Monday Monday

I guess realizing my days of laziness

are coming to an end has made me
get off my duff & get some work done.
Not quite noon & already I've gotten
so many things accomplished.
Including................................
a card using the current 2S4U sketch #61.
Since I still had the Crate Paper out,
I decided to use it for this card as well.
Plus I used a couple more stamps.
I did alter the sketch some,
but isn't that what it's all about?
Making it your own!!

Supplies: Crate Paper Restoration; Studio Calico ticket stub stamp; Basic Grey alpha letters; Jenni Bowlin butterfly; JoAnn's trim

I'm actually gonna try to make another card,
so I hope you have a very blessed day!!

CPS 184

Back in the swing of things?
Probably not:)
Where have I been?
Nowhere in particular
but apparently not in my scraproom.

This is the 1st year both of my girls are in school,
past 12:00 noon.
I now don't have to pick them up until 2:00.
So, I'm finding I have TONS of time on my hands,
but instead of scrapping & exercising,
I've been reading & doing not much else?
It's been nice to adjust to a schedule of nothing,
because starting this week,
I start back with my bible study twice a week,
so I figure I'm entitled to a little break.
Browsed sketch sites today
& found the CPS 184 sketch ready.
LOVE this Hero Arts stamp set.
I've used it before, but not often enough.
The papers are the new Crate Paper Restoration.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this new line!!

I'm hoping to do a little more this week.
I'm now 2 months behind on my kit club,
so I've got 2 kits untouched*yikes*
I really need to get busy.
Thanks for stopping by
& have a blessed day!!

just a week left

One week from today,

my little girlies will resume school.

This is one momma that is not excited.
I LOVE having my chicks home with me,
not to mention,
I hate getting up early:)
So, since this is their last week,
we're keeping it jam packed
with a water park, sleepovers, grandparents,
trip to New Orleans aquarium
& Build-A-Bear.
I think they're excited.
Though I haven't posted in over a week,
I have done some projects,
but only took pictures of 2 so far.
The first uses the TESC 124 sketch.
The minute I saw these rub-ons on my desk,
I knew they would be perfect for this sketch.

Supplies: Hambly rub-ons; JoAnn's trim; Jenni Bowlin butterfly; Fiskar border punch

This second card is one I just wanted to do.
No sketch, just fun.

Supplies: Studio Calico postcard (home) & paper (chair); Basic Grey letters; Cuttlebug embossing folder

I might post again before next week,
but if not,
I'll probably be back full swing,
once they're in school.
This year will be different for me...
I'll actually be home alone
until 1:30 everyday.
It'll be strange not having
another little body here to keep me company:(
Wonder if I'll actually be productive this year?

productive day

On Fridays I watch a friend's two kids.
Bella is Camryn's age
& Gav is three.
Sooooooooooooooooooo,
I scrapped today.
Most of the items on these layouts
were from the July Studio Calico kit.

The kids are gone now,
& me & Cam are chillin'
while Ashlyn is shopping w/grandma:)
Hoping to get one more layout completed.
Thanks for stopping by!!

SSSC #79 ~ part duece

Today girls are with grandparents.
How am I managing all this time to myself?
Wellllllllllllllllll..................................
not productively. That's for sure!!
Yesterday, I mentioned
I was "okay" with my card
using the SSSC #79 challenge.
So, I sat down to make another.
Though I'm good with this card,
I'm still not?
I'm moving on though,
I really need to work on some layouts.

Supplies: Studio Calico papers; Cosmo Cricket chipboard & letters; trim unknown

Anxiously awaiting the Fed Ex man!!
Ordered some Vera Bradley
& I'm excited to see it in person.
Have a blessed day!!

SSSC #79

Girls have friends over today.

We were going swimming,
but they opted to stay home
& play indoors instead.
That's given me some time to scrap
but I haven't been very productive.
For this card, I used the SSSC #79

Lots of old product on this one.
including a Studio Calico postcard.
I thought this sketch would be easy,
but it wasn't for me?
Thinking I'm gonna challenge
myself to use it again?

