crazy phoenix weather...

Hey all!

Sorry for the lack of post earlier today...we had a "wicked" (my New England slang coming out there), rain/wind/hail storm last night. When I woke up this morning, this is what I found...our big 15 ft cactus tumbled. I called a landscaper and was told, it could not be saved...kind of sad, because we really liked that prickly thing! I don't know how people will find our house now...we always say, we are the ones with the big cactus out front. Luckily, Ashley's car didn't get smashed! that was really a blessing! Because that could have done some serious damage! I guess when it rains it pours...literally! (ha! I crack myself up!).

The neighbors behind us also had a tree down...check this out.

It will be nice to get it all cleaned up, and best of all my busy hubby won't have to do it;D I am sure that will make him happy, although I do have some other jobs for him...several shade screens blew off the windows (we need those to help keep the a/c cost down here in Phoenix), and hopefully he is going to organize his little corner of my craft room...(notice I said "little" and "my", lol! he is a great guy...especially for putting up with me, but don't tell him that!).

Have a safe and fun LONG weekend!

pure poppy...

I had a few moments to stamp yesterday (and only a few), and my pure poppy paper was just wanting be made into a card. I realized I should have bought this stamp set, to go with this gorgeous poppy paper...I will probably break down and get it, lol! I pulled out my Oh So Lovely set and paper pieced this flower (which I think is a poppy). I added some stardust stickles to the flower for some sparkle. A pretty easy card...I think it took me 5 minutes to make, gotta love that!

I was so happy to get 3/4 of my to-do list completed yesterday morning...such a great feeling! I was thinking of some jobs I want to get completed over the long weekend...most of them require my hubby. I thought I would make a list for him...but then remembered...he doesn't appreciate lists like I do, but no worries...I have a mental list running in the front of my mind for him...I am sure he will appreciate that, lol!

Enjoy your Thursday! Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies used (SU! unless noted): Oh So Lovely/Floral Frenzy (PTI) stamp sets; Pure Poppy (PTI)/Basic Black/Whisper White cardstock; Basic Black ink; Black grosgrain ribbon (Michael's); Stardust Stickles (unknown)

busy, busy, busy!

Happy Wednesday!
I am so glad the week is half over! I almost forgot that we have a long weekend...yeah! I am really looking forward to catching up on stuff...do you ever feel so far behind that you can see your butt up ahead? LOL! That is how I have been feeling this week! I cannot seem to get things caught up...arghh!

I am so happy that I go into work later on Wednesdays...I have a load of laundry still in the dryer from Sunday...that is totally not like me! Plus I still need to vacuum! And several other wedding things HAVE to get done this week...okay...deep breath! I think I may need some stamp therapy today!

Here is a quick card I whipped up last weekend...I needed a sympathy card (don't enjoy making those), I decided to pull out one of my favorite old stamp sets, Easy Elegance, and of course I had to use my new PTI pure poppy ink...such a pretty color! Okay off to complete some unfinished chores!

Have a wonderful day! Thanks for visiting;D

Supplies used (SU! unless noted): Easy Elegance/Out on a limb (PTI); Soft Sage/Whisper White/Chocolate Chip cardstock; Pure Poppy (PTI)/Soft Sage/Chocolate Chip ink; Satin Brown Ribbon (Michael's)

rustic branches...

Hi peeps!

I hope your week is off to a great start...Here is another card using my new Rustic Branches stamp set...I used one of my favorite color combos (not quite navy/chocolate chip/old olive). This stamp set reminds me of living in Connecticut, my mom always made wreaths for the front door, for every season...grapevine, bittersweet, eucalyptus, evergreen (she has quite the green thumb), she could be a florist! I didn't get any of her talent with the green thumb thing, but I am a mean papercrafter, lol!

