A {Sweet} Challenge Card!

Here's my card for a few challenges! I got a new stamp set from Papertrey Ink called Everyday Button Bits. I love it... so many cute things, like this sweet cupcake:

Supplies: stamps: Papertrey Ink; Patterned Paper: Papertrey Ink; Cardstock: Paper-Source; Ribbon: American Crafts; Glitter: Art Institute; Other: jewelry tag, ink, Copics, button, thread and foam tape.

Challenges:

Lucy's Cards- Glitter! (yummy!)

Die Cuts R Us- Ribbon

The Pink Elephant- Polka Dots, Pink & a Bow (these are a few of my favorite things!)

I love this polka dot paper from PTI, the colors are yummy! This photo isn't great- it doesn't show the true colors in the card: light pink, strawberry and avocado green. I stamped the cupcake in brown and colored with my Copics, cut out and mounted with foam tape. Enjoy!

Copic Color

I just bought my first group of Copic markers this week. Aren't they pretty? I love looking at them! I know I don't have very many right now, but it's a good start and I will gradually add to my collection. I really like the shape of these markers. They are easy to hold and to color with, and the tips are oh-so-smooth... Blending is effortless and that Colorless Blender is the bomb-diggity!

I am still practicing with them, so my projects aren't perfect yet, but they are 100% better than the markers I was using! I'm hooked!

Do you have Copic markers? If so, what's your favorite color combo? A color(s) you can't live without? Let me know...

You Whooo!

Today is my day to post on the 2 Cute Rubber Stamps blog. So, click HERE to check it out!
I chose to use this cute owl stamp for my project and really like how it turned out. The inside reads, "Owl always be here for you..." When you visit the 2 Cute blog, be sure to sign up to FOLLOW the blog! All followers will be entered for a chance to win a FREE WOODEN stamp on Sunday, so good luck!

Je t'aime, Valentine

Je t'aime! I love this little girl drinking out of her decorative little mug! I love the colors and the vintage feel of the whole thing! The red heart with image is courtesy of the super crafty and talented, Emily Martin at Inside A Black Apple. She posted on her blog the free Valentine print out to use as you wish, and there are two other images too (enjoy!). I plan to add a Starbucks or Heine Brothers Coffee gift card to the inside with "You warm my heart" sentiment. Perfect for moms, best friends and teachers!

Supplies: Patterned Paper: Papertrey Ink; Solid Cardstock: Paper-Source; Other: ribbon, vintage buttons, border punch, and crochet blossom.

Go print out your free Valentine images and start crafting! Have a great night!

Pride & Joy

Early last fall, I took the kids to the park to try and get some really great pictures of them. No such luck... I got silly faces and wrestling moves. Still, they are all mine and these two pictures especially tell the truth about my children and their relationship with each other. My pride & joy...

Supplies: I think all the supplies came from the November 2009 & January 2010 Studio Calico kits.

On a side note, my little one is sick. Which is why I am posting so late. Elan has a high fever (102) and is just pitiful. On the way home from dropping Anna off at pre-school this morning, he fell asleep in the car. I brought him in and sat him in our overstuffed chair (thinking he would wake shortly thereafter). He slept for over an hour and a half in his coat, with his hood up.

Don't you hate it when a little one gets sick? I feel so helpless... I just rock and hold, and I'm pretty sure it comforts me more than the sick one. Here's hoping for a good nights rest... for everyone.

It's Launch Day!

Today is the day... launch day for 2 Cute Rubber Stamps! The first blog post is up for your viewing pleasure! I think we have a great Design Team... wait till you see every one's creations! You will love them all! Heidi is a fab designer with darling stamps in her Etsy shop- check out all her designs here.

Things to look forward to at 2 Cute Rubber Stamps:
We will be hosting a challenge once a month where everyone will be given the chance to download a FREE digi. You will be able to create a project using that digi to link up and the winner will get a free 2 Cute Wooden Stamp!
Heidi (the designer) wants input from stampers and crafters (that's you!) as to what you want to see!
When you get to the 2 Cute blog, sign up as a follower as we will be selecting a winner of launch week to get a 2 Cute stamp!
Sounds like fun, huh?!

So, here's my first 2 Cute creation:

Isn't this penguin darling? I made this card for my niece for Valentine's Day- the inside reads, "you're the cherry on top! Happy Valentine's Day!" To get the recipe to make this card, click here.

Now, scoot on over to 2 Cute Rubber Stamps blog and sign up to follow... be inspired!

Hi There!

This is another card I did for a challenge over at Die Cuts R Us. This challenge was based on a sketch:

And this is my take:
Supplies: Patterned paper: Bo Bunny, SEI, Making Memories (Giggle Kids); Red Scallop: Bazzill, Just the Edge; Cardstock: Coredinations and Paper Source; Brad: Basic Grey (Eskimo Kisses); Felt letters: Making Memories; Punches: Fiskars; Ink: Colorbox.

Wish me luck... the new peeps for the Die Cuts R Us Design Team will be announced soon!

