Super Simple Friday

Good morning all! I got a few minutes to make a few cards yesterday for my own Christmas card stash! Woo-Hoo! Now, only 50 more to go! LOL I'm not panicking yet. Yet is the key word though! I have a feeling the majority of them will be 'super simple' which is fine with me because I really like simple designs. AND with the fabu stamps I have it makes cards like that easy peasy! So, without further ado, here are my super simple cards for today.

The birdies are back! These guys don't want me to put them down and that is fine by me! I love these guys! This card seems so Mod to me but I think it totally rocks if I do say so myself! I stamped the birdies and sentiment with Colorbox chalk ink and then outlined it all with my *must have* gray Copic marker. Glue on some rhinestones and Viola! Done! Took me all of about 3 minutes to do!

• STAMPS- DK-04 Birdie Fun (smARTworks), Happy Holidays ($1 stamp from Michael's)
• PAPER- Paper Trey white CS
• INK- Colorbox chalk Warm Red and Olive Pastel
  
• OTHER- Copic gray marker; rhinestones

You also can't go wrong with Paper Trey for a classy card! These ornaments from the Take a Bough set are soooooo easy to work with! Nichole Heady is pure genius! Plus my shipments always come super fast cause the warehouse is only about an hour away. Hmmmm, I wonder if they give tours.......

• STAMPS- Take a Bough (Paper Trey)
• PAPER- Paper Trey white CS
• INK- Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Positively Pink, Going Gray classic inks (SU)
• OTHER- ribbon

Oh, and I HAVE to share is extra cool-super proud-amazingly awesome picture with you that I took yesterday. I LOVE my macro lens!!!!! Here are snowflakes.....

Keep warm everyone!!

Real winter weather

Well, today I don't have to worry about getting in that 'holiday feel' with the weather as cold as it is outside! High of 42 today which will probably feel like 32 with the wind blowing as hard as it is!

I finished some cards on Sunday but have been busy running here and there picking jeans up for Joe for his trip to Chicago next week and doing some Christmas shopping while I am out. And trust me, Christmas shopping while your kids are with you is no easy task! But when I was in Kohl's yesterday I hit the jackpot with tops for the girls. They had a lot of adorable (I got 6) long sleeved tops in Ava's size for $4.80 each and they also had a lot of short sleeved 'girl power' like shirts (I got 7) for Jolee. I figured she could wear a long sleeved shirt underneath of them. That is still in, right? LOL Those were only $3.40. She will love them! Anyway, sorry for my rant!

Here is one of the cards I made on Sunday. I used Beate's weekend sketch challenge #26. I really liked the layout of this one and it came together pretty quick. I used that chunky glitter again for the snow and to be honest, I will probably use it again soon!

• ABC-Sweater Teddy stamp set (smARTworks)
• Make it Possible 'Holiday Wishes' stack paper
• Stazon jet black ink
• Chalk ink and blender pen
• Copic grey marker
• light blue crayon and OMS for sky
• ribbon
• pop dots

And HOORAY! I got my Paper Trey Ink sets yesterday!!! And the paper and labels! Well, come on, I had to see what all the fuss was about the paper! It's awesome! Very thick and white. What more could you ask for? This is my first card with the Take a Bough set. I literally made this card in about 3 minutes. It only took that long because I was trying to choose which ornament stamps I wanted to use since there is such a selection! Now I know that if it gets down to the wire for my Christmas cards I can always pull this set out and have a very sophisticated quick card!!!

• Take a Bough stamp set (PaperTreyInk)
• Colorbox Olive Pastel, Lime Pastel, and Warm Red, Chestnut Roan chalk inks
• Prismacolor silver pencil (for the strings)

Well, you guys still have a few hours to leave a comment on this post to win my blog candy! I have gotten so much enjoyment out of reading all of the wonderful gifts you have given that have meant so much to others! Keep on giving! Until later, see ya!

Lots to share!

