Who Knew?

Who knew that when I received a blog award  last week I would spend the next few days feeling like one of those celebrities that DOESN'T thank their adoring family? ( I am SO NOT a celebrity, but you know what I mean)

Who knew that my sweet husband, the "Leaf Nazi," was so sensitive?

Who knew that he would feel so hurt by the fact that I didn't name him as my best friend?

Who knew that I would spend the next few days explaining myself and trying to make up for it?

I SHOULD HAVE. Because I know that ONE word answers never tell the whole story. I am giving myself permission from now on to speak at will:)

As I explained to my husband, there is a very good reason why he isn't my best friend...It's because that "title" doesn't really describe all he is to me.  He is so much MORE than my best friend.  He is my SOULMATE.  He is the other half of me.  He is the person that, as cliche as it sounds, completes me.   We have so many differences in how we are and that's what makes us great.  We look at things in different ways, but always TOGETHER.  He has helped me to grow to be a better person.  To set goals for myself and to think more seriously about life.  While I have helped him to laugh a little more and not be so set on looking to the future...to living in the "now."  He is the person I admire the most.  I would rather be with him than anyone.  He makes me laugh, smile and literally melt inside.  He is the person I enjoy growing with each and everyday.  Creating this wonderful life we have together.  I can not imagine my life without him.  It's hard for me to even put into words what he is to me because he is MY EVERYTHING.    So I made this card for him and snuck it in his briefcase today.

The inside has the two hearts stamped together.  That's what we are...2 hearts that fit perfectly together.  Sorry to get all mushy on you, but I needed him to know PUBLICLY why he isn't my best friend.  He is so much more!  This card could not have come together more perfectly.  It is very symbolic of our relationship.  All the pieces stitched together, the two seperate hearts that fit and the sentiment.  I think it is my favorite card ever.  I am so glad I get to give it to him.  I used Beate's Weekend Sketch 105 and stole the idea of the punched edge from Laurie Schmidlin.  

Thanks for popping in today for my mushy love story.  Hope you are having the same fabulous weather that we are here.

What's In It?
Stamps: Hearts Afire (verve), Always
Ink: Choc Chip Craft, Vanilla Craft
Paper: DCWV red, MM Vanilla Love Story, choc chip
Other: Fiskars border punch, dimensionals, sponge, clear EP, Circle Spellbinders, Janome Sew mini, Sizzlet Lots of Tags

Joy Can Mean SO Many Things

This is my take on Beate's Weekend Sketch 104.  It's a "creative stretch" as far as the sketch goes. I'm not sure it really qualifies at all, but this was the idea I had and I couldn't seem to veer from it.   I love this card, but NOT this photo.  It seems to me that Raspberry Fizz and Pink Passion don't photograph well.  I tried everything to get this to look true in color.  Even the buttons are off.  So imagine that the true colors of Rasp Fizz, Aqua Mist and Spring Moss are what the buttons really look like.  Do you see it?  AHA!  Then it is indeed "Joy."

On the subject of "joy" I wanted to share something that isn't really craft related.  But, this blog is about things that I love.  I recently found a blog called, I'm An Organizing Junkie, in my neverending quest to improve myself.  One thing that I love on her blog is the Menu Plan Monday.  This has been a huge help to me in organizing my week's worth of meals.  I am the type of person who thinks at 4pm, "Hmmm, what shall we have for dinner in an hour?"  The Menu Plan Monday is a layout of your entire weeks worth of meals.  She even has a few printables you can use.  This has really helped me so much.  I know that sounds like a "no-brainer"...hey, why don't you PLAN what you want to eat for the week, dummy?!  For someone like me (an obvious "no-brainer"), I needed this knock to the head.  Besides, you can look at what other people are planning and get recipes.  You could even just have what she is having each week.  I don't know WHO would do something like that though.  I mean REALLY!  But, it's an option...a back up plan, if you will.

  This has also led me to other blogs that offer up some great recipes.  One blog is called, Finding Joy In My Kitchen.  This lady posts tons of stuff...sometimes twice a day.

I, personally, have never found "JOY" in my kitchen... but I'd  LOVE to... REALLY!  Everyday at 3:30, when I get home from picking up the kids, I hope that I will find "JOY" there.  A big smile on her face, cooking up a dinner beyond belief.  She will nod and say, "Hey, I've got it all under control."  Then she'll present this beautiful dinner that EVERYONE will eat and she'll leave all the credit to me~~~~~~~~~(insert sounds of waking from the dream).

  Yes, I'm still waiting for "JOY".  Does anyone know her?  I think my husband would like to meet her too.

