Winners!

Ok, so if you comment twice, it only got counted once. The #2 commenter was Sammye Jo, but she forfeited her prize to the next one (because, like me, she has way too much stuff and needs to purge as well.) So, that being said... the two winners of my "grab bags" are:

Diana Fisher

&

Angi @ CokiePop

Ladies, please email me your address and I will get your packages out tomorrow! Enjoy!

My email: profumo@bellsouth.net

Giveaway Time!

Hey there, chickadee! Here's a card I made with one of my little felt birds. Sentiment and cloud die cut is from Papertrey Ink. I have been a busy bee cleaning and organizing the studio space. This needed to be done so I can be more productive! Some stuff went into the trash, some into a donation pile and then there's the good stuff... the stamps, embellishments, journaling cards, alpha stickers and such that haven't been used and it's time to say good-bye.

So... my crafty, bloggy friends, this is your chance to get a fun package in the mail from yours truly. The stuff is good- not junk. Lots of Studio Calico and American Crafts. I have two packages to giveaway, and since 2 and 6 are my favorite numbers, that's who's gettin' the goods! If you are commenter number 2 or number 6, the goodies are yours! Good luck!

Pixie Challenge

I have a blog friend named Lauren. She is super talented... every creation she makes gets an "Ooh and Ahh" out of me! She is very inspiring and I visit her blog frequently because she always has something darling to gawk at!

She is on the design team for Pixie Dust Paperie and I thought I would scoot over there to see for myself what this blog is all about. There is a fantastic sketch up right now for the challenge going on. You know how I just love a good sketch! So, off I went to dig up a couple of my favorite photos.

The Sketch:

And my take on the sketch:

I love how this turned out... the layout is happy, just like my Anna!
You have until February 5 to link up your creation if you want to play along! Check it out!

Cute Cupcake

Hello happiness... it's Friday. Although, it's not so happy in these parts... Anna is sick. Fever, headache, stomach ache, and pure misery has overcome her little body. We will be heading to the doc this afternoon.
On a sweeter note, how about this cute cupcake card? It's from the new Papertrey set "Tiny Treats Birthday" that I just got this week. This set was part of the January release and I love it... LOVE it! The tiny pink polka dot paper is actually from the stamp packaging- aren't I thrifty!? The die cute was also purchased from Papertrey and coordinates with this set. I can already tell it's going to be a favorite! I colored with my Copics and you can't tell from the picture, but the star is colored in with my Spica glitter pen to give it a little *twinkle.*

I used the Get Sketchy card sketch this week as my guide. I flipped the sketch to make my card. Get your entry in... the prize this week is awesome! A handcrafted belt buckle from an Etsy shop!

Have a great day... while Anna slumbers and Elan plays Lego's I am going to craft and organize and purge.

A Couple Things...

It's Thursday and the week is almost over. The kids were out of school yesterday for another snow day and I am so tired today that I am pretty sure I just haven't recovered from the non-stop talking madness that three kids will give you. Shew...

And, speaking of kids talking your ear off, sometimes they say some really funny things. Typically they say something hilarious and you tell yourself not to forget to "write that one down" but you do forget. And that funny little blurb that your 3 year old said about how you look "just like a cowgirl" with curlers in your hair slips your mind. No more!

Behold the journaling book. It's small, it's easy, functional, and you won't forget anymore cute things those funny kiddos say! I made this one for a friend of mine whom I just recently had this conversation with. She also has 3 kids, a full time job and volunteers an obscene amount of time at school. All the while she keeps up a home and she's still super nice to her husband and always has time for her friends. She deserved this book...


Inside, the pages are marked with the months along the top. You circle the month and then put the date or year or both in the circle printed. Add your quotes to the lines provided and presto! Your kids funny quotes and stories are safe in one spot that is easily accessible.

The pages are 3.5x5 inches and I downloaded the journaling pages from Creating Keepsakes blog. It's been a long time, so you will have to search... sorry. OR... you could get really crafty and make some of your own. ;)
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In the running world, I am doing fantastic. Today, I got to run 4 miles in a balmy 33 degrees. It was a refreshing change from the 10-25 degree weather I'm use to running in. I jammed my tunes and felt like I ran faster than normal and I may or may not have thrown in a few dance moves... however I don't keep my time... I just run.

I registered this morning:

"Dear Amanda,

Congratulations! You are now registered for 2011 Derby Festival Marathon & miniMarathon."

When the above message came through my email, I got butterflies. I can't believe I'm doing this! It's seems pretty darn real now.

I have my brother Nate to thank. He's the one that told me to start small... "Just run to your mailbox and back for a week and then run a little farther the next week." Coming for a strong, athletic triathlete, I gave him a crooked look like "are you freaking kidding me? I can not run. I have never run... ever." He believed that I could do it and I am. Believe in yourself... anything is possible.

