Warning: I’m very “chatty” this morning. Not sure why, maybe it’s the coffee :D 

Hope you are all enjoying the weekend. I’d love to hear what everyone has planned for the week. I like knowing I’m not the only one running like a chicken with her head cut off!!

Alexa returns to school tomorrow. I’m a bit terrified, but I can’t keep her home all winter. The rest of us haven’t gotten sick so that is promising.

Noah has his 3rd birthday party to attend this weekend. I will share the cards I made for those tomorrow. I need to brush up on my BOY themed skills! I’m always ALL GIRL.

Today we are going to get some pumpkins and stuff from our local farm, as I wonder HOW I can clone myself to be in THREE places at once on Friday at the children’s Harvest Parade! Each of my children has a party, and the older 2 participate in a town wide parade, while Amber is at the school in her first parade, that takes place THERE at the SAME time! I’m so torn!!!! I’m actually going to tell the afternoon K teacher about the time conflict and see if she can maybe begin the K parade a tiny bit earlier! I’m sure I’m not the only parent with a child in K and older ones in the school. Doesn’t hurt to ASK. If it can’t be changed I’ll go to Amber’s parade first, then FLY downtown and PRAY I make it to the END of the parade for the older two. Still have no idea HOW I’ll be at three parties. Each child is expecting me to be there. CRAZY!

Jay just got a Snowmobile, which he has to pick up today, as a late birthday gift from me :D, and it appears it is from the husband of one of my local area stampers name Monika!! Small world.

Amber also has her “induction” into Daisies. A younger form of Girl Scouts. That should be cute. She is very excited about it. She made me pick out a “fancy dress” and everything! LOL! I fear she may over-do it, so I’m trying to find something middle of the road. She actually wanted to wear her Sleeping Beauty gown! LOL! I had to say NO! on that for sure.

 Tuesday we are getting our family photos done. We are giving the Target Photo Studio a shot! Cross your fingers!

 I use to be SO good about getting regular professional photos done. Alexa, as a baby had photos every three months!! With Noah we went regularly too. Then poor Amber….getting THREE kids to the photo place and have them ALL look good proved to be too exhausting for me! So things tapered off.  Once Alexa got sick, I got busy, and before you know it, its been 2 years since we have been! THAT is terrible!! I got hardly no photos the first year Alexa was sick. I couldn’t stand reliving that time, and seeing her look the way she did. I’m not sure if I regret that or not. I don’t think I do. I just see there is over a year with LITTLE photos of my kids, and Amber was so young, so I feel like I missed a year of her life. I wanted that time to be put behind us with little “documentation” to relive that difficult time. Having photos of the other 2 shouldn’t have gotten away from us, but it did.

So all that being said, I do take a LOT of photos on my own, so that is good. We are due for a group photo. I hope everyone looks good at the same time! Seems like the more people in ONE photo, the bigger the chance someone isn’t going to look good when everyone else does! LOL! Alexa is shy and is so beyond the camera person waving a stuffed toy in her face to make her smile! She is 10, not 2. So if she won’t look at them or smile it cold be a LONG shoot. I really hope she participates without too much fuss. Noah is in the CHEESY smile phase. Oh and my dark hair! I’m still not use to it, and I’m not sure how I feel about long distance relatives getting a peek at it yet! LOL!

Last but not least, this morning I have been packing Etsy orders from my shop, to go out tomorrow morning! So if you ordered something, it is going postal then!

 I also have some SEWING projects I want to take on once I get my sewing machine back from Jay’s mom. The holiday’s are coming and everything I give will be HOME MADE! (in some way) They are simple projects, like my felt stocking and what not. I like QUICK sewing projects! Nothing too involved.

With the home-made theme going, here is a card I put in my Etsy shop, but had yet to post on my blog….

Home-made with love

When I saw this image from Stampavie called  Home Sweet Home by Helz Cuppleditch I just loved it! I LOVE hearts, and images that contain hearts, so this was SO me! I loved the heart topiary too. Just so cute.

I have issue’s deciding what COLOR I make any house image I create. I usually go with some sort of yellow! LOL!

I had fun coloring this, and while you cannot SEE it, there are stickles on the grass and topiary. Really nice sparkle. I added the same stickles to the flowers I created, along the bottom.

Since this is suppose to be like ‘From our house with love” I added the little rounded tab on the left side. The sentiment is only part of the image from Recipe Borders & Centers Set 1-3/16″  which actually reads “homemade with love”. I didn’t need the entire circle so I only used the 1/2 I wanted. I do that often with these images, and find it helps me maximize their use! I think we should all look at things that way.

Well I have much to do, so I better get running. I’ll be back tomorrow with my BOY cards

Till then

Boy am I wiped. Who would think that sitting at a computer could be exhausting? 