Supplies: Studio Calico postcard; American Crafts stickers; WeRMK chipboard; Making Memories metal flower; Martha Stewart butterfly punch; Kaiser Crafts pearl rhinestones

Me thinks the natives are getting restless.
At least the two 5-year olds, at least:)
Gotta go!!

2S4U #57 & CPS #177

Summer's almost over*yikes*
Where is it going so fast?
Only 1-month before girls start again.
We've already got school supplies

& we've done a little clothes shopping.
I'm excited to do more shopping,
what girl doesn't like to shop,
but not excited for summer to be over.
While the girls were swimming w/friends today,
I played around with two sketches.
First up is the current 2S4U - Laura 57 sketch.
I stamped the puffer fish
& then pieced him back together.
It might be hard to see,
but I adhered a Heidi Swapp
acetate heart to his front.
YES, I still have some of these goodies:)

Supplies: My Minds Eye patterned paper; Imaginisce stamp puffer fish stamp; Fiskar sentiment stamp; Heidi Swapp acetate heart; twine

For this next card,
I used the CPS 177 sketch.
I got these Prima flowers from ScrapHappy.
The blues go perfectly with this
Pink Paislee Amber Road line.

Supplies: Pink Paislee patterned paper; Prima flower; Fiskar sentiment stamp; Fiskar border punch; Kaiser Crafts pearl rhinestones

Welp, just got the call to pick up kiddos,
so off to get my girlies
& start settling in for the evening!!

copic markers

This past week,
Hobby Lobby had Copic Markers 30% off.
I've been wanting to try these markers,
but am not a good stamper,
so didn't know if these would be
a good investment for me?
So, I picked up 5 basic colors,
brought them home
& started experimenting.
Part of that experiment was to use
some of my dds "washable" markers
to see if I noticed a difference.

There are 3 things I noticed:

1) Copic markers are very easy to color with.
I loved the brush tip, though I thought it might
be a bit too big for some of the smaller coloring.
It wasn't.
2) I need to work on coloring more evenly:)
I thought once it dried, it would dry evenly.
It didn't & you can tell.
3) Crayola washable markers? Not too good.

For this card,
I used the TESC #122 sketch.
So, what did I stamp on this card?
Why the octopus!!
I had colored the crab
& did a great job too.
I also stamped the crab,
but I decided to stamp
on a patterned paper instead.

Supplies: October Afternoon & My Minds Eye (crab) papers; Fancy Pants sun-die; Imaginisce stamps; Basic Grey letters; copic marker

My final thoughts on Copic markers?
Well, I definitely like them,
but don't know if I should make a huge investment.
Stamping on patterned paper
can add just as much depth & variety.
So, I guess it depends on how involved I wanna get?

CPS 176

Thursday already!!
*whew*
What a week!!
Girls have dentist appts today,
so not much playing planned.
Here's a card I finished yesterday,
using the CPS 176 sketch.
I still have remanents of
this lovely paper left,
so I trying to use it up.
I might add some bling
underneath & just above
the bottom rose?

Look for this card in the January 2011 CARDS publication

That's all for today.
I hope your week has been blessed!!

TESC #121 & SSSC #78

I'm moving right along.
Got 2 more cards done yesterday
& only 1 more sketch to attempt.
This card is for the TESC #121 challenge.
I've said this before,
but I'll say it again,
"me & circles just don't do!!"
I know I could have substituted
them for something else,
but I wanted to use these rub-ons.
I think I like the card,
but not really sure.

Supplies: Crate Paper patterned paper; Studio Calico rub-ons; Pink Paislee trim & brad; Basic Grey letters; twine

For this next card,
I used the SSSC #78.
When I saw this sketch,
I immediately knew I was gonna
use this Pink Paislee paper.
I ended up turning the sketch though.
I used some more of the yummy
trim I got at HL Monday.
Can't wait to make more flowers with it.

Supplies: Pink Paislee paper, die-cuts & bumblebee stamp; Basic Grey letters

Welp, girls are still at VBS,
so I wanna take advantage
of my next 2 hours of quiet!!
Thanks for stopping by!!