Yesterday we had to take our cat, kitty to the vet, she has had some inflammation on her third eyelid (gross, I know), well they couldn't find anything wrong with her eye, no scratches or infection, and believe me they poked around in her eye so much, I couldn't watch...she did great through it all;0) they gave us some antibacterial/steroid ointment to put in her eyes for two weeks (that is going to be Mike's job, lol!). I hope it clears it up. Poor kitty!

I hope you have a great day!

Supplies used (SU! unless noted): Rustic Branches (PTI); Not Quite Navy/Chocolate Chip/Kraft cardstock; Chocolate Chip/Old Olive/Not Quite Navy ink; Chocolate grosgrain ribbon; Stardust Stickles on berries

my new papertrey set...

I cannot believe the weekend is over...I say that every Monday don't I? lol!

I hope your weekend was great. On Friday, can you believe I spent the entire day just doing nothing? I edited some pictures of Ashley's dress fitting that I took on Thursday night (sorry cannot post them yet...just in case Nate checks out my blog), and did a lot of photography web surfing (so informative and time consuming, but I had fun). I found this great site and made one of these on Saturday, I even had all the supplies...way cool. I may need to buy some better lights for the sides but I think it will work out pretty great, and it was free (even better). On Saturday, Mike was at the church all day building a stage for the auditorium, so I had the whole day to myself...I got caught up on cleaning, organizing, laundry...almost got everything crossed off my list.

So I have been debating trading laptops with Ashley for some time now...I have an Apple Mac Book, and I have to say, I do not like it one bit. I have heard the saying "once you go Mac, you never go back," well I am going back!!!! We decided to trade and we are both in the process of deleting and saving our files to transfer to our new laptops. This is a better option for me, because I am just too old to learn new ways to work the computer! She is really happy with the trade off too, since she is getting a way better deal;D

I guess that has been enough random chit chat, huh? Now onto the card. I was happy to get an hour or so on Saturday to use my new set Rustic Branches by PTI. I made 2 cards with this set and another sympathy card for my BFF's sister (who lost her husband tragically last week). If you think of it...say a prayer for Marcia.

Thanks for stopping by...have a great day!

Supplies used (SU! unless noted): Rustic Branches (PTI); Kraft/Chocolate Chip/Whisper White cardstock; Chocolate Chip/Always Artichoke/Pure Poppy (PTI) cardstock; Pure Poppy grosgrain ribbon (PTI)

here they are...finally!

All I can say is that I am glad it is Friday...I pretty much flew through my Thursday...worked until 5:30pm, hurried and ate a yummy dinner prepared by Ashley, went to David's Bridal for a fitting, then to Joann's for some reception decorations...then back home to help pick the wedding menu, whew, I was tired.
Wedding stuff is starting to really get stressful (as I knew it would). So that being said today is a quick post.

Here are some photos of Ashley's wedding invitations that were mailed last week (yeah! that was a great feeling).

Feel free to email me or leave a comment if you have any questions on how to make them...let me just say if you are making more than 100, it is A LOT of work and very time consuming, so start early.

I have to say, that I was very happy with the finished project...just glad they are finished.

Isn't the picture of Ashley cute...posing with the completed invites:D
Have a Terrific weekend!

I hope to get some stamping done, so I have some exciting things to post next week;D

yes, another floral frenzy....

Hi all,

It has been getting busy with wedding stuff, tonight Ashley has her first fitting, and I am going with her...she is going to make dinner, since I have to work late. That will be nice *smile* I love when someone else makes dinner!

Here is one of the Weight Watcher recipes I promised (I will post the other one tomorrow): They are super easy and yummy! Which means they will be repeated in our house;D

Orange Beef (3 points)

3 scallions, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp fresh ginger, minced

1 T orange zest3/4 lb boneless sirloin steak, trimmed and cut into thin strips

1 10-oz bag fresh sugar snap peas and baby carrots

2 T reduced sodium soy sauce

2 T orange juice

1 tsp cornstarch

1 T cold water

spray large wok or skillet with cooking spray, and set to high; add scallions, garlic, ginger and orange zest; stir fry until softened.

add beef and stir fry until browned (about 3 min); add the snap peas and carrots continue stir frying until crisp tender. stir in orange juice, bring to a simmer.

meanwhile, mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth. add to wok and cook stirring constantly until the sauce is thickened. serve with rice (add 3 points for 1 serving).

