It Is Costume Party Time!!

Woohoo! I'm so excited to is Friday! That means you are here for the Sketches by Carly Costume Party (blog hop)!!! I bet you've seen some adorable cards with the fantastic images our very own DT member, Jacqui and The Digi Garden, huh? If you came from Kelly's blog you are right on track. If you'd like to start at the beginning go back to Carly's blog (link below) and get started there!

My card is made with the sweetest image called Macy's Candy Corn Outfit.  Candy Corn is my FAVORITE fall/Halloween candy so you know I had to use this super cute image!  And what could have been more appropriate than papers from Cosmo Cricket's mini deck called Matilda?   I think they were made for each other!

Here is just a little shot of the inside. I used the drippy goo punch for some added fun.

And, of course, the fabulous sketch that Carly drew for us this week...just perfect for those images!  Now, I bet you are dying to see what everyone else has made, right?  Here are the links for ya!

Sketches by Carly

Carly - http://carlys-crafts.blogspot.com/

Ceal - http://simplybeautifulcreations.blogspot.com/

Gloria - http://purpleglocreations.blogspot.com/

Jacqui - http://thepoodlesdoodles.blogspot.com/

Jerusha - http://ilovepapercrafting.blogspot.com/

Julie - http://juliescraftyspot.blogspot.com/

Kathy - http://wintercreationsbykathy.blogspot.com/

Kelly - http://wishiniwasstampin.blogspot.com/

You are here!--->Lorie - http://live-love-laugh-create2.blogspot.com/

Go here next!--->Margreet - http://margreets-scrapcards.blogspot.com/

Sarah - http://auntbeespickles.blogspot.com/

Shakirah - http://shakiracards.blogspot.com/

Sketches by Carly to enter our challenge!

Have a wonderful time on the blog hop and I hope you'll join us for this week's sketch challenge 'cuz you do want to have two chances to win, right?  One winner will be picked from our blog hoppers who leaves a comment on all the DT's blogs, and one winner will be chosen from the sketch challenge players. Each winner will get to choose 5 digis of their choice!
Alright, friends...away you go!

Surprise!

Surprise! I have the scrapbook page to share and why not today, right? Todd and I are going to Cabo and I wanted to start scrapbooking early so I grabbed a photo off the resort's website, found a fun Mexican themed scrapkit and template challenge and got to work!

The template and kit are from Laurie's Scraps & Designs.  I don't usually use templates like most people do by bringing it into my program and then starting to insert (it doesn't work in MMS) but instead I print out the photo and use it as a sketch.  Having tried the template thing (there is a work around in MMS) I prefer to just use it as a sketch.  There is also a font challenge on Laurie's blog that I wanted to play along with as I thought it would look great on this page but it didn't install into MMS for some reason and I really didn't want to play around with it. 

There you have it!  Make sure you come back tomorrow for the Sketches by Carly blog hop!

Our dogs...

Hello all! Did you know it is Wednesday already? I think this week is going to go by way to quickly!  I thought I'd stop in and show you all a couple of pages I did of two of our dogs.  We do have three dogs but I rarely take photos of Tara (the big dog).  Guess I should remedy that, huh?  Anyway, take a look, read the journalling and I hope you enjoy!

I hope you'll stop back on Friday for my Sketches by Carly post as we are having a Costume Part (aka a blog hop) with some simply adorable The Digi Garden images.  I just finished my card a little while ago and I have seen some of the other DT members cards...I really think this is something you're going to love!

See you Friday!

Three Challenge In One Card!!

Here we are back at Monday. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I'm on schedule with my The Cutting Cafe post this week.  it was another one that was a little difficult for me.  We were asked to work with Chevrons.  I've never used Chevrons in my crafting before but I was up for the challenge.  I decided to use the Chevron cutting file and use it as a background on a card.  While I'm not sure you can see it I embossed on the base chocolate chip layer with tiny hearts, too.  I also had several challenges I wanted to enter this week so I'll describe those too.

