Woo hoo! A Treasure Hunt!

Unscripted Sketches is turning 1! Yay!  What a cool way to celebrate, a treasure hunt!  Be sure to check back on Saturday for all of the details!  There's lots of fun to be had, and even some candy up for grabs!  Who doesn't like candy?! :)

Hugs!

I'm So Sad

Hi Everyone,

It is with great sadness that I am posting this card.  Yesterday was a horribly rough start to my week.  I received word from my supervisor that our second shift manager at our warehouse passed away Friday.  He had requested some time off about two weeks ago for testing, per his doctors request, and Friday, the Leukemia won the battle I believe he had been fighting for quite a while.  He leaves behind a wife, 15 year old son and 8 year old daughter. 

This is the card I put together so that we could have everyone sign it and send to his family.  I'm happy to know there is a memorial fund that our company has set up in his honor.  I can't even imagine losing a significant other.  He was only 35 too.  He was a dedicated and very hard worker, and he never ever complained when we pushed and pushed for more.  He will be greatly missed.  I have to say that I am really happy with the simple beauty of my card.  The ribbon is phenomenal.  I got it Sunday at The Paper Source, while enjoying time with my friends.  It's hand dyed and so easy to work with.  It's just gorgeous!  I didn't have anything in Spanish for a sentiment, and really didn't know what to say, so my supervisor asked me to leave it blank, and we'd all write a short note on the inside.  I really love this card.

I'm off to get ready for work.  Don't forget to hug your loved ones and tell them how you feel about them.  Life is way too short not to do so!
Much love,

Unscripted Sketches Challenge #48

Yola!

How are ya'll this weekend?  Are you having nice weather in your area?  I hope you're at least starting to see more spring like weather.  It's been absolutely fantastic here.  I think we may head out to a picnic lunch today.  We'll have to see what everyone thinks about that.  Anyone want to join us? lol

It's Saturday again, and I have another Unscripted Sketches project for you.  For this weeks sketch challenge, click HERE.

This is one of my favorites.  It's also Stephen's Father's Day gift.  I'm going to frame it for him so that he can hang it in his "man cave".  These pictures truly show Mikey's quirky personality.  You can see his mischeviousness too.  In case you're wondering, he's got a Nerf dart stuck to his nose in the top picture.  I love how funny that boy is.  I flipped the sketch to suit my needs, and my end results were what I was going for.  I'm sure Stephen will love it. :)

The projects posted at the US blog today are fantastic.  I hope you'll head over there and check them out. 

Have a great weekend!


Supplies
Paper:  Green Stripe/Plaid, White Textured Cardstock
Ink:  ColorBox Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink
Accessories:  Twine, Yellow Thickers "Rainboots", Pop Dots

Another Butterfly Card

Go figure, huh?  lol

This card came together rather quickly.  I printed off the strip of digi paper (Amy Teets Sunporch PP), and paired it with some new goodies I got on Saturday at Scrappers Boutique.  I'm loving these new Cosmo Cricket Core'dinations papers!  I bought both paper packs they had.  They're fabulously amazing and I can't wait to create more projects with them.  I also got all of the new Jenny Bowlin Core'dinations paper packs too.  The ideas are just flowing and I cannot wait to jump in and use it all!  I left this card without a sentiment on purpose.  I don't have a lot of cards in my stash at the moment, and I hate having to rush at the last minute to put something together.  So, I've decided that I'm going to create some cards and leave them blank.  Then I can just add the sentiment when I need to.  I've combined the below challenges into this card.

Stamp Simply #131 - CAS w/Texture
The Townscrapper 3/19 - Ribbons & Rub Ons (the pattern on the butterfly is a rub on)
Allsorts #44 - Think Spring
Crazy 4 Challenges #29 - Spring
Drunken Stampers #8 - Ribbon Pull (find a piece of ribbon and build your card around it)
OCCC 3/20 - Easter/Spring

I hope you have a wonderful day!
Hugs!
 

