Alter This

Chance meeting?

I have always believed that things happen for a reason.  This past weekend was one of those "surprises"  that keep you thinking and smiling all weekend. On Saturday, I ran into someone that I have not seen in several years. I have thought about her and her family alot and always hoped someday to see her again.  As I was leaving my local scrapbook store, she was coming in and I couldn't help but give her a hug.  She is someone who always makes me smile, who's laugh is infectious and who's friendship I enjoyed.   Here's hoping we have many more chance meetings cause this girl has missed that girls smile.  

 QOTD:   "A hug is worth a thousand words. A friend is worth more."

 

Weekend Fun!

We had a terrific weekend despite the weather here in New England.  I believe it has rained here all but 3 days in the last 2-1/2 weeks.  Unfortunately it looks like we are not going to see sunshine until later in the week, rumors swirling sometime Thursday.
We did however have some sun on Saturday and the boys came for a short visit sporting their "Red Sox" onesies.  I had to get a few photos in of course!

 

 

Finally a couple of good photos of Braeden!

 

This one of Brody cracks me up...love the two little teeth. 

 

Brody always hamming it up for my camera! :o)

 

They both are more interested in my dog, Sari.  Whenever the boys visit, Sari {a lab} gets her own stuffed toys and drops them near the boys. {too funny}

On Sunday, Braeden stood up and let go keeping his balance for several minutes.  He entertained us with his new found freedom several times getting more and more daring each time.  Even trying to take a step to move to the couch.  Walking seems only a month or so away...rut ro.

At nine months:

Braeden weighs   18.6 lbs height 27.5"

Brody weighs    17.4 lbs height 27.5"

Off to work on some projects for CHA Summer! I do have something fun to share, will post later today if i get the go ahead! :o)

Have a blessed day!

Father's Day Photoshoot!

A few weeks ago I set up an impromptu photo shoot for a gift for my son, Anthony.  I decided to dress up the twins {because they don't object at this age} in his work attire. I framed a few of these and I plan to give it to him this Sunday.  {Note to self:  think of this earlier in the day and not at dusk} 

That Braeden look cracks me up!

Braeden is not impressed

 

Just a few things before I sign off.  A huge thank you to my friend, Shelley Bastaw for using her photography skills for a personal photoshoot. You are funny, generous and super talented and I am so thankful for your time and talents!

And I am teaching the "Wisteria" book at Right At Home on Sunday, June 28.  This is a technique based class with lots of different products inside.  Note:  wear some old clothes! :o)

And finally, I have started adding some of the class dates along my sidebar.  I have additional dates to add once they are firmed up.  Thank you so much for your emails and your requests. 

Have a blessed Father's day weekend!

A oldy but good Quote of the Day! "A friend is one who walks in when others walk out" ~ Walter Winchell

Thursday's ramblings.......

Still feverishly working on this lil O' blog of mine!  My friend and design team member, Jen Davis created another beautiful banner, she used an altered project that I had created several years ago!  Speaking of this blog, does anyone know how to organize my teaching schedule by date?  I still have dates to enter but I am a tad frustrated that I cannot list my teaching classes in an organized manner.  arrgh! 

While updating the blog, I realized that I have not written down recent milestones for both boys since they were 7 months old.  So here is a list of what each of them has accomplished. 

Braeden

•  Was the first twin to have a tooth, he now has two teeth on the bottom.  He likes to stick his tongue out to feel the teeth.  {see photo}
• Braeden crawls all over the place and even sits on his knees and sometimes I notice his little foot on the floor trying to stand up. Yikes!
• Braeden likes to follow you around the house - he is quick and is always scanning for something to get into  - like my receiver, dvd player, the dog, the dog's toys, you see where this is going......
• Braeden is much more mobile but less chatty. 
• Braeden capitalizes on Brody not crawling by taking his toys and crawling away. 
• Braeden has decided that he doesn't like my camera and I find it is difficult to get a good shot of him.

Brody

• Has two teeth but they both came in after Braeden.  Now I have some trouble telling them apart, Braeden still has his hair slightly longer and that helps
• Brody just started crawling a month after his brother.  He was perfectly happy to sit and laugh at his brother crawling all over the place. 
• Brody is getting good at protecting his toys and even becoming a bit more forthright in taking them from Braeden {see photo}
• Brody is a bit chatter - says dada now
• I have been teaching both boys to wave "bye-bye" now when Brody sees me he immediately waves at me.  {I love that}
• Brody loves the camera, only lately he has been squinting his eyes when i take out my camera...

A few favorites of both boys from a few weeks ago. 

  

Braeden and Brody playing nice....sort of

 

Brody liking Braeden's toy better

Brody being much more forthright in getting the toy from Braeden. Braeden looking very unimpressed.

