If wishes could make you well

This is a card I made months ago and forgot I had made it. One of Joe's younger cousins got her face burnt when hot oil splashed out of a pot. Thankfully, everything healed well and she is doing just fine now!

The card is watercolor paper in 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 size. I don't have any of the Fabriano note cards so I try and get the effect of those by using watercolor paper for my whole base.

• Little Friends (TAC), Curvy Verses (SU) stamp sets
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• Barely Banana, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Going Grey re-inkers
• aqua painters
• ribbon and rhinestone

***
Okay, so I used to be a big fan of scary movies. I loved watching them and I loved being scared. But now-a-days scary movies aren't what they used to be. I like House on Haunted Hill and Amityville Horror and movies like that where there are 'spirits' or 'ghosts' chasing people around. What happened to those kind of movies? It seems like every movie that has come out lately that I can think of (other than the remake of Amityville and Grudge 2-which I can't watch cause the kid freaks me out!) has to do with sick demented perverts that chop people up and never get caught. I mean seriously! In the end they are walking away whistling or smiling. I can't watch these movies! I watched Saw when it first came out and those images still pop into my head occasionally. It makes me sick to my stomach. I think things changed once I had kids. I would watch movies and never think 'hey, I hope someone doesn't creep into my house tonight and slit my throat.' Now though, that I have children, I think of anything that could possibly happen and what I would do in that situation. There really are people out there that are sick and crazy!

I guess this all stems from watching Hannibal Rising last night. I watched Silence of the Lambs and it was a good movie. It was a movie and not a gore fest. I also watched Red Dragon. I don't remember much of it but I do remember thinking it was good. So, I had to watch this one. This one, well, this one was okay. It was really odd but then again he is supposed to be an odd character. It does make you think though about some of the torment kids go through in certain situations and home lives. It made my heart hurt for those who sustain such abuse.

I'm sorry, I got off on a tangent. I just would like to see a decent ghost movie. But it appears as though the oldies will always stay the goodies. Until something else comes out I'll stick with my comedies! Gotta love Will Ferrel!

My photography blog is up!

Hey guys! I just wanted to share with all of you the link to my photography blog! I hope you enjoy it! I am still in the process of adding things here and there but the basics are there! Thanks so much for supporting me with this! If you have any suggestions PLEASE leave a comment here or email me. I am always looking for constructive criticism! Unless your mean about it. Then I'll just tell ya off! Just kidding! Well, maybe. {wink}

The Sweet Life Photography

Have a safe weekend!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to pop in and say that I hope everyone has a fun and safe Memorial day weekend! I plan on lazing around the house with hubby and kids!

This is the card I made for my niece. I was trying to think 'Amy Westerman' style with the different patterns of papers. She is so good at that!!!

• Cakeabella (Stamping Bella)
• Paper Tray (Paper Trey Ink)
• MME, MAMBI patterned paper
• Slit punch
• aqua painters and re-inkers

See ya next week!

Caarvarks conest entry

I had to make several cards today to send out. There are 3 of my nieces, 1 cousin, and 1 anniversary and they are all tomorrow! I also have another niece in a few days (have yet to make that one either). It seems that since it has gotten warm outside all I have been doing is playing outside with the kids, giving them baths after playing outside, organizing the house, and taking pictures of everything that I see! Anyway, moving on.....

This is my favorite card of the bunch. I love the 'bling' in the treasure chest which is why I had the Caardvarks challenge in mind when I thought this up!

• Ahoy Matey stamp set, Matey's Map jumbo wheel (SU)
• Kraft and black CS
• Stazon jet black ink, Versamark ink
• gold tinsel embossing powder
• Prismacolors and gamsol
• Marvy Giga scallop circle punch
• twine
• pop dots

*I do want to add to that I absolutely love the idea of stamping the background on the kraft paper and coloring with the Prismacolor pencils. Love the look and saves time!

***
This is just a quick Anniversary card for my sister and her hubby. I wanted to keep it understated and clean. The heart is much more sparkly though in person!

• black CS
• chipboard heart (Joann's)
• love stamp (Studio G)
• Versamagic white chalk ink
• Iridescent embossing powder
• white Soufflee pen
• satin ribbon
• pop dots

I'll save the other two for later just in case I don't get a chance to make any tomorrow.

