Happy Thursday to All...

What a sunny & BRRR cold Thursday we are having. It has been wonderful to see the blue sky and sun shining...but the temps in the low teens and even single digits is just not normal for us. Several people I know have had their pipes freeze and one even had their furnace conk out. What a time to have that happen. Their house got down to 39 degrees INSIDE, but is it all fixed and should be warm and toasty now.

Today I have a few more Christmas cards for you. My intention was to have all handmade cards for this year...but it just isn't going to happen. I should have about a dozen for those extra special family & friends and the rest will receive cards I purchased. I will work on it for next year and not leave it to the end of November. What a silly girl I am.

I have been racking my brain to remember the name of the company where I purchased these stamps, but it is lost in the abyss. I did get them at a local stamping show held in our fairgrounds. I love the quilted look they have.

I added liquid glass to the ornament to give it some added texture and kept the layout the same for what I thought would be a more speedy way to make them. It was easier...but not as speedy as I had hoped. Just goes to show you I need to do this on a regular basis. Practice makes perfect.

Again I used a layout from Suzanne. She is just amazing and a real inspiration. I really enjoy all of her work & what a sweetheart. She is so willing to help all of us out. She gladly shares her knowledge and has made numerous videos that I watch over & over. You need to check out her site. Have a wonderful weekend & keep WARM!

Lockhart Christmas

Happy Thursday Friends. It just boggles my mind that we are in December and about to start a brand new year. I don't know why this year has flown by so fast to me. One of those things I guess. I am hoping everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed their Black Friday shopping.

Today I would love to share the start of my Christmas cards. I am using these super cute Lockhart Itty Bitty stamps from Susana's store. This is a super stocking and she stocks several more. I will have those posted later on as I get mine made.

I am using a design by Suzanne Dean. She showcased this last year and I just had to make some up this year. I used my Nestabilites label one dies and they are just perfect. So easy to use and a great touch to showcase your image.
I used some liquid glaze and sparkles on the stocking and this BasicGrey paper is just so fun. That gold touch is from my copic spica glitter pen. I only have this one but they are sure going on my Christmas list. Thank you Susana for sharing this one with me. It is perfect!!

I would also like to take a moment to offer my heartfelt prayers for the families of the four Lakewood Police officers who were gunned down in cold blood over the weekend. It is such a tragedy and just senseless. These officers put themselves in harms way to protect us. All these officers were doing is working on reports at a local coffee shop. Now there are children with out their father or mother; a husband without his wife and wives without their husbands. May God bless them and their families.

S2G Design Team Call

Shirley's2Girls is having a design team call to start off the new year. What a fun challenge and I am keeping my fingers crossed. I used the super cute Baguette's Accessory. Just love this cutie pie. The image reminds me of our beloved Scotty dog we had when I was in high school. He was such a sweetie. S2G is going all digital in the new year and they are having a super duper huge 45% off sale on all of their existing stamps. Click on the link to hop on over and grab some great deals. Once the are gone...they are gone.

I used this image for my mom's birthday. She is lucky (or not..considering your point of view) to have her birthday in December. It is actually 5 days before my dad's. Two birthdays right before Christmas. Glad they love cards!!!

This is a closeup of the cutie-puttie. He (yes a little guy can have a bow) is ready to hit the mall and shop away.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and didn't break the bank over the weekend.

2009 Puyallup High School Homecoming

Nic and Kelly

What a cute couple don't ya think? She looked lovely in her dress and I really liked the black/white/red combo. They had a great time and enjoyed a great after party.

Wow...he keeps looking older and older. Hard to believe Nic is a sophomore in high school and will be 16 in two months and driving his car that has been sitting in the driveway waiting. I am not ready for the increase in insurance rates nor the worries driving brings with it. The freedom will be great...but can I deal with it!

S2G Blog Hop!

Today's is a Sirhley's2Girls members blog hop. Below are two cute free digi's that I had some fun with.