 

Braeden and his silly tongue hanging out. :)

 

Brody hamming it up for the camera.

I recently starting scrapbooking the babies, here is a few shots of the first album of course, it is still in the works. Lots of techniques going on in this little book.

 

 

QOTD:  "There are people who make things happen, there are people who watch things happen, and there are people who wonder what happened. To be successful, you need to be a person who makes things happen." ~Jim Lovell

Superseal!

If you have ever taken one of my classes you have definately heard me praise Creative Imaginations new product called Superseal.   Anyone who is familar with my work or has visited my home, quickly notices my obsession of altering my surroundings; curtains created out of paper,  home decor pieces and even floors covered with old magazines.

Supporting a product generally evolves from a personal experience I have had with it. When I first received this product i was skeptical, as I had tried several different products to seal my altered books and decor items, each one did not meet the promise.   

It was not until I taught two years ago that I was convinced of this products capabilities.  I live in New England and on the day i was suppose to teach we received nearly 9 inches of snow overnight.  When i arrived home late that evening from a long day, I grabbed just a few things from the car, my roller cart and a shallow box that contained both projects. I placed the box on top of my roller and wheeled it over the snow and into my home.  It was not until the next morning that my husband discovered my project in the snow. It remained in pristine condition despite the night spent in the frigid and wet elements.   

Fast forward to this past March, I taught at a retailer event along with several other manufacturers.  Over the weekend I was given a beautiful necklace made byTim Holtz using his fabulous line of products, grungeboard, alcohol inks, metal findings.  I added some of our Eye Candy Swarovski Crystals and sealed the entire piece with Superseal {the product does not harm even the beautiful radiance of Swarovski crystals}   A few weeks later I jumped in the shower and you guessed it, left the necklace on.  I quickly took it off and dried it and i am happy to report it remains just as gorgeous as the day i received it!  So not only does it protect your projects from elements such as dirt, dust and fading but also clearly waterproofs your projects as well.

 

Ranger necklace - isn't it gorgeous!

 

Marah Johnson Love Struck Metal Embellishment {I used glitter for heart center and sealed it}

I even brought out this older home decor project and supersealed the project so that I can incorporate this piece back into my home.  I can wipe it down if it gets dusty and don't worry that it will fade.

 

Other uses for Superseal!

• Works perfectly with Copic Markers and Ranger Products
• Seals glitter, tattered angels and perfect pearls.
• Seals in chalk and prevents it from flaking and smudging
• Use for all your photos - it will prevent them from fading or even being damaged by moisture, fingerprints and dust
• Works perfectly with our Foils and Sticky 2 ~ does not "dull" foils or glitter.
• Superseal maintains the surface and integrity of each project. 

 

I would love to hear your thoughts and your experience with CI Superseal!

Blessings!

A new look!

I have wanted a new blog banner for quite some time, I am working on one in photoshop so this process of changing is not so few and far between.  My friend and design team extraordinaire, Jen Davis designed this banner!  A huge thank you for your hard work. :)

In the meantime, while I change around some things and work on my blog, here are a few photos of my upcoming classes this weekend at Wiggles & Giggles.    And of course, a few of my two favorite subjects, Braeden and Brody!

 

The Perfect Escape! 

 

 

Vintage Wisteria!

 

The boys were baptized on Mother's Day {reason for the funny hats}

 

My boys....{left to right: Jon, Samuele, husband stephen, Anthony and Mike and of course Braeden and Brody}

 

My oldest son,Michael with both boys.  {Love this photo}

 

Braeden playing "hooray"...silly song I sing to them. :)

 

They are watching my dog, sari, she has no clue that she is going to be the victim of these two very soon.

 

Not the best photo, but I snicker watching Braeden grab Brody's ear. 

 

Braeden, when he is tired he sucks his thumb.

 

Alright off to work on my blog and change up some of the photo albums, add new kits and add some teaching events i will be attending!  Stay Tuned!

QOTD:  "It is simple.  We are where we should be, doing what we should be doing.  Otherwise, we would be somewhere else, doing something else." ~ Richard Stine

I am here....

But I and headed to Right at Home Scrapbooking to teach two classes and some demos! Why not come by and say hello?   In between the two classes, I will be demoing our white chipboard, alcohol inks, foils, shimmerz {love this stuff}.  I will update my teaching schedule and post some photos tomorrow.

{You} altered book......narratives bloom collection

 

{The perfect escape} brag book ......south seas and tidepools collection

and some updated photos on the twins! {more on these two tomorrow}

 

 

The cutest little mickey evah!

Have a blessed day

QOTD:  "The difference between winning and losing is most often....not quitting." ~ Walt Disney

St Louis!

