Live to be 100...

Good Monday morning all!  I hope you had a fabulous weekend!  I am just stopping in with a personal post this morning.  Saturday night was our first Rigadoon meeting.  Rigadoon is a dance group that meets four times a year, of which three are formal.  There is a social hour, dinner, and then dancing.   Todd and I don't dance...yet.  We have always wanted to take lessons together and this will just prompt us to do it.  It was really a nice night out and I think I make my husband look very young, don't you agree?  It was a Halloween themed dance and the decorations were quite fun.  The only thing that would have made my outfit Halloween is the red shoes I had on...they almost looked like ruby slippers and I love them but for whatever, silly reason, I did not get a picture of them.

In other news...our family will be increasing by one soon!  Yep, that is right...I'm going to have a daughter!  My oldest son, Scott, has proposed marriage to his girlfriend, Ashley, and she said yes!  So exciting!  This is a photo of them after Scott's college graduation last summer.  Awww...aren't they cute?I'm sure you'll get lots of updates of the wedding progress as the winter/spring goes on.  I believe they are wanting a summer 2012 wedding. 

Well, that is it for today.  Tomorrow is the Doodle Pantry November new release so I hope you will stop back for that!  Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

Thought of the day:  In the spirit of the impending nuptials, a Winnie the Pooh quote:  If you live to be a 100, I hope to live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you. 

Batty for You

Good morning!  I think I am one of those kids sneaking in to the room in the back because I'm late.  So sorry to be here for this post late.  I usually don't sleep in but apparently my body felt I needed it today.

Onto this fun card.  This card's layout is the last in our Blast from the Past series of sketches at The Sweet Stop.  What a great sketch it is too!  For this card I used the set Birdie Bat from Doodle Pantry and the accompanying papers.  I knew I wanted to use the Batty for You sentiment so I made the Tangerine Tango (which does match the orange stripe in the paper) and black cardstock with a heart embossing folder that I have.  Inside I have just a plain white piece of paper with a tangerine border and a bat in the left corner.  It was a great way to finish off the card.  I'm also entering this in the Saturday Challenge for this week which is Spooky or Whimsical.  I think my card is both!

I won't talk much so that you can get onto the other Sweet Stop DT members to see what they did and can I just tell you...they are fabulous...once again!

Paper Perfect Designs

M.A.D. Stamper

Enchanted Ladybug Creations

Inky Paws

Sugar Pea Designs

Golden Inksperations

You Got Ink Where?

Thought of the day:  Don't give up what you want most for what you want now.

Sketches by Carly day!

Happy Friday everyone!  I think it is so interesting how, recently, most of my posting has been happening on and through the weekend.  That is just a little out of character for this blog in the past but I can go with the flow for sure!

Today is a new Sketch by Carly day and I'm excited to say we have a sponsor this week...Whimsy and Stars Studio.  I adore the images that Mabelle draws...they are so cute and full of character!  The winner of this sketch challenge will win a $9 gift code to the Whimsy and Stars Studio store.  I'm definitely wishing I could get in on this one!

Anyway, today's card was made exclusively with the latest Key Ingredients Kit from Taylored Expression...well, except for the fabulous Whimsy and Stars image of course!  I love the way this paper and the embellies really take the fall feel of the image and turn this into a fabulous card!

I hope you will join us for this sketch!  Just follow THIS link to get all the info and to see what the other design team members have made!

Have just a wonderful Friday everyone!  I'll see ya back here tomorrow for The Sweet Stop!

Thought of the day:  We may not be perfect but Jesus thinks we are to die for.

Celebrating Life

Good morning!  I know I had talked about the Care Net banquet a couple of times here on my blog so I thought I'd show you a couple of photos from the event.  We really had a fun time.  Gordon Douglas is hilarious while still being clean and honoring to God.  So...descriptions will be below the photo.

Above is the Care Net program for the evening.  There was one of these at each spot as a little thank you for coming to the banquet and sitting at our table.  I just took an Almond Joy bar, wrapped the word Almond with a belly band, and added the sentiment 'It's a JOY to have you at the banquet!'.  Everyone loved them and they were super easy to do!  I started the tradition of guest gifts two years ago and then I was the only one who did it...now, there are several table of people who have little gifties for their guests.  Very fun!

