little bitty

happy birthday!!

2012-01-24T16:43:00.002-06:00

to my sweet mags...today she leaves the world of single digit birthdays...I love her more than I can say!

she...

is in the 4th grade

loves smash books and accessories

is a fashionista

has rainbow rubber bands on her braces

loves lime green

will eat any kind of donut

loves Rick Riordan books

takes singing lessons every Monday

is strong willed and is not afraid to tell you what she thinks

is the most precious thing I have ever known

Project Life week 2

2012-01-22T07:34:00.002-06:00

I finished up my project life week 2 last week and have been working on week 3. The hardest part for me is getting through all of the pics that I take...not that we do anything much exciting, but I still take tons of pics! But I am enjoying PL and the 1 page/week is really working out for me!

Thanks for stopping by!

you want some more december daily?

2012-01-18T18:53:00.002-06:00

probably not, but I feel like if I keep posting, I am more likely to finish it up!

day 11...cookies made for the teachers...

day 12...my favorite christmas card

day 13...my "new" typewriter

dec 14...my first gift from a dear friend

dec 15...new snowflake lights from IKEA

thanks for stopping by!

happy 3 day weekend!!

2012-01-14T16:34:00.002-06:00

well...at least for me, it's a 3 day weekend...yay!

I made a LO for the January 8th Pencil Lines sketch challenge today and I got to use my super fun stamp that came with my January Studio Calico kit...that thing is fabulous!

so here is the sketch

and here is my LO containing an almost never seen family shot...had to use it even though the puppy isn't looking at the camera.

and a close up of the stamp image embossed with black glitter zing and the cute evalicious button...

thanks for stopping by!

Sketchy Thursdays 1.5

2012-01-11T17:15:00.002-06:00

Found a little time to play with my newest Studio Calico kit and Sketchy Thursdays! This sketch was right in my comfort zone and this LO came together in about an hour which is unheard of in my world of scrapping!

This feels like the first LO I have completed in forever...with all that December Daily thing going on!

Here is the sketch

and here is my LO

I embossed the background with a fabulous Basic Grey stamp and clear AC zing!

Project Life week 1

2012-01-08T13:30:00.001-06:00

I am hoping that these will get faster as I go! I am doing a single page for each week unless something really spectacular happens...and I will try to fit them into a single album!

so here is my first week...

Thanks for stopping by!

A birthday card Saturday

2012-01-07T15:35:00.002-06:00

Made 1 quick card for a co-worker this week using maybe the last little bits of my December 2010 Studio Calico kit...I loved that kit and have used up every single bit of it...except for the exclusive papers that I am hoarding;)...what remains of it now fits into a small jewelry bag!

Working on my Project Life 1st week today and my December Daily too, so maybe I will have something to share with you tomorrow too!

more December Daily

2012-01-06T04:36:00.002-06:00

A little update on my DD...

Day 6...winter graduation with my work buddies

Dec 7...a gift from nana

Dec 8...a little paper project

Dec 9...mags' self pic

Dec 10...a christmas stroll

and

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy New Year's Eve

2011-12-31T14:00:00.002-06:00

I just got back from the Zumbathon at the gym...a 2 hour party of shakin' your groove thang! mags went with me and we had a great time...they even had party hats and those paper blower things.

Well, the new year is almost here so I might as well share my December Daily pages that are done. I am still not done, but have high hopes that I can complete the rest of the pages before I go to work on Monday...if not, no worries...

I picked one activity from each day to document, even if there were a bunch of things going on...it made the project manageable for me. For most activities, I did a small single page LO. I used the Studio Calico/Ali E. kit and added some bits and pieces from my stash...here goes...

December 1st...mags had a choir concert that night...it was a great way to kick off the season!

the AC alphas came from the kit...I added KI lace paper, Studio Calico Autumn Press paper from the mini paper pack, some music note paper (I think that was OA...it was just a small piece of paper in my Christmas bin), a doily, a little tag and an evalicious button.

December 2nd...I made and hung up a circle paper garland in mags' room.

Crate Peppermint paper, washi tape, misc brads and pearls, Studio Calico Autumn Press paper from the mini paper pack, Ali E. stamps.

December 3rd...I took my dad to the airport after his Thanksgiving visit. I wish he lived closer and we could see each other more often.

Crate Peppermint paper, Studio Calico Autumn Press paper from the mini paper pack, washi tape, Sass paper (green) and JB paper from the kit, a tag, doily and Crate (?) brad.

December 4th...I took mags shopping so she could spend her Christmas money from her Nana.

JB paper, kraft pinked circle, flower and brad from the kit, Studio Calico Autumn Press paper from the mini paper pack, Spellbinders die cut and a tag.

December 5th...Paul's mom's 87th birthday celebration...we ordered in chinese and had 3 different kinds of cake!

October Afternoon star paper, Sass green grid paper, Crate Peppermint paper, Studio Calico Autumn Press paper from the mini paper pack, doily, baker's twine, Quickutz nested star dies.

I'll be posting all of the pages in the next few days...but now I need to go and get to work on day 14!

How about some birthday cards?

2011-12-28T14:09:00.002-06:00

Just a few cards that I made for the students at school who had birthdays in December. I used some Studio Calico scraps from Back 40 and Met. I also used the Sunday Sketch from Studio Calico...

It is a beautiful day here...warm and sunny and we are trying to make the most out of it! Hope are have a wonderful day too!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T14:10:00.002-06:00

I have been very busy finishing up at school and prepping for the holidays...I know you know what I am talking about. It seems like it was extra busy this year and I still don't think I have everything done!

I did make some Christmas cards for my fellow teachers...everyone else got store bought cards with a picture of mags in it...a girl has only so much time for crafting! Maybe I should start today making Christmas cards and even if I only made 1 a week, I would still have 52 to send out next year...what do ya think?

I used some Studio Calico sketches and old Basic Grey that I promise myself I will use up every year, but I think it reproduces throughout the year because I never seem to be any closer to using it up!

I have also been working on my December Daily...I have not kept up every day needless to say, but I am determined to complete it before I go back to work in January...I'll take some pics soon and post them!

I hope your holidays are filled with joy and peace.

Sketchy Thursdays 11.17 Sketch

2011-11-17T05:49:00.002-06:00

Welcome back for another addition of Sketchy Thursdays! This was a super fun sketch to work with! Hope you can find some inspiration and join in on the fun this week.

Here is the sketch...

and here is my LO using some fun random pics of mags...

Thanks for stopping by!

it goes by too fast

2011-11-13T19:20:00.002-06:00

the weekend that is! it seemed like a very busy weekend with birthday parties and shopping for presents and laundry and grocery shopping and blah.blah.blah! and now I am planning the week ahead...but I did have a little time for some crafting this weekend...a LO for the Studio Calico Sunday sketch and weekly challenge!

thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful week!

I will have another Sketchy Thursday LO on Thursday, of course, so stop back by and see another fun sketch and what I made with it!

Sketchy Thursdays 11.10

2011-11-10T06:03:00.002-06:00

It's time for another fabulous Sketchy Thursdays sketch!

