New Blog

If you are looking for more recent posts please go to my new blog www.katrinahogan.typepad.com/family and there you will see new videos of Makayla as well as family updates!

Great Stampin News!

I just became a Stampin Up demonstrator! I am really excited about this and cant wait to get my kit so I can begin having workshops!

I went ahead and got one of the Stampin Up websites so anyone can order from the internet at any time. You dont have to book a show to order and the great news is that you will still earn hostess rewards from shopping online! You just cant beat that deal!

More exciting news to come in a few days...

What is wrong with me?

I cant seem to remember I have this blog and that I should be updating it weekly if not daily! Its a good way to retain information! Especially with my brain that doesnt like to retain any information...sheesh

Well I hope to spend the next several weeks updating my blog, showcasing my newest layouts/cards and just get this blog to moving. So iffn I dont post for a week or more someone come lash me with a wet noodle ok!

Today Makayla and I went to the zoo with Shelley and Jennifer from our homeschooling group. We had a great time although it was pretty hot! I of course loved the bears and big cats but Makayla of course loved the HORSES (is there any other animal to her?) and the cows. She had fun watching the chimpanzee's playing outside.

The funniest part of the day was when I took her to the bathroom right after our picnic lunch. I took her and an put her on the potty and she sat there for a minute and nothing happened. I asked her if she was going and she said no... she was trying. Then all of a suddon and quite out of no where she says... "heaven to Betsy... I dont have any tinkles!" Now I ask you can you imagine a three year old stating this? I nearly fell over I was laughing so hard. It was a great day and fun was had by all!

Im Vowing to get better at this...

As I have said many times in the past I am a horrible blogger. I am vowing to get better... hopfully soon but just in case... dont hold your breath ok!

Today was a great day. I am the full time sub at our church during the summer SonCamp which is a lot of fun! Its hard work being on my feet all day chasing after 10 kids but its also fun and rewarding!

The Scrap Shanty is doing well and is as active as ever. We are having great fun with challenges and games! I cant believe how many new members we have gotten lately and love seeing all of them! If you are a scrapbooker please stop by and join in the fun with us!

I did manage to get a layout done last week for a challenge on the Shanty! So thats about it for me today... maybe more to come later? We shall see!

WOW! Ive waited wayyyyy too long...hehe

So I knew when I got this blog I would be a bad blogger... what can I say? At the Shanty we were challenged to update our blog. Here is my feeble attempt at doing just that!

Yesterday was a glorious day here in Texas. After spending literally two months couped up in the house becuase of illness... we decided to head to Sunset and visit Roberts family land. We always have so much fun getting back to nature. While there we saw a mama deer, about 20 or so hogs, butterflies, birds, squirrels and the biggest lizzard I do believe I have ever seen in my life!

We had a wonderful picnic, took walks and Makayla even planted some wildflower seeds with her Nana! The Iris are starting to bloom as are the hyacinths. The daffodils had already bloomed and were finished for the year. Spring is definately in the air there!

Here at home the bluebonnets are starting to make their appearance... a little late this year. I know we wont be so lucky as to have them as thick as last year but I am hoping to get some good pictures of Makayla in them! I would like to get Devin in them too but he seems to be AWOL most of the time.

Devin has wheels thanks to a collaboration of his Mom, Grandma and Papa! I am simply scrared to death to let him have those kinds of freedoms but I guess I do have to let go at some point or another right? He is enjoying his freetime and I am enjoying an argument free existence... well at least for the time he is away!

Well I think thats all for this update! Maybe sometime in the next six months I will update again! hehe

Some Exciting news!

As everyone knows I am a member of the design team at the Chalet. However, Laura, the owner has decided to do away with the Chalet. I am so honored to have been on the design team there and thank her and all of my team mates for a short but fun time!

The exciting news??? SHE IS GIVING ME THE CHALET! woohoo! So I have teamed up with my good friend Carrie from Oregon and her good friend Kim from Washington and are designing a fun place to scrap called the Scrap Shanty! We are putting on our boots and getting back to some good ole down home scrapping again!

So be sure to stop by and say hi to us at www.scrapshanty.com!

Fun Happenings at the Chalet

Be sure to come by daily as there is something new for you EVERY SINGLE DAY this month!

I started the Scrap Scurry game on Wednesday and it lasts until next Wednesday. Rack up your points, get some layouts done and win some prizes. Whats more fun than that?

There is a chat tonight and challenges listed almost daily!

I posted an original sketch that I designed and challenged everyone to use it. Im so impressed with what I have received so far! Keep them coming girls!

ALSO new, new, new SKETCHES for you every month on the first! The design team worked really hard to create sketches just for the Chalet members so be sure to stop by, check them out and print them off. We would LOVE to see your creations using our sketches!

Its here! The August Kit from the Chalet

Jump on over and snatch it up! You will love it especially if you have a girl! This months kit is French Twist from Autumn Leaves! You WONT be disapointed!

