the new busy

**EDIT: as i look at the 'scheduled date' on this post, i notice that it's about three weeks late. and since i figure you deserve to know what i was {{GOING}} to say, i'll just publish the old post part in RED. so then just look for the regular 'now' stuff in black at the bottom. cool? good.**

oh hey. yeah, so i think i owe you an apology. i've been absent from the blog as of late.

it's one of those things... school started, swim coaching continued, practice times got changed, the internet i'm mooching off of someone else in my apartment complex has been UBER splotchy and sketch lately, and then there's the fact that i've been doing more baking and cooking recently which has to do with a budget crunch in my world... should get better after October (which is still a long ways away!), and i just haven't been around.

so i guess that's my excuse? which, i hate getting as a teacher, but i figure you all should know what's been going over here.

moving on.

i made a quiche on sunday night! (this was after i made three homemade pizzas... crust and everything to have as a lunch option this week.) it was lovely. i didn't follow a recipe really, but i looked online at a few places to give me a starting point for portions. i took a picture. i know it's cheating to just show you a picture and not the recipe, but frankly, i'm too tired to link it up.

so how 'bout you search 'quiche' in Google-land and do what i did and make it up? i bet it'll taste awesome! i mean, it has eggs and CHEESE, right? right. so yes, we're good.

oh, and random fact #23: i still have sand in the front pocket of my hoodie from a trip i took to the beach this summer. VERY recent discovery, btw. i've even washed this thing a few times (well, maybe just one). so, i put my cell phone in there to keep it toasty (well, actually, more like to keep it handy) and i pulled it out a minute ago and it had all these little specks of sand on it. grr. annoying! (said like Gru from "Despicable Me" would say, "LIGHTBULB!!!" hehe... makes me smile every time!) just thought you should know.

fun fact #57: a little seventh grade boy cut his hair because of me and what i said in class. i felt bad. for about a minute. and then i realized it was beneficial to both of us that he could now see out of his eyes instead of swiping them to the side every 3 seconds.

that is all.

so back to the regularly scheduled program. ha! so swimming ended yesterday--we had our last meet of the season, and now all that is left to do is have an end of the year banquet and send out the lettering certificates, etc.

i have a project for you (well, kinda a project). i made a whole bunch of fall leaves from my Cricut. i used the "Stretch Your Imagination" and "Wild Card" cartridges. i cut a HUGE pile of leaves out of a HUGE stack of paper (patterned and sort of matching). they're now hanging around my apartment making my place look more fall-like. i went to the thrift store the other day and picked up all the ribbon/ bias tape that is holding all the leaves together.

doesn't it make my curtains and blinds look awesome? i thought so.

oh, and did i mention? i'm participating in NaNoWriMo again this year.

you might remember from last year how i took on the challenge of writing 50,000 words in 30 days (about 1,667 words/ day). this year is going to be bigger and better! i'm getting a lot of students involved at school, and they're super excited about it... so great to see young minds trying something 'new' and 'hard.'

oh, besides the leafy garland, i've been doing some prep for a scrapbook retreat i'm going on in Nov. i went last spring with my co-teacher Jen, and we had a BLAST, and i got sooo much work done, and i'm totally looking forward to it this year. we're leaving school to go straight up to the Hilton in Seattle a few weeks before Thanksgiving to get productive (or not! :D hehe!) last year, i totally loved getting to know some new girlies and getting a new nickname 'Tonic.' ha! i think that all crafters have a magical bond, don't you?

anyway, that's it for today, sorry again, and please feel free to harass me next time i'm gone so long... i DO succumb to peer pressure in that regard! :D

30 days + 50,000 words = NaNoWriMo

so i'm done.



i WON National Novel Writing Month by writing 50,000 words in the month of November. let me tell you, it wasn't easy... but like i explained to my students, "I'm really competitive--it'll get done."

you should have seen me do a happy dance when it was all over... such a big deal, and so glad it's done... now i know i won't know what to do with myself for a while.

i've actually been done for a while (aka Nov. 30th @ 8pm PST), but i think that i've been enjoying the extra time after work to do nothing rather than post to the blog... so, i'm sorry for that long absence. i'll be getting some new cards and other things up on the blog asap.

i am thinking of doing the December Daily scrapbook, and i've taken a few pictures here and there (actually, i think i've taken at least one picture a day, but i haven't done journaling or gotten the book together). the picture of me above is when i printed out my winner's certificate, and was quite happy about my accomplishment, and i think i'll be using that one as the Dec. 1st picture... now to journal about that happiness ;)

my mom and sister were so sweet too--my sister Cecelia was actually doing NaNoWriMo with me, but couldn't keep up because of some new job assignments, etc.

