Mojo Puppy Scrap pile card #4

Have I told you all how much I love this puppy? LOL!! For those of you who know I am NOT a dog person, you may wonder why, but this little guy is just toooo cute! I have two left to make into cards and then I will have to go on to something else (sad sigh).

This was made for Julee on Poetic Artistry's blog Mojo Monday sketch challenge. I love her sketch's and have never been able to get one done "on time". This looks so much better IRL. The colors are very rich and go together alot better than it looks here (really!)

February Dirty Dozen Challenge

I love doing these challenges with the past and present Dirty Dozen girls on SCS.

For my image, I used one designed by Anna Wight. I love Anna's work for Whipper Snapper! When I started out, this was going to be a card, but then remembered I had this burgundy frame, so went that route. Not much too it as I didn't know if punces were allowed (for photo corners), so didn't add any embellishments except for the ribbon. It seems like it needs more, so I may take it apart and add sewing and photo corners. But right now I had to get it posted as we need to leave pretty soon and I had library this morning.

Here was the criteria for this month's challenge:

Challenge Focus: Stamps Designed by Fellow Dirty Girls. -OR- alternate option - use any fellow Dirty Girl's galllery creation as an inspiration to semi-CASE something of your own (be sure to link it in your post). This image is from Dirty Girl Anna Wight for Whipper Snapper.

Required Element: Spring Color Combo - whatever feels like Spring to you! I am not a pastel person. Aaron is telling me this isn't spring since it has pumpkins in it, but green (new grass), orange, yellow and red (my tulips) and brown (chocolate Ü) all say spring to me.

Restricted Element: NO CuttleBug/Big Shot/Wizard or similar diecut/embossing machines. This isn't hard until you are told you CAN'T do it, then you want to. LOL!!

Scrap Pile Challenge cards

Here is a picture I took of a pile of scraps, odds and ends of a little of everything that I want to get rid of. So I am challenging myself to try and use as much of it up as possible. The next few cards I post this week will be what I have created from this pile. The only thing I am allowing myself to use are images that are already stamped that I have stamped myself or others have sent me (I have a ziploc bag full of these that I take with me to color when I know I am going to be "waiting"-like for appt's or mostly for Benjamin when picking him up from track practice), 1/4 sheets of cs already embossed (mostly from Cuttlebug), solid cs from my scrap box and white cs to make the card base. Oh, I am also letting myself use verse stamp sets too.

Here are two that I have done so far (plus I also made the sketch challenge card from my scrap pile). I absolutely LOVE this puppy! My Big Sis (from SCS) sent me a few images and I think I have one left! I also love these little pearl thingies too! They have adhesive on them, so all you have to do is stick them on. Makes for some really fun accents. This Bella gardener is another image RAK I rec'd (can't remember from who), but I have been having fun with the ones in my bag, coloring them and getting them put on cards! The strip pieces on both cards are what was left over from last weeks Techno sketch challenge.

Technostamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #5

I am having some major issues with blogspot. I keep getting error messages and am unable to upload. It's getting very frustrating for me as I don't know and can't find out why this is happening.

So while it is working, I am going to upload a few things I've been working on. First, here is the Monday challenge card that Mary Jo hosts (http://technostamper.blogspot.com/). Be sure to see what everyone else did with this sketch.

The verse is cut apart from a new stamp set by SU! called Full of Life that will be in the next mini. I was able to use this stamp set thanks to a special demo ;). Green patterned paper is by SU! and other is Basic Grey. Solid green is Old Olive by SU!

Here's hoping I can get some more uploaded.

wanna sneak peak?

I saw this thread on SCS where someone took a picture of some items in the Inky Antic booth at CHA and 4 of my cards are showcased there! WOW! I just got all excited all over again. LOL!!
Anyway if you scroll down, my cards are the chicken ones. I would love to hear what you think.
http://scscha.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2008/02/14/four-companies-under-one-roof/#comment-26667

No school today, so not sure if I will get any stamping done. Benjamin loves to cook/bake when he is home and he is making a cherry pie now and then we are going to make Mountain Dew Dumplings (new recipe-I will share if it is good Ü) and he is also going to make Blackberry Dumplings. I will share the recipe later as he made most of it up a couple of weeks ago and was soooo yummy! I told him he had to measure everything out this time as there are others who want the recipe. Ü (BTW he is 15)

Have a great day everyone!

