I was reading through my blogs while I sit here and listen to a recorded conference call. I was so excited when I got to Paper Smiles --- I won her latest blog candy!! Go check it out if Nancy is not already on your "to read" list. She makes the prettiest cards - and today's is no exception! I love the way she combined 2 sets together!!
Wait till you see what I've got to post here in a little bit! I can't wait to show ya'll!
Make it a beautiful day!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
A great sentiment
I saw this quote over on Terri Conrad's blog - and thought is was just wonderful:
"may miracles sprinkle on your garden today."
Isn't that a wonderful thing to wish for someone.
It is what I wish for all of you who stop by my blog! Thanks so much for sharing this art with me!
"may miracles sprinkle on your garden today."
Isn't that a wonderful thing to wish for someone.
It is what I wish for all of you who stop by my blog! Thanks so much for sharing this art with me!
Testing
I am sorry to interrupt this blog. I am conducting a test. This is only a test. When the test is completed, normal blogging will resume.
Ha Ha!! I crack myself up sometimes!
Ha Ha!! I crack myself up sometimes!
Do You Believe in Luck?
My local stamp club makes ATC's to trade every month. For March, we had to use the theme of St. Patrick's Day. (Yes, club was several weeks ago, but I just got this photo off the camera.)
I didn't want to do anything too cheesy and traditional. I wanted to use a really cool "lady" stamp - I have several in my stamp collection that I just love, loVE, LOVE and don't use enough. And I wanted to have those little cut up words to make it ultra cool! (I really wanted something like my SBS3 sis Sandy creates --- a style that I admire, but really struggle to produce. Be sure to stop by her blog and check out the gorgeous card she posted on Tues, Mar 25)
I stamped this lady on some old patterned paper I found (and while I have a TON of paper, I have very little green paper that is actually pretty or cool. This was as good as it got! Such a shame I'm on a self-imposed paper buying boycott) and then matted her on the green. I accented her with some itty bitty sparklies (because every woman deserves to shine, right?!??!). I came up with the slogan you see, printed it off (remember this post? or this one? and began to assemble - in the kitchen b/c Dane was up and wanted a snack. I get one done, and decide she looks kinda weird with hand --- so I decided she needed something IN her hand. I went digging in my punch drawer and found a clover punch ---- can't believe I actually own that punch (well, yes, I can) or that I forgot that I owned it (*sigh* okay, I can believe that too!). The only way that it really looked "right" was to have it falling out of her hand. I decided that it looked like she was discarding it with a look of disdain on her face. SO - I had to think up a new slogan --- which I like SOOOOO MUCH BETTER!!! So I re-printed and assembled them all. I made 11 - one extra than was needed for club, but we had more people there so I only ended up with 1 extra and not the 3 or 4 like I was planning. Of course, everyone else loved the second sentiment too - who can blame them??? The rest of the ATC's that I traded said
Luck had nothing to do with it
I didn't want to do anything too cheesy and traditional. I wanted to use a really cool "lady" stamp - I have several in my stamp collection that I just love, loVE, LOVE and don't use enough. And I wanted to have those little cut up words to make it ultra cool! (I really wanted something like my SBS3 sis Sandy creates --- a style that I admire, but really struggle to produce. Be sure to stop by her blog and check out the gorgeous card she posted on Tues, Mar 25)
I stamped this lady on some old patterned paper I found (and while I have a TON of paper, I have very little green paper that is actually pretty or cool. This was as good as it got! Such a shame I'm on a self-imposed paper buying boycott) and then matted her on the green. I accented her with some itty bitty sparklies (because every woman deserves to shine, right?!??!). I came up with the slogan you see, printed it off (remember this post? or this one? and began to assemble - in the kitchen b/c Dane was up and wanted a snack. I get one done, and decide she looks kinda weird with hand --- so I decided she needed something IN her hand. I went digging in my punch drawer and found a clover punch ---- can't believe I actually own that punch (well, yes, I can) or that I forgot that I owned it (*sigh* okay, I can believe that too!). The only way that it really looked "right" was to have it falling out of her hand. I decided that it looked like she was discarding it with a look of disdain on her face. SO - I had to think up a new slogan --- which I like SOOOOO MUCH BETTER!!! So I re-printed and assembled them all. I made 11 - one extra than was needed for club, but we had more people there so I only ended up with 1 extra and not the 3 or 4 like I was planning. Of course, everyone else loved the second sentiment too - who can blame them??? The rest of the ATC's that I traded said
Luck had nothing to do with it
Dress? Nightie?
