Etsy Shop Goodies!

Oh boy! Take a peek at these newly listed Etsy shop goodies! Journaling spots for your albums and scrapbook pages, and new felties! The felties are made of fabric and a washable glue, so you can use them for appliques too! I had so much fun making these little cuties, I hope you enjoy the preview!

Journaling Spots:

Christmas Bird:

OWLS! Love them...Sweet Cupcake:And for the rest of the listings, well, you will just have to go to my Etsy shop to see!

I'm off to play an adult kickball game! More tomorrow!

Card for a Few Challenges

It's no secret that I love pink. I have also been designing some new felties for the Etsy shop. I made a super cute cupcake feltie and attached it to this card for someone special. I made the card for these 3 challenge sites:

The Pink Elephant- sketch

Pile It On- Watercolor

Paper Take Weekly- Color Combo: pink, black and white, green

I used a pink card for the base (5x7), and the white is actually watercolor paper. I painted the circles on the background and attached to the pink card. Stamped a sentiment, attached polka dot ribbon, punched a glossy black circle and attached, then added my feltie cupcake (handmade by me!). Finally, I added a corner made of black polka dot flocked paper from Doodle Bug Designs.

And for tomorrow... I have been busy in my craft room designing new things for the Etsy shop. Wait until you see what I made... They are so cute that Anna has claimed them for her own! My desk, (above) is a mess of felt, paper, fabric, buttons, glue, scissors, and templates. And yes, that is my glass of wine you see in the background! Stay tuned for some super cute eye candy!

I made top 5!

My owl card that I made (pictured below) won top 5 at The Pink Elephant! Hooray! I'm excited, and I proudly placed their banner to the right. Click on it to participate in their weekly challenge!

Lesson Learned

It was a rough day. These three happy faces kept me off the ledge and grounded. Sometimes, you make mistakes or choices that you regret, but there is no turning back or taking it back.

An apology is all you can do, but sometimes an apology just doesn't seem like enough. Today, I learned a hard lesson and got a slap on the wrist. Tomorrow, I will be stronger and grow from my mistake.

*Frame is in my craft room, with (3) 8x10 photos. Photos were taken by Donna Wolford, the BEST photographer around. The script is a rub on.

I'm Flattered...

I have been spotlighted over at the blog of one of my favorite Etsy shops, Tessa Ann. She is the wonderfully creative chic who makes all those precious, unique buttons that I am hopelessly addicted too!

Yesterday, I made this layout for my album, and for Tessa Ann's spotlight feature ;)


I love those bright pink buttons! The polka dot chipboard frame is also Tessa Ann. I mounted the frame on pink and inked the edges in black. The pink polka dot paper and cut out butterflies are K&Co.


I have a "super awesome wicked cool" giveaway coming up on August 3! (My dad's birthday and my parents 41st anniversary!) To be eligible to win, please sign in to "Follow" this blog (just click on "follow" at the right of this column and it will prompt you from there! Super easy, even though Stephen still can't figure it out). A winner will be drawn at random. Don't miss out! I'll give you a hint...
It includes glitter, paper and chipboard... oh boy!

Layout for a Challenge

Here is a layout I have been wanting to do for a while. These are pictures I took of Elan last summer at the pool. He didn't care much for swimming, but he loved to pace around the pool in "gobbles" play with his pool toys and pick up badgee (garbage) and throw it away. He was content, and that's all that really mattered!

I am submitting this layout to a couple of challenge sites today:

CCEE Stampers: Summer Theme

Pile It On: The Color Orange

I made my own chipboard accent with a label and some ribbon and brads. I sanded the edges of the chipboard after I covered it in orange for a finished, smooth look. The trim came from my stash and the polka dot paper is Making Memories Giggle Kids line. Flowers are Prima and chipboard letters are American Traditional.

Have a fun day today! It's raining and thundering here, so, a great day for crafts!

