The Sky Is The Limit

What a gorgeous morning we have today!  Even better since my hubby is home with us:)  Now he can help entertain the kids.We are working on 4H projects and getting our camper ready for our trip in a few weeks.  I'm trying everything possible to keep my daughter's mind off going to the pool.  I didn't get a pool pass this year because last year we only used it once.  Of course she has asked everyday to go since it opened.  Isn't that the way it works?:)

Well, I finished up a card this morning using Taylor's sketch 116 this week.  This is not exactly how I envisioned it coming out.  It was so much better in my head.  It drives me crazy that my balloons look crooked in the picture, but not enough to take a new one:D  I used some tulle on the side with my buttons.  I just love this Quite Contrary paper by MME.  It's so fun and cheery.  Over at ABC Challenge it's time for W~ Weather.  Looks like clear skies up ahead.  I also found a new challenge blog called Frost Designs.  The challenge is to use buttons!  Love buttons.

  I only needed one Graduation card this year.  Our backyard neighbors from home have a daughter who just graduated.  It's hard to believe that Kayla is that old.  She was only 5 when we moved in.  I have a funny story about her and my first scrapbook party.

  We bought our house after getting engaged.  Yes, we lived "in sin" for a few months.  Anyways, about 4 weeks before we got married I had a Creative Memories party.  I was babysitting our friends little boy and our neighbor asked if she could bring Kayla to the party.  I thought that would be great entertainment for Aaron.  So I set up a little crafting area in the basement for the 2 kids so they could craft while we had our party upstairs.  They were both only 5.  They were so good and QUIET in the basement.  NOW I know that QUIET is never a good thing when kids are in the basement for awhile.  Towards the end of the party both kids came up with NEW hairstyles.  They had given each other HAIRCUTS!  YIKES!  The little boy was our ring bearer and Kayla had basically scalped him.  Oh My Gosh!  I felt so bad.  Aaron had to get all his hair shaved off and Kayla got a new Winona Ryder do' out of it.  I learned a valuable lesson about giving scissors to unattended children that day.  Luckily the mom's took it all with great humor.

  I have to say that my own children NEVER cut their own hair....KNOCK ON WOOD.  I always emphasized that markers, crayons and scissors were for PAPER ONLY:) So far it has worked.

Hope you have a gorgeous day in your area.

What's In It?
Stamps: Up and Away
Ink: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Rose Romance, colorbox Dune
Paper: Soft Sky, MME, White, scrap
Other: circle nesties, dimensionals, fiskars border punch, twine, PTI buttons, sponge

Congrats!

Hey Guys!  I'm here. It's been a busy week of card making for me.  I've got lots of stuff that I have been up to as I get ready for my daughter's birthday in a few days.  We are also making a trip to Michigan for another birthday party and next weekend is my sister's wedding.  Can I just tell you the bonehead thing that happened to me?  I decided to dye my hair last week.  Since last summer I have dyed it a few times because I notice that it starts to get really light and brassy.  So I have done just an at home thing every 3 months or so to cut down on the "highlights."  I know...what am I thinking?  Most people pay for highlights.  But it just makes me look washed out.  Well, this last dye job turned out REALLY RED.  My hubby keeps calling me "Lucy."  Which has been pretty fitting considering that I have her kind of luck, my hair is that color and curly and I've been wearing it up like that to try and hide the color.  Do you even know how bad that is going to look with this yellow dress?  UGH!  It is the last time I dye it.  Just going to go au natural from now on. Not to mention that if it is as humid in NC as it is here I'm going to look like a Brillo Pad is sitting on top of my head.  Oh the memories!  As my step dad pointed out, there will be lots of pictures to forever capture the moment.  GREAT!

To avoid any chance of catching my reflection I have been in the basement crafting and exercising.   My hubby asked me last week to make 2 baby cards for him.  Several guys he works with are having babies.  I decided to use Taylor's Sketch 110  and a bunch of scraps.  This card sketch is so great for using up scraps. In fact I had to make two cards with the sketch.

Baby card one:

 This card makes me giddy because I used a PTI set called Vintage Ornaments for the "rattle."  Yep, that's a Christmas ornament with the top cut off. This also uses the colors for Stacey's Curtain Call Act 27.  Apparently the guys at the Fire Department were really impressed with my card.  I think that is very cool when a guy likes your stuff....and says it:)
What's In It?
Stamps: Vintage Ornaments PTI, Practically Perfect Verve
Ink: Colorbox Pink, Warm Red, Cert Celery
Paper: White, scraps, Pink Pirouette
Other: Crinkle ribbon, glitter, oval and scalloped oval punch, 1 1/4" square punch

Here is my second card using this sketch:

 Again I used a bunch of scraps.  I also used a JustRite Stamper set.  It's my first one and I'm trying to get it all figured out:)  Do you see that big leaf behind my handmade flowers?  That is from Shawne's digital file called Modern Flowers.  You can find that under Nature at Studio 313 Exclusive Creations.  I will have another card this week showing you how to take those big leaves and make a masculine card.  Stay tuned for that.  I am also entering this into The Pink Elelphant Challenge  64~to use Aqua.
What's In It?
Stamps: Just Rite A Note
Ink: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss
Paper: Scraps
Other: Modern Flowers Digital File, Crinkle Ribbon, punch, dimensionals, scissors