I can't decide what this stamp looks like. It is labeled a "dress" on the stamp. But it looks like a nightie to me.
I found this card in my files and don't think I ever posted it. It was for a SCS sketch challenge eons ago.
Busy day around here - Dane is at mother's day out so I've got lots of things I want to accomplish!!
Make it a beautiful day!
Testing
I am sorry to interrupt this blog. I am conducting a test. This is only a test. When the test is completed, normal blogging will resume.
Ha Ha!! I crack myself up sometimes!
Ha Ha!! I crack myself up sometimes!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Bella is Taking Over
I finally managed to get some photos off the camera - actually DH did it. I don't know what he did, but I won't dwell on it....I'll just be thankful that he is a) more patient than I am and b) more computer savvy than I am.
This first card is actually an ATC for a swap that Katie hosted on the bellaholics group. I'm very sorry about the photo (perhaps I should have DH take my photos too). When I colored this, I had much better shading that went from dark to light. Now it just looks messy!! ICK!!! That big gem was from a pouch of sparklies I picked up in the Target $1 spot. Gotta love that section!! But I better hit it just right or there is hardly any of the scrapping stuff left! Such a bummer for a crafty girl!
This next card is for the Bella swap on SCS. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I love sketches and this is one I got from the bella forum at SCS. But I really wish people would post measurements for them. I hate trying to figure out how big an element is supposed to be!
Swaps are fun - and I always love seeing what other gals created. But I think I'm done with them for awhile. And I like my bella stamps, but I'm ready to move on to other stamps --- like SU! stamps. I signed up as a demo and my kit should be coming today!!Too much other stuff that I want to do that gets pushed to the side! I have another bella card I did for a swap, but didn't photograph it either before I sent it so I'll have to wait for it to come back to post. I don't even know if I'll get my own card back - I sure hope so 'cuz I thought it was just so cute!! I was really happy with how it turned out!
Make it a beautiful day!!
This first card is actually an ATC for a swap that Katie hosted on the bellaholics group. I'm very sorry about the photo (perhaps I should have DH take my photos too). When I colored this, I had much better shading that went from dark to light. Now it just looks messy!! ICK!!! That big gem was from a pouch of sparklies I picked up in the Target $1 spot. Gotta love that section!! But I better hit it just right or there is hardly any of the scrapping stuff left! Such a bummer for a crafty girl!
This next card is for the Bella swap on SCS. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I love sketches and this is one I got from the bella forum at SCS. But I really wish people would post measurements for them. I hate trying to figure out how big an element is supposed to be!
Swaps are fun - and I always love seeing what other gals created. But I think I'm done with them for awhile. And I like my bella stamps, but I'm ready to move on to other stamps --- like SU! stamps. I signed up as a demo and my kit should be coming today!!Too much other stuff that I want to do that gets pushed to the side! I have another bella card I did for a swap, but didn't photograph it either before I sent it so I'll have to wait for it to come back to post. I don't even know if I'll get my own card back - I sure hope so 'cuz I thought it was just so cute!! I was really happy with how it turned out!
Make it a beautiful day!!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Something Pretty
This is a project that I created last fall in an attempt to join a "group" of paper crafters on ebay. Maybe I didn't get in because these pictures are not the greatest! Boy, have I learned quite a bit since then! I tried to get these in a slide show, but slider turned them all on their side....so, I'm just sitting here, waiting for each one to load. I hope you enjoy!! I wanted a special address book - one that was uniquely mine, one that would make me smile every time I reached for it - heck, one that was so pretty, I would WANT to reach for it, adding people's info instead of scattering them all about on the tiniest scraps of paper, never to be found again.
