Brandi's Blog

2009-12-23T20:35:00.001-08:00

5 months!

2009-12-16T17:59:00.000-08:00

Dec. 16th Charlie hit 5 months! Everyday you are more alert and aware of everything around you. You are such a delight with a smile that lights up your face!You now love the sound of your own voice and make the cutest gurgling noises! Your reflux totally sucks and you are on 2 rx's but it does seem to be getting better. You are finally starting to take naps longer than 20 minutes. Mommy now has some sanity! Yippee! Your favorite new thing is to sit in your activity chair.You have started to go in your exersaucer and have great hope that you will want to spend long than 10 minutes in it! You love to play with your feet and headbutting seems to be your new hobby! Not a day gos by that I don't think that you are becoming such a big boy! I don't even mind the 3 am wake up calls it seems to be our only quiet time away from things to do.Plus it is nice to look at your sweet little face lit up by the street light!

4 months

2009-11-16T18:26:00.000-08:00

Here we are at 4 months! You have become part saint bernard and drool over everything! no teeth have showed up yet. You are such a attention hound you love to smile and coo at strangers for attention! You made a woman's 97th birthday at Target! You didn't want to leave her side you just laughed and giggled. Since you rolled over at 5 weeks you took a break but are ampping it back up! The only real thing that you will spend time in is your jumpy gives you a break from your mat! You love to be around other kids you can just sit around and watch them all day! You love to go for walks in your pram but it is getting too cold and rainy for that :( You love your mommy and would be happy for me to hold you all day long! Most days I don't mind! :) It is so much fun to watch you grow.

Maternity Photos!

2009-06-30T19:45:00.000-07:00

I might be back tracking a little but I figure it is my blog and I can if I want too! Keith and I went down and had some maternity photos done at the Euharlee Covered Bridge. Why I thought out door photos during the summer were a good idea I still am not sure but am really happy with how they turned out. It is really hard to be chunky and pg at the same time. Finding flattering maternity clothes is a joke and everyone's answer is too but a size up. That only works if you buy knit bed rest is bad enough I really don't need to look like a shut-in at the same time! I still have not finished my pg journal it is kind of hard to sound up beat when you feel like junk all the time. After about 30 minutes of not having my feet up they totally swell up I was going to take a picture but opted not to gross everyone out! I figure all the will be over soon enough and Charlie will be here in a couple of weeks and I will forget all about this mess and just have these fun pictures as a reminder!

It's a Boy!

2009-03-16T20:01:00.000-07:00

Today was my 2nd gender ultrasound and they confirmed that it is a boy! Charles Harrison it is!He is going to look really silly in all of these dresses I bought! :0 My sister and Shira came with me to the Dr.'s appt. Hollie brought me a pink package and boy package. I got to open the blue one and it was the cutest striped sleeper that says "Rock me to sleep". I was not very quiet about the face that I would like to have daughters running around the house but I know Heavenly Father has a awesome plan for our family. I was not too shocked about having a boy because at breakfast Keith was like just so you know it is a boy and I really have just come to take his word on such things.Keith couldn't make it to the Dr. appt but we met up for lunch and he got to check out the photos.

20 weeks!!Halfway done!

2009-02-24T11:02:00.000-08:00

Wow! It has been forever since I have posted. Yikes! Today I got a email to inform that I am half way done baking this baby! Yoohoo! Last Monday I went to have my ultrasound and thankfully everything look good but they could not tell us a gender!The baby's leg were spread but nothing was showing! At first I thought who cares it is only a month but after 8 days I am dying. The day after the u/s I went to a 1000 person consignment sale and thank goodness my friend Betsy put back most of my stuff so I only sent $46. Hollie and me are going to hit a few more sales ;) and I am totally excited about this one! The last 2 weeks I have been sick (and cranky) but Keith has been taking really good care of me. The last 20 weeks have been pretty uneventful as far as the fetus gos. I have just been really tired and if I get too tired then I trow up. Good times!

