CFC4 Challenge - ConGRADulations

Hello again! I’m back because I wanted to post this today as well!

I really wanted to participate in the CAS-ual Friday’s Challenges, last week but I posted a day late - what a nerd - I missed out on the challenge. I didn’t want to miss it this week. CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #4 here I come ;). The theme for this week was:

And here is a look at my card:

When I saw that the challenge this time was Graduation, I was totally wishing that I had Lawn Fawn’s “Hats off to you” Stamps :(, but I don’t. I did, however, just pick up this awesome Bo Bunny star mini stamp set from Paper Niche this weekend, and thought it’s be perfect. I paper pieced the star and popped it up with foamies for fun. The paper is Fancy Pants’ Beach Bum line. I used Lawn Fawn’s Harold’s ABCs and Bannerific to create the banner/sentiment. Thought it was fun. Here is a look at the inside of the card:

I played off the card for the “you’re a star” sentiment, and the flourish is also from the Bo Bunny Stamp set.

Fun stuff. I really love this new Bo Bunny stamp. I can see myself using it for so many different things. Endless possibilities.

Anyway - you have a wonderful day crafty ladies!! Hey! We're already to Tuesday - that's awesome!

Paper Niche June Sneaker Peeks

Hi there!! Hope everyone had a long weekend - I sure did. It was nice quality family time, and I got crafty in major ways!! I completed two 2 pg layouts, and two 1 pg layouts, a mini-book, and a card - all in this 4 day weekend! It was great. I feel so energized getting just that extra day off!!!

So, I'm super excited to share the sneak peeks for the June Kit from Paper Niche! What a wonderful kit!! It had a few new products that I had been dying to play with, so it really made me super happy!!! Here is a look at my sneaks:





Dont forget to check out Paper Niche's Blog throughout this week, as the other DT members will also be sharing their sneaks!!

Mini Book - B-day present for mom!

Hi there! YAY! It’s my Friday today... weekend here I come - well, you know, after today anyway ;).

Hope you’ve been having a really nice week so far. I’ve got to get down to crafty business this weekend, that’s for sure! I just got the June Paper Niche Kit at home just waiting for me - as usual, it’s FILLED with awesome goodness, and I can’t wait to dig into it {printing pics @ Costco as I type!}! Oh, and I still have 1 page to complete for my client. It’ll be a {fun} busy {long - 4 day - woo hoo!!} weekend!

Anywho, Today I wanted to share a mini book that I made for my mom’s b-day (June 1st). I used pictures from the Relay for Life, which we participated in back in March. It was a great experience for us to do it together. My son also stayed overnight and camped with us, which made it extra special!

I used basically all of October Afternoon’s 5 & Dine Collection to make it. I was so happy when I saw this collection at Paper Niche! They’ve always got the good stuff!!! I added in a few Lawn Fawn Stamps {Fly Free, Bannerific, Sophie’s Sentiments, Harold’s ABCs, and Partly Cloudy} to make it extra fun!

This is the front and back covers, and a overall view:

Now here is a look at each individual page:


That is a pull-out tag... and this is the back of it:

And these two tags also pull out. One I've journaled on, and the other, I will have my son journal onto it:


Since I used the Tag Chipboard book from the collection, I obviously went with a “tag” theme, and as you saw, there are several pull out tags throughout the book. I hope she likes it - I'm happy with how it turned out! I’ve been debating on what I was going to finally make her with these pictures, so I was happy when it all came to me. It took me about 3 hours to make, in total.

Well, thanks for taking a peek. This is probably my last blog post for this week. I’ll catch ya on Monday and I hope you have an amazing Memorial Day weekend.

Supplies:
Chipboard Tag Book/Patterned Paper/Stickers: October Afternoon’s “5 & Dime”
Letter Stickers: Sassafras
Punches: EK Success
Stamps: Lawn Fawn’s Fly Free, Bannerific, Sophie’s Sentiments, Harold’s ABCs, and Partly Cloudy
Ink: Archival (black) & Jenni Bowlin (red)
Tags: from Paper Niche’s “Candy Bar”
Ribbon: Martha Stewart (hearts & sheer pink); May Arts (pink & blue striped); Prima (Lacey Ribbons) - others from my stash
Other: Tim Holtz Distressing Tool

Wee Memories #57 Challenge - B-Day decorations using Lawn Fawn!

