until friday...

2

Nope. Still Not Ready.

But I did get some fabulous shoes.
Made The Scrap Review badges for the team.
Bought some clothes.
Scrapped the final layout for the Cosmo Cricket booth.
Made a mental packing list.
But there's still lots more to do.

So how about another sketch and sneak peek layout?

This layout uses my favorite of the new Cosmo Cricket releases called The Boyfriend. It is perfect for scrapping your boyfriend/hubby, but this page is all about travel. I loooove multiple themes for one collection. Here's the sketch-a-roo for you.

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a sketch in honor of CHA

The CHA is upon me and I am soooooooo not ready.
Haven't packed.
Haven't finished projects for the Cosmo booth.
Haven't slept in days.

But I did get this layout finished and it will be flying with me on Southwest Airlines to beautiful Orlando this weekend and finding a home in the Cosmo Cricket booth along with some siblings of his. And yes...for some odd reason...layout are male in my mind.

And just for you? A sketch that goes along with it.
Yeah...I'm cool like that.

If you make a layout using this sketch please link it in the comments here.
I looove that.

Happy crafting!

7

this & that thursday

this whole week i have been scrapping my little heart out for the cosmo cricket booth and {sigh}...i just love their products.

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i bought some gummie vitamins at costco for our girls and, after i opened them, matt informed me they are intended for adults. gummie vitamins for adults? has it come to this?!

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note to self: when ella says her "stomach wants to lie down"...it's 45 second until projectile vomit. lesson learned last night in the mini-van on the highway between lancaster and new castle.

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try as it may, the fashion show will never be as good as project runway. the reason? two words...tim gunn.

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tonight is our church's pool party. not sure if the final impression i want to give before we leave is my butt in a swim suit. i may lounge pool-side...fully clothed.

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i bought a fake ATG gun off of eBay. regret begins.

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what's the worst thing you ever ate? mine was probably a soup filled with cockroaches. they were still moving and i ate it anyway so as not to be rude. it was 10 years ago and i still cringe when i think about it.

7

I {heart} France and the French {heart} me...

I have always loved France and now I have one more reason.

A French scrapbooking community, Scrap Cinema, has featured my "So Cool" layout on their site and in their monthly newsletter. The layout uses the GIRL FRIDAY line by Cosmo Cricket and a favorite border punch of mine by Fiskars called Threading Water.

Here's a screen shot of their newsletter.



A very fun international shout out indeed.

4

uncharacteristic serenity captured

I hardly ever change photos of my children to black & white
because of their beautiful red hair.

But this shot of Ella,
quietly perusing a scrapbook album on my bed yesterday afternoon,
had a serenity that begged for unsaturated hues.
.
.

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random

creative block this week.
i think it's stress building for getting ready for CHA.
and packing. and moving. and life.

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we bought a fabulous old table at goodwill yesterday
for our dining room in the new diggs.
i can't wait to sand and refinish it along with some vintagy chairs.

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i also caved and bought the bedding from yesterday's post.
how could i pass up that price?
i have grand schemes planned for the rest of the room.
i'll keep you posted.

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my friend jennette is back in town soon.
i soooooo missed her.
is it just me or do you finally get to realize how
bondy you are with a new friend...and then move away?

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get this funniness...
a company contacted me and asked me if they could auction me off for charity at a massive crop at the CHA as a scrap celeb. i would sit at the winner's table and scrap their photos. so totally freakin' fun!!! i would have loved it, but alas, i leave that morning. it might be just as well since i would be so humiliated if the auction went like this (as i highly suspect it would)...

emilie who????
i've never heard of her.
i bid two bits!

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and because every good blog post needs a photo,
here's one from this week i particularly fancied...



ella has the cutest bellybutton in the entire world.
it is a perfect little spiral like a cinnamon bun.

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p.s. did you notice the invention of two new words in this post? vintagy and bondy.

apparently i paid thousands of dollars to a university to study english lit only to surmise that throwing a "y" at the end of any word might suddenly make it a highly descriptive adjective.