Here is the sketch...

and here is my LO...I flipped the sketch so my border would be on the bottom of the page...

and a little detail...I tucked my tiny title label under the picture...

I used my Glee Club kit add on from Studio Calico...the splats are made with black paint and custard Mr. Huey.

Thanks for stopping by...and I hope you can find some time to play with us this week!

Sketchy Thursdays GDT

2011-11-03T19:35:00.002-05:00

It's time for Sketchy Thursdays reveal and my first LO for the November GDT! I am really excited about hanging out with Sketchy Thursdays this month and hope you can find some time to play!

Here is the sketch...

and here is the LO I made using my Studio Calico Field Guide kit...

and a little detail...

and some journaling by mags...

Thanks for stopping by!

'twas the day before halloween

2011-10-30T16:54:00.002-05:00

and I had some extra time, so I decided to play with this week's sketchy thursdays!

here is the sketch...

and here is my take...

I used my Field Guide kit from Studio Calico , some Mr. Huey's and Twinery Twine...thanks for stopping by and happy halloween!

Check this out...

2011-10-26T19:41:00.002-05:00

I'm a winner by a nose!

I'll be hanging out with the Sketchy Thursdays gang for the month of November by 1 vote!

Thanks for all of the votes...you know who you are!

card making saturday

2011-10-22T19:54:00.004-05:00

I made a couple of cards from my scraps today...I needed a birthday card for a school birthday next week and I made a card using my scraps and the sketch from Sketchy Thursday November dt challenge!

I am in love with Studio Calico's new Memoir paper...couldn't throw away even the smallest pieces that I used for this LO!

this one uses my favorite hero arts/basic grey stamp set and my grand spellbinder label dies...and I'm still making flags for my cards! and I used of some bits of paper from my Studio Calico February Sweet Shoppe kit...yay!

Sketchy Thursday November GDT LO

2011-10-15T19:35:00.003-05:00

Thought I would throw my hat into the ring for the November guest design team spot over at Sketchy Thursday. I also needed a list of favorites and at least 5 leaves. I have been super inspired by Rahel Menig's layering and her little hidden journaling areas and thought I would try it out!

Here is the sketch from Sketchy Thursday.

and here is my take...

a little detail of the awesome Studio Calico veneer heart...

and the inside where my list of fall favorites hides...

and the other side...

Thanks for stopping by!

the leaves are falling

2011-10-11T19:09:00.002-05:00

and I cannot resist a pic...especially when I am participating in a picture a day challenge with some friends! and we already have so many dried up leaves from the lack of rain...might as well make lemonade!

in service monday

2011-10-10T18:47:00.002-05:00

we made it through parent/teacher conference, a day of in service for me and voice lessons...and I finished up two cards that were in the works!

happy birthday

and another birthday card

most of the strips and punches and even the cupcake were sitting all over my desk...I cleaned it off and used up most of the little bits of mess...gotta love that!

thanks for stopping by!

happy 3 day weekend

2011-10-09T17:44:00.002-05:00

if you are the sort that celebrates columbus day! I do have to go to work tomorrow, but the students are off which is always a little bit of dilemma, but I think we have it all worked out now.

it was a card making weekend at my house...needed some cards to give to the students at school and also needed to get rid of some scraps of paper from my last couple of studio calico kits...I am glad to say that the kits have been finished off and I have a few extra cards in my box!

sweet...

hooray! (I love this stamp set and would use it on every card if I thought people wouldn't make fun of me)

birdie card

you are so sweet

I have a few more on the assembly line...hope to post them soon!

sketchy thursday

2011-10-05T18:45:00.003-05:00

with a super fabulous grid sketch...so I thought I might play this week!

here is the sketch

and here is my LO with my sweet puppy!

I used my handy spellbinders square dies and then just added some flower buttons and those awesome brads! thanks for stopping by!

happy sunday!

2011-10-02T15:33:00.002-05:00

I am making chicken and dumplings for dinner...and that makes me happy! I have been out shopping for a new oven...and that does not make me happy, but I haven't had one that works all summer and I haven't been to bothered by it!

Made a canvas this week to give as a gift to a student of mine...she really loves pink and it fit in perfectly with this weeks studio calico challenge to do a monochromatic LO...I just had to cheat and sneak the last little bit of the yellow and "pink" polka dot paper in there! I painted, I misted, I stamped and really had a lot of fun...hope she likes it!

and a little detail

and I made a little birthday mini for my little cousin...thanks to the inspiration of the fabulous Liz Kartchner!!

the cover:

page 1:

page 2:

page 3:

page 4:

I also added a few blank pages in the back so she could add extra pics if she wanted.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a fabulous week!

the end of the weekend already

2011-09-25T19:08:00.002-05:00

it just goes by too fast! already getting ready for back to the work day grind tomorrow.

I finally broke down and joined the technique tuesday Studio AE club and I have loved the 3 sets I have received so far...I use them tons and they are great for cards and scrapbooking...and I used one on the LO I completed this week (yes, it did take me all week...don't laugh)!

a pic of mags with her new short haircut...using my august studio calico kit...

and a little close up...

working on another mini and hope to get it posted soon...hope you have a great week!

yes...I actually did make that mini

2011-09-24T16:26:00.003-05:00

just didn't get around to re-sizing the pics until today...oh, well...high hopes!

I get a lot of sassafras lass in my studio calico kits and usually I am super excited about it, but the big stickers always stump me...so this month, they were the first things removed(and actually the only things I have used so far) from the kit to make this little mini!

cover: with the super fun camera stamp from the kit!

page 1-2

page 3-4

page 5-6

page 7-8

page 9-10

page 11-12

page 13-14

page 15-16

page 17-18

I had a little piece of the cloud paper sitting out from the back to school cards I made and decided to cut out the clouds and use them...love them and glad that the little piece of paper is no longer on my desk!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great weekend.

it's starting to feel like fall...

2011-09-18T12:33:00.002-05:00

if you think that temperatures in the 90s are cool...the leaves are already losing their leaves because there has been no rain all summer long...the forecast keeps threatening rain, but I have not seen a drop since May!

did a little scrapping this week...yay me!

one for the sunday sketch challenge at studio calico using my august kit

and one using the october afternoon thursday sketch using my june sc kit

I made a little mini this weekend and just need to edit the pics to fit on the blog...I'll try to upload this week...thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great week!

happy september

2011-09-07T19:18:00.002-05:00

and happy not to be over 100 degrees! this summer has been so super hot and dry...we are now facing fires all around us, but the temperatures have dropped to below 100 for the first time since may! I put the top down in my car this morning and enjoyed the 50 something weather!! now all we need is some rain!

scrapped a little this weekend and finished up mags' back to school pics using my boardwalk kit from studio calico

first...for the weekly challenge to incorporate a rainbow I made this

and then just a LO for her must have back to school essentials

so glad for the long weekend and the short work week...I would lobby for a 4 day work week for sure!!

life gets a little bit crazy

2011-08-30T19:47:00.002-05:00

sometimes...and I just want to curl up in a ball and hide, but we all know that we really can't do that! so you just have to travel through the crazy! that's me right now...travelling through the crazy...nothing big or major, just a lot of little adjusments...and I'm not a really big fan of change!

did get my craft on last weekend now that I have hired a maid for the school year!! some pics of mags on her first day of school...both using my august studio calico kit and both LOs for the sunday sketch challenge!!

first day drop off...

and no looking back...

have to say that i love the colors in this kit!
hope you are having a great week...mwah!

back to school and a Sketchy Thursday

2011-08-21T19:16:00.004-05:00

I am back in the groove of work after 5 very long days of teacher in-service! I managed to work out at 5:30 a.m. every morning which wasn't easy after sleeping in all summer long, but it is important to maintain my sanity...it's my self medication!