*****
On another note I wanted to link you to Amy S's homeschool blog. Her latest entry is so true to me and it's nice to know I am not the only homeschooling momma out there who struggles sometimes! It's also nice to know I can call her if I need a pick me up! After all, she is my cousin!

Now, I am off to watch the season finale of House. Let's see if everything on that show falls apart like Betty and Grey's did last week! Sheeh!

Tiny miracle and clear stamps

Just wanted to share a quick card. My husband's cousin is having a baby shower soon and I wanted to just go ahead and make it to have on hand.

• Studio G clear stamp set (Joann's $1 set)
• MME patterned paper
• Chocolate Chip CS
• Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip ink
• Cuttlebug flower die
• circle punch
• ribbon
• pop dots

I also wanted to share a tip that Amy S. shared with me the other day about the acrylic/clear stamps. She said to use a pencil eraser (don't use a white artists eraser, those don't work) and drag it all over the surface of the stamp. The next time you ink up you will have a much clearer image.

I did a comparison of before and after to show you what a difference it makes! Make sure you click the pic to make it bigger so you can really see. It might not be a ginormous (love that word) difference but it definitely is noticeable on a card you've worked hard on!

Crazy TV night!

Okay, just had to chime in about a few season finales. I love Ugly Betty (although sometimes is seems like a night time soap opera and is a little far fetched) and Grey's Anatomy is my favorite too but holey moley, what was up with tonights episodes?!?! I'm gonna come back and watch next season! Really, I am! You don't have to kill off characters and ruin lives for me to want to come back and watch!

I can't believe that Hilda's soon to be hubby (again) is now dead! I was actually starting to like him. And Henry is gone. Once again poor Betty is put last. You think she is gonna go be Drew Barrymore and get her man then bam (no pun intended) her brother in law gets shot and she has to go tell her sister that he is dead.

Don't even get me started on Grey's! Geez Louise! I can't believe Burke walked out on her! I mean I was completely and utterly shocked! I cried when Meridith cut off her dress. You want to hope for the best for everyone, it's in our nature, but sometimes you just can't control it I guess. And why the hell did Karev let Ava get away!?! What is wrong with him? And George just quitting? Man this is not cool.

Hmmmm, I guess now I realize why they did all of this because all I can think of is what's gonna happen next season. Damn, they got me. They got me good.

Still tinkering

Hey guys! It has been a busy beginning of the week for me. I have been tinkering with my new photography blog (almost done) and coming up with a new banner for this one (I like to change things up a bit every so often) which has left me little time to do much else on the computer. Also, we had a nasty storm the night before last and our power was out for 13 hours. I had planned on posting this card that night, but obviously couldn't. So real quickly here is the card I did earlier this week. Final size is 5x5.

• MME paper
• Chocolate Chip CS
• Chipboard flowers (JoAnn's)
• Cuttlebug flowers die (thank you piece)
• Karen Foster rub-on
• velvet ribbon, sheer polka dot ribbon, felt, buttons, stickles, pop dots, push pin, brown marker

Now back to the storm we had. That morning Joe and I decided to move Jolee and Ava into an upstairs bedroom. We rent a pretty big farm house and except for the bathroom we don't use any of the rooms upstairs except for storage. I have been sorting and cleaning and cleaning and sorting and had cleaned out a lot of the stuff upstairs so we decided it might be nice for them to move up there. It was a pretty quick move (except for the bed that I had to take apart, move upstairs, and put back together by myself) and they were so excited that they got a 'new room'! However, I didn't realize just how bad that storm was supposed to be later that night. They had already fallen asleep by the time it started. It was nasty, let me tell ya. And once our power went out I was up there carrying them down to lay in my bed. They were mad at me for waking them up! The thunder shook the whole house and they were mad at me! I thought that was amusing! I ended up taking them back up once the storm was over but since then they have been just great up there.

***
Since I haven't gotten my blog completely up yet I just wanted to share a picture quickly with you. I took this one last week and I think it will be a favorite of mine forever. Joe doesn't see why I love it so much but there is just something about it, I dunno.