Above is what the entire table looked like ready for our guests to arrive.  Well, minus the coffee and water.  The dessert was yummy red velvet cupcakes from our Safeway Bakery. 

It was truly a night of Celebrating Life With Laughter.  Our pregnancy center is supported completely by donations from people in the community.  We don't received any federal funding at all.  Still, God is faithful and has blessed this ministry in our community.  It is a privilege to get to volunteer there, to work with young women in need, and to speak the life affirming word of God to those who come into the center.

Thought of the day:  Hold on.  God knows what he is doing.

Pumpkin Boy

Good Monday morning friends!  I hope you all had a fabulous weekend!  Mine was just okay.  I did actually get a lot accomplished but other
things snuck in there that weren't fun.  Today, though, is a new day in Jesus so I get to start all over again...yay!

Today's card...well, I'm not even sure if I'm supposed to show you today's card yet.  About a week and a half ago My Scrap Chick had a little call out on Facebook.  Basically it was, if you work with digi's and wanted to participate MSC would e-mail you an image, you make a card, and e-mail it back to them then you get the entire set of digi's for free.  Fun idea, right?  The only problem is I haven't heard when I can show it to you yet so I'm showing it to you today with the info that I don't yet see it in the MSC store.

This is the image I was sent to work with.  Pretty perfect for me, right?  When I saw how big the pumpkins were for this layout I decided it was best for me to not try and color them so I immediately though paper piecing would be fun.  I picked out some fun paper from a paper pack that is currently buried on the floor (had to use the container for something else for a couple of days) and got to work.I don't recall who the layout for this card is from but I really like it as it can be clean and simple, like my card, or you could really gussy it up!  Anyway, My Scrap Chick is one of my favorite places for SVG's so I hope you'll check them out and their freebie each Friday is fabulous!

Tonight is the Care Net banquet.  The theme is Celebrating Life Through Laughter.  We have a super funny comedian, Gordon Douglas, coming in as our speaker, a great silent auction area, and a wonderful dinner planned.  I am excited to be hosting two tables.  You'll see a picture of the table with the guest gift that I made tomorrow.  I have to mention that Gordon Douglas has a program called Operation Bellylaughs where he sends a comedy package to deployed troops...for free!  All I had to do was send an e-mail and a package was off to Jon!  Very neat Gordon...thank you!

Okay, this is way longer than normal so I will get onto my thought of the day.  Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

Thought of the day:  Never get tired of doing little things for other people.  Sometimes the little things occupy the biggest spot in their hearts. 

Warmes Wishes

Welcome back!  I hope your day is going well so far!  If you are here to see my Sweet Stop sketch please scroll down or click HERE. 

You may or may not know it but I love SVG's.  I have Sure Cuts A Lot downloaded on my computer to use with my Cricut (SCAL is not available for purchase to use with a Cricut anymore).  I have lots & lots & lots of SVG's and I feel pretty comfortable using them.  Now Cricut cartridges not so much.  I can't figure them out for the life of me, right Tana?  LOL!  Anyway, Clear Dollar Stamps releases a couple of SVG's (that can also be hand cut from a PDF pattern) each month and I like to volunteer to make a sample for the release day so that is...today!

This SVG is called Beverage Holder but when you hop on over the the blog to see the post you will see that one of the other DT members made it into a cute Halloween treat box and a cupcake holder too so it is absolutely something you can use in a way other than the way I did but I love mine.   My local Safeway had the cups for $2.50 for 12 and the hot chocolate was on sale, too.  I got the Ghirardelli on sale so I'd say this entire project cost me less than $1.50 to make...perfect for teachers don't you think? 

Well, that is it for me this weekend here on my blog.  I have lots of putsy things to do so I'll be busy!
I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

Thought of the day:  If more females would sit down and be ladies then more males would stand up and be gentlemen.  AMEN to that!

All Things

Good morning friends!  Welcome to post one for today!  Be sure to check back in a little while for my Clear Dollar Stamps post.  :)

Today is a Sweet Stop Sketch day and what a fun blast from the past sketch we have this week.  So versatile! AND, this week we decided we decided to make this week's theme PINK for Breast Cancer Month.  What an amazing job my design team sisters have done too. I'll link you up to them below.

