I think this lil witchis just adorable. I had fun with her and the layout for this. I’m all about the layers, without overkill. Im not a very complex person . Clean and SIMPLE 😀 I can’t escape the traditional and expected “Halloween” colors. I have no idea WHY, I just can’t.

I colored her with my Copic markers, then made a moon in the back using the reverse masking technique.

The pumpkin is from the spooked set. I love the Happy Halloween sentiment done in the corner in white craft ink-looks like a web!

Then onto the bats! They are just a punch from Martha Stewart. I think its a really cute one.

Im honestly not a huge Halloween person. While I do have a cute collection of images 😀 I don’ have a ton of Halloween STUFF. If you haven’t noticed this is the ONLY Halloween themed paper I have used this entire season!! (By Imaginesce) Since I don’t really celebrate it (aside from school stuff for the kids) I don’t stock up on this particular holiday with stuff. I KNOW! Can you imagine?!

I do create things, and let the kids do things for school, but we don’t go trick or treating or anything like that. Its part of how I was brought up, not celebrating that holiday.

Many people asked if I felt deprived as a kid, honestly no. I did get to celebrate a few Halloweens as a kid, then it stopped when I was about 6 or 7. My last costume was Strawberry Shortcake! Remember the plastic masks? Then the plastic outfits. Good grief!I always remember FREEZING every year! LOL!

I was a cat, a bumble bee, and Smurfette. I can’t remember any other costumes, so maybe that was it.

Anyway we always went and did something else that was fun. We’d go out to eat (usually Chinese food) and get ice cream sundaes. My mom would buy a couple bags of candy the day after, so no big deal. I think my mom worried we’d be scared for life with that decision, but it really was fine.

I have no idea how I even got into that subject! LOL! Oh well, there is a little info you most likely didn’t know about me, but now do.

On another note: I see you all have RAVAGED the Martha isle at Michaels for the test tubes! I KNEW I should have stocked up. 

Those who have emailed me re: the Disney Princess set-I haven’t seen them since I posted. I must have locals here who read my blog, and promptly ran out for the good find 😀

Well I’m off and running. Lots to do. I found NOTHING good for Alexa’s birthday :C Maybe try Toys R’Us. Not like she NEEDS anything!

Noah has a doctors appointment. I think he needs an ear cleaning. He doesn’t seem to be hearing well, and clears his throat a lot. Maybe its allergies. He does it so much. Yesterday he said doing that helps him hear! OK that can’t be good. So off to the doctors we go. Plus its dance class, and open house tonight. Busy times.

Alrighty. I hope you all have a great day.

I would LOVE to hear of some of your Halloween costumes as a kid! Or maybe a memory if you have one you feel like typing out.

I have MUCH more to share, just tight on time.

Stay tuned.

I LOVE Target! I mean REALLY love. So much so, that it has me creating “target” inspired cards! Seriously! I was just there yesterday, and was just NEEDING to bring a little bit of Target home to my crafting. By “little bit” I mean the kind that is FREE. That is my husbands favorite too.

Im not a RED person, but I love the red & white combo. Target has great decorations! LOL! They always get me thinking 😀

After a stroll though the store this card popped into my head!

It was inspired by some underwear with red/pink polka dots! See inspiration really is everywhere 😀

Little Thankful

Love the white and Pure Poppy!

I used Pine’s set-Rustic Branches for this creation. The little dots, are the circle of dots in the set, stamped then restamped randomly without reinking. Made a really cool patterned paper,  I think!

I then took the solid branch and did the same thing- stamped, then re-stamped, without re-inking. Gave me a nice dimensional branch. I put the little bird from Birds of a Feather on the branch. Its my favorite bird in the set. Its just SO cute! I am in LOVE with PTI’s satin ribbons. They are just yummy. I actually need to refill each color I have since I’m getting low. I wish I just had a magical spool that kept refilling itself. I hate running out of ANY supply. This one is the Pure Poppy Red satin ribbon. I also used Perfect Match Pure Poppy red ink, and cardstock.