Papertrey Blog Hop!

Today, Papertrey Ink is having their blog hop. The challenge was to dust off an old stamp set that you either haven't used in a while, or one that has never been inked! I chose a set that I just had to have months ago and none of the stamps have been inked... until today.

The stamp set is called "Up, Up & Away" and has so many adorable images. Not sure why I haven't used them before... some of them are intimidating, I think. The sentiment is from the add on set to "Up, Up & Away."

I practiced coloring the rainbow a few times before liking a color combo. These are the markers I used:
I stitched yellow around the edge of the card before attaching to the card base. I did this by hand without a template, that's why it isn't perfectly even... and I'm okay with that! A cute, yellow heart button (also Papertrey) is the final finishing touch!

Enjoy! To find some amazing inspiration, visit the Papertrey blog and hop along!

Mellow Monday

The kids are off to school, Stephen is working and Elan, he's still asleep... a small miracle. It snowed last night, again, so I'm sitting at my desk, looking out the window and it's so peaceful... so quiet. It's cold and gloomy, a wonderful day to read or do any crafty project inside.

A couple of days after Christmas our family room T.V. blinked out and never returned to us. I don't watch much T.V. so I didn't mind much... until I got the kids ready for school and fed one morning, only to learn it was a snow day. I started reading more instead. I finished this book last week:

Blessed Are The Cheesemakers is a fantastic book. I loved every part of it and it was a super fast read. So, if you are in need of a new read, pick this one up!

I went about a month without a T.V. and finally couldn't do it any longer. I got a new one and set it up myself. Now, I don't fold my laundry at night in the silence. ;) I am however, still reading. I started a new book a few days ago. I'll give the review when I'm finished!

Stay warm!

Fun Friday

Well, we are starting the weekend with another snow day. Seriously, the kids haven't gone a full week to school in a very long time. So, my house is a mess. Full of puddles on the floor, wet snow stuff, boots all over the entrance, and toys and games all over the floor. At least the kids are playing nice and sledding is one of their favorite activities! I am so over the snow already... it's been a while since I've seen any grass.
Here's a fun card I made to go in my mom's birthday calender binder I made her. I really like how it turned out. My crafty friend, Sammy Jo, printed out lots of these die cuts for me using her Cricut since I don't have one!

A die cut paired with textured cardstock, ribbon, a button and a bright card really makes something so simple POP!

Cute Cards

Here are a few cute cards...

Anna made this one by herself:

The airplane paper is from Echo Park and I'm not gonna lie when I say my eye twitched a little when she used a piece, and the fabric kite is Martha Stewart. The sentiment is a Papertrey stamp. Anna continues to amaze me with her creativity! She LOVES to make cards and I totally encourage it... as long as she doesn't use my favorite papers... I suppose I'm gonna have to get over that because she likes the same stuff I do!

These are two quick ones that I made:

The sentiment stamps are Papertrey Ink and the curly swirl is American Crafts. I made the layered fabric flowers with some scraps my mom gave me and finished them off with a button center. Super easy to make... I have been getting into fabric lately... it's a nice change and a great compliment to paper!

I fear that school will be cancelling for another snow day tomorrow. We already have about 4 inches and it's still snowing. Good thing I got to the craft store today and got some new stuff to play with! You never know when you might be stuck inside for a few days! ;)

Run... fast!

It's cold outside... and windy and dreary. The absolute perfect day to do some paper crafting! I finished a layout for the Sketchy Thursdays challenge and have finished up a few sets of note cards for friends. I'm planning for Valentines Day already!

Here's the layout...

I used all kind of pink on here, including some Tattered Angels mist and pink shimmer 3D paint.

The journaling reads: "Your first race at St. Albert was the Pumpkin Run in October, 2010. You got first place and were ahead of all the Kindergartners by 45 seconds. You even beat half of the girls in the 4th grade! Way to go, Runner Girl!"

A closer look:

The sketch:

Anna has been having hip problems again, so doing a layout of her running was quite fitting. She has been limping since Thursday... off to the Orthopedist tomorrow for hopefully some answers. Have a great day!

It's hip to be square!

Good morning! I thought I would start off the week with not one, but two cards! I made these square, which yes, they are more expensive to send, but the "wow" factor is worth it... especially if they are sent in a colored or decorated square envelope! So unexpected and fun!

This one is made with the new Echo Park papers. I got an entire pack of the "Little Boy" collection as a Christmas gift from my crafty friend, Sammye Jo. I have put a big dent in the pack already, so many cute papers. The squares are 1.5 inches each and placed in a quilt like pattern on a 5x5" square card. The ribbon is from Papertrey Ink and the sentiment is a mounted SRM sticker.

