it's hip to be square...

I am so excited!!!! Today is my first day of class

I don't really know what to expect...but I am super excited;D I can hardly wait to come home from work to watch my lesson one video.

I hope you had a great weekend. I found this new organic grocery store called Fresh and Easy, it is really a nice place to shop (it is kind of like a Trader Joe's/Whole Foods store). I wasn't able to get everything on my list, but the things I did get were really fresh. I also had to go to the Apple store to get another battery for my mac book (this is my third one). I am glad they have such great customer service;D And there was a Jon & Kate Plus Eight marathon on TLC yesterday. Ashley and I watched quite a few episodes (love that show!). As always the weekend just flew by.

Today's card I made for one of my SU! customers (I am mostly a hobby demo), but whenever anyone places an order with me, I like to send them a card with their invoice/order. I had seen several cards using the square punch on Splitcoast Stampers last week, and decided to give one a try.

Supplies used (all SU! unless noted): Priceless/Lots of thoughts stamp set; Kraft/Regal Rose/Purely Pomegranate/Whisper White cardstock; Regal Rose/Purely Pomegranate ink; Square Punch; Double Stitched Pomegranate Ribbon; Stardust Stickles (non SU!)

thanks berry much

Happy Friday!

Are you ready for the weekend? I know I am!

When I was stamping on Wednesday, I had the urge to do a strawberry card...I just love this sentiment "thank you berry much" from PTI Green Thumb stamp set...and who doesn't love strawberries? Especially with some whipped cream (random note: the cool whip in the aerosol can is really yummy and a WW points value of 0). I even cut out all the berries and popped them up with dimensionals for a more dramatic effect:D

Now onto some exciting news...

I was contacted by beccabatgirl (Becky) on Splitcoast Stampers to be apart of the gsg swap group which is by invitation only...I must say I was flattered to be invited and am excited to start stamping/swapping with all these talented gals!

Thanks for visiting and have a Marvelous Weekend! I hope to make some real progress on Ashley's wedding invitations;D

supplies used (all SU! unless noted): Green Thumb (PTI) stamp set; Real Red/Old Olive/Whisper White Cardstock; Real Red/Old Olive ink; Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon; Ticket Corner Punch

for my aunt...

Hi all...are you getting ready for the weekend? I know I am. I actually had some stamping time yesterday...it was nice. I needed to make several cards and I am glad they all came together pretty fast. This one is for my aunt, who was just diagnosed with bladder/colon/lymph cancer. She is having a rough time with chemo and it makes her so sick that they have to stop it. I wanted to send her an encouraging word, and pulled out my Elegant Inspirations set. I used one of my favorite color combos, blue/brown, and was able to try out my new nestabilities. If you think of it today please say a prayer for my aunt Karlene:D...thanks!

Last night Ashley made Monkey Munch (that is what we call it), it is so good and I ate way too much. It is really easy to make, but I am glad she only makes it once in a while!

So Ashley and I have been talking about re-useable grocery/shopping bags. I don't know about you, but I hate those plastic ones you get at the grocery store...and to top it off...they only put 2 things in them so you have 50 bags to carry into the house. I also like the idea of doing my part to help with waste;D We both bought a set of these I am anxious for them to arrive and try them out. They are supposed to hold two times the amount of one grocery bag. I will let you know how we make out with them. Hopefully I remember to take them with me on my shopping trips.

I hope your day is Awesome! Thanks for stopping by!!!

Supplies used (all SU! unless noted): Elegant Inspirations/Priceless/Women of Life (PTI) stamp sets; Chocolate Chip/Whisper White cardstock; Designer Series Soft Sky paper; Chocolate Chip/Soft Sky ink; Brown Grosgrain ribbon/Square Nestabilities; Stardust Stickles (on butterfly)

text boxed thanks...

Well peep's it's Wednesday...we made it to the half way point of the week.

Mike needed a thank you card for someone, and I hate to girl it up too much for him, so I was playing around with my Text Box stamp set from Papertrey Ink. When I showed it to Ashley, she thought it looked like a card for the Forth of July (oh well!)...you know how I struggle with "guy cards".

I am gearing up for my new photography course, and debating if I need a new lens...the instructor, Candice, mentioned something about a 50 mm lens with low Aperture (it isn't a necessity...but don't tell that to Mike, lol!)...not really sure what all that means...can you see why I am so excited about the class;D

I am going to stamp today! I have a couple of cards that must go out today! And I just got in my new Nestabilities (for Ashley's wedding invitations), and I think I need to break them in a little.
Have a wonderful Wednesday and thanks for visiting!!!
Happy Stamping!