Random Stuff

Hello!

I'm sorry I don't have a card for you today.  I was busy creating this weekend, but can't post those things until later.  I do however, have a couple of pictures to share with you.

They have a saying around here that if you don't like the Texas weather, give it 10 minutes.  This was definitely true this weekend.  We had 70 degree weather on Friday, and Saturday evening it started snowing.  This is what we awoke to yesterday morning.  Really?!  I mean, for the second day of spring, really?  *sigh*  I guess I'll wait another 10 minutes and see what happens next.  lol

On Saturday I went to a new local scrapbook store called Scrappers Boutique with my friends (hi Joni!), for a crop.  I was the first to arrive from our group, so I went up to the person working to check in and realized I was in the presence of scrapbooking royalty.  Now, I know some people get excited over things like meeting famous musicians or movie stars, but I was totally giddy over meeting this wonderful lady, Susan Liles.  Most of you know her as Susiestampalot.  I've been stalking following her blog since I found her on the I {heart} To Stamp blog back in 2008.  I had no idea she was even in my area.  I was really grateful she was nice enough to allow me to get a picture with her.  Poor thing, she probably thought I was totally mental acting like an idiot, gushing over her.  lol

While we were cropping, Jen del Muro also stopped by for a quick visit, and I again felt like a kid meeting a famous celebrity.  I know, I'm a bit cheesy about this stuff, but seriously.  These women have been on my daily read list for a couple years now, and I GOT TO MEET THEM!  I also got to meet Leslie Ashe, Daniela Dobson and Taj White.  All of whom are amazingly talented and very well known also.  Alright.  I'm over it, kinda. lol  They were all so wonderful!  Very modest and down to earth, and truly amazing people.  I'm so glad I got to meet them.

On another random note, tonight the new season of Dancing with the Stars begins.  Are any of you into that?  I'm totally hooked!  I absolutely LOVE the pros.  They're amazing!  I'm interested to see how the celebrities do.  Can't believe Kate Goslin is on though, yuck.  (Sorry if you're a fan of hers.) lol

It's Monday, so I'm off to my real job.  I hope everyone has a fantastic day!

I'm One of Sparkle's Elves! :)

Hi ya'll!  I've got some exciting news!

As you may know, Sparkle has had an ongoing challenge each Sunday to create a Christmas card (or two), throughout the year.  This idea started in December of 2008 and I followed, and participated faithfully, throughout 2009.  When Christmas came around this past year, I cannot even tell you how stress free it was because all of my cards were done.  I even mailed them on time!  Since the start of these challenges, Sparkle has gathered quite a nice group of participants and followers that she started a blog specifically for these challenges and now she also has a small design team.  I'm SO excited to share that I have been chosen as one her "elves".  Our projects will be posted starting the first Sunday in April.  She's so great to work with me and my crazy, busy work schedule. 

All of you have always been so supportive, and kind when it comes to these kinds of things, and I hope you'll take the opportunity to check out the blog, and leave some love for the other women who have been chosen for this wonderful design team, listed below.  Thanks for letting me share my excitement with ya'll!

Alanna

Peggy

Shanna

Sparkle (DT Coordinator)

I hope you have a great day!
Hugs!

Unscripted Sketches Challenge #47 With A Twist!

Happy Saturday!

It's been a fantastic week here in the DFW area and I am SO happy about the sunshine.  I love the cold weather (yes, I said it) but I love the spring too.  How are things in your areas?  Hopefully, some signs of spring are starting to peek through. 

Since today is Saturday, you know I have another Unscripted Sketches project for you.  I honestly struggled quite a bit with this one.  The sketch gave me trouble, and the twist, which is to use a paint chip, was slightly more difficult than I expected.  All in all, I love the colors of my card, and my new stamps I got to use. 

For this weeks sketch challenge, click HERE.

