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*