The Ink Boutique

Oooh La La! Mimi's is back!

2013-11-02T21:10:00.000-07:00

Mimi's Cafe has long been a family favorite. My first trip to Mimi's was for a business lunch back in the early 90's! Lines were long, service impeccable and food was worth the wait. In recent years our enthusiasm for Mimi's waned and unbeknownst to us Mimi's had suffered from a buy out and the emphasis that had long made Mimi's a favorite got lost in the shuffle. FAST FORWARD . . . to now, the FALL of 2013 and Mimi's has reclaimed it's roots with new owners, a new and super enthusiastic executive chef and an amazing new menu that pairs some traditional classics with some exciting new flavors! The focus on quality and service has returned. As luck would have it, I was invited to participate in a night unveiling the new menu. The conversation was frank and the new Mimi's team listened and then blew our socks off with a feast fit for former Mimi's enthusiast like myself.

We were greeted with variety of choices:

French Inspired MENU
For more information on the philosophy and story of the all new MIMI's click HERE

As social media enthusiasts we all visited and pecked and clicked away telling of our exciting adventure!

Bloggers Excited to Try the New Menu

Me and My Sweet Pea Enjoying the NEW and IMPROVED Mimi's!

Chef Katie was such fun to be around. Clearly proud of her new menu, she was eager to please and excited to share in her passion for food. You should check her out on Twitter and Instagram @mimis_chefkatie

Chef Katie Sutton - What a HOOT!

One of my favorites was the baked brie! I've been back to have this twice since! Make sure you ask for a couple of extra croutons. There is PLENTY to spread and enjoy!

Artisan Baked Brie

For the seafood lovers the mussels will not disappoint. Those of that love seafood were clamoring and smacking our lips! Ms. M was my date by default, but as a Mimi's lover herself she was as excited as I to see what the new menu was all about. She even tasted and swallowed a mussel -- even after vows that seafood would never pass her lips! And guess what, she didn't hate it! I wouldn't say that we won her over, but she did enjoy the flavor!

Mussels à la Mimi’s

This crepe was definitely a favorite. I'm looking forward to trying the crepes with some seasonal offerings as well!

Petite Seafood Crêpe

This Pumpkin Bisque was so good and although offered only seasonally, I would make the trip to have it again. When the servers brought out the famous, but somewhat forgotten bread basket, I think we were all ready to celebrate its return! So iconic and so missed! Just as good as I had remembered!

Les Soupes

Mimi’s Signature Bouillabaisse

Everything is better with an egg and this burger proves it!

Le Burger de Madame

And then for dessert we were surprised with a sampling of Waffles from the breakfast menu! I dare say we were stuffed, but the

Bacon Apple Waffle

Strawberry Waffle Perdu

Since our reintroduction, I've been back 3 times and I look forward to each visit. You can't miss the fresh baked croissants and the breakfast menu is worth the visit! I'm hoping to see Mimi's Cafe with waiting lines once again. It's a true classic and their commitment to customer satisfaction and good food is out to prove it!

Thanks Mimi's for a great night and great food!

Pimping Out a Pinterest Project

2012-12-14T10:37:00.001-07:00

Some friends of mine and I saw this on Pinterest

Cute, Right? I don't think she made these. You can check out her post here.

Perhaps she did. She has an adorable etsy shop for banners and cute wooden signs that you can see here and here on Pinterest.

Kathy knows how to cut wood. I, DO NOT! Great to have talented friends, right?

She agreed to make the pattern and cut the wood if I would work my magic

(her words, not mine) and Sharlynn, Tracie, Kathy and I would get together to make them at my place. Shar was sick (poor Shar) so we made her a kit,

but Tracie, Kathy and I had a blast last night and this is the

PIMPED OUT PINTEREST PROJECT

we came up with. They would tell you I came up with. . .

They're probably right, but having their energy helped me out a lot!

All together

On my piano with the flash on

all natural light. . . lovely I think!

We decided we loved them so much we are making a new set for the 4th of July and a set for Halloween, just because they will be soooo much fun to make!

Shar we missed you! Kathy and Tracie, thank you! Love you all!