4 1 cup servings (I doubled the recipe for our family).

Enjoy!

Now onto the card...

Yup...another floral frenzy (with the cuttlebug flower die no less!). I really like this color combo, really soft and pretty. I am posting Ashley's wedding invitations tomorrow...since my mom finally got hers (gotta love that Connecticut mail service!)

Have a fantastic day!

Supplies used (SU! unless noted): Floral Frenzy (PTI) stamp set; Blush Blossom (PTI)/Bordering Blue/Whisper White cardstock; Blush Blossom (PTI)/Bordering Blue/Certainly Celery ink; Blush Blossom (PTI) grosgrain ribbon

couldn't help myself...

Hello everyone!

I hope your Wednesday is off to a great start! Remember last week...when I said I would give my Floral Frenzy stamp set a rest? I just couldn't, lol! Last week I was reading Nichole's blog, that this flower image can be used with the cuttlebug flower dies (which I had). So of course I had to give it a try...and yup! it works (note: cut the paper before stamping...much easier).

We had a great family night last night...I made a yummy WW dinner (7 points and very yummy, even the non-WW family members liked it...Mike and Josh). I will post a couple of my favorite WW dinner recipes on tomorrows post. Then when Ashley and I were getting ready for our daily 3 mile walk, Mike and Josh said they would come too...it was nice to chat and sweat together! They are such great company;D

Have a fabulous day!!

Supplies used (SU! unless noted): Floral Frenzy (PTI); Whisper White/Real Red/Basic Black cardstock; Basic Black/Mellow Moss/Real Red ink; Cuttlebug flower die; Red grosgrain ribbon

overboard with the scalloped punch...

Howdy...
I hope your Monday was great, now we are onto Tuesday (the weekend is almost here, lol!).

As you know I love (no LOVE my new scalloped punch from SU!). When I was making this card, I just kept punching each layer with scallops. What do ya think...too much? On the last layer I punched small holes in each scallop with the hole punch (lotta punching on this card). I used my very first Papertrey Ink stamp set (Paper Tray), once I started using these clear stamps...that was it, I was hooked!

I get to go into work a little late today...so I am hoping to do some blog surfing (so fun, but time consuming).

I hope your day is Awesome!

Supplies used (all PTI unless noted): Papertray stamp set; Certainly Celery (SU!) Blush Blossom/Aqua Mist ink; Whisper White (SU!)/Aqua Mist/Blush Blossom cardstock; Scalloped/hole punches (SU!)

For the Brooks family...

Monday is here....
Boy those weekends just seem to fly by, I know mine did anyway. I did get several things accomplished on my to-do list, so I feel pretty good about that.

I don't enjoy making sympathy cards! This one is for a dear friend of our family. When we lived in Lynchburg VA (while Mike was finishing his degree at Liberty University from 1997-2000), we got to know the Brooks family very well...Don employed Mike, Ruth was our Nurse Practitioner (and Ashley's while she was away at LU from 2004-2007), and our kids were in youth group together. Last year we found out that Ruth had breast cancer, and we had not really heard from them for some time, well I found out that Ruth passed away in March. So sad! I have been thinking about her and the family ever since I found out. We know she is in heaven (and no longer suffering), but it is still hard to think about Don and the kids living without her. I know we were blessed by knowing her! Lift a prayer up for the Brooks family today!

I hope you have a terrific Monday!

Supplies used (SU! unless noted): Out on a limb (PTI) stamp set; Close to Cocoa/Whisper White/Soft Sky cardstock; Close to Cocoa/Soft Sky ink; Soft Sky ribbon; Scalloped punch

TGIF!

