Live-Love-Laugh-Create 2

Contest Page

2012-03-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Good Saturday morning friends! Who has fun plans for the weekend? I have a Lemongrass Spa party this afternoon but other than that...I am pretty free for most of the weekend which is always nice!

Today's page is one I've been wanting to make for awhile. I have several photos of Jon from his golf days during high school. This week the challenge on the MyMemories blog is to create a page with an A Saxon Creation kit. Since I had bought her Golf Guy kit a while back to use with Jon's photos I thought it would be a good chance to make a page. Isn't this such a fun page and kit? I love the elements in this kit...that golf cart is fabulous! So...I'll enter this page in the contest but I have never won a contest with a page I've made so I'm not expecting much.

Anyway, enjoy your Saturday!

Sketchees by Carly #51

2012-03-09T06:42:00.001-08:00

Happy Friday friends! I am so pleased to be at Friday...how about you? It is also a fun, bright day on my blog today for the 2nd week of Sketches by Carly #52. Like I told you last week the design team has been split into two teams and it is my week to share with you...yay!

This week's sketch is so versatile! I used some patterned papers that I just have in my stash for this birthday card which is obviously male oriented. The image is from Bugaboo, the sponsor of sketch #51. Bugaboo will be giving the winner of this sketch 7 images of their choice. What a great prize!

Alright, so hop on over to Sketches by Carly to see what the other design team members have made and get busy using the sketch so you can enter to win the Bugaboo digi's!

Thought of the day: Hugs were invented to let people know you love them without saying a word.

P52 Week 9

2012-03-07T06:58:00.001-08:00

Good Wednesday morning all! Here we are at Wednesday this week. This is the part of the week that always just flies right by...next thing I know it is Friday. I like that! I've got my most recent P52 pages to show you today. Nope, they don't match and I'm totally okay with that. Since the content was completely different as far as pictures went (and I wanted to play with a new kit) I decided to go mis-matched. Kinda fun, I think!

So the kit on the right is another new one by A-Manda Creation called Beary Lucky. It is crazy how fast Amanda is cranking out these great new kits, huh? In case you can't tell it is a St. Patrick's Day kit but has plenty of accents for non-St. Patrick's Day layouts, too. I gotta tell you though...I can't wait to get some St. Patty's pictures so I can use the cute bear embellishments, too! (Click on the photo to see the pages larger)

Alright, friends...this is just a short post today so I'm off. I hope you have a fantastic day today!

Thought of the day: Love your parents. We are so busy growing up we often forgot they are busy growing old.

Timeless

2012-03-05T07:55:00.003-08:00

Good Monday morning friends! I hope you had a great weekend! It was a pretty low key weekend for me...as usual. Today, I have a couple of pages to show you that are from another new A-Manda Creation kit. This kit is called Timeless and is amazing for any older type of photos you might have. I'm awaiting some photos of the bed and breakfast my mom and dad used to own. It was called the Antique Rose Bed & Breakfast and I know the photos will be perfect with this kit. In the meantime I've made a couple of pages with some old photos of me that I found the other day.

The above pages has the oldest of the photos that I found. The bigger photo is of me when I was 6 months old. The photo on the top right is my brother and I and the bottom photo is of me with my grandma. Those photos are a treasure for me.

The photos above are, obviously, school aged photos. I don't know exact ages and I stink at guessing that type of thing but I'd say the top two are late elementary/early middle school and the bottom is probably 2nd grade or so.

I'm trying to figure out how to place two 12x12 pages on one 12x24 layout out so that I can show you them side by side. I haven't figured it out yet but I will! I may have to use PSE...we shall see.

That is it for today. Have a wonderful Monday! See you soon!

Thought of the day: Made today ridiculously amazing!

Wishing you...

2012-03-02T06:43:00.000-08:00

It's Friday and I'm doing the (happy dance in case you can't tell)! I'm not sure why as my weekends are much like my weekdays but Friday still makes me happy! Guess what today is? Today we get a new sketch from Sketches by Carly. The SBC design team has now been made into two teams, one will post the day the sketch starts and one will post the next week...we want to make sure you have lots of inspiration for the sketch! Technically this is not my week to post but I happen to adore the card I made so I decided to post this week and next!

So our sponsor for this sketch is Bugaboo. They are nice enough to let us choose which image we'd like to work with (which is hard because all of their images are soooo cute!) so I chose this cute lucky turtle. I paired it with a sentiment that says 'wishing you all the very best' and some cute St. Patrick's Day papers, added some fun twine and pearls and wahlah...a cutie card!

You can hop on over to the Sketches by Carly blog to see the sketch and what my design team sisters have made as well as see the actual sketch which my card is pretty true to. Remember the winner of the sketch will receive SEVEN digital images from Bugaboo...they are so generous, aren't they?

Well, that is it from me today. I hope you have a wonderful day and weekend!

Thought of the day: If you have the courage to begin you have the courage to succeed!

Purple Petals

2012-03-01T06:48:00.002-08:00

Good morning friends! How is your week going? Good I hope. If it hasn't...hang in there...the weekend is coming and maybe you can get some rest then! I have a couple of more scrapbook pages for you. These are using the new Purple Petals kit from A-Manda Creation. I normally don't have any reason for a purple colored kit, having all boys you know, but I really like how these turned out.

Todd and I love to spend time in Leavenworth for our anniversary. We go through the shops, eat at our favorite restaurants, stay at our favorite bed and breakfast (that is if we can stay two nights as that is their requirement) and recently we added some hiking into the mix. I love that! The views are just incredible! This particular anniversary we added a guided wine tour in an SUV limo to the mix of things. While it was fun I wish we would have paid the extra for it to just be Todd and I. A couple of people in the group were a bit...unique. I guess many people would think Todd and I are unique, too though so I'll just be quiet now.

I hope you like these pages. I think they are quite lovely. Tomorrow is a new sketch from Sketches by Carly so I hope you'll stop by so see what I came up with! I can tell you that I really like my card this time AND I didn't forget this time!

Thought of the day: Be yourself. An original is always worth more than a copy.

Need you to make a change....

2012-03-01T06:47:00.000-08:00

First thing, first. I know, if you are a blogger or follow any blogs, you know that Google Friends connect is going away as of March 1st. That has caused those of us with Google Friends Connect to find a new way to make it easier for our friends to follow our blog. So...I have added Linky Friends. It is as easy to use as Mr. Linky is so I hope you'll make the change over with me!

Please know that I will remove the Google Friends Connect widget from my side bar on March 1st. PLEASE make the change over to Linky Friends now so you won't miss any of the fun content that I will post in the future!

***Need a little incentive? How about I do a giveaway on March 1st and choose the winner from all of the names that are following me in Linky friends? How about a $10 gift certificate to the online store of your choice? Yeah, I thought you'd like that! Now go...follow me on Linky Friends!***

This post will stay at the top until March 1st so please scroll down to see my most recent creations!

Week 7

2012-02-27T06:58:00.001-08:00

Good morning friends! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! We had a busy end of our week this last week but it was all fun and I'm sure you'll eventually see a page about it! These are from two weeks ago. I'm a little slow in getting the pages done but at least they are getting done!

Above is what I'm considering my page about Valentine's Day. Okay, we went to Leavenworth on Monday not on Tuesday but it is what worked into our schedule so we went for it. Leavenworth is a little town that was about to not exist anymore that re-invented itself into a Bavarian town. It is all Bavarian themed from the buildings, to the musics, to the events it holds AND it has some great wineries! It is a great story! And I had to show the empty plate because I rarely finish an out to eat meal but I do love me some Hungarian goulash and spatzle!

As you all know I got some flowers from Jon for Valentine's Day and finally for that week Kyler made a board for a project in history that turned out so well and the presentation was great so we had to get a photo of that too.

Last week was a pretty slow one, in fact I only have two photos I think so it will probably be a one page layout rather than two. We shall see though.

That is it for today. I hope you all have a pleasant start to your week!

Thought of the day: Happy birthday to my Jon! He turns 20 today...he's been 20 in Afghanistan for about 12 hours now!

If friends...

2012-02-24T06:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday friends! I hope you've had a wonderful week! Thanks for checking back in today. Remember my epic fail last week when I forgot to make a card for the new Sketches by Carly sketch? Well, I made one with the sketch for today! Yay!

To make this card I used patterned paper from We R Memory Keepers. The pad is called Cotton Tails and the papers are just so sweet! This image is a new one from Designed2Delight. What is really fun is that I won a $5 gift certificate to the D2D store in their new release blog hop so I'm going to get to do a little more shopping...yay! The sentiment on the card is also from D2D but is a freebie on their Facebook Fan Page. If you aren't a fan of theirs...you should be!

So...how are we all doing with the fact that February is almost over? I'm good with it...that means Jon is that much closer to coming home! Yay! Well, I guess that is it for me. I hope you have a great Friday!

Thought of the day: A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards. ~President Theodore Roosevelt

Purple Petals P52

2012-02-22T07:07:00.000-08:00

Good morning! Thanks for stopping by today to see what is up on my blog. Today I have a couple of scrapbook pages to show you that use a new kit from A-Manda Creations called Purple Petals. Now, for me using purple is a difficult thing to do as I don't have girls but i think I did a pretty good job using the kit for my P52 pages from Feb 5-12. Take a look!

We were having a nice sunny day about a week and a half ago (not recently though as it has been raining for a couple of days) so we opened the front doors so the dogs could lay in the sun. Isn't that just too cute? Don't they look like they like each other? That would not be true. Mitzi, the black dog, doesn't care for Trixie, the wiener dog, at all but Mitzi is old and Trixie is only a year old and likes to play and I think that is why. It is kinda funny to watch them get at each other! (Yes, we make sure they are both safe! It is even funny to watch Trixie play with our big dog.)

And the above page has photos from our cupcake tasting for the wedding. We'll have four different types of cupcakes for the guests and a traditional cake on the top for Scott and Ashley to cut. that was a very yummy day!

You just got a clue of the pretty elements in the Purple Petals kit. Make sure you go check it out to see more!

Well, that is it for today. I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

Thought of the day: In war there are no unwounded soldiers. Jose Narosky

More Valentine's Day

2012-02-21T07:51:00.000-08:00

Good morning friends! I hope your Monday was wonderful! Today I have a couple of scrapbook pages to show you. I was going through my photos on my computer and came across these photos from Kyler's kindergarten Valentine's Day Party. I thought they would be perfect for the Love Monster kit from A-Manda Creation. I gotta tell ya...I love these pages!

While I think Kyler looks much the same now as he did in these photos it is amazing to me how different he looks too. I love the tongue sticking out on the top photo. He still does that when he plays the drums sometimes!

Can you tell I'm still loving digi scrappin'? It really has changed my view of preserving memories for my family!

Okay, just a quick one today. Have a great day today!

Thought of the day: Worry does not empty tomorrow of its troubles. It empties today of it's strength. ~Corrie Ten Boom

Kerri's Blog Birthday Hop

2012-02-20T04:00:00.000-08:00

Good Monday morning friends! If you are new to my blog...welcome to Kerri's Blog Birthday Bash and my stop on the blog hop! I am thrilled to participate and do up a fun page from my son's birthday last year. I am sad to say that I don't have very many photos of him on my computer so I need to scan, scan, scan some photos of him!

So, if you are just starting on this fun little blog hop below you will find all the participants. I thought it might be fun to give away some blog candy so if you leave a comment on this post and become a Linky Follower (leave a second comment after becoming a Linky Follower please) then you will have the change to win a $5 gift certificate to the digi store of your choice! You will have until Feb 26 at midnight pacific time to enter! I know you are excited about my blog candy but don't forgot there are other prizes you can win from Kerri's blog too!