Merry Christmas!

Just in Time For Christmas! $50 Shutterfly Credit Giveaway! PLUS a chance to win more prizes from Shutterfly!

2012-12-08T12:56:00.000-07:00

Want to win? Keep reading! To Go to Shutterfly, Click the Photo Above.

I was invited to a wonderful dinner on Thursday with several AZ blogger friends (all of whom are much more famous than I! CraftyVanessa, JenkinsKidFarm, PinkCakePlate, MeAndMyInsanity, APlaceForUS, MinefortheMaking, Mrs.Celebration ) We got to enjoy an awesome evening at Oregano's in Scottsdale and see all of the awesome Shutterfly Christmas Cards up close and personal! They are truly beautiful. Lots of Shutterfly Discount Codes are available right now too! Try SHIP50 (free shipping at $50+) and CARD30 for 30% off select Christmas cards!

We ate:

and ate:

and laughed:

And Shared:

I was asked to share my secret for getting my kids to pose and smile for great photos. As you can see by this older Christmas photo shoot they don't always smile. . . sometimes they make faces, and sometimes they are just cheesy! I put these photos on a canvas so I definitely think they are #cardworthy!

The secret that works for my kids (especially the boys) is FOOD! I am not too proud to let you all know that I BRIBE my kids. . . regularly. . . It was shared at the event by CraftyVanessa that Marshmallows work well for her! For more ideas on Family Photo Day click HERE.

So, how do you win?

Post a comment below tell me your secret for getting your family to pose and smile. For additional chances to win share this post on FACEBOOK, GOOGLE+, TWITTER, PINTEREST or INSTAGRAM (one additional entry for each share) and follow one or all of the following Shutterfly Social Media Links. Let me know how many entries you deserve (and we'll check up on you!). Drawing will be held on December 11th so hurry!!!

§ Twitter: http://twitter.com/Shutterfly

§ Facebook: http://facebook.com/Shutterfly

§ Google+: https://plus.google.com/+shutterfly

§ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/shutterfly/

§ Instagram: http://instagram.com/shutterfly

Want to win even more? Click below to enter the Cardworthy Photo Sweepstakes!

Merry Christmas! Hope you have the best holiday ever! My Shutterfly Cards will be in the mail soon!

The Makings of a Young Women Handout

2011-05-01T21:10:00.002-07:00

I am often asked where I come up with the ideas

for my Young Women handouts.

While I do LOVE making them

and I LOVE when they turn out better than I had envisioned,

I don't know that I truly have a secret for coming up with the idea.

Usually, I start with the lesson.

All of my lessons are found at lds.org.

This year we are on Manual 3.

I usually figure out what part of the lesson I want the girls to remember

and then I locate a thought, quote or scripture that enforces that lesson.

For Easter I knew I wanted to focus on the YW Values

and so I went hunting for Easter candy.

I bought oodles of jelly beans in YW Value colors

(no such thing as gold jelly beans- hence the golden-Carmel filled egg)

and I also knew I wanted to use the Lamb to represent the Lamb of God.

Later I thought about what I wanted them to think about who they are

in relationship to the message of Easter. . .I wrote this:

This Easter place your values where your mouth is!

Stand as a witness of God at all times

and in all things and in all places

as you bear witness of the divine mission of the Lamb of God.

Be thou an example of the believers.

(All paraphrased from the YW Theme, YW Values and 1 Timothy 4:12)

I already had these Wilton disposable icing tubes which are

already ideally shaped for Easter!

I composed my text into the shape of the "carrot" and placed

it on this Cyrstal Wilkerson Houndstooth digital paper.

Then I made the Happy Easter tag!

I used CTMH Splendor paper and some

miscellaneous CTMH Stamps.

Some green ribbon for the carrot -

all with a little help from my Freckle-Faced Strawberry

and there's the magic!

Breaking the Streak . . .

2011-04-16T21:03:00.000-07:00

I was on a roll, just not rolling on the right hill.
I'm not counting the number of consecutive days I didn't blog. . .
I'm just going to get back on track.

Take time to be creative every day.

April Card Class

One of my Faves
Green, Black and Cream with vintage aging. . . yummy!

