Homecoming...x 2 ?!

I thought it was a good time to share a post about my daughter, Tia, since I haven't had time to make cards since the weekend :[ Work is overwhelming during the week, and I rarely find any mojo by the time I get home for the night...so, you're stuck with proud mama stories about my talented, beautiful, brilliant daughter!

My 14 year old daughter hasn't even received her first 10th grade report card yet, and she has been to two homecomings this year! Crazy for me to think...I was lucky to attend one homecoming dance each of my high school years...let alone with a new dress :]

Tia attended homecoming with her friend from gymnastics, Jazmin, at her friend's high school, followed a few weeks later by attending her own dance with her boyfriend, Justin (and her friend Jaz) at her high school.

For some reason, I only have a picture of Tia handy from the homecoming at Jazmin's school. I love this black dress! It's so classy.

You can see Tia with Jazmin (left) in the second photo below and Tia with her boyfriend, Justin in the third photo. Aren't they cute? :O)

Thanks for visiting :O) I'll be sure to post some more cards this weekend...or if I'm lucky, sooner! Have a great remainder of the week.

Life...

I finally worked on a card for Lauren's Saturday Sketch Challenge. I don't know what it was, but the sketch put me off a little. I guess some days are better then others when it comes to feeling creative. Sometimes one glance at a sketch puts an image in my mind of what I want to do...other times, I totally struggle. This was one of those other times. In fact, I was totally prepared to chuck the entire thing, but my 14 year old daughter, thought it was great. She never gets really enthusiastic about my creations, so I was surprised by her response today...and it was just that (her response) that made me decide to share :]

On a happy note, I had a chance to read Lauren's post from yesterday. I looked for it in the morning, but when it didn't appear early, I had to get to work around the house and getting my daughter ready for Homecoming. I cheated and found her sketch on Alicia Weiman's blog, so I didn't return to her blog until today. Imagine my heart leaping in my chest when I read a comment about ME in her post! I was dumb-stricken for a minute then realized yes, it was about ME. How cool :O)

I was very humbled by the attention (my blog hits doubled just from the popularity of Lauren's site "referral"). She mentioned the fact that I made a "button" for her blog on my page to list her site as one of the Sketch challenges I enjoy participating in. My "button" was very simple at best (and still is) so I tried to spruce it up a little by adding a border (something I've been wanting to do). Here are the before and after shots:

Before


After


These will be long gone before you know it. Lauren is working with her "blog girl" Sara Williams to create a unique button for anyone to use on their sites :O) How exciting!!! I can't wait to see what they come up with!

Supplies for my card are listed in my SCS gallery. Hope you had a great weekend!!!

Good Works

This card is for my Dad and his wife. They are some of the most generous people in my life. Without going into detail and putting my sister's life out there, I'll just say that they really came through yesterday. She was in need, I mentioned it in normal conversation, and they came to the rescue. I don't think they understand how wonderful we think they are. I plan on sending this card to them as a thank you :]

The layout came from today's Sketch Saturday #22 challenge. I finally ordered the corner rounder from Stampin' Up! even though I already have a corner rounder from Creative Memories! I bought it to make scalloped circles, and wah-lah! I did it today :O) I also found that the SU! corner rounder has a much sharper rounded edge, which cuts less paper. Unlike the corner rounder from Creative Memories...the edge is pretty broad which can inhibit rounded corners on a small rectangle or square. I'm thinking the SU! punch will work much nicer for the small projects. So, not all is lost on the additional purchase!

Hope you were inspired to stamp today :O) I was overly inspired, yet couldn't dedicate a long stint of time to stamping. We're redoing our family room, so I kept sneaking in bits and pieces of this project :] Thanks for checking in!

Supplies are listed in my SCS Gallery.

Pink Christmas

Wow, I'm on a roll today with blogging! I guess I'm cramming my blogging craze into one day as I plan to clean most of the day tomorrow :O) Hmm...actually, by the time I post this, it will be tomorrow. Good...looks like I'm keeping up with my blog :]

I made this card for the Sketch Saturday challenge. It's much simpler than the creations the talented design team came up with, but I do like it. Simple works for me I think...

