things that I just had to get a photo of Drew and his bear. Drew has always been a easy kid to get to take a nap. He is just one of those kids that even at 4 he still needs his nap.

Circa 1978 compared to Now

The pictures below are of Colleen in 1978 at 18 months and the other is Logan at just over a year in 2008. I can see so much of her in him right now. It's like looking at her as a baby all over again.

Here I Come or Built for Speed

I want to do a layout of these pics but I haven't picked out the title yet or the paper. I am leaning towards Built for Speed. I have just a inkling what I want to do though. This outfit was a birthday gift for Theresa, Eric and Connor.
And with the help from Liz another friend I have found I am no longer judging my work so harshly. I am doing something that I love and for people whom I love and cherish. Thanks, Liz.
I have been playing and trying all kinds of new things with my newest toy. My Nikon D60. I still have some lens lust but that will have to wait awhile. lol
With this group of pics I can make a little mini movie or at least I am going to try it out with the D60.

Have to call these his gangster shorts. Like Theresa said they look like capris on him. hehehe

Happy Birthday Logan!

Our youngest grandbaby Logan turned one on Friday. On Sunday they had a big blowout for him. Our son in law's niece's little baby girl was born two days after Logan so they combined the birthday for the both of them. Loggie and Izzie had a super turnout of guests, presents and fun. Here are just a few pics of them and their celebration.
Logan really wasn't sure what he was suppose to do with his cake but Izzie dived right in!

Finally!!!

As of Monday I finally got my doctor's ok to get rid of my crutches. I was soooo READY to be done with them. Six plus weeks hobbling around on crutches is not FUN!
But being waited on hand and foot was nice to a certain extent! But it kept me away from my craft room for a long time.

Within in the last couple of weeks I started making cards again and finished 3 circle journal pages that I am involved with My Heart Friends. I got them done and past on to Theresa. Awaiting the next one in the mail.

I have been able to mess around more now with my new Nikon D60 that I got for Mother's Day. It's such a awesome camera. Here are just a few pics that I took recently. Of course there of my grandkids.

One is of Logan exploring himself in my bedroom. I took a bunch one right after another and I captured several with him at his best. One is a recent one of Drew as of yesterday. They both are changing so fast its scarey. Logan is walking more and more by himself and giving out sweet kisses too! I can't believe how big Drew has gotten this summer. The next one is of JD at one of Kiera's softball games that we went to. The last one is of Kiera right after her softball game.

I haven't done alot of scrapping this summer but I have finished part of a circle journal project with My Heart Friends. I passed them on to Theresa and poor Detta will be swamped with 3 circle journals at once. Sorry, Detta.
Take care and I hope to keep this blog more up to date now.