I also finished up some scrappy stuff this week...not as much as I would have liked, but hey, bedtime come early when you wake up at 4:30!

First I made a bunch of cards for the staff...I used up some scraps and I love doing that! The stamps I bought for $1 each (plus I got my 15% teacher discount) at Michaels!

I also had time to play with Sketchy Thursday this week!

Here is the sketch

and here is what I made using my July Mind the Gap Kit from Studio Calico

It's back to work tomorrow...hope y'all have a great week!

goodbye summer

2011-08-11T17:19:00.002-05:00

I guess really I should say see ya later summer...I'll be going back to work on Monday, and so my free time dwindles from all day every day to really just the weekends...I love my job, really I do, but I also love the lazy days of summer!

I made a couple of LOs this week for some challenges over at Studio Calico...

the sunday sketch challenge was a beautiful LO by Sasha...yes, I stalk her! and here is my take...

and a little detail of the circle border

I zinged up the number circles with black glitter zing and they really are quite fantastic!

The next LO was for a couple of challenges...the weekly challenge to use some twine, a sketch challenge for the kit killers and a challenge to use some SC products...I used country side and it may be my most favorite release of all time!

Hopefully, I will be getting crafty for the rest of the week!

Thanks for stopping by!

happy weekend!

2011-08-06T17:04:00.002-05:00

the second to last weekend before I go back to work...I will miss my lazy summer days and hanging out at home with the family, but my job does keep me in designer jeans and scrap supplies so I really can't complain!

a LO for the 8/31 Studio Calico Sunday sketch...if you haven't played this week, you have until Monday to post so get busy!

and a close up of the paper scallops

and a LO for the LOAW challenge on the challenge forum at Studio Calico

and finally a LO for the kit killers challenge also on the challenge forum...to use some zing

and a close up of the white circles and black text both embossed with AC zing...

thanks for stopping by and I hope you are having a terrific weekend! mwah!

Studio Calico Sunday Sketch

2011-08-01T18:42:00.002-05:00

If you didn't know...Studio Calico posts a sketch every Sunday...and you have until the following Monday to complete it and be entered into a random drawing for a $5 gc to Studio Calico...I can't resist playing most weeks...ya know...just in case!

Sunday Sketch 7.24

a little detail of the painted sun I made using a Quickutz diecut as a stencil

A LO of me and my buds Kimberly and Jennifer on our hunt to find cupcakes in Boston...a totally awesome day and some kick*ss cupcakes too!!

Sunday Sketch 7.10

a pic from 2010...just got the big spellbinders dies and I love them...alot!

thanks for stopping by...mwah!

pencil lines 246

2011-07-29T12:15:00.002-05:00

where have I been? Boston for a girls weekend getaway! had such a great time and have tons of pics, but this may be my fav from a friends phone that I snagged from her facebook page.

I loved the way cathy used the border punch, so I had to copy it!

and a close up of the flower

thanks for stopping by and happy friday!

3 LOs and a technique to share

2011-07-12T20:31:00.004-05:00

I have been trying really hard to reduce the number of studio calico boxes that are stacked up in my quest bedroom...good thing I don't have anyone coming for a visit!! It seems like the more LOs I make, the more pp I have available...how is that possible?? I have done 3 LOs so far this week...so let me share!

smile...using the rest of that sass sun paper that I think I could use 100 sheets of and the cute smile tag that amy tangerine made for the june SC kit!

Mandolas...using my paper moon kit from sc and the 7/3 sunday sketch

and a little close up...I used some maya mist and some OA sprinklers on this and love the effect!!

and finally, the weekly challenge to scrap something that makes you laugh...and lifting this awesome LO by Vee Jennings...and using my favorite SC kit ever...Lawn Party...and using up my favorite pp from that kit too!!

and a little detail

and that leads into my technique...I misted with Mr. Huey lunchtray and flicked some white paint on the LO...it seemed to need a little something more, so I used some pink OA sprinklers on it...and I really didn't like the pink...so I took my trusty zig pen and colored over the pink splats so now they look black...so simple and easy!!

Thanks for stopping by! mwah!

happy july!!

2011-07-07T20:15:00.003-05:00

wow! july already? I'm really not ready for summer to be almost half way over...the only salvation is a trip I have planned later on this month to meet up with some of my girls in Boston...I am so excited!!

but in the meantime, I am trying to purge.purge.purge...I have been an ebay junkie for the past few weeks...and have earned enough money to pay for my trip to Boston...love that! but it is a ton of work...but I am getting money for stuff that I would just be giving away...and it is getting it out of my house so I'm going to put it in the thumbs up category.

I have been able to produce a couple of LOs from my June Studio Calico kit paper moon...had great expectations that I would be able to finish up that kit before my july kit appeared...but it arrived today and I still have a substantial amount of paper moon left...I will just keep on working at it and maybe by the end of the weekend it will be a goner!

summertime...for a song lyric and 3+ pp challenge at studio calico

and a little detail of that super fun sun paper...and I love those buttons!

next a 4th of july layout for a list and 3+ pp challenge at studio calico

and a little detail of my quickutz stars (love those things) and a little misting

that's it for me today...hope you are having a great summer!

Maya Road and Bella Blvd

2011-06-30T07:18:00.002-05:00

have teamed up for a blog hop full of free scrappy goodness!!
Check it out on the Bella Blvd site!!

summer is flying by!

2011-06-28T14:59:00.002-05:00

I have been in a purging mode the last few days...and no, not the fun kind of scrap purging where you still get to touch all of your goodies, but little girl closet cleaning...it may be the worst!

and yet, I still had time to play with some of my scrap goodies...first from Studio Calico Singing in the Rain kit...and the the 6/29 sketch and use 10 pps weekly challenge I give you...

perfect outfit

and a little detail

funny thing about that LO...looked high and low for some purple something/anything really to put on it and it just wasn't to be found...but I think the red and yellow are a nice compliment!

and this one using my SC paper moon kit...

happy new year

and some details

and maybe just one more for a use you stash challenge from a SC kit from last summer...also for the 10 pps challenge

summer recap 2010

and I also finished last summer's mini album...but I will hold off on that for another day...it's nap time!

monday.monday

2011-06-20T17:26:00.003-05:00

hope you all had a wonderful father's day...we celebrated with a cookout and dinner with the in-laws...and blueberry pie...yum!

here's another LO I did for the weekly color challenge at studio calico...used my august 2010 summer camp kit...I have been using the kit to make a summer mine from last summer...it is almost done and I will be so glad to call it complete...I still have some stuff from the kit and would love to use it up before reveal happens on the 27th...wish me luck!

and a little detail

and you know what is scary...almost all of this stuff was already cut out and laying around in one place or another...scary I tell ya!

hope you have a great week!

how old is too old?

