| |

Scrap-tastic Challenge


Yes, I realize that I already posted today, but I couldn’t resist playing in the scrap-tastic challenge on Nichole’s blog!

Like most crafters, I tend to collect quite a bit of scraps. I have boxes and boxes of paper scraps, it’s quite ridiculous. A while back I did a card that used some strips of paper scraps. For Nichole’s challenge, I wanted to use smaller pieces of paper scraps. Since we all know that I LOVE circles, I thought I would create a card that featured lots and lots of circles. :) I love how you can mix and match different colors, depending on the recipient or occasion. Once I finished the card, I realized that it was “flat”- thus the added buttons. I just love how buttons can dress up a card!

That’s a wrap for tonight. If you like this card, I added it to my Etsy shop. My lil Etsy shop is starting to get some new items…..finally! I renewed quite a bit of items that we MIA for a few months. I’m also planning on adding some new Valentine items in the near future.

Stamps: Handwritten Notes
Paper: Brown Kraft, Spring Moss, Berry Sorbet, Dark Chocolate, Bitty Dots Basics
Ink: Vintage Sepia
Other: EK Success scallop border punch, various buttons, white pen, circle punches

| |

Embellish Hearts Color Challenge


Happy New Year to all my sweet followers!
I hope that your first day of 2010 was a great one! Before we continue onto the card of the day, I want to personally wish you all a wonderful year. Yes, you may go through trials but know that you WILL be stronger because of them. I want to let you know that if you are ever going through a difficult situation, please feel free to email me and let me know what’s going on. I will keep you in my prayers! I hold each one of my blog followers close to my heart. Even if I don’t personally know each one of you, I think of you often and am thoroughly grateful for your sweet words/ comments/ emails.

Today’s card was based off of the Embellish challenge. The challenge: to use red, black, light pink and hearts {White or cream is optional}. I had so much fun with my Christmas tags, I decided to make one for Valentine’s Day! I have lots of white paper bags so I’m planning to dress them up with a cute tag and some ribbons….I’ll post pictures once I get a few together. ;)

I hope you’ll take a moment and create something for the Embellish challenge! I love looking at others takes on the same challenge I have done….even with the same colors, projects can look so different! If you do participate, be sure to send me a picture or pass along the link!


I’ll be back soon with some delicious Martha Stewart Valentine blog candy! If you aren’t a *public* follower of my blog, I would encourage you to do so now! I always give my followers a second entry! :)

Stamps: Heart Prints, Turning a New Leaf
Paper: White, Black, Sweet Blush
Ink: Satin Red, Sweet Blush
Other: red grosgrain ribbon, EK Success scallop border punch, Quickie Glue Pen, glitter, corner rounder

|

Goals for 2010

For those of you who have followed my blog since the beginning, you may remember this card. We’re going back to December 1, 2008 for this card. This was my second card featuring buttons- isn’t it amazing how far I’ve come?! ;) I am so amazed at how much my crafting style has changed in just a year. I still think this card is cute, but I think I have improved leaps and bounds since I posted this card. Have any of your gone to your archives to look at older cards? I would thoroughly encourage you to do that. If you think you have been in a crafting rut, this really helps you see how far you’ve come, and it may inspire you to use some of your “older” ideas! I love the idea of using buttons in a tree….may have to try that again soon.

Today, since it’s New Year’s Eve, I’m going to publicly post my goals for 2010. Yes, this is a tiny bit scary having others know, but I think it’ll help me accomplish them since others you’ll ask me about them. ;) *hint hint* A couple days ago I looked back at my goals for 2009 and was pleasantly surprised that I accomplished almost all of them!

Goals for 2010

  1. Lose 15 pounds. My ultimate goal is to lose 25….I’ll stick with 15 for now and see if I can accomplish that first.
  2. Get published in a crafting magazine. Yes, I realize that I will actually have to submit for this to happen. I’m super nervous about submitting. Any tips from people who have been published?
  3. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. I’m slowly trying to get into a more nutritious diet, and I’m also working out at the gym 5 days a week. I really hope to keep this up.
  4. Go to three concerts. This may sound silly to some of you, but music is a huge part of my life.
  5. Spend less , save more. I did accomplish this in 2009- hopefully I can take it one step further in 2010.

So, what are your goals/ resolutions for this upcoming year? I’d love to hear them!

I need to sign off now- about to get ready for a New Year’s Eve party! I hope you all have a special night and an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G 2010! You all are the reason that I blog and I am so very blessed that you spend a little time with me on my blog.

Many blessings to all of my sweet blog friends!

|

Pink Hearts


Happy Wednesday!

