Thinking Box and Paper Pierced Thanks

Another Purpl-ish Day????  Kinda.  I took the same papers by We R Memory Keepers ( my bad...I said Memory Makers yesterday....oops) and made several projects using just that one line.  I tried to pull a more pinkish purple tone with my creations today.  This is just a simple box.  I think it is an 8X12 piece that was scored at 2" and 6"  on the shorter 8" side and then scored at 5" and 7" on the 12" side.  Maybe I should come up with a template and share.  I'll do that later.  It's VERY simple, but hard to explain.

I created the flower by pulling the thread on one end of the saddle stitched ribbon to gather it and form a spiral. Glue this to a scrap of circle punch paper and top with a brad, button, pearl, whatever.  My "leaves" are just grosgrain that was tied into a knot.  This is for the Free For All Challenge to use Buttons and ribbon differently.  Ok...no button, but my ribbons are used VERY differently.

I used my Copics to color in the heat embossed frame.  Did you know that you can color over any Copic with a very light gray to tone it down or give the impression of a more vintage color???  I colored over my YG25 and RV 19( I think) with a W-2.  That is a light shade of warm gray and it took the harshness of the colors down a bit.  Just a tip for you:)

Here's another project using the backside of that same WRMK paper, Retro Glam.  I used some Colorbox Merlot ink and Sahara sand for the flowers.  I colored my prima flower that was HOT pink with Copics to match:D  I love Copics.  Don't forget the Copic Sale at DCRU that starts TOMORROW!  Cheap!

 I added some twill and rhinestone for bling.  My boo boo is covered by that "thanks" sentiment.  I hate when I add a sentiment as the final step and it smears a big blob of ink.  So stamp, punch out and cover it up...Yah!

Both cards are for :
The Pink Elephant~ Bling and Bows
The Creative Card Crew- Sparkle and Shine

This card uses Card Patterns Sketch and is for the challenge at  Allsorts Paper Piercing/piecing.

I'll be back with a few more creations tomorrow.  See you then!

Boy Oh Boy!

Hey All!  I'm back and popping in for a quick post.  Boy, oh boy!  I'm insanely busy.  More on that tomorrow.

Boy, oh boy my SIL gave birth to another boy while I was on vacation. Boy, oh boy FIVE boys and ONE girl.  Um... boy, oh, boy...nuff said.  This is her card.  What do you get someone who has 4 boys ages 3, 2, 11 months and 1 week????  DIAPERS:D    I imagine it might be like an assembly line.  Line em' up, wipe em' off and seal em' shut again.    In case you haven't guessed, I'm very glad for my ONE, super sweet, very active boy.

I made this card with several challenges in mind, but have managed to miss the deadline for most of them.  So, I'll list what is left.

The Pink Elephant ~Sketch77
Allsorts Challenge~ Baby/Child
Castastic Wednesday~ Inspired by Summer ( blue skies and green grass)


That's it for me today!  I will have another post tomorrow.  See you then!

Finally Back and Creating...a little.

Howdy!  I'm  back from vacation and finally had a chance to get a little creative.  We had such a fabulous trip!  To  be honest I wasn't as excited about going to Gettysburg as I was about just GOING.  I'm not much into history.  It's not my "thing."  I have to say though that I LOVED it.  I think history class would be so much more exciting if you could have a sense of what it was really all about. What it sounded like, felt like, LOOKED like.   At least for me.  I'm so glad that my husband planned this trip.  It was so beautiful and emotional.  Funny thing....Hershey, PA ended up being the least favorite part of the trip.  Who would have thought, huh?  We did indulge in the MOST divine cookie I have ever eaten.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter!  There is nothing better for me:)  

It took all 4 of us to eat this because it was so big and rich.

Speaking of eating, if you ever are near Ortanna, PA you MUST go eat at this fabulous restaurant.  

It is called Hickory Bridge Farm and it's very close to Gettysburg.  Wow!  The food was so amazing!  It's all home cooked and the ambiance of the place is the perfect touch.  I will tell you it is a bit pricey, but you will leave feeling very full and happy.  When I say full, I mean FULL!

In fact you may look like this....

Just warning you:)  They also have an old fashioned candy counter and a barn full of antiques to check out.  

This place was one of my most favorite parts of our trip. Really, GO to this place.  It is so worth it.

Ok, I guess you came here for a card, right!?  Well, you're in luck.  I have TWO!