Supplies used (SU! unless noted): Text Box (PTI)/Papertrey Word (PTI) stamp sets; Blue Bayou/Wild Wasabi/Whisper White cardstock; Blue Bayou/Wild Wasabi/Ruby Red ink; Red Grosgrain ribbon

I made it in....

Hi all...
I have been bouncing since last night!!!! I am so thrilled to have made it into the Oh Shoot photography class instructed by Candice Stringham there were only 200 spots available this time around (and way more people who wanted to get in). I sat by my computer from 5:25pm until the class link went live...whew, that was so stressful. My friend Cindy made it in too...so I am happy about that;D

I hope to post some of my class work soon (class starts on 6/30)...I cannot wait to take my camera off the auto setting and be a real photographer.

okay on to today's card...I used the stamp set A Beautiful Thing, and Papertrey Ink Lemon Tart Perfect match ink/cardstock/ribbon. I think it looks so summery. I really like how it turned out.

Enjoy your day!!!! Thanks for visiting today!

Supplies used (SU! unless noted): A Beautiful Thing/Absolutely Fabulous stamps; Lemon Tart (PTI)/More Mustard/Whisper White cardstock; Lemon Tart (PTI)/More Mustard ink; Lemon Tart (PTI) ribbon; Stardust Stickles for flower centers.

monday, monday...

whew...

Another busy weekend! I have been on an organizing kick for a few days now (which is a good thing). I guess spring didn't get me into the cleaning mood...No, I wait until summer when it is stinkin' hot! lol! I have been on an organizing roll and it feels good to get stuff back in it's spot/weeded out. It just makes me happy to have everything put away and organized (I think I may have a control issue, lol!).

Mike and I enjoyed swimming on Saturday morning (92 degree water...glorious), went out to eat for lunch at Chipolte, ran some errands and then I put him (and me)to work organizing our computer/my craft room (my side was pretty much clean). I must say that it looks Marvelous! I hope it stays that way for a little while, I even got all our shredding done...that stuff always piles up, I have a basket on top of the shredder and it was full (I hate junk mail).

Today's card is for a couple from church that had us over for dinner a couple of weekends ago (and I am just getting around to mailing the thank you...better late than never I guess.). I used my Spring Bouquet stamp set from Papertrey ink, as well as my oval Nestabilities (love those things). And used blush blossom and groovy guava cardstock/ink (haven't used that color scheme in a while). It is a pretty simple card, but I am a less is more kind of gal;D

Have a Marvelous Monday! Thanks for visiting!!

supplies used (all SU! unless noted): Spring Bouquet (PTI)/ Mixed Messages (PTI)/Absolutely Fabulous stamp sets; Groovy Guava/Blush Blossom/Whisper White cardstock; Blush Blossom/Groovy Guava/Mellow Moss ink; Guava double stitched ribbon; Nestabilies Dies

blooming with happiness...

I am so glad it is Friday! I am planning to get some stamping/digi time in this weekend...I must get some thank you cards cranked out!

And I want to get the new kit by Shabby Miss Jenn, see it here. Isn't it nice? Too bad I don't have any beach pictures to scrap...being that I live in AZ, lol!

Today I am posting another oldie but goodie card. This is one of my favorite sets...I love this dress image. It is hard to see from the picture, but I cut out the dress and popped it up with a dimensional.

FYI: SU! announced this week that they are going to be carrying a new product line...Wall Art. I am not to familiar with it, but they kinda look like a giant rub-on for your walls. I am hoping that they work on textured walls (if anyone knows...leave a comment). I think I may put one in my craft room...they have a large Create one that would look neat in there.

I hope you have a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by;D

Supplies used (All SU! unless noted): Blooming with Happiness/Paisley Background stamps; So Saffron/Basic Black/Ballet Blue/Whisper White cardstock; Basic Black/Ballet Blue ink; So Saffron/Ballet Blue SU! markers; Saffron Grosgrain/Black Gingham Ribbon

happy everything...

I forgot to post this card...I found it when I was deleting pictures from my memory card, I was so glad I found it. Here is another set that is an oldie but goodie...Flower Filled. I like these two colors together black/turquoise so simple, just the way I like it...less is more!

I did get a little bit of stamping time in yesterday...whoo hoo! I still have a few cards to make and I am hoping to get a few pages scrapped too! lets hope my stamping/scrapping mojo returns!

