It's Jesse's Birthday!

It's a special day here at the Schwartz's! We are celebrating Jesse's fourth birthday.... he has brought our family so much JOY! Right now the girls have taken him to Pets mart to pick out some fish. He's opened some presents this morning and waiting for the big guys to come home to celebrate the rest of the day..... I hope you will enjoy seeing him grow... I've picked out some favorites to share...... And since it's his birthday and Lorelei's on the 28th I'm going to start giving away some of my free files tomorrow... so log onto the the group and you'll find a surprise beginning on the 24th through the 28th......


One more thing I have to mention! I just have the best support from you ladies!! It makes me all teary eyed to think how much you care in leaving post and emails....it is so thoughtful of you!!! I'm still feeling a little rough but I am resting... and Julie still hasn't returned to school it's been over a week... but thank goodness...... not one other member of our family caught this...it's wicked!

Thank you! enjoy the pics......

a little embarrassed!

I just read what I posted last night at 2 am in the morning.... OK... now I'm learning do not post when you are half asleep, feeling sick and pushed to the limit!

Our dog's name it's fru-fru and I'm not going to post much of anything because I'm getting sick my self and going to bed! I got Julie to the doctor's and she has pneumonia, it's a mild case but her pediatrician instructed me to keep a very close eye on her. She believes by Monday the fever will go and she will start feeling better by Tuesday so it looks like I'm going to be tied up with carrying for her and myself over the next few days.

Sorry I didn't have any new files this week, but I've got to take care of my family needs first.

Have a great weekend!

Carrie

Multitasking Mom

When people ask me what I do... I say I'm a multitasking mom!
Because that's what I am or that's who I've become! Actually this should be the definition for all mothers! {The ability of a person to perform more than one task at the same time.}
or it should read MOTHER {A person who performs more than one task at the same time.}

You know how it goes and this week their where way to many demands....from the moment I wake up to the wee hours in the night it just seems like someone needs something. So here's a little sneak peak of my day...if your interested?


I'm a bit frustrated for my devote readers.... I haven't had a moment of time to blog.... hardly any time to design or should I say tweak my files that are sitting their waiting to be published. I managed to get some cutting done but no converting.... My little Julie had been pretty sick and so I'm taking her to the doctor tomorrow morning... It's been a strange sickness she gets a fever in the afternoon and it goes up at night then in the morning it's gone. Lots of coughing she hasn't been to school since Monday.

I'm working on some ideas for the next class, pretty excited about this one!!!! I think you will be too!

Free file.......I'm going to have to reach into a published file for a freebie since I haven't had a chance to convert...any suggestions?


Here's a picture of one of our dog's this is fru-fur when she was a pup ...she's completely spoiled!!!! I'll have to dig up a current picture. I realized I haven't introduced you to any of our animals this should be fun! Four dogs, a cat, a hamster and we are going to hatch some dinosaur
eggs (so Jesse thinks).



HaPpy ScRaPpInG!

What a surprise!

"OH my gosh"..... was what I said when I opened my email....Nikki surprised me with a layout she finished after receiving my "all about the arrow" file...I have to say it was a surprise and what a gift! I think it is so awesome and isn't Alex the cutest thing, I could just eat him up, those checks and his smile! I told her she needs to submit it to some sites... she might just win a prize! what do you think? HOPE YOUR LISTENING NIKKI!

Nikki thinks it's nice of me to share my files, well I'm just going to send her another one just for sharing.... your awesome NIKKI!

Also I want to thank everyone who sent me an email on my "sisters" post. It really touched me
to hear from so many of you. My sister and I were very blessed we had wonderful foster homes. We are still in contact with some of our foster parents their was three... and one very very special parents my last ones I still call mom and dad to this day. Not only did my own mother and father raise us with much love but our foster parents continued that love and great examples for us to fall back on!

If your reading this dad...hello and I love you and mom, XOXO!
I sent him a link a while ago and never know if he's reading my blog...lol!

And another question was did I have other siblings YES i did... Pam and Kim but they were ten years older and had married... eventually we moved in with Pam, Kay first then me. Pam is amazing she took on that responsibility at the age of twenty-one. Here's a picture of all of us girls....which is so incredibly special to me that I found this in Kay's photos... because on the back it has our mother's hand writing saying " My precious four"..... just found that two years ago when I didn't even think I had anything in writing from her.
so it goes... Kim (the oldest), Pam (the brunette), Kay then me the youngest.