Wow! What a busy weekend! It seems like I have been here there and everywhere (including JoAnn's) {wink}! Thursday afternoon I went to visit Joe's aunt (my other mom!) because she and hubby got a new house. She used to live right next door to me but now she lives next door to her daughter Amy (my other sister!) about 40 minutes away from me. The move was bittersweet because I loved having her next door but I am so happy she can be right next to her daughter and grandkids!!!! And don't worry, she's one of those moms that you wouldn't mind living next door to!
After I visited a little Joe's cousin Tiffany and I went off to JoAnn's to shop a little. She had never been in a Super JoAnn's before! Well, poor girl I cured her of that! I'm sure I'll be getting a letter of complaint for her husband!!!! Uh Oh! We then took the kids to McDonald's and they had a great time! If I could only bottle all of those giggles!!!

Saturday morning was the community yard sales where my MIL lives. Bought not one thing for myself but I ended up getting Jolee about 39 pieces of clothes (mostly GAP and Children's Place) for $25! After that I had $5 left and ended up getting them each a little folding camp chair for when we go fishing. Man I love yard sales!!!! I also had a birthday party to go to and ended up staying there for about 2 1/2 hours. After that I was super tired! I came home and slept a little till Joe got home.

Sunday totally threw me off. Joe worked this weekend (the first in a while) so I kept feeling like it was Monday. It was a really good card day though! Got 5 done! And they are all in their envelopes with stamps ready to go to my mailbox! Now that is an accomplishment! To actually get them sent out on time! One of them really a week late though but we won't count that one! {wink}

So here they are!! All 5! I have to say I really like this batch!

The first one is for my sister. She swears she will never find another man (she's divorced) so I had to make her a card to remind her why doesn't doesn't need one! {giggle} The color of the paper is off a bit in this pic. It's really more of a light sage-y green.

• Colorbok patterned paper
• Close to Cocoa CS
• Marvy Giga and Mega scalloped circle punches
• Cosmobella stamp (Stamping Bella), Men's faults stamp (RiverCityRubberWorks)
• sewing machine
• aquapainter
• Copic gray marker (for shadows)
• eyelets, pop dots, ribbon

This next one is for a blogging friend who shall remain nameless so they don't know this card is coming to them. I think kraft is my new obsession. I just love how clean it looks!

• BasicGrey Lilly Kate paper
• kraft CS
• Cuttlebug flowers die
• Paper Studio big brad (LOVE these!)
• For my Friend stamp (Studio G)

This card is the one that is a week late! Shame on me too! It's for my niece. I picked up this paper at JoAnn's when I was there the other day. I LOVE it! Especially these two together. I glued a piece of the polka dot paper onto a coaster I snuck from Outback, ran it through my Sizzix and viola! Super easy accent!

• Flower paper (Sandyloin), polka dot paper (Hot off the Press)
• Paper Tray stamp set (PaperTreyInk)
• Cuttlebug flowers die
• Chipboard frame (painted with black acrylic paint)
• eyelets
• ribbon, stickles

This is for a relative of a blogger friend who is ill. Just wanted to send well wishes to her. I did Lisa's card challenge on this one again. I just love this layout. So quick and easy to put together! And just for the record this card looks better IRL!

• Happy Harmony (SU), Thoughts of You (Michael's $1 bin)
• Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip CS
• Mega scalloped circle punch
• ZIG markers
• sheer ribbon
• corner rounder
• pop dots

This is my favorite of them all. I found this cool paper at JoAnn's too. It's by Colorbok and it's called "Little People". It has a bunch of different little cute scenes all over it. I decided to punch out the people with the umbrellas. My sis's hubby just got laid off and she is stressing right now. Been there! Done that! Just wanted her to know I was thinking of her. I used my sewing machine to make the holes. And I swear I could not live without my snap stamps!
*outside reads "sometimes when it rains"
*inside reads "it pours"

• BasicGrey Lilly Kate paper, Colorbok "Little People" paper
• kraft, red CS
• Karen Foster 1/8 inch snap stamps
• Mega scalloped circle punch
• Super Jumbo circle punch (finally invested, Wow! Love it!)
• Sewing machine
• pop dots

Whew! I think I'm done now! I am going to make blog candy post today! So check for it!!!! Thanks for stopping by!