Happy Belated Valentine's Day

FINALLY! I've been trying since yesterday to post and yesterday I couldn't post at all and today it hasn't been letting me upload!

So here is what I was trying to post yesterday.
First the story...

I do up the holidays really BIG for the boys, have ever since they were born. Every year for Valentine's Day, I would make heart shaped pancakes for breakfast and then come up with different heart shaped goodies and/or meals for the rest of the day...cookies, cakes, pizza, muffins, bread, etc. Well last year, I thought I would surprise them and do something different for breakfast. I made heart shaped toast and "x"'s and "o"'s eggs. Well, according to Aaron, I "ruined" his Valentine's day and he has not let me forget it ALL year. So, yesterday, I made heart-shaped pancakes. If you look closely you can still see the steam. Ü I also made these fun pretzels. Yes, I know I have all "boys", but when I saw these sprinkles at Jo-Ann Fabrics AND had a 40% off coupon burning a hole in my purse, well, I just had to get them. Ü Needless, to say, even though they were pink and brown, they disappeared very quickly. Ü

"Blessing"

I have been reading on other blogs about words or phrases some have "adopted" for the year 2008. I have found this very interesting as I thought I was the only one that did it. While I may not always make New Year's resolutions, I do ask God to give me a verse, song or word to be just mine for that new year. I LOVE music!!!!! (Contemporary Christian) I can't sing "worth a hoot" but love to LISTEN to music and sing to my heart's content when no one is listening. God has used music to get my attention, comfort me, etc in the past and I have many songs that are very special to me. I have shared with some of you how when I was going thru my brain tumor experience, EVERY time we were headed to see a different doctor, Twila Paris' song "God is in Control" would come on the radio. We had to travel far to some of the specialists and listened to different Christian radio stations. I already knew the song as I believe we have ALL of Twila's cassette tapes. But the cool thing was, is that we haven't heard a Twila Paris song played for quite some time on any station's! Even that VERY early morning when we drove into the hospital parking lot, that song came on and I totally lost it. It was as if God was giving me those words personally. (okay, got to get to why I am posting here, cuz now I made myself cry! LOL!!0

So...with all that said, sometimes God gives me a song, sometimes a verse and sometimes, just a word. If you have been reading my blog and read my resolutions, you will have read that I want to use what I have and "BLESS" others. That is the word that I chose for 2008. And right after I chose that word I heard this song for the first time driving to pick Benjamin up from school. I had tears running down my face as I felt this was the song that God was giving me and it is a biggie! This is my song for 2008 and I pray that I can live up to the words. I am sharing them with you and I changed the words "we" "us" etc to singular form. So any words in parenthesis are the ones I changed. The actual words are plural. I like this song so much that I want to make a frame with them. I haven't started on that yet, but will share it when I do.

The Blessing by John Waller

Chorus:
Let it be said of (me)
While (I) walked among the living.
Let it be said of (me)
By the ones (I) leave behind.
Let it be said of (me)
That (I) lived to be a blessing for life.

Let it be said of (me)
That (I) gave to reach the dying.
Let it be said of (me)
By the fruit (I) leave behind.
Let it be said of (me)
That (my) legacy is blessing for life.

This day
You set life, you set death right before (me),
This day
Every blessing and curse is a choice now,
And (I) will choose to be a blessing for life.

Let it be said of (me)
That (my) heart belonged to Jesus.
Let it be said of (me)
That (I) spoke the words of life.
Let it be said of (me)
That (my) heritage is blessing for life.

This day
You set life, you set death right before (me),
This day
Every blessing and curse is a choice now,
And (I) will choose to be a blessing for life.
(I) will choose to be a blessing for life.


*Blessings and Curses are choices,
'Cause blessings and curses are choices.
Will (I) build up, tear down?
The moment of truth is now.*

This day
You set life, you set death right before (me),
This day
Every blessing and curse is a choice now,
And (I) will choose to be a blessing for life.
(I) will choose to be a blessing for life.


For your Kingdom, for (my) Children
For the sake of every nation
For your Kingdom, for (my) Children
For the sake of every nation

(I) will choose to be a blessing for life.
For life.
Blessing for life.

Technostamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #4

Okay, I'm a day late with this challenge. With all the on-line server issues we've had, I'm thankful to even be on-line!!