Don't you think these are fun? Join us over on SNR and become a member! How about a prize? In addition to the fabulous eye candy, we have decided to hide a prize somewhere along the hop! One pre-selected blogger will draw a random winner from the comments on her post, and the winner will receive a free stamp from Shirley’s2Girls. The fun part is...we're not telling you who it is! So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win!! We will announce the winner on Monday in the SNR S2G Forum.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Now it's time to hop on over to Ellen's blog to see her fabulous creations! Enjoy the hop & have a wonderful Saturday.

Happy Monday friends...and can you believe we are into October? I know it's the 5th, but didn't school just get out yesterday? Summer zoomed on by and now we are into fall. I am thankfully on the mend...just dealing with a cough that is being stubborn. It still makes my voice go crazy at times. I go from being normal to sultry to a croaky frog, hehe. Hubby is fighting the beginnings of something & so far (fingers & toes crossed) our son is good to go. He is way toooo busy to be a sickie. Football later this afternoon...straight from work to the field.

Today's projects are a highlight of two of the three challenges I entered for World Card Making Day. The first was from Magnolia-licious and it was to make an ornament. Nice to do something different & make me think outside the box. We could use any image and I choose to use the new Lockhart Holiday Window from Susana's store. These are just so sweet and a ton of fun.

I used liquid glaze on the candles and even added Shimmerz in Royal Red to that wonderful hand made flower for an added effect. Wynneth was such a sweetie to make some for me. They are just adorable and so versatile.

My second entry was for the Sugar Nellie challenge. This cutie is a Sugar Nellie stamp called Pen Pal created by Elizabeth Bell. Isn't she just a cutie? I just love Elizabeth's images and will be collecting them all. I used the yummy Basic Gray -Lemonade paper and the card stock was from CTMH. This was so much fun to use & will serve as my MIL's card since today is her birthday. We were going to take her out to dinner tonight but she had other plans. She did say birthday's can be celebrated for up to two weeks after the actual date. I didn't know that & will use that from here on out. Happy Birthday Phyllis!

I hope everyone has a super week.

Welcome to World Card Making Day

I am on a time crunch to get this post in. I created this sweet Lockhart image for Susana's challenge. We needed to use Christmas colors and a stamp from the store. Well here you go...I also used paper from the store.

I love using this stamp. Just so relaxing & using liquid glaze on the apples makes them look so yummy.
Hope you had a great weekend. I am starting to feel better...but now Steve's throat is hurting. What is up with the sharing?

Happy Anniversary Susana!!!

Are you ready for some....NEW STAMPS??!!! This is a super duper, exciting time for all of us. Two artists and one release date.

For those of you who know me...I have a wonderful and very generous friend Susana who a year ago started an online store with wonderful stamps & craft supplies. She is celebrating her first year anniversary. In true Susana style she is giving us the gifts instead of receiving them. Run... don't walk on over to the store's blog for a chance to win some yummy blog candy!

Happy Saturday to ya...today I am showing off a beautiful image from WOJ titled "Melinda blowing kisses". I have several images from Whiff of Joy through various swaps. Who can resist images from Elizabeth Bell? I sure can't. She is such a talented artist.

I made this birthday card for a very sweet lady who owns a wonderful online store full of stamps, paper, embellishments, great tools & the best customer service in the world! Her SCACD group is full of super ladies who generously offer their time & talents for everyone to learn from.
These picture were taken with my old camera & I am hoping with my new one I get better at it. I need to have more patience with my photo program and take the time to learn. I used Shimmerz Spritz...can't you tell?

I am hoping to have time today to create some goodies but tonight we are at the PHS varsity football game. This is our first away game and our first Saturday night game. So far the varsity team is 1-1 and the JV team is 2-0. Nic dresses for Varsity & has yet to play but he plays most of the JV game. Makes you wonder....hehe. I am hoping to post some pics tomorrow. I need to go through them all and arrange them. The new camera is great,but with the rapid shutter I get a lot of pictures. Better to have more than miss anything!! Have a great day.

