Shell's Space

Shoebox Party Valentine Card

2012-01-28T10:42:00.004-07:00

Today my cousin, Cassie, is throwing a shoebox cardmaking party! For those of you who don't know what that is--basically a group of women (or people, whatever:) get together to make cards. You plan in advance so you know how many people you'll be sharing with. Each of you design a card, cut all the paper pieces to make the qty you need, and bring the necessary items to make the card (such as stamps, ink, punches, etc.). Then you put everything in a 'shoebox' and take it to the party. Everyone sits around, munches, gossips (ahem, I mean visits :), and makes a bunch of cards to take home.
For example, today I'm taking enough pieces to make 10 of my card--we're hoping for 10 people. When I come home, I will have 10 different cards. One from each person at the party.
So, here is my card. I totally copied this card from one that I found on Pinterest. The card was actually originally from Splitcoast Stampers, and you can see it here. I just changed the papers and stuff, but the layout is the same.
Here is my card. Hope you like it. The inside says "You Make My Heart Sing!"

The Little Lighthouse

2012-01-26T20:29:00.029-07:00

Stupid blogger is turning my photo, and stupid photobucket won't help me either. Stupid!

Today I am sharing a page I did about a tiny little lighthouse we visited the first day we were in Salem, MA. I was so excited to see a lighthouse that I have like a zillion pictures of it lol. It's probably no big deal to most people that live on or near the coast, but I just think they are so cool. Especially the bigger ones. I even saw one once that had been converted into a home inside. It was awesome.
Anyway, this was the first one that I had ever seen, so I was super stoked. And the bay that it was in was gorgeous. I'm so jealous of people that live right on the ocean. I don't know that I could ever leave my mountains though. But it is gorgeous nonetheless.
I used a sketch by Amy Alvis. It is the 12X12-6 sketch on her website here.
Journaling:
We were so excited to see a real live lighthouse that we took a ton of pictures lol. This is a really small lighthouse built in 1871 so that there would be three to guide the way into the main channel. It is at the end of the pier on Derby Wharf.
The bay is beautiful & there are houses right on the water-I wish!

Salem Beer Works

2012-01-25T20:07:00.001-07:00

I did this page a couple of days ago, but I haven't been able to get a decent picture. It gets dark too fast lol. Anyway, I'm not really happy with this picture either, but I'm tired of waiting to post it.
This is my sisters and I at a local brewery (actually, it's part of a small chain I guess) in Salem during our Boston trip.
I used a sketch from a new site for this one. It's called Scrap Support. I used sketch #5 in the one page sketches. I really like their stuff. I'll have to try a couple more. They ask that you don't share pics of their sketches without permission, so you'll have to check out the site on your own to get the sketch :(
*Note* there are links to Scrap Support in the above paragraph. Just hover over Scrap Support or sketch to be taken to the website.

Journaling:
We stopped at Salem Beer Works (part of a local chain of breweries) for some dinner and a few beers before heading out to try to find a light house before dark.
Dark comes early on the east coast. It was pitch dark by about 4:30 every day. Weird for us west coast girls.

Salem Witch Museum

2012-01-22T17:17:00.001-07:00

This is a layout I did today to begin my pages for my weekend Boston trip with my sisters in December. We had so much fun! I used sketch 9-29-10 from Let's Scrap for this layout.
The first day we landed our goal was to see the Salem Witch Museum. Salem is very close to the airport, and we landed too late to see anything of Boston, so that seemed like the best bet.
It is unbelievable to me how much American culture has changed since this time period (1692 specifically). Back then there was a lot of belief in evil and that Satan was present and active on earth. The people of Salem believed in witchcraft and that it was being practiced and used to inflict harm, sickness, and madness on them and their fellow townspeople.
But, it is even more unbelievable that the courts (and people for that matter) would take the word of a few vindictive teenager girls to convict and eventually hang innocent people. Some were accused because they were outcasts--homeless or divorced and remarried *gasp*. Some because they were different, or because they had quarrel with families of the accusers.
Journaling Reads:

12*03*11

As soon as Lacy and I landed in Boston, we all set out to find the Salem Witch Museum. We were always curious about the events that had led to the trials and eventual hangings of accused 'witches' during this time period. It was a really interesting visit & very informative. All I have to say is that I'm glad society has grown in our acceptance of other cultures.

And here we go............

2012-01-21T09:26:00.001-07:00

So Thursday night we're sitting in the living room watching a little TV, and there is a knock at the door. This is weird because we never get visitors. Sometimes the neighbors will come over for a chat, but usually only if we're outside already. Anyhow, neither one of us likes to answer the door because usually when that happens it's a salesman lol. I won because I had no bra on (don't judge). It's not decent to answer the door that way.
Now I wish I would have. There was a girl there. A teenage girl. Asking to 'hang out' with my son! Whoa. For this to surprise you, you need to know that G stays in his room almost all the time. His friends are mostly online gamers, and he almost never 'hangs out'. Especially with girls.
So Shane goes and gets G. He goes outside for about 3 minutes total and comes back in. ?What? I go in his room and tell him that is not hanging out. He says it was cold outside and everyone was just standing there saying nothing. Everyone? Whose everyone? Oh, there were three girls. Whoa.
There is another knock at the door. Damn I wish I would have put a bra on. I can't even see what she looks like. Shane says he thinks he's seen her before, but not sure where or when. And G will not divulge their names. Moving on--this time she just asks if she can talk to G. Shane goes and gets G again. He's out there for about 30 seconds and back in.
G won't tell me anything. I haven't pressed too hard because I don't want to embarrass him too much. But I'm dying to know things lol. Who are they? Are they just friends? I'm pretty sure one of them 'likes' him. Not the one that came to the door though. Because that's not how girls do things. We send our friends to tell a guy we like them. That way we don't have to risk being embarrassed if they don't like us back.
I hope he was nice to her/them. Even if he might not like her back, I hope I raised him to be kind and not mean like some guys can be. I wonder if he does like her back? Or maybe someone likes one of his friends. Or maybe it really was just 'hanging out'. I wish he would tell me what happened! Maybe some day he will.
And I really wish I had had my bra on lol.

Mom Punk

2012-01-17T21:51:00.001-07:00

Today I'm sharing a layout I created based on this sketch from Let's Scrap:

(5-12-10 L)

Mom Punk

I had a really hard time trying to decide how to title this layout. Because I don't think I'm really all that 'punk' lol. But it was the only word I could think of except something boring like 'Blue Streaks'--that's lame. Mom Punk sort of fits.

What I was really trying to say with this layout is that I'm not as nice, sweet, and innocent as people sometimes think I am. I have a rebel streak. And there are things I'd love to wear that might blow your mind lol. Nothing too much, but I don't think you'd ever picture me wearing it is all. Like, I love Hot Topic. I wish I could shop there. But I realize how I'd look in that stuff--scary lol. Maybe if I lost some weight I could do a few things.

And some of the music I listen to or things I have done might really surprise you.

There is a side of me that most people don't know or see. I doubt anyone really truly has except Shane, Garrett, my sisters, and a few of my close friends. And maybe my dying my hair blue was just for shock value. For the people that don't really know me. Just to show a little bit of my real personality. Like my tattoo. Sometimes that throws people. Even though it is pretty cute and innocent. But tattoos just do that.

I look like a sweet innocent mom. And I can be. But there is more to me than my first impression. Now the first impression can be a little more interesting.

Journaling says:

I wouldn’t say that my outside matches my inside most of the time. There are lots of things I’d like to wear or do, but then I remember I have to be a responsible adult. For now I’ll settle for a tattoo and a little bit of colored hair to express my inner rebel LOL. I’ve always wanted some wild color in my hair. And I finally have a job without a strict dress code. So, why not?

Pain pain go away.......

2012-01-16T17:51:00.002-07:00

So I've had this pain in my right butt cheek--so a real pain in the ass (pun intended)--for like a year. I have difficulty with twisting my right leg to put my foot up on my knee (like you would to tie a shoe or put your socks on). And at night I have to change positions a lot because it just aches too much. It aches pretty much all the time, but when I'm lying down it seems worse.
Well, last Thursday this pain got way worse. Right before I went to bed it was shooting pains down my leg and around my knee. I couldn't put any weight on it to walk, and there was no comfortable position to sleep. I ended up taking an 800 Ibuprofen and 3 Tylenol just to get to sleep. Once that episode was over, I finally decided that I needed to see the doctor about it.
This morning was my appointment, and basically my doctor told me that he thinks I've pinched my sciatic nerve. I feel bad now. Because anytime anyone has ever told me they had a pinched sciatic nerve before, I pretty much thought it was bull. I know--so bad of me. I apologize to everyone whom I ever thought that about. I guess I deserve what I got :(
The doc also sent me to get x-rays, just to make sure that I don't have any other injuries. He said you can't be too careful and he'd really hate to misdiagnose a different problem.
But, if it is a sciatic nerve problem, basically I will probably live with this pain for the rest of my life. And it will likely get worse. He said that over-the-counter meds (like Tylenol and Ibuprofen) help, and that I need to make sure I get enough exercise. And, drum roll please, I really need to lose some weight. Ya. Knew that was coming. But it's the truth, so I'll take it.
He also scared the living crap out of me by telling me that in some cases it requires back surgery. Eeeks. I've never known anyone who had back surgery to come out of it better off than before. So that scares me. But, he said it was rare. So hopefully that's not my fate.
And, this is the same problem Shane has with his legs. Now I understand why he drinks so much. I'm not going to do that--I think that's the wrong way to handle it--but I guess I understand better now. That, on top of his crushed discs, must really kill his back and legs. And when it's cold, and he's working outside, the shivering must really do a number on him :( My poor hubby.

Some More Scrappy

2012-01-12T21:14:00.001-07:00

Looks like I may have gotten a little bit of scrappy mojo back--yay!

Ironically, and totally not planned, both of the layouts I have to share with you today have something to do with breast cancer awareness.

This first layout is of my sisters and I, mine and Lacy's kids, and one random tag-along husband lol (Lacy and I couldn't get ours to come with).

This is us at the Strawberry Days Rodeo in June. They teamed up with Tough Enough to Wear Pink this year, so the crowd and participants were asked to wear pink to support the fundraising efforts (as well as, of course, a portion of ticket proceeds that went to the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation).

We had a lot of fun. We haven't been to a rodeo in ages. I forgot how fine cowboys are! Ok, no I didn't--it's just not an easy thing to forget. But I did forget how fun rodeos really are. And, there were fireworks at the end. I know how y'all know that I heart me some fireworks.

Sorry for the crappy pic. I've been trying to get a good one all week, but by the time I get home, there is no light outside. And my indoor camera pictures sucked. So I tried the cell phone and got a half decent one. It's a bit dark, and the tickets are washed out (they are actually white with pink and brown text), but it's really pretty close to what it actually looks like. And nothing is perfect ok.

This second layout is my sisters and I (again) at Witches Night Out in Gardner Village (a shopping center in Salt Lake). This was actually the 10th year that they have done WNO, but I had never really heard of it until the year before last. Basically, women ages 18+ are invited to dress up as witches and go up to the village on Friday and Saturday night for shopping, visiting, looking at everyone else's awesomeness, and dance the night away. It never ends up being just women though. There are lots of kids and hubbies too.

And, one thing I will say here is that this year I will be making an awesome witch hat for this event. There was some crazy awesomeness going on last year, and believe it or not, we felt sort of plain. It's too bad we couldn't really get any good pictures (dark and awkward asking a stranger to stop and pose). Because there were some really cool witch hats going on.

The pic on the left is us with the Queen witch--Kim told her she liked a woman who wasn't afraid to show off her pumpkins lol.

What I actually didn't know was that this night is also a fundraising event for the Susan G. Komen foundation for breast cancer research. They passed around a witches hat during the celebrations and you could also give at many of the boutiques or prize drawing tables. That's a cool bit of information that I will be remember this year.

I had a breast cancer scare a few years ago. And, even though I had nothing to worry about, it scared the beejeezus out of me. I just can't even imagine how I would feel had I been diagnosed. It makes a soft spot in my heart for anything having to do with a breast cancer awareness campaign.

Family Photos 2011

2012-01-08T17:36:00.003-07:00

This is a page I did for this week's layout sketch over at Let's Scrap. I haven't scrapped in FOREVER. Seriously, I think the last layout I did was in August. And that was for a gift. My personal last page was in May! I hope I can keep going. I miss it. I really love scrapbooking. It helps me relive memories. And I love picking papers, finding a sketch to use, and seeing the end results of my creativity. Plus I have tons of scrapping crap to use up lol.
Here is the sketch:

And here is my take:

Left Page

Right Page

And, here is what the journaling says:

Thanksgiving Weekend 2011

We drove down to Fountain Green this weekend to spend some time with my dad, Diane, and Katy. We haven't been down here for a long time. It is really nice and peaceful-such a small town. You can still ride 4-wheelers down the streets here.
On Saturday the men were all getting ready to go on a ride, but I made Shane and G let Katy take some quick family pictures first. I think she did a fantastic job and will make an awesome photographer someday. We sent out the family pic on the righ page in our Christmas cards this year.

Blue Hair

2012-01-04T17:30:00.003-07:00

So last week I decided I wanted to get blue streaks in my hair. I would have gone for pink, or maybe even purple, but those seemed a little teenagerish to me lol. Not sure why blue doesn't, but oh well. I have wanted to do this for a long time. But all of my jobs up til now have had a dress code clause that didn't allow for unnaturally colored hair. I toyed around with doing red, but it wouldn't have been as fun. It's too close to natural for me I think :)
I went to the best stylist in the world last night (Really, she's awesome--if you need someone, and live in UT County, I can hook you up) and she put a few in for me. I LOVE them. I think it's super fun.
I actually almost chickened out. I wasn't sure if it would make me look like I'm trying to be someone I'm not or something. But then I figured, I have wanted to do this forever. This is who I am. Maybe it doesn't fit some people's image of me, but then maybe they don't know me all that well.
Anyway, here are a couple of cell phone photos. What do you think?

Publish Post

Hmmm........so much to say.......long post

2011-12-28T20:32:00.008-07:00

Wow, I haven't really blogged in like forever! So much going on. I always used to wonder why people talked about the holidays being so busy. Never seemed that bad to me until this year lol. Maybe that's because I chose to make a lot of my gifts this year. That actually turned out really well. At least I think so. But dang it was time consuming! If I ever do that again, I'll need to start much earlier. I also make my own Christmas cards, and every year it seems like the list gets longer lol. But I enjoy it. Some of them didn't get out until a few days before Christmas though. But, oh well. They got out didn't they?
Anyway, so I guess I'll start from November and go forward lol. And I'll probably forget something.
Nov 13 my sisters and I went to Disney on Ice with my niece, Jordyn, for her birthday. We had lots of fun. Most of the pics didn't really turn out, but this is my favorite lol. She really liked the popcorn!

Nov 22 I went to my sister, Lacy's, medical assisting class to let her draw my blood. Ack! I was scared. I had a bad experience with a phlebotomist once lol. But, she actually did really well. I'm putting this on here because I am really proud of her for going through schooling. And I think she is really going to like this profession.

Nov 24 was of course Thanksgiving. I didn't take any pictures this year because they would be the same as any other recent year, and that can get boring lol. We had a nice quiet dinner here at home with just my little family. Shane's dad came over for about an hour and ate with us. Then my dad and his girlfriend, Diane, came over later for some pie and to visit.

That same weekend, we went down to my dad's house for a short visit. Shane, Dad, and G went 4-wheeling. But before I would let them go, I made Shane and G take family pictures. If I waited they would have been all muddy and gross. Kaitlyn, my soon to be step-sister, took these. She is only 17--pretty good huh? Considering the sun was in our face (that's the reason for Shane's expression lol).

Isn't G getting so handsome?

Dec 3 Lacy and I boarded a plane for Boston! Kim was working close to there and flew us out for another awesome girls weekend. Of course, I don't have room to post all the pictures here. But, most of you are friends with all three of us on facebook. And we all have pictures posted there.

The first day we were in Salem--you know we had to do the whole witch thing, right? Then Boston on Sunday, where we saw A LOT of cool historic shiz, and on Monday we spent most of the day before flying out on a quest to get awesome lighthouse pictures in and around Gloucester. I think we did pretty well for such a short trip lol.