2S4U - Kazan #57 sketch

I have loved staying busy this summer.
The girls & I have been getting lots
of sun~time at the beach & pool.
This week is VBS @ our church,
so I'm excited to get
some scrappy time in the AM.
I missed all the sketches last week,
but am working right through this week's,
starting with 2S4U-Kazan's 57 sketch.
When I first saw this sketch,
I was planning on waves & a fish w/bubbles.
How I came to this card......?
But, I'm glad I finally used this paper!!
I've also been seeing the lovely new trim
by American Crafts in the Dear Lizzy line.
So, while shopping yesterday,
I found IDENTICAL trim @ HL.
I ended up getting this trim instead,
as I liked the smaller width.
I included a close-up,
as it's scrumptious &
I got it in 3 different colors.

Supplies: American Crafts patterned paper (all) & letter stickers; JoAnn's trim

I'm also including a layout I did last week.
I try to do a couple a week,
but don't use any challenges or sketches,
so I don't often upload to my blog.
But, if I'm gonna do them,
by golly,
someone's going to see them:)

Now I gotta get me some breakfast.
I was so excited to scrap,
I drank my coffee & that's it*yikes*
Have a great one!!

she's a keeper

We've decided to keep sweet Chloe.
I think we knew that before we brought her home,
but it's officially official:)
It's amazing how much she looks like Macy,
our one-year old cat.
Her markings are almost identical.

When Macy was this age,
she was a pearly white color,
so it makes me think Chloe will
darken as she gets older too?
This 1/2 bowl she's in is 1/2 of the
Zhu Zhu hamster ball.
Isn't she cute?

While browsing blogs yesterday,
I came across the Mojo Monday sketch site.
I really liked their sketches
& tried my hand at their current one.
Still using older product,
combined with a Martha Stewart doilly,
that I spritzed with Tattered Angels mist.

Supplies: Basic Grey paper, rub-ons & woolies; Martha Stewart doily; Tattered Angels mist; twine; Cuttlebug embossing template

We're off to go swimming.
The girls have been begging for 2-days,
but the weather kept us indoors.
Have a great one!!

it's raining it's pouring

I've been enjoying the rain.
I've seen a lot of complaining
about all the rain,
but it's relaxing
& keeps me indoors,
which in turn
keeps me from spending money:)
So, I finished another card
& used the current 2S4U - Kazan's #56 sketch.
I'm rather enjoying plundering
through older product.
I've had this stamp for a couple of years
& this is only the 2nd time I've used it.
I had to look up what "Ex Liberis" meant.
I knew if I didn't,
my sentiment wouldn't make any sense.
Apparently it's what is put on
the inside of a book to show ownership.
So, I thought a love card was more appropriate
then maybe a baby or get well card?

Supplies: SEI papers; Fiskar border punch; Prima velvet letters; Cuttlebug embossing template

We're obviously going to relax again today.
I'll do my run/exercise later tonight,
but planning on scrapping as much as I can today.
Have a blessed day!!

July already?

So hard to believe it's July already.
This makes me realize
we have even less summer left,
so definitely going to make the most
of the next 2-months.
I did make a card today,
in between cleaning house.
I decided to use the CPS #174 sketch.
I originally had it turned
just like the sketch,
but ended up wanting the butterfly up top.
Not sure why,
but now I feel like my paper looks wonky somehow?
Oh well,
it's glued down,
so no changing it now.

Supplies: Crate Paper & dies; Prima bling & Fiskar stamp sentiment

I also started another card,
& will hopefully finish tomorrow
& get it uploaded.
Hope you're having a great week!!

gettin' my weekend on!!

Since I don't work,
everyday is kinda like
a weekend to me.
But, I still look forward
to weekend plans.
With it being 4th of July weekend,

I'm lookin' forward to plans with family.
Maybe I'll make some banana pudding?
This morning hubby let me go to Michael's.
They have their punches 40% off,
plus I had a 15% coupon.
There are 2 punches I wanted,
but unfortunately, they didn't have either.
I still managed to pick up 2 others,
along w/a couple packs of Thickers.
So, on this card,

I used older Basic Grey &K& Co. papers,
my new border punch,
& Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge 119.