So, beyond using chevrons on my card I wanted to use the sketch from The Sweet Stop this week so...I did!  I also wanted to use a Sweet n Sassy Stamp to make a card for Todd...so I did.  Isn't that image and sentiment cute?  Another challenge that I wanted to join in on was using something tiny on your project from 365 Cards.  I was supposed to use at least three something tinys so I think between all the dots and the little heart gems I did that, too.

The final challenge I wanted to join in on was also from 365 Cards but this one is to decorate the inside of your card with patterned paper and a sentiment.  Easy schmesy for me 'cuz I almost always do that anyway!

I gotta be truthful.  I started off not liking this card...AT ALL but in the end it is another one that I absolutely adore!  I'm glad I hung with it and didn't throw it out!

Who has fun plans this week?  More importantly who knows this is going to be a great Monday?  I do because the Packers play the Seahawks in Seattle tonight and although we couldn't get tickets we are having a Monday Night Football party.  It will be so fun!

So...go, have a wonderful day!  See you soon!

Designed2Delight Goodness!

Good morning! It's the 20th of the month and what does that mean? Yep! New images from Designed2Delight!  I've made two cards with the new images this week that I hope you'll enjoy!

Above is a card made with the new image called Autumn Flower Jar.  I have to be honest...at first I didn't like this card, at all.  I have found that it has grown on me though. I find the layout and the colors to be very earthy.  Now, I like it! 

And the card above here features my favorite image of this release, Snowman Skier.  I almost didn't do a winter-ish card because I didn't want to get out my winter papers already but I'm glad I did...this was fun to make with the snow, stickles, and icicles!

And now...the link ups and previews for the other amazing design team members...

Thanks so much for blog hoppin' with D2D! Remember, all New Release Digital Stamps will be on SALE until Sept 23. Details HERE.

For more inspiring ideas from this new release, please visit the other designers' blogs:

More fall...

Good morning friends! It is going to be a wonderful Monday...I can just feel it!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and got to either relax or get lots done.  My weekend was a combination of both.  On Saturday we had a yard sale (it was very successful!) and yesterday I got on my bike trainer for 2 1/2 hours (and burned over 1100 calories...how 'bout that?  Yay!) and then had some time in my craft room to finish....

As I said last week I'm trying to make Monday's The Cutting Cafe day on my blog.  I managed to finish up my card to post it today.  This week from all of the wonderful files we had to choose from I chose the Acorn Shaped Card.  Once again...I really like how my card came out!  I'm pleased to say that my mind is beginning to look at the files in SCAL and put them together that way so I'm not so lost when I get the pieces off my mat.  Yay! 

As you saw the other day I love fall so I had to make something fall-ish again!  This side view is just so you can see that it is a acorn shaped card...fun!  Inside is just a little more mustard colored leaf like the outside's soft suede leaf.  The paper is, once again, a retired SU! paper and the twine I've had forever but I feel like I may have gotten it from PTI. 

There you have it!  I truly hope you will head over to the TCC blog to see what the other design team members have made over the weeks.  They are AMAZING crafters and I'm am honored to be a part of their group!  So, go!  Check it out!

Fall

Summer is still full on here in my part of WA but fall is my favorite time of the year so when I saw this I had to share.

Sketches by Carly

Good morning and welcome to another edition of Sketches by Carly!  I must admit on this sketch  two things.  One I did not follow it exactly and two it was hard for me.  Our sponsor this week is Bugaboo Stamps and the winner will receive seven digital images of their choice.  Now that's worth playing along isn't it?

I used an image from the always cute stick figure collection.  This one is simply named School - Boy.  I remembered I had some school digital papers so I found those and printed out the pencil paper, colored up my image and then I was stuck.  I always have a hard time figuring out what to do with little thingies hanging down.  My first thought was ribbon but not for a boy card so...I used arrows that I put different character qualities on like positive, effort and respect.  For the 'dawg pound' part (the school's mascot is a bulldog) I just used word are in Word, then free cut it. 

