I Love You

Hello everyone!

I'm so glad I found some time to join in a couple challenges this week.  I definitely needed some "me" time with everything going on lately.  Fortunately, we're off tomorrow, which is awesome!  At first, I wasn't really too thrilled about this card.  It was a little off, for some reason.  Looking at it now, it's starting to grow on me.

I've combined Mercy's sketch for this week with this weeks ColorQ challenge.  I'll add it to my growing stash of Valentine's I've been working on. :)

Don't forget to check back on Saturday for the Unscripted Sketches blog hop!  It's going to be so much fun!!

Have a wonderful day!

Unscripted Blog Hop!

Hi ya'll!

I'm so excited! We're having another blog hop at Unscripted Sketches! What better way to ring in the new year than with an Unscripted blog hop?! I know we've got some cool stuff planned for the hop, so be sure to check back on Saturday!!

Hugs!

I'm A Winner, Again! :)

Hey ya'll!

So, I was on vacation and work has been crazy busy.  I haven't been home before 8pm in a while.  Anyway, I started making the rounds, checking up on the challenge blogs I frequent, and came to realize I was chosen as one of the winners over at The Color Q challenge blog.  THIS is the card that she chose for Challenge #11, along with another fabulous card made by Leanne.

Do you guys play along with The Color Q?  You should!  Her color combos are awesome!!

Hugs!

Enjoy The Moment

Good Monday to all!

I received some more PTI goodies recently, so I had to use them for a quick card.  I created this for a friend who's recently been promoted.  Normally, I would create a congratulations kind of card, but I know she's been waiting for this for a long time, so I thought the sentiment was quite fitting.

This color in real life, looks more like a periwinkle blue (my absolute favorite color) and I'm loving it!! I cut out one of the flowers out of the patterned paper, and popped it up and added a button center.  I hope my friend enjoys this card.  She's most deserving of her new postion.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sparkle's 2010 Christmas Card Challenge Week #4

Hello everyone!

I've missed blogging, and all of you guys.  I hope you had a fabulous holiday with loved ones.  Did you get lots of nice goodies?!  We had a wonderful Christmas at my sisters' in Austin.  I'm SO happy that we all got to be together for the holiday.  It had been years since we were all together for Christmas, so it made it extra special.  I got lots of nice stuff, and the kids made out like bandits!  It was a great time had by all.

I'm sure you're probably wondering whether or not Santa came through for me, huh?  Unfortunately, he only left a note stating that he couldn't make it happen this year, but to continue wishing for him and maybe next year he'd be able to.  *sigh*  It's all good though.  I'm happy to just keep stalking seeing my boyfriend on the internet.  It's definitely easier that way.  I don't have to worry about him telling me what I can or can't do, etc.  I guess everything happens for good reason. :)

So, I've had more than a week off from crafting, and I was excited to get back into it this morning.  This is my card for Sparkle's challenge this week, which is an inspiration challenge.

I got tons of new goodies for Christmas (thanks to my awesome family for hooking me up!), so I'm going to have a blast using them!  This card is a cute little 4 1/4 X 4 1/4 square.  And yes, it's sitting on what's left of the snow that fell this past week.  I think it's actually quite fitting, since it's a snowflake Christmas card.  This card also fits into the following challenges.

Mercy's Sketch Challenge #53
Our Creative Corner Challenge 12/26 - Food or Drink

I hope you'll head over to Sparks blog to see her card and what everyone else has come up with. 

Hugs!

Unscripted Fun

Hey ya'll!

I know this is not the normal post for Unscripted Sketches, but there is some fun happening over at the US blog today.  I hope you'll head over to check it out. 

Have a wonderful day!

Merry Christmas!

Hi everyone!

I'd like to take a minute to wish each of you, and your families, a Merry Christmas!  I hope that you're enjoying lots of good food and fun, spending time with loved ones.  Be safe!

Big hugs!

Dear Santa, Take 2!

Dear Santa,

I don't know if you received my last letter, but I wanted to go ahead and send another, just in case.  Tonight is Christmas Eve afterall, and I know you've been really busy.  I have been truly good this year, with the exception of that one time (I still think I'm innocent though).  Or maybe it was a few couple times.  Either way, I believe I deserve the only thing I'm asking for this year.  I've provided another picture so that you know the exact one to get.

