My 1st Moxie Fab - Tuesday Trigger

Hi again! So, today I wanted to share another card that I made last weekend. Essentially, I made a 4 card set. I want to give them to my Grandma when she visits from NY in September. I just can’t wait to see her and give her these cards (two more of the set are in yesterday’s post - below this one). They're just her style!

I’ve always ALWAYS been a letter writer. Before I was even a card maker. My Grandma & I have been pen-pals since... well, literally forever! Ever since I was a little girl she’d mail me little boxes that contained note cards for me to write her back. I like it that now I write her letters on cards that I make and send her blank cards to write notes to others.

I essentially made a 4 card set. Again, I used My Minds Eye’s Lost & Found 6x6 paper pad to make it. Lots of Antique Linen Distress Inking going on here. I think this quilty card (yes...I make up words.. don’t you?!?) one is my all time fave cards. It took quite a little while to make - cut all of the squares (after trial & error... why do I not make my ruler my friend already?!?), then inked them up & glue them down. You get the idea. The bracket was cut from the Create a Critter Cricut Cartridge, and I paper pieced the Lawn Fawn Sew Lovely Sewing Machine ;). I decided on the Rustic Papertrey Ink Twine & it's accents last - and I am so happy I did! I love what it, paired with the mini butterflies and pearls, adds to the card. Pretty!
Here's a closer-upper:

I’m submitting this card to the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger Challenge. My 1st time submitting a Tuesday trigger! Oh! Before I forget, heres a look at the trigger:

I love this photo so very much! So country/diva-licious ;). You can always count on Cath to deliver amazing images over on the Moxie Fab Blog!!!

Anyway, that’s my share-o-the-day ;). What are you working on??? I wanna see... Right now, I’m working on some baby shower invites for a friend of mine. I’m super excited about them, and CAN NOT wait to share them with you! Until next time have a fabby day friends!

Cardmaking Bliss...

Hi there! So, the kids are back to school. Week two. Things are falling into place. Everyone likes their classes and teachers. Yay for the peace that routine brings!

As for me, I’ve had some good (late night) crafting sessions. A few weeks ago, I picked up a few My Minds Eye 6x6 pads (Lost & Found & Lost & Found 2) along with the cute stamps, pretty brads, and the cool burlap. I was so inspired by that collection and thought it would be PERFECT with Lawn Fawn’s Just My Type and Sew Lovely stamps! I was right ;). I ended up with a few vintage (and fun) looking cards. Here’s a look at a few of them:
So, this one (up top) was actually based on this MojoMonday sketch from back in July. I liked the sketch so much but missed the deadline :( so i bookmarked it and felt inspired to use it with thses goodies. Happy I did - fun sketch!!

I really loved playing with the burlap!!! Fabritac glued it down like a champ. I actually made a set of 4 - but I’ll share the other 3 another day... sneaky huh?!?

Well, I hope your day is good to you.

Routine...hmmmm...

Ok, no crafty project today - although - I’m thinking up one. I want to make a mini-book based on what I do everyday - you know, my Routine. The Crate Paper Blog’s current challenge is to create a project using (75% of their fabulous products and) the word Routine as inspiration. I’ve actually wanted to do something like this for a while and kind of have a little something started. Hopefully I actually finish it by the deadline (8/31/11).

Last night I started thinking about my daily routine. It’s clear to me that NO mom could make a “mini” book about her daily routine, right? It’ll have to be just a few highlights.

Most of the main parts of my daily routine revolve around these two amazing little creatures right here:


I still can't believe God let me help make them! Anyway these pics are from Last night. We did our new school year measurements - and I got a mini Photoshoot!.
One of the things that is fairly new to my daily routine is taking care of our new/used Guinea Pigs. Meet Krystal (named by Christian):

and Sunny (named by Alivia):

He's not really "redish" my camera just reflected funny on him. Anyway, they're mainly a part of my daily routine because I CAN NOT have smelliness in my house, which means cleaning the cage often. I’m actually potty/litter training them. Sounds funny - but it’s working!!! We also have a fun little family thing every night feeding & playing with them.

The scoop:
They’re both girls. I got them off Craigs List about 3 weeks ago. They are about 3 years old. Did I want little critters, you ask... NOOOOOO, I most certainly did not! This is all my hubby’s doing.

He went & promised the kiddos that if they were good (meant mainly for my son) at Summer Camp ALL summer, we could get a Hamster (he’s been begging for one for months). I don’t know what’s wrong with him - making promises like that without even asking me - you know. When I (er...) “questioned” him about it, he said something like “come one, this is Christian, he’s bound to wack someone at SOME point there over the summer!” He had a point. I know my son, and he gets “handsy” sometimes. I went along with it... You know, I’m really surprised how good a kid can be when something they REALLY want is at stake.