2011-06-15T20:02:00.002-05:00

to scrap that is...I have had these pics on my desk since 2009...that's a long time...and then along comes studio calico Lawn Party with this exclusive SC paper...and BAM!! done!! also used the finger stamp from SC jetsetter stamp set...

thanks for stopping by!

a LO and 4 scrap cards

2011-06-14T19:16:00.002-05:00

after a puppy walk, a last minute card making session, package labeling, a work out and a frantic dash to chic-fil-a, I managed to make it to the post office to mail out a father's day present for my dad, a birthday card for a sweet friend in California, my giveaway stamp and a "I'm so lame, please still love me" card to another dear friend in California...after that I really needed a nap, but the grocery store was calling my name!

when we got home, I got down to my weekly goals:
1.use up, throw away, give away 5 things a day
2. try on (decide to keep or give away) and iron 5 things a day from my closet
3. trip to post office
4. 2 father's day cards and 1 gc for my dad
5. 5 days of 90 minutes at the gym

as you can see, I have already knocked off 3 and 4 from my list and it's only Tuesday!
the other things are daily, but I am up to date as of today!

so my LO for last week's sketch challenge and this week's weekly challenge at Studio Calico...

the background paper is from a SC kit last summer and then some super old OA...love when I can use up the old stuff!

and my lawn party scrap cards...

a little birdie told me

I printed out the birdie in a few different sizes for the LO I did last week, and I just can't let the rest of them go into the trash!

enjoy

I sent this out with my giveaway stamp...saw the flower idea in a magazine I was throwing away this week and knew I had some random banner pieces laying on my desk somewhere!

for you dad

a little stitched pocket to hold his gc...and another bird!

untitled card

sometimes I like to have cards without a sentiment so I can add one when I need a spur of the moment card!

that's all for me today...hoping to get some more crafting done this week...trying to finish up some projects that have been laying around for far too long!

and the winner is...

2011-06-10T06:47:00.002-05:00

random generator picked number 2 for me this morning...congratulations Erin!!

Erin said...
Love your page! I'd love to win the stamp. Thanks for the chance!

send me your address to leahallen at hotmail dot com and I will send out your stamp!

thanks for everyone who left messages and those that signed up to follow my blog.

your scrapbook stash Friday sketch

2011-06-09T15:35:00.002-05:00

alas, with this LO my May Studio Calico kit is almost gone...I have enjoyed it so much and only have a few papers left...and I am seriously tempted to go and buy another piece of that GP paper from my LSS...but woohoo my June kit arrived yesterday and now I have some new goodies to play with!!

mags made perfect scores on both of her 3rd grade TAKS tests!! and I took these pics the day we got the scores back...we are so proud of her!!

pencil lines sketch 241

2011-06-07T15:54:00.002-05:00

if you are looking for the stamp giveaway go here

not working during the summer really has scrappy advantages! worked with pencil lines sketch 241 to make this LO of mags and her cousins...and I used my studio calico kit...and that GP paper that I just can't get enough of...I don't think I have enough of it left for anything, but maybe I could squeak out a card!

and a little detail of my cute Echo Park digi bird

hope you are having a great week!

happy Monday...happy summer!

2011-06-06T19:04:00.002-05:00

it is blazing hot here and we are spending a lot of time swimming or indoors...anything to stay cool! today I managed to finish up a LO for the 5/29 sunday sketch challenge at studio calico using my may studio calico kit...do you ever us a piece of paper over and over again when at first glance you just knew the other side was the one that you would love...that's what has happened with this GP paper...I still love the other side, but this is the side that has one my heart!

and a little detail of the title work...I stamped, embossed and cut out the "you" and then popped it up with pop dots.

if you are looking for the stamp giveaway...look at the next post!

a layout, a technique and a giveaway

2011-06-05T10:56:00.002-05:00

I made this LO for this week's circle challenge at studio calico using my my studio calico kit...it's about the end of this school year and what is going to happen next year when mag's bff heads of to middle school...

I cut the circles with my quickutz circle dies, traced them onto the background paper and then stitched the circles with 2 strands of black dmc floss and then popped up the circles to give a little dimension to the LO...

I hid the journaling on the back of the big circle tucked behind the picture mat with the green circle sticker on it...in order to have easy access to the journaling tag, I slit a hole in the page protector...super easy but genius really...and no I did not come up with it, I just saw it somewhere sometime and now I'll pass it along...

a finally a giveaway!!

I ended up with two studio calico love phrase circle stamp from the January 2011 dear abby kit and would love to pass it along...if you would like to have it, just leave a comment here. If you are a follower or sign up to be a follower leave an additional comment and you will have 2 entries...I'll pick a winner on Friday!

Happy Sunday

2011-05-29T10:27:00.002-05:00

today I searched for all of mag's school stuff that I had placed in various places during the school year and compiled them into a EK folder page...love these things so much!! her grades, TAKS scores, awards, ribbons, etc are all in there.
I used my december studio calico kit to decorate the front and the two school pics we received this year...does anyone else get 2 pics taken every year?? I find it odd, but you know I'm going to buy them!
I'll be hoarding the other folder that came in the pack until next year and if I'm smart I'll go out and find some more packs and hoard them too!!

school's out....

2011-05-28T11:24:00.002-05:00

for summer!!! only 2 work days next week and I will be free to do whatever I want!!!

I joined in the 5/22 sunday sketch challenge at Studio Calico this week and this is what I came up with

and a close up of the awesome buttons!

this may be my favorite add on of all time and I have had the background just sitting around for forever...so glad to complete something old!

I made another LO for the previous sketch challenge too using my may Studio Calico kit again

and some close ups of the stitching

After I posted it at studio calico, I went back and added some journaling...then forgot to erase the lines before taking the pic...but all is well now and the LO is tucked safely into a brand new AC ring binder!

Hope you have a great weekend!

a LO and a mini

2011-05-21T18:53:00.002-05:00

I opened my May Studio Calico kit today and can I just say that I am totally in love with every little bit of it! the colors make me so happy...and a happy girl makes a happy scrapper! I made a LO today with some pics of mags I took during the big family get together and printed them out on my new selphy printer...I am really going to dig that thing once I figure out how it works!

ready for summer...

and a mini I made for my secret cupid...and yes, I am the worst secret cupid in the whole world seeing as it is almost June and I am just mailing the second part of her gift...who knows, she may get something else in another 5 months :)

this mini was inspired by the fabulous tara anderson

cover...hambly overlay and MM stickers

page 2...sass with some hand stitching

page 3...sass, hambly, handmade flower, martha stewart butterfly punch, AE digital love circles

page 4...quickutz butterfly and polaroid frame, stampin' up stamp

page 5...sizzix embossing plate, hero arts stamp

page 6...ingue boutique stamp, martha stewart butterfly punch, quickutz polaroid frame, AE digital love circles

page 7...velum envelope of AC foil hearts

page 8...EK labels punch, quickutz butterfly

page 9...quickutz potty people

page 10...AE digital tag

page 11...more of the same

page 12...and a little pocket with tags for journaling

thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

page 7...

happy NSD and mother's day...