I know that you will do your best.  I won't be too disappointed if you're unable to provide my gift, since you've got tons of other, more important, gifts to deliver all in the same night.  The only thing I ask is that you continue to make sure these kinds of pictures of MY sweetheart continue to be available to me on the internet.  This way I can stalk keep track of him and see what he's up to on a regular basis. :) 

Love you lots!

Mini Valentine's

Happy Wednesday!


I'm really excited to share these mini Valentine's with you all.  I just absolutely adore them!  I got this ribbon technique from Heather Summers on YouTube.  It's a fantastic way to use up some scraps, both paper and ribbon, that you may have and not know what to do with.  Aren't they cute?!

I used my Polka Dot Basics from PTI again (surprised?! lol) and combined it with one of my favorite Valentine sentiments.  For the hearts, I cut down different card stock pieces that match the polka dots, and then punched out the hearts in the center of each one.  On the back I used some adhesive and layered strips of leftover ribbon.  When you flip it over, you have a beautiful ribbon heart that really is beautiful in real life.  I think I'll wind up using this technique quite a bit for my mini Valentine's this year.  It's SO easy, I created about 10 of these in a half hour, and you can use them in both feminine and masculine ways.  Heather created a star for her boy card using this technique on YouTube and I think I will have to use that idea as well soon.


Have a great day!

With Love

Hello!

I've started working on my Valentine's for this year.  I've decided that I'm going to make some for Sydney's class and for Mikey's class.  That winds up being a lot when you include the onese I want for work.  I guess I've got my work cut out for me. lol

I used a modified version of Taylor's sketch, and I combined it with last weeks Colour Create challenge to use Burgundy, Pink and Ivory.  I'm still LOVING my PTI Polka Dot Basics stamps I just got.  Can you tell?  It was a bit difficult to get a good picture without much glare from the transparency I used, but I think I did ok.

Hugs!

Merry Christmas Ya'll!

Hiya!

I was browsing through some of the challenge blogs and came across this weeks CPS sketch.  I immediately knew what I wanted to do, and here is how it turned out.

I've had the state of Texas and Texas Flag ornament stamps for over a year now and didn't really have a way to use them all that much.  I really, really like how my card turned out and I know exactly who I'm going to send this to next Christmas.  Sorry again about the dark picture.  I'm not sure what's going on with my camera.  I may have to check the settings again.  

I hope you guys have a wonderful day!

Sparkle's Christmas Card Challenge Week #3

Hey ya'll!

Here is the card I created for this weeks Christmas card challenge over at Sparkle's.  She challenged us to use the sketch that is posted on her blog today.  Below is my take on it.

I like the "fun" factor this card has.  I've had these papers for a while now and decided it was time to use them.  The snowman is definitely a go to stamp for my Christmas cards.  I think I've used it more than any others. lol  I hope you'll head over to Sparkle's blog to see her beautiful card, and maybe join us for this weeks challege. 

This is my last live post until next weekend.  I've got scheduled posts, but I won't be back from vacation until Sunday, the 27th. 

Much love!

Unscripted Sketches #36

Hi ya'll!

So it's the last Saturday before Christmas.  Has everyone gotten all of their Christmas shopping done?  I am happy to say that this year is the first year I won't have to scour the picked over stores trying to find everything last minute.  I started shopping earlier in the year, and then added the last few things over the last couple weeks.  It feels great to have everything done! :)

This weeks Unscripted Sketch challenge is the last one until after the new year.  There is something really cool planned for next week, so I hope you'll stop by and check it out, if you get the time.  Here is my card for this week.

I'm not real sure I like my card today.  I seem to be lacking in the mojo department, and I was too busy with work stuff to try to create something else before today.  I like the colors, and that gorgeous Damask paper, but I almost didn't post this card.  I don't feel it's up to the standards in which the DT at Unscripted Sketches have risen to.  I do hope you'll head over there and see all of the wonderful, amazing projects that are posted today.

Have a great weekend!


Supplies
Paper:  SU! Taken With Teal & Whisper White Cardstock, Paper Studio Flutter Loft Patterned Paper 
Ink:  SU! Cool Caribbean Classic Ink, Memento Tuxedo Black Dye Ink
Stamps:  Inkadinkado Flourish, SU! Pocket Silhouettes, Hero Arts Scroll Tree
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Classic Smooth & Scalloped Square Nestabilities, White Ribbon, Prima Flower, EK Success Swiss Cheese Border Punch, Martha Stewart Scalloped Border Punch, Black Button, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Glue Dots

Holiday Greetings

Hey everyone!

