Happy NEW YEAR! And my Baby's birthday :)

Happy New Year's Eve everyone! Today also happens to be my older daughter's birthday!! I can't believe she is 5 years old today! She was born at 9:32 pm on New Year's Eve. We got into our room, and settled just before the ball came down - we ushered in the New Year as a new family :). So much time has passed, I can hardly believe it! I put together a quick smilebox of Shannon from day 1 until today -

Make a Smilebox slideshow

So there she is...my girl...that's the song I've always sang to her...now I sing it to the other one too :) onto her card...


These stamps are from Technique Tuesday, the set is called My Litte Princess. TOO cute. There is a ballerina stamp as well. Check 'em out if you get the chance...it's perfect if you have little girls!

It's kind of hard to see, but there is a castle image stamped in Aqua Mist ink right above the chipboard 5...The ink REALLY matches the cardstock well - a little too well maybe ;)

So the princess was colored with my copics, and I've added a bit of bling to her dress and crown. The image was cut with my circle nesties, as well as it's mat.

The sentiment was stamped in Brilliance Chocolate Ink.

The Chipboard 5 is from SU! and was smooshed into my pretty in pink craft pad, and then I 'painted' it with Stardust stickles...real nice sparkle to it...

Hope you all have a safe and happy new year's eve...we're hanging out at home tonight for cake and chinese food...the birthday girl's choice.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: My Little Princess - Technique Tuesday
Ink: Memento Black, Brilliance Chocolate, PTI Aqua Mist, AU! Pretty in Pink Craft
Paper: PTI Aqua Mist, SU! Whisper White, SU! Chocolate Chip
Accessories: AMuse Creative Candy, copics, nesties, SU Chipboard, stardust stickles

WHEW!!!

Wow - what a busy week it's been!!! We're on gift OVERLOAD here - sooo many things - we're truly blessed, and thankful for everything, but WOW - where will I put it all?!?!?! :)

I wanted to pop in and share a few things I made for 2 of my nephews and one of my nieces. Have you all seen Lauren Meader's Timeless Templates??? If you haven't, you really should check them out! There are 2 FREE templates on the PTI Website - and lots and lots of ideas on Lauren's blog - plus there are lots of great ideas in the brochures that come with the downloads...so don't be shy - go on and TRY them!!

So - on to my projects...for my two oldest nephews, they are kind of hard to buy for, so I like to get them something I know they can use. The oldest just LOVES his iPod, and goes nowhere without it...and the younger one got an iPod this year from my Mom & Dad...so I got them both iTunes cards. trying to think of a nice way to package them, and then I thought of music...figured Lauren's Music Makeover template would be perfect! The iTunes cards came in a folder, larger than the usual gift card folders, and it fit great inside the box. These two were made using the Twinkle Twinkle series of papers from Piggy Tales. I cut the guitars out from one of the large print papers, and mounted it on a glitter star cut with my Star Nestabilities. The flap is tucked behind the star, helping to hold it closed on the bottom, and the tops are held closed by the ribbon.


This other holder was made using Ba Ba Black Sheep paper from Piggy Tales (hmmm, do you think I like their papers?? ;0) ) I used a Gingerbread Man image from A Chemistry With Paper, since the gift card inside had a gingerbread man on it...thought it would be cute to make it match.

Back to my early start to my New Year's Resolution...getting my house in order. I'm off all this week with my girls - so I'm taking the time to be with them, but also to get things straightened out here - too much stuff, and no place to put it...can we say PURGE??? That's where I'm at. Already making lots of progress, but can't WAIT for the cardboard pickup on Wednesday!!

Hope you all have a terrific day - thanks for stopping by!!!

Mmmmmm.....Coffee....

Hi there all! It's been a while, but I'm still here. Busy getting ready for Santa on Thursday. How are your holiday plans coming along??

I saw this great tutorial on SCS the other day for a K-Cup box. What's a K-Cup?? *shock* You mean, you DON'T know??

I have a Keurig single cup coffee brewer, thanks to my friend Paulette, and some additional, enabling, ahem, I mean gentle prodding, I broke down and bought one. Well - I LOVE my KEURIG!!! It makes a fabulous cup of coffee, and there's no more arguing who has to clean the pot, etc. etc. One cup at a time, means I can have a flavor, when my husband wants regular...no more throwing out a half a pot of nasty old coffee...