2011-05-15T19:59:00.003-05:00

a week late.

I have been busy hanging with the family and completing NSD challenges at Studio Calico!

so let's just get to it...

a make-n-take card inspired by Davinie using some yummy Echo Park paper...

a LO using a pic from thanksgiving...using an old studio calico kit and a sketch inspired by Stephanie...

a LO using Studio Calico's April kit singin' in the rain and a sketch inspired by Celine...

and a little detail...

I've been working on a couple of minis and will share them soon!

Hope you have a great week! mwah!

card making weekend

2011-05-01T14:05:00.002-05:00

I have been making cards all weekend. Mags and I made three together and she isn't sure she wants to share them yet and I made 2 for some birthdays at work this week. I have the students write their birthday on my calendar if they want to get a birthday card from me. Many of them have never received a hand made birthday card and it gives me something to do with my stash. I used some very.very old crate paper (maybe from their first release?).

Happy Birthday: super easy card with layered rectangles, a hero arts happy birthday stamp on a die cut from the collection pack, rhinestones and ribbon.

celebrate this life: some rounded corners, border and butterfly punches, technique tuesday stamp, rhinestones and ribbon.

I love putting ribbon on cards that I am delivering in person!

Mother's Day Mini

2011-04-30T08:04:00.004-05:00

I made this little book for my mom for mother's day using my Studio Calico Back 40 kit. I just received the pics and they are really dark and I am a little disappointed, but I really don't have time to re-order so it will just have to do! I re-purposed the cover from my gratitude journal from last year thinking I could always make another one...but chances are my gratitude journal 2010 will forever be coverless :)

cover: spellbinder heart and quickutz dies, martha stewart butterfly punch

page 1: martha stewart butterfly punch, studio calico dot and addy alpha stamps

page 2: tim holtz sizzix edge die

page 3:

page 4: spellbinder die and martha stewart butterfly punch

page 5:

page 6:

page 7: library card pocket

page 8: tim holtz sizzix edge die

page 9: studio calico butterfly stamp

page 10:

page 11: cosmo cricket digi gratitude cards

thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great weekend!

Baby Mini

2011-04-22T12:37:00.002-05:00

The last month of school always seems to be overwhelming...so many things to get done before summer! And when you work at the alternative school for the district, you have a huge influx of students from the main campuses coming because they are behind and still want to graduate in May...busy.busy. And my creativity always takes a huge hit during this time. I guess I'm just too tired to do anything but keep on keepin' on. Add allergies on top of that and I have been one non-productive girl.

But, I did make 2 minis for 2 students of mine. One had a baby about a month ago and the other is expecting hers this summer and I am attending her shower next month. It wasn't really my idea...my ed assistant made 2 super cute quilts for the girls and asked if I wanted to make books for them...ummmm yes? maybe? It took me some time, but I managed to get them done this morning! They are pretty much the same except for some of the paper that backs the photo frames, but you really won't see that once they put their pictures in them. I used up a ton of scraps that I had from numerous Studio Calico kits...and I love using up stuff I already have on hand because then I don't feel so guilty when that box arrives every month. I even used some digi stuff that I have been collecting on my external hard drive and never using!

The cover...kpertiet flower clusters and worth repeating overlays digi elements along with some inque boutique stamps, american crafts teal zing embossing powder, a spellbinder butterfly and some hand stitching with black dmc floss.

page 1...collage press stamps, ali edwards digital you mini line stacks and martha stewart butterfly.

page 2...spellbinders die cut hambly overlay heart

page 3...a velum envelope for secret notes with cute studio calico woodgrain birdie rubons.

page 4...quickutz polaroid die, spellbinders heart and circle dies.

page 5...sizzix butterfly and collage press stamp.

page 6...quickutz polaroid diecut, EK ticket punch, spellbinders scallop circle and martha stewart butterfly punch

page 7...a handmade velum envelope inspired by Tara Anderson and a tutorial by Emily Pitts on the Studio Calico blog. I punched the hearts out of american crafts foil paper!

page 8...quickutz polaroid die, spellbinders hearts and circle dies, studio calico stamp.

page 9...quickutz herringbone die...I really.really love this die!

page 10...studio calico stamp and spellbinders circle die.

page 11...inque boutique stamp.

page 12...ali edwards digital mini line stacks, sizzix and cuttlebug heart embossing folders, house of 3 twine.

page 13...quickutz polaroid, swirl and butterfly dies, martha stewart butterfly punch

page 14...ali edwards digital mini me stacks

page 15...quickutz polaroid and herringbone dies, EK butterfly punch.

page 16...KI folder and digital button.

page 17...studio calico stamp, EK punch.

page 18.

thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great weekend!

Studio Calico Countryside

2011-03-29T17:51:00.003-05:00

I am loving everything about the new lines from Studio Calico and have challenged myself to actually use them instead of hoarding them like I have a tendancy to do! The Studio Calico challenge at two peas doesn't hurt either...I'm crossing my fingers! Here's a LO I did using the Countryside line, some fabulous wood veneer stars and the incredible Mr. Huey splattered about! and a few details of the house of three multi-colored twine...it's really awesome stuff! Thanks for stopping by!

Candy Shoppe and State Fair

2011-03-14T19:52:00.003-05:00

It's spring break here and we are staying as close to home as possible without making mags feel like a recluse. Truth be told, I would rather stay home and clean, and organize and get my craft on...but my 9 year old only knows that all of her friends are out of town and she has no one to play with...it's hard being an only child!

I did get some cleaning and crafting done today...I won't bother with the cleaning details, but I did make a LO using the new State Fair line from Studio Calico and can I just say that it is a little bit of heaven!!

Here's a LO of mags and her best friend meeting across the fence...it happens almost every day during the week when play dates are not allowed

and a close up of how I changed up each of the columns...I cut the scallops with a border punch and then stitched it, I cut out some of the shapes and popped them up, and I cut out and stitched some of the rectangles and then popped them up...lots of fun!

I made a card for a birthday party mags went to yesterday using the parts of the scallops that I cut off and another strip of pp left over from my LO...I put the card on a home made envelope that held the gift card she was giving to her friend.

I also made a LO using my Candy Shoppe kit...I love the yellow in this kit...it just makes me happy! and I love those sweet little heart hands she makes!

I hope the week is treating you well...thanks for stopping by!

