Whew, operation organize underway!

So last year Ali Edwards was talking about a word for the year. Heck, it might have even started a few years ago. Anyhow, at the beginning of last year (or maybe the year before) I said to my dear friend Holly that my word was going to be ORGANIZE. She laughed because for years she keeps telling me how organization will help me in my scrapbooking. Well, I like to revisit the same subjects around the same time each year. You know, it's kind of like you can tell when fall is coming because the weather is changing, or you can tell when Valentine's Day is closer because all of the retail stores turn red with themed decor and gifts everywhere. Well, Holly and I have discussions at certain times of year and I just had my big "get organized" declaration. I starting thinking that I never really have truly accomplished that WORD for whatever year it might have been. SOOOOO, being the go getter that I am, I have OPERATION ORGANIZATION underway in my life. Nice thing, I am really doing it. In the last week or so I have...Cleaned out
Evan's closet, toy boxes, toy organizer, and drawers. The rafters in the garage. The hallway cupboards. The cupboard under my island, another cupboard in the kitchen, & the silverware drawer. Not a bad start! Wow, with a few month's left in the year I might actually accomplish my organization goal. Wow, I might get a new word!!!! With my organization, I am hoping to make daily life less stressful. I'll let you know my progress.
With that out of the way, here's what has been going on...
The girls went back to school. Alyssa is in 4th grade and Megan is in the 2nd grade. For the first time ever, I rolled into "Flight Reservations" at school to find out teacher assignments and felt very sad. I felt like a black cloud just swept on in and opened up on me and my two little girls. I found the class lists and was surprised to find Megan in a job share situation and Alyssa in a 4/5 combo class. I tried so hard to put my brave mommy face on and not throw the tantrum that was brewing inside. It kinda worked but Alyssa saw right through me. She always sees what I am really thinking. Long story short....the Bailes version (that's a story in itself) is that they are both doing well and I HOPE AND PRAY that it will be fine. Alyssa is actually really loving the 5th grade math she was exposed to this week. She was so proud each day to go back to school and turn in her work to her teacher. Megan is so easy going and loves BOTH of her teachers. Yes, I said Meg is easy going. With all her spice I am amazed at what doesn't bother her!

I hope you enjoyed these pics. You'll notice Evan just had to have his own backpack and even had his own chance in from of the camera. He did pretty well with having them gone all day. I'm sure it's nice to get all of the attention for the majority of the day

OK, I promise to put my blog on the top portion of my daily to do list. Talk to you soon!

Lauren :O)))

New Classes at It's About Time

I keep on meaning to put my projects and classes up on my blog. Well, all I can do is just start. I have visions of great albums and slide shows to highlight my work. Apparently that's not happening yet so here are a few views of two layout classes I have going on at It's About Time Scrapbooks and More.



"Sun Kissed" is my kids class layout featuring beautiful Kaiser paper. I always have grown ups buying kits for this class. The class/kit it just 15.00. The class will meet on Tues August 12th at 4:30. Call the store at 951.304.3422 right away to reserve your spot or kit.

Below is my "Rockin Good Times" layout class, part of my Capture The Moment series I teach each month. This layout is great because it can be easily adapted for many types of events or pictures. I can even see the Hannah Montana twist that can be taken if you have a little one who LOVES Hannah or Miley. Class date is Thursday, August 21st. 6:30-8:30pm. Again, call IAT at 951.304.3422 to sign up.





OK, lots to do but I think i might go to bed early tonight. Yes, I know you're looking at the time on this post and wondering just how crazy I am but seriously, it is QUIET in the house right now. Hard to beat that!!

More later....

Lauren

When life gets busy....stop and play with your kids!

So things are busy, and I could probably work on one thing or another for a week straight. But, in the midst of feeling stressed, I looked back at the three little faces in the back of my car and decided we needed some good old fashioned park time. What a good way to put things into perspective. How can you beat this?


Funny because this is the park near our old house in Temecula where we used to take Alyssa all the time. I remember deciding that Megan would be named Megan one day while I was here pushing Alyssa on the swing. WToday we had the park to ourself. I guess no other mom's were crazy enough to be at the park at noon on a summer day. Kinda nice to have no distractions. The girls had the best time trying to help eachother in the tree. Evan was cool running all over the place and following his sisters around. Looking at these pictures makes me realize just how fast my life with my little ones is going. As much as we like to comlain about the daily grind on being parents, times like these make it all worth it. I only wish Matt was home today to enjoy the park with us.