Here is one of my layouts I created with the kit! Be sure to stop by and grab one for yourself! Also be sure to stop by the gallery , there is a ton of inspiration from the other design team members too!

Port Aransas

We had the best time visiting Port Aransas in the summer. Usually we make that eight hour drive over the Thanksgiving break but this year we decided to try soemthing different!

Our first day there was filled with fun. Makayla was NOT afraid of the water in the least! She jumped right in and started having fun! She laid down and let the waves rush over her and had a blast playing in the sand.

The second day was spent shopping, flying kites, feeding sea gulls and playing on the beach some more. It rained off and on the entire week but that didnt stop us from having fun.

The 4th of July was POURING down rain and we werent able to take the boat ride to watch the fireworks like we wanted. We were bummed but still made the best of it. We crossed the ferry and parked in the ride share parking lot and had the best view of the fireworks! We couldnt have asked for a better time! We decided that the fireworks were just about over so we headed to the ferry. It was great luck that we happened to be the first on the ferry and got to watch the rest of the fireworks from it. Right as the ferry took off we were in the middle of the bay when the grand finally went off. It was really impressive.

Probably the best night we had there was the night we decided to take the dolphin tour! We went out on a boat for two hours and watched for dolphin and they didnt disapoint. They were right on the side of the boat spitting water up at us and looking for handouts. The highlight of the trip was the "petting zoo" they had set up in the center of the boat. T Joe the deckhand had all kinds of fun ocean critters for the kids to play with. He had puffer fish, sea stars, sea slime, hermit crabs, little fish of some sort, a live sand dollar and Makaylas favorite the seahorse. She had a ball playing with all of the animals and didnt want to leave. Its all she talked about for the rest of the trip.

The rest of the trip was so much fun! All day long on the beach soaking in the sun and watching Makayla have the time of her life. ahhhhhhhhhhh I wish we never had to leave!

Im on a DESIGN TEAM! woohooo!

I made it! I tried out for the design team at the Scrapbook Chalet and I MADE IT! HAPPY DAY!!!

I am joined by some very talented people! Charlee who has been my friend for many many yeard, Tammy Gray who is right now the guest design team member for Creative Imaginations, Jozzie, Dawn who makes some amazing digital kits, Suzanne and Becky T who is an amazing and well published designer!

I couldnt be more honored to be on this team! Be sure to come visit me there and be inspired by our work!

Guest DT for ScrapAddict.com

I was so excited to get the news in April that I was chosen to be the guest design team member for ScrapAddict.com. I have been a member there for many years so it was a true honor!

I received my Hog Wild kit and immediately went to town with it! I had so much fun creating two layouts of Misty's kids! Its an honor to be a part of an amazing team!

Let me know what you think of them and be sure to stop by http://www.scrapaddict.com/ to see the rest of the amazing design team!

I knew I was going to be bad at this!

Please forgive me for not updating this thing. I am going to spend the rest of the night posting several blog entries to catch everyone up on the last couple months! YIKES!

Be prepared for some news, vacation photos and layouts! I have a TON of catching up to do!

Check this out:

Join Creative Imaginations and their Artists for a once in a lifetime opportunity as a Guest Designer for the month of August 2007.

This weekend, Scrapbook Chalet will be hosting contests and chats in conjunction with Creative Imaginations.

Register on both websites; Creative Imaginations {www.creativeimaginations.us} and {www.Scrapbookchalet.com}.

Specific details regarding this contest will be announced during the chats at Scrapbook Chalet this weekend. Please join Marah Johnson { May 4th , 10pm est, } and Cheryl Mezzetti, DT Coordinator {May 5th, 10pm est } for more information.Upload your designs following the challenges presented sometime before Sunday, May 13th to both Creative Imaginations and Scrapbook Chalet {you must upload to both sites to enter} There will be specific folders represented on each website.All challenges must include at least 80% Creative Imaginations product.

With thousands of products to choose from, let your creative imaginations run wild.

The winner will receive:

1. $100.00 retail value in product of their choice from Creative Imaginations {product is subject to availability.}

2. Guest designer will have their work as well as a small bio and photo featured on the CI website.

3. All work uploaded will remain the property of CI for possible use in their newsletter or promotional material.Winner will be announced on Monday, May 14th.Good luck!

Sneak Peek of My Chalet Contest Entry

Ive mentioned before that I am involved with a contest at the Chalet. Each week we are given a challege that we have to complete and then the members of the board vote to see which layout they like best. WELL I have surprisingly made it to round FOUR! YAY

Last weeks challenge was hard... H-A-R-D... hard! It was a scraplift of one of the DT members there Jeanne. Super cute layout but I struggled with it all week. FINALLY, literally twenty minutes before it came due I had it finished and uploaded. shew! You can see it in the Chalet Gallery.

This weeks challenge was SOOOOOOO easy! It was a challenge to create a layout based on a super cute ad!

