My daughter the scrapper

I got a phone call from Angel this morning. She had been busy with Tanner and was getting ready to put him down for a nap. I asked her what she was going to do and she said she was going to scrap. She's been scrapping A LOT!! I'm so thrilled that she is. It's been such a good thing for her to do. When I opened the store and made her manager I told her one of the requirements was for her to become a garage girl. She immediately freaked out because she hardly ever scraps but agreed. Well she has become such an addict. I went over to her house and she had an entire album filled with pages and when she came into work she showed me her assignments that she completed...EARLY!! They aren't do until next month.
I'm so happy that she's scrapping.
Hugs
Suzy

more pics for you....

You gals are so sweet to want more pics!!! Here are a few more from Kelle Thomas. I have not seen the other ones yet from our photographer so this is all I have.

this is for you Dawn!! :)

This is Tanner checking out his own shadow. He's so cute!

Tanner with my mom!! I love the face he's making.

Jeremy was supposed to walk Tanner down the aisle but Tanner fell asleep. Sierra walking down the isle giggling the entire time.

She smiled like this the entire time.
Mr. and Mrs. Christian Bartonico

Their first dance photos.

Things are finally slowing down for me

So these last few months have been crazy!! I swear I don't know how I did it all. It was all a blur at the end. LOL
Angel's wedding was perfect!
I'm done with all the book stuff. I'm going to be working on another one but not until the end of the year.
I'm getting ready for CHA and a cruise that I'm going to teach on.
The store is doing fabulous! I need to hire more girls though. I'm excited that Erin started working at the store (very part time. WAHH). Poor thing started working two days ago. First day? We received 7 huge boxes FILLED with product and the next day? We got in two huge boxes of ki memories, Love elsie line. Everyone was going nuts over it. LOL
It was a mad house!!!
Anyways, I'm excited things are slowing down.
Hugs
Suzy

The wedding was beautiful!!

Angel's married!!! Her wedding was absolutely beautiful and she looked amazing!! I didn't take any pictures so I could fully enjoy it. I can't wait to see all the pictures from Rowena (the photographer) and others that took pictures, I'm sure they will be beautiful! This morning I checked my email and my friend Kelle sent me some that she had taken. Here are a few for you to enjoy. THANKS KELLE!!!

Tanner, the ring bearer(sp?)

He was so adorable!! He fell asleep when it was time to walk down the isle. As soon as he was awake he was everywhere. LOL

Here he is in his little tux and vans.

My niece, Ashleigh
She was the maid of honor. She looked so beautiful!!

My little Sierra was the flower girl. She looked so stinkin' cute!!

Paul walked her down half way and then handed her to my dad who gave her away. it was so sweet!

My dad giving her away to Christian.

It was so beautiful!!! I loved everything about her wedding. I'll post more pictures as they come in!!

Hugs, Suzy West

It's so me

So my dress is sooooooooo not a mother of the bride pretty dress. I was just trying it on again and it really is just a plain dress but it's soooo me that I love it. LOL

The material is not soft or flowy(sp?). I don't know, I think it's just a plain thick cotton dress. LOL
It's not a soft color. It's navy blue.
It's not a sweet looking dress. It's a sorta fitted dress with a bolero jacket to match.

My gosh it's so so me. LOL Oh did Imention the shoes are plain too? LOL
So what's my plan to dress it up? I got a lot of bling. I am getting my hair done in a up do and make-up.

Now the mother-in-law? I really hope she's not wearing something to boobish or up to my thighs dress. I know Angel and Christian are really worried about that. I think Angel said that Christian talked to her about it.

I gotta tell you about Angel's dress. It's so pretty!!! It really is a princess dress.
The top is so beautiful! I love the back of it! The skirt is all tulle and a lot of poof!

Her shoes are gorgeous too! They have some bling on it.
Her bouquet is WOW!! It will have roses and stargazers. So exciting!!
Her jewelery is so pretty. Nothing to flashy because of all the wow's in her dress.
I love her veil!!
I can't wait to show you guys pictures!!

So I think this will be my last update on her wedding because from today on, it's going to get even more busy!!

Just two more days!

The last details...

Okay so it's just 3 days until the wedding!!! I'm sweating bullets!
I'm done--got my clothes, shoes, and jewelery.
Sierra is done--got her dress, shoes, socks.
Jeremy is done-tux is ready and he got a hair cut.
Paul is done--tux is ready.
Angel is almost done--We picked up her shoes. She needs to pick up her dress tomorrow(cutting it really close). She needs to get her jewelery.

Need to get my brows waxed and a manicure still. I work until 10pm tonight. So that isn't going to happen unless I go when Lizz comes into work.

We have the bachelorette party tomorrow night right after work.

Friday is the rehearsal dinner.