Then that is it!

It would be perfect for anyone.

Best part-this card took me a whopping LESS than, a TV commercial break, to do. I know-crazy right? But sometimes simple can make us feel so good! Plus I did have an idea already sketched out. But that should inspire you to SKETCH before you stamp. Makes things go quickly. The more you get accomplished, the more the mojo flows, then the better you feel. Before you know it you are on SUCH a mojo kick that you need to order out for pizza because you are past dinner time. Trust me, the kids won’t care 😀

Well I’m off and running. I have Alexa’s birthday shopping to do. Its such a tough part of the celebration. Whoa is me.NOT! I could be a professional shopper, as an occupation,I swear.

Later!

Box-ket of Friendship

A tisket, a tasket, tubes in a box-ket.

A what?!

A Box-ket.

Get it? Its like a bakset, but its really a box! OK so maybe not a box, maybe call it a Tube-et, since it holds tubes! LOL! I have to say I am over the moon for this set! TOTALLY!!

Isn’t it cute? Think of how this could be revised! Lots of cool ideas are FLOWIN through my head 😀 you have NO IDEA!!

Anyway, this is a small contribution of MANY, for a good cause. My dear friend Cammie contacted me to ask if I would like to help her for a cause dear to her heart. Check out her vision HERE

Of course I said YES! I am all about paying it forward 😀 So many people (I’m talking about ALL of you out there :D) have blessed my life in many different ways, so I like to do what I can to help others out too. If it involves stamping then that is a double bonus!

I designed this special holder just for the occasion! I used some PRETTY paper from American Crafts to  begin my inspiration. The Poppy Red cardstock was a nice contrast. I thought that Beautiful Blooms was a PERFECT match!! I then paired it with a sentiment from another BIG favorite of mine-Floral Frenzy. The Flowers #1 cuttlebug die is a perfect match to popping out the flowers! I LOVE that aspect of the set.

You may be wondering WHAT THE HECK is IN the tubes!

That is a yummy snack mix by Archer Farms. It is Cashews, Cranberries and Almonds. I thought it matched the colors, was a “healthy” choice, and easily toss-able if someone didn’t like it. Chocolate could melt-YUCK!  It also wasn’t going to be messy to ship to Cammie, if it opens- no big mess!! Unlike a bath lotion set-EEK!!!

So I used the tube from Martha Stewart. I buy the 8pk for $8 (although I got all these ON SALE for like $5 for 8!). They are SOOOOO fun to fill. I used some cool paper ribbon to tie at the tops, then shredded and curled them. A nice simple touch. The best thing is the little gift set is totally regiftable after you eat the contents, and wash the tubes out-replace with another YUMMY and pass it on!

SO my small contribution of this Box-Ket, mixed with many other contributions from others, becomes not so small after-all.

So, I say do what YOU can to pay it forward. Maybe a kind email or comment, maybe actually amil a card (note to self-MAIL SOMETHING!), maybe a nice gesture to make someones day……………..whatever you WANT to do. It shouldn’t feel like an obligation, but something that gives you warm fuzzies inside 😀 It really is the best gift. I know I have a few things I hope to get done to pay it forward this week 😀

OK so go check Cammies blog for details to enter! I know I am entering! LOL! THAT would be so cool to win 😀

Later!

This is the 2nd post for today! Don’t miss the Saturday Sketch below!!

Well it has been MONTHS since I have been able to participate in the monthly Dirty  Challenge! I could not pass this one by.

Here are the details (and feel free to play along too!):

Challenge Focus: Create a NO LAYER card any size, any color. Your card base is it – no additional layers of cardstock or designer paper at all.

Required Element: Masking – use masking or reverse masking in some way to create your design

Restricted Element: No use of the color pink (any shade) – I can’t believe I just typed that – it might kill me.

Keyword: DCNL908

So here is what I came up with

Cultivated just for you!