P.S. Hmmm, can you get what the title to my photography blog is gonna be?! (check the watermark)

Opinions please

I have been a bit random with my entries lately but I have been working on some things for my photography blog and have also been trying to think of themes for a few days of the week that could be re-occurring. I was thinking of 'Fun Friday' where each Friday I pick a theme like polka dots or butterflies and you guys can see if you can come up with something to make for it. I know there are a few blogs (okay, more than a few) that already do some weekly/daily challenges so I guess what I'd like to know is if anyone would be game to play along? My feelings won't be hurt in the least if everyone would rather just keep up with the challenges that they are already involved in. I know sometimes it's hard for me to keep up with Amy's challenges on her blog Heartfelt Greetings!

So, give me some suggestions! Are there other things you would like to see on here? Or should I change something to make it easier? Let me know! I want to make this blog as enjoyable to view as possible!

And speaking of challenges, this is my Super Sunday Sketch challenge of Amy's. These are the same papers that I used on her challenge last week. I am trying to also use the paper that I have already cut into before I use something else. Although, that is much easier said than done!!

I had trouble with the 'cheers' part. I like the rest of the card really well but just seemed to get stuck with that. I might change it later.

• Cosmobella (stamping bella), 1/8 in. snap stamps (Karen Foster), and Hampton Art stamps
• The Paper Studio DP; Certainly Celery, Positively Pink, black CS
• Cuttlebug flowers die
• Stazon black
• ZIG markers and aqua painter
• ribbon

*****
I just wanted to let you guys know about something I saw (and bought) yesterday. A compant called Tensor makes natural light light bulbs. They aren't like the OTT light bulbs where you can only use them in the OTT light lamps (in other words, they don't screw in), they screw in to any light that takes a regular bulb! They are $16.99 each at Staples, BUT if you already have a table lamp or even an over head if you wanted to buy 3 of them, you're still saving lots of money and space! The OTT lights run $59.00 and up each. Yesterday I got the bulb for $16.99 and bought a gooseneck lamp (didn't have one) for $9.99. So, for $27 I have my own natural light lamp so I can work on my stuff at night without wondering what it might look like in the morning!

I hope that info might help some of you guys out! I had no clue about it so next time you are out see if any other places sell them too. You might find them cheaper than that!

My journey has ended

Well, I got news yesterday that I didn't make it to the top 10 for the Paper Crafts Gallery Idol contest. I can't say I'm not bummed but I am still happy to have gotten to do a few rounds!

I want to thank all of you again who voted for me and took the time to leave such sweet comments wishing me luck! You're all great!

Here was my final card. The category was shaped Mother's Day cards.


***
I also finally got a chance to use a bella image that Juile sent me! I had to try out the sand like she had on her card. I just love the look of the real sand!

• Beachabella (Stamping Bella), 1/8 inch snap stamps (Karen Foster)
• Positively Pink, Cool Caribbean CS
• DCWV Pocket full of Posies Mat stack
• Cuttlebug swirls embossing folder
• ZIG markers and aqua painter
• stickles, sand, ribbon, needle, pop dots

***
I am still having a blast with my camera! I think I have decided to start a photography blog so I don't picture overkill on here! When I do I'll be sure to post the link!

We have a winner!

Drumroll please........

#40 Jennifer
"Wow - what fantastic candy!

I watch movies all the time, so this really shouldn't be difficult, but I'm drawing a total blank! My 2-yr. old runs around saying "Hakuna Matatta" (I have no idea if that's spelled right!) from "The Lion King" all the time.
And my hubby's favorite move is "Red Dawn" and he always shouts out the line, "Avenge me!"
Ooo- I just thougt of one that cracks me up. In "Night at the Museum" the statue says, "Your name is Dum-Dum, now bring me some gum-gum." That just tickles me for some reason!"
***

CONGRATS!!! I just wanted to throw in too that that is my daughter's favorite line from Night at the Museum! She can quote the whole scene! It's so funny! Email me with your snail mail address and I will get it out to you!

In spirit of the blog candy and telling me your favorite movie lines, I wanted to tell you some of mine.

*When hubby asks me to do something for him I respond with "Or what? You're gonna set my country music award on fire?" That gem is courtesy of Super Troopers! There are so many more we say from that movie but I won't go there!

