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!