So, remember yesterday when I said you'd see my pink paper again?  Well, here it is!  I still don't know who it is from but I do know it is perfect for another pink post!  The image and sentiment are from the {ippity} set called All Things Are Possible.  I have to say that I adore this ribbon butterfly image!  A little bit of extra color in the sentiment, a flower, and some tiny twinkles and this was all set to go.  I love pink!

Okay, so you guys must go visit my design team sisters, k?  Leave 'em a little love...they are SO talented!

Paper Perfect Designs

M.A.D. Stamper

Enchanted Ladybug Creations

Inky Paws

Sugar Pea Designs

Golden Inksperations

See ya all in a little while!

Lots 'o Pink

Good morning friends!  Have you all had a wonderful week?  It seems like I've been away from my blog forever but it has really only been two days.  Today is Friday....  Who has fun plans this weekend?

Onto my card for today.  Today is the beginning of a new challenge at Clear Dollar Stamps.  Today's challenge is to use lots of pink.  How do you think I did?  I do love me some pink so this was a fun challenge for me.   The image is called Big Bear Hug.  The paper is just some I've had in my stash and you'll see more of it very soon :).  It was so simple to just add a few faux stitches and some gel pen to make this card even more cute!

Well, I hope you'll join us in the challenge!  Make sure you stop back tomorrow as it is another double post day!  I'll have my Sweet Stop card to show you (that I love) as well as another Clear Dollar Stamps post that is going to show off one of the new SVG files. 

Thought of the day:  Every person's life is a fairy tale written by God's fingers.  Hans Christian Anderson (1805-1875)

The Plans

Good morning friends!  I just didn't get the chance to create yesterday but I thought I'd share this really neat Subway Art with you.  Jeremiah 29:11-13 are my favorite verses in the Bible.  Such promises!  I'll put the entire scripture below the photo. 

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call on me and and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your heart."  Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

Gobble Gobble

Good morning! Here we are at Tuesday. What does that mean to you? Anything in particular happen on Tuesdays in your world that you'd like to share?  Me?  Tuesday is my Bible study night (you saw the journal I use yesterday) but other than that it should be a pretty laid back day...yay!

So, I had some time to make anything I wanted and I wanted to make a card with this super cute Quirky Turkey set from Doodle Pantry.  I don't think I have to tell you how much I adore the "Quirky" line over at DP, do I? And, in case you can't tell I like the sketch from Card Patterns, too.  Really, this card is pretty simple.  I used patterned papers from the QT set and some stitched ribbon that was in my stash to put this together.  The only thing you can't really see is that I put a piece of the orange patterned paper on the inside too.  I wasn't sure that it would work for it to be written on for the note inside but I tried it on a scrap...with black pen it is good!  A little faux stitching just ties it all together so well!

What is really neat about this Quirky Turkey set is that it is FREE with any purchase over at Doodle Pantry until October 24th!  Pretty neato, huh?

Not much more to tell ya today other than...have a great day!  Oh, and if you are interested I have some Taylored Expressions and Gina K Designs stamps listed for sale on my Stamp Sets for Sale page.  Just click above to see them!

Thought of the day:  When you are down to nothing God is up to something.  So true...just when I feel like I can't go on God shows me something new and I am renewed by His faithfulness.  What an amazing God I serve!

Joy

Good morning friends! Welcome to a new week! What fun plans do you have?  I can't say I have anything necessarily fun planned but I have learned to enjoy the status quo.

I decided that yesterday I would make something just for me.  Since my Bible study notebook was just a plan notebook I thought it would be fun to turn it into something that I loved so I searched through my SVG files (to say I have a lot of SVG's would be a major understatement) and found a cute set called Simply Prim Angels (this collection is about half way down the first page of the mini collections section) from My Scrap Chick.  I adored the fun Joy Angel so I decided to use that pattern. 

I used paper from MME Stella and Rose - Mabel collection.  Since they are 6x6 papers I just used two different patterns and made the bottom part where I put the Joy 'title'.  I kinda wish I would have made the angel larger but I think that overall this is super cute and will remind me to keep the Joy of Christ in my life...not just the happiness that our day to day circumstances bring.