I hope you're having a good week so far.  It's been brutal for me in trying to get everything done before I go on vacation next week, but it will definitely be worth it once I'm in Austin with my family. 

I have already finished, and mailed, all of my Christmas cards for this year, but I just had to join in the challenges listed under my picture.  Besides, I can add it to the stack of cards I've already been growing for next Christmas.  I'm sorry for the darker photo.  It's been overcast, and this was the best picture I got out of like 50 tries.  lol

This card is one of my favorites now too.  I love how these colors go really well together in a non-traditional look for a Christmas card.  I'm just loving those polka dots too!  I'm submitting it for the challenges listed below.

Mojo Monday #117 - Sketch
ColorQ Challenge #11 - Basic Gray, Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla & Whisper White
Method Playground Challenge #56 - Use buttons in a different way than normal.  I used them as my ornaments.
The Pink Elephant Challenge #45 - Winter or Christmas

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Cherish

Yola!

Happy Humpday to ya'll!  I'm happy that the week is half over.  I've actually talked my supervisor into letting me take most of next week off, which means I only have three work days left until I'm on Christmas vacation!  I'm SO excited!  We'll be heading to Austin to spend the week at my sisters'.  It's the first time in years that all of our family will be together for Christmas.  Did I mention I was excited?! lol

Here is a small project I put together for my sister's new apartment.  They don't have a lot of decorations yet, so I decided I was going to make them some.  I hope she likes it!

I used my alcohol inks to create the marbled background, and then stamped the swirl from SU! Baroque Motifs randomly for the pattern.  I love how it turned out!  Below is a list of challenges that I used for this project.

Allsorts Challenge #31 - Pearls & Swirls (second time using this challenge)
Taylored Expressions #94 - Sketch
Pile It On Challenge #28 - Chipboard (the whole background piece is a 4X6 piece of matted chipboard)

I hope you'll be back tomorrow.  I have another something for you to see. :)

Have a great day!

Another Blog Award :)

Hi ya'll!

Just a quick post as I'm still working but wanted to get this posted.  I received this wonderful award from Aud Cards.  Isn't she sweet?  Thanks girl, I appreciate you!  Now, I'm supposed to reveal 5 secrets about myself with you, and nominate 10 people.  I'll have to get back to ya on the 10 people, but below are my 5 things.  No laughing!  lol j/k

1.  If I see one gray hair on my head, I'll dye my hair as quickly as possible.
2.  I secretly want David Beckham to leave his wife for me so he can sit around our house in his Armani underwear all day.  Have ya'll seen those pictures?! Good lord that boy is HOT! lol
3.  I could eat Whataburger all day, everyday, and not get tired of it.
4.  I absolutely LOVE the show So You Think You Can Dance.
5.  When I was younger, I convinced my sister that she was adopted (even though we look a lot alike). I know, I know, I was such a mean big sister back then. lol

Have a good evening!

So Very Blessed

Hi everyone!

It's been a cold, foggy week here in my part of the DFW area.  What wonderful opportunity to stay in and craft, instead of being out and about.  I think I'm going to make beef stew or chili in the crock pot today.  Let it simmer and cook all day, so when we get home it's ready to go.  It's definitely that kind of day!

I created this card yesterday for a couple different challenges.  I just got my first Papertrey, Ink. order and I had to use it.  I have wanted Polka Dot Basics and Polka Dot Basics II forever, and I'm so excited to finally own them.  This is a bit out of my element, but I think it was good for me to try something out of my comfort box.

Below is a list of challenges I included in this card.

Allsorts Challenge #32 - Pearls & Swirls
Humble Pie Challenge 12/11 - Dry Embossing (the piece at the very top, under everything else is embossed with a swirl pattern, and then distressed with blue ink)
SPCC #27 - Brocade Blue, Kraft & Bashful Blue (I added cream and black as my neutrals)
Jen's Sketch For You To Try #30 

I haven't decided whether or not I really like this card yet.  But, it does include lots of my favorite things.  Maybe it will grow on me. :)

Have a wonderful day!

Im A Winner! :)

Hi ya'll!

I am so excited!  I wandered over to The Pink Elephant blog to check out this weeks challenge and was surprised to find out that I was chosen as one of the winners for Challenge #40.  THIS was my winning entry and one of my absolute favorite cards.  I just love that butterfly.

What a way to end the day!
Hugs!

Cuttlebug Spot Challenge #60

Hiya!