Supplies: Basic Grey & K&Co papers; Basic Grey fabric tag; Jenni Bowlin butterfly; EK Success border punch

Below are a few layouts
I've done over the past week.
Nothing earth-shattering
except maybe using some older product.

And this sweet picture
is Chloe!!
She's about 7-wks old
& was hand-raised by my sister.
She has another sister & a brother,
so my sister's trying to find them homes.
We're thinking of keeping her,
but Macy, our 1-year old cat,
isn't too keen on the idea.
So, we're gonna see how it goes until Sunday.

I hope you have fun plans this weekend.
Happy 4th of July to you & your family!!

TESC 118 * part 2*

I mentioned in this post,
I wasn't too fond of my card
for the TESC 118 challenge.
So, while the girls napped
& it rained outside,
I made another card.
Very pleased with this one.

Supplies: Pink Paislee Queen Bee paper, rub-ons, die-cuts & alphabet stickers; EK Success border punch; flower by Danielle Flanders

So, it took me this entire time
to make this card
& now my girlies are awake.
Time to do something fun!!

movin' right along

I finally got to take the girls swimming.
The day started off dreary,
but quickly became full sunshine.
We got 2-hrs of pool time
before the clouds took over.
Now they're napping
& I'm anxiously awaiting the rain.
I love the rain,
especially when the girls are napping:)
Here are 2 more cards I got done yesterday.
The first up uses Card Patterns #70.
Remember this gorgeous paper?
Told you I was using some old stuff!!

Supplies: Amy Butler & Fancy Pants paper; Prima flower; Amy Butler rub-on quote; Offray rhinestones; Martha Stewart butterfly punch

For this card,
I used the Taylored Expression Sketch Challenge #118.
I'm not really happy w/how this turned out
& it's because of the sentiment.
I think I would have liked it better
had I simply used some Thickers?
Either way,
I can't remove it w/out tearing what's underneath.
I might still try though......we'll see.
At the very least,
I'll probably make a new card,
as I really liked this sketch.

Supplies: Crate Paper & chipboard; Basic Grey paper; Heidi Grace sentiment stamp; EK Success border punch

Welp, if I'm gonna get anything accomplished,
I need to get off this computer.
Thanks again for stopping by.

lazy day

The weather's not been so great,
so we haven't gone swimming.
We've just been enjoying lazy days:)
Lazy days also allow me to scrap,
which I've been enjoying.
My printer is currently out of ink though,
so I haven't been able to do any layouts.
For the card below,
I chose the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #75.
Instead of a circle, I used the owl.
I have to admit,
I'm having a really, really hard time w/the circles.
TONS of old product on this card,
as with the other cards I got done today.

Supplies: Hambly woodgrain paper & owl/branch stickers; Fancy Pants Kraft; Basic Grey letters

That's all for tonight.
I did get a couple more cards done,
& I'll upload them later tomorrow.
Hope your week is good so far!!

not happenin'

For 10-days I've been sick.
Though I feel much better,
I still have minor congestion in my throat
& a nagging cough.
So trying to run my normal
2 1/2 miles today wasn't happenin'!!
I even got winded doing a few
light weights.
I'll be glad when I'm 100% again!!
This is seriously wearing me out:)
On another note,
I did manage to scrap today.
For this card,
I used the current 2S4U - Laura #55 sketch.
After finishing the card,
I realized I wanted it to look more like the sketch...
ya know, longer from left-to-right, but it didn't.
Oh well!!

Look for this card in the January 2011 CARDS publication.

I did a layout too,
but forgot to take a picture.
I'll upload later.
I've also been doing my summer reading.
I have always loved to read,
& can get completely engrossed in a book ,
not wanting to put it down until I'm finished.
The one I just finished is one of those type books.
"Firefly Lane"
If you've not read this book,
go to your local library or bookstore.
It's a MUST read!!
LOVED it!!
Thanks for stopping by!!

feeling myself again

I'm finally feeling myself again.