I was so happy to get my kitchen cupboards all organized yesterday. I pulled everything out and did an inventory...if I hadn't used it in a while I tossed/donated/gave away. Then I wiped them all out and put everything back (in different spots), I hope I get used to the new layout. That is such a good feeling to have that done! Next challenge...garage...stuff just seems to end up out there.

I hope your Thursday is Terrific! Thanks for visiting!!

Supplies Used (all SU!): Flower Filled/Small Sayings stamp sets; Basic Black/Whisper White/Tempting Turquoise cardstock; Basic Black/Tempting Turquoise ink; Black gingham ribbon; small circle punch

digi today...

My stamping mojo is missing (argh!)! I hope I can find it soon...because I have several thank you cards to make.

With that being said: I don't have any new stamping projects for you today *insert sad face* so I thought I would post a digi page I made a while back. These are pictures from our Easter Sunday. We had a great time visiting with my mom.

I have lots to do today! I am hoping to tackle more of my cupboards (to organize). This time it is all my pans/Rubbermaid/mixing bowls/baking stuff. It just seems to get so out of order (maybe because everyone takes turns putting stuff away from the dishwasher and they don't have my same standards...(note that is not a complaint) I am just happy for the help!). So now that I cannot locate anything...it is time to reorganize and purge. I think I may take on all my bottom cupboards and totally do an overhaul. Hopefully it won't take me all day, lol! At least I will be inside enjoying the a/c, I heard on the radio yesterday that we are in for a cooling trend....Thursday is supposed to be 107...that will be nice, lol!

Have a super day! Thanks for stopping in;D

kits used: Old Letters (Shabby Miss Jenn); Little Bit O' Spunk (Designer Digital Essentials); Template by Miss Mint (Peppermint Creative);
Font: You are loved

an oldie but goodie and other random stuff....

Here is a card I made a while ago...this set (Terrific Tulips), was one of my very first (and favorite) SU! sets. I had never done two-step stamping before, and I thought it was really cool! I was sad to see this set retire a couple of catty's ago...but you have to make room for the new and improved...I guess.

Last night I watched my favorite new show Jon & Kate Plus Eight (on TLC). Ashley was just saying the other day that once a week is NOT enough. It is quite addicting! I am just amazed at how Jon & Kate can be so organized with 8 kids (6 of them are 3). It is a cute show and I highly recommend it;D

If you are interested in learning how to organize all your digi supplies/pictures on your computer, then head over to Jessica Sprague's website here...Sign up's are today to learn the programs ACDSee (for Windows) and Shoebox (Mac users)...I have the ACDSee program and really love it!!! I am all over anything that organizes and makes your life easier. Once you start acquiring all sorts of digi kits/pictures, you start to forget where the cute button, the polka dotted paper or the picture of the cat you are looking for is...this way you tag all your items by category...just click buttons and viola' all your buttons, polka dotted paper and kitty pic's are there for you...it just makes me happy!

Have a great Tuesday!!! Thanks for visiting today!

Supplies used (all SU!): Terrific Tulips/Itty Bitty Backgrounds stamp sets; Regal Rose/Pretty in Pink/Mellow Moss (stamped off for lighter color) ink; Pretty in Pink/Regal Rose/Whisper White Cardstock; Wide White Organdy Ribbon

father's day/and another guy card...

Happy Monday all! (I can hear you groaning, lol!). I hope you had a great weekend.




Mine went by too fast (as usual). It was a hot one here in AZ, I think it was 112 degrees yesterday...but it is a dry heat, ha ha! We had a nice day celebrating Father's Day...Ashley made lunch (boy, that was nice!) Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches and curly fries...(let me just say that my diet went out the window this entire weekend!), and Boston Cream Cake for dessert...yummy! (doesn't Josh look squished?)Then we opened presents and popped in a movie...a perfect day!



This card I made for my father in law's birthday last Friday, I really need to invest in some more masculine stamp sets! I know I have said this before, but guy cards are really hard for me! I hope he liked it;D



Stampin'Up! also posted their retiring list for the spring/summer collection, you can find it here.


I am looking forward to getting the new catalog!

Thanks for visiting and have a great day!!



Supplies used (all SU! unless noted): Celebrate Everything/Birthday Wimsey stamp sets; Wild Wasabi/Not Quite Navy/Whisper White cardstock; Wild Wasabi/Not Quite Navy ink; Wasabi double stitched ribbon; Oval punches

digi freebie links...

Still busy, busy, busy!
I thought I would give you some links to some digi freebies;D

click here...and here...and here...and here...and here

and an awesome $4 grab bag here (a lotta bang for your buck)

Enjoy! And thanks for visiting!!!

bows and knots....