My Card

This is a card I made yesterday. I am submitting it to a couple of challenge sites: The Pink Elephant and 365 Cards. I intended to make a simple, cute owl card to send to Stephen's grandmother with some pictures of the kids inside. She loves getting handmade goodies and saves everything I ever send to her! Anyway, I love this card. I love the little bird in the tree and all the different paper, and now I don't want to send it... I just want to look at it. Don't worry though, I will send it to Mamaw eventually!

I printed out that cute owl and cut him out, then used black Stickles for his eyes. I used adhesive foam strips on the back of the owl to give him a little dimension. The mushroom is a rub on, the bird is made by me and got jazzy with some rhinestones, her nest is made of mulberry paper. I used a jewelry tag and wrote "you whooo" on it and attached with hemp. Inked the edges in brown and attached to a chartreuse card. Ta-da!

If you are looking for a challenge, check out these three sites:

http://www.thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.com/

http://365cards.blogspot.com/

www.PencilLines.com

I'm not much of a "challenge" girl, it stresses me out. But if I already have a project in mind, I will make it and submit it to the site. Browsing challenge sites is pretty fun too! Everyone comes up with something totally original and all their own, which I like! Enjoy, and if you have a favorite site or blog, pass it on! I'd love to take a peek!

Stella & Dot

Have you been to a Stella & Dot home jewelry party? I went to one tonight at my cousins house and it was great! I'm not a big jewelry person, and I have been to a few jewelry parties that I purchased something just to be nice, not because I love the stuff presented. Stella & Dot had stylish, fun, simple and bold pieces that were good quality and a great price. Check out my fun purchase:

I can't wait to get them- they will be a great addition for fall. If you want to check out the Stella & Dot catalog on line, check it out here: http://home.stelladot.com/

The weather was good today, but yesterday there was so much rain! I have a ton of projects to photograph and upload, so check back tomorrow afternoon for some crafty inspiration!

Bright Eyes Full of Wonder!

My three children love to play outside. They love animals, bugs (especially Anna), flowers and grow and tend to their very own tomato plants. Well, this summer, our backyard has been a breeding ground for natures finest...

We have a lovely rabbit couple who lives under our deck. How they manage to have any "alone time" with Wrigley always on their tail, I will never know. He barks and scratches at the deck daily. They are on their third litter since just this spring! That mama has got to be tired! The kids love to see the mommy and daddy bunnies hopping together, and those babies are so cute!

Then we have Jennifer, the boy caterpillar. Anna found him Saturday and played with him and then put him in her bug catcher with twigs, leaves, and some damp parsley. Jennifer, well he was as happy as can be... so happy, and fat with food and good care that he spun his cocoon yesterday. We will have a butterfly or moth in about 10 days.

Finally, we have our mama bird, Back-n-Forth. Anna named her this because she goes back and forth a lot. Back-n-Forth built her nest in the garage in my garden tool bag. She laid 2 or 3 eggs and has carefully watched over them. If the garage is closed, she tweets loudly on my kitchen window sill until I open it for her. We checked on her today and she looked at us, poked her nose down, (and you will not believe this part...) pulled out one of the hatched babies as if she was showing it to us. I was startled and excited all at the same time! So, now Back-n-Forth has her babies to tend to.

All of this is so good for Mac, Anna and Elan to see. They look with bright eyes and they are filled with amazement and excitement! They want to learn about all the things they see and aren't afraid to dig in and get their hands dirty! I love that about them and I hope it sticks with them as they get older. We may have a born Zoologist or Veterinarian in our family! Time will tell...

And speaking of bright eyes, these are some big, bright ones! Elan in Harbour Town in Hilton Head this past June. I used papers from the Studio Calico June kit and mom stitched around the edges for me. Stephen took this pic, isn't it awesome?! It's by far, one of my favorites! Here's a close up of some stitching and embellies:

Enjoy, and have a lovely night!

It's a beautiful morning...

Sunshine, 70 degrees, and happy children playing outside! This is unbelievable weather we are having in July, in Kentucky! I put the craft box out on the deck, opened it and let the kids have free range. So far, they have made masks, hats, painted and done sticker pictures. They are having a ball and staying out of my hair!

