A Little Scrappy Creation

Finding the Joy Homework!

2010-06-21T21:19:00.000-07:00

So I've been having fun and learning A LOT with the workshop I'm taking called Finding The Joy. This class has really made me stop and think "why" am I taking a picture and about composition. Here are a few of my favs from the past few weeks.

These were taken at my son's birthday party.

My other son's kindergarten graduation:

At the pool:

Around the house:

Taking a detour...

2010-05-26T21:31:00.000-07:00

I've always loved photography...I've taken classes in high school and college. Of course that was in the "olden days" of 35 mm film before digital. I even worked at a photo lab printing custom black and white prints, large color posters (my first experience printing color), and even learned to do photo restoration on the computer with one of the first programs -- Micrographix Picture Publisher.

Then I had kids and everything turned digital. All I was worried about in a digital camera was finding a camera that would take pictures fast! The first digital cameras had a major delay between pushing the button and the shutter opening up. Then digital progressed and my main concern was getting a camera that could zoom so I could take soccer pics of my boys.

Then I started scrap booking my pictures and noticed that the beautiful pages I spent so much time on were being ruined by crappy pictures. Finally I had enough when I tried to photograph my kids on St. Patrick's Day -- 90% of the pics were blurry! GGRRR!! Here are few of the shots...well what was left after I deleted most of them.

So my nice husband bought me a digital SLR camera for mother's day -- a Nikon D5000!! Yeah a REAL camera. Here are a few shots I've taken with the camera. I'm relearning photography and learning Photoshop Elements. I'm even taking an online class "Finding the Joy" with Kelly Willette that starts June 1st.. Check out her great blog here.

Here are a few pictures I've taken with the camera with some fumbling around with Photoshop Elements. I downloaded some cool "actions" from the Pioneer Woman's blog. I've learned a lot already but I'm sure it's just the tip of the iceberg. So I'm off to find the joy again in photographing my children.....oh and my cat.

Breezy Summer

2010-05-14T22:29:00.000-07:00

This is a layout I used for May's scrap club of mine in Napa. They wanted to do something with pinwheels and this is what I came up with....now to find the perfect summer pictures to put on it!

I used the Animal Crackers Creative Basics papers for this layout...perfect summer fun colors! The stamps are from Jingle Borders and State of Mind.

The pinwheels are super easy...I used a 3 inch and 4 inch square for this. Using a ruler from corner to corner draw a line and do this with 2 corners. Then cut on the line but do not go all the way to the center where the two line intersect. I left 1/2 inch on either side of the line so it wouldn't fall apart. Then pierce a hole every other corner and one in the center. Bring the pierce corners to the center using a brad and adhere in the center hole. I reversed the paper for each pinwheel to add variety.

Happy Mother's Day with Studio J

2010-05-08T23:13:00.000-07:00

For a Mother's Day present I used the new Studio J online software to create a frameable layout. I wish I had taken a picture of it all framed up but of course I ran out of time!! So I only wanted one 12x12 layout and you can only make double layouts in Studio J. No problem! On the second page I scrapped some pics of my son meeting his cousin for the first time. So I gave one page as a gift and the other I kept...win/win!

This is the layout I used as the gift...

Then I had an idea that I wanted to give a copy to my sister-in-law but the title wouldn't have worked for her so in a flash I changed it in Studio J. So easy!! Happy Mother's Day!!

Introducing Studio J from Close To My Heart!

2010-04-27T22:00:00.000-07:00

Close To My Heart just launched their very own digital scrapbooking program. There are so many cool features with this product but here are my favorite:
1. No software to buy, update, and keep glitch free! Just access my consultant website at http://www.scrapwithdena.myctmh.com/
2. You have access to ALL the cool CTMH papers!!! Oh and their Stickease and embellishements too!!
3. No worrying if you have the perfect size picture for the layout. You just drop the pictures into your layout and crop, enlarge, rotate, etc. So easy!
4. No mess to clean up or for young kids to get into. If you don't finish a layout you save it to work on another time. And when you're ready to finish it again no mess to drag out again.
5. No worries about the print quality of pictures!! I don't know how many times I've ordered pictures through online companies or even the big discount stores and they are printed too dark, too light, or just crappy.

Here are a few samples of layouts I have created using the new software. It was so fun and fast! I did 3 layouts in an hour and a half!!

Click to see more details.......

Heart 2 Heart Challenge #3

2010-04-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

This weeks Heart to Heart Challenge is to use this sketch with CTMH products. I made this card for my brother who had surgery on his wrist. I embossed the star and then collored in the while parts. The circle next to the sentiment is a die cut I embossed and then inked up.

Papers: You Rock

Stamps: Shining Star, Spot On Background, & Say It In Style

A Miracle Awaits You!

2010-04-16T22:44:00.000-07:00

THIS CHARMING SCRAPBOOKING KIT FEATURING spring-inspired colors and fl oral patterns is miraculously easy to assemble with no stamping required. The brochure will guide you through easily creating two beautiful 2-page layouts.

There are several ways to snatch this fashionable Miracle kit at agreat discount or even FREE*:

• Purchase the kit outright for $19.95* (CC1009).

• Place a minimum order of $40 and purchase the kit for only $10* (CC1009A).

• Place a minimum order of $60 and purchase the kit for only $5* (CC1009B).

• Sign up as a new Consultant between May 1–31 and receive a kit FREE!

• Host a Home Gathering between April 15–May 31 with minimum sales of $300 and receive a kit FREE!

Amaze yourself and your friends during National Scrapbooking Month in May with gorgeous layouts you create using our Miracle kit.

You can purchase at kit at my CTMH website.

Be sure to scroll down a few posts to see how this kit works for boys as well....

Heart to Heart Challenge #2

2010-04-13T21:51:00.000-07:00

This week's challenge at H2H is a 1/2/3 challenge. You use:
1 stamped image
2 patterned papers
3 embellishments -- different or the same

I used a photo of my daughter at Easter 2009...still playing catch up...but almost there! Sorry the white flower is crooked...I'll have to fix that. I used Boom Di Ada Creative Basics paper under the photo and for the flowers I used Whoops a Daisy patterned paper.

Heart to Heart Challenge #1

2010-04-07T23:14:00.000-07:00

Some of my fellow CTMH consultants have started a fun challenge blog called Heart 2 Heart Challenges. This is the very first challenge and it is using the colors Sunflower, Sweet Leaf, and Chocolate. So in support of my CTMH sisters here is my creation using those colors.....

For this card I used the emboss resist technique with the adorable stamp set Treasures. I inked up my stamps with Versamark, stamped the image, and the embossed it with clear powder. I then took the Sunflower ink on a sponge and inked all around the image. The "make a wish" phrase was first stamped in Sweet Leaf and then clear embossed to resist the Sunflower.

There are great prizes to win this week at the Heart 2 Heart Challenges blog so get creating so you can enter!!!

Mojo Monday card

2010-04-04T20:33:00.000-07:00

So I got this brainstorm to emboss die cuts and then ink them up in a resist manner after using the cool Irresitible die cuts in the CTMH Miracle kit. For this card I used this weeks Mojo Monday sketch as inspiration.

I used the CTMH Intrinsic Backgrounds stamp with a pearl embossing powder on the heart. Then I inked it with Hollyhock ink to color it. The papers are CTMH Magic Moments and I used the Cricut cartridge, Sweet Things, for the scallop.

