A simple Thank you

Here's my take on Karen's weekly sketch. The butterfly was done with my cuttlebug die and combo set. I also decided to use my swiss dots embossing folder again to pick up on the embossed dots from the butterfly. All products except the punch used for the border of the yellow paper strip are from CTMH.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great Tuesday.

3 Christmas Cards

I have 3 cards to show you today. The card on the left in the picture with all 3 cards is a direct take on last Monday's Mojo Monday sketch. When I sat down to create, I was originally only going to make 2 cards but then I had a decent size piece left of the BG Wassail paper and I thought, what the heck, I'll use my scrap. Plus, I was having so much fun with my swiss dots embossing folder. The stamp set I used for all 3 cards is CTMH's O Christmas Tree. It's such a fun and cute set. I added liquid applique to the card with the Santa's hat. Fun stuff to use. And so easy, as well.

Be sure to check out Sparkle's blog for her Christmas cards this week. You won't be disappointed. Take care.

More thinking of you

I decided to make another card using the papers and stamps I had on my table from my last card. The sketch is for this weeks challenge at The Pink Elephant. All supplies are from CTMH except for the ribbon--I believe it's American Crafts. I had a lot of fun making this card and loved using my cuttlebug again.

I used the masking technique on my flowers. A real simple technique which involves stamping one of the flowers and then stamping it again on paper and cutting the image out. You then place this cut out image over the image you stamped on your piece for the card. This way, the flowers can sit next to each other. I'm sure most of you know how to do that but hey, I thought I'd share anyway.

So remember how I blogged about our 70+ degree weather this past weekend? Well, we got hit hard yesterday with a big blizzard which ended up in a partial snow day for Devin and the kids. I had the option of going home early but had a lot going on at work so I decided to stay at work. Of course, yesterday was the day that I didn't have my ice scraper in my car for some reason. I ended up using a piece of plastic to try and scrape my windows after work. It didn't work very well and I think I got a touch of frost nip.

I hope you have a great Friday. Yeah for it almost being the weekend.

Thinking of you for Our Creative Corner

I made this card for Our Creative Corner's sketch this week. Paper is CTMH's Caprice. Stamp set is called Cherish, also from CTMH. The sentiment comes from Say it in Style. I chose to make my card a 5x5 square--a fun size to work with.

Have a great Wednesday. I'm ready for American Idol tonight.

My first Easter card for the year

Here's my take on Jen's sketch this week. All products are CTMH, including a set called "Eastertime", I believe and some more floral tapestry paper. I added clear buttons over the top of the small circles of paper on the bottom of the card. Everything was done on an embossed card front done with my swirls folder.

Seriously, how did the crafting world ever survive before the Cuttlebug? I personally think it is one of the best crafting items out there. Okay, I just had to say that.

I hope you have a terrific Monday.

Two Christmas cards for 3 challenges

I've got two cards to show you today, my takes on two different sketches, both Christmas ones, for Sparkle's challenge. The first one is for Taylor's weekly sketch challenge. Products used include Basic Grey's Wassail paper with the stamps and ink coming from CTMH.

My second card is my take on Amy's Friday sketch. I used more of the Wassail paper, including some scraps from the first card. Yeah me. The sentiment came from the same stamp set.



Well, I've now got two more cards for my stash this coming year. I'm so excited to have these Christmas cards. I love looking how my card box is growing in this category.

Park time

So after a long week, I thought the kids and I needed some relaxation and play time. Well, what a perfect day it was for a picnic at the park. We got KFC and enjoyed the gorgeous 70+ degree weather. Our very good friend, Andrea, met us there as well. She's looking just as cute as can be, 6 months pregnant. Anyway, we had a great time and it felt so good to be outside in such perfect weather. I did here, though, that we are supposed to get snow in a couple of days. That's what I get for washing my car this morning.

An illustrated story

I found this paper this week in our kitchen. The story is on one side of the paper and the pictures are on the other side. Christopher has always loved to draw and color. He also loves to write. Mostly he writes down the names of new webkinz that he wants so this was a bit surprising to see. I just thought this was so cute. It's definitely a keeper for me.