My nephew and niece are coming to spend next week with us and it will be the only time I see my niece before her birthday.  So I made her this using a slightly altered version of the SFYTT this week.  I am also entering this into TPE challenge to use Pink and Black.  I do have to point out that my coloring of this image isn't so great.  I got some Prism card stock for Copics and I guess that Bazzill has bought them out or something.  Anyways, it's NOT the same and I find blending to be very difficult.  So, I'm still searching for the Copic  friendly card stock that works for me.  I think I'm going to try PTI.  Anyone have any suggestions?

Because I wasn't overly thrilled with this card I had to make another one with that lovely "Strawberry Jam" paper from Fly A Kite Collection.  Dots!  I love dots!

This card started out using a Twisted Sketch.  Um... it became a bit altered.  I rearranged this thing in so many ways and then realized that I needed that black panel to be crooked.  That was it!  My life is in such chaos lately that perfectly straight and defined was just too much for my brain to grasp.  Chaotic and crazy?  Now, THAT  I'm in touch with. ( As I type this there are 4 kids running around screaming...need I say more?)

Speaking of crazy.  What do you think of the "flower?"  That was just me playing around with crepe paper, ribbon and a glue gun.  I kind of like that wonky thing.  I literally just crumpled and glued, glued and crumpled.  There is no rhyme or reason to it.  Oh, how I love the freedom of crafting:D.

This is also for TPE challenge and Allsorts Embossing Challenge.  At Stamp Something we are to do something vintage and add flowers.  This is a bit vintage, I think. I'm also entering this into the Pile It On Challenge. Do something fancy, cool or extravagant on the top of your card.  I'm thinking that wonky flower may qualify.  I also think I need to try that paper that the challenge is talking about.  One last challenge to enter...the CCEE challenge is a summer card with flowers.

That's it for me today.  I hope to have something else this week, but I honestly won't be posting much in July, I'm afraid.  The next 3 weeks are FULL of a family activities.  I will be back in full force in August.  I have a few exciting announcements that I will share soon.

In the meantime, I hope you are all having a great summer!  I also apologize for not visiting your blogs like I would like.  Summer...it's so busy.  Goes to fast and too slow.  Remembering the sound of silence...ahhh!





What's In It:
Stamps: Jolinne  Birthday Balloon MFT
Ink: black memento
Paper: Strawberry Jam, berry sorbet, black, white 
Other: rub on, berry sorbet satin ribbon, oval punch, horizontal punch, nesties, copics, sewing machine

Stamps: Verve Plain Jane and All About You, Hearts and Hugs by HA, Elegant Flourishes by Clear Dollar Stamps
Ink:  Versafine Black, antique linen, PTI cream
Paper: Strawberry Jam, black textured, vellum
Other: crepe paper, tattered angels postcards, satin ribbon, black pearl, EK success border punch, Copic R22

Vintage Friend

Good Soggy Morning!  It's very wet here and muggy.  I have a brillo pad for hair again today.  Ponytails are a good thing on days like this:D  I did get to do a little crafting before the family got up.  We are just hanging out playing games and watching movies.  I think we may all go down and craft a bit later in the day.  My son's ball game is questionable at the moment.  I'm pretty sure the fields are too wet to play on.  That just means more time for free play.

 I created a card today using up a bunch of scraps.  Yippee!  The paper is from Studio 313 Exclusive Creations.  It's Sweet Thang Vintage paper.  I love this stuff! (Please note that Studio 313 is closed while Shawne goes through a big move:) I used the backside of a tag and stamped some text and then distressed it with inks.  The doily is the other section from THIS card.  My chipboard is from the dollar spot at Joann's.  I painted it a glossy red and added a button tied with vintage string that I got at the same garage sale as the doily.  I wish I had bought the whole bunch that was there, but I didn't.  My typical motto is, " Buy now, think later."  I didn't do that this time and what a bummer that is:(

  I used the sketch from CPS this week along with the recipe over at The Pink Elephant challenge 70. ( Red, scallops and a bow)  I'm also entering this into the Caardvarks June challenge to emboss.  My sentiment is embossed with brown EP.  I'm also entering this into the 365 Day 95~ It's So You.  This card is so me because it has flowers, buttons, RED, polka dots, ruffly ribbon and it's a bit vintage with a lot of worn edges and wonky stitching.  Totally ME!