Today I have a few Valentine facts for you:

  • Approximately 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged each year.
  • 15% of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day.
  • Teachers will receive the most Valentine’s Day cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, and then, sweethearts.
  • One-third of all Valentine cards are accompanied by gifts.
  • An estimated 25 percent of Valentine’s Day cards are humorous

I didn’t realize that some women send themselves flowers for Valentine’s Day! I’m not against people doing that- I love flowers, so I could see myself doing that! LOL
As most of you know, I have had two weeks off for the holidays. I go back to work on January 4th and I’m somewhat dreading it. I have so very much enjoyed my time off relaxing, getting together with friends and sleeping in! This past week has been filled with many parties {I’m even going to one tonight!}. I love getting together with friends, I just wish I had time to do other things too! Alas, I’m going to have to cram everything in these next four days….

Stamps: Heart Prints
Paper: White, Black, Raspberry Fizz, Raspberry Fizz Mix
Ink: Onyx Black, Cherry Pink
Other: light pink grosgrain ribbon, heart punch, pink button

|

Love You Forever


Hi there!

It’s me again…and I have yet another Valentines card. Just a forwarning: I will have LOTS of them while Valentine’s Day approaches. Hope you stick through them with me! Remember, Valentines Day isn’t just for a boyfriend/ husband/ significant other…..you can show love to co-workers, neighbors, teachers, etc…

Today is going to be filled with lots of activity. I went to the gym {unwanted pounds, be prepared to vanish!}, got myself ready for the day, and now I’m getting ready to go shopping, eat some sushi with my lil sis and go to a bachelorette party. I have yet to find a gift for the bachelorette party- any suggestions? ;) I have a couple ideas, but we’ll have to see how much they total up. This party is going to {hopefully} be on the mellow side- no repeats of what was seen on The Proposal! When I get engaged, I’m definitely making it clear to my bridesmaids that I do NOT want a crazy bachelorette party….

Now onto the card for today: I decided to try something new and stamped my own “printed” background. OH. MY. GOODNESS. It took F-O-R-E-V-E-R to accomplish this! I had six different stamps for the background and I tried to space them out across the kraft cardstock. I love the way it turned out- just wished it didn’t take so long to do! Everything else about the card is fairly simple….after finishing the background, I didn’t feel like doing any more “hard work”! ;)

Have any of you started Valentines cards? If so, send me some links! I don’t always get a chance to browse through all the different blogs {that’s a full-time job in itself!}. I truly do love looking at others work- it really inspires me and I also love reading about your lives!

I need to scoot. About to go get my shop on. Hopefully I don’t do too much damage to the wallet!

Stamps: Heart Prints, Dots Background
Paper: Brown Kraft, Cream, Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy
Ink: Vintage Sepia, Satin Red
Other: cream grosgrain ribbon, SU! scallop border punch, red & white button, distresser, heart punch

| |

2 Sketches 4 You- Laura’s Sketch #42


Hi-ya blog friends!

Bet you all are surprised to see another {card} blog post from me so quickly! I told you I would do my best to post more often…and I try to be a person of my word {when I remember}.

It’s been a while since I played along with a 2S4Y sketch. I love both Kazan & Laura- they are such dears and they have done a great job keeping up their sketch blog. I am in utter amazement at their creative sketches and of course, their beautiful creations. :) Today’s card is based of Laura’s sketch this week. Isn’t it a fun one?! It’s simple and yet you can totally go to town on it, if you wanted to. I chose to keep it simple- my mind can’t do anything difficult while I’m off of work. LOL

I hope you all got your week of to a great start. Today I had a training session @ the gym- I am DETERMINED to lose these unwanted pounds. I am cutting out all soda pop and I’m going to *try* to watch my calorie intake. Oh my word, it’s so hard when there are so many great cooks in my family! Somehow it seems like all the extra yummy food comes out when I’m trying to be on a diet….

I’ll be back tomorrow with another post. Oh yes, and before I forget, I’m working on my next blog candy giveaway. I have something in mind but I’m always up for suggestions. Let me know if there is something you have wanted. :)

Stamps: Turning a New Leaf, Signature Greetings
Paper: White, Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss
Ink: Vintage Sepia, Ripe Avocado, Spring Moss
Other: Moss rhinestones, EK Success scallop border punch

|

Amazing, I’m posting a card!

Hello friends!

I’m sorry that I have been such a bad blogger lately. With the madness of Christmas shopping/ present wrapping and hosting of gatherings, I’m hoping that I’ll get to post a little more often. I miss reading comments and hearing from you all! :)

Did you all have a good Christmas? Ours was fairly low key, which was exactly what I needed. In years past things seemed chaotic and stressful- thankfully that was not the case this year. We had a HUGE feast with the extended family. With 5 little ones running about and 11 adults talking/ relaxing, there wasn’t a rush to open presents.We eventuallygot around to opening presents and then we called it a night around 9pm. Usually I am one of the first in line at Target for their after Christmas sale, but this year I didn’t feel the need to go. I wasn’t impressed with their wrapping paper or ornaments this year, so I opted to stay home and get some projects done. Did anyone do after Christmas shopping? If so, what did you get?

