Last day of BPS LOAD class - Day 31: I used a Pagemaps sketch, but be advised...I actually created 50 of my very own sketches this week. I'm going to post them in the "Member Sketches" album at www.thescrappingspot.com. So, go take a gander and let me know what you come up with.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Shawn

I was fortunate to come across yet another sketch site! The lady who runs this blog complete with awesome sketches AND examples, is Cherie Averill. Her blog is http://sketches-r-us.blogspot.com/. She recently allowed me to create a layout using one of her sketches. Make sure you read her terms and conditions at the bottom of her blog.

Here is what I did with the most recent sketch, which I am also using as my BPS LOAD Day 30 :

Blake took these photos with my Nikon D40.

Click on the layout for a larger view.

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

Some of you will sure get a kick out of this, so try and stay with me here... Oh, and if you're a serious animal-lover, or don't like to hear about the death of animals a.k.a edible meat - don't read on.


Yesterday was a day like any other day in the Lahr household complete with running here and there, working out, ebay, etc. My house is trashed because I haven't been home very much the last several days, that's my excuse this time anyway. I made a turkey breast last night - Yum! Then it was time to prepare for my Monday night volleyball. All was going well, I left and started up the road. I was messing with my CD player with my book on tape - "Angels and Demons." I was on the last CD and wanted to take the next 10 minutes listening to the conclusion. So, I wasn't going very fast, contrary to popular beliefs. When, out of nowhere...I NAILED a deer!!! YES! Before you gasp in disbelief, let it be known that I DID see it and I did slam on the brakes with the full force of these tired, old legs. However, much to my yummy dismay...the deer did not make it to the field. She took her last fleeting breath in the ditch. Don't fret...she did not die in vein. She will live on in all of us for the next 8-12 months. Some of you may wonder the exact amount of damage that this poor soul took on my already abused vehicle. I'm happy to report that the only casualty, besides the deer, was my left front headlight cover. Also, I did continue to make it to my volleyball game whilst my darling husband procured the fallen soul.

In other news, I completed another layout for the BPS LOAD Day 29:


These pictures are from 2006. These kids are getting so big! Click on the image for a larger view.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my "story."

Shawn

A tad bit....SORE!!! I actually lifted weights and did these crazy things called, "Crunches" yesterday. What was I thinking? I know...I was thinking that maybe my core muscles would come out of hiding if I coaxed them a little. Well, now they're screaming at me. I did 15 yesterday and today...I squeezed out 5. At least I know the muscles are actually there - LOL!

BPS LOAD Day 25: I used a Pagemaps sketch for this..big surprise! Aren't these children darling? This was almost 2 whole years ago now. Time flies and I'm not particularly liking it that much.




Thanks for stopping by!

shawn

Just got done with a tiny photoshoot. I was one of the subjects, as well as Kaila and Amber. I have to photoshop a little, due to some visitors on my face - UGH! Other than that, I'll take what I have at the ripe, old age of 34. Kaila was nice enough to take some photos of me. And Amber was nice enough to take some photos of Kaila and me. I then took photos of the two of them. So cute!



I'm here to post my BPS LOAD Day 24:




I love this photo of Kaila and Charlie. I used Basicgrey, Quickutz Flourish Die Cut, Velvet Thickers, along with a Pagemaps sketch.

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

Just popping in really quick to post my BPS LOAD for Days 22 & 23:

Yes, I used two more Pagemaps sketches for these. Imagine that!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

Well, our Scrap Weekend is over and it's back to the grind for me. Which means, no more cheesecake, Charlene!!! My dear friend, Charlene, made me this awesome OREO Cheesecake for my birthday last Friday. It came with candles and a smile. Talk about considerate! Not only did she bring cheesecake...she brought enough for the entire weekend. It was delicious! How can you deny cheesecake? Hey, I needed to keep my strength up for scrapping! And, NO, I haven't weighed myself since I've returned, but I've done OK eating. I'm getting ready to go sweat over at the culprit's house to shed these cheesecake pounds...or whatever. So, THANK YOU, Char for thinking of me! You are definitely in my Fav 5! LOL!

Here is my BPS LOAD Layout for Day 21:

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

Okay! So, I'm 34 instead of 33 now and guess what? It doesn't feel a whole lot different - LOL! Thanks to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday. I greatly appreciate the fact that you remembered me :)

I have returned from my Awesome weekend at my Semi-Annual Scrap-A-Way. The time just flies wayyyyy too fast while I'm there. I did get to experience a fabulous restaurant, which I have said I would like to eat at every single time I go there now. It is called "Texas Roadhouse." Can I just say MMMMMMMM! I had a roll, salad, baked pototo AND ribs! I had enough left over for lunch the next day. Wow!