Astounding Generosity!

Fun color combination and I don't like purple!

For a Friend

I think this was my personal favorite! Water brush, dye ink painting technique.

It's Your Day

The Class liked this one!

Beautiful Spring

Mother's Day Apron - It's an open-able card and a refrigerator magnet.

I based this off the BBQ Grill Apron that's been around for a few years now.

Mother's Apron

Another Class Favorite - Brown and Red, always a classic!

Love Tree

I aM nOt SUrE WhAt WiLl FRIgHteN YoU MOrE. . .

2010-10-27T18:19:00.000-07:00

The art that I'm posting

which is certainly SPOOKY!

or the fact that I am posting at all!

I would love to say that my absence is all from lack of time,

and while time certainly has been a factor,

truthfully, its more FEAR;

the fear of rejection. . .

the fear that no one cares if I post,. . .

and the fear that no one cares if I'm even here.

It scares me.

I'm sure on the surface we all look like we have it all together,

but I don't.

You see, lately,

I've had more in my life

and on my plate

that I feel I can cope with and adding it to for any reason

would be more than I am able to bear.

Sad, but true. . .

I wish I didn't allow fear in my heart

except for maybe an occasional spook house on Halloween.

Now, I've opened up. . . FEAR an All.

Hope I didn't Scare you all right away.

Scared or not, here is my post.

This was my Trick or Treat class Friday night.

Boo Crew Board Book

Cover of Boo Crew Board Book

Back of Boo Crew Mini Board Back

12X12 One Sheet Wonder Box

Candy Box

Candy Box Back

Candy Box Side 2

Boo Bag

I Can Color!

2010-08-16T21:35:00.001-07:00

Finally! 40 years old and I learned how to color!

Thanks Jen for the FANTASTIC class!

Wish I could come to the next class,

but fortunately for me, my feet

will be planted firmly on the Southern California

sandy beach! Laguna Beach, here we come!

In real life it looks like I painted it. I am so happy with the results.

I cam home and looked at some other things I've colored...

hmmmmmmmm. . . let's just say. . .

not so pretty. Copics are worth it. . .

at least to a paper and ink enthusiast like myself.

Hopefully I can hone my skills from here!

Agency Is a Gift

2010-08-15T18:25:00.002-07:00

Another Set of Young Women Handouts.
What I CHEWS to be is up to me. Agency is a gift. See 2 Nephi 2:27
These are from last week's lesson on Agency.
Young Women Manual 2, Lesson 28

They were a hit. Just to carry the theme a bit
farther, I used different flavors of gum.

The lesson was on using our agency to make good choices.
When you make a choice,
the consequence-
good or bad-
is fixed to the choice.

Not that any gum can be "bad," but some flavors
are definitely not favored by 12 and 13 year olds!

Enjoy!

An Apple A Day!

2010-08-10T10:24:00.000-07:00

Another Young Women Handout. . . Had fun making them!

Cricut Apple

The Lesson was on sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ

just by being a friend.

"Just" Jessica Turns 9 - Happy Birthday Girl!

2010-08-08T23:52:00.008-07:00

Just Jessica is how we explain this amazingly wonderful, extremely talented, wildly outrageous bundle of girl she is and the wildly exasperating and often mind bending things she challenges us with. No one else could be, well, Jessica! Truly coincidentally (or maybe not so) Jessica was asked to speak today in primary. The topic is the first line of her talk. There wasn't a dry eyed adult in the room. Love you girl!!!

Jessica's Talk for Sunday, August 8th

Jesus Christ is the Son of God and He is a God of miracles. We all know of stories in the bible where Jesus worked miracles for others, but he still works miracles today. I know that this is true. I know it is true because Jesus Christ has worked a miracle for me.

9 years ago today I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. The same day I was born my mom was at gymnastics with a friend watching Mikensee at her practice. They were discussing the desire of my mom's heart to have a baby. For several years my mom, dad and sister had prayed for a baby girl to come into their lives. They tried to adopt several children through the state, but something always happened and they had to say good-bye to several kids that they loved. Because of this they were very sad, but continued to have faith that God would work a miracle for them. A stranger, sitting behind them overheard their conversation and asked my mom if she heard her right. "Are you trying to adopt a baby?" she asked.