Saturday we get our hair done really early in the morning. After hair we are doing make-up. We then have photos then it's the wedding!! EEK!!!

yesterday we started picking out extra songs and then I got emotional and had to stop.
okay just thinking about it more is making me emotional so I gotta stop again!!

I just want this to be perfect for our princess!!!
Hugs
Suzy

today...

I went to Safeway early this morning because I didn't have time yesterday to get flowers for my mom, daughter, and sister in law...and realized...
there are NO flowers left if you go the day of...(had to go to three different stores to find flowers for all three) eek!

Went shopping with my mom and finally bought my shoes for the wedding...and realized...
It's been a long time since I wore pretty pointy heels... I swear I'm going to be in pain for the wedding!LOL

I looked for a bra that can keep the girls together in one place...and realized...
there is no bra in the world that can help that anymore!LOL

I bought jewelery to match my dress...and realized...
I spend way to much on bling! The accessories were more than the dress!LOL

Purchased a purse to go with the dress...and realized...
I won't be bringing anything to the wedding but a credit card...Paul can hold that.

Purchased a pair of white little socks for Sierra...and realized...
Angel's feet were little like this once and now she's getting married. I came home and gave Sierra a big hug and kiss and took a good look at her...because she's not going to be little for long.

Today I realized...
Life is to short. Treasure the time you have with your kids. They grow up so fast and you don't want to miss out on all the wonderful things they do each and every day!!

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs
Suzy

What makes you happy?

I was putting on my make up the this morning and noticed these wrikles around my eyes. They seem to have gotten even bigger than the last time I really noticed them. It really was quite disturbing to me to see so many. I started to make different gestures with my face (crazy right? LOL) to see what I did to make those wrinkles get bigger? It turned out they came from me smiling!! It made me realize how happy I am. I am constantly smiling.
This past weekend I worked endless amount of hours during two huge national scrapbook day events. On Sunday night after our event, a few friends of mine and I went to our favorite restaurant. One of my gal pals said something to the affect that she couldn't believe how happy I still was after working so many hours. It made me smile more and I told her I couldn't help it. I'm a happy person.
I love my life and every time I think of the reasons why I love my life I smile.
I love my family!! Watching my daughter, Angel become this amazing mom puts a smile on my face. The look on Jeremy's face when he comes through the door puts a huge smile on my face. When I hear my little Sierra scream out my name because she's so happy to see me puts a huge smile on my face. My grandson, Tanner puts such a massive smile on my face it hurts!
I smile everytime I walk through the doors of the store that I just recently opened.
I smile when I see the layouts that my design team have created of their beautiful families.
I smile when I am hanging out with my friends.
I smile every time we go to our favorite place, La Fondue
I smile when I am at church.
I smile when Paul puts his arms around me when we are in bed.
I smile when I get new products in my store. LOL
I smile when I take a picture of something or someone that I love.
I smile everytime I get a chance to IM with my friend Jenn in Maine.
I smile everytime I'm with my buddies Erin and Rocio and we are talking about_______ @ __________ because _________ is so ______!! LOL
I smile everytime I watch my favorite show Will and Grace!!! LOL I know they are old!LOL
There are so many reasons why I smile.
My wish is that everyone that reads this has tons of reasons to smile and that if you look in the mirror and see those little wrinkles around your eyes, realize that they are a good thing. You're happy!

It's been a while...

Well it's been a while since I posted last. Honestly, I have no idea what I did but I couldn't get into my account. LOL I'm such a computer dummy that I'd rather just forget about it than try to fix it. Well tonight I decided to try and some how some way, I fixed it. LOL
Anyways, it really has been a while since I posted last, but you know what they say, time flies when you're having fun...or when you are super swamped! LOL
Since I posted last lots has happened.

* I opened a new store. It's so cool!!!! You can see some pictures here: Picture Me Perfect It has been a fun and crazy road! There was a scrapbook store there before. They decided to close their doors on February 28th. On March 1st, I signed a lease, fixed up the entire place, ordered tons and tons of stuff, planned classes, crops, etc and opened my door on Monday, March 12th. It's doing amazing!! I am really enjoying meeting new people every day!

* I finished two books with a lot of my good friends!!! We did our last canvas book and we did a felt book!! I worked with my friends Krista Lund, Sylvia Bargas, Nichole Pereira, and Rocio Duran. The books are by Design Originals and will be out this July at CHA!!!

***I was approached by the president of Advantus and Lisa Bearnson at this last CHA to work with them. Scott called me at home one morning and we talked but I got busy and forgot to call him back. The other day, Lisa called me and I'm excited to say that after I'm done with some prior commitments I will be working with them.

* I have helped my beautiful daughter, Angel plan her wedding that is just around the corner!! May 19th!!

* My little Sierra is doing wonderful!! She's so smart and is so stinkin' adorable!! I can't believe she'll be graduating from Kindergarden soon!