Supplies are listed in my SCS Gallery. Hope you're weekend is great so far. My nose is cold right now...sure sign of the change in seasons :O) That's okay with me, I LOVE this time of year!

Merry and Bright

The card I made for Lauren Meader's Saturday Sketch Challenge seemed to come to me somewhat easily today. Not sure if that means I didn't work hard enough, or I was just on top of my game today :O)

It's difficult to see in this picture, but I used the Cuttlebug embossing folder for the Navy Blue piece of cardstock. I also ran glitter along the entire, outer edge of the white cardstock to go with the glittery snowman. Speaking of the snowman...how cute is he? I was going to string a few small beads on wire or string and attach it to the snowman's hands, but while I was holding it up to my card, it looked like too much. I don't know...maybe I just second guess myself too often! I punched the snowflakes using the Martha Stewart punch, and layered them on the small square. I'll post my supplies in my SCS Gallery today.


Wow, two posts in one day? And I might have a third tonight??? Even I'm surprised :O)

Snow, Snow, Snow Swap...Take Two

Okay, so while I was waiting for thoughts about the second card I made for the Snow, Snow, Snow Swap last week, I created another version :O) This is VERY like me...to put it out there for scrutinization yet go with my gut before I have a consensus! So, this is the card I came up with. It's simple overall and not the traditional holiday colors, but I like the professional look of it.

I colord the Tree with watercolor pencils and a blender pen and added some glitter. I don't have a photo-corner punch yet (it has been ordered :O), so I used three square punches instead. I punched the large and medium squares, folded them in half diagonally, and used the very small square punch to trim the center square from the middle. To do that, I measured where the center point was on the diagonal side and drew a line 1/4 inch in and proceeded to punch half of the small square. I then unfolded the squares and cut them in half from one folded corner to the other. I hope that makes sense...or you already have a photo-corner punch :O) Anyway, I second-guessed this card also, but after looking at it for a few days, I figure it's good enough to send in. I'll probably just send all 15 cards in :O) Ahh...so like me!

Oh, and it's definitely important to mention that the inspiration for this card came from one of Silli's cards. She has such an amazing talent! I'm so happy I came across her blog recently. I visit it often!

Hope you are having a chilly, snuggly weekend like I plan to! It's getting cold outside!!! Yippee :O)

Your Opinion DOES Matter :O)

Okay...I'm putting out a feeler regarding the 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card I made for the Snow, snow, snow swap. I'm really not sure if I like this one or not. I really felt like going for a rustic looking card when I made this, but now I'm thinking I should portray a more professional look... I keep going back and forth on whether I should make five more and send them in, or try again.

I would really like to know your thoughts on this one.

Try again?

Send them in?

My feelings won't be hurt with your honesty - PROMISE!

Thanks so much :O)

Snow, Snow, Snow Swap

I agreed to participate in an SCS swap earlier today - Snow, Snow, Snow Swap to be precise. The idea is to sign up to either make 5 regular sized or 3x3 cards and send them to the POC by the deadline (14 November). She gathers all of the submissions and sends the same number of cards that each person submits, back to them (different cards submitted by other users). Does that makes sense?? I think I'm confusing myself :O)

I signed up to make both sizes. I made five 3x3 cards (one of which is shown here), and will make five regular sized cards (probably 4 1/4 x 5 1/2) tomorrow. I've never made the 3x3 cards before today, and I must say, they are adorable! I love the quaint little size! I will definitely be making more of these :O)

Supplies are listed in my SCS gallery. Have a great night!

Thanks Snow Much!

Just a quick post to share my Sketch Saturday Challenge #20 card. My daughter is waiting to use MY laptop to finish her homework, so I must hurry (when did I lose the rights to MY computer?!). Anyway, the angel stamp is the very first rubber stamp I ever bought. I bought it from my friend's neighbor who was a D.O.T.S. demonstrator at the time. I'm not sure if the company is still around, but I could probably google it and find out :O) I guess that's a sign of me needing to purchase some updated stamps...BADLY! Hee hee

All supplies are listed in my SCS gallery.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Merry...Quick and Easy

This is one of three quick and easy Christmas cards I made today. I'll post the others separately :O) This took no more than 15 minutes...if that! Three papers, one stamp set, a couple of punches and some brads...and instant card! I think it turned out cute and would be very easy to mass produce! All supplies are listed in my SCS gallery.