TGIF!!!!
Are you ready for the weekend?
I had to post this picture of our cat Peter...this is what happens when Ashley & Josh have the day off and go shopping at Target together. I come home to Peter wearing a shirt that says "chases tail" CRAZY! We all got a good laugh and Peter really didn't mind wearing the shirt (I think it even brings out his eyes, lol!). He is such a crazy kitty...but he makes me smile.


I didn't make it into the stamp room, so I am posting a card I made last week...You may remember the Orange card...same card different fruit/colors. I do have some stamping in the works, so I am hoping to have some fun stuff to post next week.

Not too much planned for the weekend, so I am looking forward to hanging out!

Enjoy yours!

Supplies used (SU! unless noted): Tart & Tangy/So Sweet stamp sets; Old Olive/Whisper White/Real Red cardstock; Real Red/Old Olive marker; Old Olive ink; Red Stripped ribbon

last floral frenzy....

Happy Thursday!
I hope you day is off to a great start! Today is my last post of Floral Frenzy cards (for a little while, anyway), I do love this set, and I am looking forward to the new releases on Friday.

Since taking my photography class, I am obsessed with photo editing (you know, to tweak the photo that was a little over/under exposed...hey, I am still learning). I am very new to the world of actions for PSE (I am using version 5). Well I found this site that has the easiest installation of actions, and they are great! I used the Contra Pop on today's card...what do ya think? Check them out here. Let me warn you...you will get addicted, lol!

I am hoping to get some stamping done over the next few days...before the UPS truck arrives with the favor supplies. I have my fingers crossed.

Enjoy today! Thanks for visiting!!

Supplies used (SU! unless noted): Floral Frenzy (PTI) stamp set; Sweet Blush (PTI)/Close to Cocoa/Whisper White cardstock; Close to Cocoa/Sweet Blush (PTI) ink; Sweet Blush grosgrain ribbon (PTI); Scallop punch

another one...

Are you getting tired of floral frenzy cards yet, lol! I hope not, because I have one more to post tomorrow.

This is the card I made for my Mom's birthday (August 11th), she is celebrating her 39th birthday, again (right mom?). This card is pretty much Papertrey all the way (hey that rhymes). I was happy with the outcome.

It was so nice to have a night off from wedding stuff! Although, I got an email that my supplies for the favors are on the way...I won't get too used to the break, lol! I may sound like I don't enjoy all this crafting (on a tight schedule), but I don't mind at all. Especially since I get to spend so much time with Ashley. I will sure miss her when she moves out. Luckily we work together, so I see her on a pretty regular basis. And I am sure she will be over for dinner from time to time (at least until she feels more comfortable in the kitchen).

Enjoy your day! Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies used (all PTI unless noted): Floral Frenzy/Women of Life stamp sets; Berry Sorbet/Close to Cocoa (SU!)/Whisper White (SU!) cardstock; Berry Sorbet/Close to Cocoa (SU!)/Sage Shadow (SU!) ink pads; Berry Sorbet grosgrain ribbon

another floral frenzy...

Hi all!
I am happy to report the invitations are "outta da house." Now I can take a breather for a couple of days.

I was so happy to get mostly everything checked off my to-do list yesterday...now it is back to work today.

Here is another Floral Frenzy card...I had a lot of fun playing with this set over the weekend...I cannot believe it is almost that time of the month already...you know...for Papertrey's new releases. This month is gonna be a good one...I can't wait to see the full set by Heather! (I just love her stamping style). So far I LOVE it! Make sure you check out Nichole's blog each day for a sneak peak.

Have a super day! Thanks for visiting!!

Supplies used (SU! unless noted): Floral Frenzy (PTI) stamp set; Summer Sunrise (PTI)/Whisper White/Kraft cardstock; White/Chocolate Chip/Summer Sunrise (PTI) ink pads; Summer Sunrise dotted satin ribbon

Monday, Monday....

Howdy!

