MTS October

Have you seen the October kit from More than Scrapbooking yet? The picture really doesnt do it justice. The Bohemia 2 papers are stunning and the the pretty bits of crochet, lace and firey fiber are the icing on the cake. Plus there is a cats eye ink AND paper bag album! And the big secret is.... (its under $25) Here is a list of all the goodies you get.

Yes I sound like a salesman. Yes I do design for the company(Obviously) Yes I suck at scanning layouts (hello crooked!) But this kit really is a fabulous deal and absolutely perfect for autumn. I used alpha stamps and the kit only for these creations.

Let me count the ways

Hambly, Oh Hambly How do I love thee... let me count the ways......

I was over all AllyScraps chatting away when I noticed that there was NEW Hambly in the store. Ohhh man am I excited! I seriously trying to wait a week(or 2) so I can ship it with my dt kit, but Im having serious problems with self control. I just want to put it in my cart and take it home. Is that so wrong? Doesnt a girl deserve some brand spanking new hambly? I think so.

Ive become addicted to the overlays lately. There are so many things you can do with them. You can cut them in pieces or trim what you'd like. They can be painted, inked, layered, stapled, sewn, used as backgrounds for clear pages, rubbed with alcohol inks, tucked under or over a photo, used as a journal block, stamped on with staz on, distressed, punched, and die cut. They are awesome!

Its also time for a new *insert cartoon horn noise* caardvarks challenge Check out the blog for the hilariously titled "Do these pants make my chips look big" challenge by our own Lesley This chippy here is my card for the challenge. I needed another excuse to use my Breakfest at Tiffany's stamp. I so love that movie... okay well anything Audrey Hepburn

Challenge day

Im still trying to get over a nasty cold, so today I decided to take it easy. I tried to not leave the house, but my husband insisted on making me go out for Chinese food (which was mighty good). I punished him by making him drop me at the lss for a half hour. He didnt mind one bit. I got some fun embellies

So I got home and scrapped the day away while my honey played playstation. Sometimes I just love knowing he is here and having fun. It was nice. Since I had extra scrappy time and couldnt print the pictures I need for dt work (I bought the wrong cartridge...DOH!) I decided to do a few challenges.

The first one I did was Color my World's 2nd challenge. I made this funky red and blue painty layout. I also used painters tape and a page out of a notebook

The second challenge I did was for the How Much is too Much? Its challenge 51 (10 elements, 10 goals) I think this one will be fun to look at in 10 years and see just how many actually hold true.

My mom is doing better. Thank you to those who prayed for her. She is relaxing and enjoying a special trip for her 10 year anniversary.

Mini Cards

We have a micro challenge going on over at Caardvarks this weekend! It is a challenge to make mini cards. I had a blast the other day making them. Not only are they fun, but they are very inexpensive. Mine are actually made with index cards(You know... the 3x5 kind that cost a quarter for 100.) and scraps of paper and embellies.

They can be used for so many things

*Tuck it in a coat pocket/briefcase for your love
*A child's lunchbox
*punch a hole and add ribbon for a cute bag tag
*Add to a bouquet of flowers
*Staple to a bag of goodies
*tape on top of a present

Here are my little cards. Checkout the caardvarks "Honey I Shrunk the Cards" gallery for more minis

Im in a funky funky mood today. Im exhausted. I had to work at 9am to do the QSC we didnt do on wednesday. I never did get a nap today. I just cant sleep. Im trying to keep myself distracted by scrapping. It isnt working.

My mom has been in the hospital all weekend. She isnt sure, but she thinks she had a stroke. (or several little ones) The MRI was showed no problems... which is great. Its really scaring me. They did let her come home this evening, but Im still very nervous. If you are the praying type... can you send a few her way?

Bond: James Bond

I was supposed to go in today and do the QSC. I woke up late... too late. I realized I was supposed to be there in 20 minutes. I jumped in the shower and then did a random search for my phone to tell them Id be about 15 minutes late. Low and behold a message from my partner calling me off. I was psyched! Its nice to have an unexpected day off. I did a little scrapping, made my husband a big dinner and then my BIL came over and we watched a movie. Casino Royale. Man what a great action flick. Its very fast paced and exciting. Very Bond... and my oh my Daniel Craig. Is he a perfect Bond or what? Have you seen this bit of man candy?


