Tuesday, December 05, 2006


I finally finally got the page done for my next class! I have been out of comission due to colds for a couple weeks now. As soon as I got over the first one, I got an especially nasty second one. Hopefully I'm getting them all out of the way in time for the holidays!! Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, November 21, 2006


Esme was so into Halloween this year! This was the first time she remembered it from the year before, and mostly she remembered getting candy! We did some fun activities leading up to the big day and this was one of them. Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, November 07, 2006


I love baking with Esme! Last year we started a new Halloween tradition. We make some kind of special Autumn sweets to bring to our close neighbors and friends while we Trick or Treat. One house down our street always goes all out with decorations for EVERY holiday, so even though we don't know them, we include them on out list. This year we made Pumpkin Whoopie Pies that had a ginger filling. Mmmm they were delicious! I was amazed at how much work Esme put into them. She did all the pouring and stirred the batter constantly. They were a big hit! Posted by Picasa

Saturday, November 04, 2006


I am really enjoying teaching scrapbook classes! After a long day of subbing I taught a class using this page Friday night. I love these photos of my sweet nephew!  Posted by Picasa

Thursday, November 02, 2006

Oh my goodness....I am beat these days! I feel like I have 100 things going on. Every moment I'm awake my mind has something it's supposed to be working on. I love the new things I am doing, but they're wearing me out!

This was actually the first layout I ever completed for the PSS challenges, but I am just getting around to using it this week!  Posted by Picasa

Thursday, October 26, 2006


I got a job teaching scrapbook classes! I am soooo excited! I am teaching at Cropper's Circle in Chicopee. It turns out I do all my teaching in Chicopee. I've been wanting to teaching classes for a long time now, and I was very lucky to get the job! I taught my first class last week and it went well, I'm currently developing two more. The owner is very nice and lets the teachers there choose their own supplies and themes, and go for whatever they'll do well.  Posted by Picasa

Friday, October 20, 2006


Did this layout tonight for this week's challenge. This week's really snuck up on me - I wasn't quite as prepared as I usually am. I loved doing this layout though - hearing Lisa's answers to the questions made me feel very good about myself, because she knows me so well and cares about me so much. Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, October 18, 2006


Here's a layout I did for the Pink Scrap Spark Challenge - this week's theme is Stars! Lisa and I tried using metallic tissue papers in on accents for the first time. I love this photo of Esme! I took it while we were at our last Wiggles show.

I love scrapping with Lisa every month. Once a month doesn't sound that often, but we really look forward to that time together. She is an awesome friend! I feel lucky ever time I get to spend time with her.Posted by Picasa

Friday, October 13, 2006


Here's a layout I did for last week's Pink Scrap Spark Challenge at Scraptalk. I cannot describe how much I detest tomatoes! It felt very good to do this layout! Gettign the photo was a bit of a challenge though. I know other scrappers have gotten tossed out of grocery stores for taking photos, so I went up and asked a bagger if it was okay first. She directed me to the head cashier, who paged the manager. He called her back and gave the okay, and then she walked me over to the produce section and watched me take the photo. Posted by Picasa
I have officially passed the 10,000 mark on my camera. Ethan got me the DRebel for Christmas 2004, so I guess that means I'm averaging just over 5,000 photos a year. I love being digital - it would have cost me a fortune to that many photos processed, but I'm able to take so many more shots because I can just delete the ones I don't want.

We had a fabulous time camping last week. We were so relaxed that we decided to stay an extra day. We cooked all our meals over the campfire, and slept each night all snuggled up together on the air mattress in the tent. It was a bit chilly at times, but we didn't mind because Ethan finally had some time off, and we finally had some family time all together.

Monday, October 02, 2006

It feels like things should be settling down now with Ethan's new hours, but I'm don't feel used to it at all. Usually at this time of year I ease back into work, and I've been working tons. I worked 9 days in September. Nine days in a month might not seem like much to someone who works full time, but 9 days when you've had the whole summer off is a ton!