I just spent the entire morning FINALLY updating my Etsy Shop!  Many of you asked if I could do that, since some of you are looking for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holiday gifts! So I did that. I put 4 new pages worth of stuff, so be sure to scroll on through! I didn’t realize HOW MUCH I actually make! I still have SO much more to post, but need a break. So maybe in a few days, I’ll get to some of the older stuff.

When I opened up my Etsy Shop I meant to update it ANY time I posted here, but I have had a lot of “behind the scenes” stuff going on here and didn’t get to it as often as I wanted to, so I apologize! If you ever see anything here you want, and it isn’t listed, let me know and I can list it for you.

 All the being said here is one of the NEW! Items up in my shop 

Here comes Santa Claus

You can find it HERE

I used my NEWEST template Around Town Tote for this gift bag. Perfect for the holidays! This template s just the best for making a great size gift holder, fast and EASY.

I had some gorgeous patterned paper by K& Co. that I used to cover the front. Of course I went with the traditional holiday color scheme.

I fell in LOVE with this Noel Santa image from Stampavieby Sarah Kay. Her images generally scare me to DEATH, due to their vintagey feel and detail, but I am actually stepping out and using them more, and as I have success I begin to feel more comfortable with them.

I colored and cut him out, then put him into a sleigh that I created using my Cricut Expression Winder Woodland Cartridge! I have to say I’m in LOVE with my Cricut! Don’t know what I did without it. If you thought about getting one and have put it off……….add it to your Christmas WISHLIST!! Now keep in mind I’m in love and I don’t SCRAPBOOK! I can only image how much more I would use it if I did. It’s really fun.

 I also made my poinsettia with the cartridge as well. Too fun. I think it really adds to the detail too. I have to admit I’m not overly impressed with too many of the cartridges they have available :C I am loving the ability to use the Sure Cuts Alot 2.0 (<—this is the best price I have ever found) to download stuff from the web. Granted I haven’t had time to even do much of that, but knowing I can makes me happy.

Now for my tag detail I found this sentiment from Christmas Joy Borders & Centers Oval 1-3/4” x 2-5/16”.

I stamped it in versamark, then gold embossed it.

It added a really nice touch to the bag, and tied in with my Magic of Santa theme. Afterall for kids, Santa is magical!

My ribbon is a gold trimmed wired ribbon I got in the holiday section of Michael’s.

This was really just one of those projects where everything easily fell together.

This is definitely the type of bag that WON’T get tossed out after the gift has been opened! It will be passed along for many holidays to come.

 I’m excited that soon this will get a new home.

I hope you are getting into the spirit of the holiday season. Is it too early to say that? Sadly I’ve been doing Christmas stuff since AUGUST and the holidays aren’t even here, and I’m already SOOOOOOO OVER IT! LOL! I’m sure once its time to put up our tree I will get back in the spirit Don’t worry if you are just getting into it, I still have a bajillion holiday themed items to share as the days push on.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until tomorrow….

I have NO IDEA how Melissa at Pink Cat Studio is keeping up, but she is literally WHIPPING out some FAB Digi Designs! She is making me wish for even MORE crafting time in my day

Today she is releasing THREE. So check them out —->HERE! Ther e is also a contest! Check the –>BLOG

I did get 2 of the 3 images made into a sample for you. Nothing fancy, as my time was slipping away. Been a busy week. (I know I always say that, but it is so true!) I got these late since I had a hour to squeeze something out of

I think seeing things can be quick and simple is nice sometimes too. Knowing you don’t need hours to be creative. Actually there isn’t too much I create that takes a long time. Unless it is the actual template design. Some of those can REALLY be consuming. We have one coming out this month that was my absolute most difficult, ever! I won’t tease you with that now, let’s get to the Digi’s.

This one is Snowflake Fairy

Isn’t she adorable?! I used some stickles, and glittery ribbon from Michael’s Craft store (holiday section). I love purple as a wintery substitute for BLUE! She is just adorable. You cannot see that I spritzed the bkgd with a amethyst as well. Sorry for my photo. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dropped my photo lighting, and BROKEN the bulbs! They aren’t cheap so I’m so angry with myself.

Purple being my favorite color, is yet my LEAST used color in crafting! Isn’t that weird??? You’d think it would be #1. I have to say it isn’t the EASIEST color to work with either.

My favorite “color” for crafting are various shades of red/ pink, anything with brown, black, and blue’s are used often as well. Now for fave colors to wear, I’m a jeans and anything black or brown! LOL! I will say I have expanded to COLOR in my wardrobe as MUCH as possible the last few months. I especially love TEAL. Now sure why its my new fave, but I just want to buy any sweater/shirt in that color!! I also wear alot of shades of pink/red, like in my crafting.

How about you? Any crafting colors use go to OFTEN?

Not sure why I was so propelled to talk about this! LOL! Just came to me I guess. I think you should challenge yourself to use your LEAST used color/least fave, in a creation today.