Yesterday I went scrapping with my friend, Kelly. We had a ball! Kelly is so easy to be with and has great ideas for LO's. It's nice to have a friend you can ask, "where does this need to go?" We got quite a bit done too! I will post those projects tomorrow. I also met a girl named Teresa. This chic was a hoot! She had so many gadgets and I am so not a gadget girl. Anyway, I needed help gluing on some trim. She pulled out her handy dandy Xyron sticker maker and Viole! super sticky trim. I was amazed and enthused! I will be buying one one these this week! At only $9.47 at JoAnn's and Michael's, I can use a 40% off coupon and get it dirt cheap!

This is a LO I made for my niece, Lucy. She was a plump little infant, so we all called her "juicy" and it stuck. Anyway, I love these pics of her and her mama, and her cherry dress was begging for a Tessa Ann cherry button embellishment!

The baby shower we had for Erin was a hit. The food was divine and Erin got some great stuff for the baby! Five more weeks before we meet little, baby Whitlock! Here is Mrs. Peggi and the hostesses: And lastly, if you haven't joined this blog, what are you waiting for? I will be posting a fab prize next week to be given away to one of my trusty readers. Click on "Join This Blog" on the right hand column and follow the prompts from there. Super easy and super quick! You wont want to miss out!

Giveaway!

Head on over to my crafty, southern friend, Sammye Jo's blog to be entered into a giveaway! Crafty Paper Girl is her Saturday Spotlight feature today! Your choice of a bird and flower feltie are being given away from my Etsy store! Good Luck!

http://www.62cards.blogspot.com/

More eye candy...

Here is the rest of my mom's collection. I think the pictures are fuzzy because I took them after I framed them. It was a year ago, people, I must not have been right.
Anyway, I was going for an outdoor them; sun, wind, trees and flowers.

My niece, Keeley. Journaling reads: "Grandmothers are rays of sunshine in children's lives."

My niece, Lucy. Journaling reads: "Grandmothers are the people who take delight in hearing babies breathing into the phone."

My niece, Kendall and nephew, Daniel. Journaling reads: "Between the earth and sky above, nothing can match a grandmothers love."

So, there you have it! I hope you are inspired to get crafty this weekend! I will be scrapping all day tomorrow, but for today, hosting a baby shower for a very dear friend.

Enjoy!

How does your garden grow?

...Mine is rotting because of all this rain. I have already thrown out 2 of my potted plants on the deck because they got super gross from too much water. I have enough trouble growing pretty flowers, I don't need downpours to speed the process of death.


I may not be able to make my deck a secret garden of gorgeous blooms, but I sure can make one on paper. This is another of my mom's collection of layouts I made for her.
Sorry for the blurry pic, I don't know what happend...

The journaling reads:

Happy Mother's Day, Mimi! We love you! Mac, Anna and Elan. May 2008 "A garden of love grows in a Grandmother's Heart." {Printed on green vellum.}

This was basically a bunch of punching and cutting! East peasy! I was going for the look of a sunflower, zinnia and hydrangea. And you don't have to worry about root rot, either! Stay tuned for the next 3 in Mimi's collection!

The Stonington Ghost...

There is a ghost that lives at my house. I haven't seen or heard this mysterious, mischievous being, but it's here. I want this ghost out. Why, you ask? B E C A U S E...

It creates an absolute ton of laundry, it practically breeds itself. I can wash and put away 3 loads, go out for a bike ride with the kids and by mid day, all the hampers are full again. What the???

I can clean the floors spic and span, getting up every last thousandth dog hair and crumbs, go out to the grocery store and come back to filthy floors full of grass, dirt and yes, more dog hair. HUH?

It creates lots and lots of dishes. I can wash and load the dishwasher every night before bed and when I get up in the morning the sink is full of dishes. You have got to be kidding me!

I can pick up all the kids toys until I'm blue in the face, but as soon as I turn my back, that sneaky ghost gets them ALL back out again. No sooner than I turn around to stub my toe on a sharp car or truck that makes a loud siren noise. UGH.

