"Happy Holidays" ...in August?

Mike is gone for his two weeks with the Navy. He authorized a purchase of a new cartridge. I typically watch lots of YouTube videos to see if it's something I can get a use out of. I've been keeping my eye on the Winter Frolic cart.

 When I got it, I was excited to use the Nativity scene characters to build a Christmas page for my very secret scrapbook project for a friend.

The paper and ribbon was some random things from my stash. One of my sheep is missing a leg..shhh don't tell. My Cricut didn't cut that small piece very well.

Joseph, Mary, Baby Jesus and the 2 wisemen were cut at 3.5" (next time I'll cut Mary a bit smaller). I used by Gypsey and the hide contour feature a lot since many of the layers were grouped together. Otherwise you could repeat the cut in the different colors you need.

July 4th Scrapbook Layout

Mike has been away all day today, so I've started and completed 2 crafty projects. One of those projects was a 4th of July, double page, scrapbook layout. This will be just one layout out of a year's worth of pre-made layouts for a friend. Shhh, don't tell--she doesn't know yet.

I used 3 different Cricut cartridges for this layout: Gypsy Wanderings, Everyday Paper Dolls and Stand and Salute.

Since I've been watching so many YouTube videos and reading lots of crafty blogs, I've been 'scraplifting' most of my creations lately. I think I've wonder if I've hindered my own creativity at times. Well, this layout is inspired by a video of a one page layout.

The Military man was cut at 4 inches.
"4th of July" cut at 4 inches.
The scalloped circles were cut at 5, 5.15 & 4.75 inches.

I also had Duke helping me take photos. I've got to work on his mohawk!

What does your crafting desk look like?!

Since I got my Cricut last Christmas I've started watching a few blogs. One of my favorites is Creations with Christina. She always has tons of ideas and great videos. I check on her almost every day on my breaks at the Library.

Yesterday she put a challenge on her blog to take a picture of your craft desk without cleaning up. I've been promising a few people that I'd also post some pictures of my new desk. My husband and I worked hours building it from scratch. I've been trying to figure out some storage solutions that work best, so organization is a work in progress.

So! Here it is. It's larger in person than the picture. The top is about waist high. I recently finished a scrapbook layout for a friend (shhh, it's a suprise) so it's fairly clean. You can see my scraps and trash.

My husband is in the Navy, so we have military flags and posters in the room. I added the Rosie the Riveter poster to represent the ladies!

And Since Then...

So, many things have obviously happened since our last post. Largely, that we were married.

• I got a puppy for my birthday in July. He's a male black and tan cocker spaniel that we named Duke after the famous John Wayne. It's not the best picture, it's difficult to take a picture of an all black puppy that won't sit still.
• We moved apartments in August. Our new place is twice the size and we love it! 
• We also learned that my sister, Angela, was expecting her second kid in March. This one's a boy. He'll make nephew number 4.
• The school semester started and we were very busy with that. I got a promotion of sorts at my job and was given more hours. I now work 30hr/wk and get benefits.
• Mike's mom is a VA nurse and often works holidays, so we had an early Thanksgiving dinner with his side of the family and then spent Thanksgiving day with my family.
• Christmas was next and it was split much like Thanksgiving between the two families.

All this brings me to our current doings. Mike got me a Cricut machine and Gypsy for Christmas. My mom already had one and I'd seen her use it a time or two. We found many ideas on YouTube and I began watching them like crazy and using my machine to copy their designs. Then I found a whole world of bloggers and challenges and blog hops. It's very exciting and has been occupying lots of time. All of this even inspired me to ask Mike to make me a custom crafting desk. I'll try and post pictures as it's finished.

I participated in my first crafting Blog Hop today, so we'll see what comes of it. I don't completely understand quite yet, but I'm amazed at the world I've discovered.

We're Going to the Chapel and We're Going to get Married...