I think I'm going to have a little more time to create this week so hopefully I'll be here a little more regularly.  Have a wonderful Monday friends!

Thought of the day:  I wish my friends houses were connected to mine via secret tunnels!  Even those far away!

October Monthly Blog Hop - CDS

Good morning and welcome to the October Monthly Blog Hop with Clear Dollar stamps!  You should have come here from Linda's blog...if not be sure to start at Lori's blog!

This month's theme is Happy Fall Y'all so I had to go with one of the new images from the super adorable set Autumn Critters.  I had fun putting one of the digital papers from the set together with an embossing folder to make this card.  I just received an order from Kraft Outlet so I had to use some of the kraft paper that I received as well as a hand dyed tag on my card.  I think both of them lend nicely to the fall feel of this card.  My layout is from Card Patterns this week. And I'm entering this into the Paper Sundaes challenge this week. 

I am excited to hop along with everyone to see what the rest of the CDS DT's have made!  Your next stop is Kathy's blog.


If you get lost you can come on back here and get on track through the links below...

Lori

Linda

Lorie (That's me!)

Kathy

Christi

Jan

Jerusha

Stacy 

Sarah

Patti

Lisa

Shell

Cassie

Barb

Thought of the day:  You don't have to attend every argument you're invited to.

Couldn't love you S'more!

Welcome!  I'm glad to have you back for my 2nd post for the day (see the Sweet Stop Sketch post below)!  I'm excited to be sharing a couple of the fabulous new release digi's that Clear Dollar Stamps has for you.  Settle in because I have four photos for you today!

Above you see the super sweet image and sentiment from the S'More Bears digital image set.  Don't you just adore this sweet image?  My cards feature the bears as husband/wife but you could do daddy/daughter  mother/son, or big sibling/little sibling too!  How versatile!

The photo above just shows the inside of my S'More Bears card.  I thought it would be fun to use some of the letters that match the Earth Love paper that I used on the outside of the card.  I think my hubby will like it!

In the photo above you see the first in a series of calendar pages that I will be showing you.  I thought I'd start with October since well...it is October and my birthday is in October.  I adore this fun Year Round Calendar set.  What a fun way to make gifts for your friends and family this Christmas!

And then, since the paper was so cute with the little witch and pumpkins I just used a craft knife and dimensional to pop up the hats on all four of them.  Just a fun little detail.  The 'boo' was cut on my Cricut.  

If you like my peaks at the new images you will love what the other girls have for you too so either click on their names in my side bar or head on over to the Clearly iStamp blog to see it all!

So, I'm going to leave you to your day after a Thought Of The Day: I believe in the sun when it isn't shining.  I believe in love when I'm alone.  I believe in God when he's silent.  How 'bout you?

Who Needs Chestnuts?

Good Saturday morning friends! It is a busy day here on my blog.  Not only is it Sweet Stop Sketch day but it is a new release day for Clear Dollar Stamps (posted at 8 a.m. so stop by or scroll up!).

Today we have a fun sketch with a spin (and a prize...$10 to spend on anything in the SNSS store!  Woot!) ...Let's Recycle.  While I didn't really recycle anything I did use some embellies that I've had for quite some time which are the ornaments and holly.  I think they make for a fun little extra on the card. The image that I have used is from Doodle Pantry and is called Candy Cane Ants.  Isn't that sentiment just so cute?  I agree...who needs chestnuts?  I LOVE candy canes!  The paper is from a paper pack that I got from my friend Debby for my birthday called Season's Greetings by Echo Park.  I used a few pearls and some gel pen to finish it off.


Now, make sure you head on over to my design team sister's blogs to see their fabulous cards and leave them some love, k?

Paper Perfect Designs

M.A.D. Stamper

Enchanted Ladybug Creations

Inky Paws

Sugar Pea Designs

Golden Inksperations

You Got Ink Where?

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Boo!

Happy Friday everyone! My goodness it seems like this week just flew right by for me!  How have you guys been?

I'm so excited to show you my projects for my Sketches by Carly post today.  Yes, I said projects.  I am an airhead sometimes and was making the cutie candy holder below for the challenge when I went...duh!  It is a sketch challenge not just a 'use the image' challenge!  So...today you get two projects both using the super cute Chester from The Digi Garden! 