Hi everyone!

I am all about working smarter and not harder...don't ya think? Anyway, I found these bow/knot tutorials by Scoopy on Splitcoast Stampers (link is here). These were really good, so instead of trying to put one together and find one of my family members to photograph me (which is not an easy task), I thought I would post these;D *you can click on the image to make it easier to read*



One trick that I use is this: instead of wrapping the ribbon around the card and tying it that way, I lay the ribbon across the front and leave about an inch on each side; then I tape it to the back of the card; cut another piece of ribbon for the bow/knot; tie (I ususally fiddle around with the ribbon until the knot looks the way I like it). I find that this way I have a lot more control over the bow/knot and I save ribbon in the long run.



I hope this helps...please feel free to email or leave a comment if you have any other questions on ribbon tying.









Have a super day and thanks for visiting my blog!!!

blog break today...

I have crazy busy this week and need a blog break today:D

I will be back tomorrow!

see ya then!

Don't forget about Papertrey's sneak peek all this week...

my June desktop calandar...

Happy Tuesday!
I had a very productive day off yesterday...I was working on Ashley's wedding invitations. I think I have the fold/design down. Now I just have to order another set (or two) of Nestabilities to finish the design. Then I called all the local hotels for rates for our out of town guests to include with the invitation. It feels good to get some of that small stuff accomplished...because you know how things go...there is always something that you forgot or doesn't turn out right, so I want to have as much done as possible to be ready for the unexpected!

So I pretty much worked most of the day yesterday on Ashley's invitation design and did not get any other stamping in. And I cannot show you her invitation yet. I did however, have a few moments to update my desktop calendar. You can download this one for free here. I didn't have time to be creative, so I just used our Christmas photo and then found a vertical one of our cat Peter.

Don't forget to check out Nichole's blog from Papertrey Ink today, as it is that time of the month again! New release sneak peeks;D

I hope you have a Terrific Tuesday and thanks for stopping by!

*I have NOT forgotten about my bow/knot tutorial, it will hopefully be done this week...it has just been a little crazy around here lately!

a case of a case...

Happy Monday all!

Boy, my weekend flew by! Although I did get lots accomplished. Mike and I worked out in the back yard on Saturday morning. Our area has bulk trash pick up on a quarterly basis and the pick ups start today...so we HAD to get all the trees and bushes trimmed so we could get them out for pick up. I wasn't really thinking and didn't put on sunscreen...and I got a really bad sunburn on my back...ouch! It is my own fault...because I know better!

Saturday afternoon, Ashley, her maid of honor (Lindsay), and I met with the florist for her upcoming October 4th wedding...we should be getting the quote on Wednesday...hopefully not too bad! It went pretty smoothly...let's hope the $$ part works out.

Sunday we had a church picnic and baptism party. It was a lot of fun, although it was HOT! 4 teenagers were baptized, which was really cool. We had lots of yummy food too!

Today's card is really similar to one I made last week, I just changed the colors. Sometimes when I need a card fast, I case a card I have already made. This one was for my Friend Jackie, she is 39 again this year, lol!

Supplies used (all SU! unless noted): Text Box/Women of Life (PTI) stamp sets; Whisper White/Berry Sorbet (PTI) cardstock; Berry Sorber (PTI) ink; Berry Sorbet Ribbon (PTI); Stardust Stickles (unknown)

father's day papertrey style...

Happy Friday! Are you ready for the weekend? I know I am :D

Today I am going to be busy wrapping up Father's Day packages to mail, cleaning, and hopefully doing some digi scrapping...I have not scrapped in a such a long time.

I always have a hard time making guy cards. Here is the card I made our dad's for Father's Day. I don't have many stamps for "guy" cards (maybe that is why I have a hard time making them...and that I can't add flowers and ribbon, lol!). Luckily I remembered I had this grasshopper stamp in my Green Thumb set by Papertrey Ink...I decided to put the little guy on the branch from my other Papertrey set Out On A Limb. It is hard to see from the photo, but I added some Crystal Effects to the grasshopper to give him some dimension and of course I had to add some chocolate chip ribbon (I just cannot seem to make a card without adding ribbon).

I hope to get my bow tying tutorial posted next week...Hopefully Josh will be my photographer:D

Thanks for visiting and have a terrific weekend!

supplies used (all SU! unless noted): Green Thumb/Out on a Limb (PTI) stamp sets; Old Olive/Whisper White/Chocolate Chip cardstock; Chocolate Chip/Old Olive/Sage Shadow ink; Chocolate Chip ribbon; Crystal Effects (on grasshopper)

yummy!