*When I call my family and the answering machine picks up I sometimes say "Bueller, Bueller, Frye, Frye"

*"People know me. I have several leather bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany." -Anchorman

*"They were cones!", "Say hi to your brother Tito for me", "Once again, things that could've been brought to my attention YESTERDAY!", "Sir, one more outburst from you and I will strangle you with my microphone wire." -Wedding Singer (can you tell I love that movie!?)

*"A gun rack? You got me a gun rack. I don't own A gun, let alone many guns to necessitate an entire rack. What am I gonna do with a gun rack?" Wayne's World You have to hear him sya it to appreciate how funny it is.

*"You don't smell like Santa, you smell like beef and cheese." and "I love smiling, smiling's my favorite" (I even have a shirt that says that with Buddy's picture on it!) -Elf

*"Have you ever wondered if there was more to life, other than being really, really, ridiculously good looking?", "What is this? A center for ants? How can we be expected to teach children to learn how to read... if they can't even fit inside the building?" -Zoolander (someone mentioned that one already)

*"You're an a**hole Putman" -Club Dread

*"I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough."-The Notebook

*"Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I'm training to be a cage fighter.", "I see you're drinking 1%. Is that 'cause you think you're fat? 'Cause you're not. You could be drinking whole if you wanted to." -Napoleon Dynamite

*"Me and Jenny, we was like peas and carrots." -Forrest Gump

*"You boys like MEX-I-CO?" -Super Troopers

I could go one forever and ever but I'm already late posting as it is! I might be back with a card later. See ya then!

The difference is amazing!

I knew that the new camera would be a lot nicer than the one we had. However, I didn't realize just how much better. The difference is completely amazing!!!! I still can't believe how well some of the pics I took came out and I am just starting to figure out the camera.

If you have a little extra money to spare (okay, so $1000 isn't 'a litte') you really need to buy this camera. And in my opinion the 75-300mm lens is a MUST HAVE! That is the lens I took most of the following pics with. You get soooo close to the subject! It's just freakin' awesome! Can you tell I'm excited?!?

So, I had to share some of the photos I took yesterday. I took the girls to a park called Carriage Hill. They have animals, old houses complete with people dressed up with 'olden days' clothes, a lake, and walking trails too. It's an interesting place.















*****
I also wanted to show you the blog candy I got from miss Meli Mitchell over at The Glitter Goddess. Isn't this so sweet!?! Thank you so much Meli! I love it! My daughters already tried to sneak my pail away to put their scissors in! Don't worry though, I snuck it right back!



And isn't this card rockin'!? I love it! It looks even better in person!

Must be the best mom in the world!

All I can say is I must be one special mom because Joe gave me the green light last night to get the Canon Digital Rebel XTi that I have been drooling over for forever! Click Camera had a special that if you buy the camera (with the 18-55mm lens) and a memory card you got the 75-300mm lens for $1! Couldn't pass up such a good deal! Plus, I got $30 free digi prints and 2 free classes. I found it online a little cheaper but with the free stuff and the idea that I can take it to the store if something goes wrong, I decided to go with Click.

Here she is, isn't she beautiful?


*****
Here is my card for Amy's Sunday Sketch challenge. I started it on Sunday but couldn't finish it till this morning because I was out and about last night.

• Happy Everything (SU), Martini glass (Scraptrends flexible stamps) <----JoAnn's has these sets on clearance for $5! Love the barbeque one this one is in!
• Paper Studio DP
• ZIG markers
• SU flower punch
• rhinestones, stickles, pop dots

This adorable card was sent to me from Julie Masse along with lots of Bella images we traded! Haven't got a chance to use them yet but I will!


Had to show a close up of the sand that she put on the card. Isn't that the coolest idea!?


This one was sent to me from Rose Ann along with more Bella images! Am I a lucky gal or what!? This card makes me want to get the SU kits! I love it!


*****
On another note, voting for round 2 has started for Paper Crafts Gallery Idol! Here is the link to the cards and here is the link to the voting!

I had fun making this one! Don't forget to vote for your favorite!!

*****
Also, don't forget to comment on my blog candy post for a chance to win some goodies! I'll pick a name on Thursday at 9am!