Now I have my next card using Santa Owl

I call this one Hooty HO HO HO

I LOVE adding this Razzleberry to Poppy & New Leaf. Its the SU! New color (sorry I don’t recall the name of the pink :C I think its Razzleberry???)

This card is 5  X 6 1/2. I should add a sentiment! I kept the general card SIMPLE since I wanted to FOCUS to be on the UBER cute image. Again  you cannot see the fact that there is “snow” (aka cool gltter) on the ground and in the tree :C I’m so upset about my lighting.

Well I’m off to order MORE bulbs. This time I’m getting 6! They are so expensive! I can’t stand ordering more, but I obviously need them!!

Thanks for popping by!

I have to say you ALL know how to make a girl feel good

As for me taking a photo of the quadruple colors in my hair….ARE YOU KIDDING?! Do you think I wanted PHOTO documentation of that?! NO WAY!!!!!

I honestly didn’t expect to get anyone saying they liked the color! LOL! I figured you’d all say OH NO! What now! LOL!!! Its a very big adjustment, but ONE compliment for a WOMAN equal 100 from a man! Thank you all for such a warm response to my hair trauma story. Its been quite the adjustment for me. You all helped me feel better about it.

I’m getting the TRIPLE take from those I know. When people would say WOW! You totally changed your hair!”  I kept saying it was a dye job trauma, and I had no choice, then I quickly explained it to people!! Now I’m just smiling and saying “I needed a change”. So, thank you for letting my confidence build a bit. I guess no one needs to know WHAT really happened, if it looks OK now. You all definitely made me feel better about it.

A lot of people have been shocked that I didn’t BALL. Honestly, the MAIN reason I didn’t cry was because at least my hair didn’t break off, and I remember when Alexa lost her hair to Cancer. She had GORGEOUS, thick, dark hair, down to her waist. We cut it to her shoulders before it fell out, but it still came out it CHUNKS. THAT was one of the hardest things  for me to see. She would just sit on the couch and grab a handful, and look at me with tears in her eyes. Her expressive communication then was harder for her, but she was VERY upset about this. I just told her It is going to be OK. it will grow back. I’d say “You don’t need hair to be beautiful. ” So HOW could I cry after telling her all that?! I had my hair. Wasn’t my favorite color, but I wasn’t sick. I just made a crazy dye mistake. I had to repeat the same words I told her to myself. Granted I didn’t feel beautiful, but I didn’t have Cancer or anything like that.

 I kept wanting I change! LOL! Guess I got it.

Jay says he likes it, its just going to take time to get use to. He does like the style alot, despite the fact he about DIED when I cut my ahir. I told him this is exactly WHY we women get into hair RUTS! You men want us to look the same all the time!! When he came home after work yesterday he was still a little shocked when he saw me again! LOL! Its just SO different. For the 9 years he’s been with me, I’ve always had long blond hair. Granted in my early 20’s it was more healthy and curly.

My kids love it! LOL! Not sure WHY. Amber wants her hair “painted” too. Since THAT comment I have secretly HID all her paints! I know her too well.

 I LOVE the cut and style. In fact I did curl the ends yesterday and it looked REALLY nice I also have a “Cute” ponytail, and my hair is full of body. I haven’t had much “movement” to my hair in some time, so it feels REALLY good, and yes MODERN! For all that I’m really happy.

MANY people asked WHAT dye I used. I used Loreal. My PROBLEM most likely happened because I tried a different color, since last time I dyed it, it go TOO light on the bottom. I’m NOT blaming the company. I’m sure it was a number of issues, and like most problems USER ERROR!

So thank you again. I feel good about this NEW ME! LOL! Jay said as long as I don’t get a NEW man, he is fine with the NEW ME! LOL!

I’m off the the doctors with the kids today. Alexa will have her follow up to ensure she is recovering from her pneumonia. I’m happy to report (so far) Noah & Amber don’t seem to be sick, nor did they have any reaction to the H1N1 nasal spray, so THANK GOODNESS!!!

Now I promised some eye candy. Sorry I didn’t get to it yesterday! I worked on some eye candy for tomorrow’s post!

Without further delay…….

Don’t Peek!

I think I’m finally getting my card mojo back. It’s hard to go from one design mindset to another. When I’m on a roll designing NEW templates, or creating with the templates, it can be hard to switch to just a FLAT surface again! LOL!

Isn’t this lil guy so cute. Looks like he could be in big trouble too Not sure if he is wrapping or un-wrapping. Noah has 4 birthday parties over the next 2 weeks! So I needed to make some BOY cards. NO pink in this one This was Noah Approved! LOL!

When the girls have a party to attend I’m now off the hook, as they make their own cards Noah, well he is too busy playing with BOY stuff to care about crafting these days.

I got inspired by my patterned paper colors, and just colored away. I usually have my paper picked PRIOR to coloring my images. Makes life easier. When I just color first, it can be harder to complete a project when I try to match evrything up, after the fact.