Pizza Anyone...

This is my first attempt at making a pizza box gift card set. I used these wonderful Lockhart images from Susana's store. These are just a basic card set and I have learned alot from making them. It is better to decorate your box after the cuts are made and before you tape it together. This set is going in the "use some & chuck the rest" pile, but I can see where to improve my skills. That is what I love about papercrafting.
Please give me your thoughts & suggestions. I really would love to hear from you and learn of ways to improve. Thanks!!! Have a great Friday & a super weekend.

S2G Digi Challenge

The weekend is almost over & it will be back to work for me tomorrow. Nic is playing in the JV game tomorrow evening against Decatur. I sure hope they do better than varsity did Friday night. Not the best game played & to loose it in the last two seconds is just the pits. They should have put in the tall wide receiver standing on the sidelines..hehe. We would have won for sure!!!

I made this treat bag with the digi we were given. I used a template from SCS and decorated the image using CTMH markers & ink. I used a qtip to add background color. I need to find a better way, any suggestions? What do you use in small areas? Have a wonderful week. Look at my posts....I am on a roll!!!

An Altered Journal Saturday

I made this for a friends birthday and didn't realize I had remembered to take a picture. Suprise...suprise I did. Tells me I also need to spend some time organizing my pictures in the computer. I don't know why but I love altering composition journals. I gobble them up when it is back to school sale time & make gift with them. I am sure my friends & family are tired of them but I haven't had a negative response yet.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. We are enjoying some more summer weather & happy for it. Football is on the menu along with our first attempt at barbecuing a prime rib on our rotisserie grill. It should be nummy. We tried a briskit but the seasoning was ok but not a receipe we will try again.

Almost TGIF!!!

Happy almost Friday to y'all. I am so glad yesterday is over. I was able to spend my lunch hour visiting the dentist to get a filling. It is one of my most favorite things to do - hehe...NOT. Thank goodness that stuff is all done & over with for at least six months. Our weather is making a summer comeback and we are moving into the low to mid 80's for a few days. Perfect timming for the Friday night football game. I hope to post some pics from last weeks football game taken with my new SLR camera & zoom lense. Love..love...love the ability to just hold down the shutter & it clicks away!

Today I am sharing this wonderful EB image exclusive to Susana's store. She is titled Susan after one of the design team members. These stamps are just so sweet & great to work with. I used CTMH markers on this one & added flower soft, a pretty bow made with the Bow Easy and a sweet charm. Great goodies you can also purchase at Susana's store. She has the best customer service around!!

The sentiment is from a SU set given to me & I sprayed the image with Shimmerz Spritz. Love that sparkle...and I used a MS punch on the border. I was inspired by a layout that Suzanne Dean had on her blog the other day. I did a close up of the image for you. Please let me know what you think.
Have a wonderful day & I might suprise you by posting another project.

I found some MOJO!!!

Happy Labor Day to you...

I am sitting in my craft room enjoying the quiet. The guys are at football practice and I am enjoying the storm blowing through our area. The window is open a bit to fell & smell the breeze and the rain is falling in spurts. I am glad I am not sitting at the stadium...these moments are precious and relaxing. I will be baking a turkey in a bit for dinner. My hubby likes to take his lunch (he works all around the City of Tacoma) and he is trying to eat healthier. I try to cook up extra chicken, turkey or pork roasts for leftovers. What a perfect day to have a turkey. Well enough of my chatter...I want to share a project.

This sweet image is from Belles 'n Whistles and is a new Elizabeth Bell Image titled Lemonade Anyone? I just love EB stamps. What a wonderful artist she is!

I made this image holder for a sweet lady. She made me some beautiful croched flowers & I am sending off some stamped images she would like. I used copics; DCWV paper; Bazzill flowers and Shimmerz Sprits (that the wonderful & fabulous Susana sells in her store...Shimmerz is 30% off right now!). I used cotton candy to make the flowers pink & baby's breath on my image. It's yummy!