I'm a Guest Designer Today!

I am the Guest Designer today over at Die Cuts R Us! Go check it out!
This is ONE of the projects I made, but to see the other one, (and a complete supply list) you will have to click here.
This is a card for my hubby- not sure if I'll give it to him for Valentine's Day or for our anniversary in April. He is a big fisherman, so this will fit him perfectly!
Enjoy your Saturday... I'll be painting and ripping apart a powder room. :P

Love is in the air!

It's time for another Caardvarks challenge! This one was easy:

HEARTS

Supplies: White, pink and raspberry cardstock. Patterned Paper: TPC Woodland Whimsy. Heart stamps: Hero Arts, "Love is in the air" stamp: Claudia Rose. Border punch and corner rounder: Fiskars. Other: foam tape.

Valentines Day is coming fast, so all the cards I have been making lately have hearts, or are the same color scheme: pink, red, light blue. Hope you enjoy!

Tomorrow, I will be a Guest Designer at Die Cuts R Us! So, be sure to check it out while you're drinking your coffee and eating your doughnut in the morning!

Check it out!

I may be just a tiny bit obsessed with PapertreyInk... love their site, blog, products, all the colors... swoon! I got their newsletter in my email box this morning and it showed an adorable Valentine project. I loved it so much, I hope you do too! Go check it out here. Enjoy!
I'll be back later today with a card and some exciting news!

It's Official...

I have been chosen to be apart of the Design Team for 2 Cute Rubber Stamps! Please view my super cute DT button at the right! I am so excited, and the launch date for the blog is this coming Monday, January 25! Stay tuned for details and a link to view all the fabulous DT projects!

Family!

We are fam-i-ly! I've got all my "brothers" with me! This is our most recent family picture. I believe the last one taken was in the nineties. Anyway, I used my tripod to take it and it didn't turn out half bad. I HAD to scrap it since I didn't have a picture of my entire family in my book yet! My three bothers and I are very close and I adore their wives and children, I am very lucky!

I am tired, so this is gonna be a shorty short post tonight... I left the house this morning at 8:30 a.m. and didn't return until 5:30 p.m. It was a busy day, to say the least, but I wanted to share this LO with you guys before I turned in for the night. I love how it turned out!

More shares tomorrow! Night!

Feel the love...

Here's a sweet LO I did for Stephen for Valentine's Day. I plan to frame it so he can put it in his home office downstairs. The title and idea came from the song "I Love" by Tom T. Hall (country Legends).

Supplies: Bird Rub-ons, Jenni Bowlin; Patterned Paper: hearts, Prima; words, Bo Bunny; Black and White Fab Rips, Studio Calico; Heart Border, K&Co.; Color Spray, Tattered Angels.

Love this picture of us together... we have date night tonight at one of our favorite restaurants. Love is in the air! Tootles!

Die Cuts R Us Challenge!

Here is another card I made for a challenge, this time, for Die Cuts R Us. The challenge was to use leftover Christmas/Holiday paper.

Supplies: Ivory Card, Coordinations Whitewash paper, Patterned Paper, (skiing and swoosh) Cosmo Cricket; Glittered Polka Dots, Making Memories Mistletoe, Color Spray, Tattered Angels; Foam tape.

I had a lot of fun making this card, mainly because I got to practice several techniques! I used my Cuttlebug, paint, ink, swirly masks, and the outcome was exactly what I wanted.

Enjoy your day today!

Caardvarks Challenge!

The first Caardvarks challenge of 2010! It's a sketch... and here's my take...


Supplies: Light pink card base, Patterned Paper: Words, Bo Bunny; Stripe, Making Memories, Heart, Prima. Letter Stickers, Heidi Grace. Scallop Border, hand cut on brown cardstock, Swirl Acetate, Hambley.

This is a pic of the sketch. If you want to join in, post your card by midnight tomorrow! I'm a procrastinator, a day in advance is pretty good!


Have a great day!

Cool in the pool...

For those of you who wish it was warm enough to be at the pool swimming... This is Elan (2) swimming on his own at the pool this summer. He was leery of the water for several week, but by July, he was jumping in and swimming on his own. I love his little face in these pictures- he is so tickled with himself!

This LO came together rather quickly- just using what was in sight on my desk (or floor). It's not my best, but it gets the point across! ;)

C'mon and get crafty...

Put on a happy face! He- he! Lately, with this snowy, cold weather, all I want to do is sit in my craft room and create! Oh, and drink eggnog with bourbon...

The last couple of days, I have made several cards and scrapbook layouts. My mojo is back and going full steam ahead! I have to spread 'em out though, to keep you comin' back for more!

This paper was "pre-stitched" by Prima. I added my own touches with a handmade tissue paper flower, a border strip, and some half moon pearls from Basic Grey.

This layout is special because it tells about Mac's sensitivity. I want to remember these moments forever (one of the reasons I scrapbook, so I don't forget the "little" things that are actually the "BIG" things in the grand scheme of life! And I have a terrible memory!)