Have a great Saturday. I'm taking the kids to the park because it is GORGEOUS outside. I think I'll snap a few pics so I'll probably upload those later.

Friend

Here's my take on Amy's weekly sketch. This card is also for The Pink Elephant weekly challenge. This week, participants only had to use buttons. Well, shoot. I use buttons on probably half my cards. I've said it before--I LOVE BUTTONS.

All products used, except the flowers and buttons, are CTMH. The sentiment is from the Friendship word puzzle stamp set. DP is Floral Tapestry. I just love that paper with all the circles on it. The twilight piece of cardstock is embossed with one of my embossing folders with some garden green grosgrain ribbon over it. I realized I should have taken a sharpie to my embossing folders (before I threw the packaging away) so I know which ones they are. Oh well. Anyway, I'm so happy with this card. Hopefully my friend likes it as well.

Take care and thanks for stopping by.

Thanks

My card today is for Karen's weekly sketch challenge.

I used some more of my Boom-di-ada paper again on this card. The flower image comes from CTMH's Rustic Flowers stamp set. I stamped it tone on tone and then cut it out. A large hollyhock button adorns the center of the flower. I also added 4 hollyhock brads to each corner of the card. In looking at my card, I'm thinking if I shouldn't have maybe random stamped on the buttercup piece. Or maybe embossed the strip with my cuttlebug. Oh well. It is what it is.

It's hump day. Yeah for almost being half way done with the week.

My take on Taylor's weekly cupcake sketch

So here's the thing about my card for today. I totally love it except for how I colored the Bella image. It's another one that a very nice individual sent to me. I'm wondering if I shouldn't just put them away until I have the funds to purchase some copics. I never was a good colorer and it definitely shows here. However, I am trying to look past that as I hope the recipient will, as well.

Card size is 6x6. I had a lot of fun with this sketch. All products, except bella, are CTMH. The dp is the Boom-di-ada creative basics collection. I decided to finish off the card with two of my square hollyhock brads. I debated on whether to add a sentiment or not. I think I will just leave it bare for now.

I hope the start to everyone's week is fantastic. See you later in the week.

Piano lessons

Reynna had her second piano lesson this past week and I had a quick opportunity to snap a couple of pictures. She's been having a lot of fun with the lessons and I'm so grateful for the piano that we have. A woman from work sent out an email letting people know that she wanted to get rid of her piano and if you could haul it, you could have it. I immediately emailed her back jumping on this opportunity.

I took lessons for many years when I was young and am so grateful that Reynna now has the chance to learn this valuable skill.

Don't open until Dec. 25th

Sparkle's challenge this week on our Christmas cards was to use only green and go for a monochromatic look. Unfortunately, this challenge was just too hard for me. I did make a card but it was beyond ugly. So I gave up and came up with this instead, which is also this past week's Mojo Monday sketch.

Products used are all CTMH. DP is Cocoa Cafe. Stamp set used is Vintage Christmas. I used three cranberry nail heads for my embellishments.

First day of school layout for Reynna

I completed this layout a couple of weeks ago and thought I'd share it. The pictures are from the first day of school again this past year, this time featuring Reynna. I used some bright colors, which I thought complimented Reynna's shirt, and roughed up all the papers and photos. It's a pretty simple layout but it's another one done for my book. I do like how I did the ricrac ribbon on the right side. All products used are CTMH.

Who's glad it's Friday? I know I sure am. Is anyone out there superstitious? It is Friday the 13th. Well, I hope your day is a great one. Thanks for stopping by.

Friend Times Three

Here's my take on Amy's weekly sketch. I ended up deviating a bit from the sketch as I decided to use an oval piece for the main focal image regular than a rectangle. I thought it suited the rose better. So once I did that, then I had a really hard time adding the oval and scalloped piece that Amy's sketch calls for in the top right corner. Overall, I am pleased with this card.

Products used are all CTMH, except for the Fiskars punch at to make the scalloped edge at the bottom. Elegant Bouquet paper, Elegant Floral for the stamp set, cranberry ink, and cranberry organdy ribbon.