Ummm hummm......

Yes Im still up

It's like 5am and I cant seem to sleep. Im used to being up late but its kinda ridiculous. It was a long day. Work was very draining

When I got home I locked myself in my room to work on a few more projects for the sticker shock caardvarks challenge that goes up tonight. Frances Meyer sent us this gigantic bag of FUN, fabulous stickers to use for the challenge. So far Ive made 7 cards and 1 layout and I still have so many more to play with. I also got to play with my wicked cool Jim Morrison stamp. I love the Doors

Playing with my Morrison stamp makes me want to get out my cds and rock out to the Doors. Im resisting the urge as doing that would keep me up even later and make me more hyper(I shouldn't even be blogging... I should be in bed bed bed... but NO... Im sitting here watching Almost Famous for like the 5th time and playing pogo) OKay that's it. Im going to try to go to bed (again) Night all :) Or should I say Good Morning

Pubs!

Yesterday I mailed my first layout out for publication. (no not THAT one there...)Its going to be in the Scrapbook Trends Wedding idea book. I'll admit I was a bit nervous handing it off to the postal worker. I even paid the extra for delivery confirmation. I so hope it comes home happy and in 1 piece. I keep reminding myself that I shouldn't be nervous. Some chickies send out ALOT of layouts and Ive never really heard of one being lost. I think its just the first pub jitters..... like the mailmen are all out that waiting to take home that picture of the back of my wedding dress... HA!

Now THAT layout there was my first one for Allyscraps. Its of my mommy... who is now is Asia. (I think Malaysia today) I always get nervous when she goes over there because 1. She hates it and 2. Airplanes

Its been an average week around here. Nothing too exciting. I have tonight off so Im going to scrap and rest up for the 2 fun days of split shifts I have Friday and Saturday. Nothing like working 25 hours in 2 days. It makes me appreciate Sundays even more. Can tomorrow be Sunday?

Bored

Just one of them days..... those boring funky days where nothing seems fun and I cant seem to concentrate on anything for more than 20 minutes. I hate these days... so unproductive. So basically Im sitting here watching 90210 and wishing I actually had something to do tonight (besides going to work for a meeting at 10pm) If I can just force myself to wheel my chair over to my art table... maybe I could get SOMETHING (anything) done. I hate being void of inspiration.
Here's some funky funky from the other day. I seriously love this Janis Joplin quote so I made this layout as a reminder to myself. I need to make sure that I am making myself happy while Im worrying about everyone else. I keep giving up things I want... either thinking they are out of reach or just not working for my life right now. That is about to stop. I seriously need to go back to school (I have one maybe 2 years left) I am so sick of my job and people assuming that I am less than I am because of my job. I want to have babies soon. Im sick of not trying because Im too worried about having to take another job and making less money (cant really do my job too pregnant) Im ready for change. I just dont know how to start it.

My first daily something

I heard about the daily somethings from some of the rockin gals at tallyscrapper. I so love the idea of taking something small from each day and creating something based on that. I tend to keep mementos and stubs from all over the place. Id love to get them all together like a little diary. Of couse I cant promise everyday because things are crazy (especially since football season is looming before me) but Im going to try for 5 out of 7 ;) I have 2 of these fun 6x8 albums to play with.

A little snowman tutorial

How to make this cute little snowman I used on this card

What you need:
*5 mini black brads
*one orange brad
*small piece of ribbon
*small square of black cardstock
*fuzzy nubby white fiber.
*Cardstock for background
*glue stick, paper piecer, stapler, scissors

1. I went off the skein and made 3 fuzzy little swirlies. I swirled them to the size I needed for this particular snowman. My swirlies are 2", 1.75" and 1,25". (doing this in random shapes makes super cute clouds)



2. When your swirlies are the desired size cut and tuck the tail behind. If you dont like the look of the swirl you can rub the fiber and make it look messy



3. Using your glue stick make a circle on your cardstock base approximately the size of your snowball.




4. Firmly press the snowball onto the cardstock




5. Use a paper piecer to punch hole threw your snowball where the eyes, nose and buttons should be. Insert brads thru your ball and attach.