I was really freaking out when I realized we were going to have to get a hamster, so, I started researching them online and at pet stores. I found out that Guinea Pigs are actually MUCH better pets than hamsters. They don’t bite (my son was terrified of being bit), and are not nocturnal (HUGE PLUS!!!) - so they sleep when we sleep, and they’re really friendly little pets.

Craigs List??? Yes, I looked for them on Craigs List at the referral of a friend who also bought hers from - isn’t that the strangest thing?!? I got them from a family 15 mins away from me for less than the price of 1 store bought Guinea Pig, I got 2 piggies (they do best, and are generally happier, in - same sex - families/pairs) and the cage/bedding/food/toys/accessories for $25.00! They’re actually really nice little critters. Wish me luck - it's been quite a bit of work so far, but they are sweet little things.

"HI" - Lawnscaping #16 - Second Entry!

Good morning!! It's "Back to School Day" here in S. Florida! YAY! I still can't believe my Christian is a 1st grader! He was a trouper this morning in his Star Wars t-shirt! Alivia is headed to pre-k 3 (the 3 year old class in her preschool). She's so excited too! My kidlets are growing up too fast for me.

Ok, onto my card, so, I was super inspired when I got home from teaching my class at Paper Niche on Friday night that I decided to make another card for the Lawnscaping #16 Challenge

Here is a looksie:

OK - WOWZA there is so much inkiness going on here!

I started by using a post it to section off & layer a grassy area using Distress Inks (both Shabby Shutters and Peeled Paint). Then I stamped a bunch of the images I wanted to use (they are from Lawn Fawn's Critters in the Forrest and Heebie's Jeebies' sets) onto sticky backed masking paper and also onto the card base where I wanted them to be - then I placed the sticky masking paper over the images. Next I stamped the stars (from Lawn Fawn's Bake me a Cake) onto the card using Versamark Yellow Ink and heat embossed them using clear embossing powder. Once that was dry, I punched a 2" punched circle out of the sticky backed masking paper and placed it where I wanted the moon to be, put another post it over the grassy area and went to town with Weathered Wood Dtstress Ink to make the night sky.

Then I punched a 2" circle out of a post it, and placed it over the "moon" section of the card and, after removing the masking tape, colored in a moon using two different Grey Copic Markers and added the bat stamp. Then I colored in the moon with a glittery Copic Pen. Next I removed all of the masks from all of the images and colored them in using various Copics. Here is a close up of the moon - I love how it came out - it looks so real to me ;):


I finished off the card my using the glittery Copic pen to color the spider's web, the owl's eyes, and the antenneas on the snail... and the snail wouldn't be complete without a silvery trail - right?!?:


Ok, that's it for me today. OH - before I forget, did you see that my son's card was picked by Lawn Fawn for Fawny Flickr Friday?!? Check it out **HERE**. He just about lost his mind, he was so happy!!! Then he said... "wait, did I win something?!?" HMPM. What happened to just, you know, the pride of knowing you were mentioned... not for 6 year olds, I tell ya! So it sost me $2.00 worth of goodies at the Target dollar section ;). Hope your day is great!!

Thanks - Lawnscaping #16 Challenge - an entry from me & my little guy too.

Hi there. Hope you are having an amazing week! Mine has been a but hectic and I just feel exhausted so far - UGH - it's only Wednesday!! I was in an accident this weekend, I hit a off duty cop, no less. Nice huh? So, I was planning this fantastic Saturday day with the kids - a last weekend of the summer adventure before the school year starts.

I picked up my niece, Paige and I was going to take the 3 kids to the Science Museum downtown. On our way I stopped by Target to return some shoes that were too small for my daughter. Anyway, Paige & Christian started fighting when I was driving out of the parking lot - which is typical these days - and I looked back for a second to tell them to stop and hit the person in front of me.

So dissappointed in myself.

I'm fine, we were all fine, the guy in the other car was fine - my car is not so fine. I'm in a rental. I'm so dissappointed. I know, I know, accidents happen... that's why we have insurance... yea, yea, I know. I'm just... it was something I really didn't need right now.

Then this coming Sunday is my boss' memorial service and that's just making me think WAY more than I should and it's emotionally drained me. Almost to the point of being creatively blocked. I was so happy to finally get inky last night! It always helps me smile. I needed it!

anyway - onto the happy:

Since my hubby was staying home with the kids today (camp is closed because school starts next week), I let my son, Christian, stay up a bit later than usual. I asked him (he's 6 - going into 1st grade *sniff*)if he wanted to stamp/make cards with me - and he did :D. My little creative boy. We're going to enter it into the Simon Says Stamp Children's Challnege!