they brought me the prettiest bouquet of flowers TO SCHOOL on Tuesday during one of my classes... my kids were like, WOW! that's so cool! and they've been sitting on my desk smelling oh so good at school, and i just brought them home yesterday. seriously sweet of them.

anyway, like i said, i'll be back to post a card or two soon, and possibly some of the yummy things i picked up at a craft fair i got to go to--featuring my favorite crafty sisters, Paulina, Carolyn, and Krista. fun fun fun!

hope you enjoy your weekend!

nearing the end of NaNoWriMo

i am so close it's not even funny.

i am working on my National Novel Writing Month novel, which has yet to have a title, and i'm really close to reaching to 50,000 word goal... just a few more thousand words. i have been neglecting the blog here lately, and while i was going to update sometime this weekend with a new card or tag, i was suddenly unable to because of Internet issues at home.

so i'm writing this from the library, and thus writing it without any pictures to show you. yes, it's bad. i really didn't realize how awful it was to not be able to check your email until it i went by the living room computer about eight times in one hour, thinking every time, "oh, i'll check my email... oh wait... just kidding." it was embarrassing.

it's just bad. but i'll stop complaining and get back to writing. i'm really glad you stop by every once in a while and ask me how it's going--makes me accountable, which is good. thanks for that.

thought i'd leave you with a fun picture... it's of my Thanksgiving dinner on thursday. it was yummy.

and yes, i did put the broccoli "tree" in my mashed potatoes and then made a "lake" with the gravy. it never hurts to do fun things, right? i love playing with my food :D

hope you enjoy the last part of your holiday weekend (if you did have a holiday weekend), and i'll be back as soon as possible :D

concert and cards

oh my goodness.

if i haven't mentioned this before, i'll say it again... i LOVE music.

right now i'm on a Christmas music and classical music kick (don't ask... it might have something to do with the fact i loved playing in the concert band [clarinet] from elementary school through college and then the marching band [tenor sax] in college all 4 years). so yeah, i love listening to stuff that makes me react emotionally. that's why i have a HUGE pile of CD's a super long list of favorite artists...

and i love going to concerts... there's somethings that's just awesome about seeing one of your favorite artists performing songs that you know all the words to (cause believe me--i KNOW the words!) SO, i just went to a super fun concert. Jeremy Camp, Natalie Grant, and Bebo Norman came to MY town as the last stop on the "Speaking Louder Than Before" Tour. it was so great :D such a great time to reflect on my life and what God has been doing in my life, and what i need to change. i think that a lot of times when i get busy with life, i forget that i have a greater purpose for being here on Earth. so, i thought i'd share a bit... i took some photos that i cropped and compiled to share with you... mostly for the benefit of my friend Paulina who wasn't able to be there... because she's in CA (lucky ducky!)

and here are some cards... yes, i know these are Christmas cards again, and that they have snowflakes, and that they are simple, but i haven't had time to make any new ones, and these have been waiting in my stack to be shared, and i thought i'd do that now while i'm scrambling to find time to create.

phew! now moving on to a non-Christmas card. SEI poppy papers, apron lace punch from Fiskars, some ribbon (satin) and TA-DA!

see those smidges of polka dots on the bottom? it's the double sided paper working its magic :D

and that's it for me tonight. hopefully tomorrow i'll get something new created and posted... really been missing out on some great sketches lately. bummer! hopefully with Thanksgiving coming up i'll do some catch up, right? :D

thanks for looking! (oh, and in NaNoWriMo news, i'm at 26,711 words... plenty more to go, but as i tell my students, "Don't worry. I'm competitive... I'll finish." hehe :D)

Blog-O-Versary Giveaway!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS!

**note: this post will stay at the top until contest is over. please scroll down to see current posts**

oh hello there! the title of the post may be a *tad* deceiving as i'll be sharing more than just a blog giveaway with you.

in fact, i have a LOT to talk about, but hopefully i'll make it as short as humanly possible :D

so first off, i have some Christmas cards... my my my how i've loved making them! i actually used some "summer" paper from K&Co's ocean line (can't remember exactly what it's called) that i figured would make some great "guy" cards for the holidays... so i kept them simple (well, hey! it's ME here we're talking about... as simple as I can make them!)

border punch from fiskars, velvet ribbon, martha stewart snowflakes, and the paper. oh, a mcgill punch too. add a button, and YAY! guy card. i asked my brothers for approval, and it was given wholeheartedly.

and here's a closeup of one of the cards i made--dude, didn't i tell you i was in love with that snowflake punch?