(Hey...maybe we DON'T need "JOY")  Anyways, I wanted to share this little tidbit to making my week run a  bit smoother.  Now if I could just figure out how to fit the meals I plan into my budget, we'd be that much closer to...well.... BLISS:) 

Hope you have a great day!  I will be posting pictures of my family tomorrow AND I got a blog AWARD.  Thank you to Stacie, aka craft_princess, for giving me an award.  I am working on passing it along.  I will share details tomorrow.  Hopefully a card too.  My day is NOT going as planned, so we'll see.

What's in it?

Stamps: Snowflake Serenade

Ink: versamark

Paper: white, Rasp Fizz

Other: silver EP, dimensionals, satin ribbon, PTI holiday buttons, silver cording, MS border punch

Fall Leaves

With the beauty of fall comes the work of yard clean up.  Blek!  My hubby is a stickler for raking.  It's almost insane how much he wants to rake.  We have many leaves in our yard.  I remember our first year in this house.  My hubby raked up EVERY SINGLE leaf.  I thought him insane, but said nothing.  About an hour later I caught him standing at the window with his arms crossed as gently the leaves continued to fall....on his immaculate yard.  Tee hee:)  Oh, too be so anal.  Luckily, I don't have that problem.  He has since then mellowed a bit.

I made this card not for my hubby.  That would have been funny though. But, I made it for my brother.  His birthday is coming up.  I thought I'd share our fall weather with him all the way over in California.  I used Beate's Weekend Sketch 103.  

This card took me WAY too long, but I would do it all again 'cause it's for my little bro.  Well, at least I MIGHT do it all again.  I had some troubles with that corner punch.  I mean, really, who else can't punch a corner correctly.  Do you see why I can't be anal.  It just doesn't work in my life.  I used a new product (to me) by Tim Holtz.  The distress paint is on that big chipboard circle.  I have to say I was sooo impressed that the lid is also a paint brush.  BRILLIANT!  I watercolored those leaves with my inks and a paintbrush.  I have to say that I am totally in love with this new K&Co paper called Ancestry.com.

Don't forget to check back here tomorrow for a special Stamptacular Sunday!

We are headed out to the LAST football game for my little guy.  BRRRR!  It's going to be cold!

What's In It?

Stamps: Autumn Splendor MM, Wishful Elegance Verve

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Baroque Burg, Old Olive, Choc Chip, versamark

Paper: Old Olive, Ancestry.com, vanilla, watercolor, burgundy

Other: hodgepodge kit, jeweled brad, twill, nesties labels and circle, chipboard, dimensionals, fiskars border and corner punch

Vintage Heart

I made this card for Beate's Weekend Sketch 102.  I love her sketches each week because they aren't as layered and challenging as some sketches can be, yet still so pretty.  I also used one of her techniques that she just did a video on a few weeks ago.  I kind of played around a bit with it and added a "twist" I guess you could say.  It was a Color Wash Tutorial that she just redid into a video tutorial ( at the bottom of the page).

I used my watercolor paper and color washed it with Pretty in Pink reinker.  Next I clear embossed the large heart over that color wash AFTER it was thoroughly dry.  Then I used more Pretty In Pink reinker, dried with my heat gun, then added a layer of bravo burgundy reinker diluted with water.  It kind of pooled in areas and I hit it with the heat gun.  I liked the look of it catching in the finer details of the heart.  I also color washed the LOVE tag and just stamped with colorbox ink once it was dry. I then added UTEE over the entire thing before punching it out.  Another detail to note is my cuttlebug embossed panel behind the heart. I sponged some bravo burgundy ink around the edges of the entire card.  I also need to get fray stopper for my ribbon...grrrr.

Hope you are having a great start to your week.  The weather is so pretty here, but with the change also comes BIG sinus headaches:(  Must...get....medicine.....AHHH!

What's In It?
Stamps: Ever After
Ink: Bravo Burg, Pretty in Pink, Versamark, Colorbox Maroon
Paper: Watercolor, K&Co Classic, DCWV tan (base)
Other: Circle punches, ribbon MS, cuttlebug EF, paper piercer, clear EP, UTEE, dimensionals

Toodles!
NIKKI

Breezy Bird

 YOU FOUND IT!!! BONUS FUN BLOG HOP SCAVENGER HUNT!

 I have many favorites sets.  However, I chose this set because it is so versatile.  You can make something fun and cute or fancy and elegant.  Below is a card I made just this month using the bird.  I don't  care for birds IRL, but I love this bird.  It's just so pretty! 

