Creating Keepsakes Convention - Kansas City

So last weekend was the CK Convention at which I volunteered. If you volunteer you get free passes to the vendor fair as well as $30 per shift to spend at the CK booth or on classes. Oh it was fun! But one of the coolest parts was when Alicia came up to me and said that Stacy Croninger was working the registration desk! So we had to get a picture!!! For the record Alicia made me crop her out as she didn't like the way she looked. :) And just incase you wondered what my shirt says, "It's all fun and games until someone looses and eyelet."

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Friday was the Kindergarten field trip to the pumpkin patch, so of course I had to go!!! I think Reanne had more fun walking through the pumpkin vines rather than picking out a pumpkin.

I tried to get her to pick this pumpkin because it was so different, but she was having none of it! In the end the pumpkins got the best of her. She went to her room about 6 o'clock and fell asleep. The best part is that she fell asleep on a stuffed pumpkin!

2Sketches4You

Here's this weeks sketch from 2Sketches4You along with my card.

I really love how this turned out. My new fascination lately is buttons. I can't seem to get enough of them. Although my first love is still flowers. I absolutely love the Snag-em Stamps from Imaginicse. This bird is from their Fairest of Them All collection. The border of white circles is hand drawn with the new Tim Holtz white gel pen.

The Secret is in the Sauce

This is a shout out to a site I found recently - The Secrets in the Sauce. It's a community of bloggers that support other bloggers. Heather and Tiffany, the genius behind SITS, feature a blogger M-F and have special shout outs on the weekends. (Sorry if this isn't totally accurate as I am still getting familiar with them). Anyway, so today we are to post what SITS means to us and then link to 5 blogs we have discovered through SITS.

(This is one of my fav pictures from our spring break trip to Juneau, AK in 2007)

Where do I start..... I love to check my blog and see that someone has left a comment. It gives a little twinge in my heart to know that someone cared enough to leave me a tidbit of themselves. I need that reinforcement. I work from home and really miss the sense of team you get when working in an office environment. Don't get me wrong I LOVE working in my PJ's or rolling out of bed 10 minutes before I need to take DS to school. With work, kids, church, school, etc i rarely get time for me, so my blog is it. My little slice of 15 minutes or so a day to loose myself in the information super highway and be inspired by others and leave a tidbit of me with them.

Ok now for the good part. Here are the wonderful blogs that I have discovered thus far:

1. Meaghan - is an amazing cervical cancer surviror. I am at a loss for words as I just read this amazing post. Just go visit her.
2. Heather - One of the funniest, most real, ladies I've met - virtually that is ;)
3. April - another gal that keeps it real and makes me chuckle out loud.
4. Cherry's Jubilee - I am axiously waiting to see if her passion for halloween extends to other holidays!
5. Scrapping for Less - Ok who doesn't love a website that tells you about great give aways on crafting supplies!

I hope you enjoy your visits to my fellow SITS sista's!

Grandma's Birthday Gift

My grandmother is awsome! Until my grandfather passed, she sent me a card and $5 for my birthday every year.... and I'm 33. Can I tell you I just loved it because she'd tell me to go to Taco Bell and buy lunch. It's just so sweet. She sends my kids little notes just about weekly so they get their own mail. Now her children get on her about what she's spending in postage, which I can understand because she has 14+ grand children plus 7+ great grand children.

So for her birthday this week I made her a set of stationary and included a book of stamps. I really love how this project turned out. The black carstock took the Versamark ink BEAUTIFULLY!

All supplies Close to My Heart unless otherwise noted.

Supplies: Stamps (Treasure Life); Ink: Sunflower, Sweat Leaf, Tulip, Creme Brulee, VersaMark; Pattern Paper: Boom-Di-Ada, Ribbon: Offray

WCMD - 2

I'm not getting very far, but I did make a pumpkin cake from scratch if that counts for something.

Here's my card based on the sketch at jen del muro's blog.

I rotated the sketch and used foam adhesive for the top layer of cardstock that I stamped on.