Now the Rascal Flats concert was incredible!!!! I'm a little horse today from screaming! It's been years since I've gone to a concert and I loved it every minute of it! The phone call from Kay and getting everything done to go I didn't have much time to look up who was with Rascal Flats was so surprised that Jason Aldean opened the concert, I just love the video Amerillo Sky. Oh my gosh I can't get over what a hunk he is... I haven't seen anything as gorgeous as him in a long time... I kept elbowing Kay saying isn't he something I mean I'm not thinking anything nasty but man is he hot...she's like "I'm not blind"...Carrie.

And Rascal Flats out did themselves...in their "still feels good" tour....they were funny witty and put on a fantastic show! They told us they haven't seen so many red necks in one place but here in St. Louis! They had lights flashing on the stage floor steps going up towards the back with a bridge that extended horizontal across the back of the stage leading towards the upper balconies. Then another bridge extended out over the audience where they had a small stage for a little jam session. It was very up close and personal to say the least. We enjoyed so many familiar songs like: STAND, Take me there, What hurts the most, Life is a highway, Bless the broken road, Feels like today and of course Fast Cars and Freedom...

Contest

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All about the arrow!

Just stopping in for some quick announcements.

Are you struggling with organizing? Me to... to help us get started I've placed my ribbon storage cards on sale at 20% off for the rest of the month.

Need ideas check this out crafty storage. You won't believe this blog it is awesome! Their are so many ideas for storage, theirs storage for small spaces, storage for ribbon, for buttons, for papers, what celebrates are using and real life studios and so much more.

Now you have no more excuses in getting your scrap space organized!


Big sale weekend ******Get 33 %***** Off on all my Fall related files, sale continues through out the weekend!


"ALL ABOUT THE ARROW' free file give away today only from Carries_Creations group.

Go to our yahoo's group and look in the free file give away. Not in the group then you need to sign up just hit the button on the right.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sisters

what would we do with out our sisters.... one of the greatest gifts i've had through out the years is my sister! we have been through thick and thin together! together we made it through unbearable times.... the lose of our parents, through foster homes and she was my guardian angel through my terrible teenage years! she has always stood by my side! Can you tell I'm reminiscing.....



kay surprised me the other day...when she called and we were catching up with our busy lives. we were talking about her new suv, she mentioned that she was buying cd's to listen to as she drove to and from work. i mentioned that i had keith urban's cd's and just love listening to his music...she's like well i bought the new rascal flatts cd. i'm like... you should try keith urbans he hits upon so many life issues.... and on and on i go about keith. she's like well do you like rascal flats? i'm like yeah but i love keith blah blah blah... she then brings me back to rascal flats saying so where do you rate them i'm like i like them... i would turn the volume up when their song comes on but i just love keith...more about keith! then she said so you like rascal flatts music...... yeah kay i like them......well how would you like to go see them...i'm like no way!!!!



hmm...now what to wear? i was thinking about a blouse and a soft vanilla cashmere sweater with some black and white pin striped slacks that i got last year from my fav clothing store ......new york and co. or should i wear some thing more casual like jeans...

Ta- da it's finished

Girls "SO BIG" GROWTH CHARTThe last of the lesson's for this class are being posted today! This is the chart that I made while instructing the class. I think it turned out adorable! What do you think? I would love to see your chart or a layout/project from one of my files....

HaPpY ScRaPpInG

Here's a sneak peak of what's to come....

Your only getting part of the picture....
...... R U excited?

I forgot to mention!

Thank you to all those who signed up for my yahoo group!

All of you had such nice things to say! That keeps me going!

I look forward to keeping you informed through my group using it as a newsletter or announcement for sales, sneak peaks, free file give aways, contest and classes that I will have in the near future.

Also, From time to time I will be adding tips on creating your own files and sketches for layouts so it will be a great little resource for you in your endeavorer to create those special memories.

Don't miss out on all the goodies! You can still sign up to be on my mailing list through my group Carries_Creations. Use either the button on my blog to sign up or the link above.

* Did you know that 95% of my files are original and hand drawn by me? This takes me longer to produce a design but I want them to be unique and exclusively my work.

WHAT A WEEKEND!

Whew! We made it through the weekend it was busy!!!

Friday night we had the Rodeo Round Up. We had a blast and for sometime I sat and face painted. The mom who headed this seemed worried she asked me if I had ever face painted. With confidence I told her you don't have to worry about my artistic abilities. Well she hung out over my shoulder for a few face paintings then I didn't see her the rest of my time.

And on Saturday we survived the birthday party which all I can say is if I ever say that I'm going to have a party this size.... Remind me not to!

The kids refused to play any games, oh by the way thank you for all the suggestions I took them down and was ready for them. But this group of preteens would rather sit around and catch up with one another, listen to music and act silly!

