My Stampin' News!

Ok, so entice my stampers to come here and see what all the commotion is about, I promised a few things and I am delivering on those promises:

Number #1: My Review of the Upcoming Summer Mini Catalog

To peak your curiosity, I thought I would give you my opinions and thoughts on the new catalog that should be making its way to my stamper's mailboxes mid-May. Now, keep in mind that the opinions of me are just that...mine! Everyone has there own personal style/favorites and this is a review of what I think, just me. You can all make up your own minds when you get the catalog in your hot little hands.

• Bud Basics (set of 6): This is a two-step stamp set and very nice I might add. There are also 2 jumbo wheels that coordinate with it.
• Sheltering Tree (set of 9): In this set there is a stamp of a bare tree (trunk and branches) and you can add the leaves. There is also small hearts or a flower that can be added as well as flower stems that can also be built upon with the flowers and hearts. The phrase with it says, "friendship is a sheltering tree". Not my favorite, but cute.
• More Double-sided Designer Paper: This is a totally different set than in the Spring mini but just as great! There is only one set instead of two but the colors are great....green, blue, brown. These are a must in my book!
• The Wheel Things (set of 4): This set includes a grocery cart, wheelbarrel, wagon and scooter. They are solid stamps and any other small stamp can be "loaded" into these things to make them pretty versatile. I like that they aren't too pretty and can be used for manly projects.
• Cowboy Kid (set of 6): If you like sickening cuteness, this is the set you will fall in love with. There is a little cowboy, a cactus, horseshoe and a paisely stamp in this set. Sure he is cute but it is not my thing.
• Laundry Notes (set of 7): Picture articles of clothing with funny little sayings. Example: A pair of tube socks with the saying "we're a perfect match" or a pair of nylons with "we'll always be tight". Would be cute to make a whole set of cards with these, but I think I will pass.
• Spunky Alphabets and Numbers: This is a new alphabet font and it is solid and is just as it suggests...spunky. Adding to the spunkiness is that it is all lowercase which makes it a great price and large enough for scrapbook pages!
• Polka Dot Posies (set of 8): This is another Two-step flower set with big flowers and seperate centers. I like that the center pieces can be used seperately to make some pretty cool backgrounds, or at least that is what I am envisioning. There is also a stamp with friend sayings which is not too cheesy. This is the set I picked for an upcoming swap, so expect to see this one in some upcoming classes.
• Shore Thing (set of 8): This is a total beach summer set. Includes a beach chair, sun, sand pail and cute little crab. This set screams warm weather! There is also a wheel with flip flops that would coordinate.
• Edgy Eloquence (set of 6): This is an all word set, sayings. They are not "holiday-specific" if that makes sense. Example, "Whatever you are be a good one. -Abraham Lincoln". Also the font is mixed with upper and lower cases.
• By Sea (set of 7): This set includes a little ship, submarine, fishy and sailboat. There is a fishy wheel that coordinates as well. It is cute, very kid-like.
• Clowning Around (set of 6): Ahhh...Clowns!! Run for your life!! To me clowns are just scary, but if you like clowns, I guess these guys are cute. I guess.
• Pattern of Friendship (set of 4): This is a sewing/friendship themed set. Includes a 1950s pattern with ladies and a row of dresses. It is very retro.
• Wish You Were Here (set of 6): This set is for all your travel scrapbook pages. It includes a luggage tag, plane and camera.
• Nature Prints (set of 4): This is a sketched set that includes a shell, fish and turtle. As much as I love turtles, this is not a must-have.

That's about it for the Summer Mini. I think the hottest for summer will be the Bud Basics, Pola Dot Posies, that Great Paper and Edgy Eloquence, but that is just a speculation. What I love is that with the new mini coming it means that warmer weather is on its way as well....YAY!

Number #2: My May Special 'o The Month

My special this month is in celebration of National Scrapbooking Month!
Anyone who mentions this blog will receive 20% off any one Scrapbooking supply, this includes Albums, any stamp set, marker for journaling, Simply Scrappin' kits, ink pads, ribbon....ANYTHING you plan on using during this special Scrapbooking holiday! Just remember to mention this blog for the special!!
It is also posted at the right --------------------->
I take National Scrapbooking Day so seriously, I always take the day off work....now that is dedication!

Number #3: Clean Sweep Days!!!!

One more plug about this because I really need your help! I have waaaaayyyyy too much stuff and need to thin out my stash before I move, there is no way Alex will let me take all this stuff. Plus, I have an illness...it's called shopoholism, it really only affects me in scrapbook/stamping situations but it is still an illness that I need to get under control.