You can see what everyone else did, by checking out Mary Jo's blog.

Recipe:

stamps: Inky Antics & SU!

ink: tempting turquoise & old olive-SU!

paper: SU's tempting turquoise, old olive, whisper white, and patterned stripe that is discontinued

misc: solid eyelets-unknown, colored pencils and gamsol, scallop and circle punch-SU!

Altered Tootsie Roll Container

I have several things to show you, but the camera batteries are dead, so will have to wait til the batteries get charged up. So for now, will show you this Tootsie Roll container I altered.

Recipe:

paper: Rusy Pickle's Chocolate Kisses, Basic Grey's Infuse

"V" was cut with Cricut.

"Valentine" stamped with Karen Foster stamps

Other: ribbon-Making Memories, stickles, Tootsie Roll container, staples

Sorry about the "absence"

We have not had internet service for the past day and a half. It bugs me that we pay on time every month for "x" amount of minutes and yet I am having to call them continually, because we cannot get on line!!!! We live in the boonies and we only have ONE option for service. If we had another we would switch.
Okay, so on to who the winner is....
But, before I do I wanted to comment on a few of the guesses...
pregnant with a girl-at 43 yrs of age this would probably not be an exciting thing, but for me I would be ecstatic! But that would take a miracle as I had to have an emergency complete hysterectomy a few years ago.

Hawaiin cruise-oh yeah that would be a blast! Ü

SU! demo- I used to be one

Disneyland-my son would freak out if that were to happen. He has been begging to go to Disney, ever since he knew what Disney was! (some day it is my dream to make his dream come true)

So, if you have read this far, you really do want to know who one. LOL!!! the winner is.... (oh and you need to contact me with your snail addy by Wed early afternoon-let's say 1:00 CST or I will need to choose another name)

Oh WAIT! I forgot to tell you what the secret is...
I was asked to design 12 cards for Inky Antics with some new, images by Ronnie Walters. My cards were on display at CHA in Anaheim, CA. Maybe not big news to some, but I am so excited!!! I wish I could have been there! Jackie said she would take a picture, so hopefully I can show you later. I can't show you what I made, but I can tell you that I was asked to make the cards. Be sure to check out Inky Antics home page and download the Easter supplement. cute cute cute!!!

Okay, seriously now, the winner is...
Angel W said...
Are you getting your work published or joining a design team?
February 2, 2008 10:05 AM

Angel, please e-mail me and let me know your snail address and I will get your goodies in the mail to you right away.

Walrus birthday

Yesterday I rec'd some patterned papers, walrus image, and orange prima flowers and a challenge from Jennifer Langton. The challenge was to use all the elements and upload the card/project in the Inky Antics gallery.

I did use the 3 papers she sent (3rd paper is behind the image). Then I found this ribbon in my stash that matched perfectly! How cool was that? But I was needing a boy birthday card and just couldn't put the orange primas on it. So here is my "kinda" Doodle (Jen) challenge.

Walrus colored with colored pencils and gamsol. Happy Birthday is from SU!'s Everyday Flexible Phrases.

Blog Candy comment

I want to thank all of you for your kind words in thinking my work is designer worthy. But in case you want to guess again (since so many of you are guessing the same thing), I have not been chosen to be on design team. Hopefully someday. Ü

Now for some home front news...
The "boys" (includes DH) are getting better. YAY!! We didn't have to take Aaron to the ER. Hopefully this is a sign that he is outgrowing his lung/sinus problem.

No school today. It is nice here, but since we send Benjamin to school 30 miles away, it can be as different as nite and day in the weather. We got a phone call early this morning that there was a late start due to ice. DH takes Benjamin to meet bus and sits there for about an hour!!! A neighbor had come by to see Bruce and I told him I was just getting ready to call someone to see where he was and he told me school had been cancelled (of which we were NOT informed). I called my SIL and she told me they were on their way home. I am thankful it was that and not in a ditch somewhere due to ice. We kinda live in the middle of no where and one would have to walk a LONG way to get to anybody's house!

So today will be a good day to stamp. I hope to have lots to show you. It's cloudy so not sure how good the lighting will be to take some pics of altered things I've been working on as well as the blog candy I am offering.

