Happy Birthday Mr. Washington

Sorry for the 2 week break bloggers...it's been, well...eventful.

As most of my friends now know my Grandmother passed away Wednesday February 9th @ 12:47 PM EST. My Mother was already in Buffalo attending to her as she had been in the hospital for about a month.

There was a mad scramble to get everything taken care of and lay her to rest the following Saturday Feb 12. I can only imagine the things they had to go through in New York to make it happen!! Here on the home front we rushed to scan 250 photos and find music appropriate for her memorial DVD. Once I had them all scanned and emailed David worked through the night to make sure it was perfect. Then we struggled to get Dad on a plane bright and early Thursday Morning along with the DVD. Thursday my Mom decided she wanted all of us here. It took some fancy talking but I got me and my two brothers on a Delta flight Thursday Night/Friday Morning.

I got to sit next to what I can only describe as a Ray Charles impersonator on the flight to Atlanta. Got no sleep, and was in rare form when we got off the plane Friday Morning. The flight to Buffalo was much better. We each had our own row and I was able to sleep for about an hour. Sleep glorious sleep.

Once we arrived in Buffalo it was non stop. We only had about an hour to get ready for the wake. Needless to say I needed a shower and a nap but settled for a quick shower and blowdry instead.

The funeral home did an excellent job, if you ever need Mortuary services in the Hamburg/Lackawanna area let me know and I'll get you the name and number. My Grandmother looked beautiful in a classy grey and pink coffin with roses on it. The flowers were perfect, and I couldn't be happier with the standing heart wreath I had delivered as well.

It was...difficult. I had a hard enough time dealing with my own sorrow but the pain I could see on my Mother and Aunt was something I was completely unprepared for. Even now, I'm finding myself taking deep cleansing breaths...in through the nose...out through the mouth.

Saturday Morning we I was up bright and early to prepare for the funeral. It was snowing heavily and we drove our Grandma's car to her Funeral. Everything was perfect. The hearse matched the coffin perfectly and the church was beautiful beyond compare. The services were held at Our Lady of Victory National Shrine & Basilica

The photos online do not do it justice. It was the most breathtaking church I have ever seen. I was wishing I had my camera with me to take photos. In fact, most of the weekend I was wishing that. While it is a sad affair I wanted photos to remember it. Sort of the final chapter in the scrapbook of life I suppose. I did take a few with my Mom's iPhone, so I'll see how those turned out.

My only regret from the whole weekend is that my Grandmothers Husband, Cass, was unable to attend. His Nephew and health advocate made some very poor decisions and despite the recommendations from his Doctors and Nurses he did not allow him the opportunity to visit his wife in the hospital to say his final goodbyes nor attend the funeral for closure. Obviously I have very strong opinions on this matter and all I can say is that karma has a way of making all things equal. We have attorneys fighting to take care of Cass and I hope that he is able to regain his dignity and way of life for what time he has left. He is a strong stubborn man and I hope he can hold out long enough to see that justice prevails.

It was a short trip, and I was so happy to see my cousins, Aunts, Uncles and extended family that I had not seen in many many years. I just wish we could have done it a few months ago. It would have been wonderful to spend the time with my Grandma while she was still here. I have many memories of her and I won't forget them.

The flight back was long.... 5 1/2 hours to Vegas where most of us were bumped from our Flight to Ontario. We decided we did not want to spend the night and wait for a flight in the morning so we rented a car and drove home. I drove the whole way and actually beat David home who did make the flight!

The next week was crazy...we moved our offices and I was sooooo very sick the whole week. I had to come to work to move and get things ready for the business. I spent all weekend in bed and am starting to feel better finally. Back up to about 80% today...thank god!

The offices are coming along nicely and the guys are moving the shop today. We have until Monday to leave the old place so it's still a mad rush but things are moving along nicely. Not to mention I can almost function normally now too! Yay!

This weekend we are celebrating Danny's Birthday which just so happens to fall on my Grandmothers Birthday as well. I plan on having a cake in her honor as well as watching the Memorial DVD with the rest of the family who was unable to attend the services in Buffalo. It will be good closure for all of us. Hopefully my Mom will be back home by then too!! She's hoping to fly out Thursday Morning.

I'm looking forward to some normalcy...late nights at the baseball field (Did I mention I am managing Wil's Junior BB team this year? lol) Need to get some scrapping done and work some magic for the tryout for Glue Arts Design Team too!

Have a great rest of the week and let's hope I'm back tomorrow sharing some work!

More Echo Park Be Mine Love...

Ok, last baby girl layout for awhile...

Also used Echo Park Be Mine and Prima on this layout. What can I say, when you're on a roll sometimes you gotta just keep going!!

I'm attempting to post something different tomorrow. But until then, let the oooh's and awwww's commence.



Isn't she just the cutest thing you've ever seen?!

Wishing you a creative Tuesday!! Scrap something today.

Bringing back the 2 page layout!

Well, I'm gonna try at least!!

Based on a sketch from the new Page Maps 2 Book is this fun layout of a friends new baby.

I love love love the pictures and had so much fun working with something baby and girly for a change!! I used the Echo Park Be Mine Collection along with some Prima Flowers and crystals.



I hope you have a great Monday!! Beat away those I miss the weekend blues!

Do you know what today is?

It's FRIDAY! "'cause it's Fridayyyyy" (I love that movie lol)

I'm planning on a busy weekend, hopefully with some time for Scrapping and I want to get in a trip to see my Niece and Nephew since I missed her bday last weekend for CHA.

And really, how can you not want to see this smiley face?! He makes me want to have a baby and start all over again lol




I've got a great wreath for you today inspired by Chez.

I had a ton of this paper made by Glitz and it sat around for a year waiting for the right project to come along. What better way to use it than for a sweet Valentine's Day wreath?! I love coming home everyday and seeing it on my front porch. (Please excuse the dirty screen door in the shot, I was in a hurry and we never use the front door! lol)


Some detail shots...






Make sure you stop by Paper Issues and check out all the sweet Valentine themed cards, layouts and projects that have been linked up. You can also enter your own project for your chance to win some sweet SEI goodies!

Have a safe and fun weekend!!

Happy Groundhogs Day!

Yes, It's been too long. I know this!

I have been on hiatus from Scrapbooking. Sometimes you just need to take a step away so that you can gain a new perspective. Yep, I'm feeling better now.

My sweet, wonderful friends Jamie Dougherty and Chez aka Jenny Chesnick talked me into meeting them at CHA. I had a great time seeing them and working the booth doing make and takes for Julia over at Glue Arts. Most importantly it gave me the itch to start creating again.

With a little nudge from my biz Mandy Starner I whipped up a layout last night based on a Page Maps sketch. Our layouts turned out completely different, which is what I love about this hobby. Different people are inspired by different things to create fabulous works of art.

Here is a quick iPhone photo of the layout I created last night.....The crackle paint is still drying in this photo but hopefully I'll get a better one to share tonight!



I hope you are having a great Wednesday, the week is flying by here!!

PS...Caroyln..you're up!! I blogged, it's your turn lady!