I love that little sentiment. Its like a punny way to say “Hey look! I amde this!!”  I adore Garden of Life. It is one of my faves, and SO underused. Pair it with another HUGE fave-Borders & Corners Circles and I am in heaven!

This is Papetrey Ink white cardstock (of course!) with black pallette ink,  lemon tart (using a dirty sponge dauber, and tempting turquoise ink, since the set is a 2 step stamp 😀 I had to add the bling 😀

I LOVE circles, and thought that masking for this would be great for the challenge, and I think I was right.

I just punched a circle from some sticky paper, and stamped the flower in black. I then stamped the solid flower to layer in the outline. I then sponged in the open part of the circle! This is a super card for a quickie! This took LESS than 3 minutes! I kid you not!

So give it a try!

Make sure you check out the other girls challenge cards by searching the keyword above!

Thanks for checkin in.

Happy Saturday!! My favorite day of the week by far.

I hope you have some stamping time planned this week. As you know it is Sketch Time! I am really happy with this weeks challenge! I know I had a blast with it.

Sorry for my “sketch”. Im not good at making a scallop border-yet! YIKES!

Again the sketch is to get you STAMPING! Go with whatever inspires you-OK!

Keyword mytimess06-send us a link here if you decide to give it a try so we can all see your take on the challenge! It is definitely fun for me to see what people do with it.

Now I will share my take on it.

I LOVE using circles-LOVE! No idea why, but they are my favorite things to add to a card. So this was a fun sketch for me personally 😀

Pretty Poppies-POP!

I decided to make my entire card a scallop. Im loving Vintage Cream, Kraft,  spring moss, and dark chocolate-YUM!! I chose those colors with the inks to match for this creation. I used Lisa’s set Remember. I just love the open, and solid images paired together. I can’t NOT use them.

I saw this circle layer as a window, not an “layer”. I want you to use it in a way YOU see it though. Doesn’t have to be like mine OK!

For this card I stamped my flowers on the cream base first. Mounted that layer onto a scallop square  card base in Kraft cardstock. I then cut my spring moss square, and layered it onto the chocolate. Took my circle nestablity, and die cut the center. Layered it over my card base with dimensionals, and I then had a nice “window” effect 😀

You know I LOVE my Martha Stewart butterfly punch, so I HAD to use that too, making a vellumbutterfly:D Just perfect isn’t it? I love dimension. For more interest I added a tasb tag, and tied on some satin chocolate ribbon.

This inside is left blank, until I know what I need it for. This looks like a great ANY occasion card, so its nice to keep those around for when you need a quick card, but have no time.

Granted I SAY this, but I never do it! I always have to MAKE a new one. Its a weird hang up I have. At least I use my stamps though right?!

Well Enjoy the sketch! I cannot even wait to see what you do! In the meantime, check out my Sketch Team’s take on the sketch! Oh and show some love 😀 They work hard every weekend to get their version done for you for more inspiring ideas 😀

I have more to share tomorrow-so see you then!

Christine from All That Scraps posted THIS info here 

My daughter Savannah brought a note home from school today. Her teacher from last year was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Her teacher this year will be walking in the Chattanooga Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure on September 28th. Her team needs to raise money for this worthy cause.

We at All That Scraps want to give to this worthy cause, as I am sure you do to. We are going to donate 5% of all orders placed today (9/18) and tomorrow (9/19). All items count towards the 5%.

Shop at www.allthatscraps.com

Then Kim has posted some other info here called Cammi’s Cause. Be sure to read it.

Info from Kim’s blog:

Cammie is having a HUGE blog candy extravaganza in honor of National Alzheimer’s Day on Sept 21st. Be sure to check it out!