Blog Hop Line-up:

http://kerripowell.blogspot.com

http://amandacreation.blogspot.com

http://touchedbyabutterfly.com

http://gabycreates.com

http://justyolie.com

http://katybugscraps.blogspot.com/

http://kelleighratzlaff.com

http://live-love-laugh-create2.blogspot.com/

http://ktsangels.blogspot.com/

http://buglvr.blogspot.com

Now your next stop will be Katie's blog so comment here and have fun on the rest of the hop!

Thought of the day: God's plans for your life far exceed the circumstances of your day.

I am a dork!

2012-02-17T06:35:00.001-08:00

It is true...I am a dork!This week totally got away from me and I forgot to make my card for Sketches by Carly this week. Really? That is one of my favorite things to do so I don't know why I forgot! I thought I'd share the sketch with you anyway so you can play along if you'd like. and next Friday I will post my card as a reminder for the mid-way point on the sketch.

Please head on over to Sketches By Carly to see what all the design team sisters have made...they are all quite fabulous!

It is Friday though so I hope you all have a fabulous day and weekend!

Flowers

2012-02-16T06:52:00.000-08:00

Morning all! Hope you are having an amazing week! It is a busy one here for sure! I just thought I'd stop in and show you a photo of the flowers Jon sent me for Valentine's Day.

The are just so pretty aren't they? One of the things he wrote on the card was 'sorry it is late'. Um, yeah...like I care! How thoughtful of him! I will be working on a Valentine's Day layout soon so you'll get to see what we did/what I got for Valentine's Day from Todd soon.

I hope you all have an amazing day today!

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T07:06:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day friends! I showed you the candy holders that I made for Todd and Kyler the other day and now I'm sharing the CD folders that I made for them to house the CD's that I downloaded for them. I love Valentine's Day...can you tell?

So, the CD folder above is for Todd. His CD will have a variety of "love songs" some sill and some serious. Kinda a fun way to remind him that I love him lots!

And here is Kyler's CD holder. Yes, he still humors me and lets me love on him! He has been wanted the Newboys new CD Gods Not Dead so I downloaded that for him from iTunes. Someday when he has a working iPod I'll just download it on that for him.

And the above little Ghirardelli holders are for Scott and Ashley. Ashley's has raspberry squares and Scott's has milk chocolate...just a little something for them.

We don't need Valentine's Day to show love to our family and friends but there is nothing wrong with taking one day to be extra loving so...have a wonderful day!

Love Monster Birthday

2012-02-13T06:55:00.000-08:00

Good morning friends! I hope you had an amazing weekend! Did you get lots done? Go somewhere special? Are you all set for Valentine's Day? I have just a couple of more things to make for Valentine's Day but they are easy schmesy so it won't take me any time at all today.

I'm back to show you the pages that I made with the new kit from A-Manda Creation called Love Monster. Yep, it is supposed to be a Valentine's kit but I thought with the bright colors and candy that it would would for a birthday too!

These are photos from Kyler's 8th birthday and he will be 14 in two months. I can't express to you how much all the boy have grown and changed over the years but all of them are just still such good kids! I have to tell you that my favorite thing about both of these pages is on the page below. See the eyeballs? I just think they are so goofy and fun! They just make me giggle each time I look at that page. I can't wait to get this one printed off!

One little side note...I love the young photo of Jon on the bottom page, too! Scott, of course, was way to old to come and help out...he would be 18 at this time. Holy moly how time has flown right by!

Alright, so...I'll show you my other Valentine's crafts tomorrow and then more scrapping pages later this week. Have a super day today!

Thought of the week: For you wives out there...The Bible says a wife can win over her husband without saying anything, because what he observes in his wife speaks more loudly than what she tells him. "They, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives." (1 Peter 3:1) ~Stormie Omartian. Remember your mom saying to you 'actions speak louder than words'? Yeah, it applies in marriage too.

The winner....

2012-02-12T07:16:00.000-08:00

Good morning! Are you back to see who won the copy of MyMemories Suite? Well, I hope so 'cuz I'm going to tell you...

Are you ready?.........

You sure?...........................

Okay, the winner is...............................I really wanted all of you to win!........................

The winner is.......................Patti Gilliam!!!

Congrats my friend! I will contact Lisa J and give her your information! Now, even if you didn't win the free software you can still get MyMemories Suites with $10 off just by using the code STMMMS8.

Be Mine, Valentine

2012-02-11T08:41:00.000-08:00

I know! Can you believe it...I'm posting today! I decided that since I got the card done, photo taken and edited that I would go ahead and post it today. Perhaps you've seen the Stampin' Up! Occasions Minit Catalog? Well, I did and I instantly love this cute conversation heart stamp! I ordered a couple of other things too...see the heart on the circle? Yep, that is new too! Fun stuff!

I grabbed a sketch from one of my friends blogs and used it for this card...isn't it fun? I was having some issues with my clear mount SU! stamps staying on the block so the small hearts stamped on the card aren't in line, darn it!

Did you notice I changed my blog back to the original template? Yep, I was missing my pink crafting lady. I do have some work to do on the side bars yet but it will all be back to normal soon!

Well, that is it from me for today. Monday I'll be here to show you some layouts from the new A-Manda Creation kit called Love Monster. Til then...have a great weekend!

Thought of the day: What would you do if you weren't afraid?

Conversation Hearts Only Bigger

2012-02-10T06:47:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! Who is happy to be at the end of the week? ME! I am back today with a paper craft and maybe tomorrow (but probably Monday)I'll have a card for ya.

Well, I made these little containers for Todd and Kyler for Valentine's Day. I totally messed up the lettering on the yellow one. Good thing that what matters is what is inside huh? I cut these boxes with my Cricut and then just assembled them. Cute and easy project for sure! Now, I'm trying to decide if I'll make a little something for Scott and his fiance. I probably will...just gotta find something.

This is a short post for you today. I hope you have a great weekend! Maybe I'll see ya tomorrow!

Thought of the day: A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.

Week 5

2012-02-09T07:12:00.000-08:00

Good morning! I know, I know...I said I'd have a card or something like that for you and I do almost have something like that for ya but I just couldn't quite get it finished to photograph yesterday. Soon, I promise! Instead you get another scrapbook page...Go figure!

So this is one of the pages for week 5 of my P52 project. Sometimes our week is quieter than others and I'm okie dokie fine with that! I had cupcakes with my friend Rachel on Feb 1st as we were technically done with our sugar fast challenge (they were delicious!) and I made that fun menu that week as well. It doesn't take much to make me happy! I'm also going to enter this page into the MyMemories challenge of the week which is to use a kit from A Work In Progress. The kit I used is called Live Love Laugh. Hmmm...wonder why I like it? I guess this particular designer is going to retire so all of her kits are only $1! I may have to go find some more I like!

So, hopefully tomorrow I will have that paper craft project for ya! 'Til then...have a fantastic day!

Comment to win a copy of MyMemories Suite HERE!

Thought of the day: Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. Corrie Ten Boom

More Water Park Fun

2012-02-08T07:12:00.000-08:00

Good morning! I'm back to show you the other two pages I made from Great Wolf Lodge. I gotta say...I've been to a Great Wolf Lodge before and while the one we went to last week is smaller it is still lots of fun! I again used the kit Woodland Winter for these photos.

These photos are just of the water park itself. Kyler was so excited to go down the big slides but his friend was not so we took Kyler down one. When his friend saw how much fun Kyler had he wanted to go on it too. There was a slide called The Tornado and it was, I admit, a bit scary. I screamed pretty loudly each time Todd and I went on it even though I knew what was coming up. Kyler's friend didn't like that one at all so they only went on it once. I gotta tell ya...I loved spending that time with my boys!

I am hoping to get the chance to make a card today so check back tomorrow to see that. Otherwise I have some more fun scrapbook pages to show you! Have a great day everyone!

Don't forget...you can enter to win a copy of the scrapbooking software I use. Just click over to THIS post to see what you need to do to enter!

Thought of the day: There is power in the name of Jesus!

Great Wolf Lodge

2012-02-07T06:43:00.000-08:00

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend and Monday! What is new with everyone? It is pretty much same stuff different day here. I have several scrapbook pages to show you this week plus a card or two so hang in there!

The first two pages to share are of our trip to Great Wolf Lodge. Like I told you guys before Kyler got to have a friend come with, Josh. He and Josh are great buddies so it was really a fun time for them. These pages are made with the Woodland Winter Kit from A-Manda Creation. This kit was perfect for my pages of the trip except for the fact that there was no wolf in the embellishment pack...which I thought was kinda funny. I don't think it matters much, how about you?

There are actually two more pages of photos from the inside of the water park itself that I made as well so you'll be seeing those soon too!

Don't forget you can win yourself a copy of MyMemories Suite software...just check out THIS post.

Thought of the day: It's not happy people who are thankful it is thankful people who are happy.

What's Cooking? And A Giveaway!

2012-02-04T08:23:00.000-08:00

Good morning and welcome to the weekend! I hope you have some time this weekend to just relax a little...maybe craft a little, too! So today I get to show you something I made with MyMemories Suite that is other than a scrapbook page and I get to give something away! Ready?

First, a little background. I've been making a lot of recipes from Skinny Taste. Gina's recipes are always delish, easy to make, and good for ya too! Because I print the recipe out from the site I've had to print them more than once so Todd had the idea of making a 3-ring binder up for the recipes. Welllll...that is a good idea! So above is the 8 1/2 x 11 page that I put in the outer pouch of the binder. Gotta have something kinda cute, right? It was super easy to make and fun to look at so a double bonus there!

Then I decided I would make a menu page. I wish I would have thought of this one a LONG time ago...when all three boys would ask regularly...what's for dinner? This was pretty easy to make, too. The day divider, stitching, always kicks my butt however over all it was easy to do!

And here is a photo of the finished product. I placed the menu in a document frame and then write on the frame with a dry erase marker (I got a set of three at the dollar tree!). I really love this project today...do you?

Do you wish you had the software to make this type of project or maybe to work on digital scrapping your life? Do you know how much I love MMS and would like to try it for yourself? Welllll...guess what? I get to give away a copy of MyMemories Suite to one of my blog readers! Yippee! What do you need to do?

1. Like MyMemories Suite on Facebook. Why am I making this a requirement? 'Cuz it is such a fantastic page to learn how to use MMS and to show off your amazing work.
2. Go to MMS, take a look around and then let me know which kit(s) you would really like to have.
3. And finally, if you are not already a follower of my blog...why not sign up to follow me? You'll want to know if you win, right?

So, that will give you up to three chances to win. Please leave a separate comment for each chance you get. I will leave this give away open for a week so please comment by Feb 11 at 8 pm PT. I will announce the winner on Sunday next week...February 12th!

Oh, and if you want the software but don't want to wait to see if you win use the code STMMS8 when you check out and you'll get $10 off the software!

Just Be Yourself!

2012-02-03T06:34:00.000-08:00

Good morning friends! It has been such a busy week...I'm doing a happy dance to be at Friday! I've had several fun things going on...on Monday afternoon we went to Great Wolf Lodge to take a fun mid-winter break. The water park was so fun and Kyler and his friend loved it! Yesterday I got my kit for Lemongrass Spa. LGS is a fabulous company that has handmade, natural skin care products that are safe, affordable and immensely enjoyable. You can check it out HERE. And today is Sketches by Carly day. It is always fun to create for SBC!