Now don't forget to leave a comment stating that you found my favorite stamp set.  Also, to qualify for my additional giveaway you need to email Priscilla and get her address so that you can send her your completed challenge cards.  All cards will be donated to the cancer patients at The Toledo Clinic.  Please include a new, non sealed , non addressed envelope with each card.  You may sign you name if you wish.

 I forgot to add Priscilla's email.....  misscill@yahoo.com

Now head on over to DEE'S blog for more hunting:)

Just a quick post today. I feel like each morning when I get up the shotgun fires and we're OFF!

Another busy day with errands for home and for the school. I'm "Popcorn Lady" again tomorrow. I guess there are worse things the kids could call me.

I made a card today that uses Beate's Weekend sketch again. I made this for the Verve Project Parade. I haven't participated in any Verve challenges in sooo long. I love Verve stamps! They are the first set of acrylics I ever tried. Julee has the most elegant images and beautiful quotes. You should play along. There is a chance to win some VERVE BUCKS!

My card also using the Faux Suede technique featured on Monday's Splitcoast Technique challenge. Admittedly, the little bit of the techinique that I used was not my original thought. That never worked out. (That seems to be the case as of late) So I used what was left of my "suede" paper to make the little twig that the bird is standing on. This card has an over abundance of pearls. I lost several of them trying to pick them up and put them on. I almost lost an eye in the process. Who says stamping isn't dangerous? The other thing that I love about this card is that I used THREE different stamp companies. I think it is so wonderful how they all "worked together" to complete this card.

Hope you have a fun day!

Only 8 more days left to participate in the BLOG CANDY FOR A CAUSE, as well as, the MAKE A CHILD SMILE CHALLENGE.

What's In It?
Stamps: Always, Celebrate Today (MCS), Beautiful You (verve)
Ink: Baja Breeze, Choc Chip, versamark, soft sky
Paper: vellum cardstock, retired DP, soft sky, white, choc chip
Other: Pearls by Recollections, scalloped circle nestie, various flowers, iridescent ice, paper piercer, sponge

It's Hip to be Square

Happy Soggy Morning!

It's your typical wet day here in Southern Ohio. A great day to stay inside and craft. I used to say "read," but not since stamping has taken over my life:) I made a very quick card last night for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge 100!


I really liked this card until I decided at the last minute to outline the "OCT" in Choc Chip ink. AHHH! I hate when I ruin a card by adding "one more thing." I didn't have time to start over. This is a shaker card and I haven't done one in FOREVER. It's always so fun to go back and revisit old techniques. My step mom's birthday in coming up. I'm embarrassed to say that I have never made her a card before. Shame on me! I'm trying to be a better person and I know with all that she is dealing with this card will make her extremely happy. I can bet that the next time I go visit it will proudly be displayed in the kitchen. Just knowing how much it will mean to her that I remembered her birthday makes me feel good.

I used some Jenni Bowlin paper again. This time I paired it with the coordinating chipboard buttons. I also used ANOTHER stamp from my Unity KOTM. I circled her birthday in red and the inside says, " Celebrate! It's Your Day!"

October 16th is an important date for another reason. It is the last day to be entered into my drawing for blog candy. Make sure you check that out HERE. I still have a very long way to go in my goal for raising money for Priscilla. So if you haven't donated yet, please take a few minutes to do so. $5 is all it takes to be entered into the blog candy giveaway. Just think....that's less than a trip to Starbucks, eating out for lunch, a stop at a gas station for a pop and a snack or a pack of cigarettes. For less than a small treat for yourself you could be helping someone to pay for medical bills. I hope to spread the word today to get closer to my goal. All your help is very appreciated.

Thanks for stopping by!
What's In It?
Stamps: Aug KOTM Unity
Ink: Choc Chip, Summer Sun craft
Paper: Jenni Bowlin, white, Pure Poppy (PTI)
Other: clear acetate, seed beads, red marker, Janome Sew Mini, JB chipboard button, TPS button, chocolate taffetta

A Weekend Sketch

Here is a card for Beate's Weekend Sketch 97. Of course I had to turn the sketch again. I didn't mean to, the card just looked better that way. I have started using my glue gun to secure my buttons on my cards now. What a "duh" moment. The ONLY drawback is that once it's down it's down. There is no moving. So that is why my second button is a little "off."

I used some new paper by Cosmo Cricket called EARTH LOVE and I got it from the new store in town called Paper Maniac LLC. Patty, the owner, was wonderful to work with in donating to my blog candy. Make sure you check out the store and the blog. They have a challenge every two weeks and you can win a gift certificate to the store. Woo hoo! Wouldn't take me long to spend that. Anyways, I love this paper. It so soft and soothing. I also used a digital image called Gretal from ATS. I think she is just darling.