Hey cupcake!

You guys might be noticing my new banner. I can't keep the same one for very long. I like to change it up every once in a while, kinda like my furniture. I also get better with the digi scrapbook stuff as time goes on. Speaking of digi scrapbooking stuff, I was browsing a lot today and ordered some stuff and also downloaded some free stuff too. The new banner uses Corina PhunkyPower paper and the corner overlays from Traci Murphy Designs.

I made this birthday card with some scraps I had laying around. I got this cupcake stamp last week because I NEEDED one. You all know how that is!

• MME patterned paper
• DCWV CS
• Cupcake stamp (Stampabilities)
• Karen Foster 1/8 inch snap stamps
• Mega scallop oval punch, Word Window punch
• aqua painters and re-inkers
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• ribbon, pop dots, stickles, push pin

I do have to say that I am very proud of myself! Last week I did 5 out of the 7 daily challenges on Splitcoast! I rarely ever do any of the challenges over there but I have loved the cards that I have made with the challenges in mind! So, I might end up like a few of the other 'stalkers' on there and get more of a direction on what I can do to expand my paper crafting. Speaking of which, here is my FS18 challenge. Every Sunday they feature a stamper with awesome talent and style (maybe one day I'll be feature, *sigh*) and then you CASE on of their cards. The stamper this week is Seewah. I paper pierced the lines above and below the good friends and I also paper pierced all of the dots on the flourish stamp. I inked the edges with Versamagic cloud white ink and distressed the pink layer.

• Paper Tray (PaperTreyInk), Flourishes (Rhonna Farrer), Simply Said (SU) stamp sets
• kraft, DCWV pink CS
• Stazon Jet Black, Versamagic Pixie Dust, Versamagic Cloud White inks
• ribbon punch
• ribbon, edge distresser, pop dots, push pin

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a fantastic day and be sure to check back tomorrow for a new special weekly feature!!

You Rock and a big H

Alright so I actually sat down and made a card from Amy's Super Sunday Sketch challenge. I didn't get to it last week so I made a point of not getting out of my chair until it was done. I have lots of teenagers and kids in my family so it will be hard to decide who to give it to.

• Guitar stamp (unknown), Paper Tray (you), Simple Bet (TAC)
• The Paper Studio DP
• Marvy Mega Scalloped oval punch
• Oval and circle Coluzzle templates
• ribbon, pop dots

But before I did that this morning I was working on a big 'ole H this weekend. My husband's cousin had her baby shower and she is having a boy in July. I decided I had to do something for her other than buy a gift (which was baby monitors - usefull but boooooring!) so I got this to alter. It was about 12 inches tall or so and was only $2 plus 30% off at Hobby Lobby. The theme for the baby's room is nautical so I had to go with the theme and colors.
Here is the before:


Here is the after:




I painted like 5 coats of white then did 2 coats of the red trim and sanded it all down to distress it a little. Wow, was it time consuming! My back hurt that whole night and I couldn't sleep. BUT! I think she really liked it to it was completely worth it in the end.

Here is a pic of how I wrapped the baby monitors. I couldn't leave it plain! I also put the other stuff in a white gift bag and put a red wooden anchor on the front of it and added some ribbon. I rarely get to do fun stuff like this so I kind of go a little overboard when I do. I also stamped her baby onesies that said 'Future Rock Star' and 'Born to Play' with a guitar beside it. She and her hubby are really into music. He wrote her a song and sang it to her at their wedding, but that's another story for another day. I think I have been blabbing enough already!


I plan on stamping this evening once I update my photography blog so hopefully I'll have some good stuff to share tomorrow! See ya then!