Sean

2010-03-30T23:04:00.000-07:00

You are getting a sneak peak at the new promotion that will be happening with Close To My Heart starting April 15th. This layout is done with the new Miracle kit that comes with fabulous die cuts, Stickease, flip flaps, and more!

Visit my site at http://www.scrapwithdena.mycth.com/ on April 15th to see how you can order this kit at an amazing price!

Sharing the Love of Flying

2010-03-30T23:00:00.000-07:00

This is a layout I did using pics of my kids flying with my dad in his airplane. I used the Cosmo Cricket paper pack Lil' Man and chipboard cutouts. They went perfectly with the pictures.

Happy Easter

2010-03-18T21:35:00.000-07:00

This is a layout I did using my waterbrush to create the colors in the title and to color the rabbits. This is using the versatile new paper collection, Caboodle, from CTMH.

Joy and Happiness

2010-03-18T21:33:00.000-07:00

I had to try making the new paper flowers that I've seen everywhere. I made this layout with the pretty new Veranda paper from CTMH.

In DIY land....

2010-02-12T21:13:00.000-08:00

Yes, I dropped off the face of the scrapbooking world and landed in DIY land. My husband decided to take the hammer to our kitchen floors a few weeks back. So all my free time has been in helping put things back together. We also tackled our front entry way and laundry room. And just like scrapping, it never goes how you think it will and takes at least twice as long. Hopefully we'll finish up this weekend and I can get some time to scrap.

Day Seven -- Merry Christmas

2010-01-15T00:35:00.000-08:00

This layout I modified from a layout in the Autumn/Winter CTMH Idea Book. I used Jingle Creative Basics paper pack for this layout. I love how it turned out...the colors are so different from traditional red and green yet it is still very Christmasy (is that even a word??) to me.

All products CTMH.

Day Six -- Happy Halloween

2010-01-14T00:34:00.000-08:00

This layout design is not my own. I saw it in a kit advertisement for the Scrappy Gourmet. I just love the moon and thought it was so different that I CTMH'd it. The pictures worked perfectly with this layout!

All products CTMH except the strip of paper below the cat is Basic Grey.

Day Five -- So Sweet!

2010-01-13T00:26:00.000-08:00

This layout is a little busy and grungy than I normally do. I still like it but it is out of my box for me. I took a picture of all the Halloween candy and had an 8x10 print made of it. I then used it as patterned paper would be in the layout.

All product by Basic Grey.

Day Four -- Treasure Everyday Moments

2010-01-12T00:20:00.000-08:00

We welcomed another cousin Stephanie in October. These pictures are of my family meeting her for the first time. The boys were so funny about meeting her...they were really shy and wanted so bad to hold her. They finally warmed up and had a great time playing with her.

All products CTMH except the "Blessings" sticker from Creative Memories.

Day Three -- Happy Thanksgiving

2010-01-11T00:13:00.000-08:00

This layout I used pictures from our Thanksgiving get together at the grandparents house. The cousins always have so much fun playing together.

All items CTMH except the "Family" sticker which is Creative Memories.

Day Two -- Our Little Princess

2010-01-10T01:04:00.000-08:00

Here is Day Two's layout for January. This is of my daughter in her Cinderella Halloween costume. She is such a girly girl!All products Creative Memories.

January Page A Day Challenge

2010-01-09T23:56:00.000-08:00

I decided to join Cherly Evan's challenge to scrapbook a page a day in the month of January. So I've been diligently scrapping a page a day for the last week. Some layouts I already did ahead of time but I put the pictures, title, and journaling on this week. So each day I will post a layout I made last week. My first layout I scrapped my son's pumpkin patch trip using the free Felicity papers from CTMH. Click here to find out how you can get these gorgeous papers and stamps for free too!
All products CTMH.

My Son Has Tons Of It!

2009-12-20T22:35:00.000-08:00

Like I said my Mojo is on vacation for the holidays but my son's sure is not! Here is a card he created in no time at all (and he's only 5). I just helped him with the circle and glitter circle (which turns out I did uneven!) He put the tree together all by himself and decorated it. Now he is begging me to create a bag (using Vicki Wizniuk's template) for him to decorate. So I'm off to do that for him. He has such a creative soul...I came home from shopping to find that he cut up some shiny ribbon and decorated the mantle with it. It didn't look half bad either!

In came the holiday decorations and out went my Mojo....

2009-12-20T21:57:00.000-08:00

Well it's been forever since I posted or really created anything for fun. I have been in a slump from being tired from work, children being sick, getting ready for the holidays, being sick myself, etc. But here are a few LITTLE things I've done the past couple of weeks.

My work had a Secret Santa gift exchange where you give a little something each day and then a larger present on the last day. So I tried to have a little fun with it.

First day:

I gave my person the gift bag I made from Vicki Wizniuk's template. I filled it with Ghirardelli Mint Chocolate squares (she said she liked mint chocolate chip ice cream on her informational questionnaire). OHHHH-M-G! Have you tasted those things? They are heaven! I also gave her a gift card to Jamba Juice. I just made a pocket inside the gift bag to slide the card into and attached a sticker as a handle to pull the card out.

Second day:

I know...it's hilarious! But I did dress-up a bag of pork rinds (because they are her favorite junk food). I just couldn't give it to her plain. It's probably the most fancy bag of rinds ever. I also made a holder for the green tea packet.

Third day:

I decided to give ice cream the third day but couldn't leave it out under the tree for her to find. So I made an ice cream cone ornament to hang on the tree in her favorite color. I think I made one of these when I was a kid for my parents as a Christmas present. I attached a poem that read: Roses are red, violets are blue, the rest of your treat in in the freezer for you.

Inexpensive teacher gift:

One last thing to add. In the past I've spent tons of money on teacher gifts. Well this year I was a little more frugal and found some great deals. First off you have to LOVE the $1 Target aisle. All the items I used was from this aisle except for the lotion which I got at the $1 aisle of Joann's. Gotta love that!
I dressed up a box of Mrs. Field's chocolates with scrapbook paper, ribbon, a snowflake punch, and glitter brad.

Well thanks for looking and I hope you have a happy and safe holiday season!!!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-05T22:38:00.000-08:00

For this week's Mojo Monday card I tried some embossing for the first time (I know...where have I been...but I'm still a newbie to all this stamping!) It was so cool to see the images come alive under the heat! I'm addicted! I also tried a glitter technique from Tresa Black's blog...so cool! And easy!

I embossed the snow flakes and sentiment and used Martha Stewart's pine bough punch for the Christmas tree. This card was so hard to photograph...especially with 2 year old fingerprints on my camera lens.

I used the Jingle paper pack from CTMH with the new twinkle brads. The best part of making this card was that my 5 year old son joined me. He took the punch and went to town. He first drew a trunk with brown marker and then created his tree. He made his tree even before he saw mine...he'll pass me up in scrapping before I know it! Sean did the stamping of the sentiment all by himself.

All product CTMH except the Martha Steward punch on my card. The foam snowflake stickers and ribbon are from JoAnn's on my son's card.

CTMH's Holiday Heyday Clearance!

2009-11-30T21:58:00.000-08:00

SIT BACK AND RELAX. IT ’S OK TO START YOUR HOLIDAY
shopping a little late this year, because the best deals start in
December! You can buy everyone on your list a gift and stock up
on much-needed supplies, leaving you time to enjoy the festivities!
Beginning December 2*, you’ll want to get in on the amazing
deals like My Acrylix® stamp sets from $2 and My Reflections®
paper packets from $5. But that’s not all—we have “grab bags”
for $30, each filled with over $100 in retail products! Plus, great
shipping deals on orders over $100. These products are only
available while supplies last, so mark your calendar and be the
first to fill your shopping cart!