He asked who my card was for, I told him I wanted to enter it into the Lawnscaping #16 Challenge - but that it could be for him - BIG SMILES! I knew this challenge would be a REAL, well, challenge for me because I love paper piecing so much - I almost NEVER EVER do a one layer card!

After I explained the concept, he said "Ok, mommy, I'll do a one layer card too then" and so we sat there making our cards. He is too cute that boy - he's my creative buddy! He made a whole watery scene!!!

When he was done, he said something was missing... a sun... I told him I had a sun stamp, and he said "well, does it have sunglasses, your sun" um...no... he said "well then, I'd better draw it, because I really need a sun with sunglasses". Of course you do little guy. Too cute. He decided it was a card for his cousin Shannon. He has too much fun hanging out with her last weekend. Here's the inside of his card:

Ok, now onto my card. This really was a hard challenge for me. I was scared of doing just one layer... I actually made a card and hated it. So, I started over with a different idea in mind. In the end I did like what I came up with though:

I knew I wanted a Kraft background. I used Washi tape to make grass, then stamped my images and colored them in with Copics. Actually, the clouds were the 1st images I stamped, and I colored them in with a white (Prisma)color pencil. When I started out, I thought I would color the entire card in with color pencils, but in the end decided everything else needed Copics. I wanted my critters to have a bit of debth and my 12 pack beginner pack of color pencils were not gunna cut it.

So, as you can see, I also used a glittery Copic to color in the flowers, my raccoon's eyes, the dragonfly, and trace aound the clouds.

I really like the effect it gave it. Just a little something extra. I think it adds something purty ;).

Anyway - sorry for the too much info kind of post. Thanks for peeking. I hope you have an amazing day & weekend. I hope to ink up some more this week - I really hope to - but I just don't know.

Hi there! Baby mini book started :D.

Hi there! I’ve been MIA all this week on the blog. We got back from Orlando on Saturday and have just had a whirlwind of stuff to do on the home front. Plus being off work for 2 days really left me with A LOT of “make-up” work to do when I got back (on Tuesday). I’ve just been too exhausted every night when I get home to craft this week.

My kidlets had the best time in Orlando though! We didn't go to any parks, just hung out with my sister/brother-in-law and our nieces. My kids absolutely LOVE being with their cousins!!!

I did start a mini-book for my friend who just had a beautiful baby girl, but haven’t really done much with it because I want to have all of the pictures before I really dig into it ;). Here’s a preview though:


I used a Maya Road “house” mini & covered it with Fancy Pants’ “Baby Mine” patterned paper (and then filed/sanded the edges). I picked up the 6X6 paper pad, a few 12X12 pages, the buttons, cutout shapes and some pretty ribbon from Paper Niche a few weeks ago & have just been waiting for Mia’s arrival to get started. It is such a beautiful and fun little collection! Here’s a picture of baby Mia Grace:

Isn’t she just adorable?!? My friend Melissa is amazing! She gave birth to this “little” 9lb (!!) girl all natural at the Birth Center (which is where I had my 2 babies - the same way. Thankfully, they were in the 7lb range!!). She’s super-woman!

Anyway, that’s it for me this week, just wanted to stop in and say hi ;). I hope you have a great day and an amazing weekend friends!

Enjoy the Ride - Tripple Challenge!

Yep, this is the 1st time I'm going to combine 3 awesome challenges with 1 card! I went home yesterday, really thinking happy thoughts. Thanks so much for the sweet comments yesterday. I haven't really wanted to share about my boss because I don't want to be a depressing bloggy ;). We actually had lunch with my boss' wife yesterday, because I'll be out of town tomorrow. MMM... Pesto Lasagna! She cooked and it was amazing! It's so nice to get together and to take a bit of time out during the crazy work day to just...be.

Ok, where was I... Happy Thoughts, that's right! So, I went home yesterday thinking uplifting happy thoughts and really wanted to make a card that reflected that. I'm trying to join challenges more regularly too, so I thought it'd be really fun to combine a few. I'm entering today's card into the Lawnscaping #15, Wee Memories #63, & CAS-ual Friday's #13 Challenges.



I think it's a perfect fit for all 3! Here is a look:

Here is a closer looksie for ya:

This card was really fun to make. I Had this idea of balloons carrying a bicycle away, and of course all of my Lawn Fawn Stamps could make that happen! I started by punching 6 plain white 2" circles, and then I applied {Worn Lipstick, Shabby Shutters, Tumbled Glass; Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, and Dusty Concord} Distress Inks with my Ink Blending tool on my crafty mat. Once that was done, I stamped the balloons {using Lawn Fawn's Admit One Set} and paper pieced them and set them aside. Next I went to work on the bicycle.