Working my way back up

So, a few weeks ago my 'Stamping top 50' numbers disappeared. I was at 123 which I was very proud of and then it just vanished. I waited a week or so to see if it would come back up but it never did. What I should have done was email one of the people at the top 50 to see what was going on. But, instead I re-registered assuming that my website would still be #123. Wrong-o! I now have to start all the way from the beginning. Ugh! But, I know with all of you guys being so great and loyal, I'll make it back up to 123 and hopefully even higher!

***
I rarely ever do any of the challenges on Splitcoast and I realized the other day that I am seriously missing out! I am passing my some great techniques and avoiding awesome card sketches!

This card is for the SC126. I loved this sketch as soon as I saw it. The card went together easier than I thought too. Isn't that always a a relief!? For the center of the flower I punched a 1/2 inch circle in the turquoise and used a standard hole punch to do the green. Then I just added a few dots and some stickles. Gotta love the stickles!!

• Swirls (Rhonna Farrer), Paper Tray (Paper Tray) stamp sets
• MME Magnolia DP
• DCWV CS
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• 1/2 inch circle punch, standard hole punch

***
I hope everyone has a good weekend! I have to take some stuff into the Salvation Army for donation, get a baby shower gift, and then I have the baby shower to go to. it will be an hour and a half drive but I just love spending time with the people that will be there so it doesn't bother me a bit!

We also have a huge Strawberry festival in town this weekend. The girls want to go but hubby hates crowds (rightly so, there are waaaaaaay too many people in such a small area for this thing!) and I don't know if I could do it by myself with all of those people. Wait, let me rephrase that, I don't know if I WANT to do it by myself! Guess we'll see.

Have a great weekend everyone! Soak up some sun!

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!

Playing around with felt

I never thought I would be able to use felt in such a cute way! I am loving seeing what everyone is doing with it! It inspired me to run it through my Sizzix with the Cuttlebug Asteriks die. I did find out though that not all felt will work with the cuttlebug dies. This felt was pretty thin and somewhat stiff. It did work great though! I like the red flowers but wish I had another color on hand to work with. I'll pick some more colors up when I am out next.

• Happy Everything (SU), Flourishes (Rhonna Farrer) stamp sets
• Aloe Vera Versamagic chalk ink, Real Red classic ink
• Cuttlebug Asteriks die
• red felt
• rhinestones
  

Now this card came out of absolutely nowhere. I threw it together in about 10 minutes. I like how it turned out though. Nothing too bold. I thought about using ribbon where the paper piercing is but thought that might make it over done. I did pop another dress up on top of the one underneath that I had already colored.

• Diva Dresses (TAC), Paper Tray (PaperTrey) stamp sets
• Regal Rose re-inker
• Black Stazon ink
• push pin, rhinestones, pop dots

*****
Allison tagged me to tell 7 things about myself and then tag 7 people to do the same. So, here goes.

*I have never smoked a cigarette even though both of my parents were smokers (I think that's why!).

*When I get scared while watching a movie I wiggle my toes.

*If I ever came into some money, the first thing I would do is get my teeth fixed. They have never been straight.

*I am a cat person and grew up with all kinds of animals as a kid. However within the last 3 years have developed allergies to pet dander and pretty much sneeze my head off any time I get near any. That includes our Guinea Pig Franklin.

*I belch quite often. And usually quite loudly! But don't worry, I always say excuse me!

*I love to fish! Hubby is teaching me the in and outs of bass fishing though and hopefully we get to plan a day to go together.

*Lately my absolute favorite indulgence is Ferro Rocher chocolates!!! Good gracious they are yummy!

Alright, now I will tag the following....

Amy S.

Meli Mitchell

Amy Westerman

Jovi

Rose Ann

Stephanie

Julie Masse

Can't wait to hear what you ladies have to say!

I've been tagged!

Woo-Hoo! Jovita tagged me! I am in someones top 5 fave blogs to read! Go me! Go me! Now the hard part is choosing my top 5! This will be rough! I'm sure all of those that I will pick have already been tagged by someone so be prepared for repeats from other blogs.