I do have some projects to share...but didn't get them photographed and uploaded yet. Instead Ashley and I did some baking and caught up on a couple of shows on the DVR (Hell's Kitchen and Jon & Kate Plus 8). We had a great girls night (while Mike played his computer game).

We made some yummy cookie bars (Thanks to Mish). I had been wanting to try this recipe for a while, and finally got around to getting all the ingredients. They turned out really yummy! and were pretty easy to make...I am not a big cookie making person, because I hate having to scoop/bake/scoop/bake, etc. With this recipe you just press into the pan and bake all at once...my kind of cookies ;D

Here is the recipe

Tropical Blondies

1/2 Cup butter
1/2 Cup shortening
3/4 Cup sugar
1/2 Cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1-3/4 Cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp coconut extract
1 tsp pineapple juice
6 oz white chocolate chips
6 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 Cup coarsely chopped macadamia nuts
1/2 Cup coconut

In large mixing bowl, cream butter and shortening, gradually add sugars beating until light and fluffy. Add egg; mix well. Combine flour, soda and salt; add to creamed mixture. Blend in extracts and pineapple juice. Stir in chips, coconut and nuts. Spread (I pressed with my hands) into a 10x15 baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-22 minutes or until lightly browned. Cut into squares...Enjoy!

*if you want to make cookies rather than bars: chill dough for about an hour; then drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet; bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes.

Have a great day!

our usual Sunday afternoon...

Hi Friends!
It is Wednesday!!! And I am ready for the weekend. It will be a busy one...Ashley and I meet with the florist on Saturday (wedding plans)and we have a church picnic on Sunday (and all the usual stuff in between).

I haven't been stamping due to being sick last week (boy, being sick really cramps my style!). So I thought I would post a digi layout I made a few weeks back when I was on a scrapping role. This layout uses one of my favorite digi kits (Love Shack) by Shabby Miss Jen and the template is from another favorite place of my Scrapbook Graphics (Janet Philips).

I have been asked often (and quite flattered I might add) on how I get my knots/bows to look the way they do on my cards...so I am going to try to do a tutorial on how I tie them...I hope to have it done by Friday (fingers crossed). So stay tuned! I also have some stamping projects to share next week :D

I hope you enjoy your day!!! Thanks for visiting!

tic tac anyone?

Here is another wedding favor...this one is a tic tac holder (I didn't have any tic tac's and wanted to take a picture before I gave it away...see previous posts for explanation). I cannot take credit for this cute little creation I found the template here I just used my color scheme and made it wedding themed. These are really cute little gifts and really easy to make.

Okay are you ready for some randomness? I have a love for bowls (any kind) and plastic wear...so while I was sick last week, I watched a lot of television and saw a commercial for these I thought they were really cool!!! The lids snap to the bottom (so you never loose it), or they can all snap together. So while I was picking a few things up at the grocery store yesterday, I thought I would check them out. I ended up buying an 18 piece set. I am going to throw out all my old ones and reorganize! They are pretty cool (if you like that sort of thing).

*mom, I promise I don't have that much Tupperware/Rubbermaid, lol!*

Have a Terrific day and thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies used (all SU! unless noted): Wedding Day (PTI)/So Many Scallops stamp sets; Soft Sky/Basic Black/Whisper White cardstock; Soft Sky/Basic Black ink; Circle/Scallop punches; Double Stitched Sky Ribbon

nugget box...

Happy Monday!
Whew...I am finally back in the land of the living! I don't know what I had, but I am glad it is over!!! I had been sick from Wednesday thru Saturday...Yesterday was the first day I could actually eat regular food. I am so glad to leave the Saltines/Jello behind!!!! On the positive side...I think I may have lost 5 lbs.

Now on to the stamping! Like I posted on Friday...a girl from my church needed some favor's for her work. She works for a hotel and they are handing out small favors at a bridal show. Here is a cute little nugget box. I made a bunch of these a couple of years ago...They hold 3 Hershey's Nuggets (you can find the template here). I kept with the same color scheme as the chocolate bar wrapper from here I pulled out some of my retired Wintergreen Designer paper for the outer box. A cute little gift of chocolate...gotta love that!

Thanks for visiting and have a great day!

Supplies Used (all SU! unless noted): Wedding Day stamp set (PTI); Basic Black/Whisper White cardstock; Basic Black/Soft Sky ink; Wintergreen designer paper; Black gingham ribbon; circle punches