Cardstock: Blue (DCWV); Pattern Paper: Euphoria (Basic Grey); Stamps: Garden of Life (Papertrey Ink)

WCMD

Ok, so i haven't gotten much done, but here's what I have so far for World Card Making Day!

• Snowgirl Card - A little touch of pink is all a girl of snow needs!

• Merry Christmas - i know again with the pink ;) I pulled out an oldie but a goodie - my alcohol inks, used them on the back of the clear button.

• Happy Birthday - a card I made for my grandmother.

Toot & World Card Making Day

I've been published..... well sort of. My online friend Ivanka had a celebration for National Pig Day and I participated with this card. Well she let Paper Crafts know about this and there's a little snipet about it in the Nov/Dec issue. Go check out page 16 in the Online Corner. I'm practically giddy! Also today is World Card Making Day and there's lots going on. So make a hand made card to brighten someone's day!

i've been tagged

Oh I'm all a twitter!!!! Barbara at Made For Keeps has tagged me for a Q&A. Here are the rules...

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

So here my 7:

1. I only eat eggs scrabbled or in an omlette. Not fried, not deviled, no egg salad, not poached, not hard boiled - blech!
2. I love sci-fi! Some of my favs are Battlestar Galactica, Heros, Smallville, Fringe, Star Trek, Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles.
3. I collect Little Mermaid snow globes.
4. I hiked in, to the bottom and out of the Grand Canyon on a 9th grade field trip.
5. Ice cream IS a food group, at least for me.
6. I wanted to go to the Air Force Academy, become a pilot and fly F-16's
7. I love Project Runway so much, and they make sewing look so easy, that I was inspired to make my DD's Cinderella costume 2 yrs ago.

Ok so now for my favorite blogs:

1. Alicia - she has more talent in her little finger than I have in my whole body!
2. Michelle - I discovered her through one of my favorite stamp company's - Papertrey Ink. I really like her clean style.
3. Jennifer - A fellow Papertrey Ink fan. I've been stalking her blog lately and love her style!
4. Jen - a fellow SheetLoad designer who's intricate cards are amazing!
5. Nicole - designer and sketch artist at Sheetload. This gal is truely an artist. She makes not only cards, but the most beautiful jewelry!
6. Michelle - designer and sketch artist at Sheetload. Her creations are so clean and crisp. (Crisp - I know a weird descriptor, but that's was I think when I see her work)
7. Heather - and last but not least my recent gem found through SITS. If you need a chuckle, or even a belly laugh you must go visit Heather. Believe me you won't be sorry!

October SheetLoad

It's ready! Go check out this month's SheetLoad. I created the card below for this months issue in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness, please do your exams! Be sure to check out the other great cards in this month's issue.

Free handbag..... couldn't resist

Ok, not sure if this is for real, but hey it never hurts to enter! Go visit Hand Bag Planet to enter their hand bag give away. But if you do please don't pick the hour 9 bag, because i am totally in love with it! ;)

Sheetload Sneak Peak

It's that time again!!!! Go check out Sheetload for the upcoming October sneak peaks.

Secret Sister

Tomorrow we are to give our secret sister at church a scripture. My SS's favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6 and her favorite color is pink. I decided to pull out an oldy but a goodie - coaters. The paper was created by Anne Schlegel at Creative Dreams.

I really love how this turned out!

SITS Saturday Spotlight & Contest

Ok if you want to see the cutest vintage aprons and girls clothes you must go see today's SITS Saturday Spotlight - Sweet Funky Vintage. What's even better if you go visit SITS and Sweet Funky Vintage you can enter to win a $35 gift cert to their store!!! Here's the skinny: To enter: 1. Go to their shop 2. Go to their blog and let them know which items you LOVE! 3. For 2 additional entries, post about the contest on your blog, linking to this post. 3. Winner announced next Saturday 4. You must have the SITS button on your sidebar to win! So go check it out!

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

So here's my creation for this month's blog hop. These things always sneek up on me! My card tonight was made using Guidelines & Mixed Messages from Papertrey and a clear card base from ShortCuts.