The “Don’t Peek”sentiment comes from Tiny Words Borders & Centers Set 1-3/16″ . I just used markers to color each letter to match! So simple and CUTE!

This cut dog is named Ruffles: A Present for you! He is from Stampavie  the Helz Cuppleditch collection. I love her stuff.

The paper is a mini stack from Making Memories. I’ve had it forever, and use it often.

I think this came out pretty cute, and BOYISH. I know there is a BOW but go with the GIFT theme. I also made sure my bow matched the bow in my image. Its a little detail but I found it to be important.

Well once again, thanks for stopping by!! I’ll be back tomorrow with some NEW! Release images from PCS!

Until then

But it was time for a BIG change!!!!  This is me today. I took this just this morning.

Although this was NOT really what I had in mind

Prepare yourself for a story people!

I’m dying to hear what my mom thinks too! I know Im going to hear that I look JUST like her!

I don’t think ANYONE who knows me would recognize me!!! In fact taking the kids to school I got the TRIPLE take! Even the girl at Dunkin Donuts was in shock!

I have ALWAYS been Blond! Until I turned 13! My hair got darker, and I was so upset. My mom let me dye it from then on, so I have never really had dark hair.  Well, until now.

I’m not sure WHAT my issue has been lately, but I have been saying I need a change! I’ve still kept up with exercising and take care of myself, and I love getting new clothes, but that hasn’t been enough. I don’t want to look back on photos and see I look the SAME decade after decade!! The dreaded HAIR RUT!

 One day I just chopped off 8 inches of my hair. No reason. Just CHOP! I haven’t had short hair since I was 10! Its generally at LEAST a bit past mid back, or longer.

I have had a hard time with my naturally curly hair since my surgery. Its been half straight, half curly and just plain difficult! So I cut it, and have been straightening it these days. OK that is a bit different. Still not anything NEW.

 Well, I decided to TRY dying it myself Saturday. No big deal. Been there done that a million times. Something different happened THIS time.

I let it set for 20 minutes. Washed it out. I then took the towel off my head while Jay was in the kitchen cooking, and the LOOK on my husbands face was SCARY!!!!!!! You know men never notice ANYTHING. Well not usually. THIS he noticed. I looked at him puzzled, and said “What is the matter?” He said “Oh my word! Lauren have you SEEN your hair?” So I quickly RAN to the mirror. There I saw it! My hair was BLUE, WHITE and GRAY, you may even say some green!!!!!!!!! HOLY SMOKES!! (OK those weren’t my exact words, but lets just say it was a disaster!) I have NO idea what happened with the dye I used, but apparently my hair was NOT happy with it.

Jay kept saying OH! NO! That is REALLY bad Lauren. What are you going to do? You can’t leave the house! At least no without a HAT! Amber said “Mommy what did you do to your hair, its like a clown!” and she went on to giggle.

OH! CRAP!

I was FREAKIN out. There are no words to say how panicked I was. It was too late to go the a hairdresser. So I waited till Sunday morning and went to the ONLY place open, it was at the mall. I called ahead, and told them my “problem”. She said they could definitely fix it for me. So I put my Hoodie on, and off I went. THANKFULLY the hairstylist is RIGHT near the mall entrance door! So I think I went in virtually unnoticed. HOODIE ON!

 I walked in, where there was about 12 people in there. I took the hoodie off and gave her my name. Then everyone just STOPPED. They all looked at me in horror! Now THAT had me even more panicked! I said “Please tell me you have seen something like this before!” The girl at the counter said “Something like that, but not that bad. Oh boy! This is going to be a while” By now I’m about to CRY. Especially when MY hairdresser comes to me and her hair is an inch long and FLUORESCENT GREEN. I said “OK I don’t mean to be rude, or judgemental, but would you understand if I was about to freak, that the girl with the green hair was going to help me fix mine?” She laughed and said, Honestly I’m their best colorist, and I will get you all fixed up. Promise.

So trusting her with my hair, I got in the chair. I mean honestly could it get ANY worse? She said my hair had like 8 colors in it.

I guess the dye damaged my hair in the process (it was ONLY on 20 minutes!!) and they wanted to cut it up to my CHIN. Uh! NO!!! That can’t happen. So we cut it to just below my shoulders and did some layering. I have to say I LOVE the cut! It feels FABULOUS and is SO much easier to work with. I can curl the layers under and it just bounces. Feels good.

The process took 4 1/2 hours between “filling” , conditioning and redying like two or three times (I lost count).

The PROBLEM was they had to dye my hair as DARK as I would allow. They wanted to go alot darker, but I couldn’t do it. So now I have what I THINK you’d call chestnut kind of hair! I have to wait 4 weeks before we can highlight it. Its REALLY strange seeing myself in the mirror or anytime my hair falls within my view.