Shopping starts DECEMBER 2nd at 9:00 am MT at

http://www.scrapwithdena.myctmh.com/ !!

Don't miss out!

Quick and Easy B*day layouts

2009-11-28T00:42:00.000-08:00

Here are some birthday layouts from my son's and daughter's birthdays this year. We usually go all out and have huge family parties but we laid low this year. Partly because we had an H1N1 scare...but it was nice to relax and enjoy spending the day with the kids.

The first layout I used Stampin' Up!'s simply scrappin' kit "Happy B-day". I used CTMH's Cherish layout "Mixing Elements" for picture placement.

This next layout I used CTMH's Animal Crackers Level 2 kit papers along with their die cuts for the scalloped circle.

I had made this card for my daughter's birthday and wanted to use it on the layout. So I cut the back flap, mounted it on yellow paper, and used it as a decorative element.

The birthday presents in the bottom corner actually came from the Stampin' Up! simply scrappin' kit "Happy B-day". The colors are almost identical to CTMH's Animal Cracker's papers so it worked out great!

Thanks for looking and enjoy your long weekend!

Sammie...Happy Birthday!

2009-11-19T21:50:00.000-08:00

Wow it's been a long time since I've posted. I've had a VERY busy month with two boys in soccer, working extra to support base exercises, working extra painting and cleaning up the Youth Center, and I had my scrap club where I promised two layouts because I had to cancel October's. So I wanted to do something fun and I ran across this adorable picture of my niece. I used the sketch from Creative Scrappers.

Patterned Papers: Creative Memories

Card stock buttons: Creative Memories

Buttons: Stamping Up!

Ribbon and Waxy Flax: Creative Memories

Glitter Rub-On Letters: American Traditional

Pearls: CTMH

Happy Birthday

2009-11-07T23:22:00.000-08:00

Here's a card I made for my MIL birthday coming up this week. I used the Mojo Monday sketch for this card. This is the first week of the month so there are prizes! Go check it out at their blog. My MIL loves purple so I dug out some purple paper for her (and dusted it off...I don't use purple much).

Patterned Paper: DCWV and Creative Memories

Flowers: Creative Memories

Button: Stampin' Up

Stickers: Jolee's Boutique

Thanks for looking!!!

My Little Angel

2009-11-06T23:43:00.000-08:00

I got a chance to play a little today with more blog candy goodies from Amy. I used the Creative Scrappers' sketch #74 as my jumping off point.

Here's my take on it...

Patterned Paper: ?

Stickers: Marcella by K

Ribbon: felt-- Lucy's Linens, Ric Rac -- CTMH

Chipboard Letters: DCWV Spring

Pens: Sakura Glaze 3-D pens

Discover layout

2009-11-05T22:19:00.000-08:00

Here is another page in my son's first year album. I was inspired by Creative Scrappers' layout #42.

Here's my take on it...

I used these cool 3-D Glaze pens from Sakura that I won in Amy's blog candy to outline the Discover sticker and put accents throughout my page. It's cool because it looks like embossing. I used the black on the stars and it looks like brads...very cool. Can't wait to use them again!

Patterned Paper: Stardust by CTMH

Stickers: Stickease by CTMH

Diecut star and Flexi Labe star: CTMH

3-D Glaze Pen: Sakura

Adopt the pace of nature

2009-10-25T23:10:00.000-07:00

This card uses the Unscripted Sketches' sketch # 28 and the Paper Cutz Challenge to use three different patterned papers. I love the new Twitterpated papers from CTMH and when I saw these cute buttons at JoAnns I had to have them...they were buy one get one free so I couldn't leave them on the shelf.

Here's my take on it:

I've been in a real slump where I hate everything that I make. I had a swap to do and I absolutely hate what I made but I can't afford to re-buy new papers and do it again. Hopefully this card will pull me out of it. I'm trying to adopt the pace of nature and have patience with myself. Well have a good week and I hope your mojo is better than mine here lately!

Paper: CTMH Twitterpated and Stickease

RicRac: CTMH

Leaf Buttons: Favorite Findings

Joy of the Season

2009-10-25T21:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a card I made for Mojo Monday...I saw it and knew I had to do a Christmas card.

All products CTMH: Jingle papers and Stickease, stamp set: Evergreen

Ribbon: Ki Memories and JoAnn's Holiday Inspiration.

Thanks for looking!

my wish for you...

2009-10-12T01:19:00.000-07:00

This is my 3rd post for tonight...ummm...morning....hmmm....this is my first post for the day.

I tried a sketch at 365 Cards when I should have went to bed. That Starbucks stayed with me all day... :o)

Here's my take on it...this card was impossible to photograph...not sure why...

Patterned Paper and flower stickers: CTMH
Chipboard bug and bug stickers: Cosmo Cricket
Ric Rac: JoAnns

Laugh

2009-10-11T23:44:00.000-07:00

This is my second post for the night...

This layout is from this week's Creative Scrappers' sketch. My goal is to do all the sketches for the month...not starting off to good. I've already missed #72. BUT I have tomorrow off so I might have a little free time to play with the kids in school.

Here's mine....another easy peasy, no stamp, Stickease loving layout! Bling on a boys page...I think it works!

Patterned Papers: Emporium by CTMH
Everything else: CTMH

Easy Peasy... I think the saying goes....

2009-10-11T23:30:00.000-07:00

When I first was introduced to CTMH my first order was a Level 1 Majestic Blue kit. I was intimidated by the stamping so I started slow. It has pre-made pages and the cutest Stickease (card stock stickers) that coordinates with it. So a year and a half later I'm a little more comfortable using the stamps but I turned to the Level 1 kit for these pictures. The pages are so versatile and I wanted the emphasis to be on the photos. The layouts fit perfect with these photos.

This page went together so fast...it was truly Faster. Simpler. Easier. That's what I'm talking about!! LOL!

Here's my first layout with these papers a year and a half ago... I was trying to finish up my son's first year album after more than 4 years of a lame attempt at scrapping.

Happy Haunting Votive Card

2009-10-10T22:29:00.000-07:00

Here's a spooky little votive card that I made with the Basic Grey Eerie collection pack. I got the directions from a fellow CTMH consultant Rebecca Lillibridge. The cool thing is that you can fold it up and mail it to someone as a gift. It measures only 5 1/2 by 4 1/2. I used the Spellboung and October Word puzzle to stamp on the vellum and card stock. I then used some of the card stock stickers from the Eerie pack. I also had The Pink Elephant's challenge in mind when I did this votive card: use Black, Orange, Purple, and White.

You can use one of the battery tea lights to illuminate the votive and avoid your creation burning up in flames.

Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Eerie Collection Pack

Stamps: Spellbound & October Word Puzzle by CTMH

Thanks for stopping by!

Wishing You...

2009-10-05T23:17:00.000-07:00

This is the card I made for the new Mojo Monday sketch. Here's the sketch...

Here is my card I made. When stamping the Fall trees in my previous two cards, one of the images struck me as peacock feathers. So here is my "peacock" that I made from the Treetops stamp set (or my intrepetation of a peacock). I also used the Connections stamp set swirl as the head and tucked some feather behind it.