Salem Witch Museum

Having a locally brewed beer (a huge thing in Boston)

Touristas

The crew with our walking tour guide, Tim. He was cute :)

Me and one of the MANY views from the Prudential Tower

Lighthouses!

Same lighthouse, different view--I took that from my cell phone!

Another cell phone pic

Same lighthouse, before the sunset

And a GORGEOUS sunset--did you know the sun sets at like 4:00 there? OMG. That sucked.

Moving on. Dec 9 was my birthday. So that Saturday Shane took me to see Breaking Dawn. LOVED it. CAN'T WAIT for the conclusion (even though I know what is going to happen lol).

Dec 17th my sisters and I took the kids up to Temple Square. But first, Lacy and Dusty took a bunch of us out to dinner. Dusty cashed out some of his shares in the company he works for, and they paid off their house and a bunch of other bills! So it was sort of a celebration dinner. And they really just wanted to take everyone out somewhere nice while they could.

My mom and dad used to take us kids to Temple Square each year, and I think we're making a comeback on that tradition. We love it. Even if we aren't Mormon. There is a manger scene set up and a recording of the story of Christmas plays. And there is a huge statue of Jesus in what I have called the 'blue room' since I was little lol. It looks like the sky. I think it's beautiful.

At the Trax Station

The gorgeous temple building

The 'blue room' lol--my favorite

Then, the next day (Dec 18th), Dusty and Lacy took just my family out to Red Lobster. Shane didn't make it the first night, and Dusty really wanted to see him and take him out too. Aww......bromance! Lol. So we went to Shane's favorite place. Man was that expensive. But the look on his face when he got his dinner......priceless! I have never gotten him to smile like that for a picture. He was in 7th heaven.

And then, of course, there was Christmas. I didn't take pictures--bad scrapbooking mama! I just didn't feel like it. It's less exciting when everyone complains about it and no one wants them but me.

We went to my dad's house on Friday night (the 23rd) and spent time with our family, and our soon to be step-family! Yes that's right. It finally happened. My dad and Diane are engaged! Here's the ring. Fuzzy cell phone pic, but you get it. I think this all happened somewhere around the 17th.

I believe someone has pictures from Dad's house that night with the gift exchange and stuff. I just need to get them. So I will post when I get something usable lol.

On Saturday, we stayed out in the living room on our air mattress and opened gifts at midnight again. I like that new tradition. It's pretty fun.

This year G just got a game he's been wanting, some game accessories (headset, Live membership, etc.), and clothes. Again, nothing exciting. But I'll probably get pictures of something eventually and scrap it anyway.

Here are some last pictures of gifts I made (I won't bore you with the same ole ones from the last post). It's too bad I didn't get pics of the other girls hat and scarf sets. They turned out really cute. I thought I did, but guess I was in a hurry.

Oi Vey! That is a terrible picture of me. But, these are the headwraps I made for all the girls--6 sets.

Blurry cell phone pic, but still--you see it.

These are the 5 different styles of cards I made for my cousin, Arian, to send out. She paid me people. I don't do this for free lol--too much time and money.

And, finally, our Christmas cards this year. We sent them with a family picture.

Wow. That was L-O-N-G. Hope someone is still with me here lol. That's it for catching up for now.

Here's to the new year! I hope it is blessed for everyone.

I'm still alive

2011-11-22T21:47:00.000-07:00

I'm still alive. I'm just hellish busy trying to get these darn Christmas gifts done. I'm thinking now that I bit off more than I can chew. Especially since I didn't get the bright idea to crochet everyone's gifts until freaking November. I've finished doing all of the hats and scarves for 4 little kids on my side of the family, and I got one adult scarf done. But I still have gifts to do for 11 adults and one kid! There is just no way I'm going to get that many done in 5 weeks. No way. Good think I just got a nice raise. Me thinks I'll be buying a few things lol.
Here are some pictures I took with my phone--not the best quality, but they'll do. These are some of the scarves/hats I have done so far. I don't have pics of two of the sets. But they are just like the curly scarf and matching hat here, only in different colors. One of them is in bright rainbow colors, and the other is in purple and aquas. I still need to do a small one for a little boy. I'm thinking greens because I still have yarn left over from Andy's birthday gift.
I gotta tell ya--this will probably never happen again lol. My hands hurt so bad. I forgot how hard it was for me to crochet. I won't be forget that again very soon at all.

Sad Story in Yesterday's News

2011-11-03T12:09:00.000-06:00

I saw a new's story yesterday morning on facebook, and I am still just really upset about it. I don't think any news story I have ever seen has ever gotten to me like this one did. It was about a 13 year-old boy in West Jordan (Utah) who was hit by a car and killed while trying to cross the street on his way to school. You can find the KUTV News article here.
I am just so emotional over it. Maybe it's just because it's coming up on that time of month--I'm always pretty emotional then. But I just keep thinking about it, and then tears fill my eyes. He was just one year younger than my Garrett. What if that were to ever happen to him? I just couldn't bear it.
I feel so bad for his parents. I guess it was right next to their home too, so the mother heard the sirens and walked out the door to see the ambulance. She said as she ran and got closer she saw his shoes in the road and she just went numb. How terrible.
I even talked to Garrett about it this morning on the way to school. He said, "Mom you don't need to worry about that. I look for cars." Well, I don't know what happened. Maybe he didn't look. But maybe the driver was texting or maybe he just lost control. Maybe he did look, but he didn't see the car. Maybe the driver didn't see him. Maybe he just misjudged how far it was from him. Who knows? I'm sure there will be more details later. But I just told G that he needed to make sure he was looking really well. And this was a really hard lesson for me about texting and driving as well. And about making sure I am not in too big of a hurry in the morning while driving G to school.
I mean, I don't know what happened. I just know that I can do better. And I'm afraid that G could too. And I just don't think I'd ever be able to live with myself if someone died because of my irresponsibility. The driver was only 19 years old. This will haunt him forever, whether it was his fault or not.
Just had to blog my thoughts. I'm disturbed about it.

Been Busy

2011-10-30T20:03:00.000-06:00

I feel like I'm always making the same excuse for not blogging lately--I'm busy lol. I really am super busy though. Seems like I never have a spare second anymore. And when I do, I'm busy hanging with my sisters or trying to squeeze in a little crafty time lol.
I love hunting season for that very reason--while the boys are away, the sisters can play lol. We've been hanging out a lot lately. Shopping, talking, Witches Night Out, more shopping. I love it.

These are from WNO on October 15th at Gardner Village.

I've also been busy crafting my little heart out. I am trying to make most of my Christmas gifts this year, but since I got a late start, I'm not sure how well that is going to work. I hope I get to though, because I like it, and because I have no money honey!

This is a scarf I finished today for my niece, Jordyn. Her coat is white with hot pink and black butterflies, so I tried to match it a bit. It seems a little long though. I'll have to make the other girls shorter. But, she can wrap it. I'm hoping to be able to make matching hats with flowers on them, but I'm just going to start off with the scarves for now.

And, this is a scarf and hat set that I made for my brother's birthday. He turned 23 on October 20th. I was really touched because I called to say I couldn't afford to get him a gift, but I had yarn if he would like a hat and scarf. He actually seemed really excited about it and told me he loved the one I made a couple years ago but needed new ones.

And, I finally got Shane and Garrett to carve pumpkins with me tonight. I can't say they were totally happy about it, but I think it worked out well in the end lol. They were tired and grumpy from hunting every day this week and not getting a deer. They probably just wanted to relax, but sometimes I have to force a little family time in :)

Ok. I think I've got all of the important stuff in there for tonight. Til next time........

Another Crafty!

2011-10-10T22:53:00.001-06:00

So, I got a call from my boss last night saying that we weren't going to be working today because it is a federal holiday (Columbus Day). We ship 95% of our orders USPS, so no shipping=no work.
My first thought was, boo for the paycheck. But, immediately after that I thought, "Yay, I can do something crafty!" Lol. Seriously. I've been deprived lately.
Long story short, I ended up cleaning most of the day and had to run some grocery store errands that have been neglected. So I didn't get to play til this evening. But still, I wouldn't have been able to play at all if I had gone to work.
I found this tutorial from The DIY Dish on Pinterest--I heart Pinterest--and just had to try it. Here is my finished scarf.

I wish I would have taken pics while I was making it, but I did it while watching tv with the hubby. It seriously only took like 15-20 minutes start to finish. No sewing! All you need is scissors, a t-shirt, and some fabric glue. Easy peasy!

I do have to say that I am a bit disappointed because I thought it would be fuller. But I think it's because the t-shirt I used was pretty thin. I used a 2X size shirt, but it still only got me about 10 rounds. You can buy t-shirt material (jersey knit), but it's like $12.99 a yard! No thanks.
Anyway, just one tip if you are thinking about trying this. When the video says that she cuts about 2" from the edge of the round, she means it lol. I tried doing it narrower because I wanted to have more strands. But they just turned out stringy and with less curl. That is probably part of my fullness problem as well.
All I had to buy for this was fabric glue. And I'm sure I can find some future uses for that. So, for almost free, I say it turned out pretty well. It's a keeper.

Camping Pics and A Bit of Craftiness

2011-10-09T20:52:00.002-06:00

So, I know I said I would post pictures of camping, but there are tons, and I don't feel like sorting them out. And anyone who would really be interested in them would be family and friends that will see them on facebook anyway. But I will share just a couple of great scenery pics real quick so anyone who doesn't live here or hasn't experienced our mountains can be totally jealous.
Sorry for some of the blurry photos. They were taken from a moving vehicle. Can't make the guys stop while hunting just to take pictures of pretty things :)

Bet ya aren't jealous of that ! I wouldn't be. It feels too early for snow :(

Had to throw this in--My nephew, Ryan, loved petting the fallow deer behind a local restaurant at the base of the mountain where we hunt.

Now, onto some craftiness. I am so happy to actually be crafting again you have no idea. I just really haven't had time lately for any crafting. So I was really itching to do something. And it doesn't help that I'm addicted to Pinterest now. There are so many amazing crafts on there! Seriously. I could be on there all day. And, honestly, I was most of today :)
I bought a clear checkbook cover with a scrappy insert at a local boutique a while ago. I loved it at the time, but it really wasn't my style anymore. And I really just bought it so that I'd be able to make my own eventually anyway.
So, today I made this! Sorry for the quality of the photo. I took it inside at night, so not the greatest conditions.

I super love it. It reminds me of Twilight lol. And I just got a new-to-me red purse at the thrift store, so it matches perfect. It has some bling, and y'all know I love black and white damask. The polka dots are like icing on the cake.
I also ordered some more of these clear covers to make as gifts for Christmas. I'm totally broke this year, so a lot of the gifts I give will be homemade. I know most people don't use checks much anymore, but I still send some of my bills off by check. And I know that once in a while we all have to use them for one reason or another. At least I hope so. Or my gift will be lame!
Here are the materials I used--just in case you want to know:
Clear Checkbook Cover--Unknown
Black Cardstock Base--Roberts Crafts
Black & White Damask/Dot Paper--Lasting Impressions
Black Ink (on edges of white)--Versacraft
Red Grosgrain Ribbon--Offray
Scallop Circle and 1-3/8" Circle Punches--Stampin Up!
"S" Sticker--Basic Grey
Red Marker (colored over brighter red on "S")--Stampin Up!
Red Jewels--My Minds Eye
Adhesive--"X" adhesive from Xyron used on "S", sticky strip used on ribbon--Provo Craft, Tombo Mono Permanent Adhesive for the rest

I'm Back....Sort of

2011-10-05T09:23:00.000-06:00

Sorry I have been MIA lately. We left on a hunting trip on September 24th and didn't come home until October 2nd. We had lots of fun. Didn't harvest a deer, but the hunt doesn't end until Thursday night--so the fat lady isn't singing just yet. That's actually why I haven't posted much lately. Between working, trying to unload the camp trailer, and driving up the canyon every night to go hunting, I just don't have a spare minute. We actually stayed in last night because Shane is exhausted, and I needed to get some laundry done.
Anyway, I will try to get on sometime this weekend (or maybe sooner depending on what we do with the hunting schedule) and post some pictures. I didn't get much of people because we spent a lot of time in the trucks or just sitting around. I did take one 4-wheeler trip with the hubby, but we were hunting, so I didn't dare ask Shane to stop and take pics lol. But I got some amazing scenery pictures.
Ta ta for now.

Checking In--Sort of Random

2011-09-11T20:48:00.001-06:00

Wow, I haven't been such an awesome blogger lately have I? This new job is just wearing me right out lol. I'm beat every night by the time I get home and get dinner done. The house has been a disaster. I spent all day today cleaning. You have no idea how good it feels to finally have a clean house.
But, I am getting a little more used to it. And the owner's just hired someone new for the busy holiday season, so they said I should be able to start working more in the office on things that they need me for soon. I hope so, because by the end of the work day, my back is seriously killing me. I think my knees and feet are finally getting used to it. But my back still hurts a lot, and it probably won't go away. I'm sure it's from my weight :(
I really need to get back on the Weight Watcher's wagon. I have gained a lot of weight back, and I went shopping with my sister the other day and really couldn't find any pants that would even come close to fitting me It was depressing. Not only that, but I feel so much better when I'm eating right and getting exercise. Ya, exercise won't be a problem the way this job is working out lol.
I find myself looking forward to fall lately. Which is just crazy because it never lasts long. Soon the snow will be flying, and I really hate winter. It is gorgeous here with all the beautiful snow, but I hate shoveling our 3000 mile driveway. And being in the house all the time kind of sucks too.
So, I'm holding onto summer just a little bit. I enjoy the long summer nights and the warm sun (although sometimes it is really just dang hot!). I love going fishing, swimming, and camping down at Burraston Ponds and barbecues any day of the week.
But, occasionally, my mind starts to wander to changing orange and red leaves, curling up in cuddly blankies with a good book, Halloween, Thanksgiving, warm fuzzy slippers, and backyard campfires with hot cocoa on chilly fall nights.
I think this fall obsession is due to the fact that we will be going on the muzzleloader deer hunt soon. And Fall always comes so fast after that. I'm actually really excited for the hunt. Pam, John, Colin, and Dustin are coming again this year. We had such a fun time with them last year, and I can't wait to do it all again. But, I hope we can get our favorite camp spot this time.
In crafty news--I hope to get going on some more craft projects again soon. I've been missing it so much. I've just been too tired to do anything. But I've been looking like crazy and have tons of ideas for things to make. Most of it is jewelry or hair things--some of the jewelry is even for boys/men! And I need to get going on my Christmas cards soon. I ordered a new Christmas stamp set at our Stampin Up club party the other night, so I should be able to get started on that soon.
I'm planning on getting our family pictures taken by Cheap Shots again this year. Megan, our photographer, did such an awesome job with them last year. I'm thinking about just skipping Garrett's school photos from now on and having her take some solo shots of him during our family shoot instead. They were so much nicer than the school pictures ever are. I need to do it sooner this year though. Last year we got them taken on Nov 27th, which is cutting it a bit close to go out in Christmas cards with processing time and everything.
And, one last quick thing before I go. Y'all NEED to join Pinterest! I heart this site. There are so many great ideas there from home decorating, organizing, crafting, fashion, ...whatever. It's all there. It is just awesome! You treat it like your own personal pinboard to hang ideas on. Only, this one is virtual, so you have infinite space! L.O.V.E. I tell you. If you do join, make sure to read all the tutorials so you know exactly how to use it and the way it works. Promise you won't be sorry. Except you might find yourself in front of the computer perusing all day long instead of...........oh I don't know, cleaning the house?

Work Fun

2011-09-04T20:21:00.000-06:00

On my last post, I mentioned that I had been doing some simple, but fun, craft projects for my new job's website. I just wanted to post a couple of pictures and link you up to the tutorials so you can see what I've been up to. Just click on the project name to go to my online tutorial.

Halloween Pom Pom Garland

Just FYI--this is actually easier to hang if your poms are a lot smaller. But these look cool if you hang them from ribbons individually from the ceiling too.

Hair Bow, Barrette, and Clip Holder

This picture is a little scrunched up. Looks way better in real life :(

Crochet Flower Fridge Magnet

Flower Pen

Roberts Giveaway

2011-09-04T20:20:00.000-06:00

Roberts Crafts is giving away a QuicKutz Revolution die-cut machine! Check it out here on their blog. But, you can't win it. Because I am going to. Sorry. lol.