the colors were actually chosen because my dad and brothers ALL love either green or blue, and who knows, maybe they'll be getting one of these. plus, the plaid/ stripes pattern was perfect for the masculine theme...

i like 'em a lot.

edited to add:

yay! i got to participate in the 2sketches4you challenge this week. it's Laura's sketch #38, and it's so fabulous. last night (friday, 11/06) as i was thinking about the CK convention in Seattle that i was going to, i decided to get a little crafty, and i couldn't wait to break out the BG eskimo kisses, so here's my card:
it's some of my favorite paper, and i love the BG letters and that MM heart (i actually stamped over the glitter and embossed it because i needed a lighter pink). the ribbon is from Michael's, and the dotted cardstock is from Bazzill. i like this card a lot :D

speaking of liking, i have some news! i like reading. i like writing (hence, the blog). so...

i am writing a novel. a 50,000 word novel. by Nov. 30th. (go here or to my post here for more info...) i think you can even track my progress with THIS link. if not, then just search for my username *ginnygurl* in the NaNoWriMo database, and you can add me as your "buddy." and ALSO speaking of "liking," can i just say a HUGE w00t! w00t! for all those participants from Seattle--we're leading the word count scoreboard :D (and i'm part of that!)


as of 11/04, 9:10pm, i have written exactly 6,088 words. amazing, huh? i'm a tad behind the daily goal, but as soon as i'm done here, i'm working on the story. maybe i'll divulge some details about the plot line... maybe... just maybe...

so i've included a widget/ picture in my sidebar in regards to the novel writing--just a reminder to encourage me to write the 1,667 words a day to keep on track. actually, the founders really do suggest telling as many people as possible about the novel--in hopes that those people will in turn encourage/ shame the writers into actually finishing on time. here's the quotation... i found it hilariously funny:

tell everyone you know that you're writing a novel in November. this will pay big dividends in week two, when the only thing keeping you from quitting is the fear of looking pathetic in front of all the people who've had to hear about your novel for the past month. seriously. email them now about your awesome new book. the looming specter of personal humiliation is a very reliable muse.

so there. i've done it. i've told you. please please please shame me into finishing. it's my goal.


so that brings me to the POINT of my post--giving away stuff!

how to enter...

1. leave me a way to contact you (via blog, email, etc) and a comment answering the question:
   

   "What is a goal that you have made and accomplished? How did it make you feel?"



2. leave a SECOND comment if you are or become a follower of my blog


3. leave a THIRD comment if you are or become a follower on my twitter


4. leave a FOURTH comment if you add my blog candy to your sidebar or a post!

so you have lots of chances to win these wonderful goodies... please play fair and follow the rules--that way everyone will have fun. internationals may enter too!

the contest will run until the BIRTHDAY (or blog-o-versary) of my blog on Sunday, November 15th, at 9pm PST.

after that, i'll pick a random winner and post the results on my blog on Monday. sound like a plan? well, good. check out the goodies and see if you like any!

here's the whole she-bang together--quite a lot of stuff if i do say so myself. you can see some lovely stickers on the lower portion--alphas, fuzzy velvet stickers, and then some fall chipboard pieces and stickers--perfect for scrapbook pages, or as embellies on cards :D

oooh, we've got some Basic Grey paper, Cosmo Cricket, Making Memories, and SEI


those snowballs i love so much are here, along with lovely 2' ribbon, and some chippie embellies and fabric brads

and don't forget the felties and blossoms from sassafras! then the woolies! *sigh* also, peeking behind the back you can see a couple of mini-albums from We R Memory Keepers.

anyway, hope you like what you see, and don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win :D

thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

NaNoWriMo! + CPS #141

oh hey! well, i have something awesome to share with you today--it's my first banner EVER!

(also, if you haven't entered my blog-o-versary giveaway yet, then go HERE now!)

now, i had this idea in my head for school--i have a couple of students who are participating in NaNoWriMo with me (National Novel Writing Month--see more on it in my post HERE), and i wanted to do something special to encourage them...

so, with the help of my amazing Cricut, some new CK goodies, and the CPS Sketch #141 (and kind of a Caardvarks challenge, although this isn't a card [i'll make a circle card to post, i promise!]) i embarked on this journey of my first banner ever.

now, with 9 letters to create the word on the banner, i knew i wouldn't have any room for extra "in-between" spacer spots... so i decided i need my banners to be quite big to fit all the embellies i wanted to include.

so first i gathered all the supplies i needed, and broke out the blue card stock that i wanted to use as the foundation for my letters--i used the Simply Sweet Cricut cartridge to create the bases, as well as the letters (using white paper with the shadow feature, and then a *shiny* blue for real letter).