Ana Wohlfahrt's Ink a Stamp

Amy Westerman's Heartfelt Greetings

Debbie Olson's Thinking Inking

Tracy Durcan's Durcan Designs

Kendra Giles' Inkin' it Up

There are so many more! I am thinking about picking one blog a week to feature. Maybe putting a permanent link on the side or something. Everyone is just getting better and better that I can't keep up with all of them!

*****
I know this card looks familiar! I made one just like it for Amy's scrap paper challenge last Saturday. I also liked it enough to re-make it and submit it to the Paper Crafts Gallery Idol contest. Still used scrap paper so I guess it works for todays challenge on her site too!

You had to make a hello card for the contest (the other one said 'smile') so I just changed the colors and sentiment but everything else is the same.

• MME patterned paper
• Pumpkin Pie CS and dye ink
• Delight in Life (SU), Paper Tray (PaperTrey) stamp sets
• Marvy Mega scalloped circle punch
• Prismacolors and Gamsol, push pin, pop dots

I also had to make a sympathy card for a friend of my mother. I printed out the verse and just used my Mega scallop punch on it.

• BasicGrey LillyKate patterned paper
• Flourishes (Rhonna Farrer), Fanciful Flowers (TAC) stamp sets
• Chocolate Chip dye ink
• Marvy Mega scallop oval punch
• brown velvet ribbon
  

*****
Thank you to all of you who left a comment yesterday! It means so much to know that I can share those kinds of things with people I have never even met but get such a positive and wonderful response! God bless you all!

Can't put this paper away!

Alright, I just HAD to make another quick card with this paper! The scraps from earlier were just screaming my name! I used this layout from an old Paper Crafts mag I was flipping through while the kids were taking a bath. It was really simple to put together since I use just about everything I used on the previous card. Except I added a metal rimmed tag, new ribbon, and changed the stamp set. This is a 4 x 8 card.

• MME Magnolia line patterned paper
• Paper Tray stamp set (PaperTrey)
• Paisley Rockz stamp set (TAC)
• ribbon (RABOM)
• metal rimmed tag, glitter, pop dots, aqua painter

Both the tag and the flower are popped up but I just couldn't seem to get a good enough angle that you could tell. I also used the aqua painter to smudge the dye ink a little once I stamped the paisley. I learned that from the good ole' Nicole Heady herself! She's such a smartie I tell ya!

*****
Well, I'm off to clean some more. It also has the makings of a long night with Jolee's coughing. It seems to be getting worse.

Sweet dreams to all! See ya tomorrow!

Just made my own watermark!

Wow! I am so excited! I just made my own watermark. I was going to buy one today but figured that I would play around a little bit and see if I could do a good one myself. And I did! Woo-Hoo!

I bought the Paisley digi stamp kit from Shabby Princess for $3.50 and now I can make one look however I want! I'm going to be free font shopping today to change it up a bit but I like how it turned out.

• Paper Tray stamp set (PaperTrey)
• Pumpkin Pie, Cool Caribbean, Real Red, Certainly Celery, and Going Gray classic ink
• ribbon (RABOM)
• brads

I got this cool ribbon and just wanted to make it the real focal point of a card so I came up with this. I am completely in love with that little flower from the Paper Tray set! I love the polka dot center! All of these cards are 4 1/4 x 4 1/4.

All of the goodies from the blog candy will be going out in the mail today so keep an eye out for them!

Hope everyone has a great day and don't forget to watch Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy tonight!!

Life is so precious!

Unfortunately, I had to make a sympathy card for a friend of my family who lost her husband. It makes me sad when I have to do sympathy cards because it makes you really think about how much of our lives we take for granted. We fight with our spouses about unimportant things, we get aggravated at our children, and we don't always appreciate all of those who love and support us. I try and take the time every day to tell those around me how much I love then and how I am so lucky to have them in my life. But you can never really put it into words. The good thing though, is that they feel the same way about you.