Kiddles and Work Fun

2011-08-31T22:03:00.003-06:00

First I'm just going to share with you a cutie picture of my niece, Jordyn. She and Ryan were at my house visiting on Saturday, and I let her use my coloring book. Yes, it is mine lol. I love coloring.
Isn't she adorable? I don't have a picture of Ryan :( I forget to take pics of him because all they ever do is play games, and I see that all the time lol. But next time I definitely will. I love his little face too.

Just kidding. I do have a pic of Ryan. It's just not from Saturday. This is at his 9th birthday party on August 13th. His birthday is the 14th, but they left for Disneyland on that day. Yeah, that was Aunt Kim's gift. Totally trumped anyone else's lol. But we were all happy to see them get the chance to go. She took me and Garrett for his 10th birthday too.

Anywho, this is him opening our gift--a BB gun. He was so excited. He went hunting with us last year, and I think he is hooked. We're excited to shoot it with him next month (on the muzzleloader hunt).

Onto work news.......

So I just had to share some fun news I got about my job yesterday. One of the owners pulled me aside and asked if I thought of myself as a crafty person. And, despite what y'all might be thinking, I really don't. To me crafty means that you have ideas of your own to make a fun craft project and you just dive right in and get messy and love to try new crafty things. So not me. Really. It isn't.
I peruse the internet for other people's ideas. Then, I find several tutorials and versions of whatever craft has caught my eye. I make sure I know exactly how to do it and what I will need. Then I will try it. I do like to make a mess, and love seeing a handmade work of art by yours truly. But, I hardly ever come up with ideas on my own. And I have to be sure I know what I'm doing (hence the reason I have yet to ever refinish any furniture--too complicated).
So, I was honest. I said I love doing crafts, and I love scrapbooking and cardmaking. But crafty as in coming up with ideas--ummm.......no.
Well, I guess my 'doing crafts' was good enough because now they want me to come up with 10 simple and easy craft projects to post on Pinterest for them to get the word out about their business. I think it's Pinterest. He wasn't really sure, and his wife is the one doing it. Anyhow, the point is, I get to spend a few days at work just crafting. Well, that's probably not totally true. I'm sure I'll get pulled away for other things intermittently, but it's still going to be fun.
And, they don't have to be works of art or complicated one of a kind things. Just something to show people what you can do with the items they sell. Simple, easy crafties to do with your kids or just a quick project for yourself.
I will try to make sure that I get a link for y'all to view my projects, but I haven't ventured onto Pinterest, so I'll have to figure it out. I know what I'm doing, and the projects involve tulle, ribbon, curling ribbon, hair barrette's, plastic headbands, and silk flowers. All of which is sold by the company I work for--Hairbows Unlimited (retail) & Always Underpay (wholesale).
And, he also told me today that he just wants me to know that I'm doing really well and that they definitely want to keep me. He said he has had experiences in the past with miscommunication and he didn't want me to be all 'up in the air' about how I was doing. So that's awesome. I think I'll like this place :)

Work

2011-08-28T11:40:00.000-06:00

A lot of people have been asking me how my new job is going. Well, it's brutal lol. I am on my feet all day, there is just one swamp cooler for the entire 8000 sq ft building, and I sweat my 'A' off (or at least it would be good if that's what happened). I'm hoping I get used to it soon because I have fallen asleep on the couch every day after work so far. And, my eating habits suck. I can't muster the energy to cook dinner, so we've been eating out every night. My feet, knees, and back hurt. And I have a headache every night. I'm exhausted. But, I am confident that I will get used to it. It's only been three days. I'm sure after a couple of weeks it will be better.

I got the job!

2011-08-23T20:05:00.003-06:00

I got a job! I got a job! I got a job! LOL--I'm so ecstatic. I have been unemployed for nearly a year and was very close to contemplating losing both of our vehicles to repossession (don't get me started on the stupidity of having two cars on credit) and turning off all cell phones and internet. So, you can imagine why I might be ecstatic, even though this job pays about $5 less an hour than my last one did. And, it's in a warehouse with no air conditioning. But, I think I will live.

I will be a buyer's assistant (which is where my key strengths lie--I was a buyer before), and they will have a raise schedule for me to look at when I start. And, oh yeah--I start TOMORROW! Wow.

They will start me in order fulfillment/shipping and move me around to each different department until I get a good feel for how the whole business works. That way if customers call in, I can be better prepared to answer questions.

I interviewed this morning at 11:00, was out by 11:20, and he called me to offer the job at 12:00. Amazing. And we just clicked. It felt like I was supposed to be there. I know that sounds corny, but it couldn't have been better timing. My son just went back to school yesterday.

They import and sell hair accessories, apparel for toddlers (mostly girls), costumes, party supplies, beaded watch bands, and other assorted novelties. They sell it all to individual customers on their two websites (Hairbows Unlimited, and Always Underpay) as well as to national chains (like Hobby Lobby) and smaller retail stores. I'm pretty excited.

Thanks for all of your prayers and well wishes. I totally appreciate them, and it looks like they worked!

CAS-ual Embossing Challenge #CFC16

2011-08-19T21:53:00.002-06:00

Just one more quick post tonight. I wanted to get this one done because we're going camping tomorrow night (yay!), and I need to spend my free time tomorrow loading up. Shane has to work tomorrow, but he agreed to go camping if I loaded everything. What's different from any other time we go camping? Lol--don't tell him I said that.
I created this card for the CAS-ual Fridays challenge #CFC16. The challenge was to make a clean and simple card using embossing--wet or dry--on our cards this week. And, as is usually my style, I totally cased another card I found while browsing the web. This is my case of Jackie Rockwell's card found on her blog here.

I'm pretty excited about camping, believe it or not. I don't seem like the camping type when you first get to know me, but I really am. And, we haven't been camping this whole summer because we just don't have the money. People don't think camping costs money, but you have to pay for gas in the truck (not enough room for all of our stuff in the car), and then usually you need propane for the portable BBQ, and special food because I'm not cooking what I do here out there. Even though hot dogs are cheap, it's still money. Then their is inevitably some fishing thing that they are out of or we need gas for the lantern. The list goes on and on, it costs at least $60 every time--and that's if we don't need much.
Anyhow, Shane got a bit of overtime on this check and I decided we were going. We need a getaway, even if it's just a really short one. Something to keep our minds off of everything.
So, we'll see-ya when we get back. I'll take a few pics just because I haven't taken hardly any this summer--as I said, we haven't done anything lol.
If you like this post, or any of my others, please leave me a comment. I love getting comments, not going to lie. Who doesn't? And, if you really like me (*wink*), you can find the various ways to follow my blog on the sidebar.

{YOU ROCK!}
Cardstock: White and tan are both generic from my LSS, and the others are all scraps, so I don't really know who they are from.
Accessories: Jute from DC&C, Teeny Alpha from Glitz
Tools: Corner Rounder punch from EK Success, Star Punch from Stampin' Up!
Adhesives: Tombo Mono permanent roller, Zots adhesive dots

Merry Sketch Day!

2011-08-19T15:15:00.002-06:00

Today there is a new sketch at the Clean & Simple Stamping blog. And, I have to be honest, I wasn't excited when I first saw it. I'm just not really what you would call an abstract card designer. And that's what this sketch reminded me of. Like when you go to the museums as a child and see all of the modern art with colored shapes and lines. Maybe it's called modern art? Whatever--not me. Here is a copy of the sketch.

But then, as I looked at it, I realized the circles don't necessarily have to be circles. There just needs to be something in the place of where those circles are in order to really follow the sketch. And, since CAS also partnered with Jingle Belles this week on their weekly Christmas card challenge, snowflakes came to mind. What says Christmas like snowflakes? Well, I guess lots of things. Like Christmas bulbs, Jingle Bells, etc. But, this week it is snowflakes for me lol.
Once snowflakes came to mind, I knew I wanted to use a light blue. That seems wintry and festive to me. Plus, I've been dying to use this card by Kimmie B at Splitcoast Stampers as inspiration. Isn't it beautiful? I just fell in love with it when I saw it and new I would be doing something similar in the near future. Thanks Kimmie!
So, without further ado, here is my snowflake card entry for CAS Sketch FTL154 and for this week's Jingle Belles JB34 holiday card challenge. Let me know what you think. I think I really love this one.

Inside Decoration

{Merry Christmas}

Stamps: Script Friendship Stamp from JoAnn (I think? It doesn't say who the manufacturer is.), Merry Christmas sentiment from Rubber Stampede, Snowflakes from Winter Blues TPC Studios set

Ink: Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake and Chocolate Chip

Cardstock: White is generic from my LSS, Light Blue is American Crafts, Dark Brown is also generic from the LSS, and Crumb Cake from Stampin' Up!

Accessories: Button--not sure?, Offray Ribbon, DC&C Jute

Adhesives: Tombow Mono permanent tape runner, Zots clear adhesive dots-medium

Tools: Fiskars Border Punch, Snowflake dies from Sizzix exclusive to Stampin' Up!

A Gift

2011-08-18T13:52:00.002-06:00

I made a scrapbook layout! I haven't had any mojo to scrap whatsoever over the last few months. I've done lots of cardmaking, but that has been mostly to try to get enough done to trade my hairdresser for a cut and color lol.

After I decided not to continue with my design team posts, it just stopped. I think maybe I just needed a break. Or, maybe it's because we've done almost nothing this summer and I have no new pictures. I have tons of old ones to scrap, but where's the fun in that?

Anyway, this shadowbox layout is a gift for a friend of Shane's who's wife is having a baby in September. Well, he's not just a friend, they are best friends. They've known each other for over 35 years! Since Shane was 2 years old.

James and Michelle were married last December, and were ecstatic to find out that they were pregnant just a few week's later. We are very happy for both of them. This will be Michelle's first girl! She has two boys from a previous marriage, and James has two boys and a girl from his previous marriages as well.

I wasn't able to go to Michelle's baby shower because it was on the same day and at the same time as my nephew's birthday party. But, I had this idea for their gift and still wanted to make it for them. So, I asked her to send me a picture of the nursery and let me know if they'd picked out a name yet. Thankfully they had, or I wouldn't have been able to do this yet.

The nursery has pink, yellow, and green stripes on the bottom of the wall with a daisy flower border in the same colors--cute! I hope this matches well enough and that they like it.

I had so much fun making this--I wasn't blessed with any girls, just one awesome boy. I even broke out my paint and foam stamps for this fun girly project.

And, I swear, this is a lot more straight in real life. Why do things always look so darn crooked in pictures?

Some close-up photos of the name and the "announcement" piece I did.

I made a card to go along with the gift as well--duh! I used sketch #FTL152 from the Clean & Simple blog again--love this one.

A side view to show the simple inside decoration.

**EDIT**After I took the pictures I still felt like it was missing something. So, I added glitter to the flowers, bling to the painted flourish, and a couple of butterflies up in the right corner. Oh, and just BTW--I stamped a daisy in Versamark ink on the background paper, but you can't see it in the photos. It is quite a nice effect if I do say so myself. I'm much happier with it now, but it's already wrapped. So, I won't be taking anymore pictures.**

Thanks for visiting today! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Or, if you really like me lol, you can find the follow button on my sidebar *wink*. Until next time.....

Kraft Crushing

2011-08-16T16:23:00.000-06:00

So I've noticed lately that I'm totally crushing on kraft colored cardstock. Seriously, like every time I want to make a card, I go to that first. I can't help it. It looks good with everything.
These two cards are both designed using sketches from the Clean and Simple Stamping blog. This first one uses this week's current sketch FTL153. And, this week CAS is also partnering with CAS-ual Fridays, so this will also be entered in the CFC #15 sketch challenge.
This is a super simple card, but I really like it. I love the bright sunset colors against the kraft and black cardstocks. I also love that I used one of my Slice design cards that has never even been touched for this one. It is the Paper Reverie design card. Love it! So glad I didn't sell that one.

This one uses CAS layout #FTL144. I really love this layout for showcasing patterned paper. In fact, I just did a post with this layout a few weeks ago here. This is the only card today that is not on a kraft paper base.

Can I just say, I love the internet? It is such a great tool to get ideas (or, you know, outright plagiarism).

These two cards I totally copied from Kristina Werner's blog here and here. She has such an eye for color and design. I just love her!

That's all I have for today. I would be posting pictures of my nephew's birthday bbq that we went to on Saturday, but I didn't take any pictures. My sister, Kim (another auntie), was taking pictures and didn't have time to post them before leaving to Disneyland on Sunday.

I am SO jealous. I have been to Disneyland twice in my lifetime, both after I was 30 years old. I loved it and it is really one of my favorite places. I went once with my son and my sister, Kim. And then once Roberts paid for all of us to go while we were attending CHA (Craft & Hobby Association event) in Anaheim.

Kim took G and I for his 10th birthday, and now she is taking Ryan and Jordyn for their 9th and 7th birthdays. Of course, she took the parents and Jason along too. You don't take other people's children to Disneyland without help lol.

So far they are having a blast. But, right now, my sister tells me Ryan is in line with his mom and dad to ride California Screamin'. He is NOT a roller coaster fan lol. But, they told him he had to try it at least once. That is one of my favorite rides. Jordyn is probably pretty jealous. She IS a roller coaster (and any other big scary ride) fan. She isn't big enough to ride it yet, so Aunt Kim is sitting this one out with her.

Anyway, going to get off the computer and see what I can do to clean this house up a bit more today. Blah.

Some More Cards...

2011-08-12T21:02:00.001-06:00

I just wanted to drop in real quick and share some cards I made today. I've been down in the dumps without much motivation lately, so last night I cleaned up the office. I figured a clean room begs for a mess right? So maybe if I clean, I will want to mess it up a bit. And, guess what?--It worked!
This one is a card I made for my soon to be nine year-old nephew, Ryan. I've had the design in my head for days, mostly due to this week's sketch at Splitcoast Stampers, but again, no motivation. Thank goodness I got it back because his party is tomorrow lol.
I was going to try making a card to look like a game paddle because he is having a gaming party. But, I just couldn't really wrap my head around how to start it or make it look real. And when that happens, it's usually a disaster.
Plus, I have this little Bugaboo Stamps dragon, Clyde, that I specifically downloaded to make a card for Ryan. Isn't he adorable? I actually added glitter to his wings after I took the picture too.

(Inside of card)

Then, since I had mojo, I decided to grab this Gavin Ghost freebie over at Dude Time Doodles and give their challenge a go. They've partnered up with Fetch-A-Sketch this week, so the layout is the FAS challenge sketch for this week as well.
I don't know if I like this card or not. Acutally, I think I do like it, I just never send Halloween cards. Who really does that? But, if I remember, I will send this to my niece and nephew on Halloween week.
I wanted to copy my friend, Nana Connie's, sentiment on her Gavin card. But I didn't know if that would just be lame to enter in a challenge where she was on the DT. You should look at her card here. I just love the sentiment.

(Inside of Card)

And, finally, I decided to case a card I saw on Kristina Werner's blog here. I just love her style. And this card looked so easy that I just had to do it. It took like 10 minutes to make, no lie. I hope she's ok with people totally casing her. I think she must be since she gives tutorials on how to do just that lol.

(Inside of Card)

Well, that's what I accomplished today. I was going to go to the store and get my prescription filled, but I can do that tomorrow lol.
If you are interested in the products used to make these cards, I'm too lazy to post them here lol. But, you can find them here in my gallery at Splitcoast Stampers.

I Miss You

2011-08-06T23:06:00.003-06:00

This is my entry for two challenges today. The first is this week's sketch FTL152 at the Clean & Simple Stamping blog. The second is the color challenge at Splitcoast Stampers this week (tempting turquoise, going grey, and basic white). This blue doesn't isn't really turquoise per se, but it's what I had in my scraps, and I'm trying to use those up. So I went with it. In real life, it is a little more turquoise and bright than it looks in the pictures though.
I really like how this card turned out. It would have also made a great wedding card, but I like to match wedding cards to the couples colors. So I didn't go that route.
This is the FTL152 sketch:

And, here is my take:

{i miss you}
Stamps: Not sure--random clear dollar stamp in my stash
Ink: TPC Studios Clearly Better Graphite
Cardstock: Grey and Blue are both American Crafts, White is generic from LSS
Embellies: Adhesive half pearls from Queen & Co.
Tools: Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots embossing folder, Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Four die, Stampin Up border punch, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch

Childhood Memories

2011-08-04T14:43:00.001-06:00

I just read a post on one of my new favorite blogs, Backwoods Mom, and it made me remember just a couple of things that touched my life in my childhood so much. Here is a link to that post if you want to see it.