The ornaments were made by first stamping the grid with Aqua Mist ink, stamped the ornate design with Versamark and finally embossed with Stampin Stuff .

Stamps: Gridlines, Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink), Versamark, Opaque White (Stazon)

Cardstock: Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink), #80 White (Cougar), Silver (Archivers)

Other: White Pearls Embossing Powder (Stampin Stuff), Snowflake embossing folder (Cuttlebug), Ornament Die (Quickutz), Circle Punch (EK Success)

Three great inspirations collide

I have combined a great frosted card black from ShortCuts, a sketch challenge by Carla over at Lil' Scrappers and a fantastic idea from Lisa using old magnets. First ran my cardstock, pattern side down, through my Xyon. This allowed me to then adhere the paper to the back of the front side of the card. I then used my circle punches on some old magnets. I then used my craft knife to cut a circle out of the cardstock the size of the magnet adhered to the inside of the card. The other magnet is adhered to the back of my Making Memories chipboard piece.

More ShortCuts product samples

Ok so I am totally in love the with latest ShortCuts product - clear and frosted card bases. Here are a couple more samples.

Pssst......

I want to let you in on an exciting new product being launched this month at ShortCuts. Clear and Frosted Card Blanks. They are awsome! I have never been able to find a clear acetate that I liked working with, that was heavy enough and that wasn't riddled with finger prints. I have made a few samples to share. You can also checkt out ShortCuts for some beautiful samples made by Carla.

This first card I made last night for my husband and features the Frosted Card Blank. I know it's kind of hard to see the sentiment, but it says "Psst...." He was so sweet yesterday and brought me home a scoop of ice cream! I just had to remind him that I loved him. The card is based on the bonus sketch at 2Sketches4You. This cute little card features the Clear Card Blank. The rubon, sentiment and owl are all on the front of the card. The stripped paper is adhered to the inside front and the green adhered to the back.

September Sketch

I'm trying my hand at sketching and have discovered that it's not as easy as it looks. It may have something to with the fact that I am very much a beginner when it comes to Photoshop. Here is my debut sketch along with a sample. It think it turned out really well. I hope you give it a try!

If you like my sketch, and give it a try, please comment with a link to your creation. Thanks!

Cardstock: 80# Courgar White, Pink & Tan; Ink: Versafine (Black), Bic Mark it (Color Collection), Stampin Up! (Creamy Caramel); Stamps: Stamping Bella (JavaBella), Papertrey (Mixed Messages); Tools: Spellbinders (Circle Nestabilities), Fiskars Border Punch(Threading Water), Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (Houndstooth); Other: Ribbon, Flower, Brad, 3D Foam Tape.

September SheetLoad

The September issue of SheetLoad is ready to download. It has some special features, so go check it out!!

SheetLoad Sneak Peak

In just a few short days the newest issue of SheetLoad of Cards will be ready for download. I have to say that I l-o-v-e-d the stamps from this months sponsor! They are awsome!!!

"HOPE"fully you can figure out who our sponsor is for September! :)

Papertrey Blog Hop

OMG! I am jumping for joy in my seat..... I was selected as one of the winners of last nights blog hop for Papertrey Ink! There were so many great projects I just so honored to have been selected. YEAH!!!!

Blog Hop & 2Sketches4U

Ok so I'm killing two birds with one stone. I have completed the project below for the Papertrey blog hop - creating a project using a CD case. I took the cover off the case and then put it back on in the reverse. This created a standing frame. I used today's sketch at 2Sketches4U for the layout.

I really love how the frame turned out!

Cardstock: 80# White Cougar; Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Garden of Life); Ink: Papertrey Ink (Lemon Tart, Sunrise Yellow), Versafine (Black); Other: American Crafts (Ric Rack), 3-D Foam Tape.

SheetLoad Shout Out!

Have you been to SheetLoad this month? Both the August Monthly & Mini are out. If you like the card below go check it out so you too can make a SheetLoad of Cards!

First day of school & a little something I whipped up

So crafting time has been very limited lately because we were preparing for our first day of school. Hooray!!! Oh to remember the new clothes and new pair of shoes for the first day of school. My mom always took a picture of us on the first day and I have continue that tradition. I have taken the picture in front of the front door and it's amazing to see the change from year to year.