I feel like it's missing something, but don't know what.  I tried adding background paper, but it didn't look right.  In the end, I just went ahead and left it the way it was.  I just got some new Nesties too, and they're my new favorite.  I've also incorporated some digi papers into my card as well.  The strip of blue/black and white patterned paper is a freebie I got somewhere online.  I'll look and see if I can find where and link it up here later.

So, are you guys up for another sketch challenge?  Your participation is always appreciated and we love seeing your projects!  They're always so fabulous and inspiring!  I hope you'll head over to the US blog and see what everyone else has come up with.  They're awesome, as always!

Have a wonderful weekend!


Supplies
Paper:  Paper Company Textured Blue Cardstock, White Cardstock, Shabby Princess Blue Tile Patterned Paper, Yellow Paint Chip
Stamps:  Inkadinkado Flowers, SU! Well Scripted
Ink:  Memento Cantaloupe Dye Ink, Ranger Black Archival Ink, Versa Mark
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Labels 4 Nestabilities, SU! Border Punch, White Embossing Powder, Pop Dots

Yay, Another Top 5! :)

Howdy!

I'm really excited! I made the Top 5 at the Curtain Call for Act 20 with THIS card.  I'm surprised.  I barely made it in time to enter it and figured Stacey had already chosen her winner and top 5 for the week.  There were some awesome entries so I'm just thrilled to have been chosen.  She has another wonderful color challenge posted.  Hope you'll go check it out!

Have a great day!

Zoo Pictures

Hi ya'll!

I just wanted to share a couple of the pictures from our trip to the Ft. Worth Zoo yesterday.  It was a gorgeous day, and we had lots of fun.  It wound up just being me, Mikey, my sister and brother in law, but we still had a blast.

Here's me and Mikey.

Mikey and a giraffe.

Crystal and Josh

The one thing we absolutely had to see, according to Mikey, were the white tigers.

I'm so happy that everyone had a great time.  It was one of the nicest days we've had, in a long time.  I think we're going to try to head out again next weekend to the kids museum.  Or maybe to the park for a picnic.  I love spring! :)

Have a great day!
 

Unscripted Sketches # 46

Happy Saturday!

I've got another quick post for you as my sister and brother in law are in town for the weekend and we're headed out to the zoo with the kiddo's.  It's going to be a gorgeous 62 degree day with lots of sunshine and we can't wait to get out in it!

It's Unscripted Sketches challenge time again!  This weeks sketch is nice and clean and simple, and I loved it. 

For this weeks sketch, click HERE.

My mom, and Stephen's mom are the only ones who get Mothers Day cards.  This one is for Stephen's mome.  I hope she likes it.

I hope you'll head over to the US blog and check out the wonderful projects everyone has created for you today.  Also, we've added something new.  Next week is the week we will start choosing our Top 3!  Some weeks there will be prizes to win also!  Don't forget to link up your project so that we can see it!

We're off to spend the day in the sun!  I'll be thinking of ya'll! lol
Hugs!

Precious Friend

Hey everyone!

I hope you're all doing well.  I have a quick post for you and then I'm off to work.

I've got the following challenges combined into my card.

Rosie D's #66 - Think Spring
OCCC 3/6 - Sketch
Saturday Spotlight #21 - Friendship
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle #30 - Open Theme
Cupcake Craft Challenge #81 - Flower Power

I'll be back soon with another project.  Have a great day!

A Note for You & New Video!

Hi everyone!

I've been super busy, but I finally got my new video edited and uploaded.  I will edit this post, when the sun comes out later today, with a better picture.  And yep, there's a butterfly on it. lol  Hope you enjoy it!

A Note For You

ETA:  Here's the picture I promised.  I've combinded the following challenges into this card.

Curtain Call Act #20 & Paper Sundaes #8 - Real Red, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Magical Crafts Challenge #10 - Things with Wings

Crazy 4 Challenges #27 - Paper Piercing

Stamp, Scrap & Doodle #30 - Open Theme

Stamping 411 #141 - Sketch

Have a wonderful day!