I remember going to my grandparents house way up in Huntsville and my grandma would give us chocolate chips in pill bottles and tell us they were medicine. And Grandpa would call us little boys and we were so giggly and eager to correct him.
We always went to my Grandpa Mills's house for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We had tons of cousins to run around and play with. And my Uncle Brad would tackle my mom to the floor and knock on her face with his hand. He'd make her name 10 brands of cigarettes before he'd let her up. I guess she used to do that to him growing up lol. Before we left my Grandpa would always say, "May the good Lord take a liking to ya, cause no one else is gonna." He still says that.
I remember when my dad was laid off of work and my mom went back to work to help with bills. He would stay up every night and read to us. And, after we got out of the tub, he would brush our hair and put it up in rollers. My dad is a sucker for a little girl :) He also would dress us for school every day, and that was sometimes a bit comical.

I remember when we were little and bored out of our minds, my mom would pull out the dress-up box and we would be princesses, witches, Egyptian Queens, you name it. And if we didn't have what we wanted to dress up, she would help us make it.

I remember my sisters and I throwing blankets in the air to make our own doll houses lol. However the blanket landed, we would fashion our own Barbie bedrooms complete with slide exits that would end up in our personal pretend pools. That was fun.

I remember watching The Jungle Book with my brother 14 times a day. And I remember how he has always been able to pick up on the funniest things in movies and remember them forever. I also remember playing the "ketchup" or "kaboom" game with him on the bed to make him giggle. And bouncing him on my knee to the farmer song. And suggesting to he and our stepsister that maybe sliding down the stairs on a shiny sleeping bag might be fun.

Awww.......that was a fun trip down memory lane.

Zucchini Onion Bake

2011-08-03T20:32:00.001-06:00

Found another zucchini recipe to try. Well, not really a recipe. I got the idea while looking at other recipes. But, since I didn't have everything the recipes called for, I used what I had. And it came out really good.
First I cut a small zucchini (I'd say about 8"-10") in half lengthwise. Then I scooped out the pulp leaving about a 1/4" of the shell. I spread a thin layer of butter in each shell and sprinkled a little bit of garlic powder in. Then, I cooked them at 375 deg. until they were slightly soft.
While the shells were cooking, I sauteed the pulp that was scooped out along with one small chopped onion in a frying pan with a bit more butter.
When the shells were soft, I scooped the sautee mix into them and put them back in the toaster oven for about 5 minutes. Then I took them out, sprinkled some pepper jack cheese on, and put them back in just long enough to melt the cheese.
I have to say, these turned out really good. And Shane didn't even say I ruined his zucchini this time. I know the butter and the cheese weren't the healthiest choices, but I didn't use that much butter. And the cheese is just a must. Sorry.

Zucchini Sausage Skillet Meal

2011-08-02T18:47:00.002-06:00

So I have zucchini coming out of my ears lol. My father-in-law plants a big garden every year, and for the last few years my husband has planted a small one as well. My FIL doesn't eat most of his produce since he had gastric bypass surgery a couple of years ago and isn't able to eat very much. But, he was a farmer all his life and just can't really seem to scale down the garden and plant only what he will eat. Or, maybe he just wants to share it. In any case, Shane and his sister, Debbi, end up with most of it. Deb isn't able to visit as often as Shane though, so we get the bulk of it.
Anyhow, I don't really like the flavor of zucchini. I'm not really sure why, but I sort of think it tastes like grass or something lol. So I did a little research on the internet for some recipes that might make it a little more appetizing for me. I hate to waste food, especially since we're having such a rough time with my being unemployed. And Shane really loves zucchini, so he wouldn't let me even if I wanted to. I found this recipe at Taste of Home and thought it sounded pretty good. And, I had most of the ingredients on hand already.
I decided to try it tonight, and I was not sorry. Garrett and I both loved it (incidentally, he doesn't like zucchini or tomatoes), and Shane liked it too. But he told me I wasn't allowed to ruin his zucchini like that all the time. He likes it plain boiled, fried, or steamed with butter, salt, and pepper.

I think I'll keep looking for recipes though. Because we've got a load more zucchini coming, and I don't think Shane is prepared to eat it all by himself. No matter how much he loves it lol.

Enjoy Your Day FTL151

2011-08-01T12:35:00.001-06:00

Well, the hubby and I had a pretty stressful weekend. I'm not going to go into it, but suffice it to say that my not having a job is starting to have a serious impact on our financial situation. But, we decided to just do the best we can, ask for help where we can, and keep plugging along. There is no sense arguing and fighting about it because that is the best we can do.

Anyway, I decided that making a card this morning would help me cheer up a little bit. It's a good thing I have such a huge stash of product to keep me going with my little hobby. That's one great thing that my last job did for me-a good employee discount and tradeshow freebies built me a mountainous stash lol. And it really does help me feel better to make something pretty.

I've been really loving the sketches at Clean & Simple Stamping, and this is the latest one released on Friday.

CAS sketch FTL151

My Card:

Inside:

I've been selling a few cards here and there, and a good friend of mine who owns her own salon said she would trade me a box of handmade cards for a severely needed haircut and color--she is so danged awesome! The above card will be one of those in the box I hope to give her sometime this month.

I also just listed some of my extra stuff and tools that I don't use much in the local classified ads (see below post if you're interested). So hopefully I can get a bit extra from that as well.

Thanks for visiting me today, and for reading my personal crap lol. Let me know what you think about this card.

{Enjoy Your Day}
Stamps: Everyday Expressions (Paper Studio)
Ink: Crumb Cake (SU)
Cardstock: Crumb Cake (SU) and generic white from LSS
Patterned Paper: Old Chatterbox--pattern on one side, yellow on other (love this paper, and it's my last bit)
Embellies: Queen & Co. Half Pearls, American Crafts Ribbon
Tools: Scallop Border Punch (SU), Paper Piercing Tool (SU), Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Impressabilities Butterfly

A better day today....

2011-07-29T14:50:00.000-06:00

So, after my personal pity party yesterday, and some encouraging emails and other messages from my real life friends and my bloggie friends (And by that I just mean that we haven't physically met. Because some of my bloggie friends are really becoming very close to my heart as well), I realized I can do something for myself. I didn't have to sit around and wait for good fortune to fall into my lap. There may not be much I can do, but I can do what is within my power to do for myself. I did some soul searching and some praying of my own, and then I put some of my beloved scrapbooking tools up for sale. Not the ones I use every day or every week, let's not go crazy lol. Then I really would be depressed. But the ones that are nice to have, but not necessary.
I put my Cricut Expression machine, all 21 of my Cricut cartridges, my beautiful zebra tote (sniff), my Cinch machine, some BoBunny scrapbook collections, a BoBunny tote, and a K&Company tote on KSL for sale. For people who don't live here, KSL is a local Utah news website where you can place free classified ads.
And guess what--I already sold the Cricut machine, nine cartridges, and possibly the BoBunny scrapbook collections. Yay! I almost have enough to license my car and to register my son for school. I sold some of the Cricut stuff for less than I wanted to, but there are a lot of them on KSL and some of them were lower priced than mine. So I gave the lady a good deal because she took the machine and nine cartridges.
I'm feeling a bit better and more positive now. And I want to thank all of you for the encouragement and support I received either here or through facebook or a phone call.
I'm going to keep pushing forward and doing what I can to help myself. The rest I will have to learn to put into God's hands no matter how hard it is to do that.
Thanks again--and love to y'all!

Depressed......

2011-07-28T12:36:00.000-06:00

I'm sorry if you don't want to read depressing things, if not you better leave now lol. I'm just having a poor-pitty-me day and since it's my blog, I'm going to post it. This is a big part of my life right now.
I have been unemployed for a little over 10 months. I apply for at least 4-6 jobs a week (sometimes more), and I get called for interviews on a fairly regular basis. I usually interview once or twice a week. How can it take this long to find a job then? I must have something that makes them want to interview me. And most of the interviews seem to go very well and I leave feeling very positive. I follow up with an email or phone call thanking them for their time (and reminding them who I am and that I am very interested in the position). But then nothing happens.
We are falling very behind on our bills, and our resources are just running out. I honestly don't know what to do. I'm so upset and nervous all the time that I can't sleep. I can barely muster the will to get out of bed every day. I hear the voice in my head telling me things will work out and that I just need to trust in God's plan for me. But, I also realize that God helps those who help themselves. So I keep pressing on. Hoping, praying, and believing someone will see what I see in myself sometime.
People keep telling me that I should go back to school with that government program for displaced homemakers. And I think I could possibly qualify. But then I lose my unemployment benefits and we can't afford to live on Shane's income alone. Which is just sad because he makes pretty good money. We've just made some bad financial choices that we have to live with now. I can't afford anymore school loans either.
It's all I think about all the time now. We're going to lose everything we've worked so hard for all because of me. Even when I'm trying to have fun and do something else, it's always there in the back of my mind.
And what about Christmas? And registering G for school? And the registration on my car is up this month--all things that don't happen consistently and aren't built into our budget.
I'm just so worried.

Second try at this week's CAS sketch FTL150

2011-07-27T17:32:00.000-06:00

Here is my second go for the Clean & Simple Stamping sketch FTL150 this week. I really like this one, but I wish you could see the patterned paper a bit more. I really like this paper, and for the life of me I can't remember the name of the manufacturer. I know they were in Utah, and it was a fairly small start-up company when I was working for Roberts. They're probably gone now. Sad but true. I even did a search on the internet to try to find it. But, no luck.
Anyway, here is the sketch again.

And here is my take:

Inside of Card

{I adore you!}

Stamps: Digital sentiment from Ginger's House, Baroque Motifs from SU for small yellow flower

Ink: Summer Sun from SU, Cool Caribbean, Chocolate Chip, and Old Olive from SU for sponging edges.

Cardstock: Brown from Bazzill, white is generic from LSS

Patterned Paper: Uknown for the flowered background and the polka dot strip, Paper Studio stack for the teal green strip.

Flowers: All from Petaloo except smaller tan one is punched from SU Crumb Cakec cardstock scrap

Accessories: Marvy flower punch, BoBunny brad, small blue gem from Queen & Co., green gem from ZVA Creative, Zots glue dots, Glue Glider Pro adhesive

Holiday Weekend

2011-07-26T11:48:00.000-06:00

We had so much fun this weekend! It was a holiday weekend for us here in Utah (Pioneer Day July 24th), so most people got Monday off work because Sunday was the actual holiday date.
On Saturday night we went to the most AMAZING fireworks show I have ever been too. Seriously. I've been to the Stadium of Fire at BYU (which is sort of famous I guess.-- At least here.), and it doesn't compare to this one. If anyone knows me at all, they know I just love fireworks. The 4th of July is my favorite holiday, and July all together is my favorite month because it is legal to do fireworks all month here.
This year was even better because they finally made aerial fireworks legal in Utah, and all my neighbors seemed to have the money to buy them lol.
This show was in Mapleton City, and, from what I understand, it is totally paid for by a few orthodontists that live there. They had these cool 3-D glasses on sale for $1 to benefit a theater in Springville, and they made the fireworks even cooler. Although, they did give me a headache after a while, and I like fireworks the old fashioned way anyway.
Here are a couple of cool pictures I got. This was using my old camera too. Just a cute little pink Sony Cyber-shot.

My favorite!

Then on Sunday we went down to Burraston Ponds in Mona for a fun day of fishing and swimming. Fishing for Shane and John, swimming for Pam and I and the boys, and chasing tennis balls in the water for the dogs. This spot is quickly becoming a favorite for us because it is free (really good reason right now lol), it's close, and it has something that we all enjoy.

Shane Fishing

Colin and Garrett

John and Shane even got in the water with the boys for a little bit this time.

Shane's cousin, Steve (in blue shirt), and his friend came down to fish for a little bit.

Our dog, Angel. Isn't she sweet?

My son, Garrett. Must be cold lol.

Pam and John's dogs--Cocoa and Bella

Garrett and his best friend, Dustin

Monday was pretty chill for us. We didn't do a whole lot. Shane and Garrett got some yard work done. We were going to go down and watch the Spanish Fork fireworks (yep, more of those), but we were too tired. We went out in the yard wondering if we could see them that far away, but it was windy and raining, so I think they were cancelled.
Well, that was our fun-filled holiday weekend. Gotta love this simple life.

Heart Song Inspirations Monday with a Technique Spotlight

2011-07-25T06:00:00.060-06:00

Supplies

{Stamps: Heart Song Designs Kite, SU Warm Words set (happiness), Ink: SU Cool Caribbean, Paper: Crumb Cake cardstock from SU, Patterned Paper from Cosmo Cricket, Ribbon: Offray, Black pen: Marvy LePen, Adhesives:Terrifically Tacky Tape Provo Craft to hold ribbon in place, Xyron sticker maker for kite string, Dimensional adhesive (unknown) to pop kite up, Trimmer: Fiskars}

This week for our DT projects at the Heart Song Inspirations blog , we will each be sharing some of our favorite cardmaking techniques. Some of my personal faves include distressing, paper piecing, paper piercing, brayer sky, and faux stitching. But, the technique I'm going to show you today is one that I think eludes a lot of people, even though it is totally easy. I'm going to show you how to create a fluffy clouded and a whispy clouded sky background. I used the fluffy cloud background and Heart Song Kite image on the above card. I also used the fluffy cloud technique on this Easter card posted back in March.
For the fluffy clouded background, I use the following items:

Blue Ink
Three 2-5/8" Scallop Circle punched cardstock pieces (stapled together)
A small piece of sponge (I use 1/8 of a full-size Stampin Up sponge)
White Cardstock
Something to protect my work surface (in this case an old desk calendar from 1999)

It's a bit difficult for me to explain, so I'll just let my pictures do the talking. But basically what I do is use the stapled pieces of scallop cardstock as a mask to ink around on my cardstock. I turn it wherever I think a cloud needs to be and pounce my inked sponge on the edges.
I got this technique from a tutorial I found on YouTube, but for the life of me I can't find the one I used. I did find another couple here and here that are very similar.

For the whispy clouds, it is a lot simpler lol. I basically just take my sponge, dab it in the ink, and pounce it on the paper in random places keeping the parts that are supposed to be clouds white.

I hope you enjoyed my picture tutorial today, and I do recognize that I am not really all that gifted at these things. So, please visit the links within my post above to see the videos of the more in depth tutorials out there.

I also have some rather sad news. I've elected not to move forward with the new term on the Heart Song Design Team. I'm going to miss it sorely. Leah is a great artist and friend. I just feel like I need to take a time out and work on things that I want to work on. When I am on a DT for a specific line, I feel an obligation to use that product as much as possible in my work, and that limits me a little. However, I do adore Leah, and I've loved being on her DT. So I just may return after a couple of terms :)

Full Deck

2011-07-22T15:42:00.001-06:00

I found this fun cards digi stamp from The Sherlocks Home today on my computer and decided to make a quick masculine card. I really like how this turned out.

Stamps: The Sherlocks Home deck of cards, I used her sentiment as well but printed it on my computer in a different font.

Ink: Versacraft black for sponging

Cardstock: Red from LSS, black just scraps from my stash

Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye (Lush Collection)

Accessories: My Minds Eye Lush Gems

FTL150 Happy Birthday

2011-07-22T10:54:00.001-06:00

Can you tell I am on a card crusade lately? I don't have the money to get my hair done because I'm STILL unemployed. I have a friend that is a hairdresser, and she told me that she would trade me cards to get my hair done. She knows I am desperate. I think she feels sorry for me lol. She's awesome.
The card I'm sharing with you this morning is based on the FTL150 sketch over at the Clean & Simple Stamping blog today.

I didn't think I liked this one, but it's growing on me. And, I haven't used these stamp sets in ages. The Big Pieces set popped right into my head as soon as I saw the sketch, so it came together sort of quick. It was hard for me to pick colors, but I found a piece of BoBunny paper in my stash that 'spoke' to me lol. I didn't have a big enough piece to use much on the front, so I decided to put it inside.