* Jeremy has just gotten so tall these last few months!! He's such a cutie pie! He admitted to liking a girl for the first time a month ago.

* My little grandson Tanner, is so beyond adorable I can't stand it! He's starting to walk and says, "dada". OMG I love it!

* Paul is doing good at work. He's started another computer type adventure with a friend. He's taken over the garage!!! LOL

So a lot is going on!! I'm working on some projects right now for a cruise that I will be teaching on to Bermuda in July.

I really want to thank my family for all their love and support that they have given me these last few months!! I couldn't do it with out them!!

Hugs,
Suzy

Tanner's new hat

OMG!! Tanner is so stinkin' cute!!! I went out with my mom, Angel, and Tanner today for my birthday. I went shopping for something to wear tonight and instead I saw this hat, put it on Tanner and had to have it!!! He looks so darn cute in it!!! I ended up buying the entire outfit!!! He's saving it for his photo shoot next week!!! Can't wait!!!

Tanner's going to be 8 months tomorrow!!

Sierra's photo shoot!!

I can't get over how sweet Sierra looks in these pictures. I told her I needed pictures for my next book and that we were going to take pictures.

She replies, "oh I'm going to look really cute for you mommy!!"

The way she said that, made me smile. She's so stinkin' cute!!!

I love all her little poses that she gives me. This is all her!! LOL

I love this shot. She looked over to see her daddy whom she adores and I snapped this picture.

I just love her to bits!!! She's the sweetest little thing!!

Having fun with my friends!!!

This weekend I had so much fun with a lot of my girlfriends that I totally enjoy spending time with. They decided to do a circle journal and they get together at the garage to work on them. We got together on Saturday and it was a blast!!! We laughed over everything. Don't ask me why but we cracked up over...a red pen!!!LOL
Anyways, wanted to give a shout out to the gals that attended!!!
Rocio D., Lonae and Amber S., Victoria F., Charmaine M., Erin Y., Veronica L., and Nelana T.
Two of the regulars were missing this time around but wanted to send a shout out to them too!!! Hey there Janice N. and Traci V.!!!
You gals are the best and I love my time with you!!!
Hugs
Suzy

Getting ready for the new store...

As many of you know, I'm going to be opening up a scrapbook store outside of the home. I've been in the garage for almost 8 years!! We should have been out of here a long time ago but I have wanted to stay home with the kids for as long as I could.
Everyone is in school now and it's a perfect time for me to move. Sooooo....we have found a place, ordered everything to make the place beautiful, ordered a ton of stuff, and tomorrow, I'm doing a walk through with the owner.


It looks like we are going to start getting the store ready in less than 2 WEEKS! HOLY COW!! I can't wait to have my "vision" come to life. I look forward to having my design team create in our new place, and to see the classroom come to life. If my calculations are correct we are going to fit between 32-35 people in the new store for classes and crops!!! SWEET!!!!!!!!

Thanks to everyone for all their wonderful support and inspiration!!!
Hugs,
Suzy West

My CHA class

CHA was a lot of fun for me. One of things I love most about CHA is teaching classes. I got to teach a really fun canvas calendar class. Everyone was so sweet. I got to meet people from all over the world and learn about their store, magazine, etc.

Crate Paper, Bazzill, 3L, and Ranger donated to the class. My publisher, Design Originals donated our third book, Scrapbooking on the table to everyone person that attended. They are so awesome!

My friend Suzanne took my class and she took these pictures for me.

Right side of the room.

Middle and left side of the room.

Signing someone's book.

A day to remember

Today has been one of those days that I will look back on and say, "wow that day was a good day!"

I was very busy doing many things.

----Sent out a save the date evite to a lot of people for Angel's wedding.

----narrowed down all the fixtures and furniture that I'm buying for my new store opening soon.

----watched my grandson get up and walk a long the couch.

----met a really sweet older gentleman that reminded me of my dad. We had the most awesome long conversation at Starbucks. We will never forget each other.

----watched my daughter read books to her son at the book store. The smile on his face made my heart jump.

----had a conversation with Sierra over who loved each other more.

----Watched my son walk towards me and saw a young man vs. a little kid. It almost made me cry.

----worked on the invitations for Angel's wedding.

----Visited my mom who has surgery last week while I was gone.

----had a fun conversation with my friend Michelle.

Yup, today was a good day!!!

I've been tagged!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Erin you are such a freak!! I love ya girl!!!LOL
Okay so 5 random facts about me:

1. I hardly ever wear make-up but when I do, I have to do it all...foundation, three colors of eye shadow plus the bases to make it stay on all day, eyeline, eyelash curler, mascar, lipliner, lipstick, blush. LOL

2. Every night between 11pm-12am I watch Will and Grace.

3. I love fondue in the worst way!!! I go to my favorite fondue restaurant atleast once a week which happens to be 45 minutes away.