Another post today ;). At work, we’ll be celebrating my boss’ birthday today (his actual b-day is tomorrow)!!! We’re going to be taking him to lunch and giving him his gift. Exciting! So, I wanted to do a quick share of the decorations I made to go on his cupcakes (I made him triple chocolate chip with cream cheese frosting). I love how hey came out. Super simple, but super fun! I'm entering it into Wee Memories Challenge #57:
Their challenge this time around is stamping. So here is my entry:


I started by punching a large scalloped circles out of October Afternoon’s Thrift Shop paper. Then I went to town stamping music notes (a la “Happy Birthday to you”) using Lawn Fawn’s Teeny Tiny Backdrops in Jenni Bowlin’s Cough Syrup (a purty red) onto white cardstock. Next, I punched put 1" circles and used a mini blending tool to ink the edges.

It was my 1st time trying those mini blenders & I really liked them!!! I got that tip from Kathy’s Blog “The Daily Marker”. You use it just like the Ink Blending Tool - just on a smaller scale. It’s cool because I matched the ink from the stamped image and edges of the circles perfectly ;).

Anywho, so then I used more pretty OA paper and I stamped the banner & sentiment using Lawn Fawn’s “Bannerific” and “Sophie’s Sentiments” and glued it all together adding a toothpick between the scallops and circles to stick them into the cupcakes ;).

Eh, just a little something. I had fun doing it too. I always have fun when I’m stamping with my Lawn Fawn Stamps ;). Hope you have an awesome rest of the d

again, with the Crate Madness ;)

Happy Hump Day everyone! Aaaahhh...Wednesday is finally here. I like to dub Wednesday as my Thursday, because I’m off on Fridays, so it’s like Thursday is MY Friday. Confused yet? Sorry.

I’m back again today to share another layout.

another look:

This one was a bit tricky until I finally figured out what to do with that little plaque she gave me to include in the book. It was from her grandparents - who she is really close to. I’m sure I could have left it out if I couldn’t work it in, but I know she really loved it. I’m so happy I finally figured out a plan to include it in a way that I’m still happy with the LO.

I used Crate Paper’s School Spirit line - which I’m LOVING!!! I seriously can’t put down the Crate Paper these days!!!! It’s filled me with inspiration!!

For the cutsie little banner, I used the little circles that were actually scraps (from the EK Success Large Scallop Punch) from another LO I made using this line. I basically stapled them to a piece of purty yellow/white Bakers Twine from The Twinery {with the Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher}. I think it’s super fun! I like how it turned out. The LO is super simple, but fun, I think. I left a nice {big} journaling spot for her mom to document the memory ;).

Thanks so much for peeking! Hope your Wednesday is great!!!

Supplies:
Patterned Paper/Chipboard Stickers/Brad: Crate Paper’s School Spirit; Letter Stickers: {Blue} American Crafts, Thickers & {tiny} October Afternoon’s Mini-Market Stickers; Punches: EK Success; Bakers Twine: The Twinery; Diploma Brad: found on Paper Niche’s Candy Bar ;).

More Crate Paper Love!

Hello again! Hope Monday wasn’t too awful rough on ya! It does have a bad reputation, I know. Mine was fine. I’ve been getting crafty like crazy lately! Today I wanted to share another scrapbooking layout that I made this weekend using Crate Paper!

a closer look at the details:


For this LO, I used the fabulous Emma’s Shop collection. I just LOVE this line as well! The papers and embellishments are all so inspiring! When I got the pile of pictures from my customer, THIS was one of the pictures that I could not wait to scrap! Look at those three pretty girls!!! They all look so happy. They seem like a really close loving family! I hope I did the picture justice - I think so.

Behind it there is a pocket {see the tabs in there} which holds a few cards between them. I thought that was so sweet that she saved so much memorabilia between them all. As a card maker that makes me extremely happy :D!!! I always save my cards!

