Dominick Joseph Sciortino, III arrived!

He is amazing! So precious and sweet. He was born today at 4:56pm, weighing 7 pounds and 11 ounces and measuring 20 1/2 inches (don't quote me on the length). Everyone is doing great. Jen made it through the c-section well and was looking forward to her box of Munchkins (imported from Metairie by Mr. Dominick). Jen's brother Jason made a surprise appearance all the way from Denver. I can't wait until I can snuggle with him - there is nothing better than a new baby!

Welcome to the Word Nick! love, Hallie

Check out more pics at shutterfly: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8DbN2TNy1ZoE&notag=1

Just a quick check in...

Tax season has halted most creative production, but that doesn't mean I'm not jotting ideas down everywhere. No pics with this post (I know - yuck!), but hopefully I'll get some up soon. Off to save my clients from IRS scrutiny!

Canvas class

How cute is he?? You deserve to do something for yourself!! This class is perfect! If you are generous, you could give this canvas as a gift (but, I'm not that generous!). There is a sample of the canvas at Scrapbook and Co, but the class canvas will actually be better - 8" by 12" - bigger is better! Each canvas will be personal - you MUST bring either a 5x7 or 4x6 photo and please have a title in mind. There are four paper combinations from which to choose. When you call the store to sign up, please specify the color combo, so I have everything ready. Here are the choices:

"pink and brown"

"green stars"

"baby dress"

"primary stars and stripes"

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, February 19 from 6 - 8. The class costs $20. Sign up today!Please bring scissors, a paper trimmer, and Mod Podge (if you have it). I will have Mod Podge at the class. If we have enough suppplies, feel free to buy an additional canvas and paper and make two canvases during the class. Remember - the special sale AND door prize that are included in ALL of my classes!

Nikon D50 Private tutor needed...

Ugh! I thought I found a setting that would reduce the glare on my layout photos, but they lost the crispness. When I bought the camera, I bought the "How to use your camera" DVD - It's still unopened. I'm sure it would help if I actually opened it! But I would really prefer someone to SHOW me!!!

Anyway, I had a wonderful scrapbook escape to my friend Karen's camp on Lake Rosamound. We arrived Friday evening and scrapbooked until Saturday evening. Karen's the greatest type of friend - she buys EVERYTHING! And then is generous with letting everyone use it. She has the big Cricut and a zillion cartridges.

I woke at 9:30 am to the BEST scent in the world - BACON!!!! Connie made everyone bacon, eggs and biscuits - I truly felt like a pampered queen!

Now, down the layouts....

All the way from August, Morgan's 4th birthday - just a little cake at home with the family.

Getting closer to the present, with Avery's princess birthday tea party in November.

Now, when you have pictures sitting in an envelope for A YEAR!!! What do you do? Well, you pretend that is was always your intention to put Hannah's first and second birthday side by side. It's actually really cute to see the difference in one year.

What stinks about busy lives, is that sometimes, the only picture I get of my friends each year is in their Christmas card. So I always scrapbook the card photos. It's one of my favorite things to do each year!

We had a baby shower for Zia. She was put on bedrest this week, and is getting very close to 37 weeks, so I think we will have our first bouncing baby boy soon!

You may have read an earlier post about giving mom a golf cart - well here is the layout. We've named it "GiGi's GoGo". Airbrushed license plate to follow...

The infamous "fashionistas" in their version of Ugg Boots!

Thanks Karen for a great escape. I also finished my Creative Escape 2007 book. Won't bore you with those photos, but it is nice that it is finished.

I'm sitting here laughing (very quietly) because Morgan is singing the Hannah Montana song. Of course, she mumbles most of the words, but she knows "Best of both worlds" and belts that part out proudly. I can't laugh out loud because she'll stop. Hope you get to laugh out loud today...

Stamping, embossing and painting - oh my!

After a week in bed with the flu, I had this amazing creative energy spurt. Probably in part b/c I missed out on an overnight scrap getaway with friends, and part because I may be down, but not dead! I love stamping, embossing and painting, but too often, I use a quicker, less messy alternative when I am working on pages. But when I actually do pull it all out - i LOVE the results.

Plus, since I'm sick, I'm not venturing out yet, which forces me to ONLY use my stash - which ALWAYS requires more "out of the box" thinking - to prove this - I used the Cricut! I know - crazy!

This is all the way from Morgan's birthday in August - It's one of my favorite pictures and this OLD Cosmo Cricket line was perfect - see I KNEW I would use it eventutally!

I think I got this kit 2 Christmases ago. The paper is Rusty Pickly and everyone knows I love to scrapbook with reds, browns and blacks. It only took two years, but I found the perfect pictures for this layout. Just me and my girls...

We spent Christmas "Eve Eve" at GiGi's house with the Oustalet clan. I LOVE the Basic Grey Figgy Pudding line - notice - I embossed all over the chipboard - I love the way it came out!

Here's Christmas Eve at Shane's parent's house. Of course, Avery is hamming it up. Santa loves to visit, and each year, one of the children get a little closer to the "lap". Evan is ALWAYS ready, this year Morgan made it, Avery went "close enough" with MeMe and Sophie stayed FAR FAR away. We'll try again next year!

Lastly, I'm going to start a page kit each month at Scrapbook and Co. I don't have the specifics about pricing etc, but each kit has all of the hearts pre-cut and the "Lovely" is stamped on as well as the flourishes. I'm starting this month with 4 kits, and we'll how how it goes.

It's Mardi Gras today, and I have promised the girls that we are going to see the Hannah Montana movie. What was I thinking? And then off to Hobby Lobby to get a Valentine's Day art project for Daddy. Hopefully I'll get a little creative today.... and as always - make sure you LAUGH OUT LOUD!

PS - I started this post on Saturday, but didn't finish until Tuesday, but the post keeps the start date - wierd, huh?

and the FLU saga continues...

As Avery and I are on the mend - my pregnant sister (and business partner) Ashley has now been diagnosed with the flu along with her husband Collin. Luckily, Morgan, Hannah and Shane - who all had the flu shot seem to be in the clear. My only worry is my Mom who has been taking care of the flu victims all week. Luckily, I was able to get her a prescription to Tamiflu, which can be used to prevent the flu after exposure. Let's keep our fingers crossed that "Nurse Mel" stays healthy.