I wanted a change so I guess I got it! LOL! I am really happy with the cut for sure. The dark hair is going to take some time. I go back in 4 weeks, so I’ll keep you updated. I guess my advice would be DON’T dye your hair yourself!! Pay the $$ to have it done right the first time.

Could be worse. My hair could have broken off.

On a another note:

Alexa is doing very well. The Tamiflu and Zithromax have really helped. We definitely caught it just in time. I’m keeping her home this week, just to be safe for her, and for other people’s children.  She doesn’t have the best immune system so I don’t want to throw her back into the germ infested school before she recovers from what she already has.

I want to thank you ALL for the wonderful comments and prayers. They help us a lot.

I’ll have some eye candy tomorrow. I’ve just been OBVIOUSLY busy with my family and hair drama!

Thanks for stopping by

Today I have a card to share-posted after my rambling!

What an exhausting night we had. I was up almost 24 hours. It’s amazing when MOMMY ENERGY kicks in.

Yesterday Alexa left the house at 5pm to go to her biological father’s house. His wife picked her up, and they went to the Outback for dinner. Quickly after eatting Alexa got white as a ghost, and said she needed to lay down, and wanted a “bucket”. Basically she felt nauseous. Kim felt her head and she was burning up! So she took her to their house where she went STRAIGHT to bed. His wife called me at 9pm to tell me what was up. Me, knowing how quick Alexa goes from her usual self, to CRASHING said we needed to get her to our area hospital.

They wanted to just keep her there and let her sleep, but I can’t have my “baby” be sick and NOT with me. I would be a wreak, and I know her too well to know this is “nothing”.

 They live over a hour away-and honestly the hospitals in that area are HORRIBLE! I spent many years for HOURS in their ER waiting rooms with Alexa having a 104 fever as a BABY! Anyway, I NEEDED her with me, and in a place that knows her, and her history! She can LOOK “OK” but be REALLY sick. It’s really strange.

Anyway-we get to the ER, which was full :C I was a bit nervous we’d get stuck there for a while. I had brought Alexa a face mask too, so SHE wouldn’t pick up anything more than she had.

Her father got there before me, and began filling stuff out. I put in HUGE letters CANCER REMISSION. That is a huge RED FLAG that we shouldn’t be stuck in the ER any longer than necessary! THANKFULLY maybe 5 minutes later we were in the back. Alexa was as white as sheet. Overall though she didn’t look THAT bad. Again that is a weird thing with her.

Anyway, I have to say I had the most AMAZING group of people treating her. I can’t even count the number of ER visits and hospitalizations we have had in our 10 years, but these people-EVERY SINGLE ONE was so amazing. They were so nice, efficient and just genuinely caring. They treated Alexa so well too. To the point where I am actually going to write a letter on each and every person we had dealings with. To have such a amazing TEAM when your child is sick, means so much to me.

What I liked most was that they actually LISTENED to me and my take on her! Plus there is a LOT to take in. She has had a LOT go on in her 10 years, including showing up at an ER seemingly sick but not too bad, only to get progressively worse and sent by Ambulance to a larger hospital.

They thought she “sounded” OK in her lungs.  I told them that she can sound OK, but will often have a creeping pneumonia. Well we were sent right to xray! Low and behold, yes! We have pneumonia in BOTH lungs! The doctor was shocked but said “You know her best! You’ve been through a lot with her, so who am I to say otherwise, and you were right. I never would have said she had pneumonia, and by tomorrow we’d most likely be in BIG trouble.” It is NOT often you meet doctors who are willing to actually HEAR you, without a fight, or second guessing you. And I was right ! LOL! Sadly on top of that Alexa also has the Flu. Not good. Now she is on Tamiful and Zithromax. After not getting home till almost 5am, I had to bring her back to the doctors at 10am.

She already had her flu shot too, about 2-3 weeks ago.

We got Noah and Amber the H1N1, but obviously Alexa can’t get that, yet. She will also need her pneumovax.

Anyway, I’m just sharing. I’m a little freaked with the whole FLU dangers and whatnot, but am just trusting God will watch over her and the rest of our family. Its a bit scary.

On another note…..thought I’d share a recent card I made, that makes me happy! LOL! I need happy. I decided that I’m going to send this to the team at the hospital, that made my night nothing but pleasant, considering the circumstances!

A gift for you

I think this image is just beyond sweet.I am in LOVE with the Gillian Robertsline from Stampavie. Each one is adorable, but THIS one is my favorite, so far.  Maybe because it reminds me of something I bought recently. I  purchased a stuffed Dog (I bought like 5!) named Colby, from KAY Jewelers. (It inspired my entire design) Part of the proceeds ($7 to be exact) from EVERY sale benefit St. Jude Children’s Cancer Research!! So if there is a KAY near you, you can buy the SUPER cute Colby dog too, for a good cause! I have to say I was VERY disappointed to NOT see this promotion on their site, and the ONLY thing I could find to share, that showed you the dog and the promotion was THIS!

