a yummy thanks...

Happy Monday!

I hope your week is off to a great start!!! Today I start my photography class by Karen Russell *smile*, although it is a very busy week with church stuff this week...hopefully I will be able to burn the midnight oil and read all my materials.

I had gotten a few JoAnn's gift cards for my birthday and enjoyed some retail therapy on Friday (the best kind!!!). I picked up 6 new acrylic stamp sets (Score!!!), a new Cuttlebug folder, and some adhesive. I had a fun time shopping!!!

I used one of my new sets to make this card...as you can see, I am still on a button kick, LOL!

Enjoy today!

Supplies used (SU unless noted): Cupcake stamp set (the paper company); Whisper White/Close to Cocoa/Pure Poppy (PTI) cardstock; Pure Poppy (PTI)/Close to Cocoa ink; Pure Poppy double stitched ribbon (PTI); Button (unknown); Twine; Crystal Effects on cherry

rustic branches...

TGIF!!!

I am so glad it has finally arrived...although I have a crazy weekend and week ahead of me!!!

If you live in/or near the Phoenix (Ahwatukee) area...you are invited to Power for Life which our church is hosting Sunday thru Wednesday. It is a free event and from what I am told pretty awesome. These body building athletes blow up hot water bottles, rip phone books, lift telephone poles, break cement blocks, and many other crazy things that kids love. Jerod, the founder of the group is staying at our house until Thursday, which should be good times, maybe he will let me in on the phone book ripping technique, LOL!.

I put my very limited abilities of graphic design to work to create the poster and handouts for this event ...what do ya think???

Have a terrific weekend!!!

supplies used (PTI unless noted): Rustic Branches/Remember stamp sets; Ripe Avocado/Ocean Tides/Whisper White (SU!) cardstock; Ripe Avocado/Ocean Tides ink; Ripe Avocado double stitched ribbon; Rhinestone brad (SU!); Circle/Scallop Punches (SU!)

card quilt...

Happy Wednesday...

I have been a party girl for the past 3 days...

I celebrated my birthday (39 again *wink*) on Tuesday, and Mike had a small family party on Sunday, my office celebrated on Monday, and some of the women from church (thanks ladies!!!)had another celebration last night. I have been a really spoiled girl!!! And I do have to say, I may need bigger pants after all the birthday cake I have been eating (SO YUMMY!!! I LOVE CAKE!)

Today's card is sort of a case from the amazing Dawn. She made a card like this last week with several different papers. I had to give it a try. It is super easy and I really like the quilt look of it.

Have a good one!

supplies used (SU! unless noted): It's all Good stamp set; Fall Flowers Designer Paper; Soft Sky; Old Olive/Whisper White cardstock; Sahara Sand ink; Olive Grosgrain Ribbon; Circle/Scallop punches

my new blog schedule...

Hi Friends...


Just wanted to let you know that I am starting my new blog post schedule this week. I will be updating my This n' That blog on Monday~Wednesday~Friday's.

I will try to continue updating my 365 Project on a daily basis, so you can check out my everyday pic's if you'd like *smile*

Enjoy today!

a little digi...

Howdy Friends!

I hope your weekend was spectacular!!! I had a great one...busy, but GREAT! Here is a digi page I made over the weekend.

Ashley and I went shopping on Friday night and grabbed dinner at our favorite spot...I had a Diet Coke with my dinner and for some reason I was wired for the entire night. I got home at 9:30 pm and stayed up editing pictures/digi scrapping until 2 am. I could have probably stayed up longer, but decided to hit the hay. I was happy to at least finish my page.

I am a huge fan of Janet Phillips, I have been reading her blog and purchasing her digi templates for at least a year now. I love her new website, The Daily Digi...you can download this great template (scroll down) for FREE!!! And the kit I used was The Village Market from the Digi Files #3 it is $5 for a bunch of stuff (kits, alphabets, embellishments, quick pages, etc), which she previews on the DD site during the sale period.

Okay...I am ready for another week!

Have a Good One!!

poppy~thank you...

TGIF Friends!!!

I just love Friday!!!! (I think I say that every week, LOL!). I have a pretty busy weekend, shopping with Ashley tonight, cutting Nate and Ashley's hair/wedding on Saturday, church on Sunday and hopefully getting everything else crammed in as well.

I just love my Remember stamp set designed by Lisa Johnson...I really want to get her new set (so pretty!!!). I paired two of my go-to colors on this card Ripe Avocado and Pure Poppy (and of course some Choc Chip).

Have a Great weekend!!!

Supplies used (PTI unless noted): Remember/Polka dot Bkgrd (SU!) Stamp sets; Pure Poppy/Ripe Avocado/Choc Chip (SU!)/White Craft (SU!) ink; Pure Poppy/Ripe Avocado/Choc Chip (SU!)/Whisper White (SU!) cardstock; Pure Poppy grosgrain ribbon; Olive Button (SU!); Brad (SU!)

digi desktop...