This is the inside of the image holder. I borrowed this folder from Jodi . It's fast & easy and better then just putting the images in the mail all by themselves. This way I am able to showcase my work & make someone feel special. That's all for today. Keep a lookout...I just might have more for you to see this week. :)

Harry Potter-Half Blood Prince

The wait is just about over!!! Can we say AMEN. I have almost finished the book (for the ?? time). I know the movie will differ & I am prepared for that when I see it, I just like to refresh my memory. It is also interesting to see how/where the changes were made. My hubby thinks I am crazy at my age loving this series like I do, but he has his Rocky. So I have to wait for the 17th due to Nic's football camp, but that is fine. I am off that day & it is the day before my birthday so it will start the weekend off with a bang!!! Also, ABC Family is showing the Harry Potter movies starting the 8th I believe. Don't forget!!!

9th Grade Dance

The group infront of their stretch hummer

Nic & I

Megan & Nic

I just had to share some pics of Nic's befoe dance photo op for parents. What a bunch of great looking kids.

Rose of Sharon

Today I am using inspiration from a card Suzanne Dean has done.  She has this sentiment in a stamp & I just loved it.  I used my printer to recreate it and my new Lockhart stamp Rose of Sharon.  This sweet stamp is from Susana's store and it was just introduced in May.  

I used CTMH designer paper along with royal red Shimmerz.

I finished it off with some beautiful Bella Baubles.  I just love these.  They really add some nice touches to your projects.  I used my copics to color the image and distressed the image & sentiment using my CTMH ink.  I just love the look when you slightly distress things.  

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I am having so much fun being the guest designer.  This has been a wonderful opportunity to get my creative juices flowing.  Thank you all for your wonderful comments.  More is on the way.  

Sweet Elly

This cutie is Elly from Fairy Song Art Stamps and I purchased her from Susana's store.

Isn't she just too precious?! I have been in a class for work all day then straight off to my son's baseball game. Finally a moment to get this post up for the day, although late and to see all the goodies over at Follow Your Heart. Check out the sneak peaks of Anki's Sweethearts for SCACD. She is releasing a new set of stamps. The deisgn team is featuring them on their blogs.

Sorry such a short post for today. It's off to bed for me to start the process all over again....where is that winning lottery ticket?!

Try It Out Tuesday - Happy Father's Day

The head of the SCACD design team is the one & only Suzanne Dean (check out her yummy blog). She gave me a heads up on the challenge for my SCACD Stampers Spotlight week. Each week the design team posts their lovely challenge creations on the store's blog, Follow Your Heart. I needed to make a Father's Day card & small gift. What great timing for me. With my busy schedule I am so happy to have my Dad all taken care of before his special day...and I even have time to pop it in the mail. Suzanne had posted a gift using these great popcorn boxes she found at Michales. They are perfect. Well I was inspired so I stopped by JoAnns & found them on clearance. Score!!

My dad is a total kid at heart & the biggest tease of them all. I remember as a kid I had to tell him to "stop teasin' me". It never worked & I am grateful he never did. I love those memories. Well my dad never got a boy...just me but I was a total tomboy so I made up for it.

This wonderful cutie Stuart & puppy is by Eat Cake Graphics. Susana has this guy along with a ton of other wonderful stamps. You have your choice of Lockhart's, Anki's Sweethearts, Victoria Case, Fairy Song Art Stamp & she will have some exclusive Elizabeth Bell stamps next month! So exciting. I used some of my Close To My Heart stash of paper and colored these guys with a combo of CTMH markers & copics. The more I use my copics...the more I fall in love with them. I am slowly growing my collection.I will be filling that popcorn bucket with my dad's favorite candy, Boston Baked beans along with some yummy popcorn. I was going to add his fav, Mountain Dew but I knew the post office might have issues with liquids and I mail all my packages after they close. Oh well...I will include a coupon for him to use. Make sure you stop by the store blog tomorrow....some very exciting things will be happening. Susana has been planning some really BIG FUN and you don't want to miss it!! Word just in...the baby's breath spritz in now in stock. How is that for superb customer service.