I made this to give to Kyler to tell him what a good job he's doing so far this year (I know it has only been a week) as it has been a big change for him and he's staying on top of things really well so far.  He liked it (especially the 'dawg pound' part) so it was all a success!

Above is the sketch...I hope you'll give it a try and have some fun with us and possibly win some fun images from Bugaboo!

So, there you have it!  I hope you all have a wonder Friday!  See you on Monday!

Fair time!

Good morning!  I just realized I had something else I could share with you guys.  Actually, I have another couple of scrapbook pages too but they will probably be posted next week.

Each Labor Day weekend it is fair and rodeo time in our town.  This year we walked in the parade (behind a ton of horses and very few pooper scoopers) to support our friends candidacy for Superior Court Judge and then hit the fair.  The food fun you'll see at the top.  We always have our favs at fair time...I love the gyros...make mine chicken, no onion, add the feta.  Yum, yum!  In the photos Kyler had nachos and a peach flavored slurpee.  Again, yum, yum!

And then in order to get into the fair for a little less (fair bands are $12 for exhibitors and it is $8 a day otherwise) Kyler and I entered projects into the fair.  Kyler entered a Bionicle and I entered a photo.  A good time was had by all!

Alright, busy day today.  My bike trainer came last night and I've already been on it.  1 hour down and 436 calories burned...yay!  Once I get Kyler dropped off I'll come home and jump on it again...this time for more like an hour and a half...gotta shower before Care Net you know!

I hope you have a fantastic day!

Patriot Day and Fall

I am struck this morning by the number of things that have changed in our country and in my life and the lives of those I love since Sept 11, 2001.  I'm sure you guys feel that way, too, when you reflect.  Lets just take a moment, say a prayer and remember those lost 11 years ago. 

I'm a bit behind in my crafting this week.  I usually have my card for Carly's Sketch for the week done by today and I've just started it and I'm wanting to make Monday's The Cutting Cafe day on my blog (which I've already failed at darn it!) plus I need to get on creating for the Designed2Delight release on the 20th.  I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed but one project at a time, right?  So...onto today's project!  For this week Regina (from The Cutting Cafe) asked that we work with one of several fun fall/Halloween products in the store this week and since I like fall much better than Halloween I went with the cute Fall Word Shaped Card file.  As I was going through my craft room for things to put in our yard sale this weekend (yep, there is lots I could put in it but the question is...can I let go of my precious crafting items?  eek!) I came across this fun retired patterned paper from SU!.  I cut the files from the patterned paper and plain orange cardstock and had originally planned to make a shaped card but decided to go this way instead and I love how it came out! 

The embossing die is just one that I have in my stash and has pumpkins/vines on it.  I embossed in chocolate chip and then used some Early Espresso to bring the pumpkins out more.  Then I had fun popping up layers and figuring out how to attach the sentiment I wanted to use.  Again, I love the way this came out (except that the ribbon wasn't straight when photographed...grrr!)!  A little bit of decoration inside and I was happy!

I really can't wait to send this card out to someone...maybe a grandma?  Hmmm...we shall see!  And finally I want to share with you what my hubby bought for me...a bike trainer!  You see...we get lots of wind here in our town (thing 20+ mph) and I can't always train outside and frankly, it isn't the safest for me to go by myself all the time (the other ladies I'll be riding with all work at a school so summer was great but from now 'til the race it will be spotty riding with them) so he got me a bike trainer so I can get on whenever I want...yay!

It doesn't look like much does it?  I am reassured it will help me go far in my training and I'm thrilled!

Okay, I've talked your ear off so have an amazing day and see you at least on Friday!

The Dawg Pound!

, I know you know it but...it is Friday, yay!  Not much on my docket today other than Jazzercise and a dental appointment (ick!).  I know I have a Cutting Cafe project to work on for Monday so maybe I'll be doing that!  Today I'm going to share the pages I did of Kyler heading to his first day of high school.  I'm sorry if you are tired of hearing it.  It will be old news soon, I promise!

In anticipation of Kyler starting high school (and all the pages I have yet to do of Scott and Jon's high school years) I purchase a customizable digital scrapbooking kit.  It comes with papers, embellies, and alphas all in your school's colors and personalized with your school mascot/name.  It was only $5.99 so I had to have it!  Anyway, above is the getting ready at home and in the car.  When I took the photo of him sharpening his pencils he said..."mom, I'm just sharpening my pencils"  yeah, well, I wanted a photo and see it worked perfectly into the page!  I love the close up with him in his hat and sunglasses...it is a great shot that very much shows his personality (and he looks like Jon here!). 

Then for this page I took a photo of the school while waiting in the super long line to get into the school parking lot.  Over that I put the Bulldog.  I got a shot of him getting out and then walking away from me into young adult-hood. 

Alright, I'm off to take Kyler to school.  Have a wonderful day everyone!

Fall Is Coming

Happy Thursday friends! How is your week going?  Kyler's first day of high school was yesterday and it seemed to go well.  He was excited to go and that is half the battle sometimes, huh?  Today I have a card that works for two challenges...The Sweet Stop (the sketch) and Shopping Our Stash (wood grain).

I wanted to start with an image from Designed2Delight so I used part of the Scarecrow Teddy set.  The patterned papers are retired SU! and the wood grain paper is from Amuse studio.  I didn't use a sentiment for this card this time so it can be used for several different occasions. 

And, yes...I went ahead and decorated the inside of the card.  It is just something I have to do now!

So, who has big plans for the weekend?  Other than a long bike ride with the "group" I think I'm pretty laid back this week.  I don't mind that at all!  Well, have a great Thursday everyone!

Sprinkle of...

Good morning! Welcome to Monday, are you all ready for it?  Kyler goes back to school on Wednesday this week and his is super excited.  I think the freshman orientation helped a lot.  Isn't it amazing how much things have changed since we were in high school.  No orientation for me but I still made it though so I guess in the end it is a wash, huh?

Anyway, you came here to see my first official post with The Cutting Cafe, right?  This week Regina has asked us to highlight her Rain Boot Shaped Card.  I was a little nervous out this one after I cut it as I looked at it and though...now what but with some help from a friend it came together nicely.  It is a little out of my normal with the umbrella lady but I love it.  I cut the silhouette from a piece of 12x12 patterned paper that I'd had forever and then just glued her body down to the card but popped up the umbrella itself.  On the outside it says...'Sprinkles of..." and the inside says...'happy thoughts.'  I thought that sentiment went well with the card and could really be used for almost anything.  There is also a template for a envelope with the Rain Boot Card so I made that up and put some matching (though it doesn't look like it in the photo) paper inside as a liner.  While I didn't use them, there are sentiments that come with this set too so make sure you hop on over to The Cutting Cafe Store to check it out!

I'm going to try and get some time in the craft room this afternoon as I'm itching to use some Designed2Delight images.  Not sure when I'll have more crafty goodness for ya but I'll be working on it!

In the meantime...have a wonderful Monday.  I hope you get to enjoy your family and friends on this Labor Day! 

Apple Treat Box

Good morning friends! Just a quick little post today as it is a busy day today.  School has either started or is about to start for kids and I know some people like to take little back to school gifts to their children's teachers so it thought I'd show you this cute Apple Treat Box from The Cutting Cafe. 

I played around with the template a little to make the front apple a little bigger than the back.  I thought it would look a little nicer from the front this way and I do like it.  The cute ABC's and 123's is included with the file along with other fun teacher type of tags.  Regina sure does make it easy for us to make cute, coordinating projects!

And here is a little side photo.  I just put some life savers in mine that I had on my desk from my other back to school project. 

Alright, I hope you'll stop back on Monday as I have my first *official* post with The Cutting Cafe to share with you.  definitely something that I went out of my comfort zone on.

In the meantime---enjoy your weekend!