Children's keepsakes ornaments!

2008-12-04T12:30:00.000-08:00

I love these coaster ornaments! I broke up a Dove of the East coaster mini book kit and stamped the back of the coaster with the kid's hand and cut and mat the photos on the other side. To finish it off I punched a hole with a crop-a-dile and added clear tread with a charm with the ribbon hanger. This is a super budget friendly way to send the whole family a keepsake!

Be sure to check all the great OT creations this week and keep coming back every Thursday this month. Lots more planned!

Beading Help Web’s Holiday Candle Wraps
Super easy and festive “ornaments” for your candles!

Christmas Past and Needle Magic at http-design.com
Michelle is addressing the ghosts of Christmas past and Helen gets down and dirty sewing a Christmas ornament - stand well clear, she is dangerous with a needle.

It’s ORNAMENT Ornament Thursday!
Michelle’s got some cheap, easy mini clipboard ornaments to share!

Needlepoint Stocking on BeadStyleMag.com
Linda’s ornament this week is a mini stocking in needlepoint.

Strands of Beads
Melissa makes cute and quick Christmas tree earrings this week.

Ornament Thursday Time Again!

2008-12-03T20:20:00.000-08:00

Sorry, I have been absent! Story of my life! I am very excited for the next 4 Thursdays to share my handmade ornaments with everyone! Last year I got so many fun ideas and have been busy working on stuff. Sadly my camera has been M.I.A since Oct. and my stuff might be up a little late tomorrow!

TFL!
Brandi

OT time again!

2008-10-22T18:05:00.000-07:00

For the OT challenge this month the theme was GRATITUDE! My project the month is gratitude journals! I made these as favors for Thanksgiving! I put the book together with a Bind it All Zutter! Way easy to use! Every fall I did out my Kaleidacolor ink pad in Autumn leaves and try to find fresh ways to use it! This year my muse was Stampin Up's new stamp Gratuitous Graffiti! I dug out my Ranger glossy paper,brayer and white ink pen and went to town! I always use glossy paper with brayer to get best color saturation! I added lace to a few of the book to fem them up a little :) I took white lace and rubbed it with one of the colors from the Kaleidacolor ink pad to keep the same custom color pallet! The technique that was used to put it all together is the bandana technique . I am looking forward to stamping the inside of my pages with these great stamps from my friend Sally. Sorry about the glare on the picture!

Here are the other OT ladies!

Cat's Attitude of Gratitude
Michelle at http design has a fun take on gratitude - think about it - what do cats give you when they love you? Mice!

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva
Cindy's grateful for Ornament Thursday!

Gratitude Screen
Michelle's grateful for OT!

Linda shares her expression of gratitude
Of course there's a story behind Linda's shadowbox on the BeadStyleMag.com blog

Lisa looks at the meaning of the word
Just some reflection this month

Ornament Thursday - Gratitude
I am grateful that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

There are so many ways to say thank you
Helen from http design puts wordle.net to work to create these earrings which say thank you in so many ways.

Keith's 30th B-DAY!!

2008-09-22T12:33:00.000-07:00

For Keith's birthday we went on a long weekend trip to Hilton Head! Keith had never been to Hilton Head or Savannah. We were very lucky that we had some friends headed up there that weekend so we crashed at their family condo! On his birthday we drove up,with the gas shortage around here we ended up spending over a $130 on gas! Our friends Karen and Tim made us a nice birthday dinner with cake and ice cream for dessert. We laid low most of the trip and just hung out except for out trip to Savannah. We did a tour because I was sick of driving and thought that might be more relaxing. I learned lots of new things about the city but the highlight for was Fabrika. I found a Amy Butler fabric that I had been hunting for!! All in all we had a great weekend!

Believe in Yourself Retreat!