I’m getting super excited for Valentine’s this year.It might have to do with the fact that I love the color combos that go along with Valentine’s Day, and I’m also tired of making Christmas cards/ projects! I’m hoping to get some Valentine inspired items in my Etsy store soon….we’ll see how that goes. ;)

Well, that’s a wrap for tonight. Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to leave a comment- it might motivate me to update a little more often. hehe

Stamps: Heart Prints
Paper: White, Dark Chocolate, Ripe Avocado, Plum Pudding, Bitty Dots Basics
Ink: Imperial Purple, Vintage Sepia, Ripe Avocado, Lavender Moon
Other: Ripe Avocado grosgrain ribbon, heart punches, EK Success scallop border punch

Movies in 2010

I know this isn’t a “normal” Christmas day post….however I noticed that I did one of these last Christmas. Thought I would make it a tradition on the blog. :)
I think Kristin Bell is absolutely adorable. I loved her in Veronica Mars {why did they cancel that show?!}. I haven’t really seen her in too many other projects- however, she is super cute and has good comedic timing. This movie looks like a fun movie to see with some girlfriends. {Ginny, you better want to see this one with me!}


Did anyone else think that Amy Adams did a great job in Julie & Julia? I heard some say that she ruined the movie. However, I strongly disagree. In fact, she did such a great job that I just had to buy it the day it came out. Moving on to her upcoming project….Leap Year looks like a sweet movie. I personally don’t think I would ever propose to my future husband, but it’s a cute idea. I’m such a “fairy tale girl”-I want it to be romantic and him to get on one knee. If only I could find the right guy…..

What is up with all this chick flick movies?! Jennifer Lopez is once again starring in a cute, girly movie. I love so many of her movies {Main in Manhattan, the Wedding Planner, Monster- in-Law}. She also has great comedic timing.


Do I really have to say why I want to see this movie? I used to be in love with Channing Tatum…however, I have moved on to Wentworth Miller. I still do like Channing, I’m just not obsessed with him any longer. :) This movie looks like a tear jerker {my mom even teared up in the TRAILER!} I’m not a huge Amanda Seyfried fan, so hopefully I’ll still enjoy the movie.


Steve Carrell and Tiny Fey? Can you say HILARIOUS?! If the trailer is any indication, I’ll be laughing non-stop in this movie. There’s a little action, lots of comedy and a tad bit of romance…what more could you ask for in a movie? ;)

Personalized Gifts

Happy Tuesday, sweet blog friends!
Hope all of your holiday plans are going smoothly. Today I had to run to the store to get some groceries….the store was a mad house! It took forever to find a parking spot, and then when I was about to pull in, someone drove into the spot! I was a little {er, a lot} peeved. Thankfully I found another good spot. :) I got the rest of my Christmas shopping done- SO happy to finally be finished!
Today I received a sweet gift in the mail from my friend, Wendy. The box was FULL of beautiful goodies. She made some personalized notecards, a bookmark, a notepad and some adorable clip its! I have seen them on a lot of blogs lately- I’m so excited that I can own some of my own! She also included two Stampendous storage containers. {Goodness knows that I need help in that area!} A HUGE thank you to Wendy for all of the sweet surprises. You are such a gem and I absolutely love working with you.
Has anyone else received some Christmas goodies this year? If so, I’d love to see pictures! It’s always fun to see others presents and join in on the excitement. :)

Hope you all had a great rest of the night. I’m off to warm up dinner then it’s off to a Christmas party!

|

Be Mine


Yes, I realize that we haven’t even celebrated Christmas yet….I must admit, I’m a little tired of making Christmas cards and wrapping presents. Thought I would take a little break and make some Valentine’s cards to share. Don’t you just love the colors associated with Valentine’s Day? The pinks, reds, purples….all of the yummy colors put together! :)

This “Be Mine” card showcases my first time using Heart Prints from Papertrey. I recently placed an order and couldn’t resist adding this set to my shopping cart. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to start making some Valentine projects. When I ordered this set, I also couldn’t resist adding both of the punches that coordinate with this set. I knew I would regret it if I didn’t….who wants to cut a million hearts out?! I am such a lover of paper punches, it doesn’t matter if it’s shapes or borders, I love it all! I’m scared to count how many paper punches I own- the number is quite high!

Did you all have a good weekend? I got some Christmas shopping done when I had a “girls day out” with my mom and sisters on Friday. I still have quite a bit more shopping to do- most likely going to hit the mall tomorrow. With only a couple more people to buy for, I’m hoping it’s going to be painless and easy. {wishful thinking!}

Hope you all have a great week! Try not to stress about the holidays…remember what it’s all about. :)

Stamps: Heart Prints
Paper: White, Dark Chocolate, Spring Moss, Raspberry Fizz, Bitty Dots Basics, Bitty Box Basics
Ink: Vintage Sepia, Spring Moss, Ripe Avocado, Cherry Pink
Other: brown grosgrain ribbon, heart punch