They were like a huge flock of ducks. Every time Scott or I sat near them they would take off to the other side of our property. Eventually, We'd work our way over to them and they would take off back to the bonfire. Scott and I were running all over the place not to mention back up to the house to carry down pizza's, chips and dip.

When I left to get the cake up in the house two boys burned themselves one picked up a rod that someone dared him to pick up. The other was goofing around and acting like he was going to fall in the fire, guess what he slipped and fell into the fire. Nothing serious thank goodness! After plunging one boys hand in a bucket of ice water and throwing packs of ice on the other boys arm. I made them both call their parents. I think I was more freaked out then any of their parents they just said "Well they aren't crying so we aren't worried". They were picked up about an hour later. Not me if one of my children called I would have been gone right away.

After this incident I had to call for back up so my twenty year old son Brian came home. He took over the fire pit and I then I watched those on the trampoline and set up my little Julie as a spy to walk in between. Scott took care of the house seeing who was going in and out and where they were going. All I could do was convince my self that soon this to shall pass! And it did, finally parents arrived and I met this dad who works for a printing company. He's going to start saving me all kinds of papers. He didn't leave until 1:00 in the morning.

And when I hit my bed I was out! The next morning Jennifer was so thankful! I guess it was all worth it ...........but never again! I'll have a little party like ten girls but no more than that!

I only had the chance to take just a couple of pictures since they had me running all over the place... I guess I'll just have to journal the whole event!



And today Julie was off school so I took Jesse and her to the zoo. Here are some picture's of our visit.....

FALL SUPER WEEKEND SALE!

Get your favorite die cuts at a fantastic 30% off this Saturday and Sunday!

I have selected some of my fall favorite files for you!



hAPpY sCrApPiNg!

FALL SUPER PACK give away!

I am so happy the weekend is here! We have are going to have plenty to do! Tonight Julie's school is having a Rodeo Roundup! Their will be crafts, games, food and dancing we can't wait to cut loose and visit with our friends.

This reminds me I have some cutting to do... I forgot until now... I offered some of my die-cuts to place in a scrap bookers basket for a drawing.

On Saturday we will be having twenty to thirty boys and girls from Jennifer's school to celebrate her 13th birthday. Dad gave her permission to invite this many kids, not me! So far I only have one game planned. That's the marsh mellow on the string game... you know you tie a marsh mellow to the end of a string while holding the other end of the string in your mouth, with your tongue you have to bring that marsh mellow into your mouth with out using your hands. I have no idea what else to offer for these kids...maybe bob for apples... the thoughts are coming! Do you have any suggestions? We are having a bonfire and will put out music for them with lots of chips, dips, soda and pizza..... It should be a fun time!


I opened up a yahoo group..... so I can make announcements for upcoming classes, sneak peaks of my newly released files and links to get free files. You will need to join the group to receive the emails and to get access of the links for the free files.

If you sign up over the weekend you will receive my Fall Super Pack just for joining the group.


Have a great weekend!

Carrie

Lots going on....

I haven't been doing a good job here on my blog and their are reasons. I've thought and thought about it.. should I share what's been going on or not. Well I've come to the decision to open up because that's who I am and if I'm not me well then I can't come up with things to say...

Our family has been going through much in the last seven weeks... everyone of us has dealt with a death of a close friend and it's been hard. My daughter Katie lost two of her friends in a car accident while we were on our vacation in August at Catholic Familyland. Then on first Saturday of last month she lost another very close friend from falling off a cliff and drowning. She is doing better but went through so much so we returned to Catholic Familyland and she was able to get some support and some answers. That girl is so amazing she is working two jobs and putting herself through college.

As we went through the month of August more tragedy struck my sons best friends baby passed away she was one year and six days old. Back in March she had fluid filling her brain and the hospital misdiagnosed her condition. She went into a coma and when she came out she was blind and in need of a feeding tube the effects of the coma shut down parts of her brain. Last month her father and mother married and little Heidi was doing so well then suddenly while napping she passed away.

Then last Friday my little girls, Julie and Lorelei (my granddaughter) were spending the night at Lorelei's grandfathers house and had planned a full day with Pete then to our house for a barbecue. On Saturday morning I received a phone call that Pete had a heart attack when I arrived to get the girls we got a phone call that he to had passed away.

As we mourn the deaths of our friends our family is drawing very close together! Which is such a blessing! We always new that our life here is a gift and that we must treat it so and that life is precious. But all of this has made it more clear that we must love and give of our selves because we don't know when we will be called home. We are being called to count our blessings to be thankful for the time we have with family and friends.

It has been a real challenge for me to try to come up with things to say here on my blog. So I would share pictures a layout here or there and maybe a contest just to keep things going. I know that very soon these days will pass and I feel the prayers of many of my friends and co-workers! I've been able to continue creating files I find it so therapeutic where I can think, pray and design as I work through my emotions. I've some what neglected my classes but soon will have the final lessons. I have two new creative team members and am awaiting to announce them.