So, come on over Friday, May 12 (5:30 - 11:30p) or Saturday, May 13th (12 - 4p) and get yourself a huge bargain. I have a ton of great stuff to get rid of and I am ready for your haggling! There is even some stuff that is just being given away! I am sure my pile will grow after I spend NSD at the Scrapbook Expo and traveling to new stores with Carol....I better add to my give away pile to make room for it. Don't you have room in your heart for some unwanted scrapbooking supplies? lol

That's about it for now on the SU! front. Don't forget, you can always check my website to find out about upcoming classes and specials and don't be a stranger, leave a comment so I know someone is out there....hello....hello....is this thing on???? Don't forget my entire Calendar as well as an online Catalog is available on my website....www.spazzgirl.stampinup.net!

What's new in the Scrapbooking World Today?

Man, business is slow here. Which is great for me to keep up with everything going on!
It seems like things change so fast, if I miss one day, I'm out of the loop!

Ok, so it seems like the Cricut is a hot topic nowadays. I saw this thing at CHA Summer last year and was intrigued. What is cool about this little machine is that unlike the Wishblade, it requires no computer. It does almost the same thing, if I understand correctly, cuts out shapes and fonts so no more need for the glass mat and exacto. Also, it won't aggrevate my carpal tunnel like the Quickutz. I think the shapes and fonts are similar to the Quickutz though which is nice. Now the initial price of the machine is steep....$250! Plus, additional cartridges cost about $85, but that seems cheaper than a font set from QK. I still have no need for this little machine, but thought I would enter the Michael's contest anyway...if I win one, that would be different.

Also a hot topic is The Women for Women International Fundraiser which is an awesome cause and awesome opportunity to get a scrapbook page done for you by a well-known scrapbooker like Ali Edwards or Becky Higgins. There are actually 75 in all, I think and it only takes $1 to enter and again, it is a good cause. All the details are on Karen Russell's blog as well as a list of the scrapbookers who are willing to do a page for you. Cool!

Digital scrapbooking seems to be getting hotter and hotter every day. I am amazed at the talent! I printed out the complete guide from Autumn Leaves, Designing Digital (all 333 pages) so I can learn some more nifty Photoshop tricks. These are the LOs that have amazed me this week:
You Take My Breath Away
This Baby
Jayci
Shining Star
{Our Girl}
thank you! (april, you are getting so good!!)

Also, super hot is the new Autumn Leaves Freestyle book and I have to admit, I don't like it. I am not a fan of the "style" of it. Too much, too distracting from the photos. There are some LOs I have seen done in this style that are a little simpler that I do like, but most of them are just yuck to me. I have tried to give it a chance because it is everywhere, but it is just not my thing, which is the beauty of scrapbooking....no rules, everyway is the right way. Love that.

Next month is National Scrapbooking Month, I thought it was only a day but apparently it is now an entire month. Next Friday, I am going to the Scrapbook Expo and scrapstore surfing (new term I just made up) with Carol. We have to go check out this new store in Deerfield that is only open banker hours so we haven't had a chance to see it yet. I don't even know where it is or what it is called yet, guess I should research that. I wanted to enter a page for the contest at the Expo but haven't even started anything, maybe this weekend. We aren't taking any classes this year at the show because last year's were such a let down. Oh well, hopefully there will be some good shopping! In any case, it is a day off work.

There is a winner in the Chatterbox Make It Meaningful Contest or should I say winners? It is three sisters who made an album for their mother. I can't wait to see it!

The new scrapbooking show on the net, Scrapbook Lifestyle, is getting a lot of buzz. Personally, I would like to punch the host of the show, Tony Barber, in the face because he is so annoying but people seem to like it so far. They are short episodes, only like 4 minutes, which is nice. Also, Leah Fung, who designs for Chatterbox is on the show and she is crazy talented. In one of the episodes they showed her home studio and I always love to see where people work. It is worth checking out but I am not sure I will remember to watch it every week, plus I am not sure how many episodes I can watch with that host.....ugh!!!

That's about all buzz lately, I am sure that there is more, but a girl has to work....sometimes.

Could this font BE any smaller???

Yes, I fiddled with it.
I couldn't resist.
Now, everything is micro....HELP!! I tried to play with it to fix it, but I kept making matters worse! It reminds me of cutting my sister's bangs when I was 10, eventually there were none.
I know some of you gals who glance here are blog pros (Greta, Wendi....I'm looking in your general direction), so please give me a clue....drawings may be necessary. Until then, I cannot touch the template, although I still think if I mess with it enough I might figure it out or take down the entire thing. Ugh!