Doesn’t Colby look just like this bear? I know! Colby is a dog, but to me they look alike This image  is Bear & Robin. I colored him with my Copic markers. If you don’t own these yet…WHY?! I love my Copic’s. Use them EVERYDAY! LOVE. I honestly can’t even consider coloring with anything else. I totally feel they are worth every EXPENSIVE penny spent I also used the colorless blender to get my hat pattern. I added a pom pom, and made the hat cuff 3D as is the bird. You cannot see it but the “snow” on the ground is a really pretty glitter I got in the KIDS section at Michael’s! DON’T buy those LITTLE tubes of glitter in the stamp/scrapbook section of your craft store! They are overpriced! Go to check out the KID craft section FIRST, where you get a HUGE bottle, at about the same cost (sometimes cheaper) as a TINY bottle. I swear it’s the SAME stuff.

I also airbrushed my sky. Then I dotted my background with my Singlo white gel pen. I had this silver snowflake “table” confetti from Target last year, and it makes the BEST card accents!! I can’t recall who makes the paper :C Sorry.

Well that is all for me. Sorry I was quite long winded.YIKES! LOL!

Thanks for hanging in. In the meantime I hope you and your family are happy & healthy during this terrible season of germs!

Hi everyone!

I want to say thanks for all the beading tip, links and emails. I still have so many to sort though-but thank you too, in advance. I purchased the hearts for my keychains (in prev. post) at A.C. Moore. As for the beading stuff…..WOW! Am I ever OVERWHELMED! LOL!!! I’m sure Ill sort through everything and figure it out…..eventually! So much to know. I guess that is how most people feel when they start stamping. I don’t remember feeling that, but I have heard so many others say that when I’ve been at the craft store, or at a stamping event. Maybe I will take a class at my local bead store! I like learning new things.

I have been SOOOOOO busy my head is spinning. The stress FINALLY caught up with me and gave me a 2 day migraine. NICE. I decided that I can’t let stress rule my life, so I got off the couch and down to my stamp cave Once I got stamping my migraine suddenly vanished!! Maybe it was my long computers hours that were KILLING my brain! I actually came up with a FAB project-I’m in LOVE! But, I am saving it for my PTI newsletter I think you will agree its worth the wait.

On a side note MANY emails asked IF and WHEN I would update my Etsy Shop! Yes, I have stuff from here for like the last 3 months! I’ve just been busy and need to take a few days of REST! Plus I like to ship ASAP so I need to make sure I’m free to pack and ship in a timely manner. I have a lot going on here (behind the scenes) and its just been GO! GO! GO! I will let you all know when I actually get stuff listed.

Anyway……I needed to just play for the day, so I reached for my UBER cute Greeting Farm Girl-Miss Anya

I have had this set for longer than I care to admit. It was time to ink’er up

I LOVE this unusual color combo with this image. You see typically I would go all GIRLY with my colors, but I went with this combo instead. Again, I needed and change.

Spring Rain, Enchanted Evening, and Pure Poppy-with touches of Smokey Shadow. Very cool.

I created my sidewalk —> check out my “how to” video for that, and used an OLD A Muse candy shop image as a store. I KNOW the store is tiny, and my “idea” was to have it be in the distance…….but now it just looks like a tiny store! LOL! OH WELL! Win some, lose some! I still loved the card.

Its kind of Sailor Girl isn’t it?

I used the sentiment “Its all about style” from Birthday Wishes Borders & Centers Set 2-3/8″ ! I loved the sentiment and the font.

Now, get this-for my project the curve of the size it us suppose to be was too big……………so…………… I took the rounded image and put it in their smaller round block ,of course it didn’t REALLY fit the whole thing, so I just made sure the part I wanted was locked in, and inked up! Then stamped it. I then punched it out with my circle punch. Now I can’t recall what size it was!(  Sorry! I Told you-migraine!! )But I loved that it worked.

SO that is all for me tonight.

Thank you for stopping by

First met me start by reminding you that its the 15th!

 That means it is the LAST DAY to get the Sure Cuts Alot coupon being offered here:

I purchased Sure Cuts A Lot 2.o (since you all said I NEED it :D) and GUESS WHAT! Canda of Canda Craft (where I found the SCAL 2.0 for the CHEAPEST price around WOOT! WOOT!) not only has it on SALE! , but emailed me after I placed my order, to tell me that YOU, my PRECIOUS, much loved and HELPFUL readers will get an ADDITIONAL 10% off!

The code is: MYTIME10.

This offer will expire on 10/15/09.

The coupon will take 10% off of their entire purchase which will make SCAL even cheaper!

So seriously how cool is that? Those of you on the fence can now jump off!  I am loving my Cricut Expression and have used it on numerous items (soon to be seen :D) If you have considered getting it, this is the best time. Its not the type of product that goes on sale. SO why wait?

OK now onto the crafty stuff.