And the shoes. Don't get me started on the shoes. It puts shoes EVERYWHERE. At the door, on the steps, in the garage, on the deck, next to the couch, on the furniture, EVERYWHERE but in the closet where they belong. Serenity Now!

This ghost has also trained my children to be deaf when they are asked to do something. And, I'm pretty sure my husband is on a first name basis with this prankster.
Tomorrow, I am setting a trap.
Do you have a ghost at your house?

Mimi's Angels

Last year, I made my mom several LO's and framed them so she could display them on a long wall in her basement. Her basement is part family room, part sewing/craft room, and part play room for all her grandchildren.
When we went to Hilton Head and had our family picture made on the beach, I captured this photo with her and all her granddaughters. She made all their white sun dresses, and they truly looked like angels on the beach!

The two buttons in the corner are from Tessa Ann's Etsy shop (which, by the way, I am totally addicted too!) And, yes, that is a hand cut title you see! I don't have a Cricut, (and I don't want one, either!) but I do have an awesome printer and some sharp, precision scissors! The paper is from the June Studio Calico kit. I still haven't busted into the July kit!!! I can't believe how many LO's I have done with just this one kit and I'm not tired of it yet!

So, there you have it, a little gift for mom to hang with the others in her collection!

Craft time, come on in!

This weekend, I did quite a bit of crafting. I got a few LO's done and this is one of them:
Mac learning to ride a bike without training wheels. Stephen took him out and helped him for about 5 minutes and he picked it up so quickly! He was so proud of himself!

I used lots of different items that I pulled out of my scrap bag. The embellishments on the right side are stickers that I put on a scrap piece of chipboard and cut out. Then, mounted with a little foam tape to get them to pop off the page. The button in the center is one from Tessa Ann on Etsy.

Tomorrow I will post another one of my finished LO's... it's a good one, you won't want to miss it!

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I have a very inviting craft room. People come in even when they aren't invited! (Like the kids, for instance!) Take a look at this... this is Stephen getting crafty. He started organizing, arranging and cropping pictures, using shadow boxes and arranging fishing lures and paraphernalia for his office decor. He's doing a great job, but he came out and said, "Will you just do it for me?" NO! You can do it! He started to take over my craft table, and I just had to get a picture of it...My super crafty husband...I'm off to organize photos for more scrap time tonight. And tonight, I will have my room all to myself... Stephen will be fishing! Love you, dear!

Family Fun

I love coffee. It's 8:15 on Sunday morning and I've already enjoyed 3 cups. Stephen's Uncle Scott and Aunt Cindy were in town this past week for a visit from Minnesota. Cindy is a barrista and roasts coffee. She gave me a pound of fresh roasted coffee and let me tell you, it is wonderful! It has a peanut butter aroma and flavor. Yum! Thanks, Aunt Cindy!

While they were in town, we all got together a few times to hang out. It was so much fun. We grilled out at Uncle Rick and Aunt Vicky's on Thursday night. They have a creek that runs behind their home and the kids played in it and had a blast! Anna "fell in" 3 times while trying to catch shells, minnows, crawdads, rocks, etc.

This is her first outfit, but by the end of the night, she had borrowed 3 t-shirts from Uncle Rick!

This is Uncle Scotty. Elan is named after Uncle Scott because we all think he is so great! Elan adores him, and they hung out together playing and acting silly. These pictures will be in his scrapbook soon!

And lastly, Uncle George brought the kids Navy t-shirts from his trip. Uncle George is the kindest, gentlest, and most dapper dresser I know. He was in the Navy and Mac really loves talking to him about it. Here they are in their new shirts:

GO NAVY!

And for today, I am busy crafting and blogger is being a booger... it has taken me all morning just to finish this entry! I will post all my creations in the morning!

LO for a Challenge!

Yeah, I know this is a LO of last years 4th of July festivities, but I just put this page together yesterday. I am typically a year or two behind with scrapping holiday photos. For some reason, I have a hard time doing holiday LO's. It's probably because I have a ton of pictures and never can decide which to omit and which to scrap. So, I was delighted when I got all these favorite pics on one page without it looking too busy or tacky! I am also submitting this LO to a blog challenge called The Pink Elephant. The challenge was to create a card or LO using "Stars & Strips" (strips, not stripes!) My polka dot frame is cut strips of paper and I added some gold star brads to make it a bit more patriotic. Personally, I think the photos speak for themselves!