Turned in my Gallery Idol card

Here it is. Hubby doesn't like it but I really do. It's not 'his' style. It does encompass a lot of what my momma is though, so I wanted to make sure that stood out.

-Flower: She loves gardening
-Bird: Loved bird watching and knows more about them than I could ever know!
-Sparkles(round glitter): I swear the woman has something sparkly on her clothes at all times! Whether it's beads, glitter, or shiny thread. My kids call her Grandma Sparkle.
-Faux Stitches : In the evening after dinner mom would always pull out the needle and
thread to sew up dad's jeans or my sister's sweatshirts, and even my barbie's clothes.

• PAPER: SEI patterned paper, Unknown red CS
• STAMPS: Rhonna Farrer Swirls stamp set
• INK: Stazon Jet Black
• OTHER: JoAnn's Craft Essentials chipboard letter, blue acrylic paint, JoAnn's Chipboard pack bird, ric rac, push pin, white Souffle gel pen, black brad, flower from stem, round glitter, pop dots

Final size is 4x8.

If you like it, please make your vote count, or even if it's not mine, just take a second (really, it only takes a second, no need to get a user name or anything) and you never know, your one vote could put someone through to the next round!!! The voting will begin at 2:00pm EST tomorrow and will go till Thursday at 2:00pm EST.

Click here to check out the submissions so far.

Relaxing day yesterday

Before I talk about my day yesterday I'll share a mother's day card I made. This is the first picture where I have put some of the accessories in the pic too. I don't know if I have time to do this every time though. We'll see!

• JoAnn's $1 stamp
• SU Jumbo Dot wheel (can't remember the name)
• 1/8 inch snap stamps
• DCWV paper
• Primas
• Marvy Giga and Mega scallop oval punches
• Stazon black ink
• SU slit punch
• Prismacolor pencils and gamsol
• ribbon, rhinestones, stickles, pop dots

*****
I had such a nice day yesterday! My MIL and I took the kids and drove an hour south to the area I grew up. We went to the flea market and I got a few things (nothing for myself of course!) and a flat of flowers for my momma. From there I dropped them off my grandma's house (MIL's mom) to visit while I met my mom, sisters, best friend, and mom's best friend for lunch. My mom bought all of of us lunch and we laughed and talked and picked on eachother just like we always do when we get together. It's always so much fun!!! After that we got some pictures together and went into a few shops.

Here are some pics of my absolutely insane sisters, mom, and I!



Angel and I

Mom and I

Back: Miss, Nichole, Holly
Middle: Angel, April
Front: Mom, Me

Now for the crazy pics! My sisters are going to kill me for posting these on here! You know I love you girls!

This is our 'Rock On' picture. We always have to take a few silly ones.
*****
On another note I am working on my Gallery Idol card. It's coming along! Just hope I like it in the end!

Gallery Idol *Top 15*

I just wanted to thank all of you who voted for me! I am now in the top 15! I am so happy! For the the next round though I have to make a 'shaped' mother's day card. I'll have to let this one simmer in the ole' noggin for a while! Thanks guys!

Okay, too good to wait!

I just couldn't wait till tomorrow! I threw in the 'extra' Pocket of Posies Mat Stack. This is some yummy candy people! Thanks so much for supporting me and visiting!

Here's what ya get:
*Set of Rhonna Farrer clear Flourish stamps (one of my fave sets, a MUST have!)
*Heidi Swapp clear 'Cherish' stamp
*DCWV Pocket Full of Posies 72 sheet 4.5 x 6.5 Mat Stack (it's the glittery one!)
*3 rolls of Ribbon Trends ribbon with 2 yards on each roll
*Paper Studio jumbo round pink polka dot brads (great for flower centers!)
*Paper Studio white marquee letters (37 pieces)

Here are the rules:
*You have to live in US or Canada (sorry)
*You have to leave a comment on this post by Thursday May 10th
*Please limit multiple posts so it's fair to everyone when I do the random # generator
*If you subscribe (or start to) to my blog feeds you will get an extra entry!

This isn't required but I would LOVE to hear great movie lines! I have ones that I say on a regular basis and they never get old. What are your favorites or ones you think are funny enough to be repeated, over and over again? Please share! Good luck to everyone and I will be drawing a name at 9am next Thursday (10th)!