Once I get into this new schedule I hope to be scrapbooking a lot more in the evenings. Right now it's difficult because I'm not used to putting Esme to bed, eating alone, etc. Ethan was always so good and quick about putting her to bed, and it takes me forever. I think she knows how to play me or something.

We have lots of exciting things coming up - we're camping this weekend, we're going to see the Wiggles soon, we've got to get apple picking, pumpkin picking, to Pumpkin People, etc. Fall is my favorite season to scrapbook. I love the colors and the fun events. Esme has a special Fall album, and my first published page is one of my favorites from it.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

If you haven't seen the Pink Scrap Spark challenges at Scraptalk.com, please check them out! I issued the second one today - you can see the details here: Pink Scrap Spark Challenge #2 There will be a drawing for RAKs for everyone that participates!

Wednesday, September 27, 2006


I decided last night to start an album about my brothers. I have so many photos of them that I love through the years, and I really want to put them together in a special way. I'm also planning to color copy the pages and give them to my brothers for Christmas.  Posted by Picasa

Monday, September 25, 2006

I have an article on the National Scrapbooking Association's blog! This was the first time I was ever asked to write anything scrapbooking related. Check it out here: NSA Blog

Friday, September 22, 2006


I just posted the first every Pink Scrap Spark challenge! I am so happy to be doing this and hope it will be lots of fun. Check it out here: Pink Scrap Spark Challenge #1

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

I'm going to see the Wiggles again! Whoo hoo!! Okay I must confess, I actually love the Wiggles. I pretend we're going to the concert for Esme's benefit, but it's really all about me. I love to hear Greg croon those catchy tunes, see how sweet and sincere Anthony is with all the children, and watch the funny antics of Murray, Jeff, and Captain Feathersword. I'm so glad I could get tickets for when they come close by again!

Sunday, September 17, 2006

I'm soooooo excited!! Deb from Scraptalk just announced the challenge I am starting! It is a completely new challenge and is called Pink Scrap Spark. The idea is to inspire and encourage us to grow as scrappers! Deb set up a new forum to discuss it and a new gallery for the images. I'll be issuing the first challenge on Thursday - I can't wait to see what everyone does. Check it out at http://scraptalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=39

Oh and suggestions and feedback are always welcome!

Friday, September 15, 2006


For the last year I've been on the Search Committee to find a new Rector for our church. I've been an Episcopalian since birth, and for us, this is a long process. We've finished writing our parish profile which outlines who we are and what we want to be, and in a few short weeks we're going to be getting candidates and starting interviews. In the meantime, I've been asked to consider becoming the Sunday School coordinator, which really appeals to me. Esme starts Sunday School this week, and I'd like to know I'm nearby while not actually being in her classroom. I'd also like to be more involved in general and get to know more of the parents of children Esme's age. This photo is the interior of my church. Since I spent the first 25 years of my life at one church, I never thought I'd be as comfortable somewhere else, but I am. I love this place. Posted by Picasa
I'm determined to scrap tonight! It has been a couple weeks since I sat down at my table and I think that might be the record since Esme was born! With Ethan on his new schedule I plan on scrapping nearly every night, but believe it or not it has been difficult adjusting to putting Esme to bed, eating dinner by myself, etc. Until now Ethan put Esme to bed 99% of the time. She's not used to our new routine and she is not behaving very well for me at bedtime. Late last night I laid down the law, and I'm going to do the same before bed tonight. I'm not taking any more nonsense!

So tonight I'm breaking out the Duck adhesive, the Cutterbees, and my new Heidi Swapp kit from Costco, and going to it!!

Thursday, September 14, 2006

I am starting to forget what Ethan looks like. He's been working around 15 hours a day since Thursday, so we hardly see him at all! Thank goodness this is last nearly-full-time week at the Odyssey, and starting Sunday we'll being seeming him for several hours a day again! I miss him so much, and it's also hard to go all this time without any adult time. Sadly I guess my Search Committee meetings count as my adult time this week.