I searched and searched for just the right book - I knew that I didn't want to have to decorate the outside. I finally found this on ebay and gave much more for it than the $5 or less that I originally was hoping to spend. But it was exactly what I wanted and I'd looked for months. Each of the divider pages I decorated with papers from some stack, and then some common ribbons, flowers, blings and quotes.
For some reason that escapes me at this moment, I only photographed some of the pages, so that's all you'll see here. I'm too lazy to go dig up the camera and work on editing again. Then I'm off to my stamp space again!
I hope that you all have a wonderful Easter holiday with your family. Remember, Jesus is the Reason!!!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Guess Who's Back?
Back Again??!?
Computer was released from the ICU and is back home with me! I've been busy this week re-decorating my son's room - while he's been sick so it's been slow going!
I wanted to share this paper bag album that I made for a friend; she wanted blues and browns and didn't want it to be too girly so I kept the ribbons and stuff to a minimum. I wasn't sure about the pictures she would be adding so I kept the pages/photo mats fairly simple so it would be easy for her to just add her photos. There are many reasons why scrapbooking is not one of my most favorite things to do: but the big one is that I hate to cover up that yummy, pretty, fabulous patterned paper. My grandpa's name was Jack so I knew I would love doing it from the get-go. I petitioned for that name as a contender when I was pregnant but hubby didn't love it as much as I did. It's okay though, because I love my son's name!!
This project is one of my most favorite things I've ever done. It was super hard for me to give it up - do you ever have that happen to you? I have to fight it very hard because 1) I can't keep everything and 2) sharing is so much better. I love knowing that people smile and feel good inside when they receive something that I made just for them!
Have a wonderful Easter girls!! We were planning on going to the sunrise service at the canyon - it's so lovely to see. Last year they cancelled it because it was so cold and icy. No word yet on this year, but they are predicting a "winter mix" that morning. My little man has the flu so we'll be watching church on tv this year. Hopefully next year!
Computer was released from the ICU and is back home with me! I've been busy this week re-decorating my son's room - while he's been sick so it's been slow going!
I wanted to share this paper bag album that I made for a friend; she wanted blues and browns and didn't want it to be too girly so I kept the ribbons and stuff to a minimum. I wasn't sure about the pictures she would be adding so I kept the pages/photo mats fairly simple so it would be easy for her to just add her photos. There are many reasons why scrapbooking is not one of my most favorite things to do: but the big one is that I hate to cover up that yummy, pretty, fabulous patterned paper. My grandpa's name was Jack so I knew I would love doing it from the get-go. I petitioned for that name as a contender when I was pregnant but hubby didn't love it as much as I did. It's okay though, because I love my son's name!!
This project is one of my most favorite things I've ever done. It was super hard for me to give it up - do you ever have that happen to you? I have to fight it very hard because 1) I can't keep everything and 2) sharing is so much better. I love knowing that people smile and feel good inside when they receive something that I made just for them!
Have a wonderful Easter girls!! We were planning on going to the sunrise service at the canyon - it's so lovely to see. Last year they cancelled it because it was so cold and icy. No word yet on this year, but they are predicting a "winter mix" that morning. My little man has the flu so we'll be watching church on tv this year. Hopefully next year!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Out of Commission
Our computer crashed the other day. It is at the computer ICU, trying to be revived. Luckily, my hubby was able to let us come up to his office and use his computer real quick. I doubt I'll be on much this week. (Theresa, we are in the same boat) It's amazing how much we rely on the computer for things - beyond blogging of course, my business, weather, news, recipes, email, etc.
I am sure that once I get back online at home, I'll have lots of wonderful things to look at from all of ya'll!!
I have been busy making some things - I just keep forgetting to photgraph it. Oh well, maybe I can do that this week!
Have a wonderful week!
I am sure that once I get back online at home, I'll have lots of wonderful things to look at from all of ya'll!!