"Moose Be Love"

Isn't this moose adorable? This is one of the images I rec'd in a pkg from my Big Sis. I colored it right away, but then couldn't figure out what to do with it. I finally finished it up last night. The glittery brad was also in a pkg she sent me. I have to be good and not hoard them! Ü

Recipe: Whipper Snapper
stamp: paper: patterned Berry Bliss, white, Pretty in Pink, Positively Pink (retired) all SU!
Ink: yep, you guessed it...Basic Brown Ü
Scallop punch-SU!, glitter brad-?

Roses in Winter

As I was "chatting" with my Big Sis (DSS on SCS) about stamp sets, I mentioned I love SU!'s "Roses in Winter" and it had been neglected and I needed to get it out to play. She said this was a hard set for her to use and couldn't wait to see what I came up with. Well that was a few weeks ago and she's been "stalking" by blog to see if I've posted it yet. Ü

I stamped the roses three times on Creamy Caramel cs. The first stamp is in white and the second and third in Cameo Coral. Then I stamped the rose on scrap caramel and tore around the edges. I sponged the edges with Creamy Caramel and scrunched up. Then adhered them together for a dimensional look.

Recipe: (all SU!)

Stamps: Roses in Winter, Linen

Cardstock: Creamy Caramel

Ink: Craft White, Creamy Caramel, Cameo Coral, Old Olive

Technostamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #3

Today's challenge was a BIG challenge for me. I had a terrible time putting the bottom panel down (stripe). I almost decided not to play, cuz I didn't like it, but decided to go ahead and post. Now it's growing on me. Ü

Be sure to check Mary Jo's blog to see what the rest of the players did.

Recipe:

Stamps: SU!

Paper: Making Memories Cosmopolitan Collection

Ink: SU! Basic Brown

Ribbon: unknown source-rec'd it as a RAK and am USING it Ü

Scissors: small scallop

Look what I rec'd today!!!!

WOWZA!! Is this cool or what?! I received this awesome package from my Big Sis (DSS from SCS) today. This is just so cool! Enclosed were cancelled stamps for Aaron (he collects these-thanks big sis!!), stamped images-too much fun as I don't have any of these (let me know the company of the dog and tiered tray, so I can give them credit when I make some cards with them) and then this totally awesome beautiful heart filled with gorgeous cards!!

Her son Nicholas wanted to make me a card, because she is always making and sending me things. How precious is that???? Inside it says "Thinking of You" and he signed his name. I love the tractor and lego brads! Perfect for me since we farm. Thank you so much Nicholas! You are a sweetie! I will treasure this and have your mom watch my blog, cuz this is going to go in my "Inspiration Station" for my St. Pat stuff.

Here is a close up of the heart filled with cards. I just love this! This is so awesome!

Here it is with out the cards.

I have a secret Ü

I see I have bypassed 30,000 hits. WOW! I still can't believe people come here to see what I have been doing. So with that milestone, it's time for some blog candy which I will post later.

So about the title...I have a secret! I am sooo excited!! Can you guess what it is? I will reveal my secret on Saturday, Feb 9th in the evening. You can guess as many times as you want and I will draw from all those names who guessed correctly to determine the winner. Have fun guessing! (in the event that no one guesses correctly, I will draw from everyone who tried Ü)

**on a yucky note, my body has finally given in to all the sickness around here and I have bronchitis! UGH!! I tried to hard to fight it. I am off to lay down and rest, but will post what you will win hopefully by tomorrow if not yet today.

How am I doing???

I thought at the end of each month I would go over my resolutions and see how I am doing. This is more for me than you, but someone out there might want to know.


So here we go...

1. Don't over do it. (This relates to my back) I've been doing pretty good so far.

2. Learn to ask for AND accept help. (this is the hardest for me) This is very hard for me, but I have had to ask.

3. Do my exercises at least 6 times a week. There are days I can't do ALL of them, but I have done some if not all every day.

4. Send a birthday card to everyone in my family ON TIME. Ü There was only one birthday in January (my 2 yr old nephew and I didn't make him a card as I figured it would only get thrown away)

5. Organize my stamp room (this is on going) I did a little and made an "Inspiration Station" that is so fun to see every time I walk in.

6. NO MORE HOARDING!! Use what I have AND what I buy! I did really good this month! I used up lots of ribbon on projects and paper too. It helped alot doing a Valentine "Inspiration Station" as I found things I forgot I had even had and made lots of goodies with those items.