Today I’m over the moon to share my final release projects with you, using the NEWEST! My Timeless Templates: Cash or Charge Trio (available NOW! for instant download :D)

Now I told you before that the trio of “cash or gift card” holders can hold other items, and I have given you a couple of examples. Today I’m sharing another TRIO project, where I take all the same elements and use them in the 3 different projects.

What has me uber excited is the fact that I am sharing my VERY FIRST beading project! I am sure many of you make your own jewelry, or give it as gifts, so maybe these will spark your interest

FIRST let me say…….I have NEVER beaded before, AND I know I didn’t end up having ALL the correct supplies, but I’m still over the moon that my project came out so pretty for my FIRST ever try! Once I was actually in the process I realized I needed certain things. Me- being impatient, I just plugged along and made do!

Now, I don’t have a beading book, I just sort of went with it. I created 3 of the same style keychains. I thought they would be the best FIRST project-Again its NOT professional or perfect in ANY WAY, but I was proud of myself all the same

(this is yet another reason I said I was addicted to BLACK this month)

Made with love

Here is my first keychain, packaged in a velvet bag (that I recycled from jewelry I got from Sonia Jung! I wear it so I don’t need the pretty bag some of the items come in :D). This will go inside the #2 Cash of Charge Trio.

I saw the heart and that was what sparked me making this! I fell in LOVE!!! I then found matching seed beads, and then the filigree style beads. I THINK I needed some end clasp thingy’s. Anyway….its really pretty in person.

 I used the NEW! Text Style II, and Giga Guidelines to customize my box. I think its perfect for such a gift!

I then made the Cash or Charge #3

This keychain will fit in the pocket. Virtually NO stamping here!!! Easy peasy.

You can just tie it into the insert, and they can pull it out. Nothing too fancy. OR if you make your own bracelets, earring, or necklaces you can use the tabbed insert to put them on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How cool is that, seriously? Not only do you have a cool, fancy insert but a pretty pocket cover too!! If you do craft fairs, people are sure to love this presentation too.

Then, last but not least….

Cash or Charge #1

Now we had YET to show you that this can hold other treats, like my keychain. Honestly this templates PRIMARY purpose is for holding cash/gift cards, but you can possibly use it for other things. The MOST versatile template in this trio is obviously #2!

For this one, I didn’t create the slit in the bottom of the template. I just put some patterned paper to line it. My velvet bag fits perfectly in here. You’d never think this would be inside would you?

here is the back view

Super simple and fun.

Supplies:

My Timeless Templates: Cash of Charge Trio

Stamps: Text Style bkgd II, Giga Guidelines, floral frenzy (#1 template)
Cardstock: Aqua Mist, white patterned paper: black and white basics
Ink: Aqua Mist, Black
Ribbon: Saddle Stitch black
Prima Flowers

Simple and elegant.

I love my keychains Not to bad for a first go.

Now tell me….Have you ever walked down the beading isle? HOLY OVERWHELMING! People say stamping is overwhelming, but I think beaders have us BEAT! I had NO IDEA where to start!

I got some silver wire, the keychain toggle thingy and my beads. I had some wire tools in my papercrafting stuff so I was good there.

I think I need some end clasp things. I ended up stringing it through numerous times so it wouldn’t pull apart of unravel.

Basically if YOU bead, ANY basic supply help offered here would really help! I’d love to make more gifts like this and package them up for the holidays! I don’t know WHAT book to get or basic supplies!! I also don’t want to invest a ton of $$, just basic stuff. So anything you care to share, can help me and some of my readers. I’d appreciate it.

Honestly I shouldn’t even CONSIDER another “hobby”! LOL! But I like to mix it up I’d really LOVE to learn polymer clay too! I got a pasta maker for that purpose YEARS ago, but can’t find it :C Never even used it :C Oh well. Maybe I should stick to making boxes! LOL! I already know how to do that.

Well once again THANK you so very much for stopping by I hope you get to scroll down to view everything over the last few days. More importantly I hope I inspired you in some way to get creating!!

Till tomorrow….

Hi world

Figured I’d share quickly my creations (what is left anyway :D) from the October Papertrey Ink Release here with you today!  Now you can download the NEWEST! My Timeless Templates: Around Town Tote & Cash or Charge Trio!!

 I know many get so excited to FINALLY order, that you may not even think to check the gallery The girls really went all out this month. I know I have had days of posts FULL of eye candy! So if you may have missed something be sure to scroll on down

I know I always get the Papertrey hangover! My creativity get drained and takes a nose dive for at least a WEEK! I just pour everything out into my work for the countdown. That then gives me time to do my other “non-crafty” stamp related stuff, that requires computer time instead. OR I usually end up doing a REALLY good whole house clean out, each month Keeps my house clean and organized all month long, without too much clutter.

Things I am loving, that help me keep my house clean DAILY-Swiffer Wet Jet! LOVE that thing! How I ever lived without it is beyond me I EASILY wash all my floors every night Plus Im not using the same dirty mop to push old dirt around-YUCK!