Patterned Papers: Emporium by CTMH

Stamps Sets: Connections, Treetops, Intrinsic Backgrounds by CTMH, and my new Verve Stamp Wishing You (I left the inside blank so I can fill it in with one of the cute other sayings to fit whatever occasion I need it for).

Oval: I used the Coluzzle cutting system

Rhinestones: Michael's

Thanks So Much

2009-10-04T23:14:00.001-07:00

For this card I used the Treetops again with an Unscripted Sketches' sketch 25 and Digital-Ink Co has a fall color challenge that works great with this card. Thanks Kim for turning me onto another cool blog!

I bought a stamp set from Verve Stamps last week and it was so nice to receive the package in the mail. It was wrapped in tissue paper and had a nice surprise! A free stamp saying "Thanks so much". It was nice to get a package that you can tell someone put a little time into. Well I love how my freebie looks on this card and I can't wait to use my other stamps from Verve.

Patterned Paper: Michael's

Stamps: Treetops by CTMH, Thanks so much by Verve

Ribbon: Michael's

Buttons and waxy flax: CTMH

Yea me -- I won!

2009-10-04T21:30:00.000-07:00

Wow! I'm so excited. I won Amy's awesome blog candy at her site Scrapping Mommy! Thanks so much Amy!!

Go check her blog out...she is out of this world talented!

Yoohoo!

2009-10-03T23:24:00.000-07:00

Happy World Card Making Day! After folding 8 loads of laundry I was finally able to complete a card with 36 minutes left in the day. I recently purchased the cute Treetops stamp from CTMH and thought I'd break it in. But because it's the fall season I tried something different than the typical green tree. I used the Card Positioning Sketch 135 for inspiration for this card.

Here's my take on it...

Patterned Paper: Michael's

Stamp Sets: Treetops, Spellbound, and Dream Big by CTMH

Ribbon and brads: CTMH

Water, Fire, Wind, and Earth

2009-10-01T23:07:00.000-07:00

Today's challenge at 365 Cards was to create a card using the elements water, fire, wind, and earth. I found a stamp set that had all four represented. It was so fun to make I did it in two different color palettes.

Stamp Sets: Simple Stitches and Dream Big

Hands On Fun!

2009-09-28T22:01:00.000-07:00

That's what this layout was to create too... Hands On Fun! This cool sketch is from the Creative Scrappers and I'm loving the large circles.

Here is my version with my daughter Chloe at Sunset Beach...

Patterned Papers: Close To My Heart, Pop Culture, and my old stash

Stamps: Daydream, Chocolate Alpha, Do Nothing

Ribbon: K & Company Lucy's Linens Felt Ribbon

Plastic Letters: Clearance at Target

A Couple of Cards

2009-09-26T23:29:00.001-07:00

I needed some cards to give to friends so I used Clean and Simple Blog's sketch for them. I love this site because they have such cute, non-fussy designs and it makes me think "I can do that!"

Here is my take on the sketch.

Patterned Papers: I don't know the name...but clearance at Target

Stamps: Annotations, A Huge Thank You, both by CTMH

Ribbon: By CTMH

This one didn't photograph too well. I made this card for a co-worker who's nephew died serving our country. He was so young...it is very sad. But his and his families' sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Patterned Papers: Nana's Nursery by DCWV

Stamps: Tickled Pink, Say It In Style, The Gift of Love (the sentiment inside)

Die cut: Scribbles Swirls by Sizzix

40 years

2009-09-25T23:24:00.000-07:00

For this page I scrapped my parent's 40th Anniversary pictures. I used a Page Maps sketch for my inspiration. It went together rather easily and really like the That's Amore papers with it. I only have one more page until I'm finished with my 2008 album...Yeah!!

Here's my take...It's hard to see but the light pink paper is punches and embossed. Fiskars have these cool punches that emboss and punch at the same time. It is a really cool effect.

Patterned Papers & Stickease: That's Amore by CTMH

Stamps: Chocolate Alpha, Adorning Corners

Punches: Fiskars

Ribbon and Pearls: CTMH

Cutie...Cutie....Cutie...

2009-09-23T23:43:00.000-07:00

I was over at the Mojo Monday blog and loved their sketch this week. However I needed to get some scrapping done so I wasn't going to do the sketch...then I thought maybe I could use the sketch on a layout. I'm such a rule follower I actually went to the site to see if it was okay. Stupid...I know. But it said "project", not card, so I went for it. I was able to create with a free conscience...Here is my take on it using Daydream papers and Stickease from CTMH.

Papers: Daydream by CTMH
Stamps: Connections, Solo "C" by CTMH
Rub-ons and die cuts: CTMH
Ribbons: Target clearance, re-used from a swim towel packaging

You're the Best

2009-09-17T22:30:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Provider Appreciation at my daughter child care center and the youth center at the Air Force base where I work. I baked up some brownies and made this card for each group of providers. They work so hard and get so little kudos...mostly when they hear from parents it is all the gripes and complaints. So it's nice that they be recognized for all the great, loving care they provide.

For this card I used a combination of challenges from the Corrosive Challenges Blog and the Pink Elephant Challenge. The Pink Elephant challenge was to use the theme Back To School and this sketch is from the Corrosive Challenges Blog.

My take on it:

Paper: The Grade School Stack by DCWV

Stamps: Classmate Alpha and A Huge Thanks by CTMH

Ribbon: CTMH

Thanks for looking and go tell your caregiver in your life how great they are!

Mini Me

2009-09-14T23:49:00.000-07:00

I was inspired to scrap these two little pictures I had of my son and husband when he was a baby. I almost didn't scrap them until I ran across this cute sketch from The Scrappiest that Laurel S. had on her blog.

Here's my version...

It's hard to tell but I created my own patterned paper by stamping Desert Sand colored ink with the Spot On Background stamp on the juniper paper, 2nd generation. It's so much fun making your own paper to customize it to your layout!

Patterned Paper: K & Company

Solid Paper, Hemp, and Journaling Spots Journey: CTMH

Stamp: Soul Mates & Spot On Background by CTMH

Nestibilities: Labels 1

Sticker letters: unknown

Brads: JoAnns

Magic Moments

2009-09-12T22:31:00.000-07:00

Here is a layout using one of my favorite papers, Notebook with one of my favorite pictures. This is a picture of my husband and his parents during our beach camping trip in July. It's rare to get a picture of all three of them together...we are all usually running around after the kids (grand kids for them).

Papers: Level 1 and Level 2 Notebook by CTMH

Stamps: Make It Count, Key To My Heart, Code It, Save The Date -- all CTMH

Ribbon and Pewter Spiral: CTMH

Couldn't Stop Myself...

2009-09-12T16:33:00.000-07:00

So I've been avoiding all the cool card sketches out there so that I could concentrate on getting some layouts done. Well I had a few minutes while my daughter was sleeping and snuck in a card sketch from Unscripted Sketches. I struggled with this card and still not 100% happy with it. Ah well...it's fun to create anyways. I always seem to learn something when I do a layout or card...what NOT to do next time!

Papers, Stickease, and Ribbon: Sweet Home from CTMH

Stamps: Say It In Style and Coffee Shop

Nestibilities: Labels One

Cuttle Bug Embossing Folder: Swiss Dots

Discover

2009-09-09T00:08:00.001-07:00

...a day at the beach...

....memories....

......nature.....

