still me

boy crafts...

i think that since my boys were little, anything they picked up seemed to somehow be a 'gun'. you know... complete with sound effects, and triggers...what is it about boys? we aren't hunters--but my boys have a facscination with guns... airsoft, BB, and they will even settle for 'marshmallow' guns. 

so they kept nagging me to take them to Home Depot so they could buy PVC pipe and fittings- they had sketched guns, and  wrote up lists of what parts they needed... constructed the guns, spray painted them... and then shot each other with marshmallows. 

 

this marshmallow shooting game was all-inclusive, everyone was in on it! and now, i can't make Rice Krispie Treats. on the up side, i think it occupied them all day long. (don't judge me ) lol....

brain decor

doesn't it seem like the kids totally turn their brains off for the summer! i try to make sure they do a little reading, but the math facts seems to go out the window! quincy would kill me if she knew that i was mentioning this, but she has a hard time remembering all her math facts- they are not just automatic from her, and it's something that she really wants to improve...so, i had this idea to make a little 'banner' from a set of flash cards... and then hung them up under her bed... i thought it acutally looked pretty cute, but she was annoyed! she said that all she can think about is math facts now in her room! (BINGO!!)

i picked up the flash cards from the dollar store...and figured i'd grab some addition as well- i think that this would be so cute to do for capri with some of her sight words, or even just the alphabet as she is starting kindergarten.

i just sewed them together- used just a straight stitch-

anyway- i think it's a great way to keep the brain functioning during the summer ! (if you happen to still be in the midst of summer vacation, which we are only partially summer vacationing)

 

 

garden update

i am SURE you are just dying to know how my garden is growing!  my answer... SLOW!  man, takes forever!  my beans aren't looking so hot, but check out my tomatoes!

and i am pretty impressed with the zuchini... i have a feeling that i will have a ton of zuchini when it's all said and done:

and here is my squash plant with quite a few flowers- so i think it will be good!

i think it's so hard to know- am i watering too much ? not enough??  i thinkk that i need to get some miracle grow out there- see if we can rev things up a bit!  i just can't wait for those tomatoes to be ripe! so yummy!

back to school.

 

don't get me wrong... i am all for kids in school....but i just wasn't readY! none of us were! not the least of all Quincy, who finished school (on a year-round system) on July 1.  (image Jcrew.com)

3 of my 4 'school age children' (capri starts up K this year!) are attending a new school that is 'traditional' and still doesn't start for a month, and Quincy will continue to attend the same school as last year- (blah blah blah not happy about it but oh well, whatever etc etc) ANYway... as it turns out, Quincy will head back to school TODAY. ... yea, giving her a grand total of like 3 weeks of summer vacation.  and i am not ok with it.  i love to shop for school supplies along with the best of them! love picking out a brand new outfit for day one! love the anticipation, and that feeling of 'readiness' to go back... but nope, not feeling it. in fact, i am just feeling robbed of my summer. familiy- disrupted. frustrated...irritated. sigh. sorry for the rant.

i am thankful for really great options around us for great schools...since it kinda snuck up on us, i'm feeling like i need to create some crafty back-to-school items to make the abrupt changes A-ok!  so... i have been brainstorming, check back for some ideas that might ease you and yours back into the first day of school... maybe these will help both Quincy and i swallow this bitter pill! 

and as a word of warning... maybe you should double check the school calendar, just to be sure that it doesn't sneak up on you- and if nothing else, that you are reminded to squeeze the MOST out of summer... seems like it's over in a blink (well, for us... it kinda was!)

 

'official'

so after the CHA (craft and hobby association show) this last week, today we have been able to issue the 'official' press relase for my NEW brand that will launch in Jan 2012... this is the video that was playing at the CHA booth... 

 

 

She's Back: 2012 from Heidi Swapp on Vimeo.

Scrapbook and Paper Craft Artists around the world will once again be able to craft layouts, cards, home décor items, and other handmade projects using products that are designed and developed by industry veteran Heidi Swapp.

Heidi will debut her new line of signature style papers and embellishments during the Craft & Hobby Association trade show beginning January 29th, 2012. Her product line will be distributed through retail outlets nationwide.

As Heidi brings her signature style of product design back to the craft industry she plans to encourage and inspire everyone to create to remember, and along the way make pretty stuff..everyday!