6. Staple ribbon to the neck area. Twist and staple again so half of the ribbon hangs down. Cut small slits in the end of the dangling ribbon. (I used velvety ribbon)


7. Cut black hat out of a small square of cardstock. I cut 2 pieces... a small sliver curved at the end and a black square rounded at the top. Glue to top of head.

You can use this super cute little snowman on your holiday cards, scrapbook pages or gift tags this Christmas :) Make a large one as a wall hanging.

copyright 2007

Work it

Ahhhh. I feel so relxed and content.

I just got home from the YMCA. We did some water aerobics and swam laps. Im trying to get back into a weekly fitness routine. Alot of that stopped when I stared running behind the bar every night. Ive never been a morning person... let alone working out early...and well the gym is closed when I get home from work. Anyway... Im trying to break my bad habits... plus I think it would really help my back to get some exercise that didnt involve bending.

I feel all warm and happy.

I need to get scrapping tonight. Have lots of dt projects due this week. :) I'll pop in a dvd after my husband goes to sleep and work til the wee hours. Im looking forward to it. Maybe I'll even post a peek for caardvarks

Hey it's August?

And I havent even posted a thing! I havent been online much. My back is still a bit messed up and it hurts to sit at my desk for too long. Good news it IS healing. I am not as sore after work as I was right after the injury. I have to take these icky muscle relaxers that make me a complete drooling zombie for most of the day. Its seriously NOT fun.

Vacations on the other hand was a blast. It was very relaxing, We spent alot of time at the beach and in the pool. We also went on a few adventures. There was a casino cruise ship that took us a few miles out so we could play slots and roulette. Matt did very well at poker.
On the last day it rained so Matt took me to the Palm Beach Kennel Club and we bet on the pups. Id never been to anything like that and it was alot of fun. (especially since we won) After that we went to shop at CityPlace where I got to roam around Anthropologie and take in all the color. Love that store. I did some shopping and then we went to see Harry Potter on the IMAX 3D. It was so cool seeing creatures fly at me. It was a great vacation. Its was so cvool to get to see my family everyday.

Leavin on a jet plane

I leave for the airport in 1 hour!!!!

Im super excited. By 8pm this evening I will be laying on the beach. (actually I think the first stop is that gigantic hot tub after I shave my jungle legs) I have my camera and Im ready to take LOTS of scrappy pictures for all the design team layouts I have to get done when I get back.

I really wish I could have packed some scrappy stuff. I was going to originally when we were driving. Oh well.... at least there is something to be excited about when I get home.

Hopefully I'll be checking in. We sent the laptop down with my Mom (they drove down thursday) so here's hoping for WiFi.

PEACE.... Im outta here :)

Grand reopening and Florida here I come

My work officially opened on Monday to a gigantic crowd. It was such a blast seeing everyone and of course making some money. I worked a split on Monday... (2) 7 hour shifts. Then Tuesday I fell on my booty and hurt my back. It was comical. I went sliding thru the back and then landed on my butt and my coke flew up in the air and landed right on my crotch. Good thing Im in black pants and only had about an hour left on my shift. I was completely soaked in beer and coca cola and had lettuce in my hair. HA! I wish I could see it on the security cams... I bet it's hysterical.

I worked the last 2 days in agony on pain meds to make it thru.... my back is seriously messed up. But the good news is tomorrow we leave for FLORIDA!! Im sure sitting in the hot tub and running around on the beach will do wonders for my back. If not I have a dr's appt. when I get back. (they couldnt get me in before I left)

Have you gals seen the gallery us gals at Caardvarks made for The Embellishment Studio? If you havent you need to go take a look. Especially if you love vintage lace and ribbons. Its card-a-licious. Check it out.

This card is one of the six that I made. I so wish I had time to make more. I know I will be using every scrap of that ribbon its so lovely. Thanks to Susan again for sending it my way.

**happy dance**

I found out Thursday that I made the design team over at Ally Scraps I am so excited to begin working with the girls. The message board is so fun and the store is packed with scrappy goodness. Its going to be awesome :)

View the announcement here to see the rest of the team

A little peekie

Have you girls heard of the Embellishment Studio?? If you havent you are so in for a treat. Susan creates beautiful kits with lovely vintage finds.