Inspired Blueprints sketch #67

2011-03-08T18:42:00.002-06:00

Happy Tuesday before spring break...here is a mid-week post of my cards for Inspired Blueprints sketch #67

happy birthday...using some old AC and my very loved MS all over star punch

wishing you a happy birthday...using some new Echo Park Springtime goodies

thanks for stopping by and I hope you find some time to come and play with us!

Studio Calico Candy Shoppe

2011-03-02T17:34:00.002-06:00

Lovin' my last kit from SC!! I have made 3 LOs so far and have plenty more to use...thought I would share what I have made...

a pic of mags on valentine's day...love that SC hexagon stamp!

pics of my birthday lunch...

the food...

and the people...

details of the flowers I made...

a girl couldn't ask for a better birthday lunch!

Inspired Blueprints sketch 66

2011-02-20T19:12:00.002-06:00

Inspired Blueprints is having a design team call. Check out their blog for all the details if you are interested in becoming a DT member!

Here is IB sketch #66

and my cards...

thanks...using up some bits of sass from a Studio Calico kit.

thinking of you today...using a super old piece of Papertrunk paper.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you find some time to play!

Inspired Blueprints sketch #65

2011-02-06T14:19:00.002-06:00

Hope you are surviving the cold temperatures and wild weather. We had a day off school on Friday for 1 inch of snow...hey, I'm not going to argue! We are back up to normal with the sun shining and the temps in the 70s...gotta love Texas!

Here is the new sketch for Inspired Blueprints

and here are some cards I made

a precious baby boy: made for one of my students who gave birth last week

sweet: made for a dear friend who sent mags the most sweetest birthday package

Isn't it amazing how a little ribbon can really dress up a card?

I'm trying to use up a piece of paper a week that I have kept but never thought I would use...the cosmo airplane paper and the dear lizzy cherry heart paper both fit into that category and I am glad that I have found a use for them and that they are no longer in my stash! I am also working on using up that sheet of bg rubs!!

Hope you have some time to come and play with us this month!

the inside scoop

2011-02-02T17:40:00.003-06:00

first let me correct the size of the books...they are 2.5 x 3.5...perfect wallet size photo size!
so to make the pages you would cut strips that are 2.5x 7 and fold them in half.
as promised, here are some pics from inside one of the little girl's mini she made at the party...this book belongs to mags' best friend and I wish I could have taken pics of all the books because they were so cute!

here is her cover, she added some bits and pieces to it:

the first page, see how the photo fits perfectly on one side:

page 2:

page 3:

page 4:

page 5:

page 6:

and the back cover:

and here are a few things I learned from it all:
1. everyone needs their own tape runner (thankfully I did this)
2. pre-cut as much as possible...I had made shapes and borders etc for them to use.
3. they love alpha stickers
4. put everything out on the table so they can dig through it...I did put some stuff on the table and had little bowls of things too...they hardly touched the stuff in the bowls, but used up tons of stuff that was on the table
4. you cannot have enough alpha stickers
5. an extra pair of hands to help glue is really helpful

this was a super fun party for all of us...and cheap too! I purchased the tape runners, some stickers, little bottles of glue and had the photos developed for under $20! all the other stuff was from my stash and it is nice to have it gone!

Sunday.Sunday.

2011-01-30T16:51:00.003-06:00

It has been a whirlwind of activity at our house this weekend. We had mags' birthday party yesterday and spent a good part of today working on her science fair board...glad those scrapbooking supplies come in handy every now and then ;).

Here are the little books I made for the party. They are super easy to make. Just cut 6 2.5x7" pieces of paper, fold them in half and then glue them back to back. Cut a 12x2.5" strip...embellish the front and then glue on the paper to the front and the back of the book...then cut the remaining paper off.

This is what they look like:

the girls had a ton of fun...and made some of the cutest books I have ever seen!
I'll post some inside pics and some tips in the next few days!

Yay! for Saturday!

2011-01-29T08:37:00.002-06:00

It is birthday party day at our house and so there is excitement brewing. The actual party doesn't start unitl 1:00, but there are plenty of preparations going on. I look forward to sharing pics in the next few days, but in the meantime, here is Inspired Blueprints sketch #64 to keep you busy.

and here are the cards I made...already sent out and received!

happy birthday...using some old crate paper, stampin' up rubons, and a cute studio g bird stamp

holding you...using some sass from my studio calico kit and the awesome martha stewart butterfly border punch

hope you can find some time to play with us this month!

Happy Birthday Mags!

2011-01-24T16:50:00.002-06:00

Nine years ago today almost to the minute I gave birth to the most wonderful child. I never in my wildest dreams thought that she could be more spectacular or more perfect than she is in real life. She is a miracle and I never go through a day that I don't give up thanks for letting me share her life. I love her more than my words can possible express...so let me just say happy birthday little girl...and nine just seems way too old!

and "the" pic in a dress that belonged to my grandmother...I take one every year!

happy sunday

2011-01-16T14:45:00.002-06:00

thought I would share the little mini Imade for my sister using my december Studio Calico kit...it is tiny, wallet size picture to be exact and inspired by Celine Navarro...there is a picture facing each page, but I couldn't figure out how to take a pic of it, so you just get to see the decorated side...that's the important side right?

cover...

p1

p2

p3

p4

p5

p6

thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Studio Calico Metropolitan LOs

2011-01-15T15:25:00.003-06:00

I have been scrapping and not sharing and that makes for very bad blogging. It's rainy and cold today so I have some time to share some LOs I made using my Studio Calico Metropolitan kit. I loved this kit and have used up most of it except for the awesome die cut KI calendar page that I am saving for something this month!

superstar...mags on the day she received the principal's pride award for respect.

wrapping...the title pretty much sums it up.

santa came...a challenge to scrap less than perfect pictures...

christmas gumbo...

and the last LO...joy, I die cut the flowers with my spellbinders die and then inked them with distress ink and I love the way the look!

so that is 5 LOs from my kit...I have also made 2 minis and a couple of cards with it...and now it is time to move on to my next kit...I'm working on something with it today!

little mini love

2011-01-13T16:28:00.002-06:00

I made this little mini card for the finally friday challenge at 2 peas and just had to share!

happy new year and a new Inspired Blueprints sketch

2011-01-08T18:09:00.002-06:00

I love the holidays! It means 2 weeks off work and time to do a whole lot of stuff...but not blogging it would seem. We had a wonderful holiday and hope yours was filled with happiness!

here is the new Inspired Blueprints sketch #63

and here are the cards I made:

birthday wishes...using up a sheet of sass scraps from my stash

sending love your way...using my December Studio Calico kit

thanks for stopping by and I hope you can find some time to play with us this month!

Merry Chrismas eve

2010-12-24T07:48:00.002-06:00

Wishing you all a wonderful day today. I hope you get everything you wished for this year! Thought I would show some more christmas cards that I made before christmas is over...

loved this unity itty bitty stamp...

also love this studio calico label stamp that coordinates with the label punch!

and these downloaded tickets are just too cute to use only once

thanks for stopping by and have a holly jolly holiday!