I plan to have a fun weekend of crafting and creating. I feel like I got a lot of chores done today, so I can indulge in some guilty pleasures! Happy crafting!

Introducing...

Baylee Marie Bland, 2 days old

We welcome with love, precious girl! I'm happy to report that Mommy and baby are doing beautifully.

What were you doing?

We were hanging out after the kids went to bed acting "totally natural"...
Stephen in his chair watching ESPN baseball.

What were you doin'?

A Challenge + A Giveaway!

You know it's time for a pedicure when your two year old looks at your feet and says,

"What's dat? (Looking at my big toe) You got chalk on your feets? Mommy!"

Yea, buddy, it's called a callus and it's grody odie. I guess I need a pedi...

I actually love pedicures, it's the time to go get one that turns me off. I don't even paint my nails because I hate it when it chips off and they look all ratty and tacky. I prefer a nice, clean, white nail with little or no maintenance. Simple.

Sometimes, simple is good. Simple is easy and stress less. Lately, I have been trying to cut back on the stuff that doesn't need to be done or bought right away and I'll tell 'ya, it has been great. I stress less and I have been more calm. I have been able to play with my children more and relax without thinking what needs to be done. I am enjoying my summer.

The boys really know how to relax...

Now, for the challenge! I read Elizabeth Kartchners blog, Just Us. She has a fun challenge going on right now and I'm going to play along. Want to play? Here is what you do:
1.) Have your camera handy on July 8th-this Wednesday (tomorrow, people!)
2.) Take a photo of whatever you are doing when your clock says 10:11 am or pm. (we won't worry about timezones)
3.) Challenge yourself to think outside of the box in how you take the photo or don't worry about that part and just snap one real quick!
4.) Post the photo on your blog or an online gallery. Leave a comment on my blog linked to your photo and be entered into a giveaway.

Sound fun? I thought so! This will be a great giveaway of stationery and embellishments that everyone can use, not just scrappers and crafty people, so play along!

Oh, Baby!

Welcome, little one...

Baylee Marie Bland

July 6, 2009

6 pounds, 3 ounces

17 inches long

One of my oldest and dearest friends, Elizabeth, had her second baby today. A healthy, baby girl. Mommy and baby are doing just fine. I can't wait to post some new baby pics tomorrow!

It seems as though little babies are getting ready to pop out everywhere! I have been doing lots of shower invitations and personalized baby gifts lately, and I have to say, it's awfully fun! Here's a little peek of today's work:

More feltie flowers for the Etsy shop. See the green button? I added those polka dots with a white paint pen... how crafty is that?! The duck stationery is a gift for one of my girlies and the polka dots is an order for another expecting mommy.

Stay tuned for more fun in tomorrows edition of the bloggaroo... a challenge + a giveaway!

Lazy Sunday...

We had a very busy weekend and we are all so tired. We spent the day playing inside, watching a little T.V., and taking naps. It was delightful and much needed!

Our Fourth of July actually began on Friday night at a friends house for a cookout. The kids played and got to do sparklers. We saw some fireworks and stayed out way too late! The adults had a pretty darn good time too!

Yesterday, we had our Annual Fourth of July Parade in our neighborhood. This is when the kids decorate their bikes, wagons, big wheels and strollers and wave to the neighbors. At the end we are rewarded with juice, water and delicious doughnuts! My children love this tradition!

Elan scooting to catch up with the police car...

As promised, my LO that I had been working on:

The little white rub on after "Daddy" says "hero". I took these pictures of Stephen and Anna in Hilton Head and loved how they turned out. All the supplies used were from my Studio Calico kit from June. I sanded and distressed only the outer edges of the paper to make it look a little "weathered". It's now hanging on display in my craft room to remind me how special the bond is between Anna and Stephen, she truly is a daddy's girl.