It seems that in all the blogging I do, I have never mentioned an enormous piece of my life in any of the posts. Sure it is hinted at or suggested, but never really brought up. I think the reason I haven't talked or bragged about said person is two fold (and I hope he understands this is in no way an excuse or way out):

1. I have always had a journal or diary of some sort and usually in typical me-fashion, it is mostly whining, complaining, and generally negative. Well this said person cursed me out in 1994 for a journal he read and I don't think I ever forgot it. So call me gun shy.
2. Also, I try not to post pictures of people without their permission and didn't even know if speaking said name out loud on a website would be frowned upon. Kinda like a Harry Potter moment.

Everyone close to me, friends and family, know that I am crazy in love right now and probably the happiest I have been in years. In fact, I think most people get sick of hearing about it all the time because I can't brag enough. I think Carol will hurl if she hears one more story of how lucky I am.
But just in case anyone hasn't heard.......

Ten Reasons Why I Love This Guy!

1. He loves me exactly as I am and doesn't try to change any of it.
2. He is a guy who would pull over at any Scrapbook store at any time just cause he knows paper makes me so happy and he loves a happy me.
3. He compliments me almost every day! (even on those days I know I look like shit)
4. When I am thinking the most twisted, wicked thought about something....usually he is thinking it too. We are evil together.
5. We are the best of friends.
6. He is so supportive and encouraging about all my endeavors, even when I am not.
7. He keeps me in check when I need it and just lets me go wacky when I need it as well.
8. This is a guy that appreciates my crafts. Can you believe it?!?! He actually totally gets scrapbooking...How lucky am I?
9. He goes out sometimes, just because, and buys me clothes. I am not a person to spend money on myself at all and he thinks that needs to change. There is nothing like a guy that knows your sizes.
10. He is teaching Max how to be a gentelman and always treat a lady with respect.

So for the record, I love Alex more than anything, even scrapbooking. He makes me so happy and when I am with him....and I am still myself, only happier. (make sense?) There is nothing I love more than to spend time with my men and I can't imagine anyone being able to deal with me better than him!

There.
Now, you are officially in the blog and there is no going back. Plus, there is no guarantee that everything written will be pleasant. Just a forewarning, you know I like to gripe about crap.
Love you!

Now back to the font problem...where is that number I changed again????

My New Photo Face

Everyone does this at some point. They make the same goofy smile or face when someone approaches with a camera. I used to only use the signature giganto-smile, but it looks like I have changed my look recently because almost every picture of me on this day at the Cubs game clearly represents me with the same look. I have only posted one of the 4 pictures of me in this fashion, it's at the end.
Hopefully seeing it here for everyone to mock, will make me close my damn mouth when a camera comes near next time.

Me and Max on the good 'ol CTA on our way to Wrigley

The chick Max picked up in the bleachers at Wrigley

Max...a little better shot of the rapidly outgrowing mohawk.

And my totally new unflattering photo face!(and have you ever seen a whiter Mexican chick?)
I seriously don't know what made me open my mouth this wide...perhaps I thought it was flattering to make myself appear to have 7 chins!
This photo screams - Open Mouth, Insert Foot!

What's in a Name?

With all these new Hollywood babies, the hot topic on all the "non-news" shows (i.e. Inside Edition) is the current trend in baby names. Since pregnant seems to be the new black these days, there are plenty of new offspring to don these crazy labels.

The unusual names seem to be the hot trend right now and as a bearer of an out of the ordinary name, I cringe when I hear some of these. Not because they are so strange or different, but because of what these children will have to go through because of them.
like...
new little Suri - this is going to be a hard one to pull off
Alaia - I don't even know how to say this and forget about spelling it!
Banjo - come on, why not just put a Kick Me sign on the kid!
Grier - wha...??
Maesa - what is up with all the heavly voweled names?
Rebop - this is just mean!

When I meet someone and tell them my name is Simone, the usual response, "what a pretty name". I think that it's just a polite thing, instead of "never heard that before."
I have always disliked my name.

It started when I was little.
The first day of school was always the most embarrassing day for me. You would think that teachers would be phonetic experts, but every year without fail, they would mispronounce my name during the first call of attendance.
I have been called:
Sim - one
S - eye - mone - ee
Si - mone - ee
Sim - on
S - eye - mone
Simon

Whatever the mispronunciation, that would be the nickname for at least the first month that year....mortifying as a 10 year old. Being called Simon was the worst! In 7th grade, I was called Simon the first day and it stuck til I graduated.
If teachers can't pronounce my name, you can't imagine how everyday folks would mess it up. Anytime I would have to introduce myself, I cringe.