My mom said, "Yes, why do you ask?."

The woman proceeded to tell my mom that her sister was an adoption specialist in Utah and then asked, "Are you a Mormon?"

My mom's heart sank. They had been passed by for other adoptions and had been told by some agencies that they wouldn't even work with her because of her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She knew she couldn't lie and said, "Why yes I am, is that a problem?"

The woman said, "No! We are too!" They were both relieved. She gave my mom her sister's number and once they got home my mom called her right away.

The woman's sister was an adoption specialist for children with medical needs. My mom was a little sad and told the woman, that while she really, really wanted to be a mother to another baby she didn't think she was strong enough to adopt a baby that would have to spend so much time in hospitals and at doctor's appointments. The woman asked if she would have a problem adopting a baby of a different color. My mom said "Absolutely not!" The kind woman gave my mom the name and number of a friend who only worked at adopting babies with the same skin color as mine. My mom was so excited. She called TLC Adoptions immediately! The agency sent her the paperwork to begin the process and my mom and dad stayed up almost all night filling out the paperwork. Early the next morning my mom received a call. It was TLC Adoptions. They said a baby girl had been born the night before and that the family that was going to adopt the baby had changed their mind due to some other circumstances. She told my mom that if our family wanted to adopt the baby girl that she would need to complete the paperwork, arrange to speak to my biological mother on the phone and be on an airplane to Indiana that day. My mom cried with joy and excitement. She hung up the phone hugged and cried with Mikensee, called my dad and then her mother. Everyone went to work and she was on a plane that night to meet me. After almost 5 years of prayers and effort my family had me. I was a miracle and so were the circumstances under which we were united.

I have no doubt that my family is mine. I don't know why I had to come to this earth with a different biological mother, but I know it doesn't matter. I know my mom is my mom and that she always has been. I know that when we were sealed in the temple my blood became the same as theirs and that they are my family.

I know Jesus is the son of God and the He IS a God of Miracles.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN.

Don't Fall Over Just Yet. . .

2010-08-07T03:24:00.004-07:00

I know that if you are still out there, hanging with me,

you are most likely falling off your chair!

The thought of an actual post gracing the pages of my

blog. . . I know I am! Truly, it's not for lack of material.
My life, is, as always, eventful and somewhat creative. . .
it's just also short on the time spectrum!

On Tuesday we had a back to school swimming pot luck and party

for the young women in our ward. I had a cute idea to send them

back to school with something to remind them of who they are. . .
and that they are oh so important! I hope you like them!
The girls seemed pleased. I also made one for each of my kids.
I will attempt to sneak them in their backpacks the

day they start school this year. . . shhhhhh, don't tell them!

Finished Project

Mini Squeeze - Drink Mix and Water

Cutesy Note
Hope you have a Beary Grand year. Have a treat and a squeeze to get you through your first day.

Most of the product was CTMH,
but I did make the card using Digital Technology. :)
I'm so tech savvy! LOL!

I won't promise anything,
but I'll try to get 15 minutes of blogging
in a few times a week.
Not that anything I have is worth your 15 minutes,
but as always, this isn't about you. . .
(that was my 3 seconds of evil for the year!)

Love ya! and if you are still around,
you must really love me!

Time Out For Women - Hope Project

2010-06-08T08:36:00.003-07:00

I am so thrilled to be a part of this great organization again this year!

Time Out for Women 2010

Phoenix, AZ

Friday, October 15, 2010

6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

9:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Phoenix Convention Center

South Ballroom, South Building

Jefferson & 3rd

Phoenix, AZ 85004 US

Happy 60th Birthday Mom!

2010-05-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my beautiful Mother.

Today she is 60.

She won't be embarrassed I told you, nor should she be!

Isn't she beautiful?

Everything I am I contribute to my loving Father in Heaven

and my Mom.

I'm so thankful for her!

Here we are together last year when she turned 59.

I'll be 40 this year. . .

I remember when she was 40.

I hope I am as good and strong and beautiful

at 60 as she is today.