Happy Monday Everyone!!!

I am so excited to be the special guest designer for SCACD.  This group of very talented ladies is just amazing.  Susana has a wonderful online store with fabulous stamps, lots of shimmer, shine & sparkly bling along with other great goodies you can add to your creations.  Susana’s group over on Paper Craft Planet is a blast. 

On to my creation.  I just love this Lockhart Beach Chair.  It is such a fun stamp & always brings a smile to my face.  I can just picture the sun, sand & waves rolling over my feet as I relax the day away.  Maybe one day I will have purchased that winning lottery ticket but for now, I will make do with the stamp (he he).    

I used more of the free downloaded paper that was a part of the Stampin’ Out Alzheimer's week.  This paper was contributed by Libby Weifenbach.  I just love the bright colors.  

A closer look at the image for you.  All I need is some of the shimmerz spritz everyone is raving about.  Susana is out of stock of the baby's breath at the moment but more in on the way.  I know it is the first thing I will be ordering.

Have a wonderful day and stop on by tomorrow.  I will have something special for you to see.  

Nutcrafters Designs Design Team Call

After my exciting news over the weekend, I came across a new design team call for Nutcrafters-Nutshells.  I had to take the chance.  If you never do, then you never will get to try.  Using the sketch and the free digi download this is the card I created.  I used Wisteria from Basic Gray, CTMH cardstock & markers along with the copics that I have.  I colored flowers to match and used Bella Baubles that I purchased from Susana's store.  The sentiment is from SU.  What a great sketch.  I am keeping this for furture inspiration.  Thank you Nikki (the first DT member) for creating it.

Stampin Out Alzheimers

Today is the last day for Stampin Out Alzheimers and they have raised over $6500. The original goal was $2500 & after they went beyond that the goal was changed to $5000. Well as you can tell they beat that...plus. I entered a few challenges with my major mojo and this is what I came up with. This card is for the challenge sponsored by Susana's store. What a lovely sketch Suzanne came up with. I used the Lockhart image Rose of Shanon from Susana's store. The dp is the Wisteria line from Basic Grey and I used my Close To My Heart markers.

I used this altered notebook for two challenges. The paper, label & embelies were a free download by Libby Weifenbach. This is her Flip Flop Tan digital mini kit that was offered to all SOA members. What fun summer colors. I can see lots of projects using these papers. I used Liquid Glass from CTMH on the flowers.

Well time to finish helping Nic with his cooking requirements. He had to prepare 6 things for others. Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Busy Weekend

First I have to tell you about my exciting news.  I am a part of a great bunch of ladies over on PCP.  We are all involved with Susana's store (notice my left hand side bar blinkies).  Well this SCACD group has some very talented design team members with Suzanne Dean as the lead designer.  Well I have been racking my brain to see what I could do to be a member of that team.  So to make a long story short I made a suggestion about our PCP group to Susana & between her and Suzanne they will be featuring a different guest designer from our group every third week.  Guess who is the first.....ME!!!  I am so blown away and totally excited.  This news has shot my mojo to outer space.  I so created all weekend.  I will be featured the week of June 8th.  YIPPIEEE!!  For now check out the store's blog at Hearts & Hugz to see all the wonderful projects from the design team.  

Stampin' Out Alzheimer's

I have to let you know of a fabulous event that will be happening next week (May 25th thru the 31st) for Alzheimer’s. It's called Stampin' Out Alzheimer’s and will be a huge challenge and contest site all next week to raise money for research & funding for Alzheimer’s. The cost to enter, play & win is $5 a person (good for the entire week) and we'd love to have you join us. Susana's store is hosting a sketch challenge & the prizes include an entire set of Victoria Case for SCACD stamps (9 stamps), a pack of Dovecraft paper & some fun embellies! You can check out the site & join up by clicking on the link/widget on my sidebar!! And tell your friends too!!