"I'm Simone"
"Huh??"

That is the usual response. Even now. Or they think they heard a different name like Mona (I get that a lot) or Sloan. Now, I know what you're thinking....Maybe I am not annunciating enough, but that is definitely not the case, especially now. I know that people are going to mess it up, so I always over-annunciate so there is no confusion.
Even at work, I cringe when someone on the phone will ask, "Who am I speaking to?" because I know what the next line is..."How do you spell that?"

In certain situations, I expect people to get it wrong. Anywhere that is loud is a bad place. Once at a bar, I met a guy, told him my name and he said, "Oh my god, your name is Smoke?" I laughed so hard I had a spit-take. I said, "Yep, my name is Smoke, my parents thought that was cool." He ran around that bar and told everyone.

Also, I have this problem even NOW with people changing the pronunciation of my name, it drives me mad. My name is pronounced exactly as it is spelled. Come on! Short I, Long O...this is basic first grade knowledge. So even if I say my name correctly to them and they see it written, they still seem to change it to their own liking. My own boss does this and I hate it. He calls me See-mone. Ugh!! And most people call me Suh-mone, like it is spelled with an A instead of an I.

Speaking of spelling that is the worst! If anyone has to write down my name and I don't tell them how to spell it, I get every variation.
Samone
Symone (this just emphasizes the Y obsession these days)
Shamone
Simon

I know my name has finally been used in some movies and I know of two soap operas that have characters named Simone, but I still go through most of the same stuff I did when I was 7.
When I was little, I used to tell everyone I hated my name and grown-ups would tell me, "You will appreciate it when you are older."
Well, I am definitely older.
I still hate it!

When I was pregnant with Max, I wanted to make sure that his name was easy to say, convey and spell. So, when his dad kept campaigning for odd titles such as Xander or Elrich...I knew that would never happen. In fact, I never even wanted the name Max because of it's popularity in the pet world, but it fit the criteria. Extremely simple in all ways!

I just think that if parents knew the impact a name really has on a kid, even after 34 long years, they would think about it a little more seriously.

Where do you draw the line?

As a parent, I make decisions all the time. Some simple, some not so simple. Some down right difficult. And sometimes, I make bad decisions or wrong decisions when I look back. I would say for the most part, I am usually right. I have to be, I'm the parent.
Well, as Max gets older and older, I find it difficult deciding when to stop some of the childhood nonsense. You know, Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy kinda crap. I am sensitive to the elaborate imagination and gentle heart of my little boy, so I haven't stopped any of that silliness...yet. But the day will come. And, surprise, surprise....there is no big rabbit that sneaks into our house on Easter and hides not only eggs but a basket for him. I thought the nonsense of the eggs and basket of useless crap and candy was too much and needed to stop. There is no reason for a child of ten to still be getting a set of jacks and bubbles, it is just pointless. Plus, with our recently revelation that we indeed have WAY to many toys for only one child, we have been trying pretty successfully to lighten our load.
I explained to Max that he was "too old for an Easter basket" on Saturday. It was perfect timing because his Amazon package had arrived with two new books for him to read and we gave it to him...just because. Not because of any holiday where he should be expecting a gift. Not because he got a great grade.....just because he needed a new book to read.
He seemed fine. My mother called to ask him what he wanted her to buy him for Easter because, "I know your mother doesn't want you to have all that candy". And he politely told her that she didn't need to buy him anything.
I thought that was impressive.
And I was proud of myself for raising such a good kid.
Then, Easter morning came. 7:15 A.M. to be exact. I heard him get up and run like a banshee downstairs. Then I heard a frantic child running all over the house. I couldn't figure out what was going on. So, I got up went downstairs and there he stood with a blank look on his face.

ME: What??
MAX: There is no basket.
ME: Easter basket?
MAX: I looked everywhere and there is no basket for me.
ME: I thought we talked about this yesterd...
MAX: But...but....You mean no basket at all...nothing?
ME: You're too old for an Easter basket.
MAX: I'm still a kid, right?
ME: Well, yes...but...
MAX: Then I should get a basket.
ME: We talked about this, you're 10!
MAX: And you didn't even hide any eggs. (shaking his head in disbelief)
ME: I can hide some later, if you want to play.
MAX: Forget it....