Ceremony Information:

Mike an Melissa are getting married at the Beechwood Hills campground in Hopkins, MI. We've worked at the campground during camp season the last 2 years, as counsolers and also as directors. The camp is sponsered and cared for by area Churches of Christ.
 The ceremony will take place in the Chapel at 2pm on May 29th, 2010. It will be led by Mike James the minister from Portage Church of Christ.

Driving Directions:

To arrive at Beechwood Hills from Kalamazoo:
Take US-131 North until Exit # 64 for 135th St.
Go West (left) on 135th St for about 5 miles.
Next, turn South (left) onto 22nd St.
Then turn right into the campground's drive.
 3144 22nd Street Hopkins, MI 49328

Reception Information:

The Reception will also take place on the campground. We will have a tent to house the outdoor
reception. It will follow immediately after the ceremony. A dessert reception is planned, so eat accordingly. We are also planning on having some ole' fashioned lawn games such as Bocce Ball, Croquet and maybe a frisbee or two. Bring good shoes!

Wedding Party:

The wedding party is comprised of many family and friends that are important to us. These individuals are truely our best friends and we appreciate them standing with us on our wedding day.


Melissa's attendants:
•Angela T., Matron of Honor
Angela is Melissa's older sister. She is the perfect one to be standing by me on my wedding day!
•Alexa W., Bridesmaid
Alexa and Melissa have been friends since highschool. She's always been there for me!
•Kate S., Bridesmaid
Kate has been a very good friend for many years. We met through our church. I miss having her in Kalamazoo!
•Allyson T., Flower Girl
Allyson is Melissa's neice. She'll just be 2 1/2 years old, so we're hoping for the best.

Michael's attendants:
•Tyler K., Best Man
Tyler and Mike have been friends since the Second grade.
•Justin W., Groomsman
Justin and Mike grew up together since Elementary. They participated in Boy Scouts together.
•Waigan L., Groomsman
Waigan has been a good friend since Elementary School. He and Mike love talking about cars.
•Brandon W., Ring Bearer
Brandon is Mike's nephew. He'll be the oldest and in charge of the younger ones.
•Noah G., Ring Bearer
Noah is also Mike's nephew. He'll just have turned 2, again we're hoping for the best.


Registry Information:

Although the giving of gifts is not necessary, we've set up two registries for your convienance. We're currently registered at Bed, Bath & Beyond as well as Target.

If necessary, shipping information is:
862 N 30th St
Galesburg, MI 49053

Travel Accomodations:

If you are traveling and looking for somwhere to stay, here are some helpful links to the surrounding area.

Holiday Inn- 3630 East Cork Street, Kalamazoo, MI‎ - (269) 373-0770‎

Quality Inn- 3820 Sprinkle Rd., Kalamazoo, MI‎ - (269) 381-7000‎

Best Western Inn- 3640 E Cork St, Kalamazoo, MI‎ - (269) 381-1900‎ 

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

On October 3rd, Mike and I had engagement photos taken. We had a great time despite the battle with off and on rain. Our photographer was great! She was willing to go out into the weather with us.

The pictures were taken by Closer to the Heart Photography by Christina Heyboer. http://www.grhfamily.blogspot.com/

Dress Shopping

I got my dress! I'm really getting excited now that I have made a decision on a huge element to the wedding. My Mother, future Mother-In-Law, Sister and good friend went to a David's Bridal in Grand Rapids to look at wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses. This was our second trip. The first was to the store in Kalamazoo.

At the Kalamazoo store, I showed the consultant my top three dresses from the catalog. She said that one of the choices wouldn't bee good for an outdoor wedding. I tried on others, and narrowed my choices to 2 that I liked best. Last Saturday when we went I tried on both of those dresses and they didn't feel the same and I didn't like them the same as I did before. Then I asked the new consultant to try on the dress I didn't at the other store. That's the one! When I put that dress on, I didn't want to take it off and didn't feel the need to try on any more. It was super comfortable too. I wore it for about 30 minutes while Angela and Alexa tried on various bridesmaid dresses.

We had lots of fun! We spent almost 3 hours at the store.