Same concept here, but the papers are from Basic Grey, the Eskimo Kisses line. I stuck the SRM sticker on to one of the plain squares, which worked out perfectly, as far as placement went!

My kids are off from school today for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, so we are off to the craft store to get Batman stickers for Mac's Pinewood Derby car and Anna wants to start on her Valentine's. Elan has informed me that he would like to hand out my Banana Chocolate Chip muffins for his Valentine's. Stephen thought that was a great idea! ;) We'll see... enjoy the day.

Hey, Doll Face!

When I saw the Babushka images at Creative Delights, I had to have them! I had collected these cute nesting dolls for years during my high school and college days and still have them. I plan to display them in Anna's room, eventually! The colors and design of the dolls have always drawn me in... just like the digital graphics.

I printed the image on white card stock embellished with felt, button, bakers twine, half pearls, colored her cheeks with my Spica Glitter pen and used Glossy Accents on her lips. I cut the doll out and attached to a A2 blush card. Love the end result and it was so easy! In 2011, I don't know about you, but I'm all about easy!

Poppy's Layout

My scrapbooking has suffered... I put it on the back burner during the holidays because I have so many other things and projects to do. I haven't made a layout in months! So, last night, I got out a couple pictures that I have been wanting to scrap for a long time and set out some new product and went to town!

These pictures are from 4th of July in 2009, and are of my dad and Elan. I love the ways a photo tells a thousand words... Elan has always loved Poppy and had an instant bond with him the day he was born. The journaling is on the pull-out tag that I added a rub-on to the outside of the pocket.

A close up of the banner...

To make this banner, I used the new triangle punch by Marvey and the circle emblem is from Martha Stewart. I have gotten really attached to certain punches and these are two of them. Lots of uses and possibilities!

And... I used Sketchy Thursdays sketch for the week to inspire me:

Enjoy, and I hope you find inspiration too!

EWE

Hello... how are ewe? Here are a couple of cards I made for my mom... she LOVES lambs! So, for her to be sending these cards is totally appropriate!

I also made a "thank ewe" one... he, he! The lamb paper is from Michael's and the twine is from Papertrey Ink. I made the felt bubble and printed and cut the sentiment. Simple, but pretty darn cute!

I also wanted to give you a recommendation on a book I just recently finished. I am a slow reader and I loved this book so much that I finished it in four days!

The story is narrated by a dog. I laughed, cried and cheered! It's wonderful and on a cold, snowy day like today, it's the perfect weather to curl up with a good book and something warm to drink! I, however, will be entertaining 3 kids due to a snow day!

Running update: I am up to 4 miles with no problem... no huffing or puffing, stopping and going, just a straight through run full of energy. The cold, windy weather is a little brutal, but after the first mile, my body adjusts to the temps. I'm rockin' it!

Have a great day and stay warm!

Birthday Calendar

This year, for Christmas, I made my mom a Birthday Calendar binder. I filled the months with birthdays and anniversaries, and also filled the pockets with cards for her to send. I also made myself a binder... I intend to send birthday cards this year, and on time! :)

I ordered the binder, the calendar pages, and the calendar stamp set from Papertrey Ink. It's simple, but I didn't want it to be fussy... since it would end up in the kitchen or on a desk.


Here is one of the cards that went with it...

A nice, clean grid pattern! The card is 5x5 and I cut the squares at 1.5". Then, I added some Papertrey Ink twill ribbon and to finish, a SRM birthday sticker in the corner. Easy and pretty!

I'll post more birthday cards this week!

A New Year...

Happy New Year, blog friends! I have BIG plans for myself this year... I am coming into 2011 with positive thoughts, an energetic mind and body, strong faith and determination. Lots to accomplish, but I know I can do it!

First, I have taken up running. The people who know me best know that I do not run and hate to exercise. Not this year! I have been running 4 days in a row and today ran 3 miles in 33 minutes- pretty good for a newbie! ;) I have signed up to run in the Louisville Triple Crown- 3 races that lead up to the mini-marathon before kicking off the Derby week events. I plan to finish the mini marathon with a big fat smile of accomplishment on my sweaty face.

Next up, to keep the focus on being positive, I found this little gem...


I love all the little sayings and I think I just might have to print it super big and hang one in my craft room and one in the kitchen as a constant reminder.

And finally, I love what Nichole Heady has thought of to jump start her creative thinking for 2011. A Random Inspiration jar... brilliant, and oh so cute!

To read more about the Random Inspiration jar, click here to read it on Nichole's blog.

I hope you all have a happy, healthy and crafty start to 2011!