Wednesday, April 25, 2012

It’s the BIG 16!!

Helllloooo all my friends and a joyous Wednesday to you!  Today is the BIG DAY here in the Dean household!  My daughter Alexa is turning 16 today…wowzers…I cannot believe I’m saying my child is 16.  It truly feels like just yesterday when she was running around in pigtails screaming at the top of her lungs her favorite word “NO” LOL!  She was cuter than pie but boy-o was she (hmmm still is) high maintenance hee hee.  She never played with toys much…she was more active and liked to play games more than play with toys and she could never, ever entertain herself.  Thank goodness for dance and gymnastics as they kept her busy.  And smart…oh yeah she’s smart…but just not just smart but very clever…so clever that sometimes James & I look at each other and say “how the heck?”.  And she’s very much LIKE me (god help the world)..stubborn, hard-headed, a Taurus to the end, talented, smart, sweet, funny and empathetic.  She’s a beautiful dancer, talented gymnast, fabulous singer and we have lots of fun together these days.  Yeah we still butt heads regularly…I mean hello, she is a TEEN KWIM!  But I am happy with what I see in her and the woman that she is to become.  I hope that I’ve taught her over the years self-respect and how to have a healthy self esteem…things I think that are important for girls to have.  That its OK to be yourself, not give people that don’t like you for dumb reasons the time of day, to be smart and voice your feelings and opinions while being respectful and aware of other’s feelings.  That the most important thing is to look at yourself in the mirror every morning…and truly look at yourself…if you love what you see, what you’ve done, the kind of person you are, how you’ve treated others..then you’re doing ok!  I hope she pursues her love of Marine Biology..works with the animals she wants…travels the world…makes lots of friends…tries new things and has fun with her life.  I would love for her to wait until her late twenties to get married, have kids and all that jazz….spend time now doing what you want and enjoy every minute.  Live everyday like its your last is my motto and I repeatedly tell the kids that…I sure hope its imbedded in their brains..you just never know but I hope that I live a life that they respect and admire and have shown them how to live a good life.

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Happy 16th Birthday Alexa!!

So happy birthday to our baby girl….16 is a big number…keep your head held high, be proud of yourself, love yourself, have fun and know that we love you more than life itself.  We are happy to have you in our lives, a part of our family and we are blessed to know you and love you.  Wishing you many more fabulous birthdays!  I was so glad to have spent just mom & Alexa time in California…every minute was enjoyable and I treasure the memories we made!  And NOPE we didn’t get you a car, but hopefully a trip full of memories and a party with your friends is even better than some car keys, LOL!  And no worries we got you a few fab prezzies too Winking smile Tonight we are off to the Melting Pot to celebrate for dinner and then we will all watch the Washington Capitals hockey game (hey its Stanley Cup playoffs) together cuz that’s how the Deans roll!!

And a shout-out to all my Cali friends who came out to class and Bobbi who flew in from Hawaii to see me…I loved spending time with you all and I enjoyed the classes with you & hope you did too.  And special thanks to Shell for hosting me, I love ya and if you are in San Jose go visit her shop at ScrapGrlz.  Also to my wonderful friend Patricia (The Paper Temptress) for spending time with us…it was super fun!  And to Irina Blount (La La Land) for having dinner with us…as always it’s a blast to spend time with you when we ARE NOT working LOL!  And I will share more stories this weekend with you all about our travels but below is a slideshow of pics for you to enjoy!

NewsBitz:

-Wanna come take a Copics class with me?  My next classes will be in Baltimore, Montreal Canada, and Connecticut---all the info is up at www.cmcroad.com or you can email me if you have questions.

-SCACD has a new Elisabeth Bell release today (blog hop is Friday) and these are the Peekers #3 Collection…they are summer adorable & you will want a few for sure! So make sure to go check them all out HERE!

Slideshow of pics: (if you get by email u must come to site to see them)

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Sweet 16 Indeed!



So today’s card is actually my birthday card to Alexa…totally inspired by her.  Sassy image, cool-beachy colors and bold and fun!  I used this cute Saturated Canary digi stamp called “Pink Punkette”…she’s modern and sassy and smart just like my daughter so I had to use her!