Now - I can tell you until I'm blue in the face about how awesome these babies are, but did you know, there's even a thread on SCS dedicated to them?? I dare you to count the number of new machines purchased since the start of that thread...

ok - sorry - back to the whole reason I am here!! A friend at work was very sweet and gave me a gift certificate to Green Mountain Coffee Roasters...mmmm. So I figured I'd make her a cute thank you - since she has a Keurig too. I put this adorable little box together, all design credit goes to Bevmom on SCS, I can't thank her enough!! This is perfect!

I am able to share some different flavors with her - and display it in an oh so super cute way!

The box is made from Real red CS, the lid is layered with Ripe Avocado from PTI, and their holiday collection papers. The sentiment and mug of coffee is from Gina K's set, My Cuppa Joe,
I think this may be my new favorite Coffee Set! The mug was colored in with my Copics, and the froth was done with white liquid applique.

Here's a view of the inside of the box - a layer with holes cut out to hold the K-Cups in place, then another insert with an acetate window tops it off. All secured closed with some Ripa Avacado satin ribbon.

Do you have a favorite flavor or kind of coffee??? Or how about a coffee drink? I've been enjoying an occasional Peppermint mocha from Starbucks, but if I'm home, lately I've been enjoying a plain nutty roast...mmmmm.

Tagged...and a Christmas Gift

Holly tagged me today with this great award

Thanks so much Holly! I think you are super creative too! :)

I'm going to pass it along to some more great bloggers out there:

MollyB
Melissa at Pink Cat Studio
Cindy (Mothermark)
Dawn McVey
Rebecca Grohall

Be sure to check them out though I'm sure you probably know of them already...Super creative ladies here!!

Onto a little project. Here's a card I made for a co-worker.

Today was our annual holiday party in the office. We had a DELICIOUS lunch. We do a little Kris Kringle gift exchange every year. So for my friend Sheryl, I got her a gift card from Bath & Body works.

So I put a little 'holder' on the inside cover of the card to hold the gift card. Worked out perfect.

Since the gift card had red writing on it, I wanted to incorporate that somehow, so I figured I'd bring it in in the sentiment on the front, and then use it inside as well.

This card uses all Stampin' Up! products, except the card base, which is PTI Select White, and the bling, which is from Doodlebug. The snowflakes are from the Winter mini, and are OH so delicious, aren't they??


I apologize for my photos...it was 2 am when I took these last night - and only today, after I had given it to it's recipient, did I realize they could have been a bit better...

I don't have too much shopping left to do for Christmas, but a few gifts still to make, and then lots and LOTS of wrapping...what about you? How is your holiday preparation going??

Thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Angel? Or...

Remember my post from the other night?? Well...here's what happened the next morning...

yep - see those little things all over the floor??? Cheerios. I left her sitting nicely in the bean bag chair...with the cup of cereal on the stool...and WHAMO - I'm in the kitchen for 10 minutes packing the kids' lunches, and she does this...

Nice.

Tonight - she somehow got a hold of a small bowl of tomato sauce that was on my older daughter's plate, and dropped it on the floor (after thoroughly covering herself, of course) And after dinner, she made sure we were all still awake, by pulling an empty plate off the table, and sending it crashing to the floor...hmmmm....me thinks my hair will be completely white by the time we get through the terrible twos, and horrific threes with this one *wink*... but she sure is cute anyway - isn't she?

I never did get those projects photgraphed, but I *did* get batteries for the camera at least!

Hoping everyone is having a great weekend!! We actually have no plans for once! I can hardly believe it!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

So much for that...

So I had some things to photograph to post here, plus a follow up photo to my little darling...but...my camera batteries are TOAST, and I can't believe it, but I actually do not have another single solitary double a battery in the house! So, I guess it will have to wait.

I do have some news though -- I submitted an application to be on the DT for Pink Cat Studio, I just love Melissa's stuff, she's got some great images, as well as great interaction with her customers. I didn't make the team, but Melissa has given me the opportunity for a guest designer spot later in 2009! So, while I'm not a permanent member of the team, I'm still honored that Melissa thought my stuff worthy enough for a guest spot, so THANK YOU MELISSA!

A big congrats to those who made the team!!

Well - I guess I'll be off then...should be back tomorrow with photos (once I get back from the store with batteries, ha ha ha)

Thanks for stopping by!!

Perfect...

So my little one was protesting sleep tonight...she fought, and fought hard, she sat in my husband's lap, then mine...then his - then she got down on the floor...she laid down with her bottle...and not too much later...she looked like this...

Just makes my heart melt. She looks so darn cute, especially all sprawled out in front of the Christmas Tree...

Have a great night all...sweet dreams :)

De-stressing to ENJOY the holiday season...

Well, I did it.

Though I've always taken pride in sending out handmade Christmas cards...I just knew that this year, it WASN'T going to happen.

So - I've ordered some photo cards of my girls, and that will be that. One less thing to stress about, so I can focus on the gifts that I want to make for some special people. Time is limited, with most of the focus on my family - then work - so stamping, well, though it is my creative outlet, it often takes a back seat to cuddle time with my girls :).

The tree is set up - the house is in good shape, and shopping is just about there. I'm determined to ENJOY the REASON for the season, and soak in all of the happiness and joy.

One of my favorite people made a suggestion in a recent blog post to start a journal - write in the morning when you wake - no matter what it is - get it out - and start the day fresh. I think I might do this. My friend Paulette made me an AWESOME Gratitude journal last year, and it's so pretty, I haven't actually USED it...so I'm going to break that baby out, and get writing...may be a little bit easier than trying Yoga with the girls jumping on me *wink*

*sigh* I feel happier already...

How about you? What are you doing this year to ensure that you can enjoy the upcoming holidays, no matter what you celebrate?????

More from Squigglefly...

I've got another card with an image from Squigglefly today. Have I mentioned how much FUN I've had coloring??

This is a card intended for my SIL. Her name is Catherine - we call her Cat, and she's the musical director for our fife and drum corps, so really, could I have happened upon a more perfect image??? I think not.

This card will be given to her at our annual dinner, along with a token of appreciation from the corps.

I kept my color palette simple, but added a bit of bling and dazzle. The pretty in pink layer is coated with stardust stickles...There is a small pink heart rhinestone at the tail of the sentiment.

The background on the base layer was made using Lizzie Anne Designs 'So Swirly' Set, and the sentiment is theirs too.

The cat image was colored using my copics (of course!) I can't wait to try out the new paper from GinaK, I hear it's FABULOUS for using with your copics...ahhh... *happy sigh*

So tell me, have you been to Squigglefly yet? And if so, what caught your eye??

Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Squigglefly digital download - Flute Kitty, Lizzie Anne Designs So Swirly, sentiment
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Brilliance Graphite Black, Going Gray
Paper: PTI Select White, SU! going gray, basic gray, pretty in pink
Accessories: SU! Pink grosgrain, stardust stickles, copics, rectangle nesties, AMuse creative candy

I've Been Bitten...

By a fly...Squigglefly, that is! Have YOU checked it out yet? I saw this on Lauren Meader's blog yesterday, and immediately headed over to their site. I got a few downloads yesterday, they've got some really cute stuff!

These are in that new category of 'downloadable stamps'. You print them out on CS, and cut and color away! It's great, as, in the downloads, you get a smaller image and a large one that you can re-size to what YOU want! Lauren Meader gave a great example of this on her blog yesterday...she uses the same image in two different sizes.Go check them out - you won't be disappointed!

I'm sharing one of my cards with you today, and I have another to share tomorrow...I LOVE to color, and have since I was little...every time I got a new box of crayolas, I dumped them out and put them all in color order...they HAD to be this way (BTW...shhhhh...I still do this, but my DD isn't nearly as AR as me ;) )

This girl was WAY to sassy NOT to buy! She's a diva, for sure! The sentiment is from a set by Missy B Designs. Let's take a closer look, shall we???

I put a little bit of red in her hair, to pick up on the pomegranate in the paper and the CS. The star beind the sentiment was made by using the negative of the SU Large star punch and I sponged on silver ink, and the paper is from Piggy Tales, one of my favorites!

Thanks for stopping by - I'll have more to share tomorrow, hope you have a spectacular day!!

Meowy Christmas...a Pink Cat Challenge!

WHEW!! Finally...after the stockings were hung by the chimney with care...I headed to the basement to have some time with Pink Cat, before I tore out my hair... ok, bad rhyming I know...it's late, cut me a break, ok??

I've been forcing myself to do housework and decorating all weekend, so I finally demanded some time for myself (it was really hard too, everyone was already in bed *wink* I'm real tough, huh?) and particpated in the Pink Cat Challenge over on Papercraft Planet.

I pretty much only go over there to check on the Pink Cat Thread there...I have so many other things to keep up with, I can't really handle much more! Ha ha ha ha...

Anyway - the challenge was a 1,2,3... 1 Ribbon, 2 background layers, 3 embellishments...so here we are...

See that fabric in the background?? That was my inspiration for the colors of this card. It's a pair of pants I picked up for my daughter at Kohl's the other day...fun, and a bit 'non-traditional' wintertime colors.

Now, check out my ribbon...yep, it's stamped. I used the snowflake images from Lily & Billy Winter, and stamped them on SU!'s 5/8" Chocolate Grosgrain ribbon, with Papertrey Ink's Vintage Cream Ink. This is AWESOME for stamping on ribbon...I hope they come out with a true white with this formula as well...I just love it...look how crisp it comes out, plus the visibility! I added my 3 embellishments here...my cute little bling.

It felt good to get out there and create...I also worked on coloring some images I purchased today from squigglefly... of course I learned about them from Lauren Meader, and fell in love, so I hope to be back maybe even tomorrow with a finished product with one of the images :)

Well, thanks for stopping by - back to work tomorrow...BLECH.

Supplies:

Stamps: Pink Cat Studio, Cat Plate 1, Lily & Billy Winter

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Palette (through PTI) Vintage Cream

Paper: PTI Select White, Aqua Mist, SU! Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: CB Snow Dots Folder, AMuse Creative Candy, stardust stickles, copics, SU! 5/8" Chocolate Grosgrain

Remembering a Friend...

It's been a long week. I hosted Thanksgiving dinner, so between working and cleaning and cooking, I haven't had ANY stamp time...BLECH.

BUT -- I went to an awards dinner tonight, to remember a friend. As most of you know, I'm involved in Fife and Drum, what's that you say?? check HERE. I used to belong to a junior corps, called The Young Colonials. This is actually how I met my hubby. He wasn't in the corps at the time, but his younger brother was, and his sisters taught the fife line, and his 2 older brothers taught the drum line...

On May 31, 1995, something pretty terrible happened. I was home sick from school (I was a Sr. in HS at the time) I got a call from a friend of mine from a payphone (back in the day of *GASP* no cell phones! *sigh*) who had said that one of our classmates Chris, had been in an accident, and that his sister was in the car with him and she died....my stomach dropped. Chris has 2 sisters...Angela, and Michelle...which one was it??? No one knew. I called my Mom (she's a nurse, and works at the local hospital) She answered the phone, and I said "Do you know??" She said "Yes, it was Angela." I still remember that moment like it was yesterday. She was 12. 12. Now being a mom, even moreso I can't even BEGIN to think about how short her life really was. It also gave me a good dose of 'I'm not invincible' reality too.

Angela was an incredible fifer for her young years, and though she was small, and had to hold her fingers a certain way to make sure she covered the holes all the way, she ROCKED the fife. She taught me a thing or two, that's for sure! She always did what was right by the corps, and was the fife sargeant as well...for a little girl, she knew how to command attention!

So, on a weekend where we should have been celebrating our last few weeks as Seniors in HS, Chris (Angela's brother) was in the hospital, and we (my hubby and friends and I) were at Angela's funeral...NEVER will I forget that.

Each year, The Young Colonials hold an awards dinner, where they give out medals to the members of the corps for parades they've won, and they have some perpetual awards that are given out each year as well. One for an outstanding member of the Colorguard, one for an outstanding member of the fife line, and one for an outstanding member of the drum line. That year, they added a fourth award. The Angela Simmons Award, to be given to a member of the corps, that exemplified all of Angela's qualities as a corps member. The recipient would be a member of the corps that demonstrates leadership, encourages their fellow corps members not only to practice, but to just be together and have fun, to have good parade and practice attendance, and to be an example to the younger members of the corps (or even perhaps the older ones!! *wink* ) I was honored to have been given this award the second year.

Well, after 12 years, the plaque is full, and the corps has decided to reitre it, and give the plaque to Angela's family. So tonight, all past recipients were invited to attend the dinner, so that we could all pose for a photo with the plaque to be presented to the family with the plaque.

I still see Angela's Dad now and then, and I'm still friends with her sister Michelle...and always give Chris a hug when I see him...I think a lot about what could have or would have been if Angela were here today...though I know she is in a far far better place, but man, how sweet it would be if she were still here...we miss you Angela!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Wintertime Fun :)

Hello all~

It's been frigid these last few days, here in NY. Brrrrrrrr..... We've even seen a few flakes, but nothing significant to even make a coating on the grass, which I am thankful for...though I *do* love the snow...I'd rather wait until after Thanksgiving if possible.

BUT -- seeing those snowflakes got me wanting to play with Billy & Lily's newest set from Pink Cat Studio.

So Billy & Lily love to go sledding at night...under a starry sky. I wanted to be a little different and use purple, as I'm trying to change my DD's mind about painting her room pink...maybe if I keep using purple, she'll change her mind...(ha ha I could only hope!) There's lots of detail on Billy & Lily...I used white applique on the 'fur' trim. Billy is wearing a suede jacket (it was of course waterproofed...he wouldn't be so foolish!) that was done with my brown velvet fabric pen. The sled is covered in crystal effects, a nice glossy look, but my photo doesn't really capture it.

The stars in the background are Martha Stewart Halloween double sided stickers that I got on clearance last year, perfect for glittering :) Oh, and of course Billy & Lily are popped off the front of the card using a piggy tale. The only downside to these is the shadows when I photograph, but they really add a lot of interest to the cards - and it's great that they flatten down!

Sentiment cut out with one of my new Nestabilities Labels 2 dies (this is the smallest die) and stamped in Dark Chocolate Palette ink from Papertrey.

What was/is your favorite Wintertime activity??? I like to play in the snow with my DD, usually a playful snowball fight....can't wait to hear what yours are.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:

Stamps: Lily & Billy Winter

Ink: Memento Black, PTI Dark Chocolate

Paper: PTI Plum Pudding, DCWV Glitter stack, PTI select white

Accessories: Copics, star shaped double sided stickers, MS glitter (silver and purple), piggy tail, nestabilities Labels 2, liquid applique, brown velvet fabric marker, crystal effects

It's all coming back...

I've been on the LONGEST creative dry spell...but I forced myself to sit downstairs tonight and use some things...and I feel my mojo coming back...I thought it was back the other day...silly me, I was a fool. But with my warm up card, and the one after that, slowly but surely, I think I'll be back to my normal self by Wednesday or Thursday :)

I think it had something to do with receiving some new goodies...but maybe it was just time...nah, I think it was the new goodies. The funny thing is, I got some new Pink Cat Studio Stamps, but I used a set that I've had. Go figure.

ok ok - here we go...my first card. A get well for a co-worker...not my favorite, but a decent warm up. I used my new Nestabilities labels 1 set...I left the die in place, and colored the background...the image was colored with my Copics. *happy sigh*

Finished it off with a little polka dot aqua mist ribbon from PTI.

The next card...I'm feeling a little more warmed up...another adorable image from QT Hooty...again, colored with my Copics. I used some PTI dark chocolate CS to mat my image, and some dark chocolate twill for some added texture and interest...the 'dew drops' are vase filler from M's colored with my Copics to match my card...

I started on another one, but 1 - it needs to dry overnight... and 2 - I need to go to bed! Morning always comes too early around here!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Supplies:

Get Well Card:

Stamps: QT Hooty - Pink Cat Studio

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: SU! Chocolate Chip, PTI Select White

Accessories: Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 1 dies, Copics, PTI Aqua Mist swiss dot ribbon

Flock Together Card:

Stamps: QT Hooty - Pink Cat Studio

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI Select White, PTI Dark Chocolate

Accessories: PTI Dark Chocolate Twill, vase filler, Copics

Thomas...

Remember the 70 invitations?? The Mom called me up and asked me to make labels for some pails...she has someone making candy tree centerpieces for the reception following the Christening, in these turquoise pails...the theme is trains, the whole Thomas the Tank Engine thing I guess...

So she gave me the pail, and it had this big ugly sticker label on it that was tough to take off, wo we decided whatever I did it had to be big to cover the unsightly labels so they wouldn't have to be removed, these could just be placed over them.

The hardest part was getting the 'shape' of the label. Of course, I didn't take pictures (why would I think to do that?!?!) but they turned out alright I think.

I took the pail, and laid it on the cardstock on my rubber mousepad, so there was a little give under it...and pressed and rolled at the same time, to catch the 'curve' as I rolled it. then cut it out, straightened the sides, and voila! I had my template for the other 15 labels...

Mom was thrilled, and I'm hoping she'll forward a photo of the centerpiece complete, but in the meantime, this is what I have.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:

Stamps: Trajan Monogram, PTI

Ink: SU! Tempting Turquoise Classic

Paper: SU! Real Red, Basic Gray, Tempting Turquoise, PTI Select White

Accessories: MS border punch - train cuttlebug dies

Getting in the Christmas Spirit...

While many papercrafters out there have already 'been there, done that' with the Christmas stuff...I'm starting to get in the spirit of the holiday season, though I actually made this card a while back (a bunch of them really) for a swap on Splitcoast.

There are a few groups on there, of people who have become friends, and chat...I'm part of the PSFs, we were named by Lauren Meader's daughter, Alexa...then there are the HYENAs (Have you Ever Noticed...) the Challenge chasers...and then there are the Dorks...what a great group of ladies. We've really gotten to know some of the Dork sisters pretty well, so, in a thread 'getting to know' our neighbors...we decided to start a swap...we did one with a sisterhood theme first, and this time, we did Christmas cards.

Here's mine:
I used the great 'Little Drummer Boy' image from Stampendous' Christmas Inspiration Line. I got mine at All That Scraps. The image was colored using my Copics...but there was still something missing...so I decided to make a 'light' shine down upon baby Jesus. I cut out a mask to cover the image, and make the 'beam' and just rubbed my Brilliance Galaxy Gold pad right onto the cardstock. It's so shimmery, I got a closer shot...here look:
the final touch was a little cording sewn in a double x pattern down the side. Kind of untraditional color-wise, but all in all, I love this card.

Hope you do too - thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampendous Christmas Inspiration Little Drummer Boy & Sentiment
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Galaxy Gold Brilliance
Paper: SU! Kraft, Brushed Gold, Really Rust, PTI Select White
Accessories: SU! Gold Cord (retired)

Happy 62nd Birthday Dad!!!

My Dad's 62nd Birthday was last Thursday (the day before Halloween) it was such an emotional day for me...more so than I thought it would be.

For those of you that don't know me so well -my Dad has some health issues...including bad circulation form years and years of smoking. Starting in November of 2006, he's had numeous procedures to restore and maintain the circulation to his right foot, and the end result was a wound on his calf that wouldn't heal. In February of this year, it got infected. So badly, that it sent his body into septic shock, and he was on a ventilator and almost died.

While sedated on the vent, it was decided that his leg would have to be amputated above the knee, if he were to have any chance of living. On one hand an easy decision for Mom to make, but on the other - how do you tell someone that you had to make that decision?? The day he was taken to the OR, I though I'd never see him again...the doctors weren't very optimistic, nor was I...

But - Dad is AMAZING. He pulled through the surgery. He was off the vent about a week later, and day by day his stats improved. a few weeks in the hospital, and another month and a half in rehab, continuous physical therapy - and he's doing AWESOME! He's in good health, and he's walking with a prosthetic, using 2 canes right now, but who knows? Some day, he could be walking like 'normal' again. God is good.

So - back to Dad's birthday - one I honestly thought he'd never see...so that was exciting. My friend Sarah got me the cool Retro 50's set from Pink Cat Studio back for a friendship appreciation swap on SCS a couple of months ago, and Dad was the PERFECT person to use it for! When I still lived at home, he'd make me CRAZY listening to 50's music ALL the time...of course, now I love it too, and look forward to when I can make my kids crazy ;)

Here's his card:

Cool, huh? The jukebox is on a 'piggy tail' and sproinging (I think I just made that word up ;) ) about. Kind of like dancing to music...

The main image is colored with my copics, and my silver paint pen for the 'chrome'...let's take a closer look at the jukebox, shall we?

I used Crystal Effects for the rainbow 'bubble light' on the jukebox, and you can see a little better the dimension from the piggy tail.

Also - did you SEE the newest set from Pink Cat?? Billy and Lily Winter Stamps...OMW - I love them! Go check them out!

Still looking for my mojo in case you find it, but I'm glad to have a little something to post in the meantime.

Oh! And for those of you wondering, Dad had his last cigarette on November 10, 2006 (the day of his first surgery) and is still smoke free!! TRUST me, if he can quit - ANYONE can!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Retro 50's - Pink Cat Studio, Birthday Basics - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Whit Craft (SU!)
Paper: Basic Black (SU!), Ocean Tides, Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Copics, piggy tail, crystal effects, silver paint pen

getting things back on track...

Hi there!

Yep - I'm still around, but I think I lost my mojo when my hard drive crashed! If anyone can retrieve it, will they send it my way??? Please?!?!?! :)

Anyway - I hope to be back on tonight with a post and a card and try to get back on track.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Devastated...

Sooooooooooo sad am I. But I've learned and important lesson BACK UP YOUR FILES PEOPLE!!!!

Got word from the computer guy today - he couldn't retrieve any of my files...I've lost almost every photo of my second daughter's first year. I have some on myspace, and some on facebook, and some in some smilebox creations, so I didn't los EVERYTHING, but there was so much more that I had that I never got to do anything with...like her chicken pox pictures - the poor thing looked so cute, but they're gone...and her actual first birthday pictures...yep - those are gone too...Other DD's 4th birthday - and her party...yep - gone.

UGH - I think I'm going to go throw up...

Learn from me, if you haven't already - BACK 'EM UP!!!

MIA...

BUMMER.

So Saturday I got some pictures all ready, and I was going to get a fun post together with a card I made for a Christmas card swap with some friends on SCS and KAPLOOEY. Computer got messed up. *sigh* Not sure what the deal is, but it won't boot up. So, I spent the rest of the weekend without being able to communicate via internet. So weird how used to things you are, you know? I saw something on TV, and I said - oh, I'll go check that out...um, nope. Can't.

I'm at work - so obviously can't spend the whole day blogging away (though I'd LOVE to!)

I just wanted to pop in and say hi - and I hope that the computer guy can at least retrieve all of my picture and music files...here's to hoping!

Have a great day - thanks for stopping by!!

Bear Hugs...

Things have been soooooo crazy busy - but I'm hoping to get caught up on a few things!!

I wanted to come and share a fun card (and product) with you.

A friend of mine is going through some really tough times right now, and so I wanted to do something a little special for her. Those of you that read Lauren Meader's blog know that her infamous saying is 'one day at a time' and a friend of hers got her this terrific bracelet... "A journey of 1,000 miles...begins with a single step" Well, this is totally fitting for my friend as well...so I tracked down one of these bracelets, and made her this card to go with it.

This is the Bear Hugs set from CC Designs...c'mon, have you ever SEEN cuter bears??? or bees??? I just adore Christine's images...they're too fun. Never heard of them?? Can't be. If that's the case, head on over to All That Scraps and fall in love :)

Back to the card. The images were colored with my Copics *happy sigh*. a little slit was cut in the base of the bear's hand, and a piece of wire was tucked in, and then the flower head was adhered on the top with a dimensional.

The bees?? yes, now these were fun. I wanted to make them a little more 3 dimensional, so I stamped them on CS twice, and velum CS once. I colored 1 full image of the bee, and the head of the other on the cs. On the vellum, I just went over the wings with my spica clear glitter pen. I cut out the full be, the head, and then I cute the wings out of the vellum, leaving a piece of the bee's head to use while layering (you can kind of see it from this close up). Then I just layered them up with dimensionals, and used some wire for their anntenae.

Piggy Tales has these cute little springy things that you can use to make something pop out off your card. I got some at the CKC in Hartford a few weeks ago, and this is the first thing I've used them on. The best part? The squish down, so you can still put it in an envelope if you need to. These would be great on the inside too!! Or a scrapbook page, the possibilities...

Hope you check out CC Designs, if you haven't already, and thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps: Bear Hugs - CC Designs

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: PTI Lemon Tart, Select White, SU!, Basic Black, White CS Vellum

Accessories: Piggy Tales 'piggy tails', dimensionals, copics, rectangle Nesties, wire

Mookie

So my boss is getting a dog. An American Mastiff to be exact. (Think Turner and Hooch without the drool)


Some co-workers have arranged a 'puppy-shower' for my boss' new family member, as it's their first :). Mookie will become thiers sometime mid-November, she's still with the breeders right now, but they are anxiously awaiting their bundle, or I should say brundle of joy... *wink*


What puppy isn't in need of her own Monogrammed stationary??? I mean, really??


Here's what I came up with:




Is this NOT the cutest??? I had the bone/paw print stamp for a while back (not sure of the maker) and have used it on a few projects, but this is my favorite I think.

Every girl needs a little bling too - so had to find a cute way to add a jewel...and the curl on the end of the 'M' was a perfect place! My Curlz alphabet from Just-Rite was perfect for this set...you really do need some of these font sets if you don't already have some! LOVE them!


Off to bed...5 am comes waaaay to early ;)


Thanks for stopping by!!!






Supplies:
Stamps: Dog bone, paw print corner stamp (???), Curlz alpha (Just-Rite)
Ink: PTI Darck Chocolate
Paper: PTI Select White, PTI Pure Poppy, SEI Man's Best Friend series paper
Accessories: Dimensionals, A Muse creative candy, SU! Scallop Circle punch

Purple Onion...

So - I tried out for a DT...for Purple Onion Designs. I made it to the final round, but I didn't get picked. That's ok though. I tried out. That in itself was a big step for me!

I can honestly say - I just hit a HUGE mojo block when my stamps arrived from Michele, and I just couldn't make them work....it's too bad, she's got some great images...if you get a chance, you should check them out.

Now that all is said and done, I can share some of my submissions with you.

This one was fun - a bit of sparkle, a lot of shimmer...



















This next one was simple...yet I love the colors on the leaves... and a wee bit of sparkle there too














see the detail...there's the sparkle ;)



















THIS one is my favorite though. I just picked up this paper at CKC Hartford...and though it was the last project I made for her - it was my absolute favorite!!!




Soooooo, tell me, which one is your favorite, and why???

Thanks for stopping by!!













Supplies:
Snowflake Card:
Stamps: Snowflakes from Purple Onion, script hello
Ink: Night of Navy
Paper: Simmery White, Night of Navy
Accessories: navy narrow organdy (retired SU!) Silver ribbon (PTI), Doodlebug bling, silver stickles

Leaves card:
Stamps: leaves, script hello
Ink: Memento tuxedo black
Paper: PTI White
Accessories: copics, spica glitter pen (gold)

Hi card:
Stamps: sript hello
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black
Paper: Basic Black, Select White (PTI), Lemon Tart (PTI), itsy bitsy spider collection from Piggy Tales
Accessories: scallop SU punch, big green prima flower

Have you Missed me???

Well - I've got no eye candy for the moment...unless of course, you like this...

Besides trying to fight off this darn upper respiratory thing...I went to see Jason Mraz in concert on Friday Night at Radio City Music Hall. WOW. What an AMAZING show.

I absolutely love this man...not in a 'throw my panties, be the daddy of my children' way...in the 'you are a beautiful man, who has the most incredible outlook on life and love'...and sends a beautiful message of kindness and thanksgiving to his fans.

Sooooo - I went to the concert, and my oh my - if anyone like his recorded music, you MUST see him in concert. Most incredible...my soul was happy after this concert...I've never felt that way before from a concert. From "Live High" that transitioned into "Oh Happy Day" to a cover of "Build me up Buttercup"(one of my most favorite songs EVAH!) The night couldn't have been more perfect...I was with my hubby and a friend - a GREAT night.

Thanks for letting me gush about Mr. Mraz...he sure is a honey...and I'm a richer person for having his music in my life :)

Want some Gingerbread???

Sooooo, I had placed an order with All that Scraps a couple of weeks ago, and ordered what I *thought* was brown liquid applique. Well, when I got it home, turns out it was a 'velvet' paint pen...hmmmmm.....

Then I thought, well, what can I do with this?? It's not going to puff up quite like the liquid applique does, and then BOOM, it hit me. Gingerbread.

What?? Gingerbread.


Do you have Boards and Beams from PTI??? I do. And it would make the cutest little gingerbread house, don't you think??? See for yourself...





Cute, right???? The roof tiles were colored in to look like gumdrops, finished off with SU Chunky glitter...I really love how this came out.

And do you recognize the inhabitant of the home??? He's the little gingerbread man from the Holiday Treats set...is he NOT the perfect size?? really.

I made the walkway and the trees to look like more gumdrops and those jellied fruit slices...SUCH FUN I had with this card...

Here it is in it's entirety...

Everything is up on dimensionals...for a little extra oomph.

I think maybe I'll tackle a real gingerbread house with DD this year...I haven't done one since I was a kid...

Thanks for stopping by!!!


Supplies:
Stamps: Boards & Beams, Holiday Treats (PTI)
Ink: Pure Poppy (PTI), Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! - Glorious Green, Close to Cocoa
Paper: Pure Poppy, Select White (PTI), Kraft (SU!)
Accessories: Snow Dots CB Folder (thanks Teresa!), red gel pen, dimensionals, brown velvet paint pen, qhite liquid applique, SU! Chunky glitter, crystal effects