So much going on here in the Mezzetti home this month!  The boys will be 8 months old in two weeks, hard to believe that much time has passed already.  They both are doing new things nearly every day.  Braeden is getting up and starting to crawl a bit, backwards and lurching forward but he is determined.  Brody is still a bit more laid back about the process of crawling.  They both sit up pretty much by themselves, they are eating just about anything you give them.   They entertain us with their funny expressions, endless hours of raspberry, talking {and sometimes yelling}, and rolling back to front.  Secretly I am not in a hurry to see them walking or crawling. 

A few photos of the boys from Easter.

 

 

They both see something in my yard

 

Braeden trying to get Brody to check out what he sees. :)

Stefanie is graduating from Providence college next month.  She is an exceptional mom to both boys and we are very proud of her and all she has accomplished. 

Lots to update for upcoming classes!  First I wanted to thank everyone who came by to say hello last weekend at Right At Home Scrapbooking.  Idid have quite a few ask about my next class at Right at Home and I will be teaching two classes on Saturday, May 30.  I will be posting both classes on monday!

This past week I have been busy with some last minute items for Scrap St Louis!  Tomorrow I head to St Louis! So excited to be a part of this event! 

Next weekend is National Scrapbook Weekend and I will be spending the day on Saturday with Julie and Angela at Sturbridge Scrapping Corner.  I am teaching two altered book classes; Things I love featuring Narratives and "The Perfect Escape" using the brand new Christine Adolph South Seas Collection.

And how about joining me on a Cropping Cruise to Bermuda this October!  One lucky winner and a friend will sail with us to Bermuda.  Submit your favorite travel themed layout by July 1st!  Winner will be announced on July 15th!    Croptopia Getaways and Scrapbooking and Beyond Magazine are teaming up together to bring you this contest!  For more information or to submit your layout visit here.

Alright off to finished packing and watch American Idol - love Adam Lambert.....

QOTD: "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more.  If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."~ Oprah Winfrey

Welcome April!

I do not think the warm, sunny weather can get here any faster! Antipation of Spring and Summer have been whirling in my head; long days spent on the beach or by the pool!   I cannot wait to take the twins to the beach - I already bought a sun tent before they were born- tee hee!    Tomorrow is suppose to be warm, sunny and 50 {50's is warm right?}. 

This month is the start of some exciting classes and travel schedule.  First stop is St Louis MO! I have never been to St Louis - so i am always eager to visit a new place.  I am teaching along side some amazing gals;

Scrap St. Louis

April 23-25, 2009

Hosted by

For Keeps Sake Scrapbook Super Store

http://forkeepssake.typepad.com

Our event features two full days of

inspiration, ideas, great food

and a lineup of workshops

taught by some of the most

talented people in the industry. 

Enjoy 7 innovative classes with our amazing instructors:

• Linda Cain(Ten Seconds Studio & Vintaj Natural Brass)

Clear Scraps

Teresa Collins

Cheryl Mezzetti (Creative Imaginations)

Joey Otlo (Bazzill Paper)

Margie Romney-Aslett Making Memories)

WendyVecchi (Ranger, Stampers Anonymous &

Maya Road

)

The event includes:  All 7 workshops;

Make-and-takes by some or your favorite companies;

6 full meals;

Instructor trunk show

 

This year’s keynote speaker is

St. Louis’ own Mary Engelbreit.

For Keeps Sake also

Welcomes Stacy Julian from

Big Picture Scrapbooking who will

Speak at our Farewell dinner.

Spaces are still available for Scrap St. Louis

To sign up call:  314-487-8131

    

 

 

I have heard from a few people who are coming already - looking forward to meeting some St Louis friends! 

And of course some photos of the boys from this past week......in anticipation of Easter...my two widdle wabbits. ...snicker.

 

Love how they are always holding hands. (:

 

Two happy widdle wabbits.

 

5 minutes in and they are getting a bit miffed. snicker

 

Braeden with his "bunny" face.

Okay off to enjoy a day of scrapping! Have a blessed weekend.

QOTD:  "Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." ~ From A.A.Milne's Winnie the Pooh

It is here!

Spring and Summer are my two favorite seasons.  Spring in New England can be so beautiful with the flowers and trees blooming and birds chirping.  Today I noticed that our grass is finally turning green and my pussy willow bush is in full bloom! For me though nothing says spring like crocus' poking through my garden and two adorable little bunnies!

 

  

Braeden Bunny - looking a bit miffed at me

   

Brody - funny bunny!

I spent last weekend teaching for a retail event and I loved every minute! I have to say that teaching is definately my first love.  Thank you to everyone who supported my classes.

Off to cook some dinner for my hungry family!

QOTD:  If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies. ~ Nadine Stair