Papers: CTMH -- Outdoor Denim, Bamboo, Desert Sand, Bella patterned paper

Vellum -- Fiskars Photo Memories Vellum Paper Sets

Die Cuts, Rub-ons, and stamps -- CTMH

Beach

2009-09-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

This is a layout I'm using for my September scrap club. I was inspired by a page by Helen Onulak using the Moon Doggie papers. She has an awesome blog by the way. Anyways I wanted to use the Moon Doggie papers but was unable to purchase them in bulk. Then a gracious fellow consultant, Joanie Stanclift, offered to sell me her stash of bulk papers. OMG how nice of her! So thanks to her generosity I created the page below. I only had enough Moon Doggie paper to use a 12x6 piece on each page. So I used some patterned papers from the Bella line to finish it off. At the scrap club I'm teaching them how to tear and accent paper and also how to create depth with markers.

Thanks for looking!

Together is The Best Place to Be

2009-09-02T22:46:00.000-07:00

Here's another "no stamp" quickie layout for my son's album. I used the cool new CTMH papers Sweet Home along with the Stickease. I also used the new craft buttons in Basic. You may not be able to see but these buttons have a lot of texture and character.

Woohoo! Three layouts in one week! At this rate I might finish Sean's first year album by time he turns 6 years old!

Thanks for looking!

Smitten

2009-08-31T22:32:00.000-07:00

Another fast and easy page inspired by artwork by Close To My Heart workshop pages. It's rare that I have my picture taken so I thought I should scrap it!
I used Animal Crackers papers and Stickease by CTMH. Also the foam letters and scalloped chipboard border is CTMH.

Oh Brother

2009-08-31T22:20:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to finish up my son's first year album...I am in month June and he was born in February (oh and he's 5 1/2 years old now) ...but I'm getting there! One page at a time and I'm shooting for fast and easy pages. I used a layout from Page Maps which is an awesome sight that makes creating pages a breeze.So here is my version...but geared towards BOYS!

I used Colorbok Chipboard Chunk for the letters, sentiments, and shapes along with Moon Doggie paper.

Welcome Baby #2

2009-08-23T22:44:00.000-07:00

I have an employee who just had a baby so I whipped up this quick card using the Animal Crackers papers and Stickease. So easy!
I also used the Welcome Baby stamp set for the sentiment.

The Great Outdoors

2009-08-23T21:28:00.000-07:00

Here is a layout I created for my monthly scrap club. Seems like that is the only chance I get to create lately. I have been busy with soccer, guitar lessons, work, first days of school... we'll life! I keep saying that I'm going to take a day off and do nothing but scrap...well the "perfect" time for that hasn't happened.
I used Back Country paper from CTMH with the Campin' Fever and Let's Go Camping stamp sets Thanks for hanging in there and still visiting!

4th of July

2009-08-09T21:46:00.000-07:00

This is a layout I did for my Napa scrap club. I introduced them to random stamping to make your own patterned paper.

All products CTMH: Blue Ribbon patterned paper, Lucky Stars and July Word Puzzle stamp sets, White Daisy ribbon stamped

{heart} That Mouse

2009-08-09T21:33:00.001-07:00

This is a page I did for a swap with my upline and other ladies in the scrap club. We got bored with doing the Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer swaps so we decided to do a Disney swap. I was going for something a little different than the red, yellow, black, and white. I found this vintage Mickey paper and used that for my page.

I used the Cricut cartridge Mickey and Friends for all the cut outs. It's amazing the amount of stuff they can fit on the cartridges. Star paper is from CTMH Game On paper pack and the rest of the products are from JoAnn's.

Explore

2009-08-01T23:57:00.000-07:00

This layout is of my daughter and her fascination with the pink car at her cousin's house. We couldn't get her out of it! When I saw these pictures I knew that I had to use the Whoops- Ad-Daisy paper pack (soon to be retired!). The vertical striped paper had a green line in it that didn't go with the rest of the colors so I cut a white piece of paper, distressed it in watermelon and hydrangea ink and attached it over the green. I saw this trick on the MyCTMH website under one of the TV episodes.

I used the window frames on the Buttoned Up stamped images to give them some depth and a little sparkle. I hate putting my own handwriting on scrap pages but I think it is still important to have that handmade look. I'm fighting the urge to rip it off and put on computer printed journaling.

I used the Intrinsic Background stamp set to make my own patterned paper. I stamped the image several times in Watermelon and then took a sponge with Watermelon ink on it soften the harshness of the white background. I used the Friendship large alpha stamp for the title.

This layout came out of the Cherish book: Give Me Ten

Finally!

2009-07-12T22:42:00.000-07:00

I was able to get some time to catch up on some scrap booking. I have been so busy with work, possibly having the H1N1 virus, ear infections, 6 birthdays in June, 4th of July, and our camping trip to the coast I haven't had time to create. So I've made a list, kept it short....for now, on layouts that I need to catch up on for 2008. Sad it is the 7th month of 2009 and I haven't even started scrapping it. Oh well I keep plugging away.

I was inspired by Vicki Wiznuik's aquarium page that won the best use of color for the Scrapbook and Share contest. She did an awesome page using Serendipity so I thought I'd give it a try too.

Even though one of my scrapbook pet peeves is buttons without thread, I used them anyways. I thought it would look too busy with thread in all those buttons. I used Liquid Glass on clear buttons to create the custom buttons that match the paper.

I thought the layout was busy enough so I hid my journaling behind one of the pictures.

Thanks for still looking!

Happy H1N1 Birthday...

2009-06-30T21:50:00.001-07:00

Well we had this great birthday party planned for my daughter's second birthday on Saturday (also my birthday) at a Chuck E Cheese-like place. Then the H1N1 virus popped it's ugly head at my work place. On Thursday I started having a sore throat and headache and next thing you know the weekend is wrecked. So we canceled the party and did a low key birthday at home. I had plenty of time on my hands so I made this cake for her.

It was inspired by the monkey on the CTMH Animal Crackers new stamps and Stickease. My daughter is really into monkeys right now so this was perfect! We had a great time swimming and playing in the backyard on her birthday, which was actually Monday. I got 7 days off because of the virus.

Happy Birthday Chloe!

Cuttlebug Challenge Countdown to CHA

2009-06-26T12:01:00.000-07:00

Check this out!

Celebrate 2

2009-06-20T00:03:00.000-07:00

Here is the card I made for my daughter for her birthday. I used the Animal Crackers papers again with the Stickease. Can this paper be any cuter? The 2 is one of the new foam numbers from CTMH and I used the Card Commentary stamp set.

Hey There Cupcake...You're Invited

2009-06-19T23:53:00.000-07:00

Here are some invitations I made for my daughter's 2nd birthday next week. I can't believe she'll be two! But then again she is showing sure signs of the terrible twos.

I used the new cute Animal Crackers paper from CTMH with the Cupcake Sprinkles stamp set. I also used the Make It Count stamp set and stamped a circle around the two. The cupcake is pop dots to adhere the card.

Blog Awards! Yea!

2009-06-19T23:33:00.001-07:00

I received the Lovely Blog Award from Cheryl and Emma this week! What a nice surprise!

You can visit Cheryl's blog Even More Scrapping here and Emma's blog Paper Addicts Anonymous here. Enjoy they have some great artwork!

So here are some blogs I enjoy. I have so many under my favorites it's hard to choose.

Lisa -- Poppy Paperie

Sarah's Paper Tray

Christy

Rachael

Sideoats & Scribbles -- an new one I just found that shows you how to scrap and improve pictures! So cool! AND she does challenges on what she teaches you. I've already learned a lot.