2008-09-10T13:17:00.000-07:00

This was my first time going to a creative event that was based on fabric/sewing. The pictures that I posted ARE NOT my project they are the sample that we based our project on. For some reason I can't find any pictures but I will post when I am done. Here are more pictures and info for next year. I met so many kind people and the "teachers" were fab! It totally was nothing that was in my comfort zone! In the current copy of Sew Somerset is their project from last year's retreat! Susan's and Kristi's work is really amazing!I can't wait to finish my project it has a spot waiting for it in the living room! I hope that things work out so I can go back next year!

I'm back!! sorta.....

2008-08-25T09:29:00.000-07:00

I am writing from the tail end of a 3 day weekend spent with Jane Austen. She always makes me want to write but seeing I have nothing profound to say and am very close to being illiterate this will be on the short side! It wasn't even my idea just serendipity Carrie picked up The Jane Austen book club and Becoming Jane at the movie store. I have been wanting a reason to watch the 1940's version of Pride and Prejudice which is really clever in it's own right but without Colin Firth as Darcy is not nearly as enchanting!! I might just have to hop on Amazon and pick up a copy of Mansfield Park. I better not I might be too tempted to pick up a boxed set or even the glow in the dark light switch cover . I didn't make that up! I always that it was sad that such a romantic never married but maybe she knew what she was doing after all. Currently I am reading a book that random short stories of women that lost track of themselves and the common theme among them is marriage and children. Speaking more of the Victorian Era more than modern day. I would go on about Sophie Behrs Tolstoy but Keith is on his way home from lunch and I should get dressed and show him that I can function in a World outside of Jane's.

4th of July!!

2008-07-05T19:04:00.000-07:00

4th of July was a blast this year! We went to Liz and Nick's to cook out and play games! When it got dark we drove to the lake to watch fireworks. After they were done we went back to their house for sparklers,homemade ice cream and more games! It was soooo nice not to spend the whole day outside and then get stuck in traffic going home! I think next year we are not even going to leave Liz and Nick's driveway!

frugal friday

2008-07-04T11:02:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July! I have to share the my favorite summertime bargain! Free Movies!! Check out the Regal site and the AMC site. AMC is charging a $1 but all of that money is going to charity.These movies tend to be crowded so get there early! Adults are out numbered about 3 to 1 so sometimes it is a lttle chaotic. But when do you really get to listen to 200 kids giggle at the same time! Enjoy!

Brandi

p.s. If you don't live in the Atlanta Metro or don't have AMC here a bigger list of free (cheap) movies!

Our Summer

2008-07-01T14:40:00.000-07:00

The summer has been very busy! I have been lucky enough to have an entourage 2-3 days a week! Midweek in June we went down to Marietta Square to the Australian Bakery the pictures tell the whole story! The kids love it there! This was the first outing with the newest member of the menargie Kit
Lucky for me she is quiet and keeps to herself :)

Brandi

OT Indepedence!

2008-06-27T14:03:00.000-07:00

This month's theme was Indepedence! So I made a July 4th themed wall hanging. All of the papers are Rusty Pickle and the boards are Brindy's Backyard.TFL! See you next month!

Brandi

Check out my many OT friends and what they have done to show their INDEPENDENCE!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a Swelldesigner

Art Bead Scene

Cindy Gimbrone aka Lampwork Diva

Hurray for the Red, White and Blue by Lisa

Linda at BeadStyle Magazine

Michelle's take on Independence

Strands of Beads

frugal friday

2008-06-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

O.k. I know that I call Bath and Body Works the great Satan, but they are having a kick butt sale! I even scummed to their charms! Bath & Body Works® Signature Collection are $5 each.The sale ends July 6th. Check them out! http://www.bathandbodyworks.com

Happy 3rd Anniversary to me!

2008-06-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

May 28th was our 3rd wedding anniversary since it was midweek it was a low key dinner at Rusan. That weekend we went to Downtown Kennesaw for the A1A concert! Nothing says Happy Anniversary like a bucket of chicken and a Jimmy Buffet tribuet band! The kids were all toast after a long day so we skipped out a little early but had a good time!