{Happy Bithday FTL150}

Stamps: Stampin Up Happy Everything, Big Pieces, Seeing Spots, and Baroque Motifs

Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Caribbean Cool, Markers--Summer Sun, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise

Cardstock: Brown, Blue, and Green are all American Crafts, Yellow dot is BoBunny

Patterned Paper: BoBunny

Accessories: Marvy Flower Punch, Queen & Co. Gems

Today........

2011-07-21T20:20:00.002-06:00

I had a job interview today. I guess it went ok, but I'm not expecting an offer. I felt uncomfortable the whole time and I think some of my answers came off a little awkward. It was in a really nice fancy office building down by Jamestown Square in Provo, and she asked me questions like, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years." I don't know lady--I just need a job desperately. I didn't say that of course. I said I'd like to learn as much as possible and move my way up in whatever position I get. I like to learn new things. Blah blah blah. Please hire me lol.
I also have a couple more cards to share. The first I did late last night, and the picture inside was terrible. So I took a new one today. And the second one I just finished a little bit ago.

BoBunny for double dot cardstock and pink button, DMC floss, white cardstock is from LSS, the paper in the flower is unknown--too old and came from my stash, Stamp is from Warm Words Stampin Up set, and I used Stampin Up 2-3/8" and 1-3/4" scallop circle punches on the flower. I also used a tutorial found on LeeAnn Greff's blog here.
I really like the way this one turned out. I have a thing for patterned paper, and this layout let's it shine.

Green and patterned are both from one sheet of double-sided Crate Paper cardstock-Brook collection (old), White is from LSS, Sentiment is a digi stamp from Digital Doodling, Ink-Old Olive from Stampin Up for distressing of edges, flowers are an old Marvy punch (Which kept on sticking so it's getting trashed--so done with that!), gems from Queen & Co. Small Teal strip from an old We R cardstock scrap, Fiskars border punch.

Thanks for visiting me today! You know I love the comments, so keep 'em coming (ahem, or at least get them coming lol). If you like what you see, please become a follower. There are 2 or 3 ways to do this in my sidebar. Thanks!

Today's Work.....

2011-07-20T17:00:00.000-06:00

Well, I cleaned most of the house yesterday. And Katy seemed to be pretty stable, so I didn't go see her at the hospital. She's getting lots of visitors and probably needs to rest.
Soooo, I got to play all day in my ~~craft room~~, ahem, I mean office lol.
Here are some of the cards I got done. I only copied one of them this time lol. That's pretty good. Usually I just like something someone else did and copy that lol. Although, on the yellow and black one I did take color inspiration from Lisa's card here (again--I just love these colors & polka dots together).
For this card I used Clean & Simple sketch FTL148.

Inside of Card

Polka Dot paper is from My Minds Eye, Yellow is uknown (so old), White and black cardstock are both from LSS, Ribbon is Bo-Bunny, Gems from Queen & CO., and stamp is from Stampin Up True Friend using Yoyo Yellow ink. Flower punch on inside is from Marvy.

This next one is the one I totally copied. You can see the card I copied from Kari here. This is also using Clean & Simple sketch FTL90.

Inside of Card

Brown cardstock is from American Crafts, Yellow and Teal are Bazzill embossed dots cardstock, White is generic from LSS, Ribbon and Button are from BoBunny, Flower punch is Boho Blossoms from Stampin Up, Gems are from Queen & Co., Embroidery Floss is DMC, and Embossing Folder is from Stampin Up/Sizzix--Vintage Wallpaper.

For this one, I wanted to do something fun and teenager-ish (Is that a word? It is now lol.). I used Clean & Simple sketch FTL147 on this one.

Inside of Card

Black and White polka dot paper is My Minds Eye (again), Hot pink cardstock is American Crafts, Card base is Paper Accents trimmed to 4-1/4" X 4-1/4", White cardstock for circles is unknown from my stash, flower punch is Marvy, 3/4" circle punch is Stampin Up, Stamps are from Stampin Up Seeing Spots, Gems are Queen & Co. The HB and sentiment are both computer generated.

Thanks for visiting my blog today! Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. And, if you really like what you see, become a follower!

FTL149 Happy Birthday!

2011-07-19T21:37:00.000-06:00

I really wanted to participate in the Clean and Simple sketch challenge this week, since I had so much fun the last time. This week I was having a bit of trouble coming up with something on my own, and then I saw this card by Lisa, and I just couldn't get it out of my head lol. I love black and white polka dots, and lately I've really been into yellow and black for some reason. So, I ended up casing Lisa's card. I just couldn't help myself. It was fabulous, even if she didn't think so.

Thanks for the wonderful inspiration Lisa! Hope you don't mind my blatant plagerism :)

{Happy Birthday}
Stamps: Stampin Up True Friend, Stampabilities Happy Birthday
Ink: Yoyo Yellow and Basic Black from Stampin Up
Paper: Yellow dot-BoBunny, Black/White Dot-My Minds Eye, plain white and black cardstock-unknown (pulled from scraps)
Half-Back Adhesive Pearls and Yellow Gemstone: Queen & Co.
Tools: Fiskars border punch, Marvy flower punch, Stampin Up scallop circle punch

Get Well Soon

2011-07-18T21:44:00.002-06:00

This is a card I made today for my (sort of) stepsister, Katy, who is in the hospital after a serious ATV accident on Sunday.

Update on Katy's condition: She was taken off of life support and oxygen today and is breathing on her own. She still can't eat, and is being fed and hydrated with an IV. She does recognize everyone who has visited so far and REALLY wants to get out of her wrist braces and pull her IV out lol. She's a fighter that one. She even kicked four visitors out today (including me). She said "Go Away." simply like that. She's got a lot of healing ahead of her, and they expect she will be in the hospital for about 3 weeks, but she should be okay. Her injuries, that I know of, are three skull fractures, a number of broken facial bones (all I was told is many), and an ear injury that they are unsure as to the extent of damage, and a little bit of road rash on her backside. Amazingly, no road rash on her face. Odd because her head is where most of the damage is. Her face and head are very swollen, and her right ear seems to be in the "wrong" place. But, time will tell if she will need surgery or not. They are hoping that once the swelling goes down her ear will right itself. And, if the bones don't move, she won't need surgery on those either. Still keeping her in my prayers.

{Get Well Soon}
Stamps: Rosa with Bird digital stamp from Heart Song Designs, Sincere Salutations from Stampin Up
Paper: Blue cardstock from American Crafts, White cardstock unknown, Patterned papers from Stampin Up Fall Flowers designer paper pack.
Ink/: Cool Caribbean from Stampin Up, Black Versamark
Pens/Markers: Tempting Turquoise, Always Artichoke, and Close to Cocoa markers from Stampin Up, Black Uniball gel pen
Gems: ZVA Creative
Tools: Cuttlebug and Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Four dies, Fiskars border punch, Boho Blossom punch from Stampin Up, Marvy flower punch

Love is Like a Butterfly

2011-07-18T05:00:00.056-06:00

This week's challenge at the Heart Song Inspirations blog is to color on kraft cardstock and/or use lace on your project. I chose to do both because I've never colored on kraft, so it seemed like a challenge, and once the card idea came to mind, the lace was a no-brainer. I was a bit intimidated with the coloring on kraft, but I think it turned out really well. And I really like the effect of making the butterflies 3-D. I printed and colored 6 butterflies, cut them out, glued 3 down, and then glued the centers of the other 3 to the originals and pinched the wings with my fingers to make them stand out.

Inside Card

{Love is Like a Butterfly}

Stamps: Butterfly Duet digital stamp from Heart Song Designs, Butterfly Prints (sentiment) from Stampin' Up!, Background friendship words--unknown

Cardstock: Crumb Cake--Stampin' Up!, White--Unknown

Patterned Paper: Affinity paper stack from The Paper Studio

Punches: Boho Blossoms (inside of card), Decorative Label Punch--Stampin' Up!

Die: Beautiful Wings Embosslits--Stampin' Up!/Sizzix (small butterfly inside card)

Ink: Crumb Cake for Sponging--Stampin' Up!, Tempting Turquoise Marker & Blender Pen--Stampin' Up!

Adhesive Pearls: ZVA Creative

Glitter: Stickles

Lace: Ribbon Boutique

Adhesive: Foam dots from American Crafts, Tombow permanent tape roller

This Weekend .........

2011-07-17T22:12:00.001-06:00

Kaitlyn was in a pretty bad ATV accident this weekend. For those of you who aren't familiar, she is my dad's girlfriend's daughter. My dad has been with Diane for years, so I pretty much think of her like a sister.
She had to be life flighted to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. I guess she was on Dad's 4-wheeler and hit the gas to hard or something. Not really sure what happened. But she had her two nieces on with her, and none of them had helmets on. The wheeler started to go out of control, so she pushed Brooke and Bailey off.

Dad didn't want to let her go with them. But they all kept begging and pleading, and it was only 3 blocks down the road. So he gave in and told her to just be careful.

She is in ICU and has three skull fractures. They also think that somehow the handle bar hit one of her ears and she may be permanently deaf in that ear now. We'll all be praying for her. She is a strong girl, and the doctors are very positive.

This is my second post about an ATV accident this year. Wear your helmets people!

Seems out of place now, but since I'm writing about the weekend--Shane, Garrett, and I also went to see the last Harry Potter movie today. It was SO good. I highly recommend it. I'm a bit sad that it's over now. All I have to look forward to is the last two Twilight movies now. *sniff*

Sunset Birthday

2011-07-14T12:10:00.009-06:00

I'm having so much trying out this brayered sky technique! I love the way this one turned out. I still need to work on getting some of my colors on the cardstock a bit lighter, and the sentiment is a tad crooked. But I really really like this one. I like the small bit of pink in the sky with the pink designer paper. And I think the silhouette of the flowers in black is a beautiful contrast.
I made this card for a friend whose birthday is coming up very soon. I won't say who. Wouldn't want to ruin the surprise. Hopefully she won't see this post before she gets it because she'd probably guess lol.
In Other News:
I have a job interview tomorrow. I hope this one goes well, but I'm still holding out for the Merchant Services position with Property Solutions. I've done two interviews there that both went well, so I'm crossing my fingers.
The interview on Friday is for an office assistant with an insurance company in Spanish Fork. It doesn't pay all that well, but I could walk or ride my bike to work.
I also have a friend whose job is hiring and will submit my name for an interview. They work really long hours and it's all standing though. So, not sure I want that one. But I will go just because I NEED a job. Wish me luck on the job front!
{Sunset Birthday}
Stamps: Upsy Daisy and Sincere Salutations from SU
Ink: Stazon Black, Versamark Black (for sentiment and shading), Yoyo Yellow, Regal Rose, Only Orange
Cardstock: Green card base from DCWB Fall Stack, black and white are generic
Paper: from Ginger Blossom SU designer paper
Accessories: MS butterfly punch, brayer, SU corner punches

Thinking of You

2011-07-13T10:47:00.001-06:00

Told you you'd be seeing this sponged sky technique again lol.

I was looking through the gallery at Splitcoast and finally decided it was time I try a night sky. I took so much inspiration from Michelle Zindorf and others who were inspired by her. I know I have a long ways to go, but I had fun and I'm really happy with the way this card turned out. I really want to try using a brayer to do this, because it is so much smoother. But I'm just not very good at it right now lol. I need a little more practice.

For this card I punched a 1" circle out of scrap cardstock and used removable adhesive tape to stick it to my main panel to mask off the moon. I used a sponge swiped on my Blue Bayou Ink pad and covered my entire panel. I used more ink at the top and graduated to less at the bottom. Then I used the same technique to sponge Mellow Moss ink onto the bottom part of my panel for the earth.

The pine trees are a free digital stamp I got from Beccy's Place and just sized and printed onto my sponged panel. Easy Peasy.

{Thinking of You}

Stamps: Trees--Beccy's Place digi, Sentiment--Sincere Salutations from Stampin' Up!

Cardstock: Blue Bayou from Stampin' Up!, Black and White are generic from LSS

Ink: Blue Bayou and Mellow Moss from Stampin' Up!

White Pen: American Crafts Galaxy Marker

Punches: Large Oval and Scallop Oval from Stampin' Up!

Get Well Soon

2011-07-12T20:34:00.002-06:00

I made this card today for my sister, Kim, who recently had knee surgery. It was funny because she actually called and asked me to make her one lol. She wanted it for her scrapbook. I was going to make her one anyway. But I thought that was kind of cute. Her favorite colors are blue and green. Love ya sis!

This is the first time I've tried the sponged background sky, and I REALLY liked it. I have a couple of birthday cards to make, so you may see this again :)

{Get Well Soon}

Stamps: Upsy Daisy and Sincere Salutations both from Stampin' Up!

Cardstock: Light blue from American Crafts, Black and White were scraps, so I'm not sure on those. They felt like generic cheap store brand though :) The white card base is premade from Paper Accents.

Ink: Bliss Blue and Gable Green--Stampin' Up!, Black Stazon

Ribbon & Brad: BoBunny

Punches: Oval and Scallop Oval from Stampin' Up!

Embossing Folder: Framed Tulips from Stampin' Up!

Second Interview

2011-07-12T12:55:00.000-06:00

I had a second interview today with Property Solutions. It seemed to have gone really well, so I'm hoping I get it. They said they still have 12 first-time interviews to get through and they had 3 second-round interviews after mine today. I think that is weird. Why would you do second interviews if you aren't even finished with the first ones? But I guess it's good that I made enough of an impression to get a call back to begin with right?
I'm almost out of my first federal unemployment extension. There is still one left I can get, but I'd really just prefer to have a job by then. So, I'll be praying. Wish me luck.

Bee Happy

2011-07-11T05:00:00.007-06:00

Time for a new Heart Song Inspirations blog challenge. I love that these start on Mondays. It just makes Mondays not suck so much lol.
This week we were to make a card that reminded us of summertime. The and/or challenge was no patterned paper. Umm....ya, that is too hard for me lol. Plus, I'm trying to use up my stash, which is largely comprised of patterned paper.
My first thought was to use the hot air balloon again, but, since I used it last week I decided I better pick another one. Then I thought it would be good to use one of the digis that I haven't ever used before. Hmmm.......didn't want to do flowers because it's so hot outside lately that mine are dying. How depressing.
Then one day I was sitting out on the porch being pestered by bees, and it hit me. Yay! There is a bee in my HSD vault!. And I just love black and yellow together. Sweet--I had an epiphany lol.

If you like what you see, leave a comment. If not--buzz off lol. Oh, and let me know what you think of my new blog background. Not sure if I like this one, but I do love the colors together.

{Bee Happy}

Digital Image: Bee and Bloom Trimmers One (for the flower) ~ Heart Song Designs
For Coloring: Tombow Markers and Blender Pen, Black Sharpie, Versa Craft Real Black Pad for inking of edges Cardstock: Yellow from DCWV Fall Stack, Black from American Crafts

Patterned Paper: Black/White circles--no idea but it's old, Yellow Dot and Black on Black Dot are BoBunny

Sentiment: Printed from computer--Girls are Weird Font free from DaFont.com

Punches: Square punches from Stampin' Up--1-1/4" & 1-3/8", Circle Punch from SU as well--3/4"

Crystals: ZVA Creative

Rockin' Birthday

2011-07-09T21:39:00.001-06:00

Wow, two cards in one night?! I'm on a roll. This is what I originally thought to do for the Clean and Simple sketch because I had just gotten this cute freebie record image from the TLC blog. But I couldn't find any music paper in my stash. And none of my black and white paper was suitable.
This card just wouldn't leave my mind, so I googled music note images and used clipart to make my own paper--pretty crafty right? I know!
Sorry the pictures aren't the best. I took them inside the house because it is dark now.

Inside of Card

{Hope Your Birthday Rocks!}
Record Image: Create with TLC

Sentiment: Computer generated using Nightmare Hero font from Dafont

Cardstock: Card base uses green from DCWV Fall stack. Red and White are from my stash, so I'm not really sure what company they are from.

Patterned Paper: Music notes paper is made from a clipart image, aqua dot is from BoBunny

Ink: Versamark real black

Gems: ZVA Creative

Ribbon: Ribbon Studio

Punch: Scallop Circle from Stampin' Up! (I hand cut the record--didn't have a punch that fit just right)

Embossing Folders: Cuttlebug Star

Adhesive: Zots glue dots, American Crafts dimensional foam adhesive, and Tombow permanent tape runner

Brad: Not sure on that one

Clean and Simple Sketch FTL148

2011-07-09T19:44:00.006-06:00

A few weeks ago my Stampin' Up! demonstrator, Loni, told me about a really fun blog she follows for card sketches called Clean and Simple Stamping. So this week, I decided to give it a whirl. Then I saw the sketch. I didn't really think I was a fan. It just didn't look like something I would like. But, a challenge is a challenge, so I started looking through my paper scraps.