Esme is almost fully potty trained now, except for still wearing a diaper to bed. It is sooo nice.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

One last shameless plug...I really really want to win the referral contest at Scraptalk! If you haven't registered yet, come on over (Scraptalk.com), register, make sure you put me in the referral box (JennyLilac), and say hello!!

Monday, September 04, 2006

sooooo, word on the street is that the Memory Makers Masters calls could start as early as tomorrow, but will surely happen this week. As much as I would love to win myself (chances of which are slim) I am SUPER excited to see who the winners will be! I really really really really really want one of my fellow Pink Ladies to win. I would be so psyched if someone from the team made it!

This is my last official day of summer. School starts back up tomorrow and even though I probably won't be working, I have to get that telephone back by my beside and make sure I have clean clothes to wear should it ring. I've been subbing for 2 years now. I tried junior high and high school when I first started (late May 2004) and HATED them passionately. But now I'm thinking about giving them another chance. Classes are way different at the beginning of the year than they are at the end, and it took a few days but I've pretty much become a master of classroom control with the younger kids. Several teachers request me just because they know I'm strict and their classrooms won't be in chaos. I know I could get a lot more work if I was willing to teach higher grades.

Monday, August 21, 2006

We had a great and terrible time at Kaitlyn's 3rd birthday party yesterday!

The terrible part was that Ethan took Dylan for a little walk while Esme and I were watching Kaitlyn open gifts, and a few minutes later Ethan came running back with Dylan screaming in his arms. Somewhere along the path Ethan had looked down and there were a couple bees on Dylan, and then when he tried to brush them off, more kept appearing. He got him away from there as fast as he could, but Dylan got 4 bee stings and Ethan got 3. Someone at the party had some Benadryl cream and the stings didn't swell up or anything, but it was super scary, especially coming from an allergic family, to have poor Dylan screaming his head off from the stings! He recovered within a few minutes and was back in the field playing with the other kids.

The greatest part was that there was a huge water fight! Tom started it. He flicked water at me with his fingers, then Lisa poured ice down his back on my behalf. Then he got me with a water bottle and then we got him with a big bucket. Then all hell broke loose and everyone at the party started getting each other with buckets, dishpans, squirt guns, and whatever else they could get their hands on. It was crazy, hilarious, wonderful chaos. Dylan was right in the thick near the faucet and had the time of his life splashing with a little cup.

Thursday, August 17, 2006


I got these Memories Complete circle stickers this month from Scraptalk...I am circle challenged so I've been loving useing them.  Posted by Picasa

Another project for Scraptalk...Esme really wanted me to do some amusement park pics last night, so I used some more fun circles! Posted by Picasa

Monday, August 14, 2006


Did this layout this afternoon while Ethan and Esme were playing I Spy on the computer. Posted by Picasa

Here he is with his new do - just a quick snapshot in our basement. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Ethan started growing his hair out just after the time Esme was born. He hates getting his hair cut and was just tired of it so he gave up. Despite having threatened to let it grow til the U.S. was out of Iraq, he did get it trimmed once at the same time Esme got her first haircut. Well, he has a big job interview tomorrow so I encouraged him to get it neatened up once again. He came home today with SHORT hair! OMG! It's even shorter than when Esme was born now. He looks so different! His neck looks longer and he has a lot less gray showing. It's going to be hard to get used to seeing him this way again!

Friday, August 11, 2006


Did this page for the new Pink Project at Scraptalk - I love these big circle stickers by Memories Complete. Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, August 01, 2006


The best present I got today was that my mom took Esme and I to a sunflower farm! We went there for ice cream but it was an amazing photo op! I took tons of pictures of Esme! Posted by Picasa
Every year I have to share the story of my birth because I'm intrigued by the fact that no one knows my real birthday - it could have been yesterday or it could be today.