I have been busy making some things - I just keep forgetting to photgraph it. Oh well, maybe I can do that this week!
Have a wonderful week!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Surprise!!
One of my best friends just found out she is pregnant with surprise baby #4. I made this card for her using this weeks SCS sketch challenge and the Cute Card Thursday challenge. I'm really happy with how it turned out. Papers are from a paper stack and the stamp is one of those $1 stamps I picked up at JoAnns. Baby cards are my favorite kind of cards to make - what about you - what kind of cards do you enjoy making most?
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Because you need to know
My SBS3 sister Erin tagged me today! I feel like I've "arrived" so to speak!!
Here's how it works:1. Link to the person that tagged you and leave a comment on their blog, so that their readers can visit yours. 2. Post the rules on your blog. 3. Share 7 Random facts about yourself on your blog. 4. Tag 7 random people at the bottom of your post, linking to their blogs. Let each person know by leaving a comment on their blog.
1. I have really long toes. My college roommate used to call them "finger toes". She thought they were really weird, but I've always thought they were kinda pretty - they are long and thin and not short and stubby. The downside is that my feet are a size 11. And tragically, size 11 shoes - CUTE size 11 shoes are hard to find. I found the most beautiful pair in Chicago during the summer of 2006 and fell in love with them. Sadly, they only came in a 10. And I've tried to stuff my feet into a 10 --- but it just makes me incredibly cranky so I don't do it anymore. I can still remember what that pair of shoes looked like! Without my long, pretty toes, I am sure I could wear a 9 - of which there are many, many cute shoes!
2. I have 3 dogs. A mutt, Maddie who is the prettiest mutt that ever lived. We think she has dachsund, border collie and australian shepherd in her. We rescued her from the pound and everybody thinks she is so pretty. I wish we knew what she was; I would breed her so everyone could experience the joy she is to us. We also have 2 corgis - the kind without the tail...Sam and Katie. I gave all of my dogs my most favorite names b/c I never thought I'd have kids. Made it pretty hard to come up with a baby name b/c the ones I really loved were already given to my puppies. Dane was 3 days old before he was anything other than "baby L".
3. Jim Brickman is one of my favorite artists. Gorgeous piano music that just helps me keep me calm and focused. Thanks Mom for the concert tickets last week - it was the highlight of my week! Reawakened my desire to learn to play the piano.
4. The first car I drove had a plaid ceiling. Honest.
5. I've deleted this little tidbit of trivia twice. Here's another fact that I can live with: I won a lip sync concert when I was in high school.
6. The Office is one of my favorite shows. It is the only show that my husband and I can agree on. I don't like anything else he watches and he hates anything else I watch. Thank God that it is coming back in April - I love spending Thursday night with my hubby on the couch, picking this show apart!
7. I have never dyed my hair. I'm really happy with the color that it is. I am sure that when I turn gray, that will be a different story, as I can be a vain girl. Nothing wrong with wanting to look good
I tag:
Chris
Cindy
Kate
Ann
Lynn
Courtney
Amy
Here's how it works:1. Link to the person that tagged you and leave a comment on their blog, so that their readers can visit yours. 2. Post the rules on your blog. 3. Share 7 Random facts about yourself on your blog. 4. Tag 7 random people at the bottom of your post, linking to their blogs. Let each person know by leaving a comment on their blog.
1. I have really long toes. My college roommate used to call them "finger toes". She thought they were really weird, but I've always thought they were kinda pretty - they are long and thin and not short and stubby. The downside is that my feet are a size 11. And tragically, size 11 shoes - CUTE size 11 shoes are hard to find. I found the most beautiful pair in Chicago during the summer of 2006 and fell in love with them. Sadly, they only came in a 10. And I've tried to stuff my feet into a 10 --- but it just makes me incredibly cranky so I don't do it anymore. I can still remember what that pair of shoes looked like! Without my long, pretty toes, I am sure I could wear a 9 - of which there are many, many cute shoes!