I found this pretty summery-looking paper scrap that I've had forever, and it seemed perfect. The juices started flowing, and I do have to say, this card is now one of my favorites. I love the colors, and it has my butterflies on it. Plus I got to use my new birthday stamp I bought for half off at Hobby Lobby the other day.

The Sketch:

My Submission:

Inside of Card

Thanks for visiting, and please leave a comment. It totally brightens my day!

{Happy Birthday}
Stamps: Sentiment from Stampabilities
Cardstock: Card base is from Paper Accents. Orange, green, and white are from my stash, so I'm not really sure what company they are from.
Patterned Paper: I'm next to certain this one is from Crate Paper
Ink: Cool Caribbean from Stampin' Up!, Peach from The Paper Studio
Gems: ZVA Creative
Ribbon: American Crafts
Button: BoBunny
Embroidery Floss: DMC
Die: Embosslits from Sizzix/Stampin' Up!
Punch: Scallop Circle from Stampin' Up!
Embossing Folders: Cuttlebug for the one on the green paper (I think it's called bubbles or something like that), and the big dots on the orange paper is a Quickutz embossing folder.
Adhesive: Zots glue dots and Tombow permanent tape runner (love that thing!)

Job Interview and Sad News

2011-07-06T22:03:00.000-06:00

I had a job interview today at Property Solutions for a Merchant Services Representative position. Basically I would be setting up new accounts with all of their bank account info and preferences, and then I would be doing maintenance on existing accounts as well. I think the interview went pretty well. They have other interviews scheduled for Thursday and Friday, so I probably won't find out until later next week. I really hope I get this one.
I'm getting really depressed and discouraged with my job search right now. And, I'm scared for what is going to happen when I lose my unemployment benefits. I've already gotten one federal extension, so I don't know if I can even get anymore once I'm done in 4-5 weeks. Shane can't pay all the bills without my income. So, cross your fingers for me.
And, Shane found out last Friday that a very close friend of his passed away. He is very upset. He was his best friend's little brother. They grew up together from the time that Shane was 4 years old. He thought of him like a little brother. There is a group of about 5-6 of Shane's friends that all grew up together living in the same neighborhoods and going to the same schools and are more like brothers than just friends.
Shane and Robert hadn't been close in recent years because Robert made some life choices that Shane didn't agree with. And they ended up arguing and fighting because of it. He'd lost touch with most of them this way. But they still loved him. He'd been calling Shane recently, talking about finding a job and getting clean (off of drugs). So Shane thought he was getting his life back together and that they could finally be closer friends again.
It is just really heart-wrenching for him right now. The funeral is tomorrow at 11:00 am. I feel so bad for James (the best friend) and Robert's other family members. I'll be praying for them and for his brother-friends.

The Holiday Weekend

2011-07-05T13:28:00.000-06:00

So, this last weekend was the fourth of July, our Independence Day holiday here in the US (for anyone who might read this and doesn't live here), and my personal FAVORITE holiday. I'm not sure why it's my favorite, it just always has been, followed closely by Halloween. I think it's probably because my dad loved it when I was growing up. He loved fireworks as much as I do now, and we always found a place near the Stadium of Fire (a big firework show at the University near where I live) to watch. And we always had family barbecues and went to the parades. That must have changed because he didn't seem to into it when I talked to him yesterday lol. He was going home to cool off and relax rather than watch any fireworks. Old man lol.
Anyhow, this year I wasn't able to go see the fireworks, and I was a little bummed. Until last night lol. There is a new law here in Utah that allows the purchase and personal use of aerial fireworks (YAY!). And, I have to say, alot of our neighbors were into it. I had plenty of fireworks going off all around my house until after 11:00 pm last night. It was so cool. And, I'm glad they can afford them, because I sure can't lol. No room in the budget for that on unemployment.
The rest of the weekend went pretty well too. On Saturday we just did some projects around the house. Ok, mostly Shane did them. But I hung out with him in the desert heat and handed him tools, so I get some credit. Then Sunday we went to Shane's dad's house for a light lunch and hung out for a couple hours.
We went out to Burraston Ponds again yesterday with Pam, John, and their boys. The men caught a few good sized fish (and let most of them go), Dustin caught a crawdad (ewww!), and Pam and I swam in the pond with the boys (also kind of ewww, but washes off in the shower lol). We had a great time. We brought snacks, and Pam brought sandwiches for everyone, so we just made a day of it. I did cut my toe, so did Pam, and Dustin cut his foot. And Shane got a really bad sunburn on his face, but he was offered sunscreen. I tell ya people--you CAN get a sunburn through cloud cover. But, all in all we had a blast. I think we'll be spending a lot of time down there this year. It's free, close, and fun!
Well, that was the weekend in a nut shell. Thanks for reading if you got all the way to the bottom here lol.

Soaring Through the Sky

2011-07-04T05:00:00.011-06:00

Hey all, and Happy 4th of July!! This is my FAVORITE holiday, so I was super excited to design my card for this week's challenge over at the Heart Song Inspirations blog. The challenges this week are to create a card using my fave color scheme--red, white, and blue of course, and/or use paper piecing.
I love paper piecing as well, and it's super easy with digi stamps, so I went ahead and did both the color combo and the paper piecing.

I have to say, I think this hot air balloon is my very favorite Heart Song Designs digital stamp. I just love how versatile it is and how many different ways you can color it, resize it, and piece it.
Come on over to the inspiration blog and join in the fun. The winner receives two digital stamps of their choice from the Heart Song Designs shop.
{Soaring}
Digital Image: Hot Air Balloon ~ Heart Song Designs

For Coloring: Tombow Markers and Blender Pen, Stampin Up! Ballet Blue for sponging

Cardstock: Red from Bazzill, Blue from BoBunny

Patterned Paper: Words paper (background) from The Paper Patch (old), Stars and Stripes papers from Paper Loft

Sentiment: Printed from computer--quote found online at www.thinkexist.com

Border Punches: Martha Stewart for stars, EK Success for the other

Corner Punch: Stampin Up!

Studs: Imaginisce I-Rock tool and studs

Digital Stamps

2011-07-03T12:54:00.000-06:00

I've been talking a lot lately about digital stamps on here, and I know that many of my followers here probably don't know what a digi stamp is, much less how to use it.
I was actually very in love with rubber stamps and never thought I'd like digis. But, I entered my name into a design team contest for a digital stamp company (Heart Song Designs) anyway. Why? I'm not certain. Probably just curiosity. I didn't think I'd get chosen because my gallery was full of rubber stamped cards.
Well, I ended up being chosen and panicked because ummm.........hello, I don't even know how to use these things lol.
So, I thought I'd post this little tutorial that I learned from on CDAC. It is very helpful and educational lol. You do have to be a member to view it, but there are no fees, and if you hate it, just ask to be deleted.
And, there are tons of free digital stamps out there for you to learn with and try. I get a lot of free ones from links on this website-- http://freedigitalstamps.blogspot.com/.
Hope to see some cards using digis from y'all real soon lol.

New Digi Stamps in the Heart Song Store!

2011-07-01T08:45:00.001-06:00

Just wanted to let everyone know really quickly that there are a couple of brand new digital stamps in the Heart Song Designs shop this week. Here are the watermarked images for you to check them out. I just think Rosa is so sweet, Frutti Tutti is summery fun, and who doesn't love a good frame? Especially one with cherries on it--yum! My personal favorite fruit.
Happy Crafting!

Rosa with Bird $2.50

Frutti Tutti $1.00

Very Cherry $2.50

Interview

2011-06-30T14:03:00.000-06:00

Well, I had a job interview yesterday. I'm not really sure how it went to be honest. It seemed like the girl who was interviewing asked me a few questions that I didn't really have the 'right' answers to. She asked if I had any experience in financial planning or securities (they are a financial preparedness firm). I don't. Then she asked if I had experience in setting up groups for email blasts and newsletters or formatting newsletters.Ummm......no sorry. But, then she asked the President to come in and finish the interview with me, so that was a good sign, right? Then he seemed to have long periods of silence or thinking between questions. He seemed to like me though and said he was impressed with a few of the things I said. I just felt weird about the whole thing.
To top it off, they have a business dress code and I don't really own very many 'business' clothes. So I'm just not really sure if I even want this job. Hmmm.....

Burraston Pond

2011-06-28T22:01:00.002-06:00

This last weekend we went down to Burraston Ponds in Mona with some good friends of ours to do a little fishing, swimming, and relaxing. We totally had a blast, but we stunk like pond water (ewwwww......) when we got home and were fighting over the shower lol.

Normally I'm too self conscious to get in the water, and I haven't worn a swimsuit in two years now. But, it was so hot, and we were having so much fun that I braved it. I still didn't wear a swimsuit, but I got in the water.

I wish I had taken more pictures, or at least better ones. But, the having of the fun was more important :)

Me and Pam before swimming

Shane has been working tons of Saturdays, but he ended up with two off in a row (on Father's Day weekend we went down to my Dad's house in Fountain Green for a little family bbq). So he really enjoyed fishing and relaxing with friends too. Hopefully he'll be getting most Saturdays off for a while.

Shane and John

It took a little time for G to get in the water, but eventually he did. And he had fun. But, Pam ended up having to go buy another float tube so he could float around with us. And, I forgot sunscreen, so he got a bit of a sunburn. I just never even thought about it (bad mom!).

Garrett before swimming. He will not let me cut that hair--grrrr!

Colin (left) and Dustin (right)

Of course, Angel had a blast chasing the ball and sticks into the water with Bella. Aren't they the prettiest dogs you have ever seen?

Anyway, that's been our last couple of weeks. I still don't have a job, but I have a good tan lol. I've spent lots of time out visiting with Pam in the yard this summer. But, she just got a job after being laid off for only a month (why can't I find one?), so that has come to an end now. I have a job interview tomorrow--cross your fingers for me.

I'm going to try to post family and other life stuff on here a little more. I've been using this as a crafty blog, which I will still do, but I want it to be about my life. Not just my hobby. So, we'll see how that goes.

Sweet Baby Giraffe

2011-06-27T06:00:00.058-06:00

It's time again for another Heart Song Inspirations challenge. This week we're challenging you to use scallops, and then the "and/or" challenge is paper piercing. So, you can do scallops, paper piercing, or both.
I chose to use both because they are both design element favorites for me. I think paper piercing adds a fun touch, and who doesn't like a cute scallop?
This week I used this adorable Baby Giraffe digital stamp from Heart Song Designs. Isn't he so cute? I just love it. Well, I guess it's a she if I colored her pink, right? I've been waiting to use this one for a while, but I have no one to give a baby card to lol. Maybe if I make the card, someone will need it right :)
Hope you like it, if so leave a comment. And, please come play with us at the Heart Song Inspirations blog for a chance to win two free digital stamps from Heart Song Designs!

{Sweet Baby}

Digital Image: Baby Giraffe ~ Heart Song Designs

For Coloring: Stampin' Up! Markers and Blender Pen

Cardstock and Paper Piercing Tools: Stampin' Up!

Patterned Paper: Chatterbox Rosey Bias Plaid (really old)

Ribbon: American Crafts

Buttons: Not sure

Sentiment: Making Memories Rub-on (really old)

Dies: Nestabilities Standard Circles Large and Classic Scalloped Circles Large

(used a Cuttlebug with the Nesties)

Corner Rounder: EK Success Punch

Border Punch: Fiskars

New Digis at Heart Song Designs

2011-06-22T12:43:00.000-06:00

I just wanted to drop a quick note on here for y'all to go and see the new digital stamp designs at Heart Song Designs. They are gorgeous, and all proceeds go to help fund Leah's adoption of a beautiful Ethiopian baby boy.

Here are a couple of newer digital stamps for you to check out. When you buy them, the watermarks will not be there.

Happy Shopping!

Flower Power

2011-06-20T06:00:00.028-06:00

Today is our third challenge with Heart Song Inspirations, and this week we are challenging you to use flowers and/or handmade flowers. I didn't have much time to work on my card this week, so I just kept it simple without the handmade flowers. I am also entering this in the Clean and Simple challenge for this week.
To play along with us at HSD, and for a chance to win two free Heart Song digital stamp images, create your project using flowers and/or handmade flowers and link it to the Heart Song Inspirations Challenge Blog.

Have fun!

{Just for You}
Digital Image: April Daisy ~ Heart Song Designs
For Coloring: Prismacolor Pencils
Cardstock: Light Pink from American Crafts, Generic White
Patterned Paper: Me & My Big Ideas
Ribbon: The Ribbon Boutique
Jewels: adhesive from ZVA and jewel brad from Stampin Up
Sentiment: akaFrivolity computer font

Father's Day

2011-06-19T18:42:00.003-06:00

(me and my daddy circa 1976)

I just want to take the opportunity on Father's Day to thank my dad for being the best dad anyone could ever ask for. My dad has always been there for me and my siblings whenever we needed anything. Even when we were a young family and times were tough, we never wanted for anything. I had the best childhood I think anyone could ask for, and I owe a lot of that to him. He made things fun for us even when it seemed like there was nothing to do. He made us rope swings and rafts. He played hide and go seek with us and pulled us around on blow-up tire tubes in the snow. He even used to brush our hair and put it in curlers sometimes at night.
I have so many fun and loving memories of my dad growing up and I'm still making new ones today.

I love you Dad! I hope you know what you mean to all of us.

And, to Shane's Dad, my father-in-law. He and Shane haven't always had the best relationship. But they have really gotten a lot closer since Shane and I got together and he has a grandson to spoil rotten now. He would do anything for us as well, and Garrett loves to spend time with him while hunting, 4-wheeling, fishing, and camping. He had a close call at the end of March on one of their 4-wheeling trips, and we're all just pretty thankful to have him around and look forward to spending more quality time with him.
Love you Dad Too!

And, finally, to my husband Shane. He is a wonderful father to our son. He includes him in every part of our lives and always wants to make sure that he knows he is loved. He takes him on nearly all of his "man trips" and teaches him all there is to know about becoming a good person. I know Shane loves Garrett and I with all of his heart and always tries to do what is best for our little family. He works his butt off to make sure that we have all the things we need, and most of the things we want. He gives everything he has and then some, and expects nearly nothing in return. I love you babe! And I know G loves you too. You're an awesome dad!

Card Swap

2011-06-16T17:27:00.001-06:00

I made a set of 20 of the above card for a card swap I am in on Monday. I wouldn't post this and ruin the surprise for my fellow swappers, but I don't think I really know any of them. This is my first Stampin Up card swap with this (or any other) group. So it's highly unlikely that they are going to read my blog yet lol. Except maybe my demonstrator, Loni Spendlove. So, sorry if you read this and I ruined it Loni lol. I just have a different post scheduled for Monday so I wanted to do this one a few days before so it won't get buried. I also have a hard time not sharing as soon as I'm done :) Maybe it's a good thing I waited til nearly the last minute to do them then huh?
And just so y'all know that I am NOT a creative genius lol, I cased this card by ceramics on Splitcoaststampers. This is such a wonderful site to go to for inspiration, or downright plagerism if you will :)

Buttons, Bows, and Bling

2011-06-13T05:30:00.006-06:00

It's time for a new challenge over at the Heart Song Inspirations blog. This week's challenge is to use buttons, bows, and bling on a card. There is also an added "and/or" option of using the sketch that Leah provided. Please head on over to check out the fabulous design team samples and get some inspiration for your own creation.
Here is my card based on this week's challenge and using the card sketch provided. The digi I used is called Flowers and Bumble Bee.

And here is the sketch provided:

Rules of play:

* You are NOT required to use a Heart Song Designs image to play, but if you have one we'd love to see it!
*Choose one of the challenges offered or do both!
*Up in the tabs is the free digi offered for the month. We'd love for you to use it:) If you do use it or any Heart Song image you are given 2 entries for the weekly drawing of 2 free images from the Heart Song shop.
*One entry per person; No back links, please.
*Come check back to see if you were chosen as one of the Top 3 and claim your "I was featured" badge.
*Have fun!

