Look at this stuff, Isn't it neat?

The kids didn't have school yesterday so I decided it would be a great time to revisit the new Ariel ride. This time I remembered to bring my camera so I could share the experience. Isn't this poster cool? It graces the many walls that lead you down a path towards the ride while the park is being worked on...

Here is the entrance...

 Some really cool details as you wait (we only waited 5 min. so I had to snap fast!)... 

 Once inside the building you see the long line of vibrant shells to ride in and this on the wall...

****** Spoiler Alert******

 I will now take you through the entire ride....

Here is Scuttle talking in the entrance...

"Under the Sea." You feel like you are literally in the movie and can see memorable parts from that scene are represented....see the blowfish bowing?

Ursula sings "Poor Unfortunate Souls"...and her voice is booming and she is larger than life and generally terrifying. Her tentacles move and even her double chin jiggles. (Leave it to Disney to have a section of the ride that may scar a young child for life) It. Is. Awesome.

Then "Kiss the Girl"...almost.

And now that they have kissed they had better get married and live happily ever after... 

 Oops. Looks like I caught a photo of Eric blinking...yes, these characters are so life like and epic that they BliNk! It is an awesome ride. I love it so much. And Ev survived unscathed by the scary scenes.

As we walked around we saw signs for the new...

I can NOT wait for Cars Land. If the Little Mermaid ride is any indication of what is to come it will be fan-Disney-tastic. (Wow, I am even nerdier than I thought.)

When we headed into Disneyland we ran into this guy...

 Of course since he was in his costume we had to stop and say hello...

and give hugs...

That interaction may have inspired a certain idea for a certain costume this Halloween...

Guess I better get to work.

Miss the Girls

I'll admit it, I have not been the best Aunt lately. Among the many other things that I am not that great at. The problem is that I really really want to be a great one....dare I say, favorite? (Inside family joke, we all declare we are the "favorite.") Alas, I know it can not be, because I have been sucking at it lately. It's so so hard when you have three kids of your own going in three totally different directions at all times....excuses, excuses. Really when it comes down to it I have none. I should make an effort to travel the one hour it takes towards LA to see them....and I should do it soon. Because I really miss these girls. And they are growing up so fast.

At least I can admire the few photos I have of them and scrap away...

The first one is "We Are So Blessed." For my niece, Grace. It talks about the happiness I feel for being able to be a part of her incredible life...

Can't you just tell what an amazing little fireball she is by just looking at the photos? Love that kid.

Lot's of Echo Park Happy Days on this page. As well as stitching with the banner. I'm loving that line.

And here is "Gettin' Goofy" for a time far to long ago when the cousins all got together and wore funny glasses. (My sis used these glasses for her family photo on Christmas cards last year...too funny.)...

The little one on the left is Alexandra. I need to do a page just for her because I miss her to pieces. She has the sweetest demeanor, and dimples that could make a grown man crumble at her feet. Alex is as smart as a whip and I can't wait to see who she turns out to be one day.

For the title I wanted to recreate the glasses somehow. I found these awesome furry mustache stickers from Jolee's Boutique. Then I used capital "o's" and exclamation points from my glitter Thickers. For the bridge I cut the circle off of a comma and viola! Glasses!

Maybe one day they will think I am a pretty awesome Aunt for preserving my memories of them in this way. But for now I need to schedule a time when I can actually give them hugs and kisses and tell them just how much they mean to me.

Happy Dance

This is what happy looks like...

 It is maybe the cutest thing ever.

And I have been doing my happy dance a lot around here lately because of these two gems "Shiny & New"...

As seen in the October 2011 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine. Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher.

 I obtained permission to post the layout based on a CK sketch. Journaling reads: Today you got new shoes, a new headband and a BRAND NEEEEEEW CAR! [game show voice]--& you had the time of your life. Luckily we got it all on video & took a million photos.

And here is "Lollipop Kids"...

Lollipop accent as seen online at Creating Keepsakes magazine. Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher.

Journaling reads: What a sweet treat! Ev's 1st lollipop. Nakiah showed her how to enjoy each lick...they even tried each others flavors. Now that is sweet.

This is the one I told you about where they purchased the rights to the accent. I made all three steps and set them up for a tutorial. I am really pleased with the way the lollipops turned out. The idea was to highlight the bright colors of the candy while adding some kind of dimension and interest. Mission accomplished! I used cardstock and ribbon as well as patterned paper. It gives the finished product a nice texture....oh, and don't forget the straws for sticks!

I can't wait to make something like this again but using the new product called glubers by Cosmo Cricket (super sticky and made for elements like this)...cuz when I made mine I used hot glue and burned my fingers a lot (not so happy).

Have you done any happy dancing lately?

love this man

My husband Brian (for the purposes of this blog I will now just refer to him as "Hottie"...cuz he is...and that is what his name has always been on my phone contact list.) So, Hottie and I went to a wedding last night and had the time of our lives. We were surrounded by friends and fun co-workers (from Trader Joe's, where we both work). The dance floor wasn't even big enough for all of us to party down. I love that Hottie will dance with me all night long even though Britney and Justin tunes are not his cup of tea. And even though I was singing at the top of my lungs to every. single. song. ...and air guitar-ing like a maniac. He is was by my side. Now that is love.

And here is more of my love for the Amy Tangerine American Crafts line...

Complete with hand stitching, doodles, and washi tape...which I also love. :)

Note to self: Learn the Thriller dance.

Look! It's ME!

Nothing like a little shout out from Creating Keepsakes for one Elizabeth Gardner. (Picture me brushing the imaginary crumb off my shoulder.) Ha! Last night on facebook they posted a link to my hand made lollipop accent with a tutorial.  Check it out....scroll all the way to the bottom and you'll see my name. Accent by: Elizabeth Gardener (so, they added an "e," ain't no thang.) ha!

Not sure what the code is here on showing you the layout I made with the accent on it since technically they now "own" the accent. So after I figure out how to show off that magical layout without breaking any golden rules I will do so. They did not publish it in the mag like originally intended. But, I feel really happy seeing the tutorial link on facebook. Any way I can get my name out there is great. I'll take it, extra "e" and all!

Also, you may or may not have already noticed (I'm guessing not, since you're not a freak like me)...I have a layout published in the October issue of Creating Keepsakes. It's in the "CK Sketches" column. I am in the process of asking for permission to post this one to my blog as well.  --Don't want to step on any toes here!

I can not tell you how amazing it is to see one of my pages in this magazine. It is a goal that I set for myself about seven months ago...and deep down I guess I wasn't really sure it would ever happen. Even so, I just went for it because I have always felt that in life it is better to try than not. Now here I am actively pursing more and more publication opportunities...and I even have a couple more on the way (Pinch me!). It feels so good to be recognized and placed amongst a community of people that I respect and admire so much (Not that I am even close to being on par with them, but at least now I can say I have shared the same pages as them).

I have actively followed this hobby for years and now am trying to make it something of a career. I feel so honored to have things just clicking...and I feel that the pages I have been making as of late are getting better and better. So, it's all good stuff happening!  And hopefully I will get permission to blog the photos of this stuff soon!

Photo Booth Doggie Pile

Here is what happens when you take one I-Mac, two silly parents, and add three silly little munchkins to the mix. The photo booth app has a countdown and now I have photo after photo of the kids hopping on Pop...and Mom. ouch! But with these silly photos it was worth it! (Yes, we are all screaming. No, I do not have any hearing left.) 

I thought I'd give you a little teaser....more to come on this one.

Getting Back

It's come to my attention lately that I have let something go....ME! Somewhere between running the LA marathon and the Disneyland half marathon I forgot to take care of myself. Yes, I have a lot of other things going on...a couple of which are medical. But, that is no excuse to let myself go. Because when I do that everything goes! So it is time to tighten the reigns...bring back the consistently good diet, the intentional exercising, the tracking progress. I have made a goal for 12 weeks out. So, lets see if I can get me back!

I like this me from just this past April....

Fresh off of a marathon and full of possibilities. On track with losing weight and feeling stronger and more in control every day. This is the goal.

And this...

Feeling good about me!

Time to get to work! Ready, set, GOOOOOOO!

It's a Reunion

I did it. I pulled the trigger after a gentle nudge from my man. (He said, "just sign up already!") I've been talking about it for what seems like forever. Ever since I saw the add in Creating Keepsakes and realized that it was close enough to drive.

What did I sign up for, you ask?

Yup. That's it. I'll be there. It is a LOT of money (especially for me because I am super cheap). But I am so happy that I am going to attend and that my husband encouraged me to do so. Not only do I get a little break from the daily grind all by myself. I also get to go do something that I love for and entire weekend! Oh man. I am so so so so excited.

Stay at Home

Now that school is in full swing we are getting used to a daily routine. Right now it's great because I have time with my littlest one....and I can never seem to get my fill of her! If I had it my way my days would be packed with nothing but time with her. (Don't tell my boys but they are just kinda stinky and have some attitude. ;))

Here is a layout I made about enjoying my simple days with the babe...

Someday in the very near future I will be returning to work. But for now my days are filled with sights like this...

I am soaking up every second. I'll admit it's not always easy being home all day every day. Still, I enjoy the good and the terrible twos because I just can't help myself. While I am singing her praises here is another page for my lovely Evareaux May...

(Made almost entirely out of American Crafts goodies...and can you believe how much she has changed over the past year? Yikes!)

The End of Summer

Tuesday was officially the last day of summer for our family. As of Wednesday we were back to the daily grind of waking up early...Taking two kiddos to different schools...picking them up...Running one to soccer...and the other for more supplies...Signing a million pieces of paper...and forking out more dough than I would really care to mention.

I have to say that I am already missing summer. The weather will remain sunny and hot here in Southern California for quite awhile. But our schedules just won't allow for the type of wild abandon we've enjoyed during the past couple of months.

So goodbye slurping slurpees...

 Goodbye adorable glasses...

Goodbye sandy toes...

 And sand in strange places...

Goodbye running in the hottest weather (I will NOT miss you!)...

Goodbye eating our popsicles to the last drippity drop...

Goodbye to shorts and tanks...

Goodbye long days lounging at the beach and eating on boogie boards..

 Goodbye endless supplies of watermelon (we will miss you the most)....

 Goodbye sandy bottoms and the cutest bathing suits on the planet...

Even though we didn't do everything on my to do list we still managed to pack in a lot of fun. Too bad it went by so quick!  Though I do love new school supplies. And I love the fact that I have my one on one time back with the babers. I will miss summer days. They are the best.