I'm also entering this into The Crazy Challenge~ Distress It!

Over at Splitcoast the inspiration challenge (IC235) offers up a GREAT online source called Layla Grace.  I used THIS as my inspiration.  Oh I love aprons.  Too bad I hate to cook.  So I picked a child's apron.  My daughter likes to cook.  I can't wait til she is old enough to do it all:)

Well, that's it for me today.  Have a goodie!

Stamps: Great Friend ,Unity KOTM                 

Ink: antique linen, vintage photo, choc chip craft

Paper: Sweet Thang Vintage, cream                 

Other: tag, chipboard, paint, dimensionals,        

crinkle ribbon, twine, button, sewing machine    

              

Sunday Sketch and a few other Challenges

This is my last project for PWCO today.  I am in need of a little creative break.  Summer is a time for my family and kiddos.  You may notice over the next few months that my blog will be a bit quieter and when I do post it may be with a bit of scrapbooking.  My daughter has expressed an interest and I have missed doing it myself. I will be back in full force once the summer is over.  Who knows.  I'm an early bird so I may be posting just as much.  The good thing is that I have that option.  I'm lucky!

So onto the sketch and project. The sketch is a square card with a flower. I used another fan shaped flower from my tutorial over at DCRU yesterday.  (you have to scroll down a bit...long tutorial:). I made a BIGGER flower for this card though.  The paper is by MME Beloved Collection.  I really love that I can use "Valentine's" paper year round.  I created the paper roses using Coredinations Whitewash Collection.  I really need to do more with this paper.  It's fun!  I also created some tulle roses on the side with a jeweled center.  Remember that you can click on the photos for a closer look.  My handle is tulle and a natural fiber ribbon that I have had forEVER!  You can find directions for the origami bag HERE.  You can watch an animation (recommended) or just use the printable diagram sheet. I decided to fold the handles down from the original pattern and make my own.  I also added ScorTape to keep my bag together.  My origami stinks!  Tape is my friend.

This is for the 3D challenge over at PCP this week.  The Pink Elephant Challenge is to use Orange.  Do you think Peach counts?  I'm also stretching it a bit to include in the Pile It On challenge~ Eat your veggies.  Let me 'splain....You buy veggies at a Farmer's Market and they put it in a paper bag...I used a paper bag.  I also used a button from the GARDEN VARIETY Collection.  A peach is a fruit...is that close?????

Here's a simple tutorial on the paper roses.

You will need:
Scissors
Glue Gun
a Square-ish section of your choice of paper

Step 1.  Cut your paper (see mine isn't perfectly square) into a spiral starting on the outside and working in.  Don't worry about it being perfect.  You can also used decorative edged scissors for a different take.

Step 2.  See how the paper spirals.  In the center you should leave a small, circular chunk of paper.  This will be the base of your flower and where you will glue it together.  Also cut the excess edge away.  See enlarged photo for wording and arrow. (Click on pic)

 Step 3. Start from the outer edge rolling the paper up into a somewhat tight spiral.  I wanted the peach to be the color that I saw so I flipped it over and started to roll in.  On my project I made one with the orange showing predominantly and one with the whitewash showing. 

Step 4.  Roll all the way to the end.  Until you get to that circular chunk of paper.

Step 5.  Now don't be scared, but let go of your rolled flower just a bit so that it can unravel some.  I press down on the center so it doesn't unravel too much.  This will give it more of a rose appearance.  I then put hot glue directly on the bottom part of the center.  A glob!   Stick it down on that chunky circle and press down from the top to ensure that it holds in place.  I use a LOW TEMP glue gun.  My fingers thank me for it:)

BTW... My largest flower uses a paper cut to these dimensions.... 4 x 3 3/4.  Why not 4x4?  Because my paper measured 4x 7 1/2.  I wasn't going to cut another:)  Try out different sizes and have fun!

Heading out for a picnic today.  It's going to be HOT!

Enjoy!

Crepe Paper Fun

This is my second post for today so scroll down for the PWCO creation.

I made another Mother's Day card using some cool paper from K&Co called Poppy Seed.  I was only $2 for a mat pack.  I just can't pass that up.  I loved the colors in it.  My card today is for a few challenges.
The Pink Elephant~ to use Aqua
ABC Design Blog- Recipe
Creative Card Crew~ April Showers Bring May Flowers

Here's a bit about my card.  I made my flower using crepe paper and added some stickles to it.  I also added stickles to my main image panel that uses 2 different Verve sets.  My ribbon is my handmade crinkle ribbon and it is NOT crooked even thought it looks like it in the photo.  I used a few scraps of paper and an EK success border punch .  I am in love with the soft feel of this card.
 