I'm entering this into the following fun challenges:

 



I used some fun papers from Kaisercraft….Alexa’s fave colors are blues…especially beachy blues.  I believe she may have been a mermaid in another life…she’s always loved the water like me but she likes to swim in it, surf, snorkel and generally just be in it LOL.  So these colors suit her to a “T”.  I used some PTI stamps “Just the Ticket” for the fun ticket accents stamped with white Palette ink on black cs.  I distressed all my papers with my Zutter Distress machine..a tool I cannot live without.  The large flowers are Petaloo.




The “16” got cut out with my Slice machine and then I coated it with Diamond Glaze and sprinkled my fave DecoArt Glamour Dust on top for a fun look..instead of sinking it suspends in the liquid.  This lil cutie got colored with Copics and then I added Diamond Glaze to her eyes, earrings and skirt and threw in some Stickles for more sparkle.  The stamps I stamped around the image are from PTI as well…just a fun element to add on.



That’s all for me today..I’m off and running…Alexa has an orthodontist appt at 12 (yes I know but it was the only appt I could get before he left on vacay) and then I drop her back off at school. Then I have to run to mall to pick up a present, pick up an ice-cream cake and head back home to wrap and get ready to leave for dinner at 4:30…oyyyy! Crazy day…what else is new huh? LOL!  Have a great day!

31 comments:

  1. For ages I have followed you - watching yr lovely family grow up along mine - Happy 16th and congratulations to you too...proud moment - my eldest turned 18 the other day - hunting down Universitys and crying already at the thought of September coming...
    Sarah (stressedstamper)

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  2. Happy Birthday to Alexa! my daughter is 16 as well...turned 16 in January...and yes, time flies by...oh well...Your girl is such a beautiful young woman and I also always love your great photos! And what fabulous pictures above...what a gorgeous beach! Wow! We are still waiting for warmer temperatures in Austria...it is sprig, but temperatures are only about 7°C (45F)....brrr...longing to real spring temperatures and some sun!!!!
    Have a great day today and keep on celebrating!!!
    Martina

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  3. Happy birthday, Alexa!
    Oddly enough, this is one of the two digis I picked out when I won a trivia contest during birthday week. What colors did you use for her hair? Love the way it came out!

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  4. What a gorgeous card Suzanne.

    Hugs Riet.xx

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  5. Firstly HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXA stay the beautiful person your mom says you are. Suzanne you can be so proud, looks and sounds like you and your hubby have done a fantastic job, one can see there is a lot of love in your family. Your card today is absolutely stunning, love it and I'm sure Alexa is thrilled with it. Looove the colours. Enjoy celebrating today and that you have each other everyday. Take care xxx

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  6. Oh, reading your post made me happy and sad at the same time......as I said when you were leaving "what do I have to look forward to now" because I so enjoy showing you around California and now that I know your beautiful daughter I want you both back here sooner!! Please please please wish Alexa a happy birthday....every thing you said about her is so true and I know she is going to grow up to be an amazing person just like her Mama!! I LOVED LOVED LOVED every picture that you posted! Next trip we have to go to Big Sur!! Please come back soon! I miss you both already!
    Patricia
    the PaperTemptress

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  7. Oh, reading your post made me happy and sad at the same time......as I said when you were leaving "what do I have to look forward to now?" because I so enjoy showing you around California and now that I know your beautiful daughter I want you both back here sooner!! Please please please wish Alexa a happy birthday....every thing you said about her is so true and I know she is going to grow up to be an amazing person just like her Mother!! I am soooo happy that I got to spend time with her!

    I LOVED LOVED LOVED every picture that you posted! Next trip we have to go to Big Sur!! Please come back soon! I miss you both already!
    Patricia

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  8. Wow, I just put 2 and 2 together and got 4....today is my grandson's 7th birthday too......Never heard the date of Alexa's bday, it was always just Wednesday! DAH.......Alexa has the same birthday as your youngest fan! How funny! The Dean family is going to have an amazing day, we are going to the local jump house to celebrate one of the loves of my life's bday too!
    Patricia
    the PaperTemptress

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  9. Happy Birthday, Alexa!!! Can't believe your little girl is 16, Suzanne! What an adorable card, and wonderful pictures of your trip; a mother/daughter get-a-way will bring many memories for a lifetime of sharing "remember when....?" Those are priceless.....

    Thank you for always sharing a bit of your life with us.

