Rockin' Birthday

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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