Here's my last baby card.  It uses a CPS sketch from last week and some new paper I got at my LSS store.  October Afternoon is fast becoming one of my favorite lines.  I love it!  I wish I could have bought the whole Thrift Store collection.  Stamps, chipboard, rub ons.....oh!   I showed restraint and just got the paper...for now:)

 
 This card came together so quickly.  I paper pieced that little Teddy.  All the stamps are from Hampton Art.  All the crinkle ribbon you see on my cards today was made by me.  I'm thinking of putting some up for sale here on the blog.  Stay tuned for that.
What's In It?
Stamps: Hampton Art
Ink: Black Memento, antique linen
Paper: Thrift Shop Collection
Other: dimensionals, corner rounder, crinkle ribbon, PTI button

I'll be back tomorrow with a Card for PWCO and one other random post.  See you then!

Season's Greetings!

This is my second card and post for today! I made this for Taylor's Sketch this week. Obviously, I really loved the sketch:) This card was inspired by the little baby I watch. She has THE cutest outfits. This card uses the new ribbon I got from Taylored Expressions. It's a yummy blue/green twill. I really wanted to sew a black stitch through it, but that was too much for my Janome:(

I love this image that is called JACK and the snowman. So far, I have yet to make him MALE. It's hard to see in the photo, but I added stickles to the background to resemble falling snow. I also added it to some of the white polka dots on the base of the card. This also uses my Polar White Flower Soft and a little pom pom for the snowball. I pulled out lots of old things from my stash. Rub ons for the sentiment and the snowflake is a button. I added a Taylor's Tiny Twinkle in the center of the button. This card just makes me smile. I just think that image is so FUN and the colors are so cheery! Go check out Taylor's sketch this week. It's a cute one!

Remember that this is the last week to enter into the drawing for my Blog Candy for a Cause, as well as, the Make a Child Smile challenge. Friday is the last day. I will draw both names on Saturday and announce the winner on Sunday's Stamptacular Sunday Challenge post. I am still about $200 from my goal. So, PLEASE keep spreading the word. A big THANK YOU to all of you who have donated. You warm my heart:)

What's In It?
Stamps: Jack and the Snowman ( digistamp boutique), polka dot background
Ink: Fresh Snow (PTI)
Paper: Raspberry Fizz, Black, White, Baja Breeze
Other: Copics, Polar White Flower Soft, Stickles, Rub Ons, EK success punch, pom poms, dimensionals, oval nesties, twill (TE), Taylor's Twinkles, Copics, button, Taken with Teal marker

Floating on Cloud 9

I made this card for Taylor's Sketch this week. It's actually the first of TWO cards I made using the same sketch. I love this little Gretel from All That Scraps. AND I love this paper by Cosmo Cricket called Earth Love. I mean, how can you NOT love a paper called Earth LOVE? I decided to add lots of sparkle to this card using several different forms. Dazzling diamonds, Stickles and Taylor's Twinkles.... So sparkly IRL. Thanks for looking!

What's In It:
Stamps: Gretel digi stamp, All About You (Verve)
Ink: Brilliance black
Paper: River Rock, Vanilla, Earth Love, DCWV text off white
Other: Taylor's Tiny Twinkles, dazzling diamonds, sizzix star die cut, dimensionals, copics, chipboard square Technique Tuesday, stickles stardust

If You Want A Tasty Treat

Good morning all. We have a rather wet looking football game to attend in about 20 minutes. So I have to be quick. My guilt free day in the basement never happened. Guilt took over when I looked at my messy house. I did make one more card for the Make A Child Smile foundation. Please take this weekend to make a card for a child and then post it here for a chance to win a stamp set.

This card uses Taylor's Sketch...sort of:) I made this a spinner card. I have been wanting to do that for YEARS. That fishing line has been tucked in my stash for a LONG time. This really wasn't too hard to do. I used a lot of old things which is great. I'm learning to stop hoarding things. I may as well use it up and make someone smile. It's just collecting dust otherwise.

Here is the inside...it's kind of plain, but I still need to write a message so that will fill it up. I made this card for CALEB.


I'll have to go so check back if you want the details. One detail you can't forget...GOOGLIE EYES. They make EVERYTHING more fun.

I'm back! We lost. The other team's boys were HUGE. One kid got carried off the field. We were all trying to figure out who got hurt, but no one could see that far down the field. It was MY kid...I thought I recognized those scabby legs. He is fine though. Just got his ankle crushed...he "walked it off." That's what football player's do right?

Anyway, here are the deets...

What's In It?
Stamps: Retro Backgrounds (PTI), Tasty Sweet, Trick or Treat
Ink: versafine black, versamark
Paper: Tango Tangerine, Halloween DP(retired), white
Other: CM cutting system, 1 3/4" circle punch, fancy fibers, clear EP, button, fish line, dimensionals, Martha Stewart punch

Sunflower Thanks

I have another late post for you today. I really have wanted to participate in the Traveler's Inspiration Challenge. Tonight is the deadline. So, here is a quick, simple card. I adore the pictures on her blog. To see the world through a lens. Fascinating!