I hope you all had a super weekend! I was consumed with wedding invitations, and I am happy to report after a few snags...I think we are 90% finished. I think they may be in the mail by Tuesday (Wednesday at the latest). Whew! so glad those are almost done...now onto the wedding favors (I told Ashley we need to book a massage for the both of us after all this crafting!).

Can you believe that I did have a few moments to stamp on Saturday (when our printer had an issue...that poor thing was printing like crazy). Come to find out we need to replace the heads. Luckily we had access to another printer to get the final stuff printed. I wanted to use my new set from Papertrey called Floral Frenzy. I made a few cards with this set and realized I really do like this daisy image (which you will see over the next few days, lol!). Of course I had to add some scallops with my new SU! scalloped edge punch (love that thing!). I paired PTI Aqua Mist with SU!'s last season's In Color River Rock (it is quite a pretty combo...if I do say so myself).

I decided to take today off at the last minute (needed a day to catch up on stuff since the invitations consumed my entire weekend). Thankfully Lori said she could open the office for me today...wish I could just veg, but have to grocery shop, pick up pictures from Costco, and do laundry.

Plus it is my mom's birthday today...HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! I am mailing your present today (sorry it will be late). But this way you can enjoy your birthday all week long!

Supplies used (SU! unless noted): Floral Frenzy stamp set (PTI); Whisper White/Aqua Mist (PTI)/River Rock cardstock; Aqua Mist (PTI)/River Rock ink; Aqua Polka Dotted ribbon (PTI); Scallop Edge punch

digi stuff (and you could win a camera strap)

TGIF!!!
Last night I had plans of stamping...but you know how that goes. Everyone came over for dinner and then decided to play a few games of UNO, and I didn't want to be anti-social. So instead of a card today I am posting my August digi desktop...you can get one here. Ashley and Josh agreed to let me take their picture (which is rare these days, lol!). They see me with my camera and run. Crazy Kids!





Also, Miss Mint has her August freebie up...get yours here. I love her stuff! *note-you have to add it to your cart for the free download*


And here is your chance to win a cute camera strap like this one...

Just put a link on your blog/message board/favorite forum and then post a comment to the Cotton Candy by Natalie store (details on her blog); and you could win. This is the one I want! It matches my Vera Bradley bag;D

Have a Fabulous weekend!!!

"orange" you sweet...

Couldn't resist that title, lol! (I know cheesy!).

I hope your day is off to a great start. Well yesterday I had several things on my to-do list that I just could not seem to complete...so frustrating! I love (LOVE) to cross things off my list, and when I can't well...I get frustrated! Today is a new day! Guess it is a good lesson in patience (arghhh!).

I saw a card similar to this on Splitcoast Stampers a while back, and thought it was so cute...so I cased it and put my twist on it. I don't think you can see from the picture...but I added Crystal Effects to the orange segments to give it some dimension.

I am so behind on my final *sad face* Lesson 6 (learning composition this week). Hopefully I will have some time when I get home from work today to practice. I have learned so much about my camera, and don't fear moving the dial to M (manual) any more. If you want to know how to sign up for September's class the info is here.

Enjoy today and thanks for stopping by!

Supplies used (all SU! unless noted): Tart n' Tangy/So Very stamp sets; Whisper White/Pumpkin Pie cardstock; Pumpkin Pie/Basic Black ink; Orange stripped ribbon; Circle punches

birthday week...day 3

Hi!
Well, here is day three of birthday cards. I think that is it for birthday cards (for this week anyway, lol!).

This is another card I made for Nate's birthday last week, and when I was posting it, I realized I had made one very similar to this one a while back. This set is definitely one of my go-to stamp sets for birthdays...I hope the new catty has some new and exciting birthday sets! Of course I did use my scallop punch on the bottom (and punched holes in it for a fun look)...just love that thing!

I have lots of stuff to do today and hope to make it into my stamp room later today! I have a sympathy card to make (those are never fun!).

Enjoy your day and thanks for visiting!!!