I was tagged!

2008-05-31T20:01:00.000-07:00

Which is kinda funny because I am the worst blogger ever!! I was tagged by Michelle to list 10 things I like about myself.

1)I make the best crepes ever! (Lots of people can make meat loaf, but how many can make crepes.)
2)I watch five kids the other day and didn't lose my temper once! (Really I am not lying.)
3)I really am one of the 2 funnest people that I know!
4)I am a loyal friend.
5)I think birthdays are really like your own national holiday!
6)I try to use earth friendly bath and cleaning products!
7)I help people feel creative and like that the things that they make are worthwhile! (which they are)
8)I can re purpose anything! Go ahead and dare me!
9)I am going to win the world series of pop culture! Just wait.....
10) Last but not least:I know how to have a good time! Fun-loving!!

frugal friday

2008-05-29T12:15:00.000-07:00

I LOVE free magazines!! Here are some current offers!

Women's Day Magazine
https://www.neodata.com/hfmus/cwld/print_subsshow.shtml

Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine
https://www.valuemags.com/freeoffer/CTandL-BBS.asp

Looking for a bigger variety check this site out!
http://www.all-freemagazines.com/

Always look at the fine print. There are tons of legit offers out there but always double check!

Hello from NYC

2008-05-25T12:55:00.000-07:00

My being gone from home for 3 weeks my mind is totally blank! Most of the time time I let my pictures speak for themselves. It was on the way home I realized how few photos I took! Like last year we attended the opening night party at the Rainbow Room. The views are always so nice! The dancing ended by 9:30 so that part was kinda lame. Doveen and I still had a great time.
All of the eye candy at the show kinda makes brain overload with ideas! On the 2nd day of the show Tori and her mom Daria came to visit it is always nice to see so many familiar faces.All the people around the Dove of the East booth were so fun this year! I love silly people who know how to have a good time!
On our last day in the city we met with one of Doveen's friends at Fanelli's Cafe. They have the best omelet ever! I am a total brunch connoisseur so you can take my word for it! Fun serendipity moment Doveen ran into someone there that see knew 10 years ago when she lived in the city.
Really when it gets down to it we crammed so much into a weeks time there is no way I could list it all! I did leave out that we stayed at The Algonquin.It had history and elegance all wrapped into one! I knew nothing of this hotel before we stayed there, but am so pleased that we did! I love being somewhere that you can see yourself it a totally different time and place. Here is the website if you are dying to see more! http://www.algonquinhotel.com

Greeting from NJ!

2008-05-17T12:39:00.000-07:00

For the first part of my trip I went to NJ for the Memories Expo. Had a blast but have no photographic proof. Sorry maybe next time! Onto the stay @ Tori's this way the site of my overwhelming obsession with designer glasses started. Seriously it is bad news :) After many many photo texts home I ended up with the black Dior floral glasses. I had to add the photo of the Versace sunburst glasses just because they kick ass! Then I had the honor of teaching at the Scrappers Cove. http://www.scrapperscove.com/ (Sorry I do not know how to make websites into links,I still own VHS it is taking me a while to jump on the high tech train.) Anywho, we had a lot of fun. It was Sue's Birthday and our own little celebration. I always look forward to seeing Chris, Sue and Pat!
Not pictured but should totally be is the many trips to Wawa! Another reason to move to NJ!