I made this card for my daughter. She has just been so cute and funny lately. She is getting way too big. Sunday she decided that she wanted to enjoy the sunshine, but she MUST finish the last Harry Potter book. So she went out and sat on the rock in our front yard. The way she was hunched over reminded me of THE THINKER statue. That is a perfect description of her. She is always thinking, studying, learning, inquiring....etc. She is NOTHING like me:) I didn't get a picture of her in her "pose," but she let me take a picture.

I think she is definitely the "Queen of Cute."

Now in case you didn't know,I am giving aways some HUGE blog candy. You can check that out HERE.

See you tomorrow with a CHALLENGE:)

What's In It?
Stamps: Gretel digital image, Practically Perfect (verve), Bundle of Bouquets (MFT)
Ink: Basic Grey, Brillance Black
Paper: Earth Love, Bareley Banana, Vanilla, White
Other: Scalloped Circle Nesties, CM Circle Cutter, Satin ribbon (Joann's), Button (TPS), stardust stickles, Copics, Scalloped Edge Punch, Dimensionals

A Card For Kate

Yesterday I mentioned that Jennifer McGuire is hosting a card drive for Kate. This is the card I STARTED at the beginning of the week. However, in putting it off, I ended up using Beate's Weekend Sketch and I think my card turned out better than I expected. I also used the color's for this week's TCP Tuesday challenge this week hosted by Jen Del Muro. I have several pictures to show you of this card. I apologize in advance that they are a bit blurry. That's what happens when the sun goes down.

Here is the inside of the card.

I can't remember what this technique is called. I will try to find a link tonight and update it here on this post. I didn't use any ACTUAL directions which may be why my little ghosts and bats are tipping forward. I just kind of "went with it." For you though, I will search for proper directions. I think this is a fun card for a kid to open. I hope it makes Kate smile. Lucky for me our local scrapbook store is also accepting cards for Kate. I'll just head over there to drop it off....and check out the clearance bin:) I mean, I may as well while I'm there, right?

UPDATE: It's called a Spiral Pop Up Card and the tutorial is HERE.
(And yes, I did it backwards. Should have followed the directions:)

A better close up of the ghosts.

I'm having serious embossing powder issues. I think it's time to start with fresh. Does anyone have any suggestions for a nice white EP?

The last thing I want to point out is that darling image. It was a free download at Digital Delights. Every friday they have a new freebie. If you want to purchase this cute image you can find it HERE. Another thing to note is that I made a tiny "charm" from a shrinky dink. It hangs from the bow. The other thing is that I will never win any awards for sewing:)

I'm off for now. I'll be back with a card for the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge tomorrow morning. See you then!

What's In It?
Stamps: Digital Delights, Booglie Eyes
Ink: Versafine black, metallic purple, Stazon black, white craft
Paper: Black, Halloween DP, purple from stash, white
Other: chipboard, shrinky dink, black satin ribbon, janome sew mini, Copics and Prisma color pencils, sakura gel pen, inkssentials white gel pen, whole punch, hot glue gun, CM cutting system

Cherry On Top

I just have a quick card to share today. I promised my son we would go for a bike ride so this will be quick. I made this for a family member. I am sending out pictures and couldn't just send the pics in an envelope. Nope, that's too easy. So I am frantically working on bunches of cards. This is for the Weekend Sketch Challenge hosted by Beate this week.

Not a big fan of my card. I'm having some MOJO difficulties lately. I think it's because I feel so rushed lately. Being gone all the time, entertaining children and rushing to football every night is draining the creativity right out of me.

Speaking of football, it's been awhile since we've had a "Dose of Dalton" as I like to call it.

My son got to get his pads for football last week. He then proceeded to the table where he was to pick his number for his jersey. So there, surrounded by 3 people from my church, my son loudly announces that he would like number "69." Out of probably 50 numbers left on the sheet that is what he picks. What are the chances...really? Now I realize to an 8 year old this means nothing. I know that it is just a number. BUT, I plan on taking all his jerseys from every sport and creating a memorable quilt for him. Yes, THAT would be VERY memorable. However, I shook my head no and the nice lady recommended another number for him. He will have #65 now and we will be able to continue going to church...I think:)

Back to the card....

What's In It?
Stamps: Unity June KOTM
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Mememto Rich Cocoa, Choc Chip, Sahara Sand
Paper: Kraft, SU retired DP, White,
Other: Copics, Vanilla/Kiwi Satin Ribbon, TPS button, Linen Thread, Scallop Edge Punch, Crystal Effects, corner rounder, paper piercer, dimensionals, uniball gel pen

Finally!