Love you Mom. Looking forward to our celebration later!!!

Connor's Cards and an Update!

2010-05-17T16:56:00.032-07:00

Cards for Connor was a huge success.

Of course I had dreamed of more,

but in the end I am so pleased.

Thanks to my friends and their friends

for helping me with donations and evenings of fun!

So far, my efforts have raised $1105.

18 women participated! YOU ROCK!!!

Connor is still a long way from his goal, but he's not worried.

For this class I focused on the inside of the cards as well as the outside.

I did this in honor of Connor, who is

truly beautiful from the inside out.

If you can make a donation, please visit his web-site here.

Hope you enjoy Connor's Cards.

Strawberry Fields Forever

2010-05-16T16:53:00.001-07:00

By popular request!

This is another handout for my Beehives.

This lesson was on Righteous Traditions.

The lesson reminded me of one of my favorite

childhood memories - making Jam.

My mom LOVED fresh berries!

She tried to grow our own,

but we only ever ended up with a handful.

Still she wanted to preserve the tastes of summer.

We would travel to the fruit stands and buy

OH SO EXPENSIVE flats of fresh fruit.

At home we would wash and prepare

the sweet, red fruit. (Raspberries too!)

This week I took Mikensee out

and we bought all the supplies.

Strawberries were only $1/lb!!!

We showed up at my Mom's and

announced our plans. My 18

year old sister (18 tomorrow!)

had never made fresh jam.

We had a great day and while

preserving a taste of summer

we preserved a righteous family tradition!

TIP: If you'd like to see this (or any image on my blog) larger, click on the image!

Mother's Day . . . the unusual holiday

2010-05-10T14:09:00.004-07:00

It sure seems to me that Mother's Day

is an unusual holiday.

Maybe when I am

older it will make sense.

Every mother I know

hates Mother's Day

It seems to be the day

above all others

that we feel inadequate,

unqualified, and at best

tired.

Mother's Day should never, ever, ever be

on Sunday, the day that we rush about

to get children fed and dressed

in their Sunday best;

arriving at church frazzled

from the morning's drama.

(or at least in my world.)

Then we come home to hungry children,

tired children, restless children,

and we wonder if or when

this will ever really be a holiday for Mother's.

I am, however, grateful for my mother.

I owe everything to her.

I wouldn't be me without her.

I tried to liven up her day with a special surprise

at work Saturday night.

She's a night house nursing supervisor

at a very big hospital

and she works the graveyard shift

which meant no Mother's Day for her.

She was sleeping.

This was her card (also a card I used for Cards for Connor)

which I will be posting the results of soon, I promise.

And this was my dinner - the one I made.

and bought

and cleaned up.

and these are the

reasons I "celebrate" Mother's Day.

which I guess in the end

make this unusual holiday,

the one worth celebrating.

Stardom Hits!

2010-04-26T19:29:00.003-07:00

I should have posted this BEFORE we were famous. . .

or almost. . .

Last night Jessica was on America's Funniest Home Videos.

The clip was about 30 seconds in the section titled Young Love.

This is the full video from which the clip was taken.

We were sharing a Thanksgiving with my surrogate sister Dawn

and my surrogate nephew Bennett.

You will see that Bennett just LOVES Jessica. . .

It was such a treat to be with them again last night

as our young loves made their debut on prime time tv. . .

Shortly after this aired we were offered a multi-million kiss contract. . .

we obviously had to turn them down. . .

It's a Flower, It's a Handout, It's a Post!!!

2010-04-17T19:45:00.011-07:00

Last night I stayed up WAY too late with a

friend and my daughter.

It was soooo late . . . er. . . I mean early. . .

she and her daughter crashed at my house!

Poola (as I fondly call Paula)

my daughter and I spent a few hours in Mesa at CKC,

but then had to come home and spend some craft time. . .

We made these paper flowers.

They were supposed to be Gardenias. . .

I'll say they are Roses. . .

I will admit that I wasn't sure they were going to turn out,

but I'm glad we stuck with it! Mikensee made the pink one.

Poola's bunch isn't here, but I know they will

remind her of night. . . I mean morning together.