I thought I’d like to help raise some funds as well in support of the cause, so what I’ve decided to do is two-fold: 1) Starting tomorrow, I am offering a 10% discount on ALL stamps on the site. Use the coupon code Cammie at checkout to receive 10% off all the stamps in your shopping cart. (It won’t discount your other merchandise, just stamps.) The coupon code will run from Wednesday, Sept 17th to Sunday, Sept 21st. 2) I will donate 10% of ALL proceeds (including money spent on other items on the site) to the National Alzheimer’s Association. FYI – The discount applies only to retail orders…

I would also invite you to listen to a song that I have played hundreds of times since my Dad passed, and even though it’s written from a female perspective, it really gets to the heart of what loving someone with a memory condition means.  It’s called Silent House and there are two artists versions, one by Crowded House and one by Dixie Chicks, both are wonderful and I wholeheartedly encourage you to take a listen.  

To shop- www.mftstamps.com

————————————————————————–

I also have somethng that I am contributing to Cammie’s blog candy. I JUST mailed it out though. I’ll share it this week.

Thanks for checkin in.

OK so this post is SUPER late :C

I forgot about a FUN read! People loved this post last year. I figure I have many new reader’s whom may not have seen it. People always ask how I seem to “do it all”, well here are some fun tips 😀 Enjoy! I even put it in it’s own category on my sidebar, for easy future reference!

I am having some issues with my blog font, size and everything. I have NO IDEA what is going on! GRR!!!

Upon trying to figure stuff out I found the way to change the color! Don’t worry every post won’t be pink now, although it IS tempting me 😀

I am happy to say I am feeling 100% better, and things are going great. I am back in HAPPY mode. Positive mode. No more whining. OK well ONE more bit of whining. I am a bit worried about the girls parties-tomorrow is the last day for RSVP’s for Alexa and I only have 3 people so far :C How does this RSVP thing happen every year?! Seriously people never respond!

Then, poor Amber, I have 3 girls definitely NOT coming due to soccer games, and only like 2 coming so far. I know I would rather go to a fun Spa party than a soccer game ANY day! Its only ONE game! Jay says that is not a “team” attitude. Oh well! LOL! Im not a sports person anyway! LOL! I guess its just hard putting so much into a party to have people not pick up a phone. My point-if you get invited to a party please don’t wait till last minute to RSVP!

We have a full weekend planned and it should be so much fun. We are suppose to go to Canobie Lake Park tomorrow, but its suppose to be like 60 degrees! I am not going on a bunch of rides that are windy when its FREEZING out! Let’s hope it warms up a bit. Its jay’s company party so I don’t want to be a downer, but I don’t want us all FREEZING either. THAT is not fun. Plus the kids get the cold weather continuous runny nose-blech!

I made Jay turn the heat up today to 70. The house was freezing this morning. Fall is here. He didn’t want to turn on the heat but I assured him is he wanted to have a “nice” weekend, he would be smart, and turn on the heat, otherwise HE would be the one freezing (wink! LOL!). So he promptly cranked it up and I am nice and toasty warm now 😀

OK onto business today!

 Daisy had her birthday on Tuesday September 16th!

I had to make her a card! I used an image from Stamping Bella called Butch & Mimi. I think Mimi is Daisy in cartoon version 😀 I chose what I thought was some fun colors that suit Daisy and her personality (yes dogs DO have personalities!). I decided Daisy needed a balloon, so I punched a circle, then stamped a paw image from the Dog Plate #1 set

I can’t believe she is one! Many have been asking for updates and photos, so I hope today gives you a

little chuckle. The photos I have to share were taken ON her birthday. She was definitely up for some

mischief!

First she ate Amber’s Spaghetti O’s & meatballs off the table-you will see her nice red face? There is no hiding that Daisy!!

 Then she was a little quiet. Just like a child, that is NOT a good thing!

I go to find her, and she in the mud porch, chewing SOMETHING………….

Oh yes, of course! Its my bench!

She hops right up, and gives me this look like…………

Seriously!! How can something THIS cute, be THAT naughty!! She is such a chewer! Gosh! Nothing is safe.

Its hard to get mad at her though.