4. My heart skips a beat everytime Paul puts his arms around me.

5. I use to be a break dancer when I was in my teens!!LOL I was one of the first female "breakers" in our area. LOL I can still do some moves....when noone is looking!LOL

I'm tagging the following people:
Ali Edwards
Stacy Julian
Heidi Swapp
Lisa Bearnson

Hugs
Suzy

updates...

I know it's been like forever since I updated my blog. sorry. So ready for an update? There's a lot!!!

1. The garage is moving!! I'm getting a bigger store outside of my house!!EEK!!! I'm going to be unleashed!! This is scary!!
Where? I'll be in Fremont
When? It's going to be March or April
What? Let's just say it's in a great area. I'm going to have a lot of space for crops, classes, and lots of merchandise!!!
I have the whole place decorated in my head!! I've literally had dreams about the way it's going to look. So exciting!!!

2. CHA--was extremely succesful for myself as a person and for the company I design for, Canvas Concepts.
I came back with THREE book deals. I'm excited for my g4 team.
I can't give all the details on the books but I will say this:

First book will be released in July. Krista, Nichole, myself, and one of my other garage girs, Sylvia Bargas will be working on that one. Michelle is taking a break on that book because she's a busy girl!LOL

Second book: Krista, Michelle, Nichole, and I will be working on that one. This one will also be out in July.

Third book will be out in January and it will be Krista, Nichole, myself, and I'm not sure who yet.

During CHA some companies were chosen to do videos. Ours was chosen. Here's the video.


3. I'm going to be doing a lot of traveling this year but not as much as last. I have made commitments to stores already and am excited to see them. I also have other big things planned where I'll be either in different state or country. LOL

4. Angel's wedding is just around the corner. May is going to be crazy!!! We have National Scrapbook day and her wedding!!! YIKES!!!
We have been working on her invitations. They are so cute!!! The colors? pink, black, and white. LOVE THEM!!!

5. I'm excited about my little grandson. He's so adorable. He's crawling, standing against things, and happier than ever. I just love him!!!

Okay I think that's everything. I'll post more soon!!
Oh wait, a shout out to some of my special friends who have really been there for me lately during all this craziness:
Rocio, Nichole, Michelle, Laurie, and Erin!! I love ya gals!!!

Hugs
Suzy

next four months???? busy...busy...busy!!!

In just a few weeks I'll be in Anaheim, Ca for CHA. I'm excited about all the fun things that I will be seeing and doing while I'm there. I have a lot going on while I'm there. I'm leaving here on Friday, 26th and won't be back until Friday, February 2nd. A whole week away from my family, friends, and store.
I'll be teaching at CHA a really fun class that Rocio and Nichole and I will be kitting really soon. I'll also be teaching at Timeless Treasures in Rancho Santa Margarita.
I'll be going on a trip in February!!! I'll post more about that later.
I just booked a few more classes. I'll be teaching at Young Play Memories in March. I'll also be teaching in three locations back east in march.
I'll be at the Sue Gilman Rep Show. I am teaching three classes there.
I'll be teaching at Right At home Scrapbooking Store
I'll also be at Scrapbook Cupboard.
I have other big things that I'm doing too but it's to early to tell!! It's good though!!
I have some things going on in April too!! I'll tell you all about this later too!!
May is going to be busy!! I have some trips that I'm going on and Angel and Christian are getting married!!!
So today I am going to try something different. I'm going to try to be organized!LOL I have a huge layout of everything going on and am going to plan it out so that everything is BALANCED. This is my new word for the year. I want to make sure I balance everything out.
Anyways, I look forward to doing all these fun things and going to all these fun places!!!
Hugs
Suzy

It's the little things you do that make me smile

The last few days Sierra has done little things that have just put smiles on my face. I told her to put her toys away the other day and she said, "do I have to put everything away?" I said, "yes, Sierra everything" "mommy, do you really mean everything away? "Yes, Sierra. Everything that belongs to you. Everything cute, colorful, and fun should go into that box!"
A few minutes later I went to check on her and what do I find? All of her toys and herself in the toy box!! I give her a look and she says in her sweet little voice, "mommy you said everything that is cute, colorful, and fun!!" I couldn't help to run and get my camera!!! I had a smile on my face all day thinking about her!!

We booked my cruise to Bermuda!!

I'm so excited about the cropping cruise I'm going on to Bermuda!!! I will be teaching 9 classes at the cruise. The cruise will go from New Jersey to Bermuda. It's going to be a lot of fun!!!!
Scrapbook Island is an awesome store that is putting this cruise together!!!
I had such a great time hanging out with them the last time I was there!! If you are interested in joining the us on this wonderful cruise go to: http://www.derryscrapbookisland.com/Cruise.html
Hope you can join us!!
Hugs
Suzy West