Frugal Friday

2008-04-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

Ok so I am not the best blogger but still am going to work at being better! For a while I have wanted to do Frugal Friday!! Twice a month I am going to post the best deals that I can find! If you know me you know that I can find some kick butt deals!!
Here is this week's.

free-coffee-today-and-every-weds-at-starbucks

Starbucks is offering FREE coffee every Wednesday until May 28th! Just purchase a gift card of any denomination, and they will hand you a 2-up “Brwed Coffee Card” which is good for a free 12 ounce cup of coffee for you and a friend.

krispy-kreme-buy-1-dozen-get-1-dozen-free

Krispy Kreme has a brand new printable coupon for buy 1 dozen of any doughnuts and get 1 dozen original free ends 5/13.

http://krispykreme.qm4.net/shared/images/44/44_20080311004024.jpg

baskin-robbins-is-having-a-31-cent-scoop-night-on-april-30thBaskin-Robbins is having a 31 Cent Scoop Night on April 30th

In honor of firefighters across the country, 2.5 oz scoops are only $.31 each (each person can get up to 10 scoops at a time).

Baskin-Robbins will also be donating $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and firefighters will be helping scoop ice cream and raise funds for their firehouse at their local stores.

Click and view!

http://www.baskinrobbins.com/promotion/31cent.aspx

amc-theaters-1-movies-on-weds-at-10am-all-summerAMC theaters is offering $1 Movies on Weds at 10am all Summer Long! The films are family films, and all admissions proceeds will go to charity!

Click and view!

http://www.amctheatres.com/smc/movies.html

Enjoy!
Brandi

Darjeeling Limited

2008-04-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

I have been trying really hard to keep on my inspired high! So nothing like indepantent films to keep you thinking! So after 2 plus hours of watching this movie the only real thoughts that I had related to how I wish I could paint elephants.....

More photos from Inspired!

2008-04-16T16:56:00.000-07:00

Totally Inspired!!

2008-04-15T07:08:00.000-07:00

It really has taken me a while to come down from my Inspired high! I am already on the count down for next year! I was just at Donna's blog and she said something that was sooo true, only the nice people came! The whole vibe was just creative and really open. Not only were the classes top notch but everything was top notch! Bill, oh my gosh there are no words for how attentive he was as a host and how smooth everything went!! Everything was just perfect. Except the fact that I was totally sick!! Still feeling a little rough but no eggo is not preggo :) I haven't been able to download photos but here are some from my friend Gloria!
xoxo,
Brandi
P.S. Here is one my student's blog: http://kissandtellscrapbooking.typepad.com/
She said that she was going to post her projects from the Russia ATC class.If you attended any of my mini-workshop classes and have pictures give me a shout!

April's Book review

2008-04-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

This review is going to be on the Heather Wells Mysteries. "Size 12 Is Not Fat" and "Size 14 Is Not Fat Either" are like peanut butter and jelly they just go together. I would like to find some deep and meaningful to use in this review but I have none for either of these Meg Cabot novels. Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed these books it was almost a guilty pleasure. They are mindless like a Sweet Valley High book from middle school. Heather is a totally likable hereon in both books.She is an ex-pop star who is a current assistant resident hall advisor. Both book revolve around a murder at the dorm and I had to give anything but she solves them both :) These book are perfect for someone who needs a light read perfect for a trip to the beach!

Easter 2008

2008-03-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

We started our Easter off at 4:30am!! We are soo not morning people! Keith and I drove to a really old church in downtown Atlanta for sunrise service. Jack was being baptized @ the 6am service. All the babies were so cute but Jack was by far the sweetest! We took some photos after and picked up breakfast. Getting Cody up was like waking the dead and then we watch a movie and I fell asleep til 7:30 that night. So much for having a Easter egg hunt in the yard. Maybe next year.. I know it doesn't sound like a very spirtual Easter but it was nice to be somewhere that was really rich with tradition. We don't have candlelight,incense and pipe organs so it was a nice change of pace. It was like visiting a different country,nice to visit but you don't feel the need to move there.

Brandi

Easter Party!!

2008-03-21T23:30:00.000-07:00

This year we shook things up at the Gill house for Easter. Normally I would make Keith and Cody dye 2 dozen Easter eggs while I took endless photos of them, this year it was time for a change!! We invited over some friends from church and has a egg dying and cookie decorating shin-dig! It was a total blast!!!