I'm off to finish getting some last minute stuff for my sister's wedding.  I have to tell you that today my hair is looking better.  NO Justine...I will not post pictures.  There will be enough of those without putting them on the web.  I have to tell you though that I was cracking myself up yesterday ( Yes, I am my biggest fan) just thinking about how my husband will look at me and then pull his head back like WHOA when he sees my hair.  It reminded me of the scene from the movie "Ghost."  Do you remember the part where Whoopi Goldberg is performing a seance for the black family?  Sam comes in to warn Whoopi she is in trouble and the black man (forget his name) "hops" into Whoopi's body.  He has a hard time seeing his family and his wife is sitting at the table.  He says, " Morticia?? I'm having a hard time seeing you."  Then BAM he can see her and he says," Damn Baby!  What you do to yo hair?!"  and she says as she is patting the ends, " Why, ( whatever his name is), it's Autumn Sunrise.  Do you like it?"   Hee Hee....that is what keeps running through my head when my husband looks at me like that..." Damn Baby!  What you do to yo hair?"  It wasn't  called Autumn sunrise, but it's close:)  Ok, pardon me swearing on here, but "darn" just doesn't have the same affect.

Hope you laugh today!





What's In It?
Stamps: Verve Because of you and Love's Flower
Ink: Aqua Mist, Basic Gray
Paper: Vanilla, Poppy Seed, Aqua Mist, Amy Butler
Other: Circle Nestie, border punch, crepe paper, stickles, ribbon, dimensionals

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!

Happy Earth Day!

I have a few projects to share today in celebration of Earth Day.  Each year it is my goal to be more aware of how I affect the world I live in.  I am huge into recycling, but know that I still have a long way to go in changing some of my habits to better our world.  As my daughter always says, " Every little bit counts."  I love that my kids are so interested in caring for their world. Each year we take our wagon and go clean the wooded path that we walk through on the way home from school.  Each year it makes me angry at how much litter there is in the beautiful section of nature.  It makes my kids angry too.  It's a good angry.  I know that they will always think about keeping their world clean.  At least I hope they will.

My favorite part of Spring is the beautiful look and smell of the lilac bush by my driveway.  Oh is there any sweeter smell???  I think not...well, maybe chocolate.  But other than that, I think not.  I saved a vinegar bottle specifically so that I could try the technique that Beate did HERE.  ( Go to the bottom of the post for the video)

I used Enamel Etch, embossing powder and the dot from the Stephanie Bernard Back 2 Basics set to create a fun, polka dotted vase.  Here is close up.  Hopefully you can see my irregular dots.

This didn't turn out as well as I would have liked, but it still looks pretty and my house smells wonderful. Make sure if you try this that you really add the etching enamel heavily.



I have one more project using several recycled items.

My flower and the "trim" along the bottom are made from a pair of jeans that my daughter outgrew and used to paint her room with.  She keeps accidentally pulling them out of her drawer to wear.  Not anymore.......:)
I used my Spellbinder's die to create a jean flower much like yesterday's post.  The smaller cherry paper is actually the front of the paper packaging.  I cut it out to layer on this card.  While my coupon isn't really recycled, it's from a Valentine's card pack. Love using off season stuff.  Cherries are nature at it's best, aren't they?  Yum!

We won't be having cherries, but we are having our first taste of Strawberry Shortcake tonight accompanying a great big GREEN salad with our deer steaks.  It's going to be "Good Eats" tonight.

I'm entering this into a few challenges this week.

Die Cuts R Us- Earth Embellishment
The Pink Elephant Sketch
Stamp Something~ Layers
Sweet Stampin Challenge~ In Stitches
Your Next Stamp 14 ~ Faux or Real Stitches


I really hope to have a few more Recycled Projects to share in the next week. Don't forget to stop in tomorrow for the BIG release for PaperWorks Co.  There will be prizes galore.  Don't miss it!

Fabulous!