Journaling reads: "You cry during touching movies. You worry when someone gets hurt. Just watching Anna or Elan get checked at the pediatrician can send you into a river of tears. Being scolded by Daddy breaks your heart, and it's only happened a few times! You are moved to tears if you think about me being home alone while you all are at school, you don't want me to be lonely! Road kill crushes you. We once saw an opossum get hit by a car- you became uncontrollably distraught. You have such a tender heart. I love that you are sensitive and aren't afraid to show it. I love you and adore your precious heart and sensitive soul."

Have a great night! I'll be back tomorrow with some more sharing!

Yahoo! I made top 3!

I made top 3 at the Die Cuts R Us challenge last week with my LO of Anna's 3rd birthday! (Scroll down to see). Die Cuts R Us is also having a design team call... I am trying out for the team, so wish me luck! I already submitted my work and I'm gonna just hope for the best! To find out more, or try out for the "team", go to their blog here. Good luck to you!

While I'm here, I thought I would also share some snow fun pictures! The kids had a ball sledding! (Yes, so did I!) Mac ended up with a fat black eye from running into a wooden play set, but other than that, it was a blast!

Won't these pictures be a blast to scrap?! Snow much fun...

Tissue Paper + Chipboard

Greetings! I thought I would share with you how to cover chipboard with tissue paper. I have made several mini albums covered in tissue paper. It's easy, cheap and has a really interesting look. And, if you are like me, you always have tissue paper, especially crumpled, wrinkled, tissue paper!

I wanted to make an album to put all of my years past Christmas cards in. It's fun to look back and see how the kids have changed. So, here's how ya' do it:

Choose a chipboard album. This can be any size or you can use shapes. Then, choose your tissue paper. Mine was leftover from a gift I had received for Christmas (notice the wrinkles?).
Then, crumple your tissue into a ball to wrinkle and crease it even more. Grab a glue stick- I love the Pioneer brand embellishment glue stick, but and will do.Then, cover your chipboard with the glue stick entirely, making sure to get the edges really well.Open up your tissue and lay it on top of your chipboard with the glue on it. Smooth it out with your hand. It will be wrinkly, and that is what it's supposed to look like. After the glue has dried (about 20 minutes or less) trim the edges to remove the excess tissue paper. Then, take a piece of fine sandpaper or a file and smooth the edges. The page will look "shabby chic" and have the look of handmade paper. After your chipboard is covered, you can decorate it to your liking. I just added my holiday photo card and a date and I was done!

Here is the cover of the album and some of the inside pages:
I mixed up my pages to make it fun! Some are covered in red tissue and some are covered with the Mistletoe line from Making Memories.

Enjoy! Winter weather is the perfect time for crafting at home!

Home... cozy home...

I am a total homebody. I never liked spending the night out as a child, and one long vacation to the beach each year is good enough for me! I like to be home with all my children here with me. Weekend scrapbook trips are perfect getaways, but I'm always glad to be back home in my surroundings.
The house we are in now, we plan to stay in for a long while. There is lots to do and we plan to spread the big projects out over the years! I took a picture of our house this summer and really liked the way it turned out, so I sat it aside to scrap. When I got my November Studio Calico kit, I loved the papers and knew it would be perfect for my "home" LO. I am really trying to simplify my projects these days. I don't want to spend a bunch of time fretting over which button to use and where it should go, or deciding over papers, etc. I felt like I overcame my fear of "white space" in this LO. The layout is simple, but it works and I love it!

On another note, we have lots of snow here! It is beautiful, and our neighborhood looks like its been covered with a big, fluffy, white blanket! The kids played in it all afternoon and we are hoping for a snow day tomorrow to go sledding. The big Wrig (our yellow lab) has had random bursts of energy all day and playing in the snow with the kiddos has made him so happy (and certainly sleepy tonight!). Lovin' life in January 2010 so far...

Welcome 2010 + Challenge

Happy New Year! I welcome 2010 with open arms! I am up for some challenges, serious craft time, staying organized, and trying new things (like my new Cuttlebug that Stephen gave me for Christmas and some mists). I vow to be more calm and not to sweat the small stuff!

2010... bring it on!

To start the year off right, I am posting my first challenge submission for 2010 to Die Cuts R Us. I just ordered from the DCRU shop and they ship super fast! I purchased embellishments and some embossing folders for my new Cuttlebug that I haven't used yet! :) DCRU has fantastic prices too, so check it out!

The challenge is to make something inspired by the colors that are in the DCRU logo, which is this:

And this is what I came up with, all color inspired, but I also took a cue from the stuff she is holding to make my 4 rectangle boxes to the right of the LO:

The photos in this LO are pretty bad. It was Anna's 3rd birthday and we had her party outside, there was a lot of shade and shadows. Oh well... Anna loved all the purple and pink!

Hope you all have a great evening! We are expecting snow here, and lots of it! Hopefully, the kids will be out of school tomorrow and we can all go sledding! I have a craft plan for the evening, after the kiddos hit the sack since my DH is in Texas. I plan to share more tomorrow!