2. I have 3 dogs. A mutt, Maddie who is the prettiest mutt that ever lived. We think she has dachsund, border collie and australian shepherd in her. We rescued her from the pound and everybody thinks she is so pretty. I wish we knew what she was; I would breed her so everyone could experience the joy she is to us. We also have 2 corgis - the kind without the tail...Sam and Katie. I gave all of my dogs my most favorite names b/c I never thought I'd have kids. Made it pretty hard to come up with a baby name b/c the ones I really loved were already given to my puppies. Dane was 3 days old before he was anything other than "baby L".
3. Jim Brickman is one of my favorite artists. Gorgeous piano music that just helps me keep me calm and focused. Thanks Mom for the concert tickets last week - it was the highlight of my week! Reawakened my desire to learn to play the piano.
4. The first car I drove had a plaid ceiling. Honest.
5. I've deleted this little tidbit of trivia twice. Here's another fact that I can live with: I won a lip sync concert when I was in high school.
6. The Office is one of my favorite shows. It is the only show that my husband and I can agree on. I don't like anything else he watches and he hates anything else I watch. Thank God that it is coming back in April - I love spending Thursday night with my hubby on the couch, picking this show apart!
7. I have never dyed my hair. I'm really happy with the color that it is. I am sure that when I turn gray, that will be a different story, as I can be a vain girl. Nothing wrong with wanting to look good
I tag:
Chris
Cindy
Kate
Ann
Lynn
Courtney
Amy
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
YEEAA....
....still haven't printed out my sentiment. I did however, connect with a jewelry hostess and closed out a show....so it's not like I'm COMPLETELY wasting nap time today.
Saw this on an email I get regarding Dane's development:
Politicians extol the virtues of the at-home mom, but how much
help do they actually hand out? Plenty of parents think the
government could do better.
I would certainly appreciate a tax break for the joy of staying home! My lia sophia upline said something several weeks ago - "reward the behavior you want repeated". Makes sense. The government should give tax breaks to those who are living the life that they spin as wonderful. I believe in the concept of welfare, as a temporary means of helping people get back on their feet. Several months ago I watched some HBO show that focused on some people who lived in "the projects". I was struck by the story of one mother who had 2 or 3 little kids. She lived in a public housing situation and had amazing rent - less than $100 a month. She was going to school to be a nurse. She talked about how her goal was to become a nurse, get a job so she could move out of the projects and support her family on her own. It was difficult for her to go to school because she couldn't afford childcare. Even with that low rent, she struggled to pay her bills. The cost of childcare and education have set up a situation where it will take her forever to get her degree. That's just stinky to me - someone wants to better their life but instead, she is caught in this vicious cycle. I think I would be much happier if I could earmark my tax money to be spent on what I want it spent on. Seriously, going to print now!
Saw this on an email I get regarding Dane's development:
Politicians extol the virtues of the at-home mom, but how much
help do they actually hand out? Plenty of parents think the
government could do better.
I would certainly appreciate a tax break for the joy of staying home! My lia sophia upline said something several weeks ago - "reward the behavior you want repeated". Makes sense. The government should give tax breaks to those who are living the life that they spin as wonderful. I believe in the concept of welfare, as a temporary means of helping people get back on their feet. Several months ago I watched some HBO show that focused on some people who lived in "the projects". I was struck by the story of one mother who had 2 or 3 little kids. She lived in a public housing situation and had amazing rent - less than $100 a month. She was going to school to be a nurse. She talked about how her goal was to become a nurse, get a job so she could move out of the projects and support her family on her own. It was difficult for her to go to school because she couldn't afford childcare. Even with that low rent, she struggled to pay her bills. The cost of childcare and education have set up a situation where it will take her forever to get her degree. That's just stinky to me - someone wants to better their life but instead, she is caught in this vicious cycle. I think I would be much happier if I could earmark my tax money to be spent on what I want it spent on. Seriously, going to print now!
Pfft
34
This is ridiculous! I am sure I would have been much closer to 50 if it had taken several colors that I inputed. Sage green - that's a color, right?