So I finally got a little time to play this week.  I love having my kids home, but it really makes it difficult to do any crafting.  Today is my little boy's birthday.  YES, "little" boy.  I refuse to admit just yet that he is getting big.  Today we are hanging out at home because we are getting new windows installed.  We jokingly told him, "Happy Birthday!  You get a new window in your room for your birthday!"  He totally believed us...hee hee.   We aren't celebrating til tomorrow though.  My hubby is gone today.  So D is making a book for his tutor and I am playing with my stamps.  It's all good:)

I got some new paper that I LOVE!!!! MME Mary, Mary Quite Contrary.  Isn't it purdy???? I have to say that over at DCRU they sell a coordinating pack of Prism paper.  Is that not GENIUS!  Love it!

I used the Tuesday Trigger Sketch over at Moxie Fab for my inspiration. Lots of FABULOUS sketches to try out this week over there.  I created my own string flower in the corner.  Wish I had used a different button with a bit more pop.  Subtle can be good though.  I am entering this into several challenges.  EBTKS is about using string.  Ok, mine is twine...they're still the same I think.  In the corner I have also used the twine to add a stitch.  This week's CAS challenge 61  is to just use a sentiment. This also falls into the category of Nature over at The Pink Elephant.

Over at Hope Stamps Eternal Cupcake Inspiration 53 it's all about fun, flowery cupcakes. Check out the photo:

And one of my favorite challenge blogs, Stamptacular Sunday Challenge is all about Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice.  This is my first time participating as a NON DT member.  Bittersweet.  I think this is a great card to give to my beautiful daughter.   She will be going to Middle School next year and I'm already trying to instill that being HER is the best person she can be.  I fully remember Middle School...UGH!  So this is going in my stash to give to her on a "rainy day."

Hope you are all having a great one.  I will have a few pictures up here tomorrow of my "not so clean" craft room.  See you then!




What's In It?
Stamps: Love's Flower VERVE
Ink: Warm Red Colorbox, antique linen
Paper: Quite Contrary, Vanilla Prism
Other: Baja Breeze grograin, corner rounder, twine, PTI button

Swinging By

I finally have a card to share today!  Today is my day over on the Paper Works Co blog.  They have a new release coming up this month and I'm sooo excited about it.  Are you interested in checking out the images?
 Well Peggy is doing things a bit differently this release.  Please check out the blog for all the details on a fun game that we will be playing up until the release.  I'm pretty sure that you are going to LOVE this release.

Allllllrighty, my card today uses leftover paper from last months card kit, as well as, some leftover MME paper.  I just love it when a double sided themed paper can be used year round.  The yellow dotted paper is from the valentine themed Beloved Collection.  It's called," Sweet Hearts."  The brown dotted is from the Animal Stackers Collection and can be found HERE.  Isn't that brown ric rac the cutest?  It't the perfect touch for a masculine type card I think.  My idea for the limb came from the last issue of Paper Crafts magazine.  I used a real twig...FRESH~ that's important.....and just cut out some leaves from my stash of Prism paper.  My little monkey is Mikey and he is part of the Jungle Jesters Collection complete with a set of sentiments.  The bundle is HERE.  I made this for yet another nephew.  He likes to climb so I think he might be a monkey.  I'm sure his momma thinks that too.

I made this card using the Sweet Sunday Sketch and will also enter it into The Pink Elephant Challenge 61 which is nature.

I really hope to have another card to show you tomorrow.  We shall see.  This week is not mine.  Spring Break and we have been doing something together each day.  Nothing that fun, just busy.  Hoping the rain holds off today so we can go to the park.  I have a house full of kids today.

Have a goodie!

For You Chick...sounded better than For You Bird:)

I got to play around this morning a bit before the kids got up.  Luckily, my card came together really quickly.  Using up those scraps again! The bird is black embossed and cut out.  This was a "reject" that was sitting in my "reject pile."  Anyone else have one of those?  Rejection is a good thing.  It just means that something better will come along.  See how card making can be used in the philosophy of life???  Hee Hee.

Ok, seriously, back to the card.   I used some leftover DP  and lined the top of my card with a scrap that was punched with a Martha Stewart punch.  I finally remembered to use a technique that I've see Betsy Veldman do many times on her cards.  You just string a bunch of buttons on twine.  So cute!