Susan has generously sent all of us Caardvarks girls this absolutely STUNNING mix of vintage ribbons and laces from the 40's to use for the next (July 20th) challenge. I tell you girls this stuff is DIVINE. I just keep staring at it. She has also offered up a lovely prize to the winner of the next challenge. You will NOT want to miss this.

Cards Cards Everywhere

Im having so much fun with our caardvarks challenges. I am really going to miss having to create a card everyday. Jen and Nathalia did a fantastic job choosing the challenges. Its making me try new things with cards and Im LOVING it! Plus Im adding to my card stash and that is always a good thing :) Not to mention the utter fabulousness of the gallery!! So many different styles. Its so inspriational.

Here are a couple of my cards. Want bigger? Just click um :)

Drive ins and lucky 7s

This past weekend my husband and I ventured out to the drive in movies. It was a blast! We were in the comfort of our car, cuddled up and watching 2 movies for only $5 a person! Of course the drive in movies arent that of the old days. It definately is no beauty contest... it was funny to see so many people out in their colorful pj pants and pony tails hearding little angels to the bathrooms. I dont go to the drive in my my jammies, but I did go comfy in my terry tracksuit.

I think it would have been cool to get dressed up and go to the drive in with your sweetie like they did in Grease. To have it be a date place... not just the place to see things cheaply.

Soon I wont have to be as worried about saving the $$I start back at work next weekend. Im excited to have the money! I seriously need highlights and Id love some new pretty things. I should be caught up within 2 weeks of getting back for vacation. That makes me SO happy

I am gonna miss the extra scrap time. Its allowed to to do cool challenges and to do the 10k at Caardvarks. We had a 7s challenge at tallyscrapper this past weekend in honor of 07/07/07 and immediately thought of my little tag from last week. I rarely do a layout without a photo so this was a fun one for me to try. I just love vintage with bright colors.

Check out my romper

Arent I just the cutest things in the funky 80's clothes. Of course my husband said something obscene about my fabulous outfit. Dont worry. I kicked him.

Ive been inspired to journal more..... to get down to the real me. Not as much superficial fluff (but I love fluff) I think journaling is one of me weaknesses. I aim to get better. Cool thing is I got this layout was just accepted to the Basic Grey gallery. TallyLibrarian pushed me to submit and its there. :) I so need to submit more. My goal today is to submit 5 layout to magazine calls. I never submit. You cant get pub'd if you dont try... right?

oooo oooo Witch-ay woman

I seriously LOVE to dress up. I never do it anymore. Not since college. My birthday is the day after Halloween so I always had costume parties. This picture was taken last Halloween... but the only reason I dressed up was because I had to for work. It wasnt even a great costume... but I did have my hair streaked green and black and had these enormous glittery eyelashes. Boy is was fun trying to work with those on.

I also put those plastic spiders all thru my hair. I found one I had left and I inked it and used it on the page. The webby look at the bottom was made with cottom balls and a gluestick. (now my stick is fuzzy :p) I doodled the little spideys and webs at the top. This isnt one of my best layouts, but I really love it :)

Caardvarks 10 day 10 k challenge

Hey card makers!

We are having awesome contests for the next 10 days at Caardvarks
in honor of our first 10,000 visitors.

There will be 10 one day challenges from July 5th thru the 15th. We will be giving away a BIG prize daily. You can participate in one of them.... or all of them.
Good luck & Happy cardmaking!

Caardvarks

Toots and Tags!

Happy Independance Day!!

I have a little happy today! 2 of my cards are in the July/August Scrappin-Trends ezine. Its such a cool publication! Be sure to check it out. Lots of fabulous scrap ideas.

I have also been Tagged by Miss RattyTatty Im supposed to tell 7 not so well known things about me and tag 7 people.