For the banners, I trimmed various scraps I had left over and then used a Marvy Square Punch to make that middle cut. Next I used a pencil to roll them up for texture, then I chalked the edges of them with brown ColorBox Chalk. I had to go waaaay girly and use these fantastic ribbons, the Prima flower and those fabulous Maya Road Pins. I think it adds lots of girlish fun ;)!!

Well, thanks for peeking! I hope you have an awesome day!!!

Supplies:
Patterned Paper/Journaling Spots/Chipboard Sickers: Crate Paper {Emma’s Shop}; Pink Floral Ribbon and Flair: American Crafts; Tan Ribbon & Blue Flower: Prima Marketing; Pins: Maya Road; Tab Punch: EK Success; Heart Punch: Fiscars

Crate Paper Sketch Challenge!!!

Good morning!! Happy Monday ;). Hope you had a wonderful weekend! Thank YOU so much for the sweet comments on that last card I made (for Lawnscaping's #10 Challenge). I have so much fun with those challenges, and I really loved how it came out, and it makes me super happy that it was well received!!!! It means so much to me when you leave me sweet comments! They really make me smile, so, thanks ;).

Today I wanted to share a LO that I made based on the Crate Paper - May 2011 - Sketch Challenge that is going on right now. Here’s a look at the sketch:

This is my 1st time participating in one of Crate Paper Sketches and I LOVE how it turned out! I used their Neighborhood Collection (the patterned paper, banners, and the pink letter stickers are also from the collection). I just HAD to use these Martha Stewart Butterfly punches - they basically helped me come up with the entire theme of the LO. This is my take on the sketch:

and some closer ups - those cloud punches are my new fave supply (that's not a Lawn Fawn Stamp - or Crate Paper):

Isn’t that flowers just gorgeous?!? I’m telling you, I have so much fun making them!!!

This LO, like all of the LOs I’ve been making this month, is for a lady who asked me to make a scrapbook for her daughter. My first customer who isn’t a friend - woo! {She found me through the Paper Niche}. I thought it would be tough - scrapping someone I don’t know - but it’s been a wonderful experience, to be honest. Her mother was so organized and gave me all of the pictures and tons of memorabilia. I honestly feel like I know her at this point. Made my job super easy - plus, HELLO, look at her! She’s a beautiful girl!!! I just wanted to do her face justice!! These pictures are from her High School graduation. I thought they were perfect for the sketch.

Anyway, that’s my share for today! I’ll have a few more projects tomorrow - also using the fabulous Crate Paper {Emma’s Shop & School Spirit Collections!} ;). Thanks for visiting me and have an amazing day!!!.

Supplies:
Patterned Paper, Element Stickers, Pink Letter Stickers: Crate Paper’s Neighborhood Collection; White Letters: Jillybean Soup; Bakers Twine: The Twinery; Punches: various Martha Stewart butterflies; Tickets: House of 3; Glitter: Martha Stewart {coarse & fine}; Cloud Punches: Fiscars; Staples: Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher

Lawnscaping#10/CAS-ual Friday #2 Challenges

Hi guys! Back again ;). Today I wanted to share my entry into the Lawnscaping #10/CAS-ual Fridays CFC2 #2 Challenges.




Question, is it just me or is Blogger still wonky??? What's up with that?? Maybe it is just me... I don't know.

Today is "Fun Day" at my baby girl's pre-school & I'll be busy helping all day. Not to mention I've got the groceries and cleaning house business to attend to {boooo}. So, I wanted to get my card in really quickly, so, here it is:

I made it for my mom - her Birthday's on June 1st.

The paper is from a 6x6 pad of My Minds Eye's "Stella & Hazel" - LOVING THAT PAPER - AND The stamps are Lawn Fawn's "Bake me a Cake" & "Bannerific" sets. It's super girly and a bit funky - which is what I REALLY loved about it. I paired these two challenges together because I thought they were a match made in heaven. Honestly, between Lawnscapings Polkadots & CAS-ual Fridays' Buttons & Twine... seemed like a perfect combo for a fun B-Day Card! This is my 1st time participating in a CAS-ual Friday challenge, but I'm sure I'll become a regular ;).