Douglas is a 6th grader; boy he's really grown up and it seems like yesterday it was his first day of kindergarten! Reanne a Kindergartner, I can't believe it. Today was the first full day of school and it was like she's been going to school for months. What a milestone for her (and me).

Here's a little something I whipped up for a co-workers birthday. It's a really simple card but I love the way it turned out! I used my Nestabilities Petite Circle and Garden of Life stamps by Papertrey. The center of the flower was done by using a sponge dauber and pouncing it several times until I got the desired saturation.

SheetLoad of Cards - Free Monthly eZine: Show Us Your SheetLoad and Win - August

Pictured above is the Grand Prize.

SheetLoad of Cards - Free Monthly eZine: Show Us Your SheetLoad and Win - August There's some great loot up for grabs at Sheetload. Just use the August sketch for your chance to win!!! Alicia is offering up the covetted Threading Water punch by Fiskars!

August Sheetload

Just a quick reminder to go to SheetLoad tomorrow to get the August issue. The sneak peaks look fabulous!!!

Graduation Card

So as I prepare for 4 days in fabulous Tampa, FL to attend my brother's graduation party I took the opportunity to play with my new Nestabilities & Quickutz font. I LOVE THEM BOTH!!!! I simply embossed the card with the largest square die in a dark silver cardstock and cut the letters out of a lighter silver. I then used foam tape to adhere to the card front. The finished size is 5.5"x5.5". Now I'm off to pack my clothes!

2 Sketches 4 You

Here's my take on this weeks sketch from 2 Sketches 4 You. At first I wasn't so sure about this sketch, but I think this turned out really cute! The cherries, Quickutz, are raised with pop dots and I used a glaze pen for the center of the white flowers. Did you also get the sentiment? "Cheri"sh ;)

CTMH White Daisy - Chalkboard Technique

So have I mentioned how much I LOVE the CTMH White Daisy ink pad? So here's a card I made this weekend using the "Chalkboard" technique.

The "Chalkboard" technique: ink your stamp in CTMH White Daisy and stamp your image. While the ink is still wet dab your chalk over the image. On other blogs I saw it suggested swipping a Swiffer cloth once complete to wipe away any extra chalk on your card stock or spray with a krylon type sealer. This turned out really well!

Also sharing a cute make & take from Lil' Scrappers. It's a mini album made out of coasters. Where you see the popsicles in the inside unties to reveal places for journaling & pictures.

It's finally done!!!!

So I promised Reanne a big girl room for her 5th birthday. I found the bedding at Bed Bath & Beyond and the rest was history. I am tickled pink... literally, about how this room turned out. (I think I want to move in). Thanks to my SIL for the dresser and her sister for the bed and night stand. Couple of time savers I used. I purchase the Target brand closet organizers for the area between the window & the closet. They fit perfectly. I painted photo boxes for storage in the cubes and used a shoe organizer on the back of the door for all those stuffed animals. I am so glad this is done and just love how it turned out. Almost wish I was 5 again........ If the slide show doesn't load, click on View All Images to view.

Close to my Heart

Ok when I find a great product I've got to shout it from the roof tops. Are you ready? ..... I have found THE perfect white ink pad - Close to my Heart White Daisy. It is fantastic!!! It has great coverage, i can't say enough how great it is. So after I tried Melissa's white ink pad, I had her pull out the other colors she had. let's just say I was able to walk away with the stamp of the month for free!!! So in honor of all things Close to my Heart I made this card tonight. The stamps featured are from With Love, the June stamp of the month. I colored in the flower buds with a Sakura Glaze pen. Go check out this great stamp set, the FANTASTIC White Daisy ink pad and other great products at Melissa Machado CTMH Independent Consultant website. (Be sure to check out the July issue of SheetLoad for Melissa's July special!)

July SheetLoad

Be sure to download this months SheetLoad. It's Christmas in July...which helped me get a jump start on all my cards.