Not Quite Ready for Spring Yet!

The challenge at Stamp Something this week is to create something reminding you of the cold winter winds. I've been playing with the challenges at Stamps and Smiles this week, and I used Sketch Challenge #3 for this card. (Don't worry, I'll show you the other SAS challenges soon....I'm just keeping a little backlog of things to post over the next few weeks when life will be keeping me away from the scrap table). The stamps are from Treehouse Stamps colored in with my Prismacolor pencils and OMS. After I finished this one, I wished that I'd thought about using liquid applique on the marshmallows. Oh well...there's always next time.

We're actually under a winter weather advisory tonight. It remains to be seen whether we'll get any accumulation, but since I have all the fixin's for some homemade vegetable soup & cornbread and my sweet family all around me, this card says it all for me!!!

Blog Candy Winner

We printed all the comments, cut them into strips, folded 'em and put them in a bowl. And Addison picked:

Denean!!!!

Denean and I were on a design team together way back when. She is always so good about leaving comments, and her photography is awesome!!! Make sure you check out her blog. Denean, let me know which prize you choose!

I'm about 95% finished updating the blogroll in the sidebar. When you have a couple of free minutes days, check out these links. These bloggers are my constant source of inspiration.

CPS 104 Paper Tray

In the back of my mind, I know that because of my work schedule it won't be long before I need to pack up the craft room for a while. So I've made my list of cards I need before the middle of April, and I'm going to try to knock out as many as I can in the next few days. Of course, there are several birthdays on that list.

After I saw this card a couple of weeks ago, I made a mental note to rectify the fact that my Paper Tray set has been somewhat neglected lately. When the CPS 104 sketch was posted with Papertrey Ink as this week's sponsor, I realized this was the perfect opportunity to pull out this set (PTI's very first release). I love the clean, simple look of this card, and it will be a one-stamper so no worries on sending it through the mail.

Addison.org is down for maintenance sleeping like a log. We'll pick a blog candy winner Thursday night after I get home from work.

Enabler Alert!!!

Have you seen the new Elzybell releases???

I've been watching a few of the sneak peeks, and I just need to say....See the Cool Beans set?............

That sentiment is SOOOOO me!!!! Especially this time of year. :)

Jen's SFYTT for TCP Tuesday!

All week I've been meaning to join the TCP Tuesday challenge cause I love any excuse to ink up my Smells Like Cake set. But, honestly, I always run into a creative block making cards ahead of time. And there aren't any birthdays on my list for at least...ummm....2 more weeks!! I might fall over and faint if I made a card 2 weeks before I needed it!!!

Then this morning I saw Jen's Sketch For You To Try
and the little wheels started turning. (If you saw smoke in the Brentwood area, that's probably what it was). So in between getting the house presentable for unexpected company from Memphis, showing the condo to some possible renters, and cleaning up at least half a bucket of water on the kitchen floor because the 3 yr. old wanted to play "Hard Knock Life" (remember Annie?), I finally finished this card. I hope I'm not too late even though I am a little early for the next birthday.

I am working on getting that blogroll updated, and don't forget about the blog candy here!!!!

Quick Card for CPS 103

Quick post for a quick card using the CPS 103 sketch. Paper and chipboard flower are SEI Ally's Wonderland. I had a little fight with the Basic Grey rubon, but hopefully I was able to save it with a black marker.

I'm heading to work today and out to dinner tonight. Really hoping I'll find some energy tonight to do something here in my craftroom. And don't forget I've got blog candy here.

3 WEEKS and Counting --- Blog Candy!!!

I added a new gadget to my blog.

Can you see it right over there? ---------->

Yep! We're counting down to my THIRD Blogoversary! I can hardly believe I've stuck with this (always come back after long disappearances) for 3 years. And I really really appreciate YOU coming back to listen to my random thoughts, dote on my kids, and appease me by looking at my creative attempts.

Anyway....I'm planning a little celebration. What's wrong with this picture? I don't even start planning my kids' birthday parties three weeks out!! Shhhh...we just won't tell them.

So what's the first thing you do when you're throwing a party? You clean up the house. I really want to revamp my sidebar which is long overdue for a facelift! I'll be expanding my blogroll adding lots of blogs that I read regularly. Most of you know I'm addicted to blurfing. I especially enjoy visiting blogs of people who stop by here and leave me comments. If you have a blog, please post here with your Blog address and I will get you added to it.

Hmmm....too busy to leave a comment? Shall I entice you with some Pre-Blogoversary goodies? This is YOUR CHOICE of prizes:

• Prize 1:
• Large chipboard butterfly by Doodlebug Design ready to embellish
• Edge distresser by Heidi Swapp
• 3 packages Scrapbook Nails
• 1 roll American Crafts ribbon
• Remember the Moments stamp set by Technique Tuesday
• Family stamp by Autumn Leaves
• Misc. chipboard shapes by Tinkering Ink
• 1 yd. black twill ribbon
  

or if you don't papercraft or don't want to add any more supplies to your existing hoard, how about

Prize 2:
A set of 8 note cards handmade by me...similar to this style....with the Monogram Initial of your choice. Of course, this will not be available for immediate shipping...but I will make them for you asap.