How is everyone today?  Did you get lots of stuff done this weekend?  I didn't do anything, and I'm really happy about that. :)

Monday brings another Cuttlebug Spot challenge.  This week is the final week for this year.  We will be back in January with lots and lots of fabulous new challenges and amazing projects!  Your continued support is always greatly appreciated. 

I'm actually quite fond of my results for this challenge.  I tried to use the colors in the holly patterned paper.  I love brown and aqua together, so this was easy for me to pull together.  I stamped the sentiment and then cut it out with one of my circle Nesties, and added it under the bow, to resemble a tag.  This aqua satin ribbon is one of my favorites, but I don't use it that often.  I'm thinking it's time to start purging my stash again, and making some resolutions to use more of my stash in the year to come.  Maybe I'll start posting pics of stuff I'm not going to use and do a swap with someone who wants it?  That kind of sounds like fun!  Anyone else interested in something like that?  More details on that later. :)

I hope you'll head over to the Cuttlebug Spot to see what the DT has created for you today.  They're just as amazing as always!

Hugs!


Supplies
Paper:  Brown, Cream & Aqua Cardstock, MME Signature Christmas Patterned Paper
Ink:  Walnut Stain Distress Ink, Memento Rich Cocoa Dye Ink
Stamps:  Inkadinkado Christmas Flourish Stamps
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Allegro Embossing Folder, Aqua Satin Ribbon, SU! Top Note Die, Vintage Cream Brad, Pop Dots

Sparkle's Christmas Card Challenge Week #2

Hey everyone!

I hope you've had a good weekend.  My sister and brother-in-law are up for the Cowboys/Chargers game (my gift to them for Christmas), and are returning to Austin tomorrow.  While they're at the game, I got some crafty stuff done. 

Sparkle has begun her 2010 Christmas Card Challenge already.  I was so glad I participated in this last year, and all of this year because I was not in a rush to get my cards done and sent out.  I sent out my Christmas cards on Friday, and I got all my shopping done yesterday.  What a relief!  I missed participating last week, so I doubled up this week.  This week she challenged us to use traditional red and green for our cards.  Here is what I came up with.   

I'm not sure about all of the empty space on the second one, but I did it on purpose.  I'm loving the Papertrey Ink Polka Dot Basics stamps.  I've been waiting for them for a while now.  You should head over to Sparkle's blog to see her gorgeous card for today, and maybe join us for the challenge.  I can attest to it being a true lifesaver when it comes time to have them done! 

Have a great evening!

Unscripted Sketches #35

Hola ya'll!

It's been a while since I've posted a picture of myself, or Stephen for that matter, so I decided to create a project with both of us in it.  I never would have put these colors together, had it not been for Color Throwdown #71.  The colors for this challenge were olive, red, pink, brown and cream.  I love how they all work together so nicely.

It's another fabulous sketch at Unscripted this week!  I hope you'll head over to see all of the amazing projects created by my friends!  We've had such a nice growth in participation over the few months we've been hosting these challenges, and I know I'm thankful for you guys supporting US!  Can't wait to see what you come up with next!

Hugs!


Supplies
Paper:  Kraft & Cream 12 X 12 Cardstock, Heidi Grace Argyle Patterned Paper, SU! Cottage Wall DSP
Ink:  SU! Riding Hood Red & Soft Suede Classic Ink, Sakura White Gel Pen
Stamps:  Technique Tuesday Language of Love
Accessories:  Thickers, Martha Steward Scalloped Border Punch, Chipboard Heart, Bling, Silver Heart Rub On, Dark Red Satin Ribbon, Pop Dots

So Excited!

Hi ya'll!

I'm SO excited to bring you today's post.  I was chosen as this weeks guest designer at Frosted Designs!  Isn't that awesome?!  I was picked for THIS card.  I'm still in shock! lol

The challenge for this week is anything Christmas.  Here is what I came up with.

I used this weeks Mojo Monday sketch, and Color Chef challenge #32, red, white and green.  It also fits with this weeks Pink Elephant Challenge #44, Practical Scrappers challenge of anything Christmas, Scrap or Dare challenge to use glitter (my button is a glitter button), and Cupcake Inspiration Challenge #36.  I think this is one of my favorite Christmas cards this year.  I love the way it turned out.  I just hope I did the challenge justice.

Have a wonderful day!

Cuttlebug Spot Challenge #59

Hi everyone!