So...first, is the card.  You can see the sketch here and that I took some latitude on the sketch with the corner accents by using the moon and clouds.  The bats are a little further over than the sketch but I think you get the idea.  The patterned paper is from an old Basic Grey paper pack. 


Next, you see the fun Pumpkin Goodie Bag that I made using the same image.  I cut the goodie bag with my Cricut and then stamped the 'Happy Halloween' on a piece of cardstock which I popped up behind the window sheet.  I just tied it show with some Twine and tahdah!


So there you have it!  I hope you will check out what our other design team members make by going to the Sketches by Carly blog!

I hope to see you back here tomorrow...I have a super fun post planned!

Thought of the day:  What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven't happened yet!

With Sympathy

Good morning friends! I hope you've had a wonderful start to your week. Things just keep motoring along here.  Thank you all for your birthday greetings...I had a wonderful day filled with friends and family...just the way I like it!

My son's girlfriend has had a loss in her family (her grandpa died) so I thought it only right to make a sympathy card.  I used patterned paper from MME called Gertie along with the Verve set called Forever In Our Hearts.  That stamp set is so lovely and has such gentle sentiments in it.  I can tell a lot of thought went into putting it together.  Anyway, the card layout is from this week's Mojo Monday sketch.

You can see that I decorated the inside of the card as well.  I have found that when you send a sympathy card for someone you've never met it is always nice to tell the person that even though I didn't know them personally I can tell what a wonderful person they were through knowing the person I'm sending the card to.  (Did that make sense?)  I know that those particular words have always meant a lot to me in the past.   

I'm actually starting to feel good instead of grumpy when I come in my craft room so I think that is a good sign.  I made up some samples for the Clear Dollar Stamps new digi release on Saturday that I can't wait to show you.  Friday is a new sketch from Sketches by Carly, too.  Also on Saturday will be The Sweet Stop sketch for the week so there will be several blog posts loaded into the end of the week...fun!

Well, enjoy your day!  I'll see ya back here soon!

Thought of the day:  God's three answers:  Yes, Not Yet, and I have something better in mind. 

The Sweet Stop

Good Saturday morning all! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend so far! Last night was nice around here as Todd and I got to go see Courageous and it was great!  I highly recommend you go see it! 

Onto today's The Sweet Stop sketch.  If you remember we are doing a flash back month for our sketches so today's sketch is actually sketch #37.

I had this cute MFT stamp out from another try at stamping so I thought...why not, I'll use this image and I made my first (although it could be the 2nd) Christmas card of the year.  This is pretty plain and simple but I do think it is cute with the little bit of pouf in the boots and hat.

The patterned paper that I used on the card is from MME's 12 Days of Christmas.  The ribbon is some I had in my stash from PTI and the rest is pretty self explanatory I think.

Tomorrow is my birthday so between today and tomorrow I hope to get lots of creating done so I can get a bit ahead of things...we shall see!

Now...go visit my DT sisters, k?

Paper Perfect Designs

M.A.D. Stamper

Enchanted Ladybug Creations

Inky Paws

Sugar Pea Designs

Golden Inksperations

You Got Ink Where?

Thought of the day: I just had to share this funny!

Autumn Friends

I'm back! I know...can you believe it?! I'm still struggling with creating but I'm doing it anyway as I do have commitments ya know. 

With Halloween time coming up I thought I'd use the wonderful set from Clear Dollar Stamps called Autumn Friends.  Why do I love this set so much?  Well, in this case it is because it comes with some pre-colored, pre-background-ed (not I word I know) 3"x3" treat bag labels!  For my sample today I actually sized mine label to 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" and layered it on a piece of the patterned paper that comes in this set as well.  Now...this isn't just any sample this is the treat bag our cute little friend, Emily, will get when she comes knocking on our door this year (at least I hope she comes again this year...mom?  please?)!  To personalize it for Emily I just printed some letters from a digital letter kit I have, punched them out with my 1/2" punch, sponged the edges in her favorite color, purple, and then adhered them with a pop dot.  Super easy and super cute!

I hope this fun, quick project will give you inspiration for your favorite trick or treat-ers this year!

Thought of the day:  I love it when someone's laugh is funnier than the joke!