My mother was having some troubles at the time she was pregnant with me, and no one but my father and their priest knew that they were expecting a baby. At the time my dad was a welder at E.B. When she went into labor she called and asked them to please tell him to come home and take her to the hospital. Whoever answered the phone never gave my dad the message.

My mom waited but of course her labor got worse and worse. She finally called an ambulance. She waited and waited and the ambulance never showed up. Finally, she delivered me by herself on the living room couch. This was before portable phones so she got up with me still attached, went to the phone, and called the fire department. They arrived, cut the cord, delivered the afterbirth, etc, and put us in their ambulance. As we were leaving for the hospital the first ambulance she called finally showed up.

My dad didn't know what had happened until he arrived home and walked into the living room to discover the entire couch covered with blood (he claims that's why his hair is gray at the temples) and a little note from the fire fighters saying his wife and daughter were at the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital, were received, and I was finally declared "born" at 1:20 am on August 1, 1974.
So, over the years I've tried for double birthdays and double gifts, but strangely enough, my mom has never gone for it.

Monday, July 31, 2006

I got my MMM entry in the mail yesterday, just squeaking in a day ahead of the deadline. I am so glad it's done. I am so proud that Lisa entered this year as well! I thought there was no way I could talk her in to such a thing, but she mailed hers today! The pages she sent are really wonderful. It will be fun to have someone IRL to wait with this year.

I really hope one of the Pink Ladies wins this year. I think the ones who entered all have a great chance and having one of them win would be the next best thing to winning myself. Of course I don't have any expectations about winning, I just enjoy entering for the challenge. I love putting together pages that I know are my best and keeping them secret. I love knowing that I'm being considered (even if only for a moment) with some of the most talented scrappers out there.

Sunday, July 23, 2006


Tonight's layout... Posted by Picasa

Friday, July 21, 2006

Today's a sad day for us. We found out today that I miscarried. Ethan and I are feeling a wide variety of emotions right now.

Thursday, July 13, 2006


I finally used burlap on a page. This one is from tonight. I was looking through some older photos of Esme and found these.  Posted by Picasa

These pics are a little older - just before Valentine's Day 2005.  Posted by Picasa

Did this layout a few days ago. I was so glad to get some new 4th of July papers in the Summer Stack this year. I got the star twill at a yard sale and I love it so much. If anyone would like a piece of it please let me know - I have enough to share!

Lots going on in the Powers household today. Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Oh happy day! I just finished my Celebrate Life layout for the Memory Makers Masters contest! Yaaay!!

Tuesday, July 04, 2006


If that last one said Summer, this one says Fourth of July. We were invited to my brother and his fiancee's new home today for a picnic. We got to visit with lots of people we love and meet some new friends too.  Posted by Picasa

Monday, July 03, 2006


I had fun doing a kind of basic layout tonight. Took that pic of myself earlier today!  Posted by Picasa

Saturday, July 01, 2006


Had to post this pic because it just says, "Summer!," to me. Esme has a new Elmo sprinkler and has been enjoying it immensely! Posted by Picasa
Have you heard about Scraptalk?

I am on the Design Team (the Pink Ladies) and I soooo love it there. It is a very nice atmosphere - very helpful and welcoming. If you ask a question you WILL get an answer, which is nice for newbies and seasoned scrappers alike! It's also a very laid back place - I've yet to encounter any controversy there. The gallery also rocks - I am a huge fan of Teri Anderson and she is also on the team. She has a very fun and flowing style - her own person freestyle. If you haven't seen her work, you must check her out.

At the moment Deb (the owner and founder) is having a referral contest, so if you haven't registered and said hello yet, make sure you do, and make sure you mention my name! (JennyLilac)

Tuesday, June 27, 2006


This layout scanned a little dark because of the thick title. I love going to Six Flags with these kids!  Posted by Picasa