7. Alter at least two items (out of my HUGE box of things to alter) every month. That would be a minimum of 24 items by December. (yes, I have that many things that need altered!!) So far, I altered a Tootsie Roll container, candle jar, several mini mailboxes from Target and a notebook. WOOHOO! Very excited to get these done.

8. Submit something for publication once a month (doesn't mean it will be published, but "you can't win if you don't enter") Bummer, submitted, but wasn't chosen. I do understand that this is very hard to do. BUT even though I wasn't chosen for something I entered I DO have some exciting news to share soon that happened this month!!!!!

9. RAK (random acts of kindness) someone at least once a month. Did this Ü

10. Eat chocolate Ü (have to have at least one thing that you KNOW you will do LOL!! Okay, like this one was taken care of the first day (as well as other days)

11. Make items for sale for at least 3 shows. I haven't done a show yet, but I have made a few items for a show in March.

12. Teach at least 12 classes at LSS if possible. I'm off to a good start as I have taught 2 classes already and have another scheduled for next weekend if I can get to feeling better (sinus/bronchial crud going on)

13. Do more SCS challenges. The only one I can think of is the Dirty Dozen monthly one. I have done a Beate challenge and two Mary Jo ones.

14. Attend at least ONE of my friend Barb's workshops. Ü Not yet, but still want to!

15. Whittle down my scrap box-challenge myself to make cards only using my scraps. Did this a little bit with my altering projects.

16. Make 10 Christmas cards a month. This way I will have some ready for sale and ready to send out after Thanksgiving. 10 down and 100 to go Ü

17. Make items for sale for LSS every month. Yes, part of my altered stuff and items made from my Inspiration Station.

18. Get caught up on Benjamin's scrapbook. Sadly, I wasn't able to even work in it this month. I was invited two different times to scrap and the first I wasn't feeling so great and the second DH & DS2 were very sick.

19. Post more often on blog. I haven't posted every day, but have done a much better job of posting for the month of January.

20. Make Christmas list in January and make/buy gifts throughout the year and be done by November. Still working on this, but have an idea of what I am going to do for the boys.

21. Finish up things that I started and then didn't finish for whatever reason. Finished some cards I had started.

22. Bless someone with items I just don't use any more and don't think I will ever use. I RAK'd someone with some goodies from my scrap room as I cleaned.

23. Stamp with my "neglected" stamps (you know those that you just "had" to have and then don't use much Ü). I started a card with Roses in Winter. This is one of my favorite sets, but didn't get it finished. Need to soon as someone is waiting to see what I do with it. ;)

24. Bless someone at least 6 times this year with cinnamon rolls (if I am able to). Not yet, but still have 11 months to go.

25. "PIF (pay it forward) 2008"-I have been blessed to win some blog candy, so I decided for this year, if I win blog candy, I am going to PIF and offer blog candy to you. Ü YAY!!! I did win some blog candy in January and I did send out a package.

What a change...

in the weather!! For the past few days we have been having beautiful weather. Yesterday was a high of the past few days with it reaching over 50 degrees! There was "talk" of a snow front coming in...yeah right. Well, I guess "they" knew what they were talking about! Temps dropped fast, wind came up, then snow and we have a late start for school!!! When I got up (notice I didn't say "woke" up) a little before six and looked outside you couldn't see anything it was snowing and blowing so hard.

Family news:

I am beat!! I got very little sleep two nites ago and pretty much none last nite. Aaron is a very sick boy! Sinus infection hits him so hard and he has always had breathing problems and this is one of the worst ones he's had in a long time. He hurts so much and it's hard being the mom when you can't do anything about it and you are so tired yourself. I will probably do what I did when the boys were little and sleep today when he sleeps. It doesn't help when Bruce is sick too, so I need to take care of all of them. Benjamin is doing better and is back in school.

Stamping: Here is a card I made for a swap. It's been a LONG time since I've done a multiple card swap.

Recipe: all SU!

stamps: Time Well Spent & Boho Backgrounds

ink: basic brown & white

paper: Berry Bliss (wish we could just order a certain pattern), chocolate chip, pink & white, sponge

accessories: ribbon, colored pencil,

Technostamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #2

It's Monday and time for another challenge by Mary Jo. At noon EST, Mary Jo will post a list of all the players. Be sure to check out her blog and then those who played. It is fun to see everyone's take on the same sketch.