Unscripted Sketches Challenge #45

I love Saturday's! *happy sigh*  What are you guys up to this weekend?  I am going to crop with my friends tonight, and hopefully, I'll get tons done.  I've got a huge to do list that I want to get through, so I've got my fingers crossed, I can get most of it accomplished.  I'm so excited to see my friends again.  We always have a blast.

I'm also excited to share my project for this weeks Unscripted Sketches challenge.  For this weeks sketch, click HERE.

I'm not sure what I was thinking when I got it into my head to create a round card out of a square sketch.  They call it a challenge, and I guess I was trying to see if I could convert it into the picture I had in my head.  I'm also going to use this for this weeks Cupcake Craft Challenge #80, which is "round and round".  I wanted to use this for a guy, but I'm thinking it may be a bit too girly for that.  What do you guys think?  I love that the sun has started to come out again.  My pictures look so much better, but I'm bummed that you can't see the sparkle on the lattice piece on the left.  This is a free Hero Arts digi stamp I got at TwoPeas that I colored with my Copics.  I can't believe that I didn't want to get into the digi stamp side of paper crafting.  It's fantastic!  No shipping costs, no waiting for your new stamps to arrive, and not to mention all of the awesome images out there!  I'm sold!  Anyone else just now getting into digi or hybrid projects?  What have you created with your digi stuff?

I hope you'll head over to the US blog to see the fabulous creations we have for you.  I'm off to finish up some cleaning and laundry before I head out with the girls.  Have a wonderful day!


Supplies
Paper:  SU! Soft Suede & Basic Gray cardstock, SU! Basic Gray DSP, MME Brown Polka Dot Patterned Paper
Ink:  Tuxedo Rich Cocoa Dye Ink, Copic Markers E44 Clay, Copic atyou Spica Silver Glitter Marker, Sakura White Gel Pen
Stamps:  Hero Arts Stone Etching Border Digi Stamp, SU! Great Friend
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Birds & Swirls Embossing Folder, Classic Scalloped Circle Nestabilities, Black Satin Ribbon, Pop Dots

You're So Sweet!

Woo hoo for Friday!

So, I wasn't able to get anything crafty accomplished last night.  I wound up watching some stuff I had on my DVR, and went to bed early.  I did, however, find this cute thing in my collection of photos, to share with you.  I think I'm truly unable to create anything without a butterfly on it right now.  It's almost stupid. lol

I do love it though, my butterfly that is.  This is another one that I created with some thin acetate and alcohol inks.  I love how you can see the shimmer of the butterfly in the picture.  I also love the different textures on this card.  This will be going to a certain someone who sent me a little something recently, just because, even though she didn't have to.  I hope she likes it.  And, have you noticed?  The sun is out again!  Thank goodness, I was becoming very impatient!  It's supposed to be 68 degrees here today.  I'm so excited! :)

Have a great day!

Birthday Blessings

Hi ya'll, sorry for the late post.

Have you ever created a project that you instantly loved the minute it was done?  When I was finished with this card, I fell in love with it.  It turned out exactly how I pictured, for a change, and I knew that all of the details I combined into it would make it fabulous.  I seldom like my finished projects, but this one I love!

I needed another birthday card for a co-worker, and this is the one she will be receiving.  I feel really cheesy saying it again, but I really love this card. lol  I just can't get over how pretty it is.  I never would have combined these colors on my own, but thanks to a challenge (listed below), they worked out awesome.  I know my friend at work will love it as she shares in my affection for butterflies. :)  I'm entering this into the following challenges too.