Hi all!

I had a few hours to myself last night and actually did some digi scrapping (it has been a long time!). Once I dusted the cobwebs from my brain...I was scrapping away. I didn't quite finish my layout (will post it next week), but thought I would post my March Digi Desktop, even though the month is almost over-YIKES

(so easy! Just drag and drop in Photoshop-hey that rhymes, LOL!).

You can grab yours here and check out this free digi kit (gotta love FREE!).

Enjoy today!!!

cheers to you...

Happy Wednesday!!!

I am off to work bright and early this morning...so it's going to be a quick post.

April is an big birthday month for our family, so I have started making some cards to stock up. I used one of my go-to sets from SU! called Lots of Thoughts (I just love that it fits right inside the square punch). I am still on a mission to use up my pattern paper (slowly but surely), this was one of my favorite designer series paper!!!

Did you catch Biggest Looser last night? I really do LOVE the blue team!!!! They all (black team included) seem to really care about one another (unlike last season!). How nice of Kathy to let Aubry stay!!! I do hate all the cheesy commercials in the show, and that it last 2 hours (totally could be a 1 hour show). I just love watching people reach their weight loss goals...so rewarding!!!

Okay enough blah, blah, blah (LOL!). Have a Good one!!!

Supplies used (SU! unless noted): Lots of Thoughts stamp set; Bashful Blue/Certainly Celery/Whisper White/Old Olive/Pure Poppy (PTI) cardstock; Pure Poppy (PTI) ink; Summer Picnic Patterned Paper; Pure Poppy double stitched ribbon; Square/Scallop punches; Nestability die (Scallop Square); Button (unknown); Twine

happy mail day...

don't you just love it when you go to the mailbox and get some "happy mail"? I mentioned last week that I am going to be starting Snapshots of a Good Life photography class by

Karen Russell on 3/30 and I am so excited!!! I cannot wait for the first day of class!!!

when I went to the mailbox yesterday this is what was inside a box from Karen R...isn't it packaged so cute? I just had to take a photo, LOL!

have a good one!

dreams...

Hi all...are you ready for another week?? My weekend just flew by (but don't they always, lol!).

Friday I got an email from Brandy at PaperCrafts Magazine, she wanted to let me know that one of my cards is going to be on the cover...I couldn't believe it!!! I was dancing around the house like a crazy person, LOL! It was a nice way to start the weekend!

I really love the PTI stamp set Damask Designs designed by Dawn...but since I am trying to save $ these days, I resisted buying it (it is still on my wish list though, along with some of the new releases ), I decided to try to duplicate it, and used my Spiral Bouquet stamp set. As you can see I am still loving buttons.

Have a great Monday!

Supplies used (PTI unless noted): Spiral Bouquet stamp set; Whisper White (SU!)/Basic Black (SU!)/Pure Poppy cardstock; Palette Black ink; Black Satin Dotted Ribbon; Twine (SU!)/Button (unknown); Nestabilities Tag Dies

funny...

I received this cartoon in an email and just had to share it! I don't know about you...but I spend way too much time online!!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

last one...

Hi friends...

I am so glad that Friday is near!!! I am really ready for the weekend (too bad it flies by so fast).

Have you seen the PTI sneak peaks over at Nichole's Blog? So far I think I want all of the new sets...which is not great for the pocketbook!

Here is another masculine thank you card that I made for Mike to send out. He needed 3 and this is the last one (I really struggle with those boy cards). I didn't want to add a bow or knot, so of course I used some buttons, I am not sure how this will mail, because the buttons make the envelope kind of lumpy.

*Blog Update*

I am going to be cutting back on my blog posts for a little while...I have taken on more hours at work and I am getting ready to start a photography course on 3/30 that will last for 9 weeks. I am really excited about starting it, but I am not sure how much time I will have to blog. I really enjoy blogging and crafting and my goal is to post 3 times per week. Just wanted to keep you updated. I appreciate you stopping by and visiting me *smile*

Have a good one!!!

supplies used (SU! unless noted): Fresh Alphabet/Rustic Branches (both PTI) stamp sets; Very Vanilla/Sage Shadow/Choc Chip/Pumpkin Pie cardstock; Choc Chip ink; Outlaw Designer Series Paper; Choc Chip grosgrain ribbon 5/8 inch; Buttons (unknown)

another masculine card...sort of

It's Wednesday...

Here is another card I made for Mike (he needed some thank yous), I really had a hard time not "girl~ing" it up too much (I did put on some ribbon though, LOL!). And I didn't realize how much I enjoy buttons!! I may need to order some of PTI's new button line (I think that is what got me started on this kick).

Any Biggest Looser fans out there??? I really do like that show...I am really starting to feel bad for the blue team!!! I hope they can win a challenge next week. Hooray for Mandy, I think she looks Awesome!

Have a great Wednesday!!!