I had a terrible time getting a good picture. IRL the button matches the cs perfectly.

Here is the recipe for mine:

stamps: Time Well Spent

paper: SU!'s Pomengranate and patterned papers from Berry Bliss

ink: basic brown

accessories: sewing machine, Making Memories brads, Basic Grey button, SU! chocolate ribbon, CTMH pink ribbon, sanding block

Beate sketch challenge

Here is a card I made with last week's challenge that Beate posted on her blog.
Recipe:
Stamps: Stem Sayings, Wanted
Paper: Rusty Pickle's Chocolate Kisses, Basic Grey's Infuse
Misc: brads, stickles, sewing machine, SU's photo corner & scallop circle punches, vintage rick rack

Altered Mail Box

They have these really fun little mailboxes in the $1 spot at Target. I picked up several pink ones and a couple of white ones (now wish I would have gotten a couple of red ones!!), to alter for the boys and my youth group girls as well as a few friends.

Here is one I made for the LSS...

Side View:

Recipe:

Paper: Basic Grey

Embellishments: Prima flower, brad, ribbons & rick rack, heart button and embroidery floss

heart (on side of box) cut from George Cricut cartridge

You can see how to make these here. Emily gave me permission to supply the link to her blog. I make mine the same she does except for the flag (I cut 2 pieces to fit the front & back) and I use mono-adhesive. I think it would be easier to use the line tape like she does, but all that is available here is the Terrific Tacky Tape and it is expensive.

Technostamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #1

Say that fast just ONCE! LOL!! I joined a new group that is going to do a sketch challenge and post every Monday. You can see everyone that played by going to Mary Jo's site here.

I am still playing with these papers by CTMH.

Recipe:

Stamp: Happy Harmony & Boho Backgrounds-SU!

Papers: CTMH

Ink: Basic Brown and watercolor crayons-SU!

Ribbon: brown-SU!, rickrack-from antique store

Brads: antique copper-Making Memories

Dirty Dozen Challenge -January

The Dirty Dozen gals (past and present) on SCS has decided to do a challenge each month and post to the gallery on the 20th.


Each month we will have criteria that we are to follow. For January we were to use a "girl" image and something "sweet"-however we wanted to interpret that. Since I have 2 boys, DH, dad, 4 brothers, FIL, gr'pa, lots of uncles, etc., I don't have alot of 'girl' stamps. The ones I did have were all spring related and with it snowing outside and freezing weather, spring wasn't really on my mind.


I hope that this snow-"girl" qualifies. Ü Also, what can be sweeter than candy??!! So I made a one sheet bag to fill with these YUMMY dark chocolate, raspberry filled Ghirardelli candies.

By clicking on the 'one sheet bag' above you can see Beate's tutorial. The only thing I did different was to punch holes thru all the layers and then add 4 eyelets, two to the back and two to the front and thread the ribbon thru the eyelets. (got this idea from my friend Melissa Ü)

Recipe:

Paper: CTMH's Life Delights (love this pink and brown paper!), solid paper is from the same packet as the patterned

Accessories: adhesive: Tombow,ribbon-CTMH, brads-can't remember-they were from a large eyelet buy I was in a LONG time ago (remember one of my resolutions is to stop hoarding), and of course chocolates Ü

Ink: Basic Grey by SU!, colored pencils, Gamsol, blending stumps

Here is my card for Beate's sketch challenge this week. I will come back and add the details after I get home at noon.

Okay, I'm back now for some details.

Paper is Basic Grey's Infuse line and Rusty Pickle's "Chocolate Kisses" line. I love how they go together! Scallop circle is stamped on Pretty in Pink with Basic Brown ink from SU's "Wanted" set and then cut with SU's scallop punch. How fun is that, that they match up like that?! Ü

Vintage rick rack from a fun buy at an antique store, zig zag & straight machine stitching, photo corner punched from SU! punch and brads for embellishments.

Tip on the brads...the brad in the center of the scallop design was a glittery brown brad (sorry, don't know who it is by). I used Making Memories copper brads on the photo corner and it needed some "bling", so I put a dot of stickles on each one and it matched perfectly with the big brad.