I'm entering this into several challenges today.
The Pink Elephant- Pastels
Stacey's Stamping Stage- Colors  Pink, White, Kraft, Black
CPS- sketch
The Shabby Tea Room- scraps




I also wanted to share a few pictures of something that I have been working on.  I make little hair clips for girls and I got a BIG, custom made order that I had to fill by yesterday.  Luckily I got it all done and feel a bit less stressed.  These actually take longer to do than you would think.  So here are the pictures. 

Thanks for looking and I hope you are getting lots of sunshine where you live.  It's GORGEOUS here today.  Of to clean some windows!

Grateful Heart

 

It's a bright and cheery day here and I've got a bright and cheery card.  This is for several challenges today.

My inspiration comes from the Tuesday Trigger over at Moxie Fab.  I've always wanted to participate in that and never make the deadline.  So glad I did today.  This is also for the Die Cuts R Us challenge to not use DP.  Over at The Pink Elephant the focus is on Ribbon.  I've got lots of that going on with this card.  I have to say that lately I've been making a lot of cards that are a little out of my typical style.  That's good.  I like challenging myself and stepping out of my normal bounds.  However, this card felt really good to make.  Like a breath of fresh air.  Ahhh!  Now this is my normal style.  Actually, over the next few days I will have several cards that "feel" like me.  Do you know what I mean?

I made this card for my son's teacher.  We have been going through a lot of testing to try and figure out what it is that makes things more difficult for him to learn.  She has been so amazing through it all.   She really "gets" that something is a little off.  We still haven't figured it out, but we are working on it.  She is so wonderful at building him up and praising him.  She makes sure he is getting the extra help he needs.  He is an amazing little boy and works so hard.  She tells me often what a wonderful little boy he is and how proud we should be of him.  I know that, but I appreciate her taking the time to tell me.  I appreciate all she has done and continues to do for him.  I don't think people always take the time to really thank the ones who spend so much time educating our kids.   I am just so grateful that my son has her this year.

Gotta go.  I have a hot date with my hottie hubby today.  Hope you have a good one.  I'll be back tomorrow with another creation.

 

What's In It?

Stamps: Verve Plain Jane

Ink: Memento Black, Real Red

Paper: DCWV text black, barely banana

Other: yellow grosgrain, poppy red dotted satin ribbon, May Arts ribbon, various buttons, white embroidery, pom pom trim, EK success punch, dimensional tape, paper piercer

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I Lied

I didn't mean to....really.  I just didn't have time to post my card yesterday.  It was too much fun playing with my kids.  So I hope you forgive me.  I made a card for the CPS sketch this week.  PTI is the sponsor and can I just say, "Whoa!"  So much going on over at PTI.  Big, great changes.  Love it.  I would totally love to win some PTI money!  I also made this card with a slew of other challenges in mind.

It's all about love on the challenge blogs this week.  I'm STILL working on Valentines.  They will probably be late getting to my family.  Oh well, that's how my family is usually...LATE!  It's the thought, right?

So this card is for: CPS, The Pink Elelphant, Die Cuts R Us, Crazy 4 Challenges, Creative Card Crew, Pile It On,  Charizma Cards, and Paper Crafts February Gallery.

They all have something to do with LOVE...batting my eyelashes)

This card uses the glittered hearts my son and I made for his Valentines.  I had to steal one...don't tell.  It's made from a cereal box and my spellbinder heart dies.  I was sooo inspired by that EBTKS challenge  last week.  I don't think I shall ever buy a heart chipboard again.  You know the great thing about using cereal boxes...besides the recycling?  They are also less bulky and easier to mail!  Woohoo!

So did you get any snow yesterday?  We have about 11 inches now.  My son and I played out in the snow and then the whole family went sledding.  It was a blast!  The worse part of that hill we went on....GOING BACK UP!  Oai!  My thighs are hurting today:)

I put on my facebook page yesterday that I thought that snow days are God's way of saying, "Slow down and enjoy the view!"  We had a great time just being together on our snow day yesterday.  Here are a few pics of our "view."

 

  

  

 

You know it's bad when you have to shovel your truck:)

This last one is of my hottie hubby.  He's lost 20lbs in the last two months.  I'm so proud of him!

Enjoy the view today!

Nikki

What's In It?

Stamps: Hugs and Hearts (HA), Giga Guidelines PTI

Ink: real red, black memento

Paper: real red, white, black

Other: heart nesties, glitter red and diamonds, 2 way glue pen, dimensionals, PTI ribbon, scalloped edge punch, swiss dots EP