Kite Card

2011-06-08T20:41:00.000-06:00

Here is a card I did for the new challenges that are starting up over at the Heart Song Inspirations blog this week. If you like to make cards, you'll want to stay tuned. There are some fun challenges coming up. This week the challenge was an anything goes just to get us revved up and started. Then the and/or challenge was to use the free digi stamp that is currently up on the site. I just stuck with anything goes because I've been dying to use this kite image forever. Isn't it cute?
Now, just a disclaimer here lol. This card looks much better in real life. The picture is bad, and that stud on the right side of the sentiment had fallen off. It has since been replaced. Plus, the cutting looks really choppy. It looks better for real, promise. But, looks like I need a new blade for the old trimmer.

Please go on over to the Heart Song Inspirations blog to check out the beautiful DT work and the links to subscriber entries. If you're interested in this or any other HSD image, they can be purchased here at the shop.

Fun stuff ladies and gents! You don't want to miss it.

More Cards

2011-05-25T09:09:00.001-06:00

I was trying to wait to post these cards because they were all for birthdays (and one wedding) and hadn't been given out. Well, now all of them are done except the one with the Mustang on it. I ordered the gift to go with that one over a week and a half ago online, and it STILL isn't here. His birthday was Monday. I do not have patience for these things. I should have just gone to the store to get it, but it was cheaper online and the store was inconvenient. *Sigh* Anyway, the person that one is for does not read my blog (I don't think), so I think I'm safe to post them now.

For my sisters to give to my son for his 14th birthday on Saturday
Digital stamp from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff store on ShopHandmade.com

For my sisters 31st birthday on Saturday

Butterflies die from and Sincere Salutations Stamp Set from Stampin Up

For my cousins wedding on Saturday

Medallion and Sincere Salutations Stamp Set from Stampin Up

For my dad's 57th birthday on Sunday

(Looks just like him, I swear!)

Digi stamps from Make it Crafty--Aussie Santa & Aussie BBQ

For a friend's birthday on Monday
I got both of these images from Googling Mustang Drawings on the internet,
The sentiment is computer generated. Don't remember the font name :(

Just for fun--selling this one at my friend's salon for Father's Day.

Noble Deer and Woodgrain Stamps from Stampin Up

Strawberries & Flowers

2011-05-21T12:21:00.000-06:00

Here is a card I made this weekend with the Strawberries and Flowers image from Heart Song Designs. I've been working on about 7 cards this weekend. Five birthdays, one wedding, and this one to sell at my friend's salon. So, once I get all of the birthdays and weddings given out, I will share those as well.
Thanks for taking time to visit me today. Please stop by the Heart Song Designs shop and take a look at Leah's beautiful artwork. You can also check out samples and inspiration at the Heart Song Inspiration blog.
Later!

Awesome Jewelry Giveaway

2011-05-20T10:56:00.001-06:00

Check out my friend, Brie's, new Vintage53 business blog. She is giving away this fabulous necklace and there are 6 entry possibilities per person! You don't want to miss out on this do you?!

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T10:34:00.003-06:00

**Note**If you're here for the Scrapbook Challenges blog hop, please see below post.

This is my favorite photo of my mom and I. I want to wish her a very Happy Mother's Day. I know she is in heaven looking down and watching over us. I miss her very much, and even though it's been 15 1/2 years since she died, I think about her every single day. Never more than on Mother's Day though. I miss you mom.

Pamela's Blog Hop

2011-05-06T05:00:00.015-06:00

Hey all! And welcome to a very special blog hop for a very special person. A friend and former owner of Scrapbook Challenges, Pamela Young. Pamela has decided to turn the reins over to a new owner, Brynn Marie Dukes, in order to focus on her personal life. So, Brynn and the rest of the Design Team members thought it would be great to do a tribute blog hop for Pamela expressing our love and appreciation for her.
If you've just stumbled upon my blog and would like to start from the beginning, please click here to go to Brynn Marie's blog.
I found Scrapbook Challenges last year while searching the internet for sketch websites to boost my creativity and the quality of my scrapbooking. I feel really lucky to have stumbled across this particular site because I've made so many great friends here and the sketches and gallery samples really have pushed my scrapping to the next level. Shortly after I joined, SC issued a design team call and contest. I submitted some of my work, and was lucky enough to be selected for the challenge team there. The rest, as they say, is history!
For this blog hop, each of the DT members chose one of Pamela's awesome scrapbook sketches to use in making an inspirational themed scrapbook page.
I chose sketch #140:

And here is the layout I created with it:

There are some totally awesome prizes involved in this hop:

1. One member who leaves a comment on all the blogs & in the hop will get Chipboard Borders, 12x12 Collection Kit and a 6x6 Paper Pad from To The Moon by Fancy Pants.

2. One member who post a NEW a layout based on one of Pam’s sketches and posts it in the HOP ON section will receive a package of Tim Holtz goodies.

3. One new member over the weekend will get the We R Memory Keepers’ Sew Easy Piercer, 4 Piercers, a mixed assortment of Divine Twine and 15 colors of DMC Embroidery Floss.

Now, please hop on over to Jowlina's blog for more scrappy tribute fun.

Mom's Marker

2011-04-27T05:00:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the small picture. My blogger template won't let me make it bigger without losing pieces. But, you can click on it to see a larger version.

This layout is about a trip my sisters and I took last fall to see our mom's road marker where she died in a drunk driving accident back in 1995. We were on our way home from seeing family in Nevada and wanted to stop and see it. None of us had ever seen it before, and I don't think we were prepared for how emotional it would be.

As soon as I could see the marker, my eyes welled up with tears. I could imagine the accident and how terrified my mom must have been. And I thought how she must have been thinking of us kids when she realized the vehicle was going to roll. And I just know she would have been praying. Because she always prayed. Then I started thinking how she never met any of our husbands or children or got to enjoy our families. And my heart just broke. I'm so glad my sisters were there with me to share the moment and that we could comfort each other.

This layout helped was a little bit of therapy for me, and I'm glad I did it even though it was difficult.

I used this week's sketch over at Let's Scrap for this layout and, as you can see, I followed it pretty closely.

This is also my last DT project for Let's Scrap. I enjoyed being on the Design Team there very much, but I just have too much going on in life right now to give it the full attention it deserves, so I decided not to try out for the new term.

Thanks to my Let's Scrap DT family for always making me feel welcome and for pushing my creativity to new heights these past 4 months. I'll still be a member and participate in the weekly sketch challenges as much as possible. I just don't want to feel like I've let anyone down when I can't manage it.
Maybe I'll try again in the future, but for now I have to say goodbye :(

Creative Belli Challenge

2011-04-27T00:01:00.006-06:00

I created this card for this week's belli challenge over at the Creative Belli Challenge blog. This blog was just recently taken over by the owner of Heart Song Designs, Leah Cornelius, and I'm so happy for her! For those of you who don't know already, Leah is in the midst of adopting an Ethiopian boy, and she will be using all proceeds from sales at Heart Song Designs to help fund this miracle. So please, check out the store and inspiration blog to make a purchase today!

The Creative Belli Challenge blog was created to help us use up all those old and forgotten tools and embellishments we all have hanging around. This week's challenge is "Royal" in honor of the upcoming nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton this weekend. For this challenge we were to use our fleur de lis, diamonds, jewels, princess, crowns, tiaras, the color purple, gold, etc.
I used the three jewels at the bottom and the color purple. I could say I used gold, because my picture looks like the mats are gold, but sadly I didn't have any to use. Those mats are actually green.
The image I used was a birth flower, February Iris, image from Heart Song Designs. My mom loved irises, so I figured I'd make a Mother's Day card with this image.

Today's Mother's Day Card

2011-04-16T14:20:00.000-06:00

I only managed to get one more card out so far, but here it is. I actually changed the "Happy Mother's Day" tag to just say "Mother" because the other two words make it look crooked.

Another Mother's Day Card

2011-04-14T22:42:00.000-06:00

On a roll today lol. If I had known I'd finish this many cards, I would have saved it for one post. But, I'm too lazy to go back and delete them and make one post.
This is a card I cased from a user named ceramic over at Splitcoast Stampers. You can see her card here. I had the purple embossed piece hanging around from the bridal shower invites I did, so I wanted to use it on a card today. I didn't think the Mellow Moss would look this good, but I really like it.
And, as you can see, hubby fixed my printer--Yay!

Mother's Day Card

2011-04-14T20:46:00.006-06:00

This is a card I created for Mother's Day. I don't have any Mother's Day stamps as mine and my husband's mothers both passed away at a young age. But, I'm making some cards to sell. So, I improvised with a universal sentiment from the Holidays and Wishes set from Stampin Up. I would have used my printer, but I did something bad to it and need the hubby to fix it.
I used the April Daisy digital stamp from Heart Song Designs for this card. I just love daisies, and so did my mom. And, I really wanted to use yellow because it just seems so 'springy'. Is that even a word? It has been so nice the last few days that I'm feeling sunny lol. I left the flowers mostly white because I thought if I colored them in, that would have been too much yellow.
In case you're wondering why the butterflies are placed sort of wonky, that's because I'm covering a stamping mistake :)
I started with this week's sketch over at the Heart Song Inspirations blog, but it didn't quite end up looking like it lol. Oh well. Sketches are just a jumping point anyway, right?
Thanks for looking, and please leave me a comment to let me know what you think!

Random Crafties

2011-04-14T12:37:00.003-06:00

I have a couple of new things to share. Today I am working on some graduation and Mother's Day cards to sell at my friends salon. She is so great to let me do that! So, if you need a really awesome hair stylist, let me know. I have never been so happy with a stylist as I am with Tibi!
Here is what I have so far for graduation cards. Haven't started on Mother's Day yet.

For the above cards I was inspired by cards here and here at Splitcoast Stampers.

Also, a few days ago I went to a bridal shower for my cousin, Jamie. She is getting married in May, her colors are orange and purple, and she loves butterflies (almost as much as me tee hee).
Here is the card I made for her shower on Saturday:

I also made the invitations for her shower. Here is a pic of what I came up with:

Thanks for stopping by, and please leave a comment and let me know what you think!
Stay tuned for Mother's Day cards, and probably some wedding ones too. Something tells me more butterflies are coming lol.

Sketches with Heart Sunday

2011-04-10T05:00:00.004-06:00

Well, it's Sunday again. Wow! This week really flew by. My father-in-law is doing much better and came home yesterday. But I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get things ready for him. So, I'm sorry to say I didn't get a chance to play with this one yet. Hoping to later in the week.
But, I still wanted to get it posted so that y'all could give it a whirl. I have something in mind for this one, and I think it's a really great simple sketch to get the juices flowing.
Please head on over to the Heart Song Designs inspiration blog and check out what the other DTs have come up with. And, if you link your card up, you have a chance to win a free digi!
So, without further ado, here is the weekly sketch:

Let's Scrap New Sketch

2011-04-06T05:00:00.010-06:00

Well, today is Wednesday, and that means a new sketch over at Let's Scrap. I didn't really think I would be able to do this one because of all that is going on with Shane's dad right now, but I ended up unable to sleep one night. And scrapping is pretty therapeutic sometimes. So, this is what I came up with.
First, here is the sketch:

And, here is my take. I just used the left side this week.

Sketches with Heart

2011-04-03T08:56:00.000-06:00

It's Sunday, and that means a new card sketch from Heart Song Designs. I really enjoyed working with this sketch, and I hope you decide to play along too. You do not have to use an HSD image in order to enter your submission, and there is a prize involved.
Here is the sketch:

And, here is my submission:

Heart Song Designs New Release Blog Hop!

2011-04-01T00:00:00.008-06:00

Welcome to the first monthly Heart Song Designs New Release Blog Hop! On the first of each month, Heart Song Designs will now release a new set of digital stamps (instead of weekly like it used to be), and we'll have a blog hop for you to check out some cards and projects using the new stamps.
I am the seventh stop on this hop, and you should be coming from Davi's blog. If you didn't start from the beginning, please hop on over to the Heart Song Inspirations blog to begin.
Leah has some beautiful new releases this month, so you might want to check it out! I love the April Showers image that I used today, but I think my favorite might be the Easter Cross.

Here is a watermarked image for you to check out. And, if you buy the entire 10pc set, you can get them for $26. That saves you $6! Although, you can buy them separately as well. To buy these or other HSD images, please visit the shop here.

Also, one lucky winner will receive the entire new release set for FREE! All you have to do is leave a comment on each of the 13 blogs in the hop. Easy Peasy!

On to your next stop--please hop on over to CEAL'S BLOG.

Shane's Dad

2011-03-31T06:30:00.002-06:00

Many of you know from my posts on facebook or other social networking sites that my husband's father was in a pretty serious ATV accident on Sunday afternoon. I thought I would give an update as well as tell the story since so many people have been asking.
A big group of Shane's friends and some relatives went out to the Eureka area on Sunday afternoon riding 4-wheelers. They were just heading back to the truck to come home. Shane was in the lead (because he's a freaking speed demon), and his dad was trying to catch up to him.
Well, as Terry was rounding one of the corners, one of his tires caught the ditch on the embankment. It was pretty deep, about 2 feet they say, and it threw Terry from the wheeler.
From what I understand, he hit the ground with his shoulder and skidded about 20-30 feet on the ground. Then, the wheeler landed on top of him.
Shane's best friend, James jumped off of his own wheeler and ran and threw Terry's wheeler off of him.
They could see right away that it was going to be bad. They were going to try to put him in the trucks and take him out, but he began to go into shock.
Someone, I think it was an old friend of Shane's from high school (Allen), called 911. They used the truck and cell phone GPS to track them since there wasn't an address they could give. Once the ambulance got there, it was clear that he would have to be flown out by helicopter.
Life Flight came and got him, and they took him to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo. I got there right when they landed.
To try to keep this post manageable, I won't bother with the rest of too many details. But, he has 16 broken bones in his shoulder, color bone, spine, and rib cage. And he also has a crushed lung. He seemed to be in and out of consciousness for the last few days, but we believe that was medication issues. He seems to be doing much better today and is up and walking, if a little stilted. His breathing is also doing better, and they will most likely move him out of Adult ICU within the next couple of days.
He will eventually be transferred to a rehabilitation wing before he can go home. The expectation right now is that he will be in the hospital for at least another week. And, hopefully, I will be available to help him out once he is discharged to go home. If I do end up getting a job or something miraculous like that, we've had a couple of people offer to help out.
Everyone has been so kind in offering help as well as prayers and in coming to see him at the hospital. Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. I'm sure he (and we) will get through this.

Birthday Blog Hop for Stephanie!

2011-03-30T05:00:00.008-06:00

Hey all! Today we are having a surprise birthday party blog hop for my friend and fellow Heart Song Designs DT member, Stephanie Serrano. We're joining with another DT that Stephanie is on, Digi Design House, to wish her the happiest birthday ever!
I am the second stop on this hop, so if you didn't start from the beginning, please go to Michelle's blog here.
Stephanie is such a sweet, friendly, and crafty lady . I just love all of her fun creations and I'm very inspired by her lovely cards.
Please join me in wishing her a happy birthday by clicking here to get to Stephanie's blog. Be sure to tell her that Shelly Scott sent you. If enough people leave her messages she'll figure out that there's a little mischeif going on (*wink*).
Here is a birthday card I made in honor of Stephanie's birthday today. I hope she likes it. I used Heart Song Designs Rose Cupcake digital stamp on this card.

The next stop on this birthday bash blog hop will be Chris Dickinson's blog. Have fun!

Heart Song Inspirations Sketch Challenge

2011-03-27T07:00:00.027-06:00

Time for a fun new \Sketches with Heart challenge! I thought I would struggle with this one because of the small round window in the corner of the sketch. I couldn't figure out what stamp I could use for that. But, then I came across the Butterfly Duet set in my digi files and knew this was it.
Here is the sketch:

The stamp I used:

Just FYI--if you buy any Heart Song Designs image, it will come to you via email without the watermark.

Here is my take on the sketch:

If you like what you see, check out the HSD Inspiration blog for more great cards using this sketch and you can find all of the images used at the HSD shop.

If you participate in the sketch challenge, there is no requirement to use an HSD image. But, if you do use one of the HSD images, you will be entered to win a free digital stamp.

Digi stamps are awesome because you can print them and resize them to whatever size you need. Plus, no storage! You just save them to your hard drive. And, they are extremely affordable.