I took one look at that ad and knew this was going to be easy. The colors struck me, the layout struck me and it was all mapped out. I finished it in record time! NOW the hard part. I HATE being the first one to upload to the gallery so I am holding off for a bit. I CANNOT get a good picture of it to save my life! soooooooooo I am going to show you a sneaky peek of my latest layout. Please leave comments and let me know what you think!

It will be uploaded in the Chalet Gallery sometime on Friday or Saturday!

Devins Artwork

WOW WOW WOW was all I could say when Devin came home with his most recent art project.

I dont dote on him nearly enough so I HAD to share this with everyone! He literally had to scratch the surface of this paper off just enough to create the skull you see! ISNT IT AMAZING?

I am sooooo proud of my kiddo! One day soon I will have to take a picture of the clay figure he made me. Its AMAZING! Its a tree stump with a fish swimming into the middle of it. Really great work! He made Papa an outhouse...LOL Its so cute!

I really am going to get better at updating this sill blog of mine so be sure to check back often! AND LEAVE some COMMENTS! I like to know what you think!

Amazing Photographer!

WOW I have one heck of a photographer! Just look at what she was able to do with Makayla at our most recent sitting. It was sooooo much fun playing with the little chicks and ducks. I swear in the one picture it looks like she is the "chick whisperer"! Thats what the title of that layout will be anyway!

Feast your eyes on these! I am sooooooooooo thrilled with them!

Its a contest entry!

So the Scrapbook Chalet is hosting a contest that I decided to join. I actually made it through the first round! YAY!



The challenge for the second round was to create a layout using a Becky Fleck sketch that they provided. It was out of the box for me because it was round! I did it and am actually pretty happy with the results!

Texas Bluebonnets

I have sooooo much to update here and need to get it done soon. I promise I will soon. I am creating a new banner for my blog as well as getting a ton of new layouts ready to share. I promise one day I will be better at updating this thing!

Sooooooo Michelle and Maddie came in for a visit this week and the first thing we did was try to take the girls out to get their pictures in the bluebonnets. OH WHAT a FIASCO that was. First of all, you CANNOT contain TWO 2 year olds. Its just not a thing thats going to happen easily. Especially when the first thing they do is run to the nearest cactus and sit in it (poor mads)!

BUT we did manage to get this ONE shot of the two of them together. This is it guys so be happy you have this to look at!

I think it turned out ok but holy man... not going to try that again anytime soon! I do have other super cute photos of Makayla in the bluebonnets all alone (Maddie had to leave to get the cactus plucked from her rear) so I will get them edited and up on the blog soon! I PROMISE!

Sorry, I know its been forever!

Im so bad about keeping up with writing. I actually hate to write and think I am horrid at it.

I havent been up to much lately. Right now I am working on an ABC album for Makayla. I think it will be easier to learn the ABC's if she can associate things in her life to the letter. So I am taking pictures of things that she has and likes and am putting them on a scrapbook page for her. It will be her own personal ABC book... I think she will like it. So far I am thru "R" and will probably finish the pages tonight and will have to get the photos added along with blinging up the pages. I am using all the new Daisy D papers!

I had the best thing happen to me yesterday. A lady made my day! She looked like a total grouch when pulling up to the window of McDonalds. I placed my order and then she handed me my receipt and said "have a nice day and a better tomorrow" that totally made my day! I wish everyone would be so kind in this world!

So thats my update for today... this month and maybe next *giggle*

Caring People- Tracey's Auction

I joined STM a month ago yesterday. I really didnt know anyone there but my friend Charlee from the jungle told me about the place so I thought I would check it out. I instantly fell in love with the members there. They are so sweet and sincere that I couldnt help but to fall in love with the place.

Shortly after I joined another girl joined named Tracey. Her layouts immediately impressed me. She is increadibly talented. The kind of talent you wish you were born with, taletned. Shortly after joining she told us of a problem her daughter had medically and was seeking prayers. It was so sad hearing what this poor child had endured already in life and only now to require more surgery. I felt so sorry for her and wanted to do something for her but couldn't think of anything.

A few nights later Charlee and I were yacking on yahoo! and I had mentioned an altered canvas I made for an auction on another site for a scrapper that had lost everything in a fire. That immediately prompted Charlee to ask Lynette if we could host an auction on the STM site. Because of legalaites she couldnt but Deborrah stepped right up to the plate and offered her blog to host!

HOW awesome is this! Deborrah is taking sign-ups on her blog. She sends me the information and I am coordinating all the projects, photos and communications. Then I send the information back to Deborrah who is going to set up everything on Ebay for auction. Charlee is going to coordinate all the shipping of items. What an increadible world we live in to have all these people, strangers, work together in order to help a fellow human in need. I am so impressed! Its not every day that you can get so many people to help a fellow stranger.

Sooooooo, I have created my project for the auction. I am loving how it turned out and realy hate to part with it. Why is it that I do that all the time. I will probably end up bidding on the dog-gone thing because I like it *giggle*! I hope all of the items sell and that we raise a ton of money for Tracey and her family in their time of need!