I have had a super busy, but fun day. I said I would have a post sometime today. It's just really late. I am hoping to sneak in a power nap before football practice tonight. As my son would say...." I'm so tired I could die like the wind." I have no idea what it means really, but somehow it seems very fitting to say right now:) I made this card in the wee hours of the morning for the Weekend Sketch Challenge. I messed up the stitching, but had no time to reprint and cut the paper. Mistakes = Handmade and Handmade= Goodness and Love, right?

I got this really fabulous paper at the Digichick Boutique. I'm addicted I tell ya. LOVE that digital paper option. I don't have all this extra scrap laying around. This was just released last week and I fell in love with it. Wish I had gotten the coordinating paper when it was on sale. This is called Tiny Princess and I love the soft vintage feel to it. Still using that 50 cent yellow ribbon from Joann's. I also used another stamp from my Unity KOTM (June). I have never really liked the color Sage Shadow from SU, but it went perfectly with this paper. I think this card seems very calming and in my hectic life at the moment I welcome that feeling. I made this for my sister. She just bought her very first home. I know it has been fun, as well as, stressful. I hope this calming color will help her too.

I came up with a very quick tutorial on how to make a coordinating layer for my butterfly located in the top right corner of the card. This is also an option just for making a paper butterfly.



FIRST, I am aware that my punch looks ATROCIOUS in this picture. It is one I have let my kids use for many years. I just recently confiscated it back. I'll try to clean it before my next impromptu tutorial.

What you need:

A heart punch of any size that fits your needs

designer paper....heavy cardstock most likely won't work.....too tough to punch through 2 layers

Here are the supplies I used. Now follow the directions on each picture. Remember that you can click on the picture to enlarge it if you like.

Forgot to mention that you should now punch out the paper, hehehe:)

So that's it. Now here's What's In the Rest of the card:

Stamps: Bevy of Butterflies, June KOTM (Unity),

Ink: Sage Shadown, Baja Breeze, Close to Cocoa, Barely Banana, Mememto Rich Cocoa
Paper: Tiny Princess digital, barely banana, sage shadow, vanilla,
Other: Ribbon, Oval Nesties, 1 inch circle punch, scalloped edge punch, stickles, Janome Sew Mini


Thanks for stopping by today. You will see my blog changing a bit over the next several weeks. I'm bored with it and working on something else. Bear with me through these changes. I hope to have another challenge card for you tomorrow. Have a super day!

Brads, Buttons, No Stamping....OH MY!

Happy Monday! I really wish that the Monday after Easter was an observed holiday. I just think everyone should have that day to rest from all the Easter festivities. I hope you all enjoyed your day! We had some fun here. I'll show pictures at the end of my post for those that would like to look.

If you didn't get a chance to check out the Stamptacular Sunday Challenge you have all week to participate. So make sure you check it out.

My card for today is for the Weekend Sketch Challenge that Beate does each week. I loved the simplicity of the sketch that you can view on Laurie's blog HERE.


This card has NO stampin whatsoever. I felt like my rub ons have been very neglected, so I used them instead of a stamp. I love the color combo of pink and kraft. Very simple card to do and I used some leftover pieces from other cards that didn't work out. LOVE THAT!

Recipe: Paper: Retired SU DP, White, Kraft Other: Flowers from Joann's, Making Memories brad, various ribbon by Offray (walmart), Buttons from the Paper Studio, Scallop Edge punch, MS Lace border punch, embroidery floss, A Perfect Day rub ons (SU), glue dots, paper piercer, Inksentials white gelpen

UPDATED: I have been wanting to share this story for a few weeks now and keep forgetting. Since it's an "egg story" this is the perfect place to share.

When my mom moved in with us we had this conversation:

Me: "Hey Mom, we buy farm fresh eggs. So sometimes you may find an egg that has a little bit of dirt on it, ok?"

Mom: "Uh, Nikki, I don't think that's dirt."

Me: "Uh, what, huh? OOHHH(lightbulb!).....EEWWWWW!!!"

Sometimes "IGNORANCE REALLY IS BLISS:)"


Now onto the Easter pictures:

Easter Egg coloring made my kids a bit crazy this year

And the craziness just continued on into Easter Day:)

The great news is that they got along better than they have in about 3 weeks. Spring Break was really good at rejuvenating all of us.

This is a picture of a boy who wants to be just like his dad. They have relatively matching FD sweatshirts. Dalton followed his dad around all day...helping to cut grass and then blow the grass clippings off the driveway. We did get a chance to play a little bball when all the yard work was done.

Hope you have a fun day!