Before I forget, the Bakers Twine is Divine Twine & the buttons are Papertrey Ink. I stapled the twine using Tim Holtz's Tiny Attacher - DONTCHA LOVE THAT THING?!? Anyway, thanks for peeking. Have an amazing day & weekend!!!

Kiddos & Layouts - A Perfect Weekend!

Good morning all! Hope you had a great weekend! Mine was good. Been going to town on the scrapbook I’m making for someone. I’ll be sharing pictures in this post, but first I wanted to share a few pics of my babies!

My sweet Alivia is getting SO big! She'll be 3 in July. On Sunday, my hubby & son went bowling with my son’s youth group. That gave Lulu & I some time - just us girls ;). We went to the park, and had a blast!

This weekend was the first time we got her hair into a pony tail!! It was a sidewayser and super cute:



Then on Monday, I took the day off work to be the class mom on my Christian’s field trip to Flamingo Gardens (a local animal sanctuary/garden). It was great! My son’s the kind of kid who doesn’t want me to kiss him goodbye when I drop him off at school, but still thinks I’m way cool & wants to hold my hand & sit next to me on the field trip - so that’s pretty cool. It was also his first time on a school bus - which seemed like the highlight of the trip for him!



Ok, so onto the craftiness. Here are some more layouts I’ve been working on:
For this one, the picture looked rather weathered, is that the word... older. It's not that old (she's younger than me) it just had that look. I used October Afternoon's Thrift Shop patterned paper/stickers - think they were a nice fit. Almost everything, including the picture, is inked up with Barn Door Distress Ink. The girl I'm making it for describes herself as liking "shabby chic" - but "clean & simple", so I thought this was fun to compliment that style along with the pic:
For this LO, I went for bright & fun to compliment their costumes, and made a journaling spot for her. Love that floral ribbon!!
For this LO, I used cream cardstock as the base and misted with Maya Mist in Red. Then I went to town with Crate Paper's Emma's Shop paper. The chipboard accents are from Maya Road, and the flower and peace sign are from Paper Niche's "candy bar". My customer picked them out. Said they were SO her daughter! I loved it that they went perfectly with this picture of their 70s themed party!

Some Projects & the ABCs of me ;)

Hi there. Hope everyone is having a good week so far. I myself seriously need it to be the weekend already. I’m mentally exhausted and just ready to rest my mind already.

I do have a few projects at the end of this post, but 1st I thought I’d do a fun little 411 about me. I saw it on Danielle’s blog a few days ago, but was too “shy” (is that the word) and then when I saw that Christy participated as well, I figured “what the heck”. So if you’ve ever wanted to know a bunch of random things about me, here’s your chance.

ABCs of me ;):