It's Monday, again, and I'm feeling a bit sluggish today.  I didn't want to get out of bed, and I definitely don't feel like going to work today.  I guess it's not so bad, at least I have a job.  I think I'll shower and adjust my attitude.  lol

So Monday brings us another Cuttlebug Spot challenge.  This weeks challenge is to create some kind of Christmas gift bag, box or container of some sort.  I love it when I get to make another pretty gift bag.  Here's what I came up with.

I love when something looks pretty, even before you get to the gift inside.  I embossed a piece of kraft cardstock with my snowflake embossing folder and then swiped it with white pigment ink.  I then embossed it with clear embossing powder to give it a glossy look.  I was going for a snow frosted kind of thing, but not sure I succeeded all that well.  Either way, I like how it turned out.  I also used a ribbon technique created by our very own Aymee.  It's fantastic!! 

I hope you'll head over to The Cuttlebug Spot to see what my fellow DT members have created for you today.  They're all pretty great, as usual.

Have a good day!
Hugs!


Supplies
Paper:  Red, White & Kraft Cardstock, DCWV Christmas Stack
Ink:  Peeled Paint Distress Ink, SU! White Craft Ink, Ranger Black Archival Ink
Stamps:  SU! Snowflake Spot, Inkadinkado Ornate Christmas & Christmas Flourish
Accessories:  Kraft Gift Bag, Cuttlebug, Snowflake Embossing Folder, Clear Embossing Powder, White Organdy Ribbon, Machine Stitching, Silver Cording, Red Tissue Paper, Pop Dots

Unscripted Sketches #34

Happy Saturday!

It's a bit chilly here, finally, so I plan on staying in and cooking a nice big pot of vegetable beef soup.  I love it when the house smells like comfort food.  What are your plans for today?  Anyone putting up their Christmas lights or anything fun like that?  I'm not sure when we'll get around to doing that, but hopefully soon.

Saturday brings us another Unscripted Sketch.  This week was another fabulous sketch to work with and I'm really excited at how well my card turned out. 

I needed a thank you card for a friend, and her absolute favorite color is brown.  Now, I like brown, and I think it goes well with lots of other colors, but she LOVES brown.  lol  So, I created this monochromatic card just for her.  If you'll look closely, you'll see that the strip along the bottom, that is stamped on, is actually a Valspar paint chip I got at Home Depot.  I've had a couple of paint chips in my stash for a while, thinking I'd use them eventually.  This was the perfect opportunity for that!  I may have to head over to Home Depot to pick up a few more.  Imagine the possibilities!

The rockin DT over at Unscripted Sketches have put together some amazing projects for you today.  I hope you'll head over and check them out, and hopefully join us this week.  Can't wait to see what ya'll come up with!

Have a fabulous weekend!


Supplies
Paper:  JoAnn's Brown & White Cardstock, CM Light Brown Patterned Paper, Antique Book Page, Shades of Brown Paint Chip, SU! Hawaiian Papaya Patterned Paper (I think)
Ink: Ranger Black Archival Ink
Stamps: K & Co. Madeline, Inkadinkado Fall Flourishes, Fiskars Clear Thanks
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Classic Smooth Square Nestabilities, SU! Texturz Background Plates, SU! Butterfly Die, Clear Embossing Powder, Brown Flat Back Pearls, Glue Dots

Birthday Celebrations

Happy Friday!

Yay, it's Friday!! I get to sleep late tomorrow, and I couldn't be more excited about that!  Do you have anything fun or exciting planned for this weekend?  I've decided to catch up on some future projects so that I can play along with a few more challenges this week, hopefully.

Here is a card that I made for this weeks ColorQ challenge.  The colors were Bermuda Bay, Pretty In Pink, Pink Passion, Gable Green, Kraft and a neutral of your choice.  It's my first time participating, and I have to say I struggled with this combo.  I guess that's why it's called a challenge, huh?  I paired it with THIS sketch, also my first time participating with Mercy's sketch challenges as well.  Here is what I came up with.

I'm not real excited about this card.  I feel like it should look better than it does.  I mean, in my head, I rocked these colors and sketch.  In all actuality, my card looks like I should be throwing rocks at it.  lol  Maybe I should spend my time looking for more hot pictures of David Beckham.  :)

Have a great day!

Dear Santa,

I've been naughty nice this year.  Here is what I would like for Christmas.

XOXO,


P.S.  Can I get my Christmas present early? :)