Thanks Poola for making my life

sweeter and definitely more vibrant!

One of the reasons my posts these days are few is that

I spend most of my craft time each week making

handouts for my beehives.

We made a book especially for keeping them in.

(I guess I should show it to you!)

The girls love them and it brings me great joy to make

them for them.

Each one of these precious daughters of God has expressed

in some way to me, their gratitude. So much so that

I can't think of NOT making them something each week.

They are designed to remind them of the lesson,

and to show them that I love them and care for their well-being.

I make 14 cards each week. I've never posted them.

This is actually a handout for this week's lesson and next.

So I have a break.

It's a good thing because the next 2 Friday nights are

Cards for Connor

and I have to design 10 cards and prep for 40 guests!

This is actually a card that opens up,

but I'm not going to tell them that.

Next week, I'll show them the secret on the inside.

I don't know why I haven't shared any of them before, but I really

love how these turned out. I hope you like them too!

Maybe I'll share them a bit more often.

Please have a wonderful week and never, ever forget who you are

or of the divinity within you.

You mean the world to someone and to me. . .

Still At It

2010-04-07T13:50:00.007-07:00

While it may appear that my creative gene has left the building
or that my blogging hat has been retired, I am still at it.
Wouldn't it be grand if we could truly spend each day as we desire
and not in the way that is sometimes pressed upon us.
I know we have choices and choices I do make,
but unfortunately for me, my choices these days have been limited to circumstances
that I can not control.
Control. . . there's a thought, an idea, a word I've long since had to let go of.
For those of us OCD types (yes, I am one), control is what we often seek, but never get
-- and rightfully so. Control is not what life is about -- choice is.
Which brings me right back to the beginning.
Choices.
Well, lets just say that I am making them, just not necessarily the ones I would like to.
Creativity is a necessity only second to choice in my world.
I live to create and thankfully, occasionally, I am blessed with the opportunity.
Thanks to my dedicated Scrap Gals
I once again eeked out some time and put together another class.
Loosely based on the Topstich CTMH Workshop on the Go,
I better get these posted so my gals can get their photos on them. Hope you enjoy.

Fun is Fundamental - We just love the zoo. Don't these show how much fun we have?

Determination Jessica - ;} Jessica's middle name should be Determination.

Behold Wonder - Walker was lost at the zoo for a time and when we found him this is where he was. Beholding Wonder. We spent a good 30 minutes just watching in wonder at this calf (only 2 days old) and her mother. I think they were just as curious as the boys were!

Remember you can click on each photo individually to see the image larger! Until next time!

Cards for Connor

2010-03-10T22:24:00.004-07:00

I've got a notebook here full of things to post and share with you, but life just gets busier and busier and then in comes a story like this. Connor's blog will just give you strength. You can find it here. Kathy is a great friend and her husband is a bike rider who likes to ride his bike cross country for fun. . . you can read more about that here. The team and Project Life info can be found here. All of those links prompted me to do this:

(if you'd like to read this, you can click on the photo to see it in full view.)

And here's how you can help! Please share my post by posting a link to your blog or by emailing me at theinkboutique@gmail.com for a copy you can email to all your friends. . . share this on facebook, twitter or anywhere else you feel inspired. I realize not everyone can come to class, but any donations will go a long way towards achieving the $10000 my friends have pledged to collect.

Thanks for being you and for letting me share this with you!

You Owe Me A Milkshake!

2010-02-16T22:18:00.001-07:00

A little something for a friend that is very nice to me. To make one of your own you will need 2 small wash cloths, a clear plastic cup, a straw and decorations of your choice. Roll the washcloths and layer in the cup, decorate, cut the straw, insert and add a "cherry!" Supposed to have been for Valentine's Day about 2 years ago, but I finally got one done!

Wishing You Love

2010-02-13T15:02:00.004-07:00

For my 12 adorable Beehive Valentine's. . .

Completely and Utterly Off Topic and Yet Completely Relevant

2010-02-05T10:33:00.006-07:00

Many know that I am in real estate, have been for 20 years. . . I love real estate, but never really blog about it because it's my job and blogging, along with my other hobbies are for fun. Anyway, this is a timely topic that I thought might help some of my readers regardless of where they live because of the economy which currently plagues us and by which I too have been completely affected. . .