Fishing Fun 2009

2011-03-23T06:00:00.018-06:00

Well today is the reveal of a new sketch over at Let's Scrap, so I wanted to go ahead and share my layout.
Here is the sketch:

And here is my take:

This layout is about our annual fishing trip to Red Creek Reservoir. We enjoy going fishing there for one or more days before the muzzleloader deer hunt starts. The hunt usually starts on a Wednesday, and we try to make camp on Saturday mornings. These particular pictures were taken in 2009.

New Heart Song Release, and a New Spring Fling Challenge Layout

2011-03-20T08:00:00.031-06:00

I have a few fun things to share with you today, so please bare with me. It's going to be a LONG post lol. First, today is another new release Sunday from Heart Song Designs. These images are really cute, and I'm sad to say I didn't have a chance to work with any of them this week. I've been feeling a little under the weather and had too many other required DT projects to work on. But, I still wanted to share them with you. These adorable images are now available at Heart Song Designs Shop. Please do visit the shop and check these and other images out. The watermark images just don't do them any justice. You can also check out the other DT blogs in my sidebar to see the cards that they were able to make using the new images this week.

Second, Heart Song is now going to start doing weekly sketch challenges on the inspiration blog, and this week is the second one. Use of an HSD image is not required, but if you do use one, you could be selected as a guest designer. Please come play along and look at what our DT came up with.

So, here is the sketch and the project I did using Heart Song Designs Rocking Horse digi stamp.

I ended up doing a full scallop circle instead of half because it just didn't look right as half lol.

And last, I am hosting another Spring Fling challenge at Scrapbook Challenges this week. This time my challenge was to take the colors and prints in the following Spring 2011 fashion photos and use them to inspire a layout. Participants did not have to use the same colors or prints. Just use them to inspire a layout.
I am offering a prize for a randomly drawn winner of this challenge, so check it our here.

And, here is what I came up with:

(I used Let's Scrap sketch 2-2-11 for this layout)

Thanks for stopping by today, and comments are always welcome (*wink*).

Challenges, Challenges...........

2011-03-18T06:00:00.002-06:00

I am hosting two different challenges today for two of the Design Team's I am on. But, actually they are the same challenge lol. I just tweaked it for each site I was on. I try not to overburden my brain with too many things to remember *wink*.
Basically, the name of the challenge is Scrap Forward. And, the object is to go to the last layout you loaded into the site's gallery (for whatever site the member is on--Let's Scrap or Scrapbook Challenges) and then move 'forward' to the layout loaded right after yours. Then you scraplift that layout. Hope that makes sense.
Anyhow, these are the two projects I am here to show you today. I scraplifted a card by Kathy Perry here for the Let's Scrap challenge, and a layout by Jackie W here on Scrapbook Challenges. I'm not sure if you'll be able to view them. You may have to be a member. But I don't feel comfortable posting their creations here on my blog without permission. There is a RAK involved for mine and a few of the other challenges on Scrapbook Challenges for Spring Fling Week and there is always a RAK for Friday challenges at Let's Scrap. So, you might want to check it out.
Here are my projects based on the two projects listed above. I scraplifted both of these pretty closely in color and layout. I only changed elements I needed to in order to utilize supplies that I had on hand.

Thanks for stopping by my blog and please do come and participate in these two wonderful sites. If you love scrapbooking, you will not be sorry.

King for a Day

2011-03-16T06:00:00.008-06:00

I made this card for this week's Let's Scrap sketch challenge. I love the way it turned out! I was going to put this into a friend's salon with some others I'm trying to sell, but I think I'll keep it to give to my dad.

The sketch:

And my take:

Thanks for visiting my blog. I'd love a comment to hear what you think.

Heart Song New Release and Sketchy Fun!

2011-03-13T05:00:00.005-06:00

It's Sunday again, which means Heart Song Designs has two new releases today, Vintage Blooms and Chick Parade. I'm really excited to see the addition of sentiments to the Chick Parade image.

Leah, HSD's owner and operator, is also starting a new sketch challenge this week on the inspiration blog as well. It will be called Sketches with Heart, and I believe it goes every Sunday along with new release announcements. I think this will be really fun and can't wait to see what y'all create.
Here is my card for this week's sketch and for the new releases. I wish I had had time to play with the Vintage Blooms, but I chose to use Chicks Parade and combine it with the sketch this week.

Please stop by the inspiration blog and play along!

Shooting Fun

2011-03-09T06:00:00.003-07:00

This is my layout for this week's sketch over at Let's Scrap.

I was really struggling with this one at first. I couldn't seem to get past all those circles. They just seemed to be much for me, and I think they would be good for like a small child's birthday layout. But I don't have any little kids and I'm a sort of tired of scrapping Lacy's kids instead of mine lol.

Anyway, once I decided to look past the circles, I knew what pictures I wanted to use. And, I found a page kit that I was hoarding :) from Basic Grey that had the perfect papers in it for what I wanted. Once I found that, the layout went together pretty fast.

By the way, the "fun" word looks a little crooked. It was supposed to be whimsical crooked, but not that much. I can't move the letters not though because they are really sticky. So it's staying that way.

If the shoe fits...........

2011-03-07T21:36:00.000-07:00

This is my entry for challenge #87 over at Let's Scrap. The challenge was to use paint chips on a layout or card, use the word color (or a color name), and use a Let's Scrap sketch. I used sketch ls128 for my card, and I really had a lot of fun with this one. I think my coloring on the image could have been better. But, I'm happy with it anyway.

Heart Song Sunday Releases!

2011-03-06T05:00:00.015-07:00

Wow! Has it been a week already? Time seems to be flying lately. You wouldn't think so, since I still haven't been able to find a job. But, it just feels like time is racing by me.

Well, today is another fabulous Sunday New Release Day for Heart Song Designs. I'm really loving the new digital stamp images this week--especially the tulips. I adore tulips!!

Here are the cards I made for this weeks release:

Using Bloom Trimmers

I just love this card. It is clean and simple, yet cute and springish.

Using Lovely Tulips

(I had to do them in red--HAD to)

I totally cased this card from a fellow SCS member. You can see that card here.

I used a tutorial I found on stampercamper.com to make that cute bow. You can find the tutorial here.

And, here are the images you will see in the Heart Song Designs shop. When you order, they will come to you via email without the watermark on them.

Happy Shopping!!

My first Tutorial! Converting Wood-Mount stamps to Cling-Mount for Acrylic Blocks

2011-03-03T10:05:00.004-07:00

I did this tutorial for another site, so I thought it might be helpful to some of my followers here too. I have un-mounted about 90% of my stamps (and I have hundreds) and made them into cling-mount stamps to be used with a clear acrylic block. I store them in CD cases in an old CD tower that I bought at the thrift store. Here is a picture of that real quick.

Here are some pictures of me unmounting a Valentine stamp from Studio G this morning.

Peel off the red rubber from the original wood block and foam:

You want to make sure to get as much of the old foam off as possible, but it doesn't have to be completely clean. Just so that no bulky pieces are left on it.

This is a picture of the EZ Mount foam packaging and instructions. I brought this into Roberts Crafts, a local Utah chain, when I worked as the buyer there. But I don't know if they still have it. I've never seen it at any major chain like Hobby Lobby, JoAnn or Michaels. I bought mine on Ebay, and I've seen it on a few online shops. The manufacturer sells it direct, but you can probably get a better deal on another site.

Stick your stamp to the extremely sticky side of the EZ Mount foam (the other side is not sticky--it is the cling side). I'm using a small piece left from my last sheet rather than using a new sheet here.

Trim the excess foam off of your stamp. Make sure that you don't really care about the scissors you use. They will be very sticky afterward. I used to have a pair of craft snips that worked really well, but I lost them. So I just use some dollar store scissors now.

Your trimming doesn't need to be perfect, as you can see. As long as it covers the majority of the stamp.

Voila, now you can use it to cling to your acrylic blocks! Easy Peasy.

I have also heard of people just using tacky glue for the back instead of purchasing EZ Mount. The problem I would have with that is that sometimes my block gets ink on it and then I stamp and there is an ink blot on the side of my stamp. The EZ Mount keeps it raised off of the block and prevents some of that. And, you have to keep applying the tacky glue. It doesn't stay on there forever.

Here is another tutorial on Sunday International (the manufacturer). Not sure if they ship overseas, but the name of their company would indicate that they should ;)

http://sundayint.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=11

Please also be aware that if you use EZ Mount, you should NEVER store them on acetate sheets. EZ Mount has a chemical makeup that makes a permanent bond with acetate, making it nearly impossible to separate them!

Here are some pics of one of my Stampin Up sets that I converted.

Inside of case:

Stampin Up labels that come with product:

Looking through back of case:

Label I made (could stand to be trimmed down :0)

The paper that I stamped showing through the front of the case:

Hope this was helpful for someone.

Statue of Liberty

2011-03-02T06:15:00.000-07:00

So, here is my DT layout for this week at Let's Scrap (sketch first of course):

I was having a hard time deciding what pictures to use because I generally don't scrapbook pics this big. But, then I remembered that I still haven't finished my New York trip album and that my Statue of Liberty photos would be wonderful at this size.
I think it turned out pretty good. If you look close, my title is on the bottom right of the left page. It looks way better in person, but you can't see it in my photo here very well. It is an epoxy bubble sticker that says "Statue of Liberty" in a cool type-written sort of font.
We had so much fun on this trip, but, this day was my favorite day. Seeing our Lady Liberty has been a dream of mine for a long time. I felt like I was daydreaming really. It was amazing. My feet hurt, and I was tired and grouchy. But, the sheer and utter awe of it did not miss me. And I'd love to go back again sometime.

Scrapping my Stash

2011-03-01T06:54:00.002-07:00

Well, I am supposed to blog on the last day of each month how I did on using my stash up the previous month. I missed doing that yesterday, so I'm doing it today.
I have to admit, I did fall off of the wagon a couple of times. But, I think I did pretty good. I only spent around $50 this last month on scrapbooking stuff that was "unnecessary". Necessities are things that you run out of (like cardstock and adhesive) or tools that you break. I bought about $8 worth of cardstock colors that I ran out of and a $10 value pack of adhesive refills which do not count into my unnecessary items. I also spent $20 with Stampin Up that does not count because it is a monthly club that I can't get out of. But, I have already used the stuff I bought, so that's good.
Hobby Lobby is the devil lol. I cannot resist a 50% off sale on paper or ribbon (or pretty much anything else to be truthful) and their prices are already half or less of what other people charge for that stuff.
Some people would say that I spent a lot. But, I can't even tell you what I was spending before when I had a job ;(
The good news is that I did use up much of my stash. I used a bunch of old adhesive when I ran out of my favorite kind. And I used a lot of the stamps that I have never used before. I used some of the ribbon from my stash and a lot of my cardstock. Although, the scraps aren't going as quickly as one might hope. They are never big enough and I'm thinking hard on throwing away all of the smaller pieces. I also used up some of my stash of embellishments that I have a hard time parting with. So, I am using my stash.
I need to work on using my huge collections of brads and buttons. I don't even know why I have so many buttons--I'm not a huge fan. Except that I got them for free as samples when I was a buyer. So why not take them, right? And they make cute flower centers.
I know I am supposed to say what all I got accomplished (ie:, how many pages, cards, and other projects), but I didn't keep track. All I know is that paper scraps were flying, and my scissors were hot in my chubby little hands lol.
For those of you reading this who do not scrap and have thought about it, please don't take this to mean that scrapbooking is an expensive hobby. It can be pretty cheap if you keep it simple. You don't have to have all of the stupid gadgets and all the pretty "things" that come out. I am just a self-confessed hoarder and sometimes feel that I need them lol. I'm working on that. I promise.

Heart Song Sunday Releases!

2011-02-27T07:00:00.018-07:00

Yup, another Sunday already--wow time flies when you're crafting!
Leah has come up with some more adorable images this week, so without further ado.........say hello to Theodore Tulip and Butterfly Thistle. Both are now available at the Heart Song Designs shop here.

And here are the two cards that I came up with this week using these fabulous images:

I just love the tulip Theadore is holding. So springish!

The butterfly in the bottom right of this one is from another Heart Song stamp named Butterfly Duet.

Thanks for visiting my blog, and please visit the other Heart Song designer blogs listed on the right in my links bar for more terrific inspiration.

Goals 2011

2011-02-25T07:00:00.001-07:00

This is a page I did for my Design Team Challenge today over at Scrapbook Challenges. Many of the members are working on an ABC's of me album. I personally wasn't going to do that because I'm just not comfortable scrapping myself. I guess that's the point of a challenge, but I just wasn't really up to doing the whole alphabet.

However, my DT assignment this month was to start off letter G for everyone. I was planning on doing a "Girly Girl" layout, because I am definitely one of those lol. But then one night I just woke up and this page was in my head. It happens that way sometimes for me. And, now I think an ABC's of me album is sort of a fun idea. But I don't think I'll use the words that the DT member gives me. I want to make it truly my own.

Anyway, I hope you like it. The best part about this whole layout is that everything I used was from my stash except the fabric for the flower. I didn't have any fabric at all so I had to buy that because I just had to have a fabric flower on there.

Papers are all from Graphic 45. I have such a love for these papers, but I find it hard to come up with things to use them on. So I was really happy to be able to use them on this.
Lace is BoBunny, flourishes are from Zva Creative, center brad in left flower is from BoBunny, red button is BoBunny, green button Sassafras, gingham green ribbon is Offray, ric rac is American Crafts, Sticker letters are My Minds Eye, and the black 2011 is done using a Dymo label maker. Phew. I thought the list was shorter lol.

I also used this for a challenge that a fellow DT member at Let's Scrap issued. To see that, please visit at here and look up Challenge85 in the photos tab. Basically, the challenge was to use three of the textured items on her list and include a handmade embellishment on your layout to add dimension to your pages. My items used from her list were fabric, buttons, flowers, ric rac, lace, ribbon, and metal. My handmade items were the flowers, stamped butterfly, and Cricut cut title frame.

Thanks for looking and for reading my super long post lol. I didn't mean to write a novel!

The Sky's the Limit!

2011-02-22T00:01:00.015-07:00

Hey all! I am so excited to share my card with you today! I've been wanting to play with the Heart Song Hot Air Balloon image for a while now. Hot air balloons are so popular, along with clouds and things of the sky, and this one is just too adorable.

I also knew that this image was perfect to try out some paper piecing. I've never done that with a stamp--digi or otherwise, and I think this turned out quite nicely. It will probably come in handy for a graduation or promotion card--something of that nature. I think this is my favorite Heart Song Designs image now.

I just want to point out really quick, for those of you who may be new to digital stamping, that this digital stamp has been "squashed a bit". If you follow the link to the image above, you will see that it looks longer and skinnier in the Heart Song Designs shop. I like a nice, short, round hot air balloon lol. So, I simply manipulated it in Microsoft Word until it was shaped the way I wanted. Really cool thing about digis I tell ya!

I then printed it three times over on the same paper (once for the image outline, once to get the orange top printed on, and once to print on the polka dot and basket papers of my choice), and once more on a new sheet to use on the card. If that's confusing, I'm sorry. I don't have a way with words lol. You could just print the entire image on all three papers and then cut out the pieces you need, but I was using scraps so I had to improvise.

Here is the recipe for my card:

Stamp: Hot Air Balloon by Heart Song Designs

Cardstock: Oatmeal color from local craft chain (they get it from Xpedx)

Patterned Paper: dark brown base is Paper Loft, polka dot and orange top on the balloon are the same sheet of paper from Cosmo Cricket, Basket paper is from SEI, Stripe is Crate Paper, Clouds is October Afternoon, Yellow Polka Dots is October Afternoon, and I don't know where I got the orange plaid. It's old lol.

Accessories: Stampin Up Brilliant Blue ink (sponged), Imaginisce I-Rock and Glam Rocks, Stampin Up marker in Tempting Turquoise (around the clouds), black Le Pen from Marvy for faux stitching, adhesive tape from EK Success, foam pop dots from 3L, ribbon from my stash (old & don't know what brand), computer generated sentiment (I'm sure I stole that from somewhere), and staples from office supply.

One more quick thing to say before I go. We now have a flickr gallery for Heart Song Designs. You can check out all of our card samples done with Heart Song images here.

Hope you like it, and thanks for stopping by!