Hope you all have a fabulous day, a wonderful weekend and a safe Memorial Day!!

****Happy Birthday Chelle****

I am just so excited to wish Michelle a Happy Birthday today.  One reason is just cuz she is just the best friend anyone could have & she is the sister of my heart.  How many people are blessed to still be so close with their friend from their youth?  I am one of those people.   I met Chelle when I was 8 years old.  My family had just moved to a new area of Boise, ID and being an only child my mom suggested I knock on the doors of the houses down my street and see if there were any kids my age.  After meeting one boy about a year older, I knocked on another door and the nice lady said she had two daughters.  One my age and one a year older.  

Here we are.....32 years later and that daughter that was my age is still the best est.  We have endured living in separate states; hours of phone calls; letters;  summers spent together; going to college together; several boyfriends; marriages; kids; sickness and her divorce.  I so wish I could help her through all the illness she is suffering through along with the pain she is enduring.  She knows how much she is loved and that she will be healthy and happy again.  Here is to a new year and all the wonderful things it will bring her and her kids!!!!!

Me & Chelle at Disneyland in 06.  She was in pain but she still smiled.

Adam & Chelle.  She had just been through a second surgery & was able to enjoy Disneyland only due to the wheelchair.  What a blessing that was for her.  The walking would have done her in.

LOVE YA, HUN!!!!  

Susana's Blog Candy

Susana has some super duper BIG FUN (yaha...we love it) over on her store blog. There are sneak peaks, blog candy, a blog hop & a new designer......Victoria Case for SCACD. Click on the Follow Your Heart link to the left & read all about it. What a great weak we have in store for us!!!

Get ready to P-A-R-T-Y!!

An Award

My friend Beth has given me an award. It has been awhile since I have received one & I really appreciate her for thinking of me. Here are the rules...

1. I need to tell you 7 things about me/things that I love

2. I need to pass this on to 7 fellow bloggers that I enjoy & let them know about the award

Here are my seven things....

1. My family!!! There are way more than 7 people but my husband & son are #1

2. Reading

3. Crafting

4. Coffee (Dr. Pepper, but I am not doing that anymore)

5. Nature (Hikes, camping, camp fires & listening to all the sounds)

6. my bed

7. Friends

Now to list the seven I am happy to give this award to...

1. Tanjii

2. Danni

3. Lynn

4. Shannon

5. Suzanne

6. Heidi

7. Cheri

Monday with Mom

More Mother's day projects for you today. I followed the April sketch challenge on Susana's PCP Fans of Karen Lockhart group. The sketch called for itty bity's, but I didn't have any so I improvised. This beach chair is wonderful & is getting me in the mood for summer.
I took a $1 book from Michaels, altered it some to match my card and will be giving it as a gift. I really like to alter these books & the more I do it the better I get. Just a few more gift sets to go. One for my MIL and my best friend Michelle. She is going through a nasty divorce & is suffering from active TB with two young kids. She needs someone to think of her on Mother's day & I want her to feel there is a light at the end of this portion of her life. Things will improve & she will recover both emotionally and physically.

Gifts for Grandma

I am on to Mother's day gifts and this is for my grandma. She lives in Idaho (where I was born) and writes everything down. She also dates everything. I mean everything. From notes to toothpaste to canned foods. It always amazed me that everything in her pantry had a date. An excellent idea for some things, but toothpaste? It wasn't like she had purchased 12 tubes. LOL Looking back now that I am older, I really appreciate having those dates. It helps to set a time line for events in our lives.
I used my new Lockhart "Lilac in Pitcher" from Susana's store. She has some great specials going on now & when you purchase 4 regular Lockhart stamps, you will receive a free Itty Bity Lockhart. She also has the shimmerz I used. What a wonderful product. So versatile!!

Easter Dragon

I thought these cute free digi images from Dustin Pike were sweet. Who could resist this dragon waiting to fill his basket with eggs? I used two different sketches for these cards. I wanted to make them individual, but use the same image.