Supplies used (SU! unless noted): Lots of Thoughts stamp set; Whisper White/Always Artichoke cardstock; Wintergreen Patterned Paper; Always Artichoke ink; Square punches; Moss 1/4 in Grosgrain Ribbon; Button (unknown)

coupon clipping...more randomness!

Hi all,

Well we survived Monday...that is always a good thing, LOL!

Have you ever heard of the Grocery Game?

I am a member of a forum and there is a category on the board called "Off Chatter Topic." A few weeks ago, someone mentioned the Grocery Game...I was kind of intrigued by the whole thing, and decided to check it out. Now, with the economy the way it is, who doesn't want to try and save some $ these days? I decided to give it a try and signed up (it is only $1 for the first month, so really there is not too much to lose), I was gung-ho to give it a try (I have never been very successful with coupon clipping). Unfortunately the first week I had the flu, the second week I was in CT visiting my mom, and now the third week is almost up and I still haven't tried it!!!???? ARGHHH!!! So last night I printed off my store lists and clipped my corresponding coupons and will hopefully hit Fry's and Safeway on my way home from work today. Not sure how much I will save, but I am hoping it will get easier as the weeks go by. If you are a coupon clipper...I would love any tips you could send my way.

Have a good one!!!

coffee thanks...

Happy Monday...I hope you had a restful weekend and are ready for another great week.

I got some stamping time in this weekend...and I am still on a button kick. I needed to make some thank you cards for Mike (hope they aren't too girly for him, LOL!). Since he is a Starbucks-a-holic, I thought I would make one with my Warm Happiness set, which I {heart} BTW!!!

Ashley came over yesterday to for a lesson in photography (not that I feel qualified as a photographer), LOL! But she recently purchased a Canon Rebel XT (like mine), She is off to a pretty good start. It is nice to have another paparazzi in the family.

Hope you have a great day!!!

Supplies used (PTI unless noted): Warm Happiness/Rustic Branches stamp sets; Ripe Avocado/Choc Chip (SU!)/Kraft (SU!)/Whisper White (SU!) cardstock; Ripe Avocado/Choc Chip (SU!)/Sahara Sand (SU!) ink pads; Brown dotted satin ribbon; Button (retired SU!); Twine (SU!)

some more randomness...

I still didn't make it into my stamping room...so I thought I would post this picture I took while visiting CT. Now let me just say, I was pretty surprised to see this castle being built in the small town where I grew up (looks like it belongs at Disney), I had to sneak up the drive way and poke my camera in the hole of the fence to get this shot (so exciting). It sure is eccentric for the area, especially the exotic animals on the property (I saw a Zebra, Llama's and heard there is a giraffe too!!). I wonder what the neighbors think of it and how bizarre it looks with all the salt box and cape style houses nearby. Who would have guessed there would be a castle in Woodstock CT??? How is that for random?

Enjoy your weekend!

me~freezing...

Howdy...

As you can see from toady's photo, I did not get to stamp yesterday.

So I thought I would post this picture. My mom snapped this one right before we left for the airport. It is hard to believe that in just 5.5 hours (time of my flight to Phoenix) the temp went from 19 to 80 degrees~CRAZY!

Have a good one!!!

wednesday ramblings...

Hi all...
I cannot believe that it is already Wednesday!!!
Here is another card I stamped last week...I hope I get some time to stamp today, otherwise I will have to post some of my Connecticut trip photos tomorrow, LOL!

Last night I was helping Mike make posters for a Power For Life team that is coming to our church at the end of March. I am trying to learn my new Photoshop CS4 software (quite a learning curve from Elements 5). I will have to post my Handy work once it gets proofed.

I am off to work for a few hours today...then over to Ashley's to show her how to work her new Canon Rebel XT, and hopefully get the rest of my suitcases unpacked and put away.

Have a wonderful day!

Supplies used (PTI unless noted): Women of Life stamp set; Whisper White (SU!)/Mellow Moss (SU!)/Pure Poppy cardstock; Mellow Moss (SU!)/Pure Poppy/Choc Chip (SU!) ink; Pure Poppy double stitched ribbon

I'm baaaack....

Hi all...
I am finally back home to warm and sunny Phoenix. I left Connecticut on Monday afternoon (with a foot of snow and 19 degrees), and arrived in AZ Monday night with 78 degree temps...ahhh!!!! I realized I do NOT miss the snow!!!

I had a great visit with my family, ate way too much, and was kinda chilly at times...but it was nice to be unplugged for 5 full days. I have 150 emails (after weeding out the junk), so if you emailed me it may take me a few days to get back to you.

Here is a card I made last week...I really like how it turned out. I was on my button kick. I think this is my fav button card so far!

Have a good one!!!

Supplies used (PTI unless noted): Rustic Branches stamp set; Blush Blossom/Kraft (SU!)/Whisper White (SU!) cardstock; Choc Chip (SU!)/Ripe Avocado/Fresh Snow ink; Pink Buttons (retired SU!); Brown dotted satin ribbon; Twine (SU!)