Scrapping Mommy

Okay I could go on and on there are so many great ones out there! But I want to post new cards I made so I'll wrap this up!

Birthday Bonanza!

2009-06-15T22:48:00.001-07:00

June is a very busy birthday month in our household. I have my son's and daughter's, 3 nieces, an aunt, an uncle, and a grandpa. Oh and my birthday! Almost forgot! On purpose...getting old is not so fun. I do love the Avon Anew products though...They work awesome!

So here are some highlights of my son's birthday party.

Justin turned 8 and he's at that age that I irritate him when I take pictures of him.He blew out the candles so fast I didn't even get a chance to focus the camera..

Happy Birthday Justin!

Breathing easier...

2009-06-15T22:35:00.000-07:00

Well the last 3 weeks I have been miserable with allergies and sinus yuck! I ended up taking some leftover antibiotics, which I'm not supposed to do, but it helped. I can actually breath out of my nose and smell again (which in a house with 2 boys is not always a good thing).

So I've been so tired I haven't scrapped anything! I then had a revelation that I am not getting any scrapping done lately. I've been getting caught up in all the cool sketches and challenges that I have done nada for my albums. I have about 10 completed Christmas pages just waiting for pictures, that I have, but never put on. So I am not allowing myself to get distracted again with the cool blog world.

I put up my Mother's Day present from my hubby. It is another Making Memories embellishment rack. I organized it and it looks so great! I can actually see what I have.

I decided not to put my ribbon on the spool rods. I tried that and it was a mess! As I was unrolling one spool 20 others unrolled with it. I can also measure it more easily and grab it to lay down on a card or layout.

As you can see I love blue...there is still plenty of space to add to my collection.

Awesome Blog Candy

2009-06-09T22:20:00.000-07:00

Well there is some great blog candy over at Melissa's. Almost too good to share! Check it out here.

A Couple of Thank You Cards

2009-06-07T22:36:00.001-07:00

I've been suffering from allergies the last couple of weeks so my mojo is a no go. I can barely see straight my eyes are watering so much. But I forced myself to finish up these two cards I started last weekend. So if the cutting isn't the straightest it's because I have to keep stopping to blow my nose. OK enough of the TMI...here are the cards. The first one uses left over Emporium Creative Basics scraps:

Using left over Silhouette scraps:
All products are Close To My Heart except the small blue paper flowers (unknown), brown button (unknown), and the black gemstone brad (Recollections).

Stamps: Tickled Pink, A Huge Thanks, Butterfly Wings, Say It In Style

What I've Been Up To...

2009-06-01T22:10:00.000-07:00

I have a new scrap club that I meet with in Napa once a month. They requested a graduation layout since a lot of their children were graduating or just graduated last year. This group is new to stamping so I've been introducing it to them slowly. Here is the graduation layout they put together. I changed it around a little bit from this photo. I move the "congratulations graduate" and took out the Adorning Corners stamp on the yellow rectangle. This layout came from the Cherish book from CTMH.

I had 12 people in my club and there were a couple of different schools graduating so I changed the colored cardstock to match their school colors. The other papers are from the Sihloutte Creative Basics card making pack. I also had one person that didn't need a graduation layout so I created this for her from the Emporium Creative Basics card making pack.

Sorry for the poor picture quality. I left my good camera at work and I am using my old point and shoot. For next month's club we are meeting in a wine warehouse....interesting place to scrap. I hope we get to have a few samples! :o) Thanks for looking!

See Ya Later Alligator

2009-05-28T22:46:00.000-07:00

A co-worker of mine is moving to Turkey and I made this card for him. He has return rights back into his position here in the States so I'm sure I'll work with him again. He works in an early childhood education setting so I'm sure he'll appreciate this card. My hubby said this was a cool card so hopefully my co-worker will like it too. It's hard to make male cards...there's not too many "manly" stamps out there.

Patterned Papers: KI Memories, K & Co.,

Stamp Set: Life's a Jungle -- CTMH

Ribbon: CTMH white ric rac and hemp

Mojo Monday

2009-05-20T23:33:00.000-07:00

So I finally was able to create a little this evening. We switched our boys room from upstairs to downstairs so that meant my scrap room moved as well. I have been so busy I havent' even used my new room yet. When I did go to scrap I couldn't find my new purchase from JoAnns. I was so bummed...there were scalloped and circle Nestibles and a button die cut that is missing. I'm afraid it got thrown away in the midst of the big move. So sad...but I was able to work through it and create these two cards. Hopefully they'll turn up one day...

This sketch was so much fun to work with. These two cards went together really easily for me.
Patterned Paper: Life Delights -- CTMH

Stamps: Be True, Say It With Style, Intrinsic background-- all CTMH

Odds'n'Ends: Chocolate Ric Rac -- CTMH, Butterfly punch -- Martha Stewart Patterned Paper: Key To My Heart -- CTMH

Stamps: Be True, Good Times

Odds'n'Ends: Sparkles -- CTMH

My First Blog Award!

2009-05-20T23:12:00.000-07:00

I was nominated by the Sassy Scrapper Christina for this cute Lemonade Stand Award!
My scrapping motivation was leaving me and this award perked me up and motivated me to scrap again. Thanks Christina!

The rules to the award is as follows:
*comment on this blog
*cut and paste the award logo and use it on your own blog
*nominate 5 to 10 blogs that shows great attitude and gratitude
*link your nominees with your blog post
*comment on their blogs to let them know they won the award
*link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation

Wow! That's a lot of work! And the award goes to...
Laurel S.
Beth R-T
Kathi
Lori
Shannon
Melanie
and I know there are a ton more out there but it's late and my brain isn't working! I do have them all saved on My Favorites though!

Enjoy all the awesome artwork from the talented ladies above!

Too long!

2009-05-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

OMG I can't believe it's been so long since I've been able to scrap and post. I've had a busy couple of weeks with work, allergies, and then a family friend passed away. I think I might have time tonight to work on a few things. Thanks for hanging in there with me! Ta Ta for now!

And the winner is...finally!

2009-05-12T21:25:00.000-07:00

Sorry it took so long to choose the winner of my blog candy. I had computer problems and my hubby just fixed it. Well I did a random number generator and the winner is... #2! Congratulations Melissa!
Email me your address at dena.brayshaw@gmail.com.

Many Reasons To Celebrate...So How About Some Blog Candy!!

2009-05-01T11:26:00.001-07:00

Today is the release of the new Close To My Heart Catalog! Close To My Heart did not disappoint, as usual, with their new Idea Book. There are adorable new papers, "can't wait to get my hands on them" stamps, and new "to die for" die cuts and dimensional elements. Also, I just received my 2,000th hit on my blog. To top it all off this off May is National Scrapbook Month! So to celebrate all these great events I thought it was time to hold my first blog candy give-away on my blog. I'm a blog candy virgin so I hope I get this right! Here's what I'm offering:

MAGIC MOMENTS 12 MONTH SCRAPBOOKING KIT:
24- 12x12 Pre-printed Layout Pages, 8 - 6x12 Stickease Adhesive Sheets, 2 12x12 Colonial Card stock Sheets, 12 -- 12x12 Memory Protectors, 50 -- Cocoa Brads, 24' - Cocoa 3/8 Grosgrain Ribbon
INDIAN CORN BLUE INK PAD AND MARKER
ANNOTATIONS 'D' SIZE STAMP SET
AUTUMN TERRACOTTA PHOTO CLIPS WITH BRADS
CONNECTION CLUB TOKENS
GIANT PAPER CLIPS

All you need to do is leave a comment and leave a link on your blog giving a shout out about my blog candy. If you don't have a blog...no worries! Just leave a comment. I will randomly draw a winner on May 11th so be sure to post your comment by May 10th. Good luck and Happy Scrapbook Month!

