Scrapbook Weekend!!

I'm so excited, this weekend my sister and I get to scrap the day away at the local scrapbook store, Memory Bound. I so need a day away to get some stuff done! It feels like forever since I've done a layout~ well actually it has been forever in my book! I don't think I've ever went this long without scrapping! Should be a fun time! My sis and I have been scrapping for quite some time together and we usually try to get out together once a month but this winter has just been brutal! I'm looking forward to it! I'm gathering the latest pics that I want to incorporate into some pages right now. I'm trying to decide if I do the latest Birthday party and try out my new Cricut Cartridge "Sweet Treats" or if I finish up some of the Christmas pictures from a couple of years ago that I also have a Cricut Cartridge for "Winter Wonderland", that I started on the last retreat. Hmmm... decisions, decisions!! Either way I'll definitely have something to work on, I always do! Here's a pic of my sis and I at Scrapfest in September, I swear that's the last time I did any scrapping~ not true but it feels like it!! I miss you sis~it's been a busy few months and can't wait to spend time with you!



Other news... back to the office remodel front, so I've finally got my dream desk! The one that was in the Scrapbooks Etc. magazine as the best scrapping desk eva! That would be the Trestle Desk from Target. Well I've been looking at this desk for over a year now and just haven't bitten the bullet and purchased it. I was so lucky today, I happened to find someone selling this desk in excellent condition on Craigslist. I got it for a steal!!!! I can't wait, I pick it up on Friday! I love Craigslist!! Between that and Etsy I'm not sure which one gets more of my moolah!! Ha!

Sooooo... now I've got to decide on my office paint color. The desk is black which originally I wanted the chocolate brown to stick with the brown and pink decor that the room already had. I've taken down the nursery curtains- the pink and brown gingham will be missed (secretly dying inside knowing my baby is an official toddler now!) but I also found another steal this weekend at Target, some white colored tab top curtains for $3.74!!!!! I couldn't believe it, so I purchased those and thought I could dress them up by adding some ribbon and floral to the tabs and maybe even some adorable scrapping jewels. Definitely going to have to think about what will happen with those! Back to the wall color, it's so hard, I can accent black with any color, so I could still go with the antique pink, but I've also thought about a pale yellow or tiffany blue but a really light version! What should I do?

Well, I'll take any suggestions! Just leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

So far, looking at the color scale at Benjamin Moore Paint the colors I've narrowed it down to are:

Pink Dynasty
Picture Perfect (light blue) Imagine that for a scrappers room! ;0)
Lemon Souffle (Always thinking dessert!)

Anyway, I'll be happy with any of these I think as long as there is color on the wall. I'm so excited to get this space moving into functional direction!

Here's a pic of my new desk! Isn't it so adorable!! I love the space underneath to store lots o' baskets and other scraps!! I'm dreaming of my new space and it looks so good with this desk in it!! I'll post pics next week once I get it and everything is back in it's rightful place!
Hopefully I'll have some fun scrapping posts to come once I have a space to finally be productive in! Sooooo looking forward to that!!

Have a great rest of the week!

Scrap it Swanky Sister~
Nicki

Happy Valentine's Weekend!

Hope you all have something fabulous planned for the big weekend! I do have a little surprise for my hubby, but he's been sick all weekend so I'm hoping he'll be awake enough to enjoy it!!

My daughters and I will be making some yummy heart-shaped sugar cookies here when they wake up from their nap! Can't wait!

The last few days I've been working on rearranging my office and crafting room, I moved my daughter out of her nursery into a big girl room now and I've taken over the nursery space, which I admit is much smaller! I have weeded through a bunch of stuff though. It feels good to purge the old stuff to make room for new! (oh whoops did I say that, nothing more can fit in this room!!) Anyway, I am trying to decide what paint colors to do in this room, my favorite color is pink so I thought about doing an antique pink with Espresso accents, after all I still have the nursery curtains that would match they're pink with brown plaid soooo cute~ not to mention I paid an arm and a leg for them! OR I thought about a really light yellow or possibly a tiffany blue but bring down the shade about 4 notches. Decisions, decisions! Maybe I'll post the colors on here for a vote! I'm in the middle of organizing and then my new desk should be here in a couple of weeks just in time to paint and put things in order. It's so much fun getting organized in a new space! I have some before pictures and when it's all done I'll take some after pictures, I think you'll be shocked on the before pics (I was!).