9

midnight girlish dreams

It's just after midnight.
I am listening to the Cranberries debut album.
(so very solid and so very 90's).
and thinking about the girls bedroom at the new house.
We got an amazing deal on twin sized bunk beds (photos of those later)
and tonight I have been trolling the Internet
to find some fabulous bedding sets for their "little girls room".
I found this set which I am insanely in love with.



Moroccan Tile Twin Comforter Set
Comforter, pillow shams AND fitted bed skirt
JCPenney.com
Usually $140
On sale for $59.99
see it here.
and they also carry matching valances for the windows.

Look at how many great colors there are to choose from to accessorize the room with.
I would buy two sets (for the bunk beds) and I would probably just buy plain white sheets.

So...what do you think?
Do you love this set like I do?
or think I am letting the Cranberries and the late hour take effect?

13

Sunday Sound-Bites : Venice Shoreline Chris

This CD is a rite of passage for marrying into the Ahern clan.

I was inducted early and I have never looked back.

It's a kind of ska, surfer, acoustic....something.

May not have universal appeal, but it has Ahern appeal.

And that's all I need.

The Four Track Adventures of Venice Shoreline Chris

Watch it here:

buy it here.

2

loved it

i went to an all day crop yesterday.
from noon until 9:30 pm.
it was just what i needed.
to get away from the pre-CHA stress
and the packing
and the non-stop Scrap Review sneaks.
and to sit all day and shoot the bull with
women who share the same passion as me.
i loved every minute of it.
all 570.

but more importantly i scrapped with these amazing three.
they welcomed me
shared products with me
and inspired me.

the hostess with the best laugh ever


the kooky one (you know i love kooky)


the one who claims to be un-photogenic (as if).


thanks chicas!
next time we'll party at my house.

4

scrap-napping

I have a confession...
I'm kind of sick of scrapbooking my own kids.
I love them and all, but sometimes I need a different color pallet.
Because orange hair is tough to blend seamlessly with certain colors.
So I sometimes take photos of other children and scrap them as my own.
Complete with heartfelt journaling.
I call this "Scrap-Napping"
and my most recent victim is this little beauty...


Isn't she adorable?
I never use the real names, especially if it is a long one (as hers is).
Too many Thickers go to waste.

Wanna help me name her?
What name do you feel fits this perfectly adorable little toddler?

26

Whirling Dervish

Whew!
Our lives have been so crazy.
I sat back and realized today that this blog has become a whirlwind of activities, projects and photos and not a lot about how we are actually doing. SO here's an update on each member of the family and the busy month we are having this July.

Chicken:
Going through an anxiety phase right now. Swimming, fireworks, the dark...everything. I am trying to just be patient and wait out what I am hoping is a phase. She is also filled with joy each day and has begun giving random "Mom, I Love You"s. How nice. She has been praying every night for a little brother. LOL! Well, she's gunna have to wait.


Fifi:
Still my little peacemaker, but also starting to get a bit feisty. She doesn't cause problems or fights, but does not hesitate to fight back if accosted by her older sister. She loves playing Name That Tune in the car and can be heard singing at full voice at every chance she gets.


Matt:
Still doing great at his job. They really value and appreciate his work at the practice. His life has been a bit stressful as they deal with a nursing shortage in our area. He has been interviewing and hiring nurses for a few weeks now without much success.


Emilie:
Getting ready for CHA. Lots of projects to be made with the new lines by Cosmo Cricket. I am loving working with them and feel really happy at what a good fit this team seems to be for me. Also been hustling to stay on top of all of the CHA sneak peeks and reporting them at The Scrap Review. There are some great new lines coming out at the upcoming CHA and all seems to be well in the scrapping industry for now.

I am the Guest Artist at the Inspired Blueprints blog this week. Head on over and check out the sketch and my layout.

Also practicing this week for a musical number for next Sunday. I will be singing in church along with a few other women. The song is beautiful and I think it will be fantastic.

Here are some photos from our life this month.