So...today's sketch is sponsored by Di's Digi Downloads. The winner will receive a $10 gift voucher to spend at the store. Today, for the first time ever, I created my card in MyMemories Suite so this is an fully digital made card. The wings of the bees have smooch on them and the camera lens has glossy accent on it. It was fun to experiment with digital card making!

Here is the inside of the card. I really liked the sentiment that came with this kit so I used a nestability to cut it out and use it on the inside of the card.

And finally, it was fun to make the signature and a little bee on the back of the card. You should give it a try sometime! Make sure you check out the sketch and the sketch rules at SBC and then get busy playing along! You'll have two weeks to enter the challenge.

Tomorrow is a special, fun day on my blog. I have a giveaway for you all so I hope you'll stop by and check that out! Have a fantastic Friday everyone!

Thought of the day: Fear is a liar!

Doodle Pantry New Release!!

2012-02-01T02:00:00.000-08:00

Good morning all! I'm excited to have you here as I get to show off some super fun products from Doodle Pantry's February new release! Ready?

The above image is called Cocoa Ants and guess what? Cocoa Ants is the set you can earn for FREE just by playing along with our challenge which you can learn all about HERE. The papers I used for this card are also from the Cocoa Ants set...so cute, huh?

And then there is the above card. I just can't let go of my beloved Packers. Even though they didn't make it to the Super Bowl I still had to create a card with their colors! The set, aptly called, Football & Helmet is the FREE set with purchase through the 24th so go check it out HERE.

Now, I hope you will go check out what all of my design team sisters have made...the list of their blogs is in my left side bar. After you check them out I'm sure you'll be smiling and will go on to have a wonderful day!

Thought of the day: An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.

Twitterpated

2012-01-30T11:03:00.000-08:00

Good morning! I hope you had a fantastic weekend! Mine was busy with lots of little things so it doesn't really feel like I got anything done but really I did. Today I get to show you a layout with A-Manda Creation's set called Twitterpated.

This set is so cute...lots of lovey dovey animals and such but I just went clean and simple on my layout. I've been wanting to take the photos of Todd and I from the lame scrapbook I had them in and put them in a digital format so that is what I did. I have lots more photos of Todd and I so I'm looking forward to creating more pages!

I know this is a short post today but lots to do today too so...I'm off! Have a wonderful day!

The Companion Page

2012-01-27T06:49:00.000-08:00

It's Woohoo! Who has fun plans for the weekend? I don't, not really but it just being the weekend makes me happy! I'll be working on projects for the Doodle Pantry new release on Wednesday next week. I can't wait to show you the fun images DP is releasing this month!

So, the above page is the companion to the one that I showed you yesterday. While it has some of the same colors it isn't winter because it is just about the "stuff" in our week. I did much more jounaling on this one that I have done on the others but it is still just pretty general stuff. I'm really liking this P52 process. I did get behind on my scanning though so I have to do double tomorrow. I love doing it though because it is a walk down memory lane in most cases. This weekend I'll be making some more pages so stayed tuned!

Well, that is it from me for today! I hope you have a fun day!

Thought of the day: Wake up every morning with the thought something wonderful is going to happen. Wouldn't that be an amazing way to start your day?

Snow Day

2012-01-26T06:38:00.000-08:00

Good morning friends! Well we are on the backside of this week...how has your week been? It has been a good week for me, busy but good. And today is Care Net day so I'll be working out, showing and heading on over to Care Net 'til Kyler is done with school. Doesn't leave much room for crafting during the day...darn it!

This page is one of my P52 pages. This last week we have had tons of snow so that is one of the big stories here in town. Kyler got to play outside and we found that Trixie loves the snow too. Then when the 8th graders from Kyler's class went to swim lessons I guess there is a tradition that if there is snow on the ground you go make snow angels...in your swimsuit! Brrr! There is another page to this book but I'm just sharing this one today because....

Well, did you come back to find out my news? Okay...today is the day! Yes, it is design team related. Well, actually it is Creative Team related. I am excited to announced that after only about 2 months of digital scrapbooking I have been accepted on my very first Creative Team. The above page is made with Snow Day by A-Manda Creation...the designer I am going to be working with! This is wonderful for so many different reason...Amanda's designs are so cute and so my style, with being on a Creative Team I will get many more pages done for my personal album, and you know how it is...if I'm on a CT I will must create...I'm just honored she would have me! Her blog is here if you want to follow it.

So...get ready to see lots more scrapbooking as well as fun cards! That is all I have for you today so I'm going to get busy doing other things. I hope you have an amazing day today!

Thought of the day: You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it. With God, you can do anything and fear nothing.

A reason to celebrate...

2012-01-25T06:56:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are at mid-week! Has everyone had a good productive week so far? Mine has been wonderful so far! I'll just tell you know that I can not spill the beans about my big news yet. Hopefully tomorrow. I can tell you that it is crafting related. Does that help you guys out at all?

Anyway, here is another card made with the sketch for these two week over at Sketches by Carly. I've used another of Karen's Doodles images...I love this Penguin Cupcake! I happened to have the perfect paper on hand so it all fell together so quickly!

Well, I should probably scoot. I have plenty of chores and such to do today plus I'm going to lunch with a couple of friends of mine, yay! Have an amazing day everyone!

Thought of the day: It is what it is---but it will become what you make it. ~Doris Dillon You know I say the phrase it is what it is a lot but I really like the added...but it will become what you make it. I think that helps me take my responsibility in whatever "it" is and turn it into something good.

Family

2012-01-24T07:13:00.000-08:00

Good morning on this chilly Tuesday!I gotta tell ya...I am definitely a morning person. I remember my boys just grumping at me when they were home 'cuz I was so happy by the time they would get up. coffee helps a little but it is just natural for me. How 'bout you? Are you a morning person or a night person?

Alright, so just a little scrapbook page for ya today. Well, it isn't little...it is actually 12x12 but you get the idea. These are photos that were taken while we were in WI to see Jon. This is one of the first pages I did when I started digital scrapbooking and, while I still really like it, I see things I would change BUT it is one of my New Years crafty resolutions to not have to have the perfect page. I have to let it go or I would constantly be redoing rather than getting new pages done.

Anyway, this is a kit by Trixie Scraps Designs called Roots and Branches. This is just a fantastic kit filled with lots of papers and elements. Interesting note here to my paper crafting friends...what we call embellishments they digi scrapping world calls elements.

I have an exciting announcement to make...soon! Hopefully tomorrow so I hope you'll stop back by to see what I have to share! In the meantime have a super fantastic day and I'll see ya tomorrow!

Thought of the day: Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't. ~Pinterest

Falming Hot Sucker Covers

2012-01-23T08:12:00.000-08:00

Good morning! I hope you had a fabulous weekend! Mine was very nice! Todd and I went to the wedding expo at the university yesterday just to look around and check things out for our son's wedding. There was only one bakery there but her cake was delicious! She isn't from our town though so I'm going to keep looking for now.

So, what is an Aunt to do when her sweet niece calls and says...Aunt Lorie, will you make my Valentine's for school? Well, if you are this Aunt Lorie you say...of course, love...how many do you need? And then you swallow hard when she says 30. Two thoughts on the quantity of 30...that is a lot to make and that is a lot of kids in a classroom! Anyway, I learned that they were going to give suckers with the Valentine so I decided to make the Valentine a sucker cover. I used Doodle Pantry's Flaming Hot Ants, in color, cut them out, and then printed the 'just for you', cut them out and made the sucker cover. ~~Now, if you want dimensions and such you can just search for lollipop cover on SCS and you'll find it!~~ Since I was asked a couple of times-- HERE is a link to the lollipop cover tutorial on SCS. Once I got everything all cut out the assembly went very quickly. I've left these flat to mail and so my niece can write her name on the back. I texted a photo of them to her and she loves them so I'm a happy Aunt!

So, what are you crafty plans for Valentine's Day? I just found the project I'm going to do for Todd this morning. I've linked you to the printable but I've got enough papers and such to make my own so I'll just be using the idea not the printable. Now to get thinking on a memory for the entire alphabet!

Well, I hope you make your day a wonderful Monday! See you tomorrow!

Thought of the day: As much as you want to plan your life, it has a way of surprising you with unexpected things that will make you happier than your original plan. That's what you call God's will. ~From Pinterest

An updated version...

2012-01-21T06:37:00.000-08:00

Good Saturday morning! There is no new snow on the ground this morning...yay! We are supposed to get more today though. Other than a volunteer meeting for Care Net this morning I don't really have anything going so I'll be able to hunker in for the day...yay!

So, I want to show you the updated version of this page I made of Jon arriving into Milwaukee Airport for his mid-tour leave. You can see the original version HERE. I like this one because of the tight, up close on Jon but I like the other one too because you see all of my grown up son. I do think this will be the one that ends up getting printed though. I think I forgot to mention before that the elements are from the My Man Kit by the Ettes & Co. Which version of this page do you like best?

So, that is it for today. A quick Saturday post for ya. I hope you have an amazing day!

Thought of the day: Be the type of person you want to meet.

Dragon Birthday

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

Good morning! Wow, have we gotten some snow here! Kyler put a tape measure in a place where we know it has only gotten fresh snow (not shoveled snow) and it says 9". I've heard 7" in other places but either way...that is a lot in just a couple of days especially since we haven't had any since Christmas. The city is awful at snow removal too and if it snows too much more without them clearing some of it I won't be able to get around at all. Frustrating!

What is not frustrating, though, is the wonderful sketch at Sketches by Carly this week! Not only do we have a great sketch but we have a great sponsor...Karen's Doodles. My goodness...the images she sent the DT to play are adorable! I chose to use Dragon Birthday as I was in the mood to make a girlie card. I think I accomplished it...don't you? I have to be honest that it has been awhile since I colored an image but I LOVED coloring this one. Don't you think my dragon is so girlie? You can see I flipped the sketch to make it fit with a larger image which is one of the nicest things with sketches...you can use them in so many different ways!

Below is the sketch. Just make up a card using this sketch, link it up to Sketches by Carly and you will be in the running to win 4 of Karen's Doodles! I'm a bit jealous as I love her images! (I'm so using the Penguin image, check the SBC website to see it, soon!)

So, there you have it ladies...go, create, have fun! Tomorrow I'm going to show you a redo of the scrapbook page I shared with you yesterday. I think you'll really like the change I made! Have a wonderful Friday everyone!

Thought of the day:

Just had to share this...I thought it was so cute! Anyone else have a family that LOVES Star Wars?

No Fear Factor Challenge

2012-01-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

Remember I talked about the the snow we were supposed to be getting? Well, we got it! Officially we got 4" but I think it looks like more out my patio door. Even though I grew up in the midwest I still don't care for snow so this does not please me at all!

Onto, the scrapbook page. Over on the MyMemories blog there is a new challenge posted every Wednesday. Sometimes I do it...sometimes not. This week I did! It is a No Fear Factor challenge. Take the thing you are most afraid of in scrapbooking and do it. Mine has been to make a photo the background paper of the page. First, I couldn't remember how to do it and then I was afraid I'd not pick the right photo. Well, I managed to get past both fears! And it was so easy too!

When I first saw this photo that my mom took of Jon when he arrived in the states for his mid-tour leave I knew I wanted to do something special with it...this challenge seemed perfect for it. In addition to the photo background I used another Page Builder...11, I think. I adore how this turned out! I will make this type of page, of this photo, again when I go to make Jon's Army album. I think it will look great for that purpose too!

Alright, enough of my excitement...I hope you all have a great day!

Thought of the day: Be nice to people.