Studio Calico wish list

2010-12-21T14:17:00.002-06:00

Studio Calico posted a giveaway on their blog if you make a wish list on yours...so here is my SC wish list...
#1. Mr. Huey...schoolhouse (it's the only elementary color I do not have)
#2 woodgrain tweets...I just can't get enough of them!
#3 vintage doily MS punch.
#4 the new country side paper
#5 doily stamps

I could go on and on, but 5 seems about the right number...and I have a gingerbread house to assemble!

Inspired Blueprints sketch #62

2010-12-20T20:29:00.003-06:00

and some more christmas cards!

here is the sketch...another 2-pager...whew!

and here are the cards I made...again using mostly BG (and if you can believe it, I still have some left!):

celebrate the season:

and some details of the cute digi ticket

and peace:

Christmas Cards

2010-12-17T19:50:00.003-06:00

are done and mailed...I made these using a Unity Stamp itty bitty stamp I found at my local Archivers...man I love those things! I used some old BG that I have sworn I will use up this year and after making these cards I just might accomplish that...I stamped with versamark and use American Crafts black glitter zing...also used my new Spellbinders diecutters and some stickles for a little Christmas sparkle...

stop by in the next few days and I will show you what I did with the scraps from these cards!

Inspired Blueprints sketch #61

2010-12-09T16:01:00.003-06:00

The sketch for this week is a 2 pager and I thought it would be hard to translate into a card, but I found it quite easy and I love the results...and I have 2 more holiday cards done!

here is the sketch

and here are my cards both titled happy holidays!

the first one I used mostly October Afternoon paper...love those gingerbread men!

and the second using mostly Cosmo Cricket

Hope you are enjoying your holiday season and you can find some time to come over and play with us!

Inspired Blueprints sketch 60

2010-11-21T09:07:00.003-06:00

happy thanksgiving week! I hope you are ready for the festivities...thanksgiving just may be my most favorite holiday and I am looking forward to all of it!

here is the sketch from Inspired Blueprints

I used bits and pieces of my Studio Calico kits that are hanging around and stome of my own stash...here are my cards:

thankful

I used some amazing hand made embellishments that I received in a swap...thank you Missy for the embellies...I love them!!

love you

have I mentioned that I am in love with Unity stamps minis!! I just can't get enough of them!!

thanks for stopping by and I hope you can find some time to play with us!!

A 2 LO day...

2010-11-13T20:15:00.002-06:00

and that just doesn't happen very often! I just got my Studio Calico kit in the mail and it is down right fabulous! I had to use it right away...and I managed to get the weekly challenge and the sunday sketch done today!

first for the weekly challenge...use packaging on a LO...I used a coupon card that came in the kit...it is the exact same color as mag's glasses...you gotta love it when things happen like that!

and the second is a LO for the 11.7 sunday sketch...and I used the grid stamp with stampin' up white craft ink and american crafts white zing emobssing powder...love!

that may be all the crafting for me this weekend...but you just never know...I do need to work on my gratitude journal!

now this makes me happy

2010-11-11T05:44:00.002-06:00

This totally made my day!

I made a LO for the 2 peas Studio Calico product challenge...and guess what? I'm a winner!! I will be receiving a package of Studio Calico goodness!! Here is the LO I made with a bunch of the new Elementary line...

Thanks for letting me share my scrappy joy with you!

Inspired Blueprints #60

2010-11-07T18:12:00.002-06:00

this was an amazing sketch...I loved.loved it!

here is the sketch...so many fun circles...what's not to love?

and my cards

happy day

hello my friend (I am seriously addicted to Unity Stamp minis!!)

Hope you can find some time to come and play!

30 days of gratitude

2010-11-01T05:44:00.002-05:00

Happy November 1st! I am doing a gratitude journal for the 2nd time. I started last year because I just didn't think I had it in me to do a days of christmas one during the month of December (I might try that this year...we will see). So every day during the month of November I will (hopefully) take a pic and write about 1 thing that I am grateful for...this year I made a 4x6 album and I think I am really loving the size...here is how it has started this year...

the cover

the inside cover...with a quote

and, yes, I do realize that gratitude is not spelled correctly, but if very un-me like fashion, I am going to let it go!

and the first week of journaling cards that will go inside the maya road envelope.

the numbers are from a digital hybrid project from Jessica Sprague

happy halloween

2010-10-31T08:05:00.001-05:00

hope you all get a whole bunch of candy!!

our pumpkin family

and mags in her costume...but now she refuses to wear the wig that she had to have

speaking of boo baskets

2010-10-23T20:43:00.002-05:00

mags and I love to boo...it is a halloween tradition...this year we made baskets from LYB halloween paper left over from last year...and you know I love getting rid of some old stash to make way for some new! you have to be sneaky...and if you leave the basket for someone that knows of no other scrappy people but you it won't be a surprise!
this year we put in some pencils, erasers, pumpkin bubbles, spider rings, fangs and (of course) some candy...and some instructions in case they want to turn around and boo someone else.

Inspired Blueprints #58

2010-10-22T18:21:00.002-05:00

Can it really be that time already...it feels like it was just yesterday that I posted last...and where did the entire month of October go? the holidays are closing in like a freight train!

Here is the sketch #58

and here are the cards I made:

who said boo...to include with my boo baskets this year

i love you...for my dh for our 13th wedding anniversary

I used owl stickers from EAD Designs for both cards...their stickers and rub ons are so fun and easy to use!

Thanks for stopping by...I hope you find some time to play with us this month!

Inspired Blueprints #57

2010-10-08T18:42:00.002-05:00

I had soooo much fun with this sketch! and you should see what the LO designers did with it! EAD Designs is our sponser this month and they gave us some really fun stickers and awesome rub ons to work with!

here is the sketch

and here are the cards I made

hello
I used EAD Design stickers on this one

xoxo
I used EAD Design rub ons on this one

Hope you can find some time to come over and play with us!

I need some new friends!

2010-10-03T06:41:00.002-05:00

Studio Calico has a new blog and to celebrate they are having some awesome giveaways! Go leave a comment and let them know that I sent you...my user name is Leah! You could win too so hurry on over and leave a comment!

happy weekend...

2010-09-25T17:39:00.002-05:00

I had to pick up mags early from school yesterday because she had a headache and a low grade fever...it was nice to leave school a little early even if I forgot to submit my attendance before I rushed to pick her up...she seems fine today and that has given me a little time to play with my latest studio calico kit!!

I have to laugh every time this happens in our back yard...a LO for this week's SC sketch

and the LO I did for last week's sketch challenge...mags with her cousins

yay for the weekend!

It's Inspired Blueprints time!

2010-09-21T18:22:00.002-05:00

Sorry I have been MIA, but work has gotten the better of me and it doesn't seem like it is going to get better any time soon...but I do have some cards to share for the newest Inspired Blueprints sketch!

Here is the sketch...

and here are the cards I made...

thank you

sending a hug

Check out the blog to see the other awesome cards and layouts by the other dt members...and I hope you have some time to play this month.