I will have a total of 13 layouts to post from my weekend. I'll be posting them a little at a time due to my BPS LOAD Class - a layout a day. I'll post probably 3-4 to "catch-up." After that, it will be about 1 a day. This layout here is from the 18th. I haven't had a chance to post yet. I used an old Pagemaps sketch to create it.

Today is an inservice day and I have the pleasure of having my friend's three children, as well as my own. They are playing very nicey...for the most part. LOL! I'm still getting a lot done, so I really can't complain.

Until tomorrow...

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

Pushing 34...FAST! It's been 4 long years since I got my driver's license renewed. It was time. It was not pretty. My hair doesn't look right...the lighting sucked...obviously! It's over. Now I have to live with it for another 4 years. Hopefully next time I'll be a little bit more put together.

I did my BPS LOAD Day 15 layout last night, but didn't have time to post it here. I decided to do the wrestling pictures of Nick and Charlie. Nick decided he could overpower Charlie. I don't know what he was thinking. And, YES, I know there's a grammatical error in the journaling. I assure you that it has since been rectified. I just didn't feel like doing the whole procedure over. I used a Pagemaps Landscape Map from July 2007. I also used a small stamp set that I just got for Christmas from my MIL. It worked perfectly! Love it! Click on the picture for a closer view.






I hope to zip out a layout today too, but it's not looking too promising.


Thanks for stopping by!


Shawn

I cleaned up an ever-lovin' storm on Friday/Saturday!!! It felt great to get some things done, but it doesn't stay clean for very long with three munchkins running around. I did rearrange my livingroom a tad bit differently. I like it better this way. I mopped...yes...I mopped the floors. The day after I mopped - NICK tracked in clumps of mud from his boots. Does that surprise anyone???

Anyway, here are my layouts from BPS LOAD class for days 13 & 14: Day 13 is Ladybug - I used what little bit of the kit I had left from The Scrapping Spot. Day 14 is some Stampin' Up papers, Martha ribbon and Jolee's sticker...I think! I scraplifted the Let's Party! layout from Julie over at The Scrapping Spot. Thanks, Julie!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

Brace yourselves!!! I actually created this 8 1/2 x 11 layout WITHOUT a sketch! Aren't you glad I warned you?

I used the Winter Wonderland kit from The Scrapping Spot, along with some Jolee's snowflakes.
Fun! Fun!

Now off to whip these kids into performing some chores!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

Ahhhhh....my body's mad at me! My husband says that I abuse it too much, but hey..I just gotta! I woke up with a HORRIBLE sinus headache - yuck! Then I rolled out of bed to a whole new set of problems :( I was a little rough last night at volleyball, so I pay today. I'm still young enough yet to heal pretty quickly though.

I did my weekly grocery shopping this morning, along with a quick 8 minute tanning session (more abuse). It feels good to only go to the store once a week, as opposed 3-4. I'm pretty sure I'll save money that way - LOL!

I did a super quick layout for the BPS Class - Day 11. AND it's another "boy" layout. Wonders never cease. I used a sketch provided by Fiskars.

I plan to clean my scraproom today/tonight. Wish me luck!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

I'm blonde again! Whew! I tell ya...brown is just not for me. I looked like a reverse skunk! I'm better now...71 foils later and two different shades of blonde :) My beautician even cringed when she saw me. That says it all, if you ask me.

BPS Day 10: I used an old

Pagemap sketch for this one.

I thought I should put some

"boy" layouts amongst all of the girly ones.

Thanks for taking a peek!

Shawn

Who reads this blog? I see the number clicker down below and as far as I know, there are only a couple people that actually look at this. If you would PLEASE take a minute and drop me a line, I would greatly appreciate it.

BPS Day 9: I used January Pagemaps #8 to complete this layout.


I found this other layout that I forgot to post. I did this a couple months ago. Thanks for peeking!

Shawn

Ok, so I'm a bit behind. Behind in my "Big Picture Scrapbooking - Get a Load of This!" class. I signed up, LATE of course, to create a layout a day for the month of January. I have really done four layouts, but I can't share one of them. You will be able to see it in February Pagemaps Roundmaps - yeah!

Here is the layout that I created today for the class using January Pagemaps #9, along with The Scrapping Spot's January KI Pop Culture Kit. I'm not sure if I'll have time tomorrow to do anything. Busy! Busy!













I had the opportunity to take a jaunt over to my friend Charlene's house to try and work this old body of mine into "thin" submission. Let me just tell you how that's working out for me. It feels awesome to actually sweat those fat calories away. As in all things though, results will not come fast enough. You can't say I'm not trying! Charlene and I also will get another great workout when we go play 6, yes...I said 6...games of volleyball on Thursday night. That's always a blast!


Until next time!!!!

Shawn

I just have a quick update and layout to share.