Mojo Monday Mother's Day Card

2009-04-30T21:42:00.000-07:00

Here's this weeks Mojo Monday card. I thought I'd do a Mother's Day card since it is just around the corner.My card...

Patterned Paper: DCWV Citrus Blooms and Citrus Small Daisy Red Glitter

Cardstock: CTMH holiday red, creme brulee, buttercup

Stamps: Chocolate Alpha, Spot On Background

Thanks for looking and check out my BLOG CANDY below!

Thanks

2009-04-27T22:12:00.000-07:00

I have been following the new Unscripted Sketches that started a few weeks past but I haven't found the time to try one. So tonight it was a toss up between folding 8 (if you don't count the load in the dryer) loads of laundry or making a card. All I can say is thank goodness for irons!

I opened up a stamp set I had never used, Inspirational, and gave it a try. It was kinda boring for my taste but I pulled out the Playful Flourishes and those can spice up any layout or card.Patterned Paper: Emporium from CTMH

Stamps: Inspirational, Playful Florishes, Say It In Style

Ribbon: Vineyard Berry from CTMH

Chipboard & Window Charm: CTMH

More Tickled Pink...

2009-04-23T22:42:00.001-07:00

Well even though I had disappointing results last night with my Tickled Pink card I tried again tonight.

This card I cut out the center with the Nestibilities Label 1. I used the Perfect Day paper pack and Stickease along with some Sparkles from CTMH. The butterfly is a Martha Stewart Punch and the ribbon is CTMH. The flower is actually centered but because the card was open slightly it looks off center.

This second card I paired with the Lazy Days of Summer paper pack. I used the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots for embossing and CTMH flower brads. The sentiment is from the stamp set Say It In Style.
Oh and I tried to fix this card...I thinks it looks slightly better but it's not a fav.

Thanks

2009-04-22T22:42:00.000-07:00

I wanted to do something different with the Tickled Pink stamp set for this card. Well...I'm not sure if this is different good or different bad...I'm not liking this that much. You be the judge and I'll try again tomorrow....

Die Cut: Sizzix Scribble Swirls

Patterned Paper: Daydream and Emporium by CTMH

Stamp: Tickled Pink by CTMH

Rubbons: CTMH

Sparkle: CTMH

Dimensional Element Chipboard Border: CTMH

So Sweet

2009-04-21T23:23:00.000-07:00

I took these pictures of my daughter on Christmas morning. This was the first time I bought 'girly' presents and it was so much fun after two boys worth of action figures. I knew the new Cupcake Sprinkles stamps and Daydream paper pack would work perfectly with these pictures. It's fun doing 'girly' layouts too.

My daughter doesn't have a black eye...it's the Photoshop Elements trying to fix red eyes...it does the worst job!

National Scrapbook Month Fun!

2009-04-17T23:09:00.000-07:00

Here’s some great news! This Tickled Pink scrapbooking kit, created exclusively to celebrate National Scrapbooking Month, is available TODAY to purchase at retail or earn FREE with a qualifying purchase. In addition, hostesses who have qualifying Home Gathering sales totals will receive the Tickled Pink kit for FREE, and new Consultants who enroll in May will receive a FREE Tickled Pink kit as part of their New Consultant Kit. Email me or leave a comment for more information.

Artwork Contests on Special Website!

And it gets even better! As another fun way to celebrate this special month, Close To My Heart has created a website, www.scrapbookandshare.com, that you can visit to share your artwork and win Close To My Heart products. To participate in the Scrapbook and Share contest, simply send us a JPEG image of a two-page layout that highlights you in some way to scrapbookandshare@closetomyheart.com. Along with your submission, you’ll want to share why the layout highlights you. At the end of May, finalists will be selected from all of the entries, and you will be able to vote for your favorites. The winners in each category will receive $150 US retail in Close To My Heart products.

To access the website and read all the details about the Scrapbook and Share contest, click on the flower button at the top of my blog. Good luck and I can't wait to see all the wonderful entries!!!

Computer bugs...and Easter eggs

2009-04-16T21:12:00.000-07:00

Who knew surfing scrapbooking/cardmaking blogs could be dangerous? Well while I was checking out a site with a Mr. Linky my computer started going crazy and opening up a million Internet Explorer windows. I couldn't stop it and had to shut down my computer. When I logged back on I got what my husband calls "the blue screen of death". Not good...but my husband is a computer wiz and promises to fix it. He builds and takes apart computers all the time so hopefully he can fix it. Though my computer fixes always turn out to be "upgrades" to one of his 3 computers and I get the hand me down parts as the fix. Oh well as long I as can do my Facebook and blogs that's fine with me.

So I'm trying not to do too much on my computer until it gets fixed. So here are a few Easter pictures...shouldn't do too much harm....I hope!

Chloe found a Longenberger Easter basket at my in-laws and wouldn't let it go. She was distracted a little by the egg hunt but then went right back after it.
This is the best I can do as far as a picture of Justin is concerned. He's at that age where he hides his face.
Sean had a great time hunting for eggs. I'll probably be hiding eggs and putting Santa presents under the tree for him when he's 18. He LOVES the holidays and makes sure we don't short cut the holiday festivities.
Picture of all the cousins minus the one on the way from Matt's sister.

Hey There Cupcake

2009-04-11T22:04:00.000-07:00

This card I made for an employee of mine that is in the hospital. I decided to use the Mojo Monday sketch for the card.

The inside of the card says "feel better soon".

Patterned Paper: DCWV Summer Stack

Stamps: CTMH Cupcake Sprinkles & Say It In Style

CTMH Summer Sassy Strands & Die Cut flower

From my stash: flower brads & felt flower

CTMH Liquid Glass

Prisma Glitter

You're A Tweet Heart

2009-04-08T22:56:00.000-07:00

I branched out (no pun intended) and picked up some papers and stamps from Two Peas. They were having a sale so I picked up a few new papers. It was nice using something different for a change...though CTMH's quality of stamps still can't be beat in my opinion.
Stamps: Hero Arts
Paper: Lily Bee
Cardstock: Close To My Heart
Brads: Making Memories Gem Brads
Ribbon: Close To My Heart
Liquid Glass: Close To My Heart
Sequin: Michael's

I used Liquid Glass on the bird to give it some dimension. It doesn't look as shiny in person. Still having issues tying bows...ah well.

Glad to be back...

2009-04-05T20:55:00.000-07:00

I had to go to New Orleans for a conference for my job so I've been gone a few days. It was a lot of fun...ate great food and enjoyed walking around the French Quarter. I don't know what it is about that city but I just love it. Anyways it's glad to be back and hopefully I'll get some time to scrap.

Happy Easter

2009-03-29T21:25:00.000-07:00

Here are a few Easter Cards...trying to get into the Easter spirit. However this wind plus pollen is making life miserable right now. I can barely see straight my eyes and nose are running so much. So please excuse the crooked card making if everything isn't straight...not that I could tell right now.