Also, I used Taylor's Sketch...the TRUE sketch this time.LOL I did 2 challenges in one. Yippee!

The photos on Traveler's Inspiration inspired me with the lines and colors. I had a different thing in mind when I started. I guess that is what happens on the creative process. You start in one direction and just let it take you where it wants to go. At least that has been happening to me a lot lately. I have LOTS of people to thank so I will be posting a lot of thank you cards in the next few weeks. Remember, I have something BIG in the works. I can't tell you yet.

Come back tomorrow for a few fun announcements and hopefully a card. See you then!

What's In It:
Stamps: Stitched, A Flower for all Seasons (SU), Bundle of Bouquets (MFT),
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Choc Chip
Paper: Kraft DP, Kraft, White, DCWV Yellow, Choc Chip
Other: CM circle cutter, 1 3/8" circle punch, Copics, scalloped edge punch, white grosgrain (American Crafts), janome sew mini

Happy Monday!

Yes, it is a great Monday! The kids are finally going back to school. Yippee! I am taking my mom shopping before she heads off to visit my sister in North Carolina. The weather is way warmer there. I wanted to remind everyone that today is MOJO Monday. Head on over to check out the sketch and the chance to win some free Verve stamps. Hope you can play along. I'll be doing that hopefully sometime today. Just click on the Mojo banner on the left of my blog.

The card I have to share today is for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge. I didn't even realize until I was done that I used a Cupcake as my image. I altered the sketch a bit in the upper left hand corner.


The card base is Pink Pirouette with a layer of Kraft on top of that. I scored every half inch to give it some texture. The corner piece is from a sticker sheet that coordinates with the pink DP. Both are by Daisy D. I faux stitched the paper and added SU neutral buttons to the sticker. Embroidery floss is tied on each button. The cupcake from Party Hearty was stamped twice. Once in Creamy Caramel and once in Pink pirouette. I then cut out the top of the cupcake and layered it with dimensionals. I used Liquid applique for the frosting and then dumped dazzling diamonds on it after heating. I then heat set it for a minute to make it stick. The candle is stamped in Pretty in Pink and has dazzling diamonds as well. I pierced the border before layering it on Choc Chip cardstock. Then adhered with dimensionals. The sentiment is from Lots of Thoughts and is punched out with the smallest SU oval punch.

I also wanted to share some pictures of my kids. They finally got to play in the snow. It was so warm in fact that my son ended up taking his coat off. So the snow was perfect for packing. They set out to make a snowman but ended up with a fort instead.
Doesn't every fort need a window?

Here they are hard at work trying to make the other three walls.




This last picture they would not smile for me. They were mad because I told them it was time to come in. My daughter informed me that they needed to stay out and play because "we are learning about parental responsibilities and will need to do this stuff when we are adults".
Yes, it is clearly so important to learn. My husband and I sit around in a frozen tundra eating oreos quite frequently:) Needless to say, she did not win that argument. You can see in the picture that the sun is setting. They played for almost the entire day. I'm hoping it doesn't melt before they get to play again.

Thanks for popping in today. Hope your Monday is fabulous too!

Post Part Deux

That means Part Two for those who don't speak French. Here is my second post for today. It is taking me FOREVER to post today. I have been interrupted twice by the phone. One was a college recruiter....no explanation needed now huh!? So my second card today is for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge. It is also the card I sent today to be included in Jen Del Muro's HUGE blog tart giveaway. I actually made two of these. The one I sent is blank inside.I love this card! I am really happy that I have been using so many "old" things from my stash. The base is So Saffron and is layered with a strip of Vanilla that was cuttlebug embossed. Then some retired SU designer paper for the bottom. I used a strip of pearl trim that I have had FOREVER....like 9 years...seriously. I then used my oval nesties for the focal point. I stamped the flowers from Happy Harmony in So Saffron and Old Olive. The sentiment is by Stampendous and is stamped with Choc Chip Craft ink. The flowers on either side are from The Paper Studio and then centers are some old pearl brads. I stamped the inside too. See.... Now, I have one more card to show for today. This is for the OCC Challenge. They provided a sketch and this is my take on it....

I just love that little bunny. He is from Verve Stamps and I paper pieced his little shirt. It is actually the reverse side of the DP done the center of the card. I'll just give a basic recipe since it is pretty simple.
Stamps: Verve Sombunny loves you, All in a Row ( hard to see along the sides)
Ink: Versamark, Purely Pomegranite, Bashful Blue
Paper: DP from Su, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Other: Simply Scrappin Kit SU, Making Memories Ribbon

That's it for me today. I really think that since I have wasted most of my day already I will just go stamp in the basement:) There's not much I could finish before dinner anyways, right? Tee hee. I hope to get back into my regular routine by next week and back to regular posting and blog maintenance. Hope you have a fabulous Thursday!