so here you can see the close-ups of each of the parts--i had sooo much fun making this, and even though it took a while (hey, i was watching Love Actually with my sister, Cecelia, too!) it was sooo worth it.

i have to tell you where i got some inspiration--Mish of PTI fame! she has been featuring some amazing mini-kits of office type paper supplies, and they've been so stinkin cute! :D and since this banner was going to hang in my classroom, i thought that things like paper clips, rulers, etc would be appropriate :D

i bought some October Afternoon goodies at CK, and one thing included the stamp set that has a ruler in it--had to use it here :D ooh, and that border punch that i've been eyeing for a while--it was a total deal at CK too!

you can see some of the bling i got at CK last weekend--i cut apart some of the pieces--they were way to huge to use on these banner bases, and i want to hoard them for a little while longer (good thing i got them in triplicate--hehe!)

see how shiny that blue letter is? it's from the DCWV Citrus Glitter stack, and i LOVE it! i wish i had a couple more pieces of that paper--it's fabulous.

and the felt, brads, and pencil paper are all buys from CK--couldn't wait to get home and use them. O.M.Gosh. can i just tell you that i am in love with Cosmo Cricket paper? it almost hurt me to use this stuff, but honestly, it fit the theme perfectly, so i de-hoarded :D the felt from CK came in packs of four 12x12 laser cut sheets with all these neat-O designs--i've already used some of the pink border for another card HERE.

these brads are velvety--i wanted to use a lot of texture on every single panel, and i think i love this "a" letter the best--or maybe not ;)

i think that the girls in my class loved these buttons the best--the yellow one is from DeNami Design, and the others are from my stash. here's another piece of the felt!

ooh, and here i'm using a yo-yo fabric circle (isn't that what they're called?) to embellish this second "n."

i don't think you can *EVER* go wrong with pompoms!

another close up--you can see some October Afternoon dictionary paper--it made some of my students do a double take :D

okay, so i got these little packs of pins that i'll be using more on cards--sticking them in ribbon, etc--aren't those little stars adorable?

another ruler on the "o" and some flowers--Bazzill and prima. more felt too :D

i really really love that ruler stamp--i can totally see myself using it over and over again.

okay... the "w" was the midpoint of the banner, and even though i didn't consciously plan this, i think it's my favorite panel of all. i grabbed a golf pencil out of our junk drawer at home and decided to use it here. then there's the bling...

and the felt/ ribbon keeping the pencil together...

and seriously--we're talking about NaNoWriMo here--WRITING! how perfect can you get? i would venture to say, you cannot!

some ric-rac, felt, brads, and a shiny heart cut with my Cricut (same cart.)

this is the "r." you might be wondering what i used to string this all up together--i used some thrift store bolt of trim--it had at least 7 yds of this white, and i thought--i can use this for somthing... right i was!

that flower, button, and felt heart pairing is just too cute, agreed?

ooh, here's the "i" where i used some bigger bling, a broken blue clothespin (w/ ribbon) and a chipboard piece :D

and omgosh--i tricked this next panel out with bling... cutie paper clip ($1 store!) and some more bling, Cosmo paper, and felt...

that crown is so top heavy--can you imagine if it was lifesize how expensive that crown would be? hehe :D

and last but not least, the "o."

i went slightly simpler--those buttons are just the perfect touch, i think.

here's a board-side view of the end of the banner...
when my students walked into class and saw this hanging on the whiteboard, they went up close and examined it--one of the girls asked me "Did you cut that out of a dictionary?!" regarding the October Afternoon paper (cause i'm an English teacher and cutting up a dictionary would obviously be sacrilege! :D hehe). the best part was when they asked me about it, and said, "Who made that?" and i got to reply, "I did." the look of awe on their faces was priceless :D and then there were a ton of girls who said, "Can you make me one?" hehe... they'll be papercrafters yet!

thanks for looking, and please let me know if you enjoyed this banner and whether you'd like to see more of them here on the blog.

hope you have a great day! XOXO

be merry {365 cards--day 246}

see, told you i'd get another post up soon... :D

this is based on the sketch over at 365 cards by Pam.
i don't think i would have ever thought of these angles for a card, but it was stretching to think of a way that it could work for the idea i had in mind...

i used a combination of MM paper and some DCWV Holiday die cuts too. i like the Costco ribbon on this card, but i might save it for Christmas present wrapping :D there are a couple of DeNami buttons here, one of which is topped with a glittery snowball...


so this is a quick and simple post, i think i'm off to writing some more for NaNoWriMo. if you're wondering what the heck of a kind of language i'm talking about, then check out my previous post from yesterday HERE.

thanks for looking, and have a great day!