1. Age: 31 ;). Although my son made something for me for mother’s day... what he thinks of me... to him I’m 10 thank you very much. (of course, in his opinion, apparently, my favorite drink is “beer” and I look prettiest “in a big dress”. Thanks kid!)
2. Bed Size: King. We had a queen before we had out 1st baby. We were trying to get pregnant and it didn’t seem like it was happening, so we decided to get a new (king size) bed and pay it off in a year and try again for a baby. Yea, we found out we were pregnant the day they delivered the bed. Ain’t that how it goes?!?
3. Chore you hate: Definitely washing/putting away dishes and folding clothes. Thank God my hubby does those chores (he also gives baths almost every night) and I do the rest gladly.
4. Dogs: We have a mini-wiener dog named JJ. Our friend had to get rid of him and we took him in back in June of 2008. One month before my daughter was born. I like to call it “pregnancy insanity” but he’s grown on me & my kids absolutely adore him. He’s a perfect fit into our family!
5. Essential to start your day: A kiss & hug from my hubby & babies and coffee!!!! It’s a really perfect day when I can stop into Starbucks & grab a “Grande Iced Mocha” but I usually settle for Espresso that we make in the office :D.
6. Favorite Color: Blue & Green and any variation of the two. Love them!
7. Gold or Silver: Either/Or
8. Height: 5'5"
9. Instruments you play: Not one! Was never in band. I was on drill team in 9th grade. I switched schools in the middle of the year and never joined on my new schools team (they were my old school’s rival).
10. Job Title: Legal Assistant
11. Kids: Christian 6 and Alivia 2 & ½
12. Live: In a townhouse in South Florida.
13. Mom’s Name: Kathy
14. Nicknames: Sweet Pea (from the hubbs). I don’t know why, I’m not that sweet & I hate peas ;).
15. Overnight Hospital Stays: Only when I had a cyst removed from my neck as a kid (2yrs old). I had both of my kiddos in a Birth Center. You only stay there about 4 hours after having them.
16. Pet Peeves: People who put others down (especially) by boasting about themselves. Or people make EVERYTHING about them! Unfortunately I’m around someone who does this to me a lot - I hate it! I can’t get away from it, so I have to get used to it. But it’s a very annoying habit!
17. Quote: The one that’s at the top of my blog is my fave right now “When our eyes see our hands, doing the work of our heart, the circle of creation is completed inside us, the doors of our soul flies open and love steps forth to heal everything in sight” by Michael Bridge. It honestly is where I am right now. I’m totally trying to heal myself by way of my art. I have a lot of family scaring on my heart and soul. I know God doesn’t want it there. I know he wants me free. To love and be happy and be myself - and be happy about who I am. My art is getting me there. It’s building me up. Making me stronger. I love that.
18. Righty or Lefty: righty.
19. Siblings: I’m the oldest. I have a sister who’s 20 mos. younger & a brother who is 6 yrs younger.
20. Time you wake up: between 5:32am & 5:46am. Yup, you read it right :(. I like “off” times. Makes me feel better about getting up that early.
21. Underwear: yes, please
22. Vegetable you dislike: Lima Beans & Peas - ICK!
23: What makes you run late: My son. 1st not wanting to wake up. Then not deciding what to eat. Then taking too long to eat. Then throwing a fit when my daughter turns off the TV instead of him. Then forgetting something inside. Sigh. Sometimes all of the above. Sometimes just a few variations.
24. X-Rays: Several. I’ve broken my left arm (around 12 yrs) and my left wrist (at 21). I’ve been in a car accident. At the dentist... you know the regular stuff.
25. Yummy Food You Make: I love cooking!!! It makes me seriously happy! On the weekend, I always make a new recipe or a family fave. Everyone loves my couscous, cheesecake (even though I hate cheesecake), Short Ribs sauce, eggplant parm, and fish tacos. Anytime I’m cooking for our families, I end up making one of those things.
26. Favorite Zoo Animal: Giraffes or Otters.

Ok, those are the ABCs of me. If you do one on your blog, please let me know and I’ll come check it out. Mainly because I’m nosey ;) but also because I’d love to get to know you better too. Plus, it’s fun.

Also, here are a few pics of some of the pages I’ve been working on:




I think I mentioned that I’m making a scrapbook for someone. My 1st customer - EEP!! It’s for her daughter who just got engaged. She wants it pretty simple and picked out/bought all the stuff (which, honestly, made it a little trickier for me, but it’s ok). I’ve finished 5 out of 20 pages. As you can see, I’ve left spaces for her to do her own journaling. Thanks for peeking. I hope you have an amazing day. P.S. I’m teaching my 1st scrapbooking/stamping class at Paper Niche this weekend. Well, if anyone’s signed up - fingers crossed. Wish me luck. I’ve got that nervous/excited thing going on.

Mothers Day card/treat - Lawnscaping #9 entry

Hi there friends! Thank God Monday’s over. I got horrible news yesterday. Shook me to something really depressing. Sadness I did not expect. Not yet. I can’t really share, it’s not about me or a family member, and so I don’t think it’s appropriate for the blog. But would you please, please, keep my boss and his wife in your prayers? Jim and Linda. Please. Yesterday will not go down in history as the best day ever for me. Or anyone in my office for that matter :(.
Today I wanted to share a card/mini project. I’m going to enter this one into the Lawnscaping #9 Challenge
I know it’s not for a birthday/birthday party or anything, but it’s bight and fun & I thought it’s be a cute little entry. I’m just so overwhelmed between a sicky little one, and projects up the YOU KNOW WHAT, that this week this is the best I could do. I’m celebrating my Grandma. It’s a Mother’s Day card & Tea Bag Holder for my her.