Switching gears now, I worked on some very simple treat bags for my daughters pre-school Valentine party and I've posted them here. For the kids, I just took the store bought valentines that my daughter had to have (LPS) and a bag of sweet-tarts and put them in a small jewelry bag that has a zip lock, I took some Bo Bunny Paper and cut it 2x3 and folded it over the top of the bag and added a "Happy Valentine's Day" note to the paper. Easy and cute! For the Teachers, I just put 4 Dove chocolates in a bag and did the same thing with the note. Simple and didn't cost me a thing, I used up stock I already had!

Friends Treat Sack (sorry the picture is sideways, not sure why it keeps doing that!):

Teacher's Treat Sack:

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! I'll be finishing up the organization and putting things back in order!

Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow!

Scrap it Swanky Sister- Nicki

For the love of Martha and Dove!

I ventured out to the drugstore today to get some cold medicine and stumbled upon a package of Dove chocolates! Who can pass up Dove? Not I! So I bought a package, c'mon it's almost Valentine's day, I'm entitled! I go home and that bag of chocolate is calling my name! First I look at how many of these luscious little milk chocolates I can have~ 6 for 230 calories. Not bad (if I could stick to 6). Then I open the bag and notice the cute little pink hearts on the foil. I unwrap the first chocolate and of course look to see what the Dove saying of the day is. To my surprise, it's a tip from Martha Stewart! It says "Use a heart-shaped craft punch to create Valentine Cards" I love it! Dove has partnered with Martha and on each chocolate from the Valentine bags has a little handy tip from her! So I have to open another, and another and another to find all of these wonderful tips! Before I know it I'm up to 7 chocolates- oops went over the calorie intake I was looking for! Oh well, better luck next time.


Here's the other tips I received:

• Create a heart using two pats of your own ink-stained finger. (I'm going to try this one out with the kiddos!)
• A Dozen roses can camouflage flaws in a less-than-stellar vase.
• For a Valentine care, photocopy a rose between sheets of acetate. (Hmmm... do I have some acetate? I think I do, I think I do)
• Make ginger-laced, heart-shaped cookies for Valentine's day.
• Pipe pancake batter into heart shapes for a sweet breakfast. (One step ahead of you Martha on this one, although I used a heart shaped cookie cutter!)
• Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make cutouts in pie crust.

Such a great way to share tips! Way to go Dove!

Enjoy your day!
Scrap it Swanky Sister~ Nicki

Cupid's Moment

As we venture into the second month of the year, I dream of chocolate, flowers, romantic dinners, perfume, bubble baths, love songs and red wine. Wow what a great dream! Who am I kidding, I'm married with 2 kids under the age of 5, none of this happens!! I don't know about you though, but I love valentine's day! It's just one of those holidays that I love preparing valentine's even if they're for 14, 4 year olds at my daughter's preschool. It's just a great time to share your heartfelt love with those closest to you.

Do you believe in cupid? In love at first sight? I had a cupid moment in my lifetime, didn't know it at the time, but I believe that cupid worked it's magic and allowed me to find my husband again and destiny took a hold.

What are you wishing to receive on Valentine's day? Here are a few of my favorite things:

Philosophy: Falling in Love Perfume

Chocolate by Stam (So glad they just opened one of these in my town):

Music: Lady Antebellum (LOVE their new album!)


Jewelry: The Vintage Pearl: Such adorable stuff this lady does!!! I want one of everything!!

Dinner: Cheesecake Factory (can't go wrong here, something for everyone!)

Flowers: Roses are my favorite- Classic as well!!

I hope you have a Valentine's day that knocks your socks off! (Literally!)

XOXO~ Scrap it Swanky Sister
Nicki