Lets see things people dont know....
1. I was in the Miss Ohio Teen pageant. I got a BAD sunburn the day before.
2. I met my husband on the internet. On drunken night my roommate dared me to fill out a profile and message 3 guys. Matt was #2.
3. I can play the saxophone
4. I was in a sorority in college. Alpha Delta Pi :) :)
5. I was in National Honor Society
6. Im afraid to drive over bridges. I cant drive in the outside lane. I can do it but for some reason I panic. I almost cried driving into Chicago. When we go to the Outer Banks I cant drive in. Its not as bad if Im not driving. I found out a few years ago that my grandma also had this phobia.
7. I was a political science major in college and have volunteered on several campaigns

Now Im off to tag a few ladies

Croppin Sarah

I actually got to scrap with someone else yesterday. I went over to my mom's (with my 2 bags it took 2 hours to pack cuz Im so worried about not having what I want.) My mom's mother's day present was scrap lessons (so I could get her scrapping again)
We both got 4 layouts done!! whoo hoo! This is my favorite. I used the June kit from zingBOOM and added the letters and the lace. The cherries stamp is by Heather Burch

I seriously love BIG sunglasses. I have had so may pairs (cuz Im always breaking them or losing them)Big sunglasses also hide wrinkles.

This layout is of my brother. I love how he is always taking cool photos. He is an amazing photographer and graphic artist. He also makes films. I make out getting to use his pictures to scrap! I took this photo of him shooting pics at a birthday party. He rocks.

The Garden Fair

I love to plant things and watch the grow. This is probably where it started, but it really bloomed with the vegetable garden I helped my mom with when I was 10 (just a few years later than this) I loved going out and checking the progress. I used to eat green beans right off the vine. I so wish I had a yard to grow a garden. I so have several plants in my apartment, but its just not the same as eating what you grew. Maybe I'll start an herb garden in a bucket on my balcony.

I made this littlke layout about the garden fair in elementary school. I need to ask my mom the exact year (tis why its missing) I used the June Poppy Ink kit and the nest rubber stamp is also poppy ink.

Busy weekend!

This weekend there is a big festival/car show in my town. It makes my life extra crazy when you live downtown. Its gonna be super fun getting my card out of the parking lot to go to my sister's graduation party. It's worth it though. In the evening there is a Beatles tribute band and fireworks. I never get to go out and appreciate the festivities. I always have to work.

Speaking of work... we are supposed to re-open a month from today. Im so excited about having the money! I miss my disposible income but Im thanking God that I had a savings.

The July kit from More than Scrapbooking went up yesterday. I made 3 cards for the kit this month.

The kit is such a cool mix of crate papers, scenic route chipboards and 7 gypsies embellies. I so cant wait to use this kit to do a layout about my nephew. This kit just screams little boys to me.

Prizes Prizes Prizes

I got the big box today from the owners to Scrappy Arts for winning their Amazing Race contest. The picture above is just my stuff and its all packaged up. It would take me forever to lay it all out there is so much stuff

I just got it all split up between me and Jen. Alot of it was easy because most of the lines came with 2 of each pp. Here's what we got.

We each got a Tinkering Ink Westminister kit. (12 pieces of paper, 2 alphas, diecuts, 2 finery)

We each got all the new Rusty Pickle Mayflower AND island summer papers. We split all the ribbons and embellies in half.

We each got this cool island summer mini book kit with gigantic chipboard circles, felt, transparencies, and all kinds of embellies.

We split 2 gigantic kits from Reminesce, Great Outdoors and Sports chick. We also got several smaller kits with fun themed papers and embellies.. I split them up and made up each one big kit.

I am so excited.... I never won a big contest with prizes like this!
Here is a picture of BOTH of our kits together after I split it all up

challenge time!

I havent done any challenges in awhile so I figured Id try to get back into it. I combined 2 challenges today to get this funky layout of me as a wee little girlie. I actually started this layout last night for the HMITM challenge. I was using a different picture. I just couldnt get it to work. So today after reading Twisted originals... I switched to a different picture and moved my picture far to the left. I love this picture of me and my big bird. I cant remember if it was my aunt or her friend that painted that. I'll have to ask my mom. It was really cool.

Truely Truely Outrageous

I was over at my mom's on Monday when I decided to go thru her picture boxes. I found the coolest pics! I cant wait to scrap my childhood. This picture just cracked me up. I so loved Jem as a kid. She was the total rocker chick, pink hair and a microphone. I even had Jem dolls that would rock out when the cartoon came on.

Unfortunately I had no sisters (at this time... my sisters came later) so I had to make holograms out of my little brothers. They didnt seem to mind too much. They got to be rockers.

The cool thing is... with the wonders of google and YouTube I can relieve the Jem days even now. Check her out! No one else is the same.