Then she begins gnawing on my doorway! Yes, right in front of me! I reprimand her, and she just looks up at me like this

Man! If she were a kid she’d be in big trouble! LOL! She is my fur-baby, and has me just wrapped around her naughty little paw!

Well that is it for me today. I also have a birthday party to go to this weekend, so I hope to get what I need done for that. Don’t forget tomorrow is the Saturday Sketch! I hope you get to check back in and play along 😀 Its another fun one.

Later!

This is post #2 for today-so scroll down! 

Its been TOO long!!

WOW! I have several samples using Lizzie Anne’s last release. I have USED my sets, but most have been in classes at The Paper Tree. Then the samples I DO have are Christmas, and until now I felt odd posting them just yet, as I created these in AUGUST!!! I have been making more samples, than I have time to upload :C Well I guess that really isn’t a bad thing! At least not for you 😀 I decided to share  my latest creations into one post. The cool thing about that I feel is you get a true feel for the different looks one set can have. OK so maybe I didn’t get to diverse in my scene choices, but I had FUN, and thats all that matters!

When I saw this set Holiday Lane by Lizzie Anne I about fell over. I love the winter houses and little pieces that also come in the set. LOVE!! They are the perfect cute-let size. A word I like to use when something is small but perfect-not too big, not too small=cute-let.

I have a super duper sample using all of the house images, but that will be shared for World Card Making Day on the Paper Crafts website for Lizzie Anne Designs. Not sure why it isn’t up already…………hmmm.

Well anyway, for now let’s look at the 3 I can share.

You know I LOVE my bling…………..

From our home to yours-

I adore that sentiment.

I LOVE this card. I bought some tacky paper a while ago, and took the opportunity to USE it! Gotta love hogging things, forgetting you have them, then finding them when you re-organize! Its like shopping all over again.

I just peeled off the backing, and dusted on my glitter, and adhered it to my card base. The paper itself is like a huge label. I then took my white layer, and punched my snowflakes into it, then layered it with dimensionals.

My colors were inspired by my patterned paper. The Frog Prince collection  by Piggytales. I colored my scene I created, then sponged the bkgd. I took my singlo white gel pen to make snowflakes 😀 I then added more glitter for the snow 😀 I looked like I was a big glittery ornament myself when I was done making this card. My husband was like “Where are you going with all that glitter all over yourself?!”. I told him, back to cardmaking!

Then I moved onto this card

No place like home

More or the same elements. Inspired by my paper! I love the Christmas feel this has to it, as oppose to a WINTER one like the above. Another fabulous sentiment 😀 The snowflakes are just YUMMY!! I got them at the stamp store, and the silver ones are actually suppose to be talbe confetti I got on SALE at yes, you guessed it-TARGET! I swear I should get some sort of commission from them! LOL! At least something saying Thanks for spending so much time & money in our store! We value you! Here is a coupon! LOL!

Then I went SUPER simple-for those who want to maybe mass produce their cards using this set, and it is my favorite!

Isn’t it sweet?

I think its just so cute and perfect. Like a little winter scene. Nothing overly fancy or over the top exciting, but just simply adorable. I always lean towards cards like this if I see them in the store, so I love when I execute that type of design. I would totally BUY these as my family Holiday card!

You get the drift.

Well I need to run. I have lots of super things to share as the days go on, so keep checkin back in.

Magnolia Much appreciated

Again a little thank you for the thoughts, prayers , and well wishes. I decided today would be a good time for a cheery card. To me this card is cheery. I don’t like being such a “downer” for so long, and I have many things to be thankful for so I’m going with happy thoughts today. Don’t get me wrong I do feel like a bus ran over me, twice, and I am getting sick :C Gotta love what stress will do to the body eh?!

How awesome are these colors?! This card just pops. I wanted her clean and simple, and I definitely think I achieved that. I want to say these papers are by Chatterbox. One of my favorite lines. I bought them a few months ago. I think this card is a bright fall card. I really like the colors together, and they make a great combo for this card. I just LOVE patterned paper. Its a great item for inspiration. Especially when you are in a RUT!

