So I actually scrapped...

...fancy that! Truth is, I scrapped this page last weekend but something wasn't sitting quite right with me and the page and then when La and Mich's new Groove-Tro hit the shoppe today, I knew it would be perfect so I revised and now I just love this one. Check it out...



Awww isnt my lil bear the cutest? He's so much fun and all these goodies were perfect for his halloween pics. I tossed some stars and splats from Space Invaders into the mix and also used Micheline's new Dont Be Negative alpha too.

Speaking of NEW - when I updated my blog a couple of weeks ago, I also updated my Scrap Radio over there on the right. There are lots of great tunes playing, so check it out and let me know what you're listening to right now too. I love music and I'd love to check out some new tunes if you guys have suggestions!

Happy Saturday - hopefully I'll see you sooner than later!

Posted by Robin at 4:04 PM 1 comments

WHOA...long time, no blog!

Hey hey out there in blogland. I had an itchin to update my blog template today (if nothing else it's good practice right?) so I thought I would say Hi and let you know that I still know how to find this place and log in to post too! I'm really going to try and be a much better blogger in 2008 - so bookmark me and come back when ya can - you never know when I might be giving you the inside scoop on SSD!

I actually have a great little sneak peek for you today too - it's a brand new 2scoops with the Bean which will be debuting this Saturday (12/29) in the shoppe. I absolutely LOVE this sweet kit because I think it is perfect for ANY baby. It's feminine and sweet enough for your baby girl and has enough basics to make a darling page for your baby boy too. I have to say this is one of my favorite kits in recent memory and I really hope lots of you love it too - I think it's a MUST have. Check it out...



My incredible creative team has already started going to town with this kit and I am just blown away by the gorgeous pages they're coming up with. Not to mention the major baby fever I have after looking at all these sweet pics. There's tons of great baby news in the Sweet Shoppe community forum - so the timing on this one is perfect. Take a look at this awesome inspiration from my girls...


Layout by Tracey


Layout by Karen


Layout by Laura


Layout by Maria


Layout by Michelle


Layout by Jana

YUMMMM!! I cant wait for you guys to get your hands on this one!!

In other news - I dont often get really excited about movies before they come out, but has anyone seen the trailer for Cloverfield? The fact that Lost producer J.J. Abrams is bringing the US it's own monster movie has me giddy in anticipation. I'll see you in the theaters on 1/18/08!!
On that note - hope to see you sooner than 6 months from now - like tomorrow maybe : )

Posted by Robin at 8:40 PM 6 comments

We've been swimming for a week...

...and I am soooo thrilled to show off pics of our little oasis in the desert! We started filling up on Friday, July 13th and we were SOOOO excited to see water going in finally from the first trickle to the last drop is was just about the most exciting thing that's happened around here all summer! Take a look...




Of course we took the kids out to splash around while it was filling up and they absolutely loved it! It took about 8 hours to fill both the pool and spa and on Monday, July 16th they started up all of the equipment and added chemicals to start balancing the water. We went with an in-floor cleaning system along with a salt chlorine system and it really seems like it's going to be so easy to maintain.

Monday was also landscape day, so all of our outdoor lighting and plants were installed and we just love it! We got rid of the 2 live oak trees we have which means less leaves in the pool and opted instead for some pygmy date palms which we cant wait to see grow over time. There is also white and purple lantana and boxwood beauty natal plums back there so once they fill out, it should be really pretty and colorful around the pool!

So it's been just over a week and the water color looks amazing now that the water has had time to level out with the chlorine (it starts out with a twinge of green straight from the hose but gets bluer and bluer as the days pass). The pool is surfaced with Blue Granite Pebble Sheen and we love how it feels on our feet! Anyhow, enough of me rambling, take a look at the pics...





We've been out to swim every day since it was put in and everytime I get in, I think to myself that if you're going to spend a lot of money on something...this is it! It's only been 10 days or so and we think it is worth every penny because we know our family is going to enjoy this for years to come!

Hopefully I can get some photos of the kids swimming soon - I need Rocky home to do it because with the lil ones I have to be watching and close by constantly. Katie has quickly caught onto the whole swimming thing and can swim by herself without any floaties after just being in the pool for a week. Andy is coming right along too, being able to cruise around and keep himself balanced while wearing those floating speedo vests. Emily is getting more and more confident too but she's our timid one...so it may take her a little more time. I could go on and on...