There will only be one winner...but the winner will have their choice of the two prizes. In order to win:

• Please leave your blog address. I'd love to be linked to your blog as well but that's entirely optional. If you don't have a blog, why not start one? Then we could celebrate our Blogoversarys together??? Not going for that?
  
• Okay, if you don't have one or don't want me adding yours to my blogroll, just link me up to one of YOUR favorites. I'm always looking for more inspiration, more challenges, more online stores, more recipes, more home-keeping tips, and more ways to save money. Just try to list one that hasn't been posted ahead of you. There are tons out there---I find new ones every day!!
  
• Let me know that you spread the word about the giveaway on your blog, a forum, or via email to get a second entry in the pot.

I'll pick a winner using Addison.org on Thursday the 26th. You have until Wednesday 2/25 at 11:59PM CST to post your blog links!

Watercolor Garden Sympathy

I have been needing to send one more sympathy card, but put it off with all the Valentine's that had to be finished. Yesterday's Timeless Tuesday Challenge on the Flourishes Newsletter blog is to use flowers. I decided to pull out my very first flower set....Watercolor Garden. I'm not sure how long this has been retired, but I will always love it. I also wanted to use this week's sketch from Mercy since I never found time last week.

I pulled out the sentiment from Treehouse Stamps and some paper that has been in my collection since the first year I started scrapbooking. It's such a great feeling when I use things I HAD TO HAVE so many years ago. I added some wide lace folded under the stamped panel and some little pearls.

Since I had everything out, I decided to make an extra card for my stash. Sympathy cards are not easy for me, so I like to have some on hand.

I know the blog has been a little naked on pictures lately, so I'll throw in this one. When I was editing the pictures of the cards this morning, I saw Clark setting up his card from Saturday in my "photo shoot area" (a towel over a file box by the open front door). He is really getting into the whole card-making process....from using the trimmer, the Scor-Pal and now setting up for pictures. LOL

Dinner is in the crockpot and I'm heading to the office for a few hours. Make sure you check out this Bazzill cardstock giveaway from my good friend Linda!

What I did tonight!

Click here....cause it's her idea and I didn't take pictures anyway.

Yes...nevermind that Clark & I didn't even get home until 6:30 with a carload of groceries to put away. Truth be told, I didn't spend THAT much more time in my kitchen than I would have to make only tonight's dinner. And it's like money in the bank knowing I have a couple of backup meals in the freezer.

Is there a particular meal that you make double batches of to put one in the freezer? I'm all ears. I've got just a couple more weeks before tax season totally turns crazy...inevitably wreaking havoc on my routines at home. The more I can prepare, the better it will be for everyone in my family!!!

And if I keep this up, you're all going to know exactly which blogs I do read! Thanks Meredith, for finding this one a few weeks ago.

Blog Candy Alert!

Carla has some yummy yummy blog candy up for grabs. If you don't already know about Moralia's Weblog, check it out! She is an amazing papercrafter, and I love peeking in every day to see her latest creations. Click here for a chance to win some MM Chloe's Closet!

Random Sharing of my Google Reader

If you took a glance at my Google Reader, you would see that it runs the gamut! I would *guess* that 90% are blogs of card-makers or scrapbookers or challenges for either. But in addition to a sprinkling of blogs of friends, I also read finance blogs, frugal blogs, and home-making blogs. And you know how the blog world goes...one post has a link to another blog that you just have to add to your Reader. Because I read Common Sense With Money, I found Audrey's blog. I've never been a very fashion savvy gal...when I'm not working, I fight the urge to hang out in my sweats and jammies. But it doesn't mean I don't dream of having that "always-pulled-together" look. I am totally enjoying her 365 Days of Fashion Advice for Moms. Go check it out!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Hope you are all enjoying a Happy Valentine's Day!

While Carl went to the hospital this morning to check on his mom, we sat down to make a few last minute cards.
And you know the saying about the cobbler's children? Well...not one card for Carl or the kids, but I did use this tutorial to make a super-quick paper cone to hold their candy!

And yes...I just found out it's Happy Valentine's Day to me! I was the lucky winner in this giveaway for TWO new Basic Grey collections at Craft Critique! YIPPEE!!!!

Have a great rest of the day! And as much as I love all the pinks, reds, chocolate browns, whites, blacks and hearts....every year on the 14th, it feels like I've overdosed on it all. I'm ready to put it all away until next year! LOL

M&M's Matchbook Valentines

In typical fashion, I waited until the last minute to finish these little matchbooks to hold the Fun-Size M&M packs. I ended up using the same design for both kid's classes. I originally thought of the idea to have something "boy-ish" from Clark. But Addison has become very adamant about being a tomboy lately, so I decided to make it easy on me and use these for her friends too! In fact, she would have rather that I made all blue ones for her class, but I ran out of blue cardstock and had to use some of the dreaded pink! LOL I dug out my much-neglected Autumn Leaves Astroboy stamp set and some TAC stamps for the HVD sentiment.