• Watercolor paper
• Art of Life stamp set (SU)
• Paper Tray stamp set (PaperTrey)
• Going Gray ink pad
• black ink pad
• sheer black ribbon
  

It will soon be a year since my father has passed away and I think of him all the time. When he passed I made a slide show of his life for the memorial. I haven't been able to watch it since then. Sometime soon I'm sure I will again, but right now the pain is still too fresh. What I miss the most about my father is the most wonderful and tight hugs he would give me. He always made me feel like he was proud of me even when I didn't think I did my best. I always got an A for effort with him. I try to take much time to cry for him but to smile and remember how much I loved that man. He taught me to be strong and to follow my heart and those are life lessons that I value every single day. *Love you daddy*

They're done!

Thank goodness! I just finished up the invitations for my daughters' combined birthday party (their birthdays are a month apart) on the 17th. I had to do 18 of them. Have I mentioned on here yet how much I *despise* doing repetitive cards? I Loathe it!!! With a capital L! But now I am done so I won't keep complaining! To you, anyway! {grin}

• Cakeabella stamp (www.stampingbella.com)
• Paper Tray stamp set (PaperTrey)
• Paper from a Slab from Michael's (not sure which slab)
• blender pen
• re-inkers and ink pads
• glitter

So, for some reason I woke up grumpy this morning (a real rarity for me) and the day seemed to get gloomier when I realized that my big box 'o' stamps were not going to get here today. {insert sad face} So, now I am sitting here with no new rubbah to play with. But I am thankful that I will be getting rubbah soon. Just OBVIOUSLY not today! Okay, done with that one too!

However! I do have something to be happy about! I get to go see Daughtry in 5 days!!! Woo-Hoo! And the weatherman says it's supposed to be 60 on Friday so I am hoping it will be close to that on Saturday so I don't freeze my patootie off standing in line! Even if I do Chris (Daughtry, that is) will warm me up real quick like once he starts singing!

Sisters are special

I have the best sisters in the world! There is absolutely no one that could ever replace them and I would never want anyone to. People see our relationship and try to figure it out but there is just no way to understand our crazy wacked out behavior!! When the 6 of us get together, we are just a barrel of monkeys!

I laugh more with them. *So much so that I have peed my pants on occasion*

I can be completely honest with them and they know I have their best interest at heart.

They think I'm funny.

I can call at 3 am if I need them and they will answer.

They call me on my birthday.

They look like me. {insert sexy whistle}

I would share my underwear if necessary.

They miss me when they don't get to see me.

They are just the most awesome people ever and I love them to pieces!!!!!

Alright, I'm done with my speech!! Now onto cards!

• Basic Grey's Lilly Kate paper (sooo in love with this!)
• Certainly Celery CS
• Sincere Salutations stamp set (SU)
• flowers from a stem
• brad
• pop dots

It might be hard to tell but the whole pink panel is raised. I sponged Chocolate Chip onto the edges and the flowers. I can't even begin to tell you how much I LOVE this paper!! The entire pack is gorgeous! I can't believe I actually cut into it! Good for me!

I didn't make this for anyone in particular but realized I didn't have a get well card handy. Those are always good to have on hand because by the time I make one for somebody and send it, they are already well!

• Rustic Chic paper (TAC)
• All things of Nature stamp set (TAC)
• Paper Tray stamp set (PaperTrey)
• American Crafts ribbon
• Prismacolor pencils
• Gamsol
• pop dots

I CASEd this one from AddictedScramper on A Shade of Blue website. Just changed it up a little. Here is the original.

One of my mom's close friends is having a birthday and he is an avid bird watcher! I just hope I have the colors okay for this one!

Hope everyone has pleasant dreams and a wonderful weekend!

Breaking in new paper!

• Paper Tray stamp set (www.papertreyink.com)
• SEI paper
• black CS
• Cool Caribbean and Ruby Red ink
• Marvy scallop oval punch
• rhinestones
• hole punch
• ribbon
• pop dots

Every time I go to Hobby Lobby I usually have to buy a few sheets of paper. I can't help it, I'm a paper hoarder!! It's a disease, really! I am trying to actually use some of it instead of pulling it out and staring at it 'cause it's so pretty. I was successful this time. Next time, who knows!