Merci

2012-01-17T07:49:00.000-08:00

Good morning! How is everyone today? Are you buried under snow? We are not and are not supposed to get a whole bunch of snow but some. The areas around us though...tons! The pass is already closed for avalanche control so you know it is bad!

Just a quick little card share with ya this morning. This sweet little owl is Quirky Owl by Doodle Pantry. There is just something that draws me to this owl...not sure what it is though. I needed to make some thank you cards so I actually made 6 of these cards. The patterned papers are what comes with the set and I just used a Cuttlebug folder to make the white panel. This layout is a mixture of a couple of different older sketches. I started with one and decided I didn't like it so it turned into this. I'm going to enter this into the Shopping Our Stash challenge which is to use a border punch. I love my scallop border punch!

Well, I hope you all have a fantastic day! Today is my afternoon of shuttling kids to the pool for PE lessons. It is always interesting to hear what the kids say...if they say anything at all. I gotta tell ya though...I really enjoy the time with the kids!

Thought of the day: It always seems impossible until it is done.

P52 - Week 2

2012-01-16T06:54:00.000-08:00

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Did anyone get snow? Everyone thought we were supposed to get a ton of it but really we just have a light coating. I did notice, though, that the weather widget on my computer has a winter storm watch icon so I think we might be in for it now. I just thought I'd share a couple of scrapbook pages this morning. They are from my P52 project. If you recall the idea behind P52 is to take photos of your week (even if you think it is boring) and the scrap them at the end of the week. I do my week from Sunday - Saturday and the scrap the photos on Sunday...okay, that is what I'm going to do at least.

So, this 2nd week of 2012 was a pretty routine on overall. Like the journaling says...routine and school. The boys played, the dog slept and on Saturday I took an online class about MyMemories Suite. I did scrap one other page but I think I'll keep that one to myself. These fun papers and embellies are from Marie H Designs and I used Page Builders #18 for these pages. Have I mentioned how much I love the Page Builders? They are like a sketch...only better!

Alright, well...I should have a couple of cards for you this week. Sketches by Carly is on Friday and I need to make something thank you cards so I'll get to that as well this week...maybe even today so hopefully I'll be back tomorrow to share a card with ya.

Have an amazing day friends!

Thought of the day: Without the rain there would be no rainbow.

Party for Jon

2012-01-11T07:52:00.000-08:00

Good morning! I'm so pleased to be back to show you a couple of scrapbook pages today! I feel like I cheated on these though as I used Page Builders from Albums to Remember to make them. What does that mean? Well, it means that the layout itself was there. I just changed the papers, elements, and added the photos. It took so much less time...fantastic! I was having a hard time getting started with the pages from Jon's mid-tour leave so I thought I'd use the page builders to help, which it did. When I sat down to do them last night, though, I had a terrible time so I closed everything up and came back to it this morning. Now, I am super happy with the results!

The kit I used for these pages (and will for several more pages) is called My Man and is by the Ettes & Co. While I think it is designed for dad's only the word art would give that away so I'm going with it.

I just realized I forgot to add an element or two to the above page. I could go back and add them but I think I'll just leave it alone. It makes it unique, right? And, could my smile be anymore cheesy? LOL!

Alright, that is it for today! Have an amazing Wednesday....see you soon!

Thought of the day: Be kind to yourself.

Love Birds

2012-01-10T07:13:00.000-08:00

Good morning friends! I hope you all had an amazing weekend! What did you do? Do you have any fun plans this week? I have decided that this week is my week to get into a good routine. I've been struggling with that and I don't like that feeling so...starting today I'm working on making a schedule of my things to do. Wish me luck!

So, today I have a super cute image to show you from Doodle Pantry. It is called Love Birdies and it is in color so this card was a snap to put together. Rather than making the image into a circle I decided to cut it out and pop it up on a background, so to speak, circle. I think it gave it the look I was going for. My friend, Debby, gave me a Craft Warehouse gift card for Christmas so while we were doing some shopping I got two 6x6 paper pads. This one is called Love Struck and is by We R Memory Keepers. (The other pad of paper is WRMK as well but is for Easter...I'm thinking ahead!) I love how the Love Struck pad has the blue papers for boys and some wonderful pinks for girls. I used this weeks Sweet Sunday Sketch for this card.

Can you see in the little paper that is hanging outside the home it says L T, which stands for Lorie Todd...of course. It is just a fun little element I know Todd will notice.

Then for the inside I just used some leftover paper from the front, punched out a heart, and printed my sentiment on white. It is true...I just like being with my husband. We don't have to be doing anything but just being near him makes me feel all safe and warm.

Well, there you have it for today. I'm hoping to have a scrapbook page to show you tomorrow. Have a fantastic day!

A BIG to Eva today! I hope you have a great day!

Thought of the day: "Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." Anne Frank (you can't argue with that!)

My Scrapbooking Goals for 2012

2012-01-07T06:48:00.000-08:00

Good morning! Well, I'm back to share my crafting resolution with you today. My crafting resolution centers around photos and scrapping those photos. I have done a very poor job of scrapping my kids' lives and I want to get better so, hopefully, these new goals will help!

The two biggest things are the 'scan 20 older photos a week.' That doesn't sound like much but I think it will be a little more difficult than it sounds. I'll know today. I did go in and find a pile of old photos so I'm set to go with it for today. The other big thing is P52. Basically that is creating a journal of our lives in 2012. I'm going to take several photos each week and put them into a one or two page layout. Now, I envision this to include the photos I take of things we do together, like the Rose Bowl game, so I don't think I'm going toooo far outside my comfort zone. Mostly, I want to have fun doing it. One other, more minor goal is to scrap more about me. I know I wish I had more about my mom and I just don't want my kids to think that way in the future so...more about me it is.

I know this is going to sound hokey but all of this just because of the MMS software. It truly has made my scrapbooking easier, more fun, and (overall) less expensive and time consuming. If you have any inclination that you'd like to get into digital scrapbooking you really should give MMS a try! Alright, for those of you that digi scrap I got the kit from Gotta Pixel and it is called New Year, New Me.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! See you Monday!

Thought of the day: It's not who you are that holds you back it's who you think your not.

Live...Love...Laugh

2012-01-06T06:45:00.000-08:00

Good morning! Who's glad it is Friday? It is still a busy day and weekend ahead but at least it is the weekend, right? Today, is a new sketch from Sketches by Carly. We are sponsored by Bugaboo Stamps today so we got to pick out the image we'd like to use. Fun stuff!

So the image I chose is called Beautiful Blocks - Live Love Laugh. Wonder why I might like it? Haha! (Just a little hint for ya if you like it...it is on sale for $1.50!) The papers are from an old Taylored Expressions Kit and I added a photo corner SVG that I cut with my Cricut. Most of the rest of it is pretty basic. I'm disappointed that the color didn't come out very well as this is very pretty in real life. Oh, and like the post yesterday this is not a card. It is for decoration in my craft room.

Now, don't forget the challenge is good for two weeks so you have until Jan 20th to play along. If you win you will receive 7 Bugaboo images of your choice. Score! Make sure you go check out what the other design team members made. Their links are in my side bar. And since this actually has butterflies on it I'm entering it in Flutter By Wednesday's challenge which is open this week!

So, tomorrow I'll be showing you my scrapbooking resolution (so to speak) for the year and I bet it isn't what you think it will be. Hope you'll stop back tomorrow!

Thought of the day: Learn to appreciate what you have before time makes you appreciate what you had.

We're #1!!!

2012-01-05T06:40:00.000-08:00

Good morning friends! I'm back to with a challenge from Meljen's Designs. I wanted to say card but it isn't. It is a one sided 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" little plaque. We love our Green Bay Packers here so I thought using this sentiment and making it a decoration for our house would be fun!

I used one of Meljen's $1 images called We're #1, colored it in Packer colors (green/yellow), and then pulled out some football-ish paper that I had in my stash to finish the card off. The woven strips of paper are not all the exact size as I wanted to be able to read some of the words and the words are varying sizes. I colored the sentiment with Copics and added green/yellow to the white piece around sentiment. All the stars have Illuminate Smooch (my favorite shimmery product) on them. Lastly, something you can't see very well, the edges of the bottom layer are green on the top/bottom and yellow on the sides.

So, the challenge this week is 'stars', hence the starts on my project. There have been some changes to the challenges at Meljen's so I'd suggest you go HERE to take a look at them and then HERE to see the challenge itself. Most of all...create and have fun!

Thought of the day: Women aren't supposed to make coffee. In the Bible it says HEbrews. (Sorry, just couldn't help myself!)

Rose Bowl 2012

2012-01-04T06:54:00.000-08:00

Good morning friends! How is your week going? We all had Monday off so it definitely makes for a short week! Thought I'd share another scrapbook page with you. Yes, I love scrapbooking with MyMemories Suite but I think I've said that already! I do have to tell you that I have used the photo templates for the last couple of pages that I've shown you. What they are is layouts that have the photo boxes pre-placed for you so all you have to do is drop in the photos and then add your papers and embellishments. It makes for a speedier page for sure!

So, this page just has a couple of photos from the Rose Bowl game. Our Wisconsin Badgers were playing so we got all decked out in WI clothes (Kyler even had his WI Badger build a 'bear' with him) and went to our friend, Nancy's house. While the Badgers lost it was still very fun to be with Nancy, eat yummy food, and cheer them on!

I've decided this is the year to take more photos, scan old photos in, and get them on paper. It seems digital scrapbooking is going to be the way for me to do it. I hope you are ready to see more layouts!

So, tomorrow I'll have a Meljen's card for you and Friday is Sketches by Carly day so I hope you'll stop back!

Thought of the day: Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is. ~Mark Twain

Snow...

2012-01-02T09:29:00.000-08:00

Good morning friends! I know many of you are back to work and life today so I hope you have an amazing day. Today is our last day of Christmas break and then it is back to the daily routine.I am going to miss the break. I love being home with Kyler!

Anyway, I thought I'd share a scrapbook page with you. We didn't think we were going to have any snow for Christmas Day, which is so weird in this part of WA state, but late afternoon it starting snow. It was so pretty...big huge flakes. I just had to get a couple of photos of it to add to my Christmas pages.

Just a short little post for you today. Have a wonderful day and I'll see you soon!

Thought of the day:You aren't going to get the butt you want by sitting on the one you have. (Just a little motivation for those who have a weight loss resolution.)

One, two, step, four!

2012-01-01T07:35:00.000-08:00

Well, we are starting off the New Year with a bang this year with a new release by Doodle Pantry. Even though I didn't create much in December I still love my Doodle Pantry and am so excited to share this super cute new image with you!

The image I'm showing you today is from the set you can get for FREE just by participating in our challenge which is set to start today at noon. You can see the entire set HERE. Did you notice that the patterned papers that I used for this card are part of the set? Yep, DP makes it easy to have create a perfectly matching card! It is perfect for those of you who have a resolution to be more healthy through exercise in 2012! So cute, so fun! You might want to go see the entire release...we've got some caterpillars hugging, red hot ants and a beautiful hummingbird. Some seriously good stuff!

Thought of the day: Do you make New Year resolutions? Every accomplishment starts with a decision to try. You can do it!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2012-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! Hopefully this New Year I will get back into posting more often. I know I've been missing you all!

One neat thing I've learned to do in the last week or so is to make cover photos for the new Facebook Timeline. You know, the photo you see at the top of your profile page? Yep, you can replace it with whatever you'd like and since I found a great tutorial to make them using the My Memories software (link and coupon code in my right side bar) I thought I'd try it out. I love how easy and fun it is. I made one for my profile and one for my sis-in-law's profile. Aren't my niece and Nephew just adorable?

