Looking East 

Top of the Pass 

Weekend Retreat

WAHOO!! My weekend is almost here! I am going to Homestead this weekend for some R&R! I've been looking forward to this for so long...since last year actually when we went the first time. I plan on working on some cards, doing some scrapping, finishing up on some reading, sleeping, getting a pedicure, possibly a massage, working on Christmas gifts, the list goes on and on!

A big thank you to my friend Shannon who will be tending Cameron! You are a great friend!

Well, off to start packing!

My newest favorite website!!

Silver Jewelery Club

This site is awesome and has great quality jewelry! I ordered two pieces the other day and they arrived today. I am constantly on this website looking at the newest things. They show new things every 15 minutes and you only pay for shipping. Shipping is $5.99, but well worth it! I hope you become just as addicted as myself!! You do need to be careful about the rings though as they are only offered in one size...just make sure it is your size before you order.

Updating the ol' reading list

I have slowed down the last month and a half on reading. I've been trying to occupy my time with other things, but it seems like I am on the computer a LOT more than I was before...I don't like that either. I can waste away half of the day if I am not watching the time.

Ok, here is the list of things that I have read from August until now.

August
Black Rose by Nora Roberts
High Five by Janet Evanovich

September
Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd

I just started reading Memoirs of a Geisha today. I am only on chapter 2 so I don't have much to say, but I have only heard very good things about this book. Since it is coming out as a movie soon I figured I better get it off the shelf, dust it off and crack it open.

Stampin' Up!

Each month Stampin' Up! has a few contests for their demonstrators. They have 3 catergories and a general catergory. I decided at the last minute that I was going to try this time. I have no clue if I will even come close to winning, but it is always nice to dream. The prize is any 3 stamp sets out of the catalog that you want! How nice would that be?!?! The card and notepad below were my entries. I thought they turned out pretty darn cute! I would pick myself, but then I'm sure everyone says that.

For You Valentine 

Love Notes scratch pad 

Star Wars Mania

Cameron is so in love with all things Star Wars. He has wanted to be Darth Vader for Halloween for quite some time now. Well, one day last week I surprised him with the costume. He had to put it on as soon as we got home. He wanted to wear it to eat dinner, play with friends, do homework and just watch tv. I compromised with him and let him play outside in it for awhile with his friends. Since that day it has been hanging up in his closet awaiting the night of Halloween.

Darth Vader 

I've been getting a lot of emails about the purses!

I think I am onto something here. I've received so many emails from people wanting purses from me. The pink and brown fabric is the most popular. I hope I can fill the orders with it...the material is selling out everywhere I have called.

The green one went to live with a very nice lady tonight. She was so excited to see it in person. It is much prettier in real life.

Green floral 

Pink stripe 

Purse galore!

I am having such a fun time making these bags!! I actually just made two today..one is not posted though. The one that is posted is the breast cancer one...I just sold it too! What fun!

Breast Cancer 

Fun Stripe 

Black & White 

HELLO!!

The Stampin' Up! convention is over and done. I had such a great time hanging out with my friends from WA and meeting new people. I ended up taking 290 swaps and swapping sure was fun! I received some AWESOME new ideas!!

Before convention began my friend and upline, Sherrie, gave me a bag that she made for me to carry my swaps in. Oh my heck was it just the cutest!! It has a black background with bright turquiose, fushia, green and white daisies all over it. I just had to learn how to make these bags too. So, the Tuesday of convention when it was over I headed up home to get my sewing machine and supplies and on Wednesday night I learned how to make them. I made myself a cute black and white floral one with a red insert.

Today I made this adorable one posted below to give to Cameron's new kindergarten teacher on their first day. I think it turned out great! I want to find some things to put inside of it, but I am coming up blank. Any ideas?!?!

Well, I am off to clean up my mess and possibly make another bag...it is still early so I have time.

Teacher Bag 

Hello again

Do you like my hat?! Sorry, that is from Go Dog Go. We've been reading that book lately every night it seems.

Not too much has been going on here. I've still been reading. Here is my updates to add to the list below.
June
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
The Work and the Glory: Vol. 2 by Gerald Lund
The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares

July
Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts
Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey
Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich
Four to Score by Janet Evanovich
Girls in Pants: The Third Summer by Ann Brashares
Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner

I am starting The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger tonight.

I am getting excited for the Stampin' Up! convention to start!! My friends from WA will be arriving on Friday and Saturday! We are going to hit the scrapbook stores around here and hang out. Then on Monday the convention starts. I will be staying downtown with them so I don't have to drive back and forth between SLC and home.

I've been working on swaps. So far I have 125 done with another 25 cut out and waiting on being stamped. I have some ideas to do 50 more. Then I will have 200 to swap. I think that is good enough for my first convention. I'm thinking I will probably come home with some of my own because I don't think they are all that exciting and no one will want them.

Well, off to work on stamping some more stuff. It is HOT here!! I just finally turned on my air and the house was saying it was 85 inside! YIKES!