Easter for Penny's Challenges

Happy Wednesday to you.  It's time for another challenge at Penny's challenges.  The challenge for the next 2 weeks is to make something Easter related.  The theme over at PaperPlay challenges and Aimee's challenge blog this week is also Easter.  Charisma Cards wants to see something spring related.

***Supplies***
Patterned paper:  CTMH Veranda
Stamps:  PTI Vintage Labels, CTMH A Tweet and Say it in Style
Other:  Making Memories buttons

I hope your day is treating you well.  We're just a few hours away from the middle of the work week.  Yeah for that.  So, who do you think is going home on Idol tonight? 

Thanks

I started out with a piece of paper that had these hearts inside circles all over the paper.  I decided to punch a few out and then went from there.  It's kind of hard to tell but the bottom right circle got punched out again and pop dotted for some dimension.  Also, I just love that I can add some stitching to my cards now.

***Supplies***
Patterned paper:  My Minds Eye
Stamps:  CTMH Thank You

Have a great Tuesday.  Yeah for Idol tonight!

Seasons Greetings

I've got another pink Christmas card for you today.  I absolutely adore the color pink and am not afraid to make a pink tree.  LOL.  I wasn't sure about all the white space but couldn't fit anything else in so I just went with it.  I'd like to make a few more of these, maybe in some different colors.

My card is for these following challenge blogs, the first 3 Christmas related.

Sparkle Creations
Fab's Big Christmas
Christmas Stampin' All Year Long -- use embossing
Cute Card Thursday -- use dimension

***Supplies***
Stamps:  PTI Signature Christmas, Tree Trimming Trio
Other:  Cuttlebug, PTI buttons
I hope you have a great Sunday.  I've got church and need to do a bit of work today.  Hopefully I can sneak in my craft room for a bit.  I haven't made it in there for a few days.  :(  I hope your day is terrific and you get everything done that you'd like to.  See you back here another day.

Happy Birthday with Hippos

First, thanks to everyone who commented on my last post.  I am really still on cloud 9.  It was very hard to get any kind of productive work done yesterday at my job.  I started this journey appoximately 3 years ago.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would take this long or be this hard.  I thought a year tops.  I am definitely savoring this victory and am so glad that I never gave up. 

For my cards today, I used some super cute paper from DCWV.  They measure 4x4 inches each.  I just love those hippos and the fun colors and the glitter that was on the paper.

***Supplies***
Patterned paper:  DCWV Safari Kids
Stamps:  CTMH Happy Birthday
Other:  PTI buttons

Have a happy Wednesday.  I'm meeting some good friends for lunch so I'm looking forward to that.

PS.  Guess what I won't be doing anymore?  Yep, studying! 

Some news I wanted to share

This is my second post for the day. 

Okay, the day has finally come.  Can you guess what happened?   Scroll down to see.  Are you guessing? 



































I PASSED MY LAST PORTION OF MY EXAM!!!!  I am so excited.  Words cannot express my joy and gratitude.  I need to do a couple of things, more of a formality, and then I will be issued a license number.  New business cards are already being made.  No more studying for me.  My family will get me back full-time.

Thanks to all of my readers who offered good thoughts and prayers.  They were answered. 

I miss you

I've got a card today that I made to send to 2 of my nephews who I miss dearly. They are 5 and 2 and hopefully will enjoy getting something in the mail just for them.

***Supplies***
Patterned paper:  Basic Grey
Stamps:  CTMH Say it in Style, Little Boys; PTI Vintage Labels
Other:  Nesties, PTI buttons
I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday.  Yeah for Idol tonight.  I am bummed about Lacy going home last week.  I thought she was really unique and I loved the sound of her voice.  As always, thanks for you visit and uplifting comments.

2 very CAS Christmas cards

This is my second post for today. 

I've got a couple of really CAS Christmas cards for you today.  I definitely let the cuttlebug embossing folders do all the work for me.  I did try and add something else to both of them but it just didn't work out because of the embossing. 

I love that Cuttlebug has come out with some 5x7 folders.  My cards are for this week's Christmas challenges at Sparkle Creations Christmas Card Challenges and for Fab's Big Christmas Cards Challenge.

***Supplies***
Other:  Cuttlebug, CTMH gems

I hope you have a great Sunday.  Thanks for the visit.

Big News! I'm an Elf!

I'm so excited because today is the day I can spill the beans.  If you've been following my blog for awhile, you know that I love to participate in Sparkle's Christmas card challenges that she started in December 2008.  I had nearly 60 Christmas cards ready by last December to be sent out, because I took part in her challenges and made them one or two at a time during the year.  Let me tell you, it was FANTASTIC and it felt so great to be able to send out handmade cards, rather than some generic store bought cards.

I've been chosen by Sparkle, the head elf herself, to be on her newly created design team and I am so excited for that. 

Head on over to Sparkle Creations Christmas Card Challenges to meet the other designers and learn a bit about them.  Here are their individual names and blog links.

Sparkle  Head Elf
Shanna
Steph
Peggy

I am so excited to continue on my journey in making Christmas cards this year.  I already have 10 ready to go for Christmas 2010.