I hope you all have an amazing day! See you soon!

Lovely box with bow...

2011-12-28T10:17:00.000-08:00

Good morning all! Did you all have an amazing Christmas? Ours was very nice indeed. It was a wonderfully relaxing hang out day with Kyler, Scott and Ashley. Photos to come I promise! In the meantime here is a couple of photos of a box I made for the family that did child care at the church on Christmas Day. It was incredibly nice of them and I just wanted to show my appreciation.

This first photo is just of the box with bow closed. It is a fabulous SVG file from SVG Cuts and it was FREE!! It looks like it is still free so if you can cut SVG's with your cutting machine go grab the kit now! The patterned paper I used is from Stampin' Up! a year or two ago. I thought it was nice but not over the top Christmasy.

I just loaded the inside with peanut butter cups, kisses and some tootsie rolls. On the top (not shown in the photo) I added some coupons for ice cream cones from a local favorite place. They fit just perfect under the bow on the corner! The only think I wish I would have done differently was make the bow solid red instead of adding the one layer of opposite paper. Such is life...it still looks nice!

And finally is a photo of one of my surprise Christmas gifts. Well, a couple of them at least. The ring and necklace are ruby and quite substantial which is great as I will wear them for Rigadoon as the only jewelry so I love the bigger size. So, pretty huh? My hubby sure does a great job at picking out gifts for me!

Anyway, I will be back again soon...I promise. Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Thought of the day: Smile...it confuses people. :)

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

Ouch and Awww....

2011-12-24T07:49:00.000-08:00

Good morning friends! It's Christmas Eve...are you all set for the big day tomorrow? I think we are here at the Ames House! It took me awhile but I finally got in the Christmas spirit last week and now I'm really excited about tomorrow. I will definitely be missing Jon but I am thankful I will have Kyler and Scott here!

So, today I promised to show you a scrapbooking page but you are going to get two instead. I am really enjoying the scrapbooking software and am looking forward to doing some more pages this afternoon. What is great about using digital software is that it takes so much less time and mistakes are easily corrected (that is my favorite part). I haven't had these pages printed yet as I want to send in several at a time but I will be using an online store for that. I pre-bought their printing services but after I'm done with the pages I bought I've heard good things about Costco so I'll probably try there even though it is 45 minutes away from where I live. Anyway, onto the pages!

I'm sure some of you remember when Kyler crashed his bike this last summer and went to the ER for his wrist and road rash. While it was a painful time for him I wanted to be sure he remembered his first trip to the ER...I know that sounds weird but we are the sum total of our experiences and how we respond to them...he was quite the trooper that day, very brave! The kit I used for this page is called I'm Sick by Albums to Remember.

The above page I made yesterday for a challenge on the MyMemories blog. It is the Christmas Fashion Fun challenge. Of course your page doesn't have to be fancy like mine but cute with a favorite Christmas sweater or even an ugly sweater! Anyway, this is a photo from when Todd and I went to Rigadoon a couple of weeks ago. Yes, I love my dress! I felt so pretty in it. I dislike the way I'm standing though as it looks like I have a big hiney. LOL! Anyway, the kit I used for this page is Comfort and Joy by Connie Prince.

Remember if you want to check out the MyMemories Suite Software just click on the MyMemories button in my right side bar to be taken to the store. If you decide to purchase it and use the code I show over there you'll get $10 off the software...what a deal, huh?

Alright friends...have an amazing Christmas Eve with your family and friends! I'll have a little something on my blog tomorrow so see ya then!

Thought of the day: If you want to feel rich just count all the blessings you can't buy.

Teddy Angel

2011-12-23T07:31:00.000-08:00

Good morning! It's the day before the night before Christmas! Are you busy being good? I know! That can be so hard sometimes, huh? LOL!

I wanted to make a special thank you card for someone who did something for us. What an angel they were! I used a pre-colored image from Meljen's Designs...this one is called Teddy Angel. I think the image looks so comfy so I used some 'quilting' patterned paper and made some stitches with my white gel pen. A couple of buttons to finish it off and I put it in the mail. I'm pretty sure the recipient will love the card!

I'm just wondering...have you been to the Meljen's Designs blog recently? It is a fabulous blog full of inspiration, freebies, and lots of great info! I hope you'll go check it out soon!

I am excited to show you my digital scrapbook page tomorrow. It is my official second digital page. I'm loving the software that I have. It truly does make it easier to scrapbook! Hope to see you back tomorrow!

Thought of the day: It's easy to stand in the crowd. It takes courage to stand alone.

Birdie and Bells

2011-12-21T07:52:00.000-08:00

Good morning all! Yep, I'm still here preparing for Christmas. Things are so hectic. I'm also learning the new scrapbooking software so I've been playing in that but not really able to show you anything. Soon though!

I was hired to make two more beverage holders so you are getting to see those today. I used Jolly by Golly from Cosmo Cricket for these holders. I have the chipboard pack that came with that paper so I used some of the pieces from that pack to finish off the front. Aren't they fun? I really like the bird in his hat. And, I think the yellow looks so bright and cheery! I'm entering this into the Creative Inspirations challenge this week which is, anything goes.

Just a short post for ya today. Tomorrow I'll show you the other beverage holder I made...this one for our neighbor. Friday I have a Meljen's card to share and then on Saturday I'm going to share a scrapbooking page so I hope you'll stop back!

Thought of the day: Accept what you can't change. Change what you can't accept.

It's Your Day!

2011-12-17T06:44:00.000-08:00

Good morning! Yay, it is Saturday! Who is ready for the weekend? Me! Today I have several fun things planned so I'm up and at 'em early, well, early for a Saturday.

Before we left to see Jon I made this card for Todd's sister's birthday. Todd and his sister have the same birthday exactly one year apart. It makes her birthday easier to remember for sure! Michelle is a hard working, do anything for you gal who forgets that it is okay to take some for herself so that is why I made this card with this image. On the inside it says '-spoil yourself silly!' I hope she did take some time to do that!

The patterned paper is from an old Tayolered Expressions kit. There is lots of shimmer on the bubbles and on the floor. I really enjoyed making this card.

This sketch is a sketch with a spin which is to use chipboard. Well, my little banner that says 'It's your day' is a piece of chipboard from Jenni Bowlin. (I also used a different shape of chipboard on Thursday for the Meljen's card.)

Cathy

Chris

Janice

Kim

Monika

Shannon

Shelby

Wendy

I have a really exciting day ahead. This morning (in about 20 minutes) I'm taking a webinar on how to use MyMemories Scrapbooking software (link in my right sidebar). I already know how to do several things but I thought that some extra hits and tips would be a good thing. Then, after the webinar a friend is coming over to transfer stuff from my desk top to my new laptop. Yep, I got a laptop for my craft room. I'm SO excited that it won't take up as much room! And then this evening we are heading out to Rigadoon, a dance club we belong too. I have a fabulous new green dress and sparkly shoes and Todd has a really nice cranberry colored shirt for his tux so we are going to be all Christmas-y!

Thought of the day: Bloom where you are planted.

Hot, Hot, Hot!

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

Good morning friends! I can't believe it is almost the end of the week again! Tomorrow is a half day for Kyler and then two glorious weeks off! I can't wait for Christmas Break!

Today I get to share with you a new image from Meljen's Designs. This one is call Holiday Chili Pepper. From the time I saw the image I knew I wanted to make Todd's Christmas card with it (shhh...don't tell!). It reminds me of the time we spent in Cabo this last spring. I'm not sure why it does but it does. I used paper from MME's The Merry Days of Christmas pack and tried to focus on the blue in the patterned paper as I was so reminded of the water from our trip (which was a cruise). While the weather was not hot on the boat it sure was beautiful on shore. We definitely plan on going back to Cabo to vacation one day (sooner rather than later I hope!). Oh, and the challenge for this week is anything but a rectangle shaped card. I don't get outside of my comfort zone when it comes to card shape so I just went with a square, 5x5, card. The layout for this card is from the month long Sketches by Carly challenge.

Anyway, all three of today's new releases are super fun so make sure you hop on over HERE to check them out and see what the rest of the design team has to show you! I'm also entering this is 4 Crafty Chicks Challenge this week which is Christmas Cards.

OH! I almost forgot to announce the winner of my black Friday/Cyber Monday sale. So, without further ado...Jerusha, you win! Just contact me and I'll get you the code for your $5 coupon! Congrats girl!

Thought of the day: Get up and go. Take a chance and be strong. Today is your day...go for it!

Mmmm...

2011-12-14T07:44:00.000-08:00

Good morning! I hope you are having a wonderful week so far! Thanks for coming back to visit. I'm excited to show you my Meljen's Designs new release card tomorrow so hopefully you'll stop back then, too.

I must apologize for the bad photos. Unfortunately we've had over a week of fog and I am having a horrible time getting decent photos. Same thing today as yesterday on these beverage holders just different papers and embellishment. I actually have an order for two more of these so be ready to see more! LOL!

Well, my boy heads back to Afghanistan today. I didn't get to spend nearly as much time with him as I would have liked and honestly feel a little cheated by it but I will work past it. I can't imagine how he must feel going back. He wants to be there for his friends but it is not a fun place to be. Such conflicting feelings I'm sure.

Anyway, have a wonderful day today. See ya tomorrow!

More Beverages

2011-12-13T06:54:00.000-08:00

Good morning!I hope you had a marvelous Monday and have fun plans for your Tuesday. I actually did some creating yesterday so you'll have some fun stuff to see the next couple of days...yay!

I was excited to be hired to make a couple of more beverage holders. The customer wanted four of them so I got right to work. I have to tell you it only took me just over an hour to make all four. Cutting the holder out with the Cricut sure makes them easy!

The paper I used on all four of these holders are from Imaginisce called Snowy Jo. I like to use it for this type of thing because this paper pad has 66 chipboard shapes and the sticker toppers to go with making embellishing super easy. The paper is also very varied. You can see in this photo the cute snowman on one and the poinsettia on the other. Two completely different looks Love it! I just added different types of ribbon to hold everything all in and they were all ready.

Tomorrow I'll show you the other two and then on Thursday is it new release time with Meljen's Designs for which I have a super 'hot' card for ya so make sure you come on back!

Thought of the day: A good deed brightens a dark world.

Birthday Wishes

2011-12-10T06:20:00.001-08:00

Good Saturday morning friends! This morning I'm really wishing my dog would know that it is Saturday and would let me sleep in a little. 5:45 am is just too early on a Saturday!

Today is The Sweet Stop sketch day though so I do have a fun card to show you. This is another card that I made prior to leaving for our trip and I made it to give to my dad (I'm blessed to have three dads...how cool is that?) for his birthday. The boys and I haven't been with him for his birthday in 10 years so it was really neat to get to be part of the celebration.

Anyway, this image is from Clear Dollar stamps and is part of their Birthday Fall Critters outlines set. The paper is from Jillibean's Spotted Owl Soup pack and the rest is pretty self explanatory I think. I do have to tell you that I really like this card. I think it is fun, bright and super happy!

So...off you go to see the other design team members creations!

Thought of the day: Just had to add the thought of the day with the little picture:

Sketches by Carly Day!

2011-12-09T06:29:00.001-08:00

Good morning friends! I know, it has been a long time or at least it feels like it! I'm back today to share a fun card and sketch from Sketches by Carly. I made this card before I left to go see my son and I still love it today as much as when I made it!