I got the idea for the Tea Bag Holder over on the Lawn Fawn Blog HERE & I knew I HAD to give it a try. Kelly Marie also did a “how to” video the next day - you can find that HERE. I made mine before the tutorial - her written instructions were awesome. I knew I’d have to give it a try... I come from a long line of tea drinkers ;). My Grandma swears by green tea. I just so happened to have some, so I thought this’d be a perfect little thing that’d make her smile. I also made them for my mom, mother-in-law and sister-in-laws as well.

Hey, when I really like something, I go for it :D. Kelly Marie always has the BEST ideas!! I seriously can not imagine how much creativity is just stuck in that head of hers, waiting to burst out!

For my card, I used several Lawn Fawn Sets: Say Cheese (Polaroid, smiley sun & sun burst), Fly Free (larger birdie), Bannerific (2 smaller birdies), Harold’s ABCs (for the sentiment), and Sophie’s Sentiments (for the splashes). The paper is October Afternoon’s “Ducks in a Row” which I’ve had in my stash FOR-EVAH!! I’ve made so many projects from this line - and I’ve still got left-overs!

I finished the card off with some yellow twine, from The Twinery, and a lovely Papertrey Ink buttons - their buttons are the stinkin’ best!!!

Well, that’s all for me today. Please don’t forget those prayers for my boss & his wife - they are MUCH needed. I hope you have a great day!

Paper Niche May Kit Reveals

Hi there! I’ve been MIA since Thursday - my poor, sweet (who is not so sweet when she’s not feeling well) Alivia has had a stomach virus since Thursday :(. Then to make things fun, I got it on Saturday & it was horrible! You know what they say, misery loves company!

Anyway, I’m WAY late on this now, but I wanted to finally share my LOs that I made with Paper Niche’s May kit. I love love loved this month’s kit! Absolute. Favorite. So. Far!!! Here is a look at the full kit:
Nice huh?? It has tons of Crate Paper's Portrait Collection, which was my favorite part. It also is full of Websters, and Kaiser Kraft. Just an amazing kit. Here's a look at my projects:
This was the 1st LO I made with the Kit and - by far - my absolute favorite!!! I love this picture of my Christian. It was taken almost 3 years ago. With his little Spider man jammies and Spider man Tattoo... and those eyelashes and little hands. He’s changed so much in 3 years. Definitely a big boy now. I just LOVE that Websters floral ribbon!!! I also made a hidden Journaling spot behind the picture. The quote is a song, “Hourglass” by Mindy Gledhill. I love her CD Anchor. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you should really head over to You Tube and listen a bit. It’s speaking to me on almost every level these days. I this is was great for this LO.



This LO represents both a happy and sad time for me. We had gone to the Keys for a day trip (our 1st as a family of 4) to spread my dad's ashes into the beach there. he passed away exactly one year before that. We made a day of it and had lunch, ice cream on the beach, went to the southern most spot in the US... While the picture is a really happy one - our new, complete family, it reminds me of something not so great. I decided to incorporate those feelings into the LO design. So, I distressed all of the papers, and made punched clouds, and made rain drops with the fabulous Prima Bling in the kit. I also used Tim Holtz's Crackle Accents on one of the clear Bo Bunny Brackets to place around the journaling. I really like how it came out. Noone would really know but me. Making it was kind of theraputic for me!


I LOVE this 2 pager!! I've been dying to scrap these pictures for 2 years now!! So fun! they were taken on Alivia's 1st Birthday - the After party ;). I just hadn't had the right motivation for them yet. Thank you May Kit!! It was so perfect for this LO! Both the lacey ribbon, and the pearly flourishes really reminded me of bubbles:


This is the last LO - my sweet sleepy Lulu - always with those 2 fingers in her mouth :):




So, that’s it. Thanks for peeking. I’ll be sharing mostly scrapbooking projects this week. Someone hired me to make a scrapbook as a gift to her daughter for her Bridal Shower. My 1st scrapping job!! Super excited. Also, this weekend is my class at Paper Niche! I’m so excited and nervous I can barely contain myself!!! Say prayers for me, and have an amazing day!!