In fact,
I needed to start running/exercising again today,
but didn't manage too:(
Really need to get started tomorrow,
these M&Ms will be stickin' pretty soon!!
We have a break from summer activities
for about 3 more weeks,
so I'm really hoping to get more scrapping done.
Here are 2 cards I worked on this weekend.
The first uses Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #74,

but I didn't get it done in time.

Supplies: My Minds Eye papers; Cosmo Cricket chipboard; Cuttlebug embossing folder; Jenni Bowlin alpha stickers; Fiskar border punch

This card uses the current CPS sketch #172.
For some reason,
the minute I saw the sketch,
I thought of this K&Co line.
I did hand-cut the flowers on the card,
but the bottom ones are part of a border sticker.

Supplies: K&Co papers & sticker embellies; Fiskar "friend" stamp; American Crafts Thickers

I'm so proud of my 10-year old.
She has a 1-yr old cat
& really wanted a 6-wk old kitten.
As a family,
we sat down to talk about the pros & cons.
Afterwards,
we let her decide what she thought
was the right decision to make.
She opted NOT to get the kitten.
Whew!!!
What a relief for mommy,
but I'm really very proud of her.
For a 10-year old that's huge.
They usually only think of themselves
& what they want.
I know she really wanted this kitten
& she even cried,
but she's fine now!!
So..............
maybe I can talk daddy into a puppy:)

me & stamping don't agree

I'm trying.
Believe me.
But we're not getting along:)
The card below HAD a stamped image.
I even paper-pieced it together.
But, I sorta did it backwards,
so, the image didn't make the card.
The sentiment is stamped though...
if that counts as stamping.

I did use 2S4U -Kazan #55 sketch.

Using more My Minds Eye
So Sophie, Quite Contrary & Cosmo Cricket.

I'm finally getting over being sick.
I NEVER get sick.
I think the last time I was sick,
was 5+ years ago?
We're talking fever, chills, aches
vomitting & loads of sleeping.
2-days later & 3 lbs less,
I'm finally starting to feel myself again.
We even got William
brand new Asics for Father's Day
& we haven't been able to try them out.
So, maybe the rest of this week
will be more productive than today & yesterday?
I'm hopeful!!

*a work in progress*

Don't think for one minute
I think stamping is a piece-of-cake.
Quite the contrary!!
People that have the talent
to stamp truly amaze me.
I buy stamp sets simply because of their beautiful work.
So, I mentioned I got my first stamp set from
Taylored Expressions, "Pet's Place."
I also went back to her current sketch
to make the card below.

What have I learned after this card?
First, daschunds tend to be a little more orangey:)
I should have used a more orange color.
And I really need to learn to stamp
on a background & not have to hand-cut.
I feel my little guy is lost against this card.
I also noticed a "splat" on the "new addition" sticker...
it's there, but it's part of the sticker?
And I might also add some twine?
All-in-all,
I'm "okay" with this attempt.
Maybe after a few more cards,
they'll start to look better?

it's all about *DAD*

I needed one more Father's Day card.
So, mixing My Minds Eye (So Sophie, Quite Contrary)
& Cosmo Cricket chipboard, I decided to use the
Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #73.

The My Minds Eye journaling tag
has flowers, so I downplayed them
with buttons, twine & the plaid print.

Now that I have my Father's Day cards finished,
I'm gonna play with some new stamps I got.
I recently made my first purchase with Taylored Expressions.
She was offering the cutest stamp set, Pet's Place,
mixed with Basic Grey's "Max & Whiskers."
Those of you that know me,
know we own a pet store.
Until I saw this set,
I'd never found one that incorporated
animal sentiments along w/images.
So, I HAD to get this set.
I've had it over a week now,
so I'm very anxious to work with it.
Wish me luck...........
I'm not a very good stamper:)

*it's official*

I run!!!
That might not seem like a big deal,
but to me it is.
I always professed to NOT be a runner.
Not because I couldn't do it,
but simply because I figured.....
"Why?"
I've been walking for awhile
& one day decided to "jog" a little.
It didn't take long to realize,
I was getting done quicker:)
I suffered shin splints due to
not having good running shoes.
So yesterday while shopping for Father's Day,
I purchased me a good pair of running shoes.
Took my first run in them last night
& boy howdy....................
the shoes definitely make the run!!!
I actually enjoyed myself,
& think I'll make a habit of this thing called "running!!"