Inspired Blueprints #55

2010-09-11T08:13:00.002-05:00

It's time for another fabulous sketch from Inspired Blueprints.

Here is the card sketch.

and here are the cards I made.

i love u

dream

I don't even know how long I have had the Queen and Co. chip alpha circles...and I'm glad that I was able to use them...it always makes me feel good to use something that has been hanging around a while.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you can find some time to play with us this month!

Happy Labor Day

2010-09-06T15:59:00.002-05:00

Nothing like a long weekend...I love having a 3 day weekend and spending the whole time hanging out with the family and not doing any of the normal stuff that I need to do! I did get a LO done using last month Studio Calico kit...good thing to get at least 1 LO done before the next kit arrives in the mail next week...I really need to scrap more (but don't tell my husband).

Here is mags on her first day of 3rd grade...

I love these Quickutz nesting stars...I just used them for my bulletin board at school and they were sitting out so I used them here too!

Totally cool!

2010-09-03T17:05:00.002-05:00

When I got home from work today I had an email from Ella publishing that my 8 is enough LOs were picked as the first winner!! You can check out their blog and take a look. I won the August Studio Calico kit and I am already a subscriber...so I see a giveaway coming soon.

just another manic monday

2010-08-23T06:13:00.002-05:00

not really, but it makes for a good title!

this is my last teacher work day before the students arrive tomorrow...the beginning of school is always a little nerve racking for me and I never feel like I am prepared, but it always seems to work out somehow...

here's a little LO I did last week for the studio calico weekly challenge...a recipe challenge...black cardstock, mist, stamp, border punches and bling...I used bits and pieces from various studio calico kits...I love it when I can use up some of my "older" stuff!

here's hoping you have a super week! mwah!

happy weekend and inspired blueprints!

2010-08-21T14:43:00.002-05:00

Going back to school has really put the kabosh on my blogging but I think once things settle in I will be fine.

Inspired Blueprints sketch 54 is up! Hope you can find some time to come and play this month.

and here are the cards I made using some stuff from various studio calico kits

sending a hug

token of my affection

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

happy monday!

2010-08-09T07:03:00.003-05:00

I really loved the last Inspired Blueprints sketch and there was a 3 card challenge going on at Studio Calico that I decided to make cards for all of the teachers and staff that I work with...we go back to work on Thursday! yikes!

I also made these 3 cards for the challenge...for some reason I am all about the love right now!

I loved the little animals that came on a piece of paper in one of the Studio Calico kits...I just had to cut them out!

and then I used up the waves from my volente beach page to make a little mini for mag's mail box!

hope you have a great week...thanks for stopping by!

Want to be Inspired?

2010-08-06T07:27:00.002-05:00

Head on over to Inspired Blueprints and play with the new LO and card sketch!
Here is the card sketch:

and here are the cards I made:

happy birthday

welcome back to class

I made a bunch of the welcome back cards to give to the teachers I work with. We go back to work Thursday and I thought it might be nice to let them know that I really appreciate working with them! I'll post a pic of all of them later!

CHA Sneak Peek Winners – Did You Win? — Pink Paislee

2010-08-04T06:07:00.000-05:00

Random thing I love #2:

Winning something new!! Very excited about the new Pink Paislee!

CHA Sneak Peek Winners – Did You Win? — Pink Paislee

a random thing I love

2010-08-02T13:11:00.002-05:00

when I can use some supplies that came in a kit that when I first looked at them I thought I would never use...and it makes me happy that I did use it and acutally love the LO! when I first saw the KI lace frames and all the diecuts I couldn't imagine using them...but use them I did! this is a pic from last year...a trip to our favorite antique store that we always go to when we visit my mom...

and a close up of the background...I sprayed Maya Road latte mist through a window screen...love the effect!

thanks for stopping by!

determined

2010-07-31T15:48:00.004-05:00

yes...I am determined to get some scrapping done before my next studio calico kit comes in the mail. I got one done today and started another one that I may be able to finish up after dinner. I used my most recent studio calico kit for this LO...a pic of mags and her best friend this past week at the local water park...love those LYB fabric waves!!

and a close up of the waves...

have a great weekend!

this makes me happy!

2010-07-27T20:27:00.002-05:00

it seems like it has taken forever to get this room done...but today the tile went in and you know what that means right? sofa shopping!! but really it means that there is a place for the puppy when we all go back to school...and for me that is August 12th...yikes!!

Circle Flower Tutorial

2010-07-25T07:59:00.002-05:00

These are just so fun and simple!

Step 1. Cut a bunch of circles in various sizes. I used circle punches to make it fast and easy.

Step 2. Cut a slit to the center of each circle.

Step 3. Add a line of glue along one edge of the cut slit and the overlap the other side of the slit. The more you overlap, the thicker your flowers will be.

Step 4. Embellish the center of the flower however you like. I used brads, but buttons, other flowers, bits of rolled up paper would also work.

And here is a bonus card from Inspired Blueprints sketch #52 using these flowers. Mags gave it to her grandfather.

Thanks for stopping and have a happy Sunday!

Inspired Blueprints sketch #52

2010-07-20T07:30:00.002-05:00

I'm glad that I have Inspired Blueprints to keep be blogging...otherwise I might not post for the entire summer! Sketch 52 is up and it is a really fun one...so many options!

and here are the cards I made:

happy father's day

xoxo

I'll post a tutorial on the circle flowers in the next few days...they are super easy and fun!

Hope you can find some time to play with us!

Inspired Blueprints sketch #51

2010-07-06T20:55:00.002-05:00

The card sketch for Inspired Blueprints went live today!

I actually created 3 cards for this sketch...that is not unusual for me...I do a couple of extra and then submit the cards that mags thinks are the best...real scientific, huh? The first 2 are the ones you can find on the IB blog and the final one is an extra added bonus for visiting my blog!

thinking of you

happy birthday

and the bonus has the same base as the happy birthday card, just changed the sentiment and added some flowers and ribbon instead of balloons

thanks for stopping by and I hope you have time to come and play with us!

happy 4th of July

2010-07-05T13:19:00.002-05:00

yes...I know that it is the 5th of july already...I can't believe it...where did june go???
I finished up my last 2 LOs for the eight is enough challenge...first and update of the products I used:

I switched out the border punch and my wild card item turned out to be my spellbinder circles...I love me some circles!

here's some pics of mags on memorial day

and a pic of my dad with the grandkids from thanksgiving last year

I used a lot of stitching on these LOs...more than I usually do...and I kept thinking that if I only had "insert perfect item here" then my LO would somehow magically transform into something perfect. But I'm glad I did it...I used up some of my June kit and now won't feel so bad when my July kit hits the front porch!

Welcome Monday!

2010-06-28T13:52:00.002-05:00

mags started a morning camp today so I have a little extra time to do some crafting this week... yay! so I worked on some cards to be revealed later and then worked on my 8 is enough LOs...this is also my LO for Celine's 4th lesson...a sketch and a color combo. I picked my wild card item for the 8 is enough challenge...spellbinders circles and I changed the punch to the modern garland punch. So now I am stuck...yikes!