6

a letter to Martha Stewart

Dear Martha,

I'm free you know.
I could be your intern or something.
I only offer because, well, things aren't working out.
I mean, first the dino-shades and now this?
And, can we also discuss a little something called "grammar"?
Your intern.....she's not getting it.
So, if you want, I would be happy to take over.



I also have some pretty ones others have made. I am for example the proud owner of my custom long Jodi necklace, she gave to me for the craft department’s last ’secret santa’.


Ummm...Did she mean "white elephant" when she said "secret santa"?
And that's one other thing, Martha.
I would never give you a necklace that would cause neck pain or spine alignment issues. I am a firm believer that croquet balls belong on the manicured lawn of your Hamptons estate and not strung around your neck with a gold chain.
Call me.
Love, Emilie

14

i realized yesterday...

that i needed more photos of evangeline.
i seem to go in unknowing waves
of taking a lot of photos of ella
or a lot of photos of evangeline.

the angle on her face makes this photo not look exactly like her
her jaw is not that pronounced in real life,
but that wild and curly red hair makes up for it.

4

the well dries up for Martha Stewart & her Staff

I saw this project today on the Marth Stewart CRAFT'S DEPARTMENT blog, along with the following detailed, step-by-step instructions.

(Attach some dinosaurs with a hot glue gun and you’ve got quite a pair of party glasses. )

I think it's official...
they're out of ideas.

14

he says

that he doesn't see it when people tell us that evangeline looks exactly like him.
until he saw this photo from saturday.

now he sees it.
do you?

8

Travel // Visiting the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, PA

If you are visiting Philadelphia you are likely going to see the Liberty Bell. We went there recently with my husband's parents, our small children, and my friend from college. It's a quintessential part of our nation's history and here's what you can expect.

There are long lines to get in, even in inclement weather.  There is not covering where the line wraps around the building so you will want an umbrella if it's rainy.


Once you get inside there are a lot of information centers with posters to read historical facts, short videos, and other audio/visual attractions.  It is a good experience for all ages. It is not too large of a tour so small kids should be okay.



At the end of the long, narrow, building is the actual Liberty Bell. Photos ARE allowed. Again, there is always a crowd taking pictures by it so you will likely have to wait your turn and be quick to seize an opportunity to snap a photo.  

After the short Liberty Bell building you can visit many other attractions on site.  Our kids really loved Independence Hall because there are actors in period costumes who are weaving, writing with quill and ink, and playing instruments.  Kids can interact with these actors and learn more about the time period.  It's a really fun and educational way to spend a day with your family.  

1

Wanna Help?

Matt and I have recently become aware of a family in need.
They do not have any groceries for the coming week and have small children at home.
If you would like to help you can donate any amount to our Paypal account and we will get the money to them.

It's totally up to you.
But if you do donate....good Karma is coming your way!

Send paypal donations to emilie_ahern@yahoo.com

Thanks!

4

Fate brought us together...Sarcasm made us friends.

I first met Lolly in 2002.

I had just started a Summer job at a telemarketing center and on the first day of training class I sat next to strangers and felt oddly shy and awkward. On the second day, a crazy and fiery red-head approached me and asked if she could sit next to me. She said it was because she noticed me on the first day and thought I seemed "fun".

That began our friendship, but we didn't truly bond until a sunny afternoon, a mere 3 days later, as we sat in the break-room at our job eating lunch. It stands telling that at this time Lolly and I were both "girls with curves" to put it delicately. I ate a burrito and after finishing, stared down at my plate and said,

Me: I am so tired of being fat.

Lolly: I know what you mean...I am tired of you being fat too.

To which we both erupted into uncontrollable laughter.
And I knew we would be friends for a very long time.

Seven years have passed since then. Seven long years filled with ups and downs, disappointments and heartache, marriages and births and divorces, laughter and tears, long talks and silence.

Then last week, on a sunny Sunday afternoon, we came full circle. Lolly had recently used a term which is now outdated in today's politically correct world. I mentioned it to her in kindness, while were were alone. Then later that day, as we sat together in a church service, our leader asked if there was anyone who needed praying for I leaned over to an old and dear friend and whispered...

Me: My friend Lolly needs prayers. Since she's going to hell for being such a bigot.

She swatted my leg and stifled laughter.
And I knew we would be friends for the rest of our lives.




HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOLLY-PANTS!
I LOVE YOU.

5

COSMO here i come!

Dude.
I made it!
I am SO THRILLED!!!
I am officially a member of the Cosmo Cricket Design Team!


I have yet to find more happy, genuine and honest people in the scrapbooking industry as the Comstocks and Mr. Lindsay and working with them will be a dream come true!

Thank you a million times for all of your well wishes!

You will be seeing A LOT of Cosmo Cricket goodness here in the coming year and I hope to give you some fun new ideas for working with their inspired products. To see who else made the team click here.

28

This & That Thursday

Before you do anything else or read any further click here to go to the Cosmo Cricket blog and leave a comment on this post. For every comment they receive today they will donate $1 to a local food bank. They have a goal to reach 1,000 so drop by and leave a word or two because every dollar helps!
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Today I am filled with gratitude and love for such a wonderful husband.

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Heading out for a special Girls Night tonight with friends.
We're going to see "My Sister's Keeper".
I think it's been literal years since I saw a movie in the theater.
My kids are really cramping my style.

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Ella has recently become obsessed with having a little brother.
I keep trying to explain to her that...
(1) we're not pregnant and
(2) if/when we do get pregnant you cannot predict the gender.
She's not grasping either concept.

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I miss Jennette.

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My Cosmo Cricket Cogsmo fabric is now cut into little squares.
More sneak peeks of my special project coming soon.

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Speaking of Cosmo Cricket...I MADE THE DT FINALS!!!
I am so beyond thrilled.
I would die to work with them.
Wish me luck!

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I really hate house pets.
They're dirty and hairy and they poo on the floor.
Ick.
(Please don't leave a comment defending house pets).

7

Tonight....

Photos taken on 07.08.09 at 10:11:12 pm.
A pretty typical night at our house.
Matt did a load of dishes and I tidied up the front room
while we watched Top Chef Masters and munched on Doritos.

2

the visitors

nothing is better than visits with family and friends.
i will always remember this special time we had with Dennis & Louse and Lolly.
as we said goodbye to our time in Delaware.
this week was a whirlwind of laughter, car rides, food and fun.

the fun

- ice cream from Brusters.
- a stroll through Historic New Castle and along the Delaware River.
- playground fun at Battery Park.
- burgers at Five Guys.
- visited the new Townhouse in Mt. Joy.
- a drive through amish country.
- our fist taste of real shoo-fly pie.
- the amish quilt shop.
- the New Castle Farmer's Market with homemade amish pretzels, fresh squeezed orange juice and sausage and peppers.
- a visit to our favorite Italian Bakery complete with mini canollis and plenty of Godfather movie quotes.
- homemade whole grain pizzas
- church services
- sunday dinner: pot roast, mashed potatoes, corn casserole and strawberry/blueberry/rhubarb pie.
- philedelphia historical sites. the liberty bell, historic documents and cheese steaks from Tony Luke's.
- Baltimore visit. meeting new family members and getting the cold shoulder from the trash guy at Charm City Cakes.
- fireworks as seen from a minivan parked in the middle of the road.


the photos

























the aftermath

- i'm not sure what day of the week it is today.
- evangeline and i both have summer colds.
- catching up on lessons from my online photography course.
- the kitchen sink is filled with dirty dishes.
- considering cold cereal for dinner.
- missed a crucial episode of The Bachelorette.
- getting back to a regular nap/sleep schedule.
- cleaning up the house.
- catching up on laundry.
- giving the girls (and myself) a squeaky clean bath.
- time to play catch up on our lives. a quilt to start. scrapbooking deadlines. downloading photos.
- missing our friends and family dearly. the house seems way too quiet.

8