A common question from borrowers and homeowners these days is how long they will need to wait to buy again if a negative item appears on their credit report. Different loan programs have different disqualification periods for Bankruptcy/Foreclosure/Short Sale. Once the automatic disqualification period has elapsed, the normal income/asset/credit requirements typically apply. It is also important to remember that if a mortgage account is included in a Bankruptcy, then foreclosure waiting periods apply with all loan programs. Here is breakdown by loan program:

Conventional Loans

Bankruptcy = 4 years
Foreclosure = 5 years
Short Sale = 2 years

VA Loans

Bankruptcy = 2 years
Foreclosure = 2 years
Short Sale = industry standard is 2 years

FHA Loans

Bankruptcy = 2 years
Foreclosure = 3 years

Short Sale = industry standard is 3 years unless no late mortgage payments have been made in the past 12 months and buying in a different geographic location (out of state job transfer for example).

In trouble? Find a qualified Realtor and find out all you can about your options before losing your home. It's worth trying to short sale first in most cases. Hope this detour from my regularly scheduled blogging helps someone!

P.S. For a more lighthearted post please see my post on my Moments in Time Blog and for a heart wrenching, but soul growing experience, you may want to check out my post here.

Twitterpated with Twitterpated!

2010-02-01T12:47:00.009-07:00

I am just twitter-pated with Twitterpated! Who knew mushrooms could make such cute page accents?!?! I love how the layouts for my scrap club turned out this month! All the moving and unpacking has me still way behind on life and creating. . . it's the creating part I miss the most! So glad to have people who WANT me to be creative so I can share my time with them. Thanks to my 9 club gals for keeping me going!

When I revamped my class I took it from "Get-it-Done" to making 3-2 page layouts from the same kit, but it's not necessarily about getting as much scrapped as possible, but more about just making beautiful pages. It's loosely based on CTMH's Workshop on the Go, but I just prefer to make the class my own. You can buy the workshop on the go and make it on your own at home, so that makes it nice, but I like to have hands on classes too! It was a nice change of pace and the class loved the different looks we achieved with the same paper pack.

2 Page Layout One - Just SMILE!

2nd 2 Page Layout - Family and Friends

2 Page Layout - Oh This Face! (Wyatt)

- and once again I proved my old theory that you don't have to have boy themed paper to make boy pages. . . or maybe my boys just exude so much testosterone they can actually wear pink and make it look masculine!

CTMH Products and Supplies Used: Twitterpated Level 2, Twitterpated Workshop on the Go Exclusive Stamp Set, Ribbon Rounds in Chocolate, Basic Brad Assortment, Dimensional Elements Organic, Ink in Chocolate, Crystal Blue, Sweet Leaf and Sorbet

Studio J is coming soon and I've been using it during the preview period. I LOVE that my pictures can be any size and fit perfectly in the layouts and I don't have to print my photos! I LOVE that with the right photographs I can pick ANY paper pack CTMH has offered in the past 5 years and have a layout done in literally a few minutes. . . I don't love that there is no dimension, which is what keeps me from going all digital in the first place! This is an example of one of the things I will always love about traditional scrapbooking;

You just don't get this kind of dimension in digital scrapbooking. . . Now you can always do the layout and place the embelishments on at home and I'm going to try this next, but then the price (which is the other case made for digital/traditional scrapbooking) goes way up and I'm not sure the value is there. . . You'll have to take this journey with me to see what I decide. Hope you'll stay tuned!

My Baby is Thirteen!

2010-01-21T09:47:00.003-07:00

SHHHHHH. Don't tell her I posted this picture, she's going to be sooooooo mad at me! I just had to post because I am so thankful for her. She definitely is on of the very best things I have done in my life. Mikensee, I love you. You are amazing and you are capable of doing whatever you dream of doing. Have a wonderful day! (or weekend I should say because she's having a sleep over tomorrow and we're having family birthday dinner on Sunday!) Hope you know how much you are loved!!!