Cards & Things #32 - Color Combo of Crushed Curry, Soft Suede & Bermuda Bay (i think mine are close enough)
Creative Card Crew 3/2 - Celebrations Theme
Spoon Full of Sugar #93 - Beads (there are small beads on the ends of the butterfly antenae)
Doodle Palace 3/2 - Birthday, use ribbon
Papertake Weekly 3/2 - Buttons, Bows, Brads (yellow bling on butterfly wings are brads) & Bling
Tuesday Taggers 3/2 - Swirls & Curls (flourishes on my patterned paper)
Die Cuts R Us #28 - Sketch

I'm hoping I can get another card done this evening so that I have something for you to see tomorrow too.  I'm off to find some more challenges!
Hugs!

Heartfelt Thanks

Hey ya'll!

Here is another card I created this weekend, but wasn't able to post it until now.  I really like how it turned out.  I'll be SO glad when the sun comes out again.  Then my photos won't look so dreary.

I got the idea to use beads on my heart from Whimsical Wendy on YouTube.  She used this technique in one of her videos, and I had to try it.  I love the effect, and how it adds just a bit of sparkle and texture, without being over the top.  All I did was pierce my paper along a couple of the flourishes and the centers of the flowers and thread the beads in those spots.  You can't tell from the picture, but the beads are a bit irridescent and sparkle.  I'm going to enter this into this weeks Creative Inspirations challenge, which is to create a Thank You card or project, and for this weeks Spoon Full of Sugar challenge, which is to use beads.  I want to give this to a friend of ours, but think it might be a bit too girly for a guy.  What do ya'll think?

Have a fabulous day!

Some Changes & A Thank You Card

Hi everyone!

How have you been?  Things are crazy around here while we try to get settled into our new routines, but for the most part, we're all doing really well.  I got my travel schedule for March on Friday, and it looks like I'll be homebound most of the month.  Yay! 

As you can see, I've modified the look of my blog.  Thanks to my friend Aymee, I was able to find something very spring like, that I love!  I will probably keep this up for quite a while.  Hope you like the new look. :)

Onto my card.  I created this last week, but wasn't able to post it until now.  All of the challenges that I combined into this card are probably outdated by now.  I'm pretty sure that most of my cards will be late for whichever challenges I participate in from now on, but I'm still going to attempt to play along.

This card is really busy, not my norm, but I like it.  And, of course, I absolutely love my butterfly.  Go figure, right? lol  I gave this to one of my co-workers for helping out while I was gone last week.  She loved it!  Below are the challenges that I combined for this card.

Cards & Things #21 & Crazy 4 Challenges #25 - Both sketches were similar, and I was able to make them work for my card.
Belli Challenge #85 - Butterflies or Dragonflies
Flutter By Wednesday #98 - Open theme, include butterflies, angels, dragonflies or fairies.
Ooh La La Creations #48 - Acetate (my smaller butterfly is acetate that I distressed with alcohol inks and then embossed with my Cuttlebug)
Creative Inspirations #27 - Thank You
Corrosive Challenge #52 - Wings
Stamp Something - Touch of Spring Somethings (butterflies and flowers are spring items)
Pile It On #6 - Flowers (they're not big, but there are flowers on my card)

I hope you have a great week!  I'm going to try to get some more cards and layouts done while I'm home this month, so hopefully, I'll be back soon with another post.
Hugs!

Christmas Card Challenge Week #13

Hola!

How are ya'll this Monday morning?  I'm not much of a morning person, and even worse on Monday's, but today I'm actually quite excited about going to work.  Today our new HR person starts, and I'm hoping that things will be less dramatic around our office.  I'm sure you can only imagine with me being excited about a new HR person, right? lol 

I was able to get my craft on this weekend, and have several things for you this week.  My first project is for this weeks Christmas Card Challenge over on Sparkle's blog.  Here is my card.

I've also combined the following challenges into this card as well.

Stamping Sisters In Christ #28 - Colossians 3:17 (what better way to honor Him than with a Christmas card, right?)
Paper Sundaes #9 - Sketch
Winter Wonderland #40 - Monochromatic

Sorry for the quick post, but I need to head out.  Have a great day!