The girls are at church this week,
participating in a summer recreation thingy.
So, today I decided to
get a couple of Father's Day cards done.
Only 1 more to go.
For the first card,
I used the 2S4U-Laura #54 sketch.
Still playing around with
My Minds Eye "So Sophie" from ScrapHappy.

Supplies: My Minds Eye "So Sophie" papers & die-cut tags; Offray rhinestones & twine

For this card I used CPS 171.

Supplies: My Minds Eye "So Sophie" papers; Heidi Swapp acetate hearts; Chatterbox letter stickers & Offray rhinestones

These layouts were made using
more My Minds Eye "So Sophie."
I really enjoyed this line
more than I thought I would.
Full of blues, greens & browns
& versatile enough for girls.

And that's all for now.
Gotta get some food started.
Girls should be home soon
& I know they'll be starving!!

Taylored Expressions Sketch #117

Here's a card using some
of My Minds Eye "So Sophie."
It instantly reminded me of Christmas
& matches Cosmo Cricket's last Christmas line
& some of My Minds Eye Quite Contrary.
So this line is extremely versatile.
I used the current
Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #117

Supplies: My Minds Eye "So Sophie" papers; Cosmo Cricket chipboard

Even though I immediately thought Christmas,
this line can be used for everyday.
Something about these colors makes me happy!!
Here's a few layouts I made for ScrapHappy.

I have a few more projects,
but I'll wait til later this weekend.
Hoping to get more accomplished!!
Enjoy your weekend!!

CPS 170

Can ya tell I'm lovin' summer?
I got these MME papers in a CARDS box.
I really, really like them.
For this card I used the current CPS 170 sketch.

Supplies: My Minds Eye "Breaking Free" papers & die-cuts; Creative Memories trim; Sassafras ice-cream felt; Fiskar border punch

I've been working on design team projects.
I got to work with several lines
of My Minds Eye newer stuff, "So Sophie."
I have to admit,
after all these years,
My Minds Eye continues to be one of my favs.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend planned.
I know I do!!

Happy Birthday MOM!!

It's my sweet mom's birthday.
She never wants to be bothered
with parties, cake, gifts, dinners, etc.
A card is what she prefers,
but I always put a little giftcard inside.
Always hoping she'll use it
& not give it away:)
For her card, I used the
Sweet Sunday Sketch #72

Supplies: Pink Paislee papers & die-cut tag, Offray ribbon & butterfly; American Crafts letters

So many ideas swimming around in my head
but finding it oh so hard to take
the time to stop & scrap!!
I sure hope you're enjoying your summer.

2S4U - Kazan #54 sketch

Wow am I enjoying my summer.
It's only day 2 of summer break
& I'm already sleeping in, reading books,
swimming w/the girls & just being lazy:)
I'm finding it hard to come into my scrap room,
but I decided to make a card
to get me back into the groove.
For this card I used
2 Sketches 4 U -Kazan's 54 sketch.

Supplies: My Minds Eye Breaking Free papers, die-cuts, rub-ons & acetate frame

So here's hoping I can be more productive
over the next couple of months!!

*whew*

Sooooo glad to be home!!
Our *almost* 2-week vacation
has come to an end
& boy am I glad:)
We first hit Disney World,
being gone a total of 6-days.
Unfortunately I don't have a picture of the 4 of us!!
We usually had an uncooperative 5-year old*stinker*
Came home for 1 1/2 days,
had to wash some clothes,
only to leave again for San Destin.
Picture of the "girl" cousins.
We still don't understand why we left out the 2 nephews?
We returned Thursday afternoon,
only to watch a friend's kids on Friday!!
So, I've been washing laundry, cleaning house
weeding the yard, window shopping carpet & furniture
& browsing everyone's blogs to catch up.
I'm hoping to get into a summer scrappin' groove
& have some fresh things to show this week!!
Thanks for hanging in there with me!!