Alphabet Soup Valentine

Here is a Valentine card I made last year. I stamped and played yesterday, but need to finish everything up before posting. I have several projects in the almost finished stage, but had to wait until things were dry. (hmmmmm...wink)

I am working on a "grouping" of items for the LSS and am hoping I can post them tomorrow. Lighting isn't too good tonite to get a good pic.

I will also post a picture of the blog candy that I will be drawing for tomorrow around noon CST. So if you haven't entered yet, be sure to enter here.

Mint Purse

Here is a fun little gift idea for Valentine's Day. The purse is cut from Tags Bags Boxes & More Cricut cartridge. Two peppermint patties fit inside. I got the idea from Cami to cover them. (click on her name on the side bar under blogs I visit-she has the coolest ideas!!!) Ribbon is from blog candy I won.

Inspiration Station

I first heard of this concept on Michelle Wooderson's blog (you've got to check out her wonderful blog!-you can see it by clicking on her name on the side under blogs I visit).

Anyway, when I first saw her post last year, I knew I wanted to do that, but my room is desperately in need of redoing, so didn't. Then I saw her Valentine Inspiration Station and decided I can still make one myself without having to redo my whole room.

It was so much fun to go "shopping" in my room. I found so many fun things I didn't realize I had. Ü

So here is my inspiration station...(you can click on the picture to see a better view-just don't look to close at the very old wallpaper-bet there's lots of layers there! LOL!!) Here are some individual close-up views of the above picture. This is one of my favorite parts of my inspiration station. These two clay items were made by my 13 yr old son. I love the pig on the heart shaped mud! You can also see some pink mailboxes I want to alter that I purchased in the $1 section at Target. Here is a close up of what is in a wire basket I purchased at an antique store when I visited my brother and SIL last year. It was FULL of zinc lids which I love and use. In here I have my vintage ribbon, stickles, pearls and some chipboard coasters I want to alter as well. More items that inspire me. I love old baskets. This one has a large piece of vintage lace (may have been a table cloth at one time) in the basket and then filled with old rick rack in pinks and browns, and other Valentine colored ribbons. I also have some Primas and silk flowers (just buy them at Hobby Lobby when they are 1/2 off and take them off the stems) and this candle jar that I love with the Basic Grey papers. A closer view of the old rick rack in the grapevine basket...

Secret Sister cards

I have received two beautiful cards from my secret sister on SCS this month already! She does lovely work and I am enjoying getting to know her.

Recycled Cards

Some of my resolutions are to use up what I have, finish stuff I started, etc. Well yesterday I made 15 cards and the rest today!!!

When we went to see DH's g'ma on Christmas Eve day, she wanted me to go thru all her bd cards and take them and reuse them. I told her I didn't need more stuff, but she was persistent. So I went thru them (about a 100 of them) and took ones that I thought I could cut apart and use.
I had no idea WHAT I was going to do with them, but didn't want them lying around, so decided to see what I could come up with. I really like how all of them turned out! Her birthday is the 19th, so while making the cards, I thought, why not give them back to her! LOL!! She is in an assisted living place and has 7 kids, lots of grandkids, friends in the assisted living place, etc. Most of the cards are girly since they were given to her, but will work to send to her daughters, granddaughters, friends, etc. I can't wait to see her face when I give them to her. She will get a kick out of it, I'm sure.

Since I am trying to use things I already have, I went up to my stamp room (freezing up there!) and just picked out a few things to make these cards-embossed card fronts, ink, ribbon SCRAPS, a background stamp (linen) and a birthday verse stamp set, adhesive and glitter. I also brought down (to where the heat is Ü) my box of cardstock SCRAPS. Here is what it looked like sitting on my dining room table: And here are the cards I made...

Snowbuddy notebook

Here is a fun way to use pocket folders. I got these at the beginning of the school year for 9 cents each, so for about 50 cents you have a fun gift. I also made matching pens to go with these.

I cut the pocket folder in half. Then cut from the pocket end at 8.5". Score at 5.25 to 5.5" from each end and you will have aproximately 1/2"- 3/4" depth to accomadate for the thickness of the notepad. (the measurements vary by company as the ones I bought weren't all the same size)

Decorate the front as desired and add ribbon for a closure.

It's hard to tell in the picture, but I used Crystal Effects on the "candy" fringe hat "ruffle" and glitter on the snowbuddy's hat pom pom. I stamped the image in basic grey on shimmmery white cardstock and used colored pencils and gamsol to color.