Just a few pics from the day.
Have a great weekend.

Lauren

You have no idea how happy I am to be back to my computer!

Ok, so I know it's been waaaayyyyy too long since I've posted. Tons happening, plus hubby was gone working a ton and a long planned family vacation. We are back from playing and now it's time for business. First a pic or two from our trip.

I could probably spend all night posting pictures but I really have been so far behind on posting that I need to get some other stuff up here too.

Can I say......scrapbook retreat time!!!!! This is the scrapbook retreat weekend you deserve, and NEED!

I am happy to have pricing arranged for the upcoming, Sept 5-7th, retreat. Perfectly planned for after Labor Day and after school is back in session, this is a time when you can grab your scrapbook stuff and get away for a fun weekend full of scrapping, great food, and great company. You will be welcomed into a beautiful home in Big Bear that is the perfect setting for a weekend of scrapping fun. If you are lucky enough to be a part of this first group of retreat attendees, you will be a member of our founder's club, offering discounts and advance notice of future dates.

So, for this "founders" scrapbook retreat weekend in Big Bear, the prices are as follows.
The details:
Twin size beds in the "camp scrap room" are 300.00 per scrapper. This room holds three people. You don't have to be part of a group of three to reserve one of these spots.The room is so cute and feels very rustic. The closet has enough room to stash all kinds of scrapping delights. Call your best girlfreinds or sisters and get this room reserved for all three of you!
$300.00 per person minimum charge, for a single bed. Additional charges will apply when you opt for the larger beds or the master suite, which includes a king size bed and it's own full bathroom.

Twin size beds in the "camp scrap room" are 300.00 per scrapper. This room holds three people. You don't have to be part of a group of three to reserve one of these spots.The room is so cute and feels very rustic. The closet has enough room to stash all kinds of scrapping delights. Call your best girlfreinds or sisters and get this room reserved for all three of you!

The room pictured below is the "Double layout" room. The beds are double beds with super comfy matresses. You can either reserve this spot (each bed) for your self for 325.00 or if you want to share the bed, it's still the base price of 300.00. So, for those of you that like to snuggle, you can, I repeat can, not have to, share this bed and have up to four ladies in this one room. If you and your best scrapping pal love the room to stretch out, then book the room for justy two of you and no prearranged snuggle buddies will be placed in the same room with you.

If you are looking to have a bit more privacy, there are two master rooms available that include their own bathrooms. The price for these rooms is 400, based on single occupancy, 350.00 if you share with one other person, and if you really want to get close, you can even have three in the room at 300.00. The pictures of the two rooms are as follows:

This is the scrap princess room . Treat yourself like a princess with the ultra comfy bed and a ton of room to stretch those tired scrapbooky arms. A ton of room in the closet for your scrapping stash. You will be happy to call this room your home for the weekend.

This is the "Scrap Your Heart Out " room. It is down stairs so you are close to the scrapping action. Your patio door also leads right to the spa outside your door. This suite is 350 per scrapper if shared and 400 per scrapper if you want the room all to yourself. Full bathroom is part of this suite.

The retreat weekend includes all meals. The menu planned is super tasty and I know you will love that all you have to do is scrap. No need to make your bed or make any meals, leave that all up to me! I am so excited to share this wonderful weekend with you. Scrapping space will be plenty and I will have a ton of cutting tools, punches and stamps for your creating pleasure. There will be product there for you to purchase as well, in case you run out of adhesive or need more cardstock. Special make and takes and class kits will also be available.

The retreat weekend includes all meals. The menu planned is super tasty and I know you will love that all you have to do is scrap. No need to make your bed or make any meals, leave that all up to me! I am so excited to share this wonderful weekend with you. Scrapping space will be plenty and I will have a ton of cutting tools, punches and stamps for your creating pleasure. There will be product there for you to purchase as well, in case you run out of adhesive or need more cardstock. Special make and takes and class kits will also be available.

Important Info:
Retreat Date: Friday Sept 5th thru Sunday Sept 7th. This is the weekend AFTER Labor day.
Check in will be noon on Friday and check out is scheduled for 6pm on Sunday.