In other news... I'm soooo excited to say that my paperlines for A2Z essentials debuted at CHA this week. Check it out...





I have a line shown called It's Elementary which is a spin on Baby You Can Drive and I also did the Essentials by Color Paper line which is shown in the layouts above. You can read & see more here, here and here. Lots more coming throughout the year!

Big congrats going out to my Sweet Shoppe Girls who also had products debut at CHA this week! Zoe for A2Z, Manda for Paper Salon and Susan for Bo Bunny! SOOO exciting!!

Okay so I think I've rambled on enough for now :) See you soon!

Posted by Robin at 2:20 PM 12 comments

Woo! I'm back...

... and our pool decking is in! I'm sooo excited because we are getting really close to this thing being finished. Check out the latest pic...


So let's see, Monday they'll be doing the waterline tile and all of the tile around the spa including the spillways (the cut outs you see on the surface of the spa wall). Then the flagstone bench will be going up around the top of the spa. Then clean up of the pool and yard, all of the fittings for the in floor cleaner will be installed, the decking overlay will be sprayed, the barrier fence hung and then the final pebblesheen finish will be applied and they'll start fillin her up! That 4th of July Pool Party and BBQ just may happen... Keep your fingers crossed, we're getting close!

Posted by Robin at 1:50 PM 2 comments

Did ya know?

We're having a pool built in our backyard! The kids are sooooo excited (we are too) and we can't wait for it to be done! We're hoping it will be ready in time for a 4th of July BBQ!!

Anyhow, I thought I would post a trio of pics of how the pool is doin up to this point...


Excavation

Plumbing / Electric / Steel

Shotcrete
Now that the concrete is in, they just did that this morning, we have to go out and water the silly thing 4 times a day so that it doesnt dry too fast. It's pretty gosh darn cool cuz we can finally SEE what all of it is gonna look like.

I have to tell you, our backyard is absolutely thrashed though, so I can't wait to see how they are going to pull it all together with the decking and all of the other finishing touches to make it look amazing! I'll keep ya posted with new pics as the stages progress!!

Posted by Robin at 3:42 PM 2 comments

Since I apparently suck...

...at blogging, I've decided to start a twitter. It's called microblogging and basically it's for those of us who dont have the attention span required to keep up with the demands of blogging on a regular basis (or those people who just want to have a bit of mindless fun while keeping in touch with the world).

To be honest with you, it takes me forever to come up with an intelligent sounding post that I think you'll be interested in reading so as a result I've shy'd away from blogging completely, but I want that to change! I'm hoping that perhaps my twitter will give me a quick and easy way to say what I'm up to as a designer, scrapper and mom in a less formal setting and that I'll do it more often because it's so casual.

I also love that I can add friends in a click and then just click my friends tab to see what all of my friends and I are doing each day in a timeline of the days posts. That is the coolest thing ever!!!

SOOO if you're interested in twittering with me, sign up and add me as a friend so I can see what you're doing too! Or you can just lurk and see what I am up to at http://twitter.com/robincarlton - I hope to see some people over there.

Real quick before I go, I actually scrapped a page last night for a brand new challenge I'm hosting at the Sweet Shoppe. Check it out...

Credits: Grass Stains by Shawna Clingerman, Vintage Frames & Tiny Tags with Tape by Jessica Bolton, Hand Stamped Alpha by Michelle Coleman.
Hope all of you are enjoying the kick-off to summer and that maybe this twittering will kick off an age without radio silence from me. TTYS!

Posted by Robin at 8:45 PM 0 comments

It's only been 9 days...

I mean that's an improvement over 4 months for sure but still not great! We're getting there tho dontcha think?

So anyhow, couple of quick Sweet Shoppe things...

First up, I'm workin it on the Sweet Shoppe Blog today and if you want a nice little freebie from me, I'd love for you to head over there to check it out. I've shared lots of GORGEOUS layouts using my recent kits over there, so you wont want to miss taking a peek for some extra inspiration! I think it's pretty SWEET!

Secondly, I'm REALLY excited to share that Manda and I are going to be hosting a new weekly challenge at SSD called POP Weekly and we made our official debut today! The two of just LOVE anything and everything to do with pop culture and we thought it would be a really fun twist on the average digital challenge. We think it's going to be an absolute blast, so let your hair down, dont take yourself too seriously and head over to the new POP Weekly challenge forum to jump right in!