The leaves are already changing and falling here in NH. One thing about our trip up North to Dartmouth was the beautiful foliage.

I colored the image with my Copic’s. I get LOTS of emails asking what I use most and recommend, but that is SO hard! I just color and go. I never pay close attention, and feel colors “I” like, “you” may not.

Here is some info on the main image:

She is from Magnolia Stamps and I get all mine from here:

 People can contact Diana at [email protected]. She will send you a catalog persay of all the
images we have. They copy and paste into a new document what stamps they
would like and send this to her. I then call them and we complete their
order.  THe stamps are mailed from Blaine, WA for US customers and Surrey, Canada for
Canadian Customers. The prices are at par.

Well that is it today. I know Im not chatty. Still tired, still waiting, and as always a list of to-do’s.

I’ll be back with another post to share!

Thanks so much for all the thoughts and prayers. They truly mean so much to me. You have no idea.

Its been an insanely draining few days for me here. My other posts were pre-posted, and I have just been a big mess. Functioning and trying to get my mind off things but still not good. Trying to maintain normal till I thought my world may fall apart AGAIN.

Alexa has had some major things going on, all of it I can’t and won’t get into, but some including a lot of random falling, arm pain, headaches and as I said few other major problems. Some of the things that lead to her cancer diagnosis. some unrelated. ALL very scary prospects. We are still waiting on some tests, one being that she does have an infection-not sure what kind yet since it hasn’t fully grown, the others prove positively NO CANCER. THANK GOD!! I don’t know that I can bare that again. I know too many people who have had to, and are, and I’m not sure how they do it. I guess like we did the first time. One step at a time. The worst is knowing what tomorrow brings. The first time (like labor) you have no idea what will come, but already going through it YOU KNOW. I almost lost Alexa a few times. The loss of a child has to be the worst thing a parent can go through. I cannot even fathom the idea. While its crossed my mind, I can’t go deep into thought. That being said, none of us have a guarantee. I know this. When you have something earth shattering happen, and you come so close to losing, the fears and thoughts and REALITY are magnified. Its unexplainable.

Anyway………..thats getting too morbid. Im just an emotional mess, and poor Jay has had no idea what to say or do.

There were some medicine issues that caused some of her symptoms so that was an easy fix. That caused headaches, possibly the falling and a few other things. Once we figured that out it was good. Not knowing it was a med, and having the other symptoms she did was very scary.

Anyway, I think and hope we are in the clear for most of my concern. Obviously we have this infection to figure out, but I am just thankful that the worst of the fears had been laid to rest.

I am emotionally drained and haven’t slept in a couple of days. Now I need to crash! LOL!

I do have some really great stuff to share, but am choosing to wait till tomorrow so I can write up a happy post, and not an exhausted, half hearted attempt at sharing. If I can’t put in 100% I won’t do anything!

I really want to thank you all for the emails as well. I do read everything and will respond soon. I just need to take time with my family today.

I talked extensively to Alexa’s physician (her oncologist) who I so love, trust, and respect. She was my therapist today, as was the entire staff. They reassured me of some of the things I was stressed about and that helped. This gripping fear of cancer coming back is never going to leave. I can’t even stand the things that go through my mind when something goes wrong with Alexa. She is a very complicated child, let me tell you. She keeps me hopping.

I know God won’t gives us what we can’t handle, but sometimes I wish he didn’t have so much faith in me! LOL! I’m really not that strong.

Again while I cant get into all of it, just know you all here have provided us with so much love and support and that is priceless to me, as are my family and friends who are there for us as well. We felt very covered in prayers, and love!

Thank you again for “listening”. Typing this stuff out (and people actually reading it! LOL!) really does help. Heck even if no one read it, it still helps. Sometimes I am too drained to even “talk” about it, but typing just lets it flow.

Till tomorrow-