Our sponsor for the month long challenge is Paper Shelter and we were provided with some super cute images to use. I chose Santa Cute Helper. I did NOT color this image but instead took advantage of the pre-color version that Paper Shelter offers. I used MME 12 Days of Christmas pattered papers on this card and then just added all sorts of fun embellies. I love it when Carly's sketches has lots of little pieces to it as it if fun to be fussy sometimes!

Here are the details of this challenge: This challenge will go for the entire month of December (Dec 9 - Jan 5) so you will be able to enter as many times as you'd like. The random winner will receive a $20 Paper Shelter gift certificate!

Here are the rest of the design team gals. Make sure you check out all of the amazing work they've done!

Julie

I will be back probably tomorrow to share a photo or two (or maybe a digi scrapbook page) of my boys. It never gets old thinking your kids are the most handsome around! See you then!

Thought of the day: I'd rather be a Proverbs 31 woman than a Victoria's Secret model!

Black Friday/Cyber Monday Challenge

2011-12-08T23:55:00.000-08:00

*This will be at the top until 12/9. Please scroll down to see my most recent blog update.*

Good Black Friday morning friends! How many of you were out and about to brave the crowds last night/this morning? Not me! I prefer to to shop Black Friday from my computer and have found that I can get just as many good deal online on Black Friday as I could at the store. Add that to Cyber Monday and I'm one happy person!

I thought it would be fun to have a little challenge this week to celebrate the great deals you get on your crafting goodness either today, Black Friday or Monday Cyber Monday. Okay, so you can use anything new, that you have never used before for this challenge.

Here are the guidelines for this challenge...
1. Your creation must have one brand new, never used by you before element to it and it should be one of the main elements to your creation.
2. You must link back to this post in your blog post.
3. You must link your card up to the inlinkz tool at the bottom of this post. Please link to the blog post itself and not just your blog or your link will be removed.
4. For each place you share (your blog, Facebook, etc) this challenge (and come back to tell me about it...one comment for each share) you will get an extra entry into the challenge. However, you must link up a creation for your extra entries to count.
5. If you don't have a blog just e-mail me a photo of your creation.
6. you have two weeks to participate in this challenge. The inlinkz tool will close on 12-8 at midnight.

Now, what do you have the chance to win if you follow all 5 of those rules? Well...the fabulous Laurie, from Doodle Pantry has graciously donated a $5 gift certificate to her store! I'm so excited for the person who will win as you know how much I love Doodle Pantry!

Well? What are you waiting for? Get shopping and creating ladies! Let me know if you have any questions!

Brave

2011-12-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Good morning! Remember I told you that I was going to be absent from my blog quite a bit this month, right? Well, this is part of the reason. My son is home on mid-tour leave and we are enjoying spending some time with him!

This is the very first page I have made in my new digi scrapping software called MyMemories Suite. I have never been a digi scrapper before as my brain just cannot wrap around Photoshop but this MyMemories Suite? So intuitive!

I've actually had the program for about a month but I've been working on a couple of things before using it.

One, I wanted to purchase some digi kits so I had plenty to chose from when I started. I was VERY successful at that thanks to Black Friday weekend. Next, I wanted to be sure to have a list of all the sets I bought so I made an Excel spreadsheet, alphabatized the kits, and listed who the designer is. Finally, because I am a visual person I needed to have a photo of the kits that I had purchased so I could see all the elements in the kit in one place. So...I now have about 23 pages of colored collage sheets in a 3-ring binder that shows what is in each kit/quick page/or whatever. It is perfect for me!

So, when I decided it was time to play with the program this picture of Jon seemed perfect. The MyMemories Facebook page has something called a Speed Scrap every Sunday. One of the DT members posts the elements that she would like to see on the page and then we take it from there. Now, mine does not fit the speed scrap exactly but I think it is a pretty good first page. I see some things I'd like to fix on it so I will go back and do that or I may just start all over again...who knows. The point is I can do either and it is okay because it is all digital and I've not wasted a bit of paper or embellishments...yay!

If you are interested in checking out the program for yourself I have a link in my left side bar for ya. If you decide to purchase it and use the code that I have (STMMMS8) you will even get $10 off the program! Let me know if you decide to give it a try!

Thought of the day: Class is about know what to say, when to say it, and when to stop.

Beary Merry Christmas

2011-12-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

Good morning friends! Are you having a great weekend? I hope you are getting lots accomplished. I can hardly believe we are only about 3 weeks away from Christmas!

Today is Sweet Stop sketch day and it is a wonderful one! I chose to use candy cane Rhubarb this morning and pair it with papers from MME Holly Jolly which had that perfect candy can paper in it! I love peppermint so the candy cane theme is right up my alley!

I think this card will be so cute to send to a family that has little kiddos as they are sure to love Rhubarb!

Well, that is it from me today. Make sure you head on over to my design team sisters blogs to see their creations and leave 'em some love!

Thought of the day: It's a good day to have a good day!

I'll be back again Someday!

2011-12-01T02:00:00.000-08:00

Good morning! No, I did not disappear...this has just been an incredibly busy week so far! I have two bits of VERY exciting info. One crafting related and one personal.

First, up crafting related very exciting announcement. I am, officially, a member of the Meljen's Designs DT.. I am SO excited! I applied thinking I would never be selected so I put it out of my mind. And then, an e-mailed arrived that I had been chosen for the team. I am so thrilled! I love the cute, whimsical images that Meljen's has and am excited to share them with you! That said...today is my first challenge with them. The theme is Inspired by a Christmas Song and the newest set, 'Christmas Carols', is so perfect for this challenge! There is something about Frosty the Snowman that is so endearing so I had to chose this image. I added it to MME Be Merry papers, snowflakes, and a lovely bow to make this card. I hope you'll play along with this fun challenge! I'll be checking, and commenting, on the entries for the challenge so I'll see ya there!

So, what is my other bit of exciting news? Well, my son, Jon, is back int he states for his mid-tour leave! Woohoo! This blog will be pretty silent for the next week as I spend some time with him. I don't even feel like I need to 'do' anything with him. Just being in his presence will be more than enough!

Thought of the day: Yeah, my son's experience is way more like the one on the right. Please pray for our soldiers!

Baby, it's cold outside

2011-11-26T06:38:00.001-08:00

Good Saturday morning friends! Welcome to Sweet Stop Saturday!

When I saw today's sketch I knew I was going to enjoy creating for it. I love when I get to have an image large enough to not make a ton of errors in coloring! Today's image is from The Stamping Boutique. I thought the image and the sentiment would be perfect together so I went with it. I just used some paper MME Signature Christmas pack and paired it with Marina Mist cardstock. In real life this is super sparkly as there is lots of glitter pen on the snow, hearts, and such.

I will be entering this card is The Stamping Boutique's monthly contest as well as Fun With Shapes, Phindy's Place Challenge, and 4 Crafty Chicks. I haven't really been entering challenges recently but I thought...why not so I will probably start linking more challenges up.

Alright, here are my design team sisters blogs so make sure you go check them out and give them some love, k?

Please note that since we are moving into December I won't be posting quite as often. A couple of my design teams are taking a break and when they do I do. I will still be here just not quite as often. Also, I plan on getting into digital scrapbooking through MyMemories Suite (see link on the left side bar) so I'll be showing you those pages as well as the cards I make. I hope you'll enjoy that addition to my craftiness! And one really neat thing is that I have a very exciting announcement on Dec 1st!

Thought of the day: Did you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made. ~Francis Chan In this 'it's all about me' world this can be difficult to hear but Francis is absolutely correct.

Christmas Puppy

2011-11-25T06:21:00.001-08:00

Good morning! For those of you who went out shopping on the crazy day they call black Friday...did you get everything you wanted? Was it anything crafty? If so...be sure to scroll up to my Black Friday/Cyber Monday Challenge!

Today is a new Sketches by Carly sketch release day. This sketch is another super fun sketch that can go so many different ways. We are sponsored by Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps this week, though, and by playing along you have the chance to win 3 free digis. Yay!

So, my card features the super cute image called Christmas Puppy. I always thought getting a puppy for Christmas would be fun but now that I have a puppy...whew, they are a lot of work! Anyway, my patterned papers are from MME's Lost & Found Christmas paper pack. I thought the image looked a bit vintage so I tried to have the rest of my card look that way too. The photo corners are from Doodle Pantry and are SVG files so you can cut them with your Cricut and a version of either SCAL or MTC.

Alright...here are the links to my design team sisters. Make sure you go check out what they have done this week!

Julie

Thought of the day: Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something, and has lost something.

Thanksgiving Pie And Appreciation

2011-11-24T06:56:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving friends! Pumpkin pie is a favorite on Thanksgiving so I had to play on that a little while making some favors for today. I originally got the idea from here but ended up purchasing an SVG from SVG cuts as I don't cut straight enough to make the hand cut pie work well for me. I did, however, use the whipped cream template from her.

Just a single piece of pie for your viewing pleasure.

And here are how the treats go in.

Heeeyyy...who stole the first piece of pie? Actually I ran out of pumpkin pie cardstock so I couldn't finish the entire pie. So disappointing but I still love it!

I am sending Thanksgiving wishes with gratitude and appreciation to all of my blog readers! Have an amazing day! Please think about our military members that are serving away from their family today and throughout this entire holiday season. Love you all!

Make sure you stop by tomorrow for a little Black Friday challenge I'm going to host for you all!

Mmmm...hot chocolate

2011-11-23T06:39:00.001-08:00

Good morning! So? Is everyone ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow? I think we are! What are you all doing? Staying home, going to someones house? Since our Thanksgiving dinner isn't until 1pm I will have a fun little post tomorrow too.

Today I thought I'd show you the beverage holders I was hired to make, yep that is right, hired to make! Yay! After I posted this beverage holder I put it on our town's crafter's group on Facebook and actually got an order for two of them. It is always hard to make something for someone else as you never know what their tastes are like (and I haven't heard from her as to whether or not she likes them) but I think these both turned out great! The papers are just some that I have in my Christmas stash but one of the things that I like the most is the wreath and that is from SU! I am also entering this into the Shopping Our Stash challenge this week which is Winter/Christmas. Easy peasy!

Thought for the day: The more anger from your past you carry in your heart, the less capable you are of loving in the present.

Quirky Birthday

2011-11-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

Good morning friends! I hope you all had a great weekend! We ended up with more snow over the last couple of days than I thought we'd get but 'tis the season!

Today I have a clean and simple card to show ya. I used the sketch from this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge. Everything (except for the ribbon of course) on this card is from the Quirky Ostrich set from Doodle Pantry. On the inside I wrote I hope you get the chance to shake your tail feathers for your birthday this year! That sentiment is taken from the set as well.

For the first time in about 10 years I will not be making Thanksgiving dinner...little known fact about me...I had never cooked a turkey until after Todd and I got married. Since then (10 years) we have made Thanksgiving as a couple. I have made some dishes and Todd made some. Of course, that would depend on his schedule but I digress. We are going to Grandma Nancy's house for Thanksgiving Dinner and the only thing I will be cooking is mashed potatoes. And not just any mashed potatoes but a recipe from the Pioneer Woman. I call these the 'I don't care" mashed potatoes 'cuz you just can't care what is in them! Yeah, you all know they are going to be good, huh?

Make sure you hop over to the Doodle Pantry blog so that you can see what challenges we are sponsoring and perhaps win some more of those fabulous DP images for yourself!