Registration: If you'd like to register to attend this wonderful weekend getaway, please call me @ 951-743-6994 or email me at stamperlauren@aol.com. The room availabily will be on a first come, first serve basis. I will make every effort to accomodate you and your group.
Payment: A minimum of $100.00 is due at the time of registration. This is a non-refundable deposit. If you have any questions about this please feel free to contact me at the above listed number or email address.

I am so happy to be blessed with the use of such a beautiful home to have our scrapbook retreat. I know you will have the best time and you will be glad that you took the time for YOU. Remember, you are your family historian. Scrapbooking is a labor of love that you and your family will enjoy and appreciate for many years to come. Take the time and register today to spend the weekend working on your projects.

Can't wait to hear from you!!!

Lauren

I might be rich if....

......If I could bottle the feeling I get when I look at pictures of my kids. I just downloaded a bunch of pictures from the last few days. I feel so happy and proud when I look at the three little people Matt & I made! Lots of work, sure! But man oh man do I love these kidlets. I am sure if I figured out how to capture the feeling and sell it in a bottle or whatever, I'd be a bazillionaire. Here are a few pictures that made my heart sing when I looked at them tonight.

We spent the 4th at Matt's station. We ate dinner with the crew and their families and then took the engine up to a high point in town to watch the fireworks. We could see the firework shows from San Marcos, Oceanside, and Carlsbad. Evan liked to name the colors of the fireworks as each one went off. We tried to take a family photo at the station but Meg was a little difficult about where she was going to be in the picture so she threw a fit, and was not in the picture. Big bummer but can't let the tantrum ruin the opportunity to have most of us in a picture together.

Not a traditional 4th celebration, but we were very happy to see Matt. Look at how cute the girls were...

OK, well I was a busy little bee today. I spent the day at home (I know, shocker!!) getting the kit website I am going to open closer to "going live." I'm hoping to get all of the site done and running soon. You will be able to purchase kits from me and several other designers straight from the comfort of your own home!. More information on that to follow soon. The numbers for the scrapbook getaway will be posted tomorrow. Call me or email to sign up.

Lot's of stuff going on from here!!!! All good stuff that makes me happy to think about.

Have a great Sunday!

Lauren

I am so excited...a scrapbook getway weekend in the works!!

I am so super excited I can barely think straight. I spent a day this last week on a business trip to Big Bear. Business trip you ask????? Well, I am getting ready to host my first scrapbook retreat weekend. I will be offering it to fellow scrappers who are excited to come to experience the very first of many scrapbooking retreats. I am hoping to have people register to come and spend a weekend of pampering and scrapbooking bliss. The home that I am using is so beautiful. It is hard to believe that it is really available for this idea. Here are a few photos of the location.

Pretty sweet huh? The home sleeps 10-12, depending if you use the couch pull out bed that I hear is really comfy. There are a total of four bedrooms, various sleeping arrangements. Four full baths, spa, and all the comforts of home. Set up for scrapbooking will obviously change how it looks a little bit. There will be a full crop bar with cricut, zip'e mate, sizzix, punches, decorative scissors, and stamps available for your use. There will be supplies and project kits available for you to purchase while you are there. In fact, you will be able to pre-order supplies like adhesive prior to the weekend starting so it is all there for you, no worry of running out while you are there. Meals will be prepared for you, as well as snacks and of course chocolate! No need to waste precious scrapping time preparing food. Let me take care of that. Sleeping arrangements will be on a first come first serve basis. I know some people will want to bunk with their best girlfriend and there might be that person that prefers to bunk alone. Either way, you can scrapbook as much or as little as you'd like. Those who choose to take some breaks from creating can relax in the spa or even take a walk in the beautiful mountain air.

The very first retreat weekend will be September 5th-7th. Please email me at StamperLauren@aol.com if you are interested. I will be building an interest list and reservations will open on July 5th. All attendees of this first retreat will receive a special gift and will be a founder's club member, which will allow them to be notified of specials and have advance notice of retreat weekends. Special private retreats can also be arranged if you'd like to keep the retreat to an intimate group of your friends only! This will truly be an amazing weekend and I know you will be happy to treat yourself, a friend, or a loved one to a special scrapbooking experience. Capture a whole weekend of Moments for yourself and plan to be a part of this great

OK, well that's the big news for now. More stuff on the horizon for sure. Don't forget to email me and let me know you are interested.

Have a great day, I am.

Lauren