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  10. Your daughter is beautiful and a very lucky girl to have such a loving family! Enjoy this day as they do fly by. My oldest will be 25 this July, talk about fast hehe.
    Love this card especially the hair, I dream of coloring hair like that some day hahaha.

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  11. Happy Birthday to Alexa!!! 16 was such a great age sometimes I miss that age LOL!!!. Your trip pictures look great and like you both had a great time.

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  12. Happy Birthday, Alexa!! You are a beautiful girl thru and thru!! *BIG HUGS*

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  13. Happy Birthday to Alexa! She's beautiful! :) Your card is GORGEOUS! I love your coloring and details.
    Hugs,
    LIM

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  14. Happy 16th Birthday Alexa!!! I hope you had a wonderful time in California.

    Loved the cute/beautiful card you made for Alexa ... you really are a wonderful mom! Your daughter sounds just like you:)

    Lucy

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  15. Happy Sweet 16th Birthday Alexa!!! Great card by the way. It's been such fun watching you grow up right before our eyes...Enjoy your special day!!!
    Paper Hugs,
    Jan in Salem, OR

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  16. Hi Suzanne,
    Please give Alexa a happy birthday hug for me. It was sooo fun meeting both you and your adorable daughter. I so enjoyed your class and really learned a lot...promise will practice and practice till I give you some competition !! ha ha.
    You are delightful and beautiful and so very talented. Glad you both arrived home safe.
    Have a great week. Maybe someday you can arrange a class in Hawaii !
    Warm hugs to you and Alexa.
    bobbi

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  17. Happiest of Birthdays.. My daughter is 16 also. It's such a wonderful age.. I totally love the colors and the image you used on the card.

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  18. Hi Susan. Congrats to Alexa!! Love the card, I am sure she will LOVE it! Hugs, Ivonne

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  19. Wow, can't believe how much Alexa looks like you. She sounds pretty grounded ... nice job Mom & Dad. Hope you enjoy her day of celebration with her.

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  20. So Zazzy...Thank you for sharing with us over at love to create challenges.
    ~ Amanda LTCDT

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  21. Fabulous card! I love your coloring and the black accents.


    I’m stopping by from MIM. (I’m number 205)

    ~Cheryl~

    **I am having a give-away on my blog. Feel free to stop by if you are interested.**

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  22. Happy Birthday Alexa, hope it's a wonderful Sweet 16 and this card Suzanne is gorgeous! Looks perfect for her, I'm sure she'll love it. Thanks for joining us at Going Grey with Scrap-Creations.

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  23. I hope Alexa had a fabulous 16th birthday. She sounds so accomplished and like she knows her own mind and the direction she wants to go in. Gorgeous card Suzanne.

    Your card caught my eye at MIM. I'm #138 & 194!

    Cheers,
    Kasey ~ in Oz

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  24. Yummy looking card. Really love the color palette, will have to CASE these colors. Great coloring on that stack of goodies.

    Membership Cards
    Plastic VIP Cards
    scratch cards

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  25. Your card is stunning !
    Love the colors and your coloring is fantastic !!!
    Saw you at MIM :)
    Hugs Berit

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  26. whata fabulous card .. stunning colouring , and i love the beautiful colours
    Thanks for joining us at LCI this week for our Happy Birthday challenge
    Lisa x

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  27. What a fabulous birthday card, Suzanne -- such a lovely tribute to your beautiful daughter. Your coloring is stunning as always, and I love the color combo you used for this. Thanks for playing along with us at Tuesday Throwdown -- hope you join us again soon! :-)

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  28. Stunningly Beautiful! Amazing Coloring! Thank you so much for joining us this week at Love to Create!! We hope that you will join us again very soon!!

    Many Blessings,
    Tina

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  29. Happy Birthday Alexa!!! Suzanne, I completely love your card, and you have colored her hair FABULOUSLY!!! Thanks for playing this week at Going Grey!

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  30. It sounds like you enjoy life to the fullest. That is how it should be. Happy 16th birthday, Alexa. May your life be full of joy, love, and all good things. May you see the good, forget the bad, and make a difference that will bring good changes around you. God bless you richly.

    Laura

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  31. Stunning!!! Thanks for sharing with us at LCI this week, hope to see you again soon. Pami x

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I appreciate all your lovely comments and taking the time to stop by! hugz,Suzanne

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