I'll be back later with 2 very CAS Christmas cards. 

Unscripted Sketches #47 and a story

It's time for me to show you my card for this week's sketch over at Unscripted Sketches.  We've also changed things up a bit over there and there will now be a top 3 chosen by the DT.  There will also be prizes given away some weeks.  Anyway, back to the card.  I really liked the sketch but in the end, don't really like how my card came out with the 2 different patterned papers.  Oh well, I suppose.  You win some and you lose some. 

***Supplies***
Patterned Paper:  My Minds Eye
Stamps:  PTI Everyday Button Bits
Other:  Nesties, PTI buttons

I hope you'll play with us at Unscripted this week.  Be sure to go check out the other designer's work.

That's it for the art but if you want to keep reading to hear quite the story, than please do.  Otherwise, I'll see you here next time.

Wednesday night, Christopher got hit with a baseball bat. He came to the door bleeding and crying hysterically. After we got all the blood cleaned up, everything seemed to be okay. No stitches were required and we thought we were in the clear. A couple of hours later, he comes down and says, "Mommy, am I missing a tooth? My tongue just went into a hole".

Color us both surprised that the force of the bat knocked out a tooth but he was in such a daze that he didn't notice it until later. So, I started panicking because I wasn't sure if this was a baby tooth or not. And even if it was, would there be damage to the permanent tooth? So, I waited nearly 2 hours at the dentist the next day for him as an emergency walk-in. X-rays were taken and the dentist said it was a baby tooth and there didn't appear to be any root damage and that his permanent tooth should grow in fine. I hope he's right.

Second, we bought a new "used" car yesterday. It's a 2004 Ford Escape, a gorgeous midnight blue color. It drives like a dream, is very roomy, has really low mileage, and most importantly for Devin, is not our minivan that he has been relegated to drive the past couple of years. LOL

Alrighty now, I've filled you in on our lives a bit. Oh, and I'm still waiting to hear on my test results. I've been checking online but nothing still.  Thanks for stopping by and if you've read this long, thanks so much.  I've got some blog candy to give away with some PTI and CTMH stuff.  All you need to do is comment on this post.  Winner will be announced Monday morning and must check back then or a new winner will be drawn on Tuesday.

Have a great Saturday.  We had quite a bit of snow here yesterday so Christopher's first soccer game was cancelled so now my afternoon opened up a bit.  Devin and I will be heading out on a date night tonight so we're looking forward to that, especially going in our new ride.

You are such a joy

First, sorry about the bad photo.  I couldn't for the life of me get a decent picture of my card.  In the end, I just went with the best one.  Can you tell, after posts every day this week, that I had some time to make cards this past weekend?  The pieces from Dawn's Color Coutre set make quick work of getting some cards done.  And I love the colors.

***Supplies***
Other:  PTI Color Coutre, ribbon and buttons; Marvy flower punches

So do you all have anything planned for tonight?  We are having my friend from work over along with her family.  She is a fellow scrapbooker.  She's only dabbled in card making but I'm doing my best to reel her in.  It is nice to have girls at work who also share my passion. 

Thank you for your time as you visited me today.  Whether you comment or not, I just appreciate you coming and hope that something along my journey will inspire you, as so many of you do for me.

Happy Thursday to you

Happy Thursday to you. We're getting that much closer to the weekend.  Yeah!  There's nothing too fancy about this card, (like there is on any of my cards, LOL) except that I used a strip of double sided tape from Martha, adhered it to the black cardstock, and then sprinkled glitter over it.  Kind of a cool effect.

***Supplies***
Patterned Paper:  DCWV The Natural
Other:  Glitter, Fiskars border punch, PTI ribbon

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you have a fabulous Thursday.

Happy Birthday for Penny's Challenges

Happy Wednesday to you.  It's time again for a new challenge at Penny's challenges.  This week's challenge is birthday.  Easy peasy, right?  I just love the colors Dawn chose when she was putting together her Color Coutre line.  Raspberry fizz, auqa mist, chocolate, cream.  Super yummy and cheery.

***Supplies***
Other:  Cuttlebug, PTI Color Coutre, ribbon and buttons

Make sure and head over to Penny's challenge blog to see what the other DT members have for you.  And then I hope you'll play with us.

My first attempt at sewing on a card

I'm not sure if I told you or not but Devin got me a sewing machine for Valentine's Day.  I had asked for one.  He got me a Singer Simple. He told me that this one was $10 more than the cheapest one but because it had the word simple on it, he thought that would be better for me.  He was definitely right on that front.

My very good friend Andrea came over Friday night to help me out because I was very intimidated by the directions and was never going to be able to sew without some outside help.  She totally came to my rescue. 

I am super excited to be able to do this now and to add this dimension to my card making. I first started by making the card on the left.  I put my paper in to sew, only to find out that my top thread had somehow come undone.  So, there was no thread but I didn't want to throw away the paper and thought, hey, it's just as if I pierced the paper.  I thought it looked ok.  I had to make a second card and try again and this time it worked.  Yeah!  I also sewed the ribbon on both cards.  I am SUPER loving these cards with the sewing and the cute paper.