If you've got any of the fun-size packs sitting around, these are easy peasy.

1. Cut cardstock 4"x8".

2. Score at 3.25", 3.75", and 7.25".

3. Stamp inside and outside of cover.

4. Add diecut letters "U" "R" to front cover.

5. Fold in right edge and staple twice.

6. Use a staple to attach a fun-size pack of candies topped with a 3/4" border.

7. Sign the cards.


8. Fold over front cover and tuck under right edge! TA DA! All ready to deliver to school this morning!

CPS102 and Kim's Birthday Challenge 5

If you follow my Angel Company blog, you know I've been playing along with Kraftin' Kimmie's Birthday Challenges. I did run out of time to finish the fourth challenge, but I took a break last night from making Valentine's for both kids' classes last night to make a quick card for Challenge Five. The challenge was to use patterned paper and hearts. Since I still need a few more Valentine cards, I just had to play along.

I've been wanting to try this week's CPS Sketch #102 since it was first posted. It's just so pretty! The Making Memories patterned paper has been in my stash FOREVER! Literally, it was from one of the very first scrapbooking kits I ever got. I cut the hearts with my Cuttlebug and used my new threading water punch (YES!!! I finally got one!!) for the border. Sorry for the glare, but I took this picture right before bedtime and I had no energy to take another one.

Check back tomorrow to see if I actually finished those 35 Valentine's for the kiddos. I'm using the same design for both classes....and I think it's turning out pretty cute!

Don't Laugh! It's a cute idea...

I actually made this card last weekend, but didn't deliver it until today...so I didn't post to be sure it would be a surprise. I bought the Cuttlebug Puzzle die a few weeks ago and then ordered some Craft-a-Board from Ellen Hutson's store. Craft-a-Board is thicker than cardstock...almost a chipboard thickness. I cut a A2 size piece, stamped with an image from the Quiet Moments set at Treehouse Stamps, and then *tried* to color in some grass, water, and a beautiful sunset. Okay...don't look at the sunset too long. Denean, will you come to Tennessee for some personal coloring lessons? Please?

Once I'd finished coloring, I ran it through the Cuttlebug using the puzzle die and cut the card into puzzle pieces.
Then I needed a box. I found this template from Jenn del Muro for a 4" square pizza box
After putting all the little puzzle pieces inside, I covered it with a paper scrap and tied it off with some ribbon.

At the last minute...

I decided to enter a card for the Papertrey Ink sketch challenge. I'm far behind on Valentine's Day cards anyway, and you can't win if you don't play, right? And, oh boy, they are giving away some great prizes. I don't think they are finished yet....so check Nichole's blog daily if you haven't been already.

I pulled out some Scenic Route Loveland paper and chipboard and made this card. Nothing fancy, no stamping, but fun, colorful and DONE! I really need to buckle down on the Valentine's....like yesterday!

And ummm...looks like I'm going to get this posted with about 30 minutes to spare! LOL

CPS 101 - Encouraging Verses

I'm fighting either a head cold and a headache tonight, or maybe it's just a sinus attack. It's been a long week and a somewhat emotional day, and I just couldn't face the two sympathy cards I found out I need to make over the weekend. In an effort to concentrate on something a little more uplifting, I decided to use CPS Sketch 101 and some Encouraging Verses to make this card for one of the gals that helps with the Childrens' Ministry at church. I was one of the lucky winners of this digi stamp set on Julie Buhler's blog. Julie designed these stamps and you can buy them here. It's so easy just to open a file and print them off. I colored in the tree with my Prismacolor pencils blended with OMS, and the paper is Basic Grey Mellow.

I even finished off the inside where I'll write a note letting this person know how much I appreciate them. It's reassuring to know that in today's hectic, stressful, frantically-paced world there are other people out there helping me try to "firmly plant" my children in goodness and Godly values.

Photo for Feb 4

This might be titled "Only in the South"

does your 3 yr. old learn how to make milk gravy. LOL

Friday Sketch #47 in a Quickie

I have to remind myself occasionally that making a card doesn't HAVE to take as long as I usually take. I usually spend a lot of time chosing the perfect color cardstock, the perfect inks or pencils or markers to match whatever patterned paper I've picked out to use. I'm also renewing my love for the Cuttlebug. When I was putting some things away, I ran across these little embossing folders in my drawer. I'm not sure they've ever been used!

Amy's Friday Sketch 47 seemed like a perfect plan for these little embossing folders. I grabbed some fun paper from my scraps and was finished in less than 15 minutes. That's probably a good thing, since I had many more things on my list today!

Project 365.52.12 Update

Last photo for the month of January...flowers for my anniversary! Now I just need to get those January pics printed and get them in my album. Don't forget those cameras during the Super Bowl party. *wink*