Anyway, I've wasted enough time blog reading today. I really, really need to finish up my ATC's for Stamp Club tonight. All I have left is the sentiment, which I came in here to print off and got sidetracked - happens so easily with me! Of course, when I was reading Poetic Artistry just now, I saw a cool little "doo-hickey" embellishment she had on her ATC and I think I'm going to add that to mine as well - although it will have to be slightly different as I don't have that word window punch yet from SU!
Thanks for the suggestion on little cloths Kathy! We did run out this morning to take care of that....but....SHOCK! got sidetracked with eating lunch and then Dane feel asleep in the car so we just came home. I'll do it tonight after club - probably better that way so I can really think about it.
This is ridiculous! I am sure I would have been much closer to 50 if it had taken several colors that I inputed. Sage green - that's a color, right?
Anyway, I've wasted enough time blog reading today. I really, really need to finish up my ATC's for Stamp Club tonight. All I have left is the sentiment, which I came in here to print off and got sidetracked - happens so easily with me! Of course, when I was reading Poetic Artistry just now, I saw a cool little "doo-hickey" embellishment she had on her ATC and I think I'm going to add that to mine as well - although it will have to be slightly different as I don't have that word window punch yet from SU!
Thanks for the suggestion on little cloths Kathy! We did run out this morning to take care of that....but....SHOCK! got sidetracked with eating lunch and then Dane feel asleep in the car so we just came home. I'll do it tonight after club - probably better that way so I can really think about it.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Mom S.O.S.
I just got back from picking Dane up from Mother's Day Out. Little note in his bag asked that he bring a labeled basket on Wednesday filled with 12 plastic eggs that have an "age-appropriate toy" inside for their easter egg hunt.
Great idea!!! I'm loving it!!!
But I'm freaking out about the inside of that egg!!!
He's 1 - they're all 1 in that group.
What the heck is an AGE APPROPRIATE toy that will fit INSIDE a plastic egg???!?!?!?
Come on girls - I know lots of my sisters have little ones that older than mine - surely you have some suggestions for me!
Great idea!!! I'm loving it!!!
But I'm freaking out about the inside of that egg!!!
He's 1 - they're all 1 in that group.
What the heck is an AGE APPROPRIATE toy that will fit INSIDE a plastic egg???!?!?!?
Come on girls - I know lots of my sisters have little ones that older than mine - surely you have some suggestions for me!
Friday, March 7, 2008
It's Not Easy being Green!
You Are a Green Crayon |
 Your world is colored in harmonious, peaceful, natural colors. While some may associate green with money, you are one of the least materialistic people around. Comfort is important to you. You like to feel as relaxed as possible - and you try to make others feel at ease. You're very happy with who you are, and it certainly shows! Your color wheel opposite is red. Every time you feel grounded, a red person does their best to shake you. |
I do happen to like green a lot!! My living room features green heavily and my old craft room was painted this really dark, gorgeous green. And I do love to be comfortable!!! Guess this blog-thing actually got it right this time! What color are you?
Reader Woes
After being super busy these past few weeks with my lia sophia business and the never-ending housework and a cute little boy that wants to be right near me at all times, I have had very little blog-hopping time the last 2 weeks. I have a couple hundred blogs in my Google Reader that I like to check out. Well, I haven't read a blog at all for the past week and I started trying to catch up on Wednesday. Not a good thing. For some reason, I have to read the the "new" posts that reader tells me I have. If I could figure out a way to just mark ALL of them as read, without having to mark each blog individually, this would be great!! Anybody know how to do that?
And then, I have a few blogs in my reader that never update. I was able to add them to reader, but it never catches the update. One is The Lucky Clucker. Anyone know why this is happening and/or how to fix it?!?!? 'Cause I *really* need another blog to read, KWIM??!??
And then, I have a few blogs in my reader that never update. I was able to add them to reader, but it never catches the update. One is The Lucky Clucker. Anyone know why this is happening and/or how to fix it?!?!? 'Cause I *really* need another blog to read, KWIM??!??
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