There were no real tears, but he was upset. Not really mad, but sad. He looked like he had just seen his childhood slip away. It made me sad. He walked back upstairs and slept for 2 more hours making it very clear to me that not only had he woken up on purpose to find that basket, but that he was so upset he had to sleep it off.
When he woke up later, I could tell he was disappointed in his Easter morning and that no amount of french toast would make him feel better. I felt bad, so I just asked, "What did you want me to put in this basket you were hoping to find?" I figured maybe this way he would realize that the basket was pointless and that the gig is up...I'm the bunny! He looked at me and said, "Mom, I love to find that basket."
I know in my heart that it really wasn't a big deal, but apparently a bigger deal to him than I thought. Also, because he really didn't come downstairs for most of the day, I felt worse and worse about it. I know I bought him a "present" the day before. I know he didn't need a basket full of candy. I know I wouldn't let him eat a basket full of candy. I know he is too old for bubbles. I know he really didn't want another kite.
But, not filling that basket means he really isn't a little boy anymore.
He's growing up.
And these days will probably be more frequent for him when he realizes there is no Santa or he is too old to trick-or-treat. There comes a time to end all those things.
It would be different if I had younger children, maybe we would keep up the game a little longer, but he has to know that there are not presents for everything, enough is enough.
I'm sure he is at school today explaining to the class how he is the only child who didn't get a basket including the jewish boy!
And then this morning, I hear how grown people get baskets.....
Ok...fine.....I'm a bad parent.
Hi my name is Simone and I ruined Easter for my 10 year old.
(p.s. I did hide 38 plastic eggs yesterday morning while he was showering to cheer him up but he ran around and found only 27, then gave up!)

Impromptu Easter

Now, it seems that I am having Easter at my house. Completely last minute. Don't even know what to serve.
What I do know is that I am just happy that I don't have to get all dressed up, don't have to schmooze with family I rarely see or explain why my son has a mohawk now. That alone makes everything alright. Plus, most of the immediate family could care less about traditional Easter grub. My sister hates ham. I despise lamb...yuck! So, I could just make whatever I want to eat. Plus, it will only be 8 of us, so I don't have to make very much.
The more I think about it, the better I feel about volunteering my house. It almost makes having to clean my house painless. Almost.

In other news...
There is school only 3 days this week...yikes!
My boss is in the holy land for two weeks....yeah freedom!
The girls came and blabbed on Friday, I mean scrapped!
Since Friday, I have been a scrappin' fool and finished 7 pages!
I need to get these pages scanned so I can post them.
The kid has promised to help me get toys together this weekend to get rid of, thank god.
I have some clothing coupons that are burning a hole in my pocket.
Saw my sister on Sunday.
Made homemade pizza on Friday.
Ten Commandments was not on Sunday and I am pissed!
Watched The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio with Max, man it was good.
Grilled out twice this week so far, yummy.
It is going to be a whopping 70 degrees today, yippee!
I think I have officially decided to buy that Digital Canon Rebel XT, maybe not, maybe...

Ok, I have to get back to thinking about Easter dinner...

*waving a fist in the air*

CURSE YOU DAYLIGHT SAVINGS!!!

I LOATHE daylight savings. It is pure evil.
I don't care that we get sun at 7pm.
I don't care that it means Spring is here.
I don't care that it means every fall we get a night with an extra hour of sleep.

Everytime we adjust the clocks, I live in sleep deprived hell for at least a week and I want it to end! I had heard about standard time before and that there is a large group of people who have petitioned congress to stop this crap, but so far....nothing.
Can you tell I need a nap?!? Or at least a full nights sleep!

Personally, I think it makes a lot of the population cranky because I witnessed a gentleman go off on this guy in the Dunkin' Donuts this morning for talking to his secretary on his cell phone. I couldn't believe it. We weren't watching a movie in a theater and this guy was having a converstation....it was a noisy Dunkin' Donuts! What the flip?
The crabby man told the cell phone guy, after staring at him for two minutes, "We all don't want to hear about your day!"
Dude, you don't speak for all of us! I could care less. The guy was actually "working".
Of course because of lack of sleep, my internal voice came spilling out, "My god! You have GOT to be kidding." (directed right at the crab)
I knew it wasn't wise.
I knew he would say something.
I knew this was opening a whole can of worms and possibly starting a riot.
I knew all I wanted was an ice coffee and to get the hell out.
But this happens sometimes....I am thinking a sassy comment and unfortunately, I blurt it out without a thought. Diarrhea of the mouth, sometimes.
He had a comment.
It was, "How rude!"
Not really sure if it was directed at me or the cell phone guy though.
I could've kept going because I was thinking, "Dude, YOU are the one who is rude."
But I luckily I was distracted by the fact that the price of coffee has gone up! Damn!

*Also, I didn't know that it was daylight savings this past weekend and I was an hour late to my very own Open House! Nice, huh!*