Now I've been a busy bee working hard on my layouts for the March issue of DAM and I just love them. I took some pics using my new Rebel and WOW are they stunning! SOOO crisp and colorful, I am just thrilled!! Hopefully I'll have some time to scrap and share some non-confidential layouts with you very soon :)

In the meantime, I dont know if anyone would be interested, but my Canon 10D needs a new home! It's a great camera and in fabulous condition with original box, straps, manuals, etc. I'm looking to sell the body only as I love all of my lenses, so if you're interested and want to get started with a DSLR for a couple of hundred bucks, send me a mail with a serious offer k? I'm TOTALLY willing to consider any offer that you think is fair, so write me and lets talk about it :)

Completely unrelated to scrapping, LOST is back!! YAY! Last week was such a teaser if you ask me and EVERY episode has me dying for more... I seriously CANNOT wait for tonight's episode! So what did you guys think of Juliet's revelation last week? I sooo did not see that coming...dunno why, but just didnt. Also, if you watched the hour long special last week with the two producers catching us up on all that had happened, did anyone else notice the complete and deliberate omission of Walt and Michael's existance in the show? POOF! It's as if we never saw those two characters. Wonder what's up with that?

Anyhow, I think I've rambled on long enough between this post and the ssd blog post, so with that...Happy Valentine's Day! Go grab your freebie and leave me some love k?

Posted by Robin at 12:33 PM 2 comments

Digital Artist Magazine...

Woo! I'm back already! Anyhow, I'm really excited because yesterday the February issue of Digital Artist Magazine hit the Sweet Shoppe shelves! It's such an incredible publication and I feel so proud to be selling it at SSD. We arent in any way involved with the production of the magazine, but since it is the premiere downloadable magazine for Digital Scrapbookers and it's only sold at the DAM site, Designer Digitals & Scrapbook-Elements, I am soo tickled that we're now one of the exclusive vendors for the mag! GO SSD!

Over the past couple of months, some really exciting scrapping stuff happened for me that I havent shared here on the blog. The big one for me was applying for and making the Digital Artist Magazine team of contributing artists. I am soo proud of this gig and just feel so excited seeing my layouts in the mag each month! While I cant share my layouts from the February issue, I am allowed to share my layouts from the January issue. I just love these two layouts and hope you do too. Take a peek...


Credits: Everything shown from Dani Mogstad's Fall Crush. Fonts used are LD Remington Portable and Dear Joe IV.

Credits: Everything shown from various kits at JenWilsonDesigns.com. Font used are Pea Kelly, Porcelain, Shortcut and Hotel Coral Essex.
So before I go, let's talk TV, there are some really great shows on right now that I am just lovin! Grease: You're the One That I Want! is certainly a fave of mine and I think Top Design, which just premiered last Wednesday night on Bravo is gonna be hot too! Of course, the HUGE news this week is that LOST is back on Wednesday night and seriously, I cant wait!! I enjoy TV sooo much more now that we have a DVR through our cable company, it is just awesome to be able to record a show and then watch it late at night after the kids are in bed and things have settled down. LOVE LOVE it!

Anyhow, what are you guys lovin on TV?? I'd love to dish "must see TV" today!

Posted by Robin at 2:49 PM 4 comments

A New Look For A New Year

So okay...it's a month into 2007 and I'm still calling it the new year, but January was sort of a blur for me with everything going on over at the Sweet Shoppe. Our big anniversary celebration went off without a hitch and the response has been amazing. I am SOOO excited for our second year in business.

Now that things are starting to settle down tho, I really want to try and make a conscious effort to be more organized and start recording what's going on in our lives on a regular basis. I think it's important to have a spot to gather and save my thoughts on the little things that happen here and there from week to week. Soooo... I've given the blog here a fresh new look using goodies from one of my new mini kits called Rainbow Zerbert and I'm hoping to be here sharing my thoughts at least a few times each week.

January was an interesting month outside of the digital world for us. About a week and a half ago, we finally met with a speech therapist to discuss Emily's speech patterns. As a family, we can understand most of what she says to us, but we're well aware of the fact that most other people probably cant. With kindergarten being about a year and a half away, we finally took the plunge to see what a professional thought about it.

So on Friday 1/26, we had our first in home evaluation with a WONDERFUL speech pathologist and after a series of tests that Emily just LOVED taking and participating in, we were told that she has what is known as apraxia of speech. In short, she's very smart and above average in what she understands language wise, but unfortunately her brain has a hard time telling her mouth how to communicate with us properly. As a result, many of her words sound garbled and she substitutes letter sounds she's comfortable making in places they dont belong. She particularly likes the /p/ /k/ and /g/ sounds so we get puk instead of cup and things along those lines.

The speech therapist has told us that it's a long road of therapy but most apraxic kids end up sounding quite normal with work. We'll be working with Stacie twice each week over the next several months, so keep your fingers crossed that Emily makes great progress with this as we go through this process. We've had 2 therapy sessions here in our home so far and Emmie just LOVES when Stacie comes, so while it's pricey, we're really looking forward to the benefits of it.

In other fun news, Rocky bought me a Canon Digital Rebel XT-i for my birthday at the end of January and I am sooo excited to have a new DSLR. I've had the 10D since 2003 and while I love it, I was so ready for a new toy and I am excited about the upgrades they've made with the technology and I actually prefer the lighter camera body! I'm hoping to take some new pics and do a layout or two this weekend, so hopefully I'll be back soon to share!

On that note, I think I'll call this a post and leave a promise to be back soon to say hi!!

Posted by Robin at 2:10 PM 8 comments

Back to Ramble :)

Hey Hey :)

How's it goin out in blogland? I thought I'd check in and say Hi and ramble on for a bit.

First up. Lost.

Where the heck have I been for the last 2 years? I started watching Lost on DVD this week and WOWEE...I. Am. LOVING. It!

I remember watching the first 4-5 episodes when it first started and I really enjoyed it back then but then I lost track of time, missed some episodes and never caught up. So now I am LOVING the fact that I can sit back and watch the whole darn thing on DVD - that's the coolest thing EVER! I've been staying up entirely too late the last 3 nights because I HAD to have answers to my questions but Ive now realized that the thing that makes Lost fabulous is the fact that the questions never stop. One episode might answer a question, but it's also going to make you ask even more questions which is why you keep coming back for more. It's been a long time since a show has really captured my attention like this. It's great!

Next up... (and I cant believe I am going to admit this publicly on my blog)

I'm a HUGE Battlestar Gallactica fan on the sci-fi channel! This show ROCKS and the 3rd season kicked off 3 weeks ago and I am LOVIN it. This is another show that captivated me thanks to the series being released on DVD. Cylons, spaceships, good guys...cool. Rocky loves sci-fi stuff and I have to admit that I've kinda always liked this sorta stuff too.

I totally remember the original Battlestar Gallactica when I was kid - Starbuck and Apollo, etc, etc and Sci-Fi has TOTALLY revamped this classic and it's amazing, sexy, captivating, touching and FABULOUS. SOOOOO this begs to ask the question - is anyone else out there watching this show with me? Let me know!

Moving right along to digi-land...

I made myself a promise last February and it's time to come through on it... yes chicklets CK HOF is around the corner and I am gonna enter this year. SOOO I think the layouts around here are gonna be a little sparse as I am squirrelling most of them away so that I can pick and choose the very best of what I have to offer to enter the contest. I'm SUPER excited about it and nervous too but it's something I really want to follow through with, so I am doing it. Wish me luck and check out a couple of recent layouts that I CAN show ya...

First up is a really simple, sweet layout of my Princess Emily using one of Jen's One-Derful Wednesday kits, Katie...


She really is SOOOOO sweet - sometimes it's overwhelming how much you can love your kids if ya know what I mean. They just ROCK!

Next up is a layout I did as one of the guest darers for Dare #8 at the Digi-Dare Blog. I have to say I am really proud of this layout and think it ROCKS. I'm really stoked I was asked to be a guest darer on the blog and I hope I can do it again in the future!


I used some yummy stuff from Zoe Pearn and Gina Cabrera for this layout and think their goodies were PERFECT for that photo. This layout REALLY challenged me because the whole circle thing threw me off in a big way. A challenge is a GOOD thing tho - so thanks to the digi-dare team for the inspiration!

Anyhow...I think that's it for now. There's more on my mind, but I've probably rambled on enough for today. Hope all of you are doin well and that I get back here sooner rather than later. TTYS!

Posted by Robin at 9:25 AM 7 comments