Thought of the day: I am incredibly proud of my infantry solider!"Infantrymen have a pride and arrogance that most Americans don't understand and don't like. Even soldiers who aren't infantrymen don't understand. The pride doesn't exist because we have a job that's physically impressive. It certainly doesn't exist because it takes a higher level of intelligence to perform our duties. It's sad and I hate to admit it, but any college student or high school grad can physically do what we do. It's not THAT demanding and doesn't take a physical anomaly. Nobody will ever be able to compare us to professional athletes or fitness models. And it doesn't take a very high IQ to read off serial numbers, pack bags according to a packing list, or know that incoming bullets have the right of way. The pride of the infantryman comes not from knowing that he's doing a job that others can't, but that he's doing a job that others simply won't. Many infantrymen haven't seen a lot of combat. While that may sound ideal to the civilian or non-infantry soldier, it pains the grunt. We signed up to spit in the face of danger. To walk the line between life and death and live to do it again - or not. To come to terms with our own mortality and let others try to take our life instead of yours. We have raised our hands and said, "Take me, America. I am willing to kill for you. I am willing to sacrifice my limbs for you. I will come back to America scarred and disfigured for you. I will be the first to die for you." That's why the infantryman carries himself with pride and arrogance. He's aware that America has lost respect for him. To many he's a bloodthirsty animal. To others he's too uneducated and stupid to get a regular job or go to college. Only he knows the truth. While there are few in America who claim to have respect for him, the infantryman returns from war with less fanfare than a first down in a high school football game. Yes, people hang up their "Support Our Troops" ribbons and on occasion thank us for our service. But in their eyes the infantryman can detect pity and shame; not respect. Consider this: How excited would you be to meet the average infantryman? Now compare that with how excited you'd be to meet a famous actor or professional sports player and you will find that you, too, are guilty of placing the wrong people on a pedestal. You wouldn't be able to tell me how many soldiers died in the war last month, but you'd damn sure be able to tell me if one of the actors from Twilight died. Yet the infantryman doesn't complain about that. He continues to do his job; to volunteer his life for you, all while being paid less in four years than Tom Brady makes in one game. It's a job most Americans don't understand, don't envy, and don't respect. That is why we have pride for the infantry!" Author Unknown to me

Let It Snow

2011-11-19T06:26:00.001-08:00

Good morning friends! Happy Saturday! Who has fun things to do today? I hope it includes lots of fun crafting!

I have been really blessed recently that my weekend hasn't been too overflowing with things to do. That really gives me the change to get ahead on things...like this card. I made it for this week's Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge two weeks ago. Go me!

The paper for this card is from Cosmo Cricket's Mitten Weather pack. I love the coziness of the plaid and dots and those mittens? Adorable...at least I think so. The word art is from Meljen's and I believe it was a freebie awhile back. It is always fun to receive Meljen's freebies! What you can't see in the photo is that I used lots of Gelly Roll pen on the little swirls, dots, and lines on the image. It is really shimmery in real life. So fun!

I hope you'll join us for the sketch this week! You can see that I flipped the sketch but either way it is perfect for so many main images!

Okay, and before I link you up to my design team sisters I had to share a photo with you. Trixie loves to sit in front of the heating vents in the house so I removed the bin of paper that I had under my crafting table and put her blankets (old pillow cases but I'm going to get her a blanket for that spot) right by the heater. It has taken a couple of days but it is now a spot that she likes to lay in when I'm in there. As a matter of fact she looks almost exactly like that photo as I'm typing this post up!

Okay...now get along and visit my design team sisters...I know they have made beautiful projects for you all to see!

Wendy

Thought of the day: The only way to have a friend is to be one. I think I have some e-mails to send!

Happy Thanksgiving?

2011-11-17T09:23:00.001-08:00

Did you see The cute images released at Meljen's Designs this morning? You know I couldn't resist this super cute Turkey Shooter!

I'm not sure I love the way I did the paper (I think I should have made the orange the background and the light patterned the accent) but I still think it is a cute Thanksgiving card, that I need to get out in the mail soon, huh? The sentiment is from the turkey's point of view. I doubt he thinks Thanksgiving is very happy! LOL! The sketch is from A Gem of a Challenge for the week. I will also enter it in at Meljen's as the challenge for the week is fall...easy, huh?

Alright, just a quick post for ya this morning as I need to get my day officially started as it is a even busier than normal Thursday. Have a wonderful day everyone!

Thought of the day: Difficulty-The only thing that makes it a part of your life is that you keep thinking about it. Give it to God and then let go!

5-Photo Tutorial

2011-11-16T06:12:00.001-08:00

Good morning friends! Here we are at Wednesday and the week is just zooming by! We are predicted to get 3-5 inches of snow today starting at about noon. The rest of the week is half days for Kyler so at least I won't have to be out in it today...yay!

As promised yesterday I have a 5-photo tutorial on how to make a twine "haystack". I'm not very good at this so if you have any questions please let me know!

Okay, I first tie my twine around my card where I would like the finished haystack. Finish it with a knot that has longer ends.

Next, based on how much twine you'd like in your 'haystack' cut a length of twine (in this case two) and keep halving it 'til it is a little longer than you'd like the size to be on your card. This allows you enough length to cut the ends of the twine after you put it on your card.

Now just snip the looped ends so you have a pile of short twin pieces.

Lay your twine 'haystack' on the knot you tied on your card and then tie a knot with the ends of your twine on your card.

Once you tie your knot you can trim up the ends of you 'haystack' to the length you'd like and you are done!

My card is made with the super cute Doodle Pantry image called Pirate Birdie and this set is, of course, pre-colored. Have you ever noticed how much I love pre-colored? It makes it SO easy to whip up a super cute card! The patterned papers are from the set, too. The card sketch is from Clean & Simple #166.

Don't forget about Doodle Pantry's current challenge. Just create something made with a DP image (not just sentiment), link it up to the DP blog, and you will receive the Wishbone Ants set for free. See the DP blog to check out the Wishbone Ants set.

Well, that is it for today. Like I said if you have any questions about the tutorial just let me know otherwise I hope you have an amazing day!

Thought of the day: Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many. ~Unknown

New Release Day!

2011-11-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

Good morning friends! I hope you had a great Monday! Today is a new release day with Clear Dollar Stamps and there are a ton of very fun, new images for you to check on their website!

I'm going to show you two of them. The first, to the right, is actually a digi set that was converted from a clear stamp set called For Unto You. I adore the simplicity of these images and the little sheep are so cute. The set comes with tons of sentiments so you can do just about anything with it! If I had more of the sheet music paper I might actually consider this for my main Christmas card this year. The Halo and star are both covered in Sundance Smooch and the sheep have a little glitter on them, too.

My second card is made with a set by Trudy called Hearts and Holly. I love that this sets main theme is all about Jesus. What a wonderful way to remind everyone that receives this card that Jesus is the reason for the season? The papers are part of the Hearts and Holly set so it was fun and simple to put together. What you can't see if that the white dotted blue back ground is all sparkly. I took my Clear Star Gelly Roll pen (which I use a TON) and just dotted it all over the blue background. It is a really nice subtle effect in real life.

I hope you will head over to the CDS Blog to check out what everyone has made for the release! I also want to let you know that this will be my last post with CDS. I have enjoyed designing for them and just am making a couple of changes. Thank you to Jerusha for asking me on the team and being a great digi team coordinator!

I had a couple of people (okay...just one) ask me how I make the little "haystacks" (bundles of twine) that I've been using on my card so tomorrow I will be showing a real short tutorial on it. It will be short because it is so simple but it really has a fun effect on the card, I think.

Thought of the day: Sometimes it is okay to take a step back and admit you are being ridiculous. Raise your hand if you've been there, too!

The smile...

2011-11-13T06:42:00.001-08:00

Over the years I've been told that I'm always so happy. I love the above Thought Of The Day as it is exactly why I smile through the pain, stress or frustration of life.

Make a Wish

2011-11-12T07:19:00.001-08:00

Good Saturday morning friends! I hope you are all having an amazing day! Welcome back for another Sweet Stop sketch!

I did take this sketch and expand on the segment to the right as I wanted to use my 'happy birthday' punch. My card is way different than the rest of them this week but...I needed a bright and happy birthday card and this perfectly fits the bill!

The image is from Meljen's Designs and papers from the Sassafrass Ellie's Tale paper pack. I had a ton of fun coloring that yummy looking cupcake!

I know I'm behind in posting this (another long night with the new dog...she does not like her kennel!) so I'll move along to the list of design team members...

Thought of the day: Refuse to be content with just the knowledge of God, but insist on experiencing his presence. Have a personal relationship with Jesus! Do you have questions about what that means, a personal relationship? Just shoot me an e-mail and we'll talk.

Veteran's Day with Sketches By Carly

2011-11-11T02:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday everyone! And Happy Veteran's Day to all of our Veteran's and active duty military members! You are all appreciated! ***So sorry for the delay in posting...Blogger messed up, I had it scheduled!***

Today is a new sketch day with Skeches by Carly. This time we are sponsored by Bugaboo and I have had the pleasure of designing with their image called AKV Army - Flag USA. I gotta tell ya I love this card. The sketch was so much fun to work with and tweak to make the layout work for this fun image and my Veteran's Day theme. I wish I could tell you who made all the fun papers on this card but I honestly do not recall. For this soldiers uniform I Google'd ACU (the name of the type of uniform that Army soldiers wear right now), found a good photo and then printed the pattern on some cardstock. I then ran the ACU'd piece back through my computer to print the soldier image on. I just cut out the helmet and jacket, adhered it to my base image and have somewhat of an authentic soldier for my card! Fun stuff, huh?

I know you want to play along so I've posted the sketch here on my blog so you can get started right away. When ready you can head on over to Sketches by Carly to upload your card to InLinkz. I'm also entering this in the Blogger Challenge Veteran's Day Challenge.

I know you guys want to see what the rest of the design team has made so I'll link you up. Be sure to leave them all some love, k?

Julie

Please take the time, not just today, but everyday to thank a Veteran. I can pretty much guarantee you that you will make their day!

Thought of the day: In war, there are no unwounded soldiers. Jose' Naroski

A Very Merry Christmas

2011-11-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Good morning friends! So sorry for being away the beginning of this week but I have some fun stuff to show you the next couple of days!

This Christmas Wreath image really caught my eye during the Doodle Pantry new release so I just had to use it. I combined the image with patterned paper from Echo Park's Seasons Greetings and the Pollycraft Monday Challenge sketch to make this card. I just think this turned out to be a great 'traditional' Christmas card.

Make sure you check out all of Doodle Pantry's new releases by clicking HERE to go to their blog. There is also a list of winners from the 12 Day of Christmas Blog there.

Alright, tomorrow you are going to see the newest sketch from Sketches by Carly for which I themed the card perfectly for Veteran's Day. Then on Saturday is my Sweet Stop post...another cute card if I don't say so myself! Finally, keep check back as next week on Tuesday is the Clear Dollar Stamps Digi release. Fun stuff coming up for sure!

Thought of the day: Faith in God includes faith in his timing.

All Year Round Blog Hop

2011-11-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

Hello friends and welcome to your April stop on the All Year Round Blog Hop featuring the wonderful calendar set from Clear Dollar Stamps! If you came here from Lisa's blog you are right on track. If you are just stopping in here why don't you head on over to the Clear Dollar Stamps blog to start at the beginning?

When I first saw these calendar pages I knew I wanted to work on a 6x6 calendar using the cute images from CDS. For April we have a cute bunny that I paired with some lovely paper from the Sweetly Smitten patterned paper pack from Sassafras. When I do pages like this I just Google 6x6 scrapbook page layouts and choose one that fits my main image well. The numbers at the bottom are made from kraft thickers that I just inked with a Bermuda Bay ink pad. A little pink on the bunny with an outline in blue and tahdah!

Alright, I'm sure you want to continue on the blog hop so head on over to Jan's blog to see her cute calendar project!

Thought of the day: I love that random memories that no matter where I am in my life they make me smile.

Double the fun!

2011-11-05T07:29:00.000-07:00

Good morning friends! I must apologize for posting late today. Just when I thought we had our new dog figured out (scroll down to see photos) at night I found we were wrong and I ended up sleeping longer than I had anticipated.

Today is double the fun as my card layout is for this week's Sweet Stop AND for the 12 Day of Christmas blog hop with Doodle Pantry. If you are following along with the DP Blog hop and came here from Dawn's blog then you are on the right track. If you want to start at the beginning click HERE to be taken to the Doodle Pantry blog. When you are done here be sure to hop on over to Sarah's blog! Please note the DP blog hop officially starts at Noon EST.

So, what is this blog hop all about? Well, just one of the cutest and most versatile digi sets that Doodle Pantry released on the first. It is called 12 Days of Christmas. The images are cute for lots of things like tags, little gifties and such but I used the 12 Drumming Drummer on my card as it will be for my son for Christmas this year. This set comes in color and outlines and is only $4.50! Now, you have until the 8th to see all the fun images the DT has made but you only need to post your name/e-mail on the linky on the DP blog in order to be qualified to win! Winners will receive $10 credit to the DP store...yay!

If you didn't know, the 12 Days of Christmas are actually after December 25th until Epiphany on January 6th. Now, I know I made a card today but I actually intend on making a tag with these images and giving a gift to my husband each day for the 12 Days of Christmas. Fun stuff!

Okay, now I know you want to see what others have made with the Sweet Stop Sketch this week, too so I'm linking you up below to their blogs:

Paper Perfect Designs

M.A.D. Stamper

Enchanted Ladybug Creations

Well, have fun hopping around and seeing all the amazing work of the Doodle Pantry and Sweet Stop Design Teams and enjoy your Saturday!

Repeat after me...awwww...

2011-11-03T07:20:00.000-07:00

Morning! Sorry...nothing crafty for you today but Saturday and Sunday will be super fun days! I'm just going to share another couple of photos of Trixie.

So, I have heard that Dachshund's like to pick a favorite person to hang out with. I gotta tell you our Trixie likes to hang out with whoever will let her sit on the couch/chair with them. So far we all love having a lap dog. We are trying to teach her, though, that she is only welcome on the furniture when we are there too. I think that is going to be a long process. LOL!

Dachshund's also really like to burrow...so far, not an issue. This is one of the ways Trixie loves to sit with me (yes, isn't my robe just lovely?). She is such a silly girl!

Last nights sleep was much better but I think that is just because we got a bark collar for her, re-did her bedding area, and put a sheet over her kennel. I'm also considering moving her kennel into a different room so that she can't hear the other two dogs at night. She keeps disappearing into Kyler's room. I think she is laying on the soft stuffed animals.

I hope you are having a super week so far! See ya back here Saturday!

Thought of the day: Having a rough day? Place your hand over your heart. Feel that? That's called purpose. Your alive for a reason. Don't give up!

I'm Sorry

2011-11-01T05:50:00.000-07:00

Good morning friends! Well, it was an interesting night at my house last night but I'll get to that later. First, I must show you the card I made to show off one of the brand new file releases from Doodle Pantry!

This month's new releases are absolutely fabulous and super cute, as always! I got to play with Quirky Donkey. There are so many options with this set because of the fabulous sentiments that Laurie has included...Christmas, I'm sorry, and well, just plain cute! This set also come with two matching papers of which I used one. I really like the monochromatic look the patterned paper allowed me to achieve with this layout. It will be the perfect card when I need to apologize, which for me will most likely be soon. The sketch for my card today is from Sweet Sketch Wednesday. It looked much more difficult then it turned out to be!

Make sure you hop on over to the Doodle Pantry blog to see what all of the design team members have made and make sure to leave each of them some love on their blogs. You know we all love that!

Now...why was my night eventful? Welll...in addition to getting a daughter-in-love soon we have rescued a dachshund named Trixie. She is completely adorable and loves her people but did not like the kennel last night. Our home, her forever home, is her third home and the person two before us had her crate trained but the person just before us let her sleep in bed with them...huge mistake! Trixie barked almost the entire night. I think there was only a three hour time period in which she did not bark. *sigh* First thing this morning (and I mean first thing...I couldn't stand it anymore at 5am so I got up) I bought the book Dachshund's for Dummies. She has her own little spot in my craft room, just a old pillow case I put on the floor for her. Hopefully that will make her a little happy but she would prefer to be on my lap, that is for sure! Please pray for her to have an easy transition to our family...and that we get some sleep tonight!

Thought of the day: If your always racing to the next moment what happens to the one you're in?

Live to be 100...

2011-10-31T08:31:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-29T08:41:00.000-07:00

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

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

Sketches by Carly day!

2011-10-28T02:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-25T07:19:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-24T07:18:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-22T07:38:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-19T06:54:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-17T07:35:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

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...

Lorie (That's me!)

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

Couldn't love you S'more!

2011-10-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

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?

2011-10-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Boo!

2011-10-14T02:00:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-11T07:52:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

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

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

Autumn Friends

2011-10-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

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!

Thanks snow much

2011-10-06T07:07:00.000-07:00

Good morning friends! I know, I know it has been sometime since I posted last and I'll tell ya why. It seems like every time I sit down to craft it is such a struggle to come up with even a mediocre card (today's is an example). I think some people would call it losing their mojo...I would call it frustrating.

Anyway, this image is so cute...is it not? It features the image and sentiment from the Doodle Pantry set called Snowbirdie. The COLORED image is so fun with its pattered colors! I couldn't decide which patterned papers I wanted to use so I thought I'd try the green and blue and I love it together! I kept trying different things to dress this card up a bit and nothing really worked. I added faux stitching and some stitching around the main image as well as (even though you can't see it) smooch in some of the snow and the pom pom on top of the birdie's hat. The layout for this card is from this week's CPS sketch.

Make sure you check out Doodle Pantry's digital challenge running until the 24th at 8pm CST. All you have to do is use a Doodle Pantry image (not just sentiment), link it up to the blog and you will not only receive the Quirky Penguin set for free but you'll be in the running for one of two $15 gift certificates to Doodle Pantry! No matter what you get the cute Quirky Penguin set for free!

I'm working on more cards so I will for sure be back on Saturday for the Sweet Stop Sketch. Hopefully I'll see ya tomorrow too. Have a wonderful Thursday!

Thought of the day: Sometimes in the wind of change we find our direction.

Quirky Owl Thanks You!

2011-10-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hey you are back! That is great! I hope you enjoyed my card for The Sweet Stop Sketch early this morning! The layout for my Doodle Pantry new lease is going to look mighty familiary as I used the SSS for this card, too! I love it so much plus I'm on a clean and simple kick so it worked perfectly for this card!

SO??? Don't you just love this new Quirky Owl? I think she is just delightful. Yes, my owl is a she as she has pink wings! For some reason I love to put black with clean sketches and it really pops the pink and blue colors that are here. The patterned papers are part of the new Quirky Owl set as well. It is such a bargain at just $2.50 for the entire set!

I've been on a little bit of a crafting hiatus...this week has been an up and down one for my emotions and I've been crying over basically nothing all week. I can't create when I am like that so doing this card and the SSS card has really helped in the creativity department so next week should be a pretty good one for the good 'ole blog! Thanks for hanging on with me this week!

Well, I hope you enjoy my card and that you'll hop on over to the Doodle Pantry blog to check out the rest of the new sets (hint: I must try a card with the new Vintage Globe set!) and see the amazing artwork that my design teams sisters have to show you!

Thought of th...just kidding! You already got a thought of the day. Just scroll down to see it from earlier today!

Load of Love

2011-10-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Good Saturday morning! I gotta tell ya...I love the scheduling feature on Blogger...I don't have to get up early on Saturday to make sure my posts are on time...lol!

Today is a busy day here on my blog. You get to see not only the newest Sweet Stop sketch and my sample but there will also be a Doodle Pantry new release featured a little later this morning...double the pleasure, double the fun!

So, this month is Blast from the Past month at The Sweet Stop. This means that we will be featuring past sketches so you get to either do them again or see them as brand new...fun! Today's sketch is from way back there in June of 2009! I gotta tell ya though...I really like this one!

Obviously this card is my for my hubby as the hearts and yellow give it away. The stamp that I used are from a new ippity set called, appropriately, 'load of love.' My hubby is going to get a kick out of this one due to the laundry theme. Lets just say he is very particular about his laundry. The paper is from jillibean soup and is called Dutch Mustard Soup. Let me say it again in case you forgot...it is perfect for my hubby! This is very clean and simple and I love it (wait 'til you see my other card today!).

I want to make sure you get around to all of the fabulous SSS design team so I'm going to start linking you up to their blogs right here in my blog post! Make sure you go visit and give 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? (I love this blog name...too funny!)

Thought of the day: Just because your hurt doesn't mean your broken. ~The Dolphin Tale

Football Boy

2011-09-30T02:00:00.000-07:00

Good morning friends! I'm so happy it is Friday! Do you guys have fun plans for the weekend?

Today is a fun day here on my blog as it is a new Sketch By Carly day and this week's sketch is just fabulous AND we are sponsored by a fabulous company...Bugaboo! The winner of sketch #41 will receive 7 digi's of their choice...that is $21 worth of digital images! WOW!!

My card is made with Bugaboo Brat Sports Football Boy (say that fast even once!). I just knew I had to have that little guy and make a Green Bay Packer inspired card with it from the moment I saw it! I know the paper is a little weird with the grass and stars but I still like the roughness of it. Add in the football/stars banner and it is a total boy card, isn't it? This one is already on its way to Afghanistan!

Well...I KNOW you want to try and win the digi's from Bugaboo so I'm not going to keep you much longer! See ya tomorrow!

Thought of the day: Life is like photography. You use the negatives to develop.

Vote 4 Kyler!

2011-09-28T07:01:00.000-07:00

Good morning! Has your week been productive so far?

Last night Kyler and I spent quite a bit of time on his posters for his election. You see, 8th grade class elections are coming up and he wants to be the secretary so he came up with a plan for the posters after brain storming a theme that would work for him. His campaign slogan is Faith, Facts, Fun. He plans on writing his speech to coincide with that slogan telling his classmates how those three things will work into his office. Pretty cool, huh?

So for the poster I bought some neat shiny orange poster board. Since Kyler wanted it to be in a triangle shape (think the trinity) Todd cut them for him. Kyler then decided that faith is the most important thing in this theme so it went on top with facts and fun after that. We cut the faith and 'vote 4 Kyler' on the Cricut (yes he helped), he found a Bible/cross clip art he liked, printed it off and cut it out. We made a little 'notebook' with an old die from PTI and on the front we printed (in old english font) 'We the people of the 8th grade in order to for a more perfect union vote KYLER'. Too funny, huh? The soccer ball is a 3-D ball. We just found a soccer image online printed out 9 of them, scored them down the middle and then attached them together and finally to the board...super easy! Finally Todd and I bought some candy yesterday and made labels that say 'vote for Kyler' and then slapped them on some candy for him to pass out. (Hopefully that isn't too over the top!) Oh, and we popped up his name on the boards with foam tape so they stood out a bit more.

That was my fun yesterday. It took much longer than I had anticipated but I think they look great and more important than that Kyler really likes them! I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Thought of the day: Today you have the opportunity to be someone's chief cheerleader or chief critic; which one will you choose?