Here's to a long, relaxing weekend! Hope you have time to create :)

Joy...of Finishing a Challenge

Whew...I have been trying to finish the Sketch Saturday Challenge since Sunday! I've tried several variations that just weren't good enough in my eyes. Eventually, I decided to go with creating a white and gold Christmas card...which I quickly found needed a third color (my wheels weren't turning enough, I suppose :O) This is what I came up with.


I finally incorporated wire into my paper crafting! I'm so excited about that! I LOVE to make jewelry, but haven't had the opportunity of late, so pulling the two hobbies together, is gratifying for me. I was inspired to make the ornaments when I saw the flowers Chat created on one of her cards. Her cards are amazing by the way! Well, when the flower idea wasn't working out for me with this layout, I turned to the holidays...again :) I'm not sure that I'm completely satisfied, but I'm happy I finished my challenge.


Wow...it's only Tuesday. If only I could craft every day...

A Fond Farewell

We said goodbye (temporarily) to a young man who worked for me over the summer. He's headed back to college and $25/hour tutoring :O) Much more lucrative so I definitely can't blame him!

I made his card using Lauren Meader's Saturday Sketch Challenge #8. I was very excited to make a card using her

layout, and it just happened to fall together. Especially after I reviewed Beate's Wednesday tutorial on Stippling Backgrounds! Like I mentioned in my SCS gallery post, I was shy with my stippled colors. Next time, I'll venture ino the richer colors that I prefer anyway :O) All of my supplies are listed in my SCS gallery.

Here's to an easy-going week ahead... :O

My Sweet Husband...

Yes, I'm finally posting brags about my husband...as promised over a week ago! Let me just tell you, work is busier than it has ever been in my fifteen years dedicated to this career! I'm hoping the new job in November will free me up to post more often and make a LOT more cards :O)

My husband went to England for two weeks earlier this month, and in typical fashion, he brought home souveniers. My daughter and I received the college sweatshirts we requested, some British candy, etc., which was very sweet in and of itself. This wasn't all he brought. Turns out, while he was in England, they stopped by a flea market. He came across a table that was selling old blocks of printing press "stamps". He contemplated for a long while before selecting the two he felt were the right ones. £9 later, he had two "stamps" in pocket awaiting a long trip home to a very surprised wife :O)

After he gave me the traditional, touristee gifts, he pulled out the stamps, carefully wrapped in tissue paper. I was in awe. I'm quite positive this is one of the most thoughtful gifts he has ever given me. I stamp all the time. Most of the time, I have to beg for him to give my creations an ounce of attention (he's the All American Boy...likes to fix things, work on his truck, do yard work, etc...no crafting for him :O). So, I never really thought he paid my favorite hobby any mind. For him to stop at that flea market table and check out the stamps...antiquated stamps from a printing press, was a thoughtful gesture by itself. To stand there for any length of time and sort through them...well, that's another story entirely. I was so delighted with him :O)

The stamps aren't very clear when you ink them and put them to paper, but I have an idea that might work...I just need to give it a shot. I'll post the creation when I do.

Wow, that was a long story about two stamps :O) The other sweet gesture, was when I came home last week one evening to find two bouquets of flowers that he brought home for me. His reason? He noticed how hard I've been working lateley and how stressed I've been. How absolutely adorable is that? He's normally not the type to bring flowers home "just because"...so this is truly a significant gesture on his part. This is a picture of the two bouquets combined in one vase (err...milk jug). Sweet reminders of why I love my husband so much :O)

Hope you had a wonderful, LONG, stamp-filled weekend! I'll post my card from Lauren's Saturday Sketch Challenge later or tomorrow.