Then the Pledge disposeable duster thingy’s??? OH MY! They are so easy, and help you keep everything dust free without a lot of work. When you are done, chuck it in the trash! With allergies, and being in the house all winter, dusting is a good thing. My house is dust free most days now! I just do a daily sweep, then a really good weekly one. Makes the house automatically appear clean. I love it.

Now if you like stamping, MORE than cleaning…..check out —> THIS POST <—so you can have the BEST of both worlds-a clean house and creative time

OK enough rambling…..

First up-

Dazzling Holiday Ornament

I’m in LOVE with Kraft, Chocolate and this Baha Breeze.

I have to say I LOVED this card! It was simple, and yet that ribbon (found at Michael’s in the Christmas section :D) really made it POP! I pulled the sequins off the ribbon to create the same 0000000 bling across my ornament. Just SO pretty.

The ornament in the back is just stamped in versmark, with the chocolate band. I added some bling to that too.

Easy peasy! You could make this SAME layout in MANY colors variations for a cool assortment!

This set make a quick holiday card not only easy, but FAB!
Supplies:
Stamps: Vintage Ornaments, Holiday Button Bits (strings)
Cardstock: White,  Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Aqua Mist, Teal
Ink:dark chocolate, aqua mist,versamark
Ribbon-craft store
adhesive rhinestones

Celebrate the Season

This is Heather’s set-Holiday Tree. Its a really cute tree I told you I’m on a BLACK kick I know there is little black, but red, black and green just make me happy.

Talk about WHIPPING up a card! It doesn’t get any easier than this!! This would be another FAB holiday card! QUICK and EASY!

I think we ALL used this image too! I just stamped and colored my tree, then drew a border using a ruler and marker tip. There is a snowy, glittered ground too.

Supplies:

Stamps: Holiday Tree
Cardstock: White
Ink:Black, Pure Poppy, Copic Markers
Ribbon: Pure Poppy Twill
other: Marker, ruler, 2 way glue pen, Prisma Glitter

Well that is it for my countdown samples.  I’ll be back with the last release samples using my NEW! templates.

Thank you for stopping by

Tonight is the release at Papertrey Ink! Are you excited? I know I am.

On the 15th you can now get all the new releases, as well as download my 2 NEWEST templates: Around Town Tote & the Cash or Charge Trio.

(they will appear on the site after midnight!)

Just in time for the big day, our entire team at Papertrey Inkhas come together to create various holiday cards. This was a very popular assignment last year, and we hope you enjoy it just as much this year. I know I had a total blast (despite my loathing mass production! LOL!) creating my version of a holiday card this year.

This should definitely spark the holiday mood, and get you ready to pull out the supplies

I fell in love with the snowman from 2009 Holiday Button Bits (and I’m sure I won’t be alone (wink), and just *had* to use it for my holiday cards!

Sweet as Snow

I personally love fun colors, and layers on my creations, so I hope you like my take on the holiday card challenge.

While my card is detailed, it didn’t take long to get these 5 done (thankfully)!

Here are my five cards, assembled like a holiday tree!

If you decide you want to use my layout for your own cards, Nichole made each of us a file for everything you need to recreate 25 cards!

Complete with supplies and step by step instruction!

Here is the download info —>  Lauren Let it Snow PDF

Thank you to Nichole for doing that for everyone

Here is a bit of a closer look

The snowman doesn’t NEED a button to be totally cute! I felt like her arms stretched out, just said “let it snow!”!! So I went with that!  I won’t go into a ton of detail because you can just get that from the download

Now I thought I would take this SAME layout, and make some gift packaging for my Sweet as Snow set!

Here it is!

For those of you who THINK you cannot easily create 3 dimensional items, this is the PERFECT example that you can!

I knew I would want to create a package of some sort, to present these cards in….so using the SAME supplies, same size, and layout…..instead of making another card, I just put the trio layer onto the front of my large Around Town Tote! YEAH! Yet, another FAB way to present card sets

I just slid them into a clear card case, with 5 envelopes, and they were ready to go!

(there is a lot of filler in there, so they stick out the top!!)

You could of course ALSO use my card box template : Captured Card Case too!!

Supplies:

My Timeless Template: Around Town Tote
Stamps: Holiday Button Bits, 2009 Holiday Tag (sentiment)
Cardstock:kraft, white, hibiscus burst, sweet blush, vellum
Ink:black, copic
hibiscus polka dot ribbon
Liquid applique, 2 way glue pen, paper piercer, glitter
Marvy snowflake& tag punch, Martha Stewart punch , swiss dots folder

Now make sure you hop on over to Nichole’s Blog for ALL the amazing idea’s from the designer’s !!

I hope you like my holiday version It was really fun for me.

 I have MORE to share tomorrow, so I hope to see you back here then.

Thank you for stopping by!