Follow the progress of Heidi’s return through Facebook and Twitter.

favorite part of summer...

this has been one of my favorite places in the world since i was a little girl. love that living in utah means we can frequent this place! i love it.  i love watching my kids fall in love with it- i need to go through and pull out all the 'cabin' scrapbook layouts i have, and make a cabin album...  love to have an escape.

that smile is pure joy!

pogo please!!

i wish that i could capture REALLY how huge of air cory can get on his pogo stick... we were sitting outisde enjoying the perfect late evening temps- and i just loved the color of the sky... even though you can't really tell how crazy it is, i love these photos, and how they capture cory- and what a playful kid he is! i think that i look at him everyday and feel a little freaked out how old he is looking, how much he is growing up...

happy birthday mom

Today is my mom’s birthday… here’s wishing her a beautiful, delightful day…  My mom is a huge and influential force in my life- I am thankful for her tremendous example of strength, service, commitment and love.  I appreciate so much all  she is for my kids…and for our family.  I love you mom! Have a wonderful day!

 

My Craft Channel announces: ME!!

have you heard the BIG and exciting news about ‘My Craft Channel’? …… it’s all the buzz as they have been announcing the fall line-up of creative and crafty and totally inspiring HOST that will be involved with the newest web ‘TV’ channel…  you have to check it all out, because it’s going to absolutely amazing!

If you loved watching our Ustream shows, and you are addicted to quick YouTube and Vimeo ‘how-tos’… this will be the best of both worlds, but done on a  much more ‘professional’ and beautiful way! “broadcast quality” is how it’s best described. 

I am SO excited, because I LOVE the possibilities!  Video just gives you a whole new dimension in sharing… you can SHOW, you can talk, you can CONNECT! I have loved it for a long time, and I am so excited about the ‘shows’ I am putting together. I am working on 12 episodes right now- and I can’t wait for you to see! 

If I had to describe my show, I would tell you that it will be PROJECT oriented, and full of quick tips and tricks, my favorite products and tools… and feel super ‘CAN DO!’… as a busy mom, I know how valuable your time is- not only valuable but LIMITED! I will bring you my very best ideas, and bang for your buck inspiration!  Plus I promise, it will be FUN!! 

 

Now the big, huge website launches toward the end of summer, but for now, you can read all about who is involved, exactly WHAT it is, and watch all the WHO’s who’s on the My Craft Channel BLOG!  As they are unveiling all the HOSTS, they are also giving away 20 Cricuts in 20 days… you gotta LOVE that !! (20 because there are 20 hosts, 20 shows!... wowsa!)   So…. TODAY there is a Cricut E2 up for grabs!    We must spread the word!! 

Stacy Julian is in... read here   and the DIY girls check them out HERE and Teresa Collins  ... here is a link to Christy Tomlinson...she is in, as well as Kristine McKay  ...oh, and One Charming Party (love) go and  see them ALL!! amazing!

Ok, here’s how you can enter to win… the actual GIVEAWAY is being hosted on the My Craft Channel BLOG.  to win, you need to do ONE of the following things: (or you can do ALL of them and enter MULTIPLE times! Wink**good idea!)

 

1.     like me!! I have a NEW official Heidi Swapp fan page… and I will be posting all kinds of stuff over there- it will be all linked up with my twitter… I will be using it a TON!

2.     LIKE My Craft Channel on Facebook and then leave a comment on their blog letting them know you did!

3.     Like Cricut on Facebook… (what’s not to like!!)

4.     Share the news w/ 5 of your favorite friends, give them a link to this post and leave a comment on the MCC blog

5.     Facebook, tweet, or BLOG about ME (heidi swapp) being involved with MCC, and then (again) leave a comment on the MCC blog so you are entered to win!!  (my twitter handle is @heidiswapp)

 

Let’s spread the L O V E and the excitement! I am super thrilled to be a part of it!

and NOTE: today's big winner will be announced TONIGHT at 11:59pm........GOOD LUCK!

 

HSN kit links:

ok... just found the kits that i'll be presenting avail on HSN.com... so you can go and check them out

1. Brag book (mini-book kit)

2. Mistables by Pink Paislee kit

3. Daily Junque Scrapbooking kit by House of 3

4. Soiree Scrapbooking kit by House of 3