Oh, this bike! You know when you have a real brainy idea and then it takes WAY more work than you had initially planned. Meet my bike!

So, I stamped it onto the plain white paper {Bristol Art paper} so I could color in the wheels with Copics {I used B100 for the wheels and BG00, & BG01 for the insides of the wheels}. I also stamped it onto 3 pieces of patterned paper (all patterned paper here is from a 6X6 Basic Grey "Lauderdale" pad) and paper pieced it so I could have the bike be two tones and a pretty basket. Can you say "fussy cutting" everyone?!?!?!?. This bike gave those words new meaning! Even after paper piecing the bile, I decided I needed to get out my exacto knife and cut further intricate detail. Then I ran my black (B100) Copic around the edges of the bike to make it pop and hide any white edges. I was mildly (er...) frustrated at the excessive OCD I was exhibiting here, but it paid off in the end. Plus I kinda thrive on stress, so it was ok, kinda good for my soul actually.

You can pretty much figure out the rest... I made the grass and distressed the edges using the Tim Holtz Distressing Tool and Distress Inks (more Shabby Shutters), stamped/paper pieced the clouds {using Lawn Fawn's Bon Voyage set} and the cute birdie {from Lawn Fawn's Critters in the Forest set}. I stamped the sentiment onto white paper then Distress Inked the edges so it'd pop (using Tumbled Glass) and glued the bakers twine {from Divine Twine) to the balloons using Fabritac. The two top balloons are popped up using foamies. I finished the card off by using the Tumbled Glass Distress Ink around the whole thing.


I like it, when it was all said and done it really made me smile. I have to say, I really had a lot of fun with these challenges, and I found that I'm REALLY loving the 4X9 cards! They fit perfectly into a standard business envelope (which I have a lot of for some reason). Easy to mail = happy! So, what are you up to this week? I'm off to Orlando tomorrow, my sister-in-law and family are flying there from NYC & we're heading up to hang out and visit. Thanks for peeking at my card and I hope you have an amazing weekend (and rest of the week). XOXOXO

Sending Hugs - CASual (CFC) Fridays #13

Hi there friends! I've been so crazy busy that I haven't had much time to craft lately. I am in the process of making a mini book for one of my besties who just had a sweet baby girl. I'll have to wait until I get pictures to share it though ;). Anyway, today I wanted to share the card I made for the Cas-ual Fridays CFC Challenge #13. I've been wanting to try a 4X9 card, so I was definitely up for the challenge!

I've been kind of disappointed in myself that I haven't participated in more challenges. I really want to, I've just been going through a lot personally. My boss actually passed away a few weeks ago and it's been really hard on us all at work. We've all been there a long time (11 years for me) and we're very much a family. We're together more than we are with our families. Anyway, it's just taken such a toll on my creative juices. I'm so sorry, I don't want to depress you too, here is my card (double click for a larger view):

I was inspired by something I saw online (using a bunch of punched vellum circles to make a cloud and colorful raindrops). I thought I had bookmarked it, but apparently I didn't :(. I was also thinking about the current Lawnscaping Challenge when I was creating this card. This challenge is all about distressing (but I am not entering this one over there).

Anyway, to create this card, I started with a 4X9 Neenah Kraft Cardstock base then I punched 2 different sizes of vellum circles (from scraps that I saved long ago) and crinkled/inked them up with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink. I adhered them using Glossy Accents and added "Prima's e." Gems to them. Then I used a Colorbox Catseye inkpad and my new My Cute Stamps' "Cheer Up" Stamp Set to make the rain. I actually cut apart the rain drops to make them easier to use. The inside of the card said "Sending Hugs" - one of the sentiments in Lawn Fawn's "On the Mend" set.
Here are some closer-ups:

I used the "..." and heart from the Just My Type Two Lawn Fawn Set to a fun little sentiment on the outside of the card. The cute Owl is Hero Arts - I love this owl. It's popped up with a foamie, and the Umbrella is from the $1 section at Michaels ;)


I made it for my boss' wife. I'll give it to her at his Memorial Service :(. She's so strong, but it's been really hard for her. I can't imagine loosing my husband, we've been together 16 years... they were together 50!! It must feel like part of you is gone too. We've been keeping her close - having "pot-luck lunches" every Thursday at our office, we've all been taking turns cooking and everyone brings stuff. It's been good for all of us! Anyway, thanks for listening to me go on and on today - and for thanks peeking at my card ;).

P.S. My friend Christy is having a Blog Candy giveaway!!

Go check her out. If you don't follow her already, you totally should!!! She's an amazing cardmaker, and so inspiring!!!

That's all for me. I hope you have a great day!!!