The kids started back to school, which means that I have to get up and stay up. I enjoyed being able to sleep in, let me tell ya! I'll just have to look forward to the next day off.

Intensions - they're going well. I'm trying. That's all I have to say about that.

Here's a layout I created using The Scrapping Spot's January Kit.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to have more layouts soon. I have to clean off my desk first.

Shawn

Happy, Happy NEW YEAR!!!

Yes! 2008 is finally here! A chance for a new beginning filled with improvements and wonderful possibilities. If you haven't guessed yet, my 2008 intentions have begun. I won't bore you with them, but I'll be sure to let you know when I've accomplished some of them ;)

I've been playing over at The Scrapping Spot with some of their New Year's challenges. Fun! I've done two so far.

I've also completed some of my 2007 layouts that were unfinished. I still have some that aren't done! It does feel good to get these ones done though.

I would like everyone to notice that three out of four of these have my own handwriting on them...no matter how horrid.

Thanks for stopping by!

Shawn

Last Day...

I can hardly believe how extremely fast this year went. The kids have grown so much and it's sad to see then get bigger...for me anyway. I know it's a part of life, but I would like to keep them cute and innocent for as long as possible. I do console myself in the fact that I take thousands of photos a year and I can create some sort of a shrine to their daily activities.

It has been an excellent year and I am thankful just for living. We have great health after a bout with the lovely flu this past week. You just have to love getting sick over the holidays. It was lovely, but it could always have been worse. Christmas morning was more chaotic than I like it, but there's hopefully next year to tweek.

As for my 2008 New Year's Intentions - I have so many. I would be happy to accomplish just one, because it never seems like I actually do. Every year I write my intentions down and every year they go by the wayside. I'm hoping this year will be different. I'm hoping I work harder, organize better and practice some better time management.

I've finished a few layouts that I would like to share and yes, I know most of them are Kaila. The double pager is from December Pagemaps using The Scrapping Spot's December Figgy Pudding kit. The WAR layout is using January 2008 Pagemap #6. The Cool Dude layout was done using a sketch by Dawn Inskip, but I flipped it. Thanks, Dawn! The Star layout was created using December Pagemaps #6.

Thanks for stopping by and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Shawn

Countdown 'til Christmas - THREE DAYS!!! Who didn't know the kids would be thrilled that we're so close. And, of course, along with that we get disobedience and utter defiance! I'm told that that's the "norm." Well, I don't like it!

Regarding the sickness in our family, Blake has fallen to the illness as well, but it doesn't really seem like it's hit him full force yet. He puked at about 6:00 a.m. and hasn't done anything since then. Kaila was the same way though. So, I'll be looking for a "repeat offense" around 9:30 p.m. About the time Blake was having issues, Charlie was also in need of a container for what may or may not arise out of the depths of his being. Alas, it was a false alarm for him. We're all feeling a tad under the weather, but we're hanging in there.


Scrap Related - I was happy to be allowed the opportunity to contribute to January 2008 Landscape Pagemaps for Becky Fleck. I did the last sketch on the Landscape page.
















I received my kit from The Scrapping Spot, which I love! Boy, is it loaded! I did a couple layouts last night. The kit I worked with is KI Memories. It's one of my very favorite manufacturers. If you want to purchase this kit, get over there as fast as you can! These can't last very long.
I used December Pagemaps # 8 for "Almost 3" and December Pagemaps #9 for "No Fear!"






















My son's begging to use the computer, so I'll be off. I'll post again later.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Holidays!

Shawn

Christmas Holidays...

Christmas play, Christmas parties, baking, decorations...WOW! There's a lot to do. So, where in my schedule is there time for Stomach Bugs? Answer me that! Oddly enough, it has hit our house starting with poor, little Kaila. I'm just trying to make sure she doesn't get dehydrated, which will land her in the hospital. Plus, I'm hoping it doesn't hit the other two at all, OR it waits until Friday night. I would hate for them to be sick on Christmas day too. Man!

Anyway, Kaila had her Christmas program and it was so cute! I couldn't believe she just stomped right up there and did her little part like a pro! She got to wear her brand new dress that her Grandma Stiles purchased for her birthday. She looked to cute! She also had the opportunity to talk to Santa to ask for her standard raindeer - Ha!

Blake talked to Santa too, but I'm not sure he even said anything.

We're planning on putting our tree up tomorrow night when Kaila, hopefully, feels better.

I completed a little 6 x 12 layout last week using a Pagemaps halfmap. I did several other layouts last week, but I have to put finishing touches on all of them before I can post them. I was hoping to go to Scrapbook Station this Friday, but I fear that one of the kids will be sick and I don't want to leave that burden on my poor husband. Oh, well.

That's it for now.

Happy holidays and thanks for stopping by!

Shawn