I hope you don't mind that I shared with you what has been going on.... I'm not much different then you. We all have hopes, dreams and losses... I want you to know life isn't always wonderful for me but I have so much to be thankful for that it keeps me going....

Thank you for listening and visiting my blog...I hope to have some great things coming up soon... just need time to get through these difficult days.

Carrie

Today I have some little helpers.... Lorelei and Jesse!




We are working on the techniques for the growth chart and wanted to share some of our fun with you! If you haven't signed up for my class their is still time to do so. You can sign up till October 5th. Click on the name SO Big and it will take you to the forum at Paperthreads to sign up.



Lorelei is about ready to lose another tooth... but she's waiting for mom to pull it!

Hope you have a wonderful week!

Carrie

Apples apples and more apples!

Whew what a week! We went from running the air to turning on the furnace and I'm so happy that the fall weather is here. But the weather change really gave me some trouble and I slept most of the beginning of this week... so my blog was neglected not to mention my wonderful family!

But things are getting back to some what normal what ever that can be? The growth chart classes are posted and coming along if you are interested you can still join. We are just getting to the techniques and I have some great things to share! Just click on Carrie's Classes here you can follow the thread to sign up.


It's apple picking time! And on Sunday we will go to our favorite farm Eckart's the whole family goes. I'm looking forward to the country music, the petting zoo and a squealing fun pig race that's such a hoot! Then we will hop on the Deere Express a wagon pulled by a tractor through the orchards full of Jonathan, gala and granny apples were we will pick so many apples we won't know what to do with...well I guess we will be making candy apples, apple pie, apple fritters and maybe some apple sauce... I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

The candy apple file is now available for purchase in the store. Thank you!

Just in time for apple picking I've made some awesome files and I'm giving one of them away today! You will get the candy apple file just click on the link above.......And below I've made a file that is now available in the store.... It's all you need to complete a full layout! I got the idea from a layout I made when Julie was three... Look at her she is now seven, time goes so quickly!

As you can see I've added more embellishments to the file then what's in my layout...that's because back then I had to hand draw and cut each element! YUCK! Thank goodness for the cutting machines!
Well I better go Jesse's says he's going to make me some tea...... who knows what he's getting into!

Have a great weekend!

Carrie

We have a winner already

Nikki submitted the cutest idea using my backpack and title "Back to School". She used them as an invitation for a luncheon that she had invited five moms and their children before they started Kindergarten. Such a sweet thing to do Nikki! You can see the little invitation tucked in the pocket... so cute!


Thank you Nikki for submitting your clever idea!

Fall Super Pack CONTEST

It's officially the first day of fall...don't you just love this season!

I can't wait to see all of the beautiful colors and enjoy the crisp cooler air!

To celebrate the season I'm going to give you a chance to win my FALL SUPER PACK.

It's packed full of fun with many titles and embellishments for making some great FALL memories. Included in this file you will receive the titles "FALL","falling leaves", "autumn", "Always Dream in Brilliant Colors" and "cool & crisp". Many fall themed embellishments for you to choose from. Here's the list... several different sizes and shapes of leaves, mums, an acorn, an acorn journaling block, an acorn clip and a leaf clip and a fun fall whimsical flower.

It retails for $7.49 and you can get this huge file for free.....



Here's the details... Be the first to submit a layout or a project using one of my files...

It must be a layout or project that I can share on my blog or next to the product in the store and I will send you this file for free.

So hurry up... the first one gets the prize.

HaPpY FaLl

Carrie

Ta-da! MY NEWEST FILE*** BLAST OFF! SUPER PACK

I am so excited about this file!!!!

We visit a park near our home, it takes about twenty-five minutes to get there. It's called Rocket park and I love it because it inspires my little ones to use their imagination!

Role playing- it's such an important part of childhood.... they climb into rockets and off in space they fly.... WHEE! Soon Jesse's face turns serious as he pilots the space shuttle and to catch this memory makes my heart sore with JOY or to see the Julie smile as she runs through the launch pad...

I want my children to use their imaginations, to be creative, to step outside themselves it's all apart of childhood and if I can help them along the way to take on a different role I will go to those places.... What do you do to encourage your child's imagination?


The Blast Off! Super Pack is now available for purchase in the store.

To celebrate the release of my new file I'm giving away some of the elements found in this super pack.. The download includes the title "Shoot for the Stars", the space shuttle and my flying stars. PLEASE, do not share my work with anyone, this is just for YOU!

Thanks,
Carrie