Supplies used (all SU! unless noted): Birthday Whimsy stamp set; Whisper White/Wild Wasabi/Pumpkin Pie/Tempting Turquoise cardstock; Wild Wasabi/Tempting Turquoise/Pumpkin Pie/Purely Pomegranate ink; Orange striped ribbon; scallop/hole punches

birthday week...day 2

I hope your day is off to a great start...so nice to be over the Monday hump!

Last night Ashley and I watched our favorite show...it always makes Monday more fun knowing we have something fun to watch. I also got my Papertrey order yesterday yippee! Now Ashley and I are going to be invitation assembling machines! Hoping to get them mailed by the end of the week or beginning of next week (we will see how we do). It will be nice to get them "outta here"! Then I can concentrate on the favors, ceremony programs, etc.

Today I have 2 things to show you...I don't know if it is because I have OCD, but whenever I make a gift for someone, the card always has to coordinate. This is the set I made for the Doctor in my office. We celebrated his birthday yesterday. I am really loving these box in a bag things! They come together really easily and you can use up your patterned paper (which is a good thing, lol!). You can find the template here.

Have a Terrific Day!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Card - Supplies used (SU! unless noted): Celebrate Everything stamp set; Kraft/Whisper White/Night of Navy cardstock; Night of Navy/Old Olive ink; Olive grosgrain ribbon.

Box in a Bag - Supplies Used (SU! unless noted): So Many Scallops stamp set; Night of Navy/Old Olive/Whisper White cardstock; Pickles Designer Paper; Circle/Scallop/Tab punches; Olive grosgrain ribbon.

birthday week...day 1

Hi all...

I hope your weekend was great! Mine was busy, but good (I just love the weekend!). Mike and I went for a 4 mile walk on Friday morning...it was really, really hot! I was so glad we brought along some water!!! We needed it. When we got home, we went for a quick swim. I did get some stamping done while he went out for lunch with someone from church.

I had several birthday cards to make. Today we are celebrating one of the Doctor's Birthday's at work, and yesterday we celebrated Nate's birthday (complete with his favorite dish...hot dogs and sauerkraut). My mom's birthday is coming up on the 11th, so it looks like this week will be dedicated to birthday cards.

This is the card I made for Nate. I have been on a misson to use up some of my patterned paper, since a lot of it is retired. I don't know why I have been hoarding it all this time, lol! I actually broke out some of my paper from my first year as a SU! demonstrator. I definitely have a paper hoarding problem! ha ha!

I hope you have a terrific day...thanks for visiting!

Supplies used (all SU! unless noted): Birthday Whimsy/It's Your Birthday; Whisper White/Bashful Blue/Certainly Celery cardstock; Cutie Pie designer paper; Bashful Blue/Certainly Celery ink; Blue striped ribbon

scallop turned flower...

TGIF!

I am so glad it is the weekend! Mike has today off also, so I am looking forward to spending some time together this morning...doing our favorite thing: drinking our favorite coffee together and watching some TV (maybe our recorded Hopkins show from last night, which is an awesome show, btw. Like Grey's Anatomy only real). Then I have some important stuff to do...Like stamping and some photo editing.

Last night Josh and Sharon treated us to an Asian dinner (which they cooked)...it was really yummy! They made curried chicken, pork dumplings, rice, kimchi noodles, and Thai iced tea...for dessert we had Mochi, which is ice cream wrapped in some sort of dough...it was all yummy! I think that Josh should cook dinner once a week...don't ya think? I did take some photos, but they are still in the camera...I will post next week if they came out okay (I was totally in manual).

Today's card is a super easy one. I saw this idea posted by someone on Kristina's Color Challenge from last week (sorry cannot remember who), but I thought the scallop punch turned flower was really cool! I had to give it a try.

Supplies used (SU! unless noted): Petals and Stems (Verve)/Mini Messages (PTI) stamp sets; Aqua Mist (PTI)/Basic Black/Whisper White cardstock; Basic Black ink; Aqua Mist polka dot ribbon (PTI); Scallop punch; Button (unknown)