***Supplies***
Patterned Paper:  MME Love Nest
Stamps:  PTI Everyday Button Bits and Cupcake Collection
Other:  CTMH ribbon, PTI buttons

Have a great Tuesday.  Yeah for Idol tonight, although I'm bummed about Lily going home last week.  What was America thinking?  My next favorite girl is one who I can't even spell her name. Sioban?? And I'm definitely still on board with Big Mike.

I think you are Fabulous

Happy Monday to you.  I made this over the weekend and love the colors.  Colors and the focal image came from Dawn's Color Coutre.

I'm not sure who this will be going to but I can't wait to send it. 

Challenges
One Stop Craft -- spots and dots

***Supplies***
Stamps:  PTI Polka Dot Basics II
Other:  Fiskars border punch, PTI Color Coutre and buttons

Well, it's back to work for me.  Devin and the kids are on spring break this week so they'll be home while I'm out working.  Something just doesn't seem quite right about that but it is what it is. :)

Happy Holidays

Good morning to you.  Did you have a great Saturday?  Ours was good.  I got some card making in, Devin and I test drove a new car, we went to the pool, I was able to exercise for 40 minutes, I went to a new store called Sprouts and got some fabulous deals on fruits and veggies, and I got a couple loads of laundry done.  Whew.  It was a good day and full of sunshine.  Unfortunately, I heard that snow is heading our way tomorrow.  :(

So, I decided to use this cute snowman paper for my card for Sparkle's weekly Christmas card challenge.  It didn't photograph well but the paper does match the cardstock a bit better than it does here. 

My card is also for this week's challenge at Bah Humbug.  My paper is new from my stash, it is glittery, and I used snowmen.  There are several different ideas to incorporate and you just have to use 3 on a Christmas card.

***Supplies***
Patterned Paper:  My Minds Eye Wondeful Winter
Stamps:  PTI Signature Christmas
Other:  MS border punch, PTI buttons

I also got to spend some time with my gypsy last night and found some images I want to use on some cards.  I love that little thing and love that it's so portable and can go whereever I go.

Well, enjoy your Sunday.  I've got church and then some more laundry.

Unscripted #46

Happy Saturday to you.  The sun is shining here and I'm so happy to have a low key weekend.  It's time for another fabulous sketch from Unscripted Sketches.  I had a lot of fun making this card and I'm super happy with how it turned out.  Isn't that butterfly punch gorgeous?  I love it.

***Supplies***
Patterned paper:  PTI In Bloom
Other:  Fiskars border punch, MS butterfly punch, Kaiser rhinestones, Making Memories rubon
Do you have any big plans for the weekend?  I've got laundry to take care of and some house cleaning.  I'll be taking the kids and a couple of their friends tonight to the pool.  Whatever this weekend brings for you, I hope it's one filled with joy and happiness. 

As always, thanks for the visit and the love you show.  It makes blogging all so worthwhile. 

Birthdays are the Best

My card today was inspired by this card from Kathi. My jaw literally dropped when I saw it, it spoke to me so. I didn't have the same embossing folder that she used so I made do with what I had. While I don't think my card is nearly as good as the original, I still love it and definitely want to make a few more.

***Supplies***

Stamps: PTI Blooming Button Bits
Other: CTMH pearls

Are you ready for Idol tonight?  I have to admit that it's one of my guilty pleasures. Reynna and I love watching it.  I haven't found a total favorite yet this season but I do really like Big Mike.  And I am rooting for Lily because she's from Colorado.

Beyond CAS

Literally, this card took 5 minutes to make.  I did spend longer looking at it after I adhered my embossed piece trying to see what I could do to not make it so plain.  In the end, nothing worked for me so I just added some buttons and called it good. 

Challenges for this card: 
Sparkle Creations Christmas card Challenge:  Christmas card
Fab's big Christmas Card Challenge:  Christmas card
Crafty Creations:  All one color

***Supplies***
Other:  Cuttlebug, PTI buttons

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you have a great Monday.  It's been a very busy time for me at work but I am grateful for work.

Unscripted Sketches #45

Happy Saturday to you.  There's a new sketch at Unscripted Sketches which is a great one.  I hope you'll play along with us.  I chose to make a soft card and I just couldn't find a place for my sentiment.  In the end, it worked out great because I needed a sympathy card this week and this fit the bill.

***Supplies***
Patterned paper:  DCWV
Other:  CTMH buttons, ribbon from my stash, Marvy flower punches

Do you have a big day planned?  I'll be getting my hair cut and colored and then we're going to an 80's themed birthday party for a friend who's turning the big 30.  To be 30 again.  LOL.  I'm still not sure what I'm going to wear. 

Thanks for the visit and I hope you have a great weekend.

Penny's Challenge--Green for St. Patrick's Day

It's time for another challenge over at Penny's challenges.  This week, the challenge is to use green for St. Patty's Day.  I have a real simple card for you and it's one that I struggled with.  I just wasn't sure what I was doing or where I was going.  but, in the end, I like it.

***Supplies***
Stamps:  PTI, CTMH So Sweet Seasons
Other:  CTMH brads

I hope you have a great Wednesday and if you get a chance, stop by over at Penny's challenges and play with us.