Patterned Paper and cardstock: Cutie Pie by CTMH

Stamps: Eastertime for the basket, Easter Eggs, Say It In Style all CTMH

Brad: Making Memories Spring Fling

Patterned Paper and cardstock: Cutie Pie by CTMH

Stamps: Eastertime, Easter Eggs, Say It In Style

Brad: Making Memories Spring Fling

Ribbon: Target $1 aisle

Feather: Out of my kids craft bin -- Discount School Supply

Blue rhinestone: Michaels

Leave Only Footprints

2009-03-27T23:04:00.000-07:00

Here is Mojo Mondays sketch for the week. With all this warm weather we are having in California I felt like scrapping something summery. Here's my take on the sketch.

Patterned Paper: Laid Back by CTMH
Cardstock: CTMH
Stamp Set: Do Nothing by CTMH
Charm: Jolee's Jewels
Ric Rac: unknown
Tool: wave scissor

I Want Candy! (who doesn't?!)

2009-03-26T22:49:00.001-07:00

Sounds crazy but I bought this dress for my daughter just because it matched the Heart Throb stamp from CTMH and I hadn't used it. Oh I thought it was cute too but the main reason was to scrap it. So sad...

Anyways I made my way over to Split Coast Stampers, I always forget about that website. Maybe cuz I find it hard to navigate...But I found this sketch for my Valentine's Day pics.
Here's what I came up with...

Plain Card Stock: CTMH
Patterned Paper: from Michaels
Stamps: Heart Throb, Soul Mates
Brads and Rhinestones: from Michaels
Odds & Ends: Prisma Glitter, White Daisy ink, Make The Grad Cricut cartridge, Bradley Hand font

** Speaking of candy...I just got over 1500 hits so if I can figure out how to pick a winner (that sounded wrong) I'll do some blog candy. I need to get my hubby's help to figure out how to do it. Or if you can leave me a how-to comment that would be even better! Check back soon! **

Hi!

2009-03-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

I took the Caardvark's Challenge this week. This is the first time I've participated in this challenge and had a lot of fun putting this card together.Here's what I came up with. I'm getting addicted to these challenges and my scrapbook layouts are suffering...

Patterned Paper: DCWV Summer Stack

Yellow and Brown Cardstock: Close To My Heart

Ribbon: Target $1 aisle

Sticker: Marcella K

Safety Pin and Plaque: Close To My Heart

TFL!!!

Celebrate

2009-03-22T10:13:00.001-07:00

I was inspired by the colors and graphics this bathing suit I saw in a Land's Ends catalog. The images reminded me a lot of the Gratitude stamp set by CTMH. The colors I used were Ocean, Watermelon, Black, and White. The colors in the printed cattie looked different than the above image. I could have used Hollyhock and Juniper to more closely resemble the image above...maybe another night....The large flowers I outlined with Liquid Glass and sprinkled Prisma Glitter on them.Stamps: Gratitude, With Love, Card Commentary

Cardstock: CTMH

Sparkles: Michaels and Liquid Glass with Prisma Glitter

Ribbon: DCWV All Dressed Up

I hand cut the swirls after I put the white card stock through the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder.

Same products as above minus the ribbon. Thanks for looking!

Just Because...You Hold The Key To My Heart

2009-03-21T00:22:00.001-07:00

Hi all! I took the Mojo Monday sketch challenge for this week and here's what I came up with.

I used the Key To My Heart special promo pack from CTMH. I used Liquid Glass on the Key and the inside says "You Hold The Key To My Heart".

All products Close To My Heart.

Paper: Key To My Heart

Stamps: Key To My Heart, Playful Flourishes, Whoo Loves You

Brads, Ribbon, Waxy Flax, and Flowers also CTMH

Coffee Shop

2009-03-17T23:35:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to try out this new-to-me stamp I bought. I had a lot of fun creating with these stamps. I was inspired by my love of hazelnut lattes...thanks for looking.
"Thanks A-Latte"Paper: 7 Gypsies and Twilight CTMH card stock

Stamps: Coffee Shop, A Lot of Thanks, Key To My Heart, Chocolate Alpha

Rub-on: 7 Gypsies

Brads: CTMH

"Luv Ya A-Latte"

This card isn't my usual style...a little junkier looking than I normally like. I'm more into clean lines but it's growing on me.

Paper: 7 Gypsies
Stamps: Coffee Shop, Amore Alpha
Brad & Swirl: CTMH
Ribbon: Target $1 aisle
Flower: CTMH

You Make My Heart Flutter

2009-03-15T23:08:00.001-07:00

Since all my photos to scrap are on order from Winkflash I thought I'd make a few more cards. I wanted to try out the new Butterfly Wings stamp of the month from Close To My Heart. I paired it with my new favorite paper Emporium. Actually this paper is from the Emporium Basics collection made just for cardmakers. It comes with the matching ribbon and 16 double sided patterned papers. I used the Originals card book for my inspiration for both cards.

This is the first card I made with the large butterfly. I stamped it on the sweet leaf patterned paper. I pierced the paper behind the butterfly with the handy piercing tool and mat from CTMH.

The second card I made I used the smaller butterfly and again stamped it on the sweet leaf patterned paper. I dyed some CTMH Just Blooms paper flowers with the sweet leaf ink and a sponge. I then cut the petals to look like grass.

Easter Card

2009-03-14T23:44:00.000-07:00

I picked up a few new embellishments at Michael's the other day. They are thick clear stickers...kinda different.

Stamps: CTMH Eastertime in creme brulee and juniper

Paper: DCWV Nana's Nursery Baby Boy, CTMH creme brulee and juniper cardstock

Stickers: Making Memories Flower Patch Looking Glass Stickers

Ric Rac: CTMH

Butterfly Punch: Martha Stewart

Thank You

2009-03-14T23:39:00.000-07:00

Since I had the paper out I thought I 'd do a few more cards. It was fun using these Spring colors. The bottom edge on the front of the card is scalloped. Thanks for looking!

Stamps: CTMH Aspirations & Gratitude in blush, petal, clover meadow, and crystal blue

Paper: DCWV Nana's Nursery Baby Boy

Ribbon: unknown

Blog Candy

2009-03-14T19:42:00.000-07:00

Courtney is giving away some great Spring Break blog candy at her site Created by Courtney. It is super simple to win and it is great candy...go check it out to see what it is. Good luck!!

Welcome Baby

2009-03-14T15:34:00.000-07:00

This is my second attempt at the Mojo Monday sketch. I've had a lot of fun doing these cards and it makes me try something new.
I had this paper stack for a while now so I decided to pull it out and use it up.

Paper: DCWV Nana's Nursery Baby Boy

Stamp: Welcome Baby CTMH with juniper ink

Tag: Spellbinder Nestibilities: Label 1

Ribbon: CTMH

Brads: some I've had in my stash for a while now

Enjoy

2009-03-08T21:07:00.001-07:00

I have never done a sketch challenge before but I was inspired by all the great cards for this weeks sketch at Mojo Mondays. However life got in the way and I didn't finish it on time. This is my first attempt at "coloring" a stamped image as large as this. I used a waterbrush to apply the colors. It's amateurish and probably would have been too embarrassed to enter the card anyways.

Materials Used: Do Nothing & Say Anything Stamp Set, Sparkles, black and ocean card stock -- CTMH, Black and white patterned paper -- 7 Gypsies, Ribbon -- DCWV All Dressed Up Modern, Ric Rac -- JoAnn's, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug