My Father In Law's Birthday

I always have a tough time making cards for the men in my life. You don't want to go too girly, but I struggle with making them something I am proud to send off in the mail.

This card, however, made me happy as soon as I finished it...and my hubby said it's his favorite card I've made (I think the largemouth bass had something to do with that! LOL!)

Stamps: Hero Arts, PSX

Copics-G21, G24, G28 and Close to My heart Markers.

For the life of me, I couldn't tell you who made the patterned paper...I found them in my scrap pile.

Thanks for looking!

A special little fairy...

I made this card for Jaimie, the little girl who has gone through more than anyone should ever have to go through. (Click HERE for the blog and the story.)

Her favorite colors are hot pink and black, and while I know they said she is not very girly girl, who can't resist a fairy in your favorite colors?

Stamps: Inkadinkado "Beautiful Fairies"

Ink: StazOn Jet Black

Paper: Basic Grey

Markers/Coloring: Copics-G21, G24, G28; Sharpies, Crayola colored pencils, Gelly Roll Shimmer Dust and fluorescent pink, Pink glitter marker

Others: Prima Flowers, pearls, Fiskars Scallop Punch

Toadstool House

This is the same design that I used on the card that I posted yesterday, and I feel absolutely terrible that I can't remember where I found this card layout! If anyone knows, I'd love to be reminded! :)

A friend of mine recently purchased her first home, and since I don't seem to have a lot of "house" stamps, I decided to step outside the box and use this adorable toadstool from Hero Arts. And I got to use my new Copic markers!!!! I don't know how I've gone this long without Copics...now that I have them, coloring with anything else is nowhere near as fun!

Stamps: Hero Arts "Woodland Creatures", TPC "Woodland Whimsy"

Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Colorbox Olive Green Pastel

Markers: Copics- G21, G24, G28

Paper: Basic Grey

Other: Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

OK...I'm going to try this again.

Once again, it's been two months between posts. Time certainly does fly, especially when you've got a little one on the way. I think I've entered a time warp tube or something (like those ones in the original Super Mario Brothers!)

So, I am really going to try to stay on top of this again. Really. We'll see what happens once our little boy gets here in two to three weeks! But until then, I'm going to give it my best effort!

The card I am going to share today is one I made for a really close friend of mine who had a little boy in October. He's an absolute cutie, and deserves a card that is worthy of his cuteness. :) I hope this fit the bill!

Stamps: Fiskars "The Stork has Arrived"

Ink: VersaMagic Aegean Blue, StazOn Jet Black

Markers: Close to My Heart

Paper: DCWV, Hobby Lobby

Others: Ribbon from Hobby Lobby, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Yikes.

I'm just going to stop saying I'm going to post more often on here. Because lo and behold, I say that, then TWO months pass before I post again! Two months? How did those go so fast!!!!!

Today I had a little mishap when I was taking care of paying bills (very long story), but I was blessed to have a super helpful lady help me out in fixing what was pretty much my mistake. She was an absolute lifesaver. :) So, in a gesture of my extreme gratitude...I wanted to send her a card.

All stamps are by Hero Arts and ink is all by ColorBox. Patterned paper for the tree is Basic Grey. I drew the tree trunk details myself and cut the clouds out of white paper. Simple, but sweet!!!!

Thanks for looking!!!! Have a great day!

Happy Birthday to my Little Sis!

Well, a late happy birthday. Ironically, I gave her this card early, but I am sharing it with you all almost a month after her birthday! Just goes to show how on top of things I am! HaHa!

My sister turned 11 this year (there is a slight age difference!), and I thought now is the perfect time for a slightly grown up card. After all, she is getting to the age of extreme girliness. Tiger Beat, Hannah Montana, bengal bracelets, and all things fashiony are her kind of thing!



Supplies: Martha Stewart Number Stamps (which my mom picked up on a super good clearance for me at Michaels!), Autumn Leaves Springtime Flourishes stamps, ColorBox Chalk Ink in Olive Green Pastel, Prima Flowers, Rhinestones, White Cardstock, CuttleBug Swiss Dots embossing folder, and Fiskar's Scalloped border punch

My favorite thing about this card is that it turned out really pretty while being monochromatic. And honestly, the most difficult part of the card was lining up the dotted outlines on the number and getting them to match the solid numbers!

The quote is printed off of my computer, and I love how well it fits a girly girl! I stamped the background pieces with the flower flourish from the Autumn Leaves set, and for the polka dot piece, I first covered the CuttleBug embossing folder with ink, put my piece of paper in it, and ran it through my CuttleBug and voila! Super easy and shabby chic!

Thanks for looking, and I hope you have a great day!

Yikes!

I'm really terrible at remembering to post on here lately!!!! What's worse is even in my last post I mentioned how I would put some stuff up on here in the next few days...and that was 3 weeks ago!!!! I'm really hoping for two things to get here soon: 1) Get my mojo back! I have a pile of stuff sitting on my kitchen table just calling out for me to work on...and lo and behold there it still sits!!! 2) Start putting stuff on here more often! I used to be pretty religious about posting...now, not so much!

Alrighty. That being said, I actually do have something to post today. It's a little late, but it is the cards I made for family and friends for July 4th. I love how these turned out...and they were a blast to make. Simple and easy!

Supplies: Sizzix star die, Studio G July 4th Stamps, Marvy 2 1/2" Scallop Punch, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, 3D dots, colored pencils, gold gel pen, and red chalk ink pad. Blue and White cardstock

This was so easy to make once I got a system going! I cut the 2 1/2" scalloped circles out of blue cardstock, cut the stars out of white cardstock using my cuttlebug and Sizzix die, and then embossed the stars. I did that after I stamped the insides of all the cards. On the firecracker, I used a gold gel pen on the fuse, and colored in the sentiment with colored pencils.

I also inked the edges of the card front with the red chalk ink that I used on the firecracker stamp. And I didn't take a picture of it, but I stamped an American flag on the front of each envelope.

Then, I just put it all together! So simple, and so fun! Thanks for looking!

This baby is eating my brain cells...

I made father's day cards and a birthday card yesterday, and I was so excited to take pictures of them! Finally I had a few day's worth of posts for my blog! And then today I deleted them off the memory card so my hubby wouldn't see his father's day card before Father's Day.

And then just now I came on here to post one of the cards and as I opened up blogspot, I had fuzzy memories of not putting the pictures on my computer. Oh! They call this "pregnant brain" or "placenta brain." I just say the baby is eating my brain cells...it sounds disturbing, but I swear I am losing brain cells by the second! LOL!

So, now I need to wait until the receivers of their cards open them...and then snap a quick pic of the inside! The plus is that all but one of the cards will be opened while I am there! Whew!

Stay tuned...I promise to have those cards up soon!

My first REAL post in a very long time!

Hello again!!!

So, today I actually have a card to put on here! WooHoo!

I made this card for my little sister who starts summer vacation this Friday. It's a super simple card, but I love the bright colors and summery feel!



I used white cardstock for the cardbase, a yellowish card stock for the scalloped piece, and bright pink cardstock for the scalloped circle. All stamps are Fiskars. I colored the bikini and the flip flops with close to my heart markers, and then accented the polka dots and sandal straps with clear gelly roll stardust pen.

Thanks for looking! Have a great day!!!!

Hello Out There...I'm still around!

I looked at the last time I posted and realized it's been 3 whole months since I last posted anything. And it makes a lot of sense...since shortly after my last post, I found out that we are expecting!

But I am now in my second trimester, and slowly feeling more human again. As a result, I really do hope to start posting on here more often! In fact, if all goes as planned, I plan on putting something up tonight! We'll see what happens!

So, I am still alive, still here, and I just wante to let y'all know that! Check back soon!!!!

A gaggle of Springtime Cards!

Hero Arts Blog (http://www.heroarts.com/) is running a challenge this week to make a Spring or Easter project, and since I am anxiously awaiting Spring to get here and stay (that's the difficult part in our neck of the woods!), I couldn't help but make a few projects for the challenge.

But first, who said stamps can only be used for "fun" projects? My hubby needed a dry erase board to keep track of sales of a certain thing at his work, and I quickly volunteered to help him. So, after drawing all the lines, I grabbed my Inkadinkado "Be Yourself" alphabet set and some Staz-On black ink and went to work...and here's the finished project:

Isn't it cool?!?!?! I loved being able to help him with something for work and be able to use my stamps!

Now, onto my Spring projects. The first card I made with a sticker that my mom got me for Christmas. I used Icicle Stickles to accent the flower petals. I am in love with scalloped borders right now...and I just love to add a little bling to the scallops! The circle is stamped with one of the little flowers from the Hero Arts Elephant set, and the edges are inked (of course) with some purple chalk ink.

Stamps: Hero Arts Elephant Set (CL280)

Ink: ColorBox Chalk Ink Lavendar

Ribbon: Offray

Sticker: Penny Black

Other: Clear Rhinestones, Icicle Stickles

The next (Z-Fold) card was inspired by Cherry Blossom trees...which are super springy to me! To make my own version of the cherry blossoms, I tore a page out of an old book (one I've been using for projects just like this) and dabbed some lime chalk ink on it. Then I punched out the flowers with the Martha Stewart Cosmos Punch. I stamped the flower border, attached the little rectangle piece onto the Z Fold, and then glued down the flowers. To make the Japanese Doll's adorable little dress, I used some Basic Grey and did some paper piecing. I also used some waterfall Stickles on her belt.

Stamps: Hero Arts Japanese Dolls (CL297)

Ink: VersaFine Jet Black

Other: Basic Grey patterned paper, flower bling, Martha Stewart Cosmos Punch, clear rhinestones, and ribbon

My favorite card of these three is this next one...I just love the springtime feel! I want to go sit under the tree (it's not often that I fall in love with one of my cards, so I am enjoying the feeling!)

To make the tree, I took some cardboard and peeled the top layer off so the middle was exposed, then I dabbed a little Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink on it to give it depth. On the leafy part, I used the water splash from the elephants set, stamped the Happy Happy Day and the bird from a Hero Arts set I got a while ago (I can't remember which one! I'm sorry!).

I attached it to the circle that I made with BasicGrey patterned paper for grass and made some clouds using a masking technique. I put some Basic Grey paper behind the circle, glued it all down, added the stitches (doodled), and topped it off with a butterfly made from the Hero Arts Woodland Creatures set and some BasicGrey paper, a few rhinestones on the butterfly wings, and some Icicle Stickles on the background paper and on the cute little birdie's wings!

Stamps: Hero Arts Tweet, Tweet; Woodland Creatures (CL261) and Elephants (CL280)

Ink: VersaFine Jet Black, ColorBox Chalk Ink Olive Pastel, Blue Lagoon, VersaMagic Aegean Blue

Paper: BasicGrey

Other: Icicle Stickles, Pink Rhinestones

And, last but not least, my favorite project of all of these...my springtime checkbook cover!!!

A while back, I picked up some clear checkbook covers at a stamp store with my mom (which I found out today, sadly, that said stamp store is closed.) I almost forgot about them, then thought I lost them in our most recent move, but I was thrilled when I found them. And this Hero Arts Challenge motivated me to make a Springtime cover.

I used the same masking technique on this as I did the previous card, but this time I used glossy paper so I could blend it a little better. Then I used the tree stamp from the Hero Arts Elephant set to make those little shrubs, stamped a few flowers on the shrubs, and glued them down. I followed that with some BasicGrey grass :) and glue it down. I doodled the stitches in on the clouds, shrubs, and grass, and accented the shrubs with some Gelly Roll Shimmer pen. Next, I stamped that adorable racoon onto 3 pieces of paper: white, BasicGrey Urban Prairie Bluebird, and Basic Grey Urban Prairie Harvest. I cut the tail pieces out of the Harvest paper, and his little mask out of the Bluebird paper and glued them on. Then I colored him with a Close to my Heart Sorbet marker, and topped him off with a little bitty brown diamond nose. :) I put a flower bouqet in his hands, and voila! Super adorable springtime checkbook cover!

Stamps: Hero Arts Woodland Creatures (CL261) and Elephants (CL280)

Ink: VersaFine Jet Black, ColorBox Chalk Inks Blue Lagoon, Lipstick Red, Lime Pastel, Orchid Pastel, and Olive pastel, VersaMagic Aegean Blue

Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Urban Prairie Bluebird, Harvest, and Corn Husk

Thanks for looking at all these and have a great day!!!! Spring starts tomorrow!!!!!

Spring Spring Spring is in the Air!

Hi everyone! I just love this time of year...the anticipation of warmer weather, the blue skies and green grass. I love the changing of seasons-it's that short moment where the old season is passing away, and the new season is heading on in with promises of a great few months, you know?

So, to celebrate the change of seasons, and the fact that I have an awesomely unique little sis, I made a springy Trifold card to send to her. I forgot to take a picture of the card fully closed, so you'll have to imagine it...sorry! And I only got a mediocre picture of the inside. But, here's the card:

Stamps: Hero Arts Spiral Flower (D4741), Woodland Creatures (CL261)

Ink: ColorBox Chalk Inks and Versa Fine Jet Black

Patterned Paper: Basic Grey

Thanks for looking!

St. Patrick's Day

Good evening everyone!

I made a card today for a friend of mine who is very Irish...both his first and last name are extremely Irish. And he loves St. Patrick's Day...



I made this Z Fold Card...and I wanted it to be pretty monochromatic. I am obsessed with monochromatic cards lately. Something about the simplistic beauty appeals to me.

And, in an effort to use up all my scraps before I start using full sheets of paper, I used the green and black scraps from my scrap bin. I'll make a dent sooner or later!!!!

Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Studio G
Ink: Versafine Jet Black and ColorBox Chalk Inks Lime
Patterned Paper: K & Company
Ribbon: Offray

Welcome Home!!!

Hello everyone!

My dear hubby is away on business, and gets home tomorrow, so I thought I'd make him a "Welcome Home" card. He's only been gone a few days, but I've missed him tons!

I made this a slider pop up card, and it took just a little bit of tweaking to get it to work with the house shape. To make the door and windows, I used the "Hope your birthday is Huge" sentiment from Hero Arts Elephants set, inked only the border and stamped it. Then I cut Basic Grey curtains to make fabric. Oh, and that little mouse that's jumping for joy used to be wearing pants, but I just had to make her "girly"....so I changed the pants into the skirt and made her shirt all ruffly!

Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Hero Arts CL261 Woodland Creatures and CL280 Elephants

Ink: ColorBox Chalk Ink Olive Pastel and Chestnut Roan, VersaFine Jet Black

Patterned Paper: Basic Grey

Markers: Close to My Heart

Sunday Faithfulness...

Good morning everyone! And happy March! Can you believe it is here already?

I wanted to share one of the cards I made for one of the WinterHaven challenges over at stamphaven.com. I made this card for the Naked Stamping Challenge, and the rules were that you could only use:

1) White and/or cream-colored cardstock
2) At least THREE stamps
3) Ink - brand(s) and color(s) of your

I thought this one would be really hard, but it turned out being one of my favorite challenges. Normally I love using tons of bling and BasicGrey paper :) but it was a nice change to use my own style and make a card completely unique to me.

So, without further ado, here it is:



I used three stamps: Autumn Leaves Flowers, Autumn Leaves scrolls, and Stampabilities sentiment.

I used the flower for the background of the card...and used masking to make all the different colors. I have three colors total used on the card: Olive Pastel, Cocoa, and Dark Brown. (All ColorBox inks)

To make the strip, cut the cream cardstock, and pressed the cocoa ink pad directly onto it. Then I stamped the scroll in cocoa and Olive Pastel ink, and inked the edges with the dark brown ink.

After that, I finished up by stamping the flowers with Olive pastel, cut them out, inked the edges with Dark Brown, and used dimensionals to stagger the flowers.

Last, I stamped the sentiment on with Olive Pastel Ink, inked the edges with cocoa ink, and put the card all together!

Thanks for looking!

I think I'm in love...

I was just looking at the Hero Arts Blog, and they had the link to their 2009 Catalog "What's Cooking" supplement, and I fell in love.

If you've been reading my blog over the past few months, you know I have an affinity for all things french. SO when I saw these two sets, I immediately started pining away for them. I'm posting this not only for you, my lovely readers, but for myself as well, so I can always find these again (I bookmark stuff and forget about it, so my blog is the best place for me to place small reminders.)

As soon as I can find these perfect, beautiful, amazing stamp sets, I'm buying them. Yes sirree...

So here they are:

C'Est Chouette
Paris

A few more elephant cards...I just can't resist!

Hello all!

I have two more cards that I made with those adorable Hero Arts elephant stamps! I just love these guys!

On this first card, I sewed the BasicGrey patterned paper and the cream cardstock. Oh, and the back paper is from an old reader's digest book. I just crumpled it up and used DistressInk Tea Dye on it. I love how it looks! It is for a friend of mine...who is a guy, and I always have the hardest time making "masculine" cards. (Even for my hubby!) And since it's for my friend's birthday, I drew a little cupcake on the elephant's nose.

Stamps: Hero Arts Elephants (CL280)

Ink: Tim Holtz's Distress Ink Tea Dye, ColorBox Chalk Inks Chestnut Roan, VersaFine Jet Black

Markers: Close to my Heart Spring Blossom

Patterened Paper: Basic Grey Boxer "Pocket Watch" and "Corduroy"

Flowers: Prima Marketing Aututmn Green

Brown and Mustard Rhinestone, Gelly Roll Stardust Clear pen

And the next card is with one of the sayings from the elephant set. The tree stamp is Hero Arts, and the hearts on the pink cardstock (I'm not sure if you can see them well in the picture) are Heidi Grace Designs. I used some Icicle Stickles on the edge on top of the green ink. (And I somehow managed to get some of the pieces a little crooked...whoops!)

Stamps: Hero Arts Elephants (CL280), Swirl Tree (E4935), and Heidi Grace stamps

Ink: VersaFine Jet Black, Colorbox Chalk Ink Lime Pastel, Orchid Pastel, and Lavendar, VersaMark ink

Heart Puffy Stickers: K&Company

Icicle stickles, clear rhinestones, and Scallop scissors (ProvoCraft)

Thanks for looking!

An adorable elephant and my favorite stamp of all time...

Good afternoon everyone!

I think my "Happy Spring" card worked...it is really starting to feel like Spring. Well, temporarily, that is. It is supposed to get cold again. But I have to say, the rain and the sunshine and the 55 degree weather yesterday really inspired me to create a little! Much more than I've been inspired lately. So, I just had to share some of my projects.

The first card is one I made for this week's HeroArts challenge...you have to use your favorite HeroArts product. I still have to upload it the to the gallery, but I wanted to put it on here first!

My favorite Hero Arts stamp is the French Script stamp...and I used it with the French themed collage stamp by HeroArts as well. Oh, and I was so happy when I remembered that my Cuttlebug Script Embossing Folder matched perfectly!

Stamps: Hero Arts Collage Take Time (H4777) and Old French Writing (H2365)

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Script Texture

Ink: VersaFine Jet Black, ColorBox Chalk Ink Chestnut Roan and Charcoal

Icicle Stickles, Prima Flowers, Clear Rhinestones

I made this next card with stamps from Unity Stamp Co. and Heidi Grace. I stamped the flower image with purple ColorBox Ink (I can't remember the name though...sorry!) and embossed it with clear embossing powder, then used some Stickles to accent the flowers.

Stamps: Unity Stamp Company "Spring in the Mail" and Heidi Grace

Ink: Colorbox and VersaFine Jet Black

Scallop scissors, icicle stickles, clear embossing powder

And the last project I am sharing with you today is the little notebook I covered up. It is one of those $1 notebooks from Michael's, and I covered it with cream cardstock. The stamps are from HeroArts...and they are one of their new releases! I just love these little elephants!!!

Stamps: Hero Arts Elephants (CL280)

Ink: VersaFine Jet Black, Brilliance Pearlescent Orchid, and ColorBox Chalk Inks Olive Pastel, Lavendar, Blue Lagoon, Lipstick, Charcoal, and Orchid Pastel

Patterned Paper: BasicGrey Eva "Noble"

Icicle Stickles, Scalloped edge scissors by ProvoCraft

Well, thanks for looking at all of them! I hope you have a great day!

I couldn't pick just one!

I have 3 cards to share today...I loved all of them and kind of felt bad for wanting to choose one over the other. (Is it bad that I am getting emotionally attached to my cards?)

OK, so the first card is this little baby kitten one. My mom got me that adorable Baby Kitty stamp for Christmas this year, and I just love it...it makes me want to go get another kitten.



As always, I inked the edges with Colorbox Chalk Ink. Seriously, if they ever stop making that ink, I don't know what I'll do with my paper edges!

Stamp: Penny Black
Patterned Paper: DCWV
Ribbon: Offray
Markers: Close to My Heart "Spring Blossom"
Ink: ColorBox Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink (edging), VersaFine Jet Black (stamped image)

And this next card is another little bitty one...it's a lot of fun to challenge yourself to make something big out of something so small. It measures in at 4"x4". I used my crystal Stickles on each of the middle parts of the BasicGrey flowers, it's much sparklier in real life.


Stamps: Hero Arts ( f4899, cl182)
Paper: Basic Grey Urban Prairie "Ladybug"
Ink: ColorBox Amber Clay Chalk Ink (edging), VersaFine Jet Black (stamped images)
Ribbon: Offray
Crystal Stickles

And to hopefully convince Spring to get here sooner, I made this Happy Spring card. (If I make spring cards, it has to be spring, right?) Inkadinkado's Patterned Bugs stamps set is beautiful! (Thank you Mom for getting it for me!) I used my Cuttlebug embossing folder "Perfectly Paisley" on the Basic Grey Paper. (And sorry for the crooked scan...it didn't want to cooperate, and after 5 tries I gave up!)



Stamps: Inkadinkado "Patterned Bugs"
Paper: Basic Grey Urban Prairie "Bluebird", "Morning Glory", and "Straw"
Flowers: Prima Marketing "Limeade"
Embossing Folder: CuttleBug Perfectly Paisley
Ink: ColorBox Charcoal Chalk Ink (edging), VersaFine Jet Black (stamped image)
Markers: Close to my Heart "Spring Blossom"
Black Rhinestones, Crystal Stickles

Thanks for looking at all 3! I'm sure they all feel better about themselves since none of them have been left out! :)

Have a good day!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Card

I am making chocolate chip cookies to send to two friends of mine, and I just wanted to share the cute little chocolate chip cookie cards I made to put on top of the containers! I colored the chocolate chips in, and I love how it makes the cookies just pop!



Cardstock: DCWV
Stamps: Hero Arts, Inque

Thanks for looking!

A Spring Winter "Hybrid"...

You know that feeling when it is towards the end of January, it is still freezing out, and you are making a winter themed card, but can't stand to see any more blue and white? I had that feeling when I made this next card. SO, I decided to change it up a little.

Hero Arts has that adorable Christmas Owls stamp set, and while I didn't end up using them for my Christmas cards (like I thought I would), they have become indispensable for winter cards. How can anyone resist these adorable owls bundled up in cute little sweaters? I sure couldn't!!!



I took my Basic Grey Urban Prairie Corn Husk paper, ran it through my Cuttlebug (I love that thing!) with the Snow Dots embossing folder, and then used some ColorBox Chestnut Roan chalk ink to bring the embossing out...just a few strokes here and there and what was originally an optical illusion type embossing turned out quite well instead!

Oh, and then I took my Prima flowers (they are the Autumn Green ones) and used Crystal stickles on four of the flowers and I used the small snowflake stamp that comes with the Christmas owls on the other three. Didn't those turn out adorable!

And of course the final touch is that adorable little owl in his warm little sweater! Too cute!

Stamps: Hero Arts (cl238) Owl Christmas
Paper: Basic Grey Urban Prairie Corn Husk
Flowers: Prima Flowers Autumn Green
Stickles, Crystal; Brown Rhinestones

I've really got to stay on top of posting this stuff!

So, as I sat there making a card today, I realized that I haven't been posting any of my projects on here! Yikes! I am pretty far behind!

Today, I am posting a layout of my little sister's karaoke concert that she put on for Christmas...she is such an entertainer, and it is always funny to watch these karaoke shows she puts on. This year, she stood on my dad's legs as he sat there and then later went off into another room of the basement (thank goodness for wireless microphones!) to bring a broom in to walk around with! See, I told you she is quite the entertainer!

Supplies: Patterned paper: BasicGrey Urban Prairie, Flowers: Prima Marketing; Title letters: Cuttlebug die (Olivia), Circle Punch (1"): Fiskars

Thanks for looking!

I've been tagged!

Anne over at Gaal Creative tagged me, so now it's my turn.



First off, the rules are:


1. Link to the person who tagged you (as I did above).
2. Mention the rules.
3. Tell 6 things about yourself.
4. Tag 6 other bloggers by linking to them.
5. Go to each person's blog and leave them a comment to let them know they've been tagged.



So, 6 things about myself are:



1. My husband and I have recently "transplanted" our roots to Iowa. We are from Montana, lived in the Twin Cities, MN for a few years, and are back in the country. And so happy to be here. And surprised at how quickly I am acclimating to life here!

2. If I was stranded on a desert island (assuming my hubby was there with me), all I would need to really pass the time would be my iPod...I could listen to music for hours. Especially music I can sing along to!

3. I try to convince myself that I am not as "addicted" to the internet as I think I am...but when I have to go a day without it, I realize how much I rely on it! For everything...checking bank account balances, talking to friends, getting great ideas from all those talented people out there who have craft blogs, and getting my daily chuckle from my Get Fuzzy daily email and icanhascheezburger.com.

4. I love to cook. And I love to try new recipes, but I inevitably always end up prefering comfort food.

5. I love to learn...give me the remote, and I will most likely end up watching a documentary. Give me a book, and if I want to actually have it be a worthwhile read, it will be a classic or non-fiction. (But that's not to say I don't enjoy my quilty pleasures of watching a little E! or reading a good fiction novel!)

6. I am in love with Paris, but way too scared to get on a plane to go there. I know it is somewhat of an irrational fear (somewhat) but it's just one of those fears that I can't quite get past. So, I'll make up for it by listening to French music, decorating my bedroom in Parisian decor and photos, relearning the French language, and watching travel shows that visit Paris. And maybe someday, maybe, I'll get the courage up to go there.

SO, there are my six things about me...and the bad thing is that I don't have 6 people to tag. But, I do have a few, and they are:

My friend Julia
My friend Jen
Jamie at "Stamp This"
Susan at "Susan's Day Off Creations"

So, have fun visiting the blogs I tagged! I love the friends I've made through blogging, and really look forward to "meeting" more!

Love Birds

My parents celebrated their anniversary this past week, and I just wanted to share the "Love Birds" card that I made for them.




I used Hero Arts Happy Everything stamps that I picked up on sale at Joann's (can't beat $6!). I also used some self adhesive patterned paper I had picked up at Target a year or two ago. I can't remember the name of it though...

And, I got to use my new Cuttlebug that my parents got me for Christmas!!!! I used the Olivia alphabet to cut out the "LOVE" and adhered it onto cream cardstock. Then I inked the edges with ColorBox Chocolate and Blueberries Ink Queue. I cut out a 2 1/2 circle out of brown cardstock, inked the edges, stamped the birds, and colored them with plain old Crayola colored pencils.



Thanks for stopping by!

Wintertime Centerpiece

At my husband's work, they like to have a centerpiece on the breakroom table. Since he is the new store manager, I am very happy that the responsibility fell on me. After all...it gives me a crafty reason to go get supplies and have a little fun each season! So, in preparation for the holiday party tomorrow night and for the long, cold Iowa winter ahead of us, I made this cute little centerpiece full of winter delight!

First, I started with the supplies: Pine garland (9ft. on clearance at Target), a winterey basket, some cinnamon scented pine cones, some crystal glitter, and that old trustworth Elmer's Glue.

OK. I took the garland and arranged it in the basket like I wanted it, and then trimmed off the rest. I probably used about 4 feet, which amazes me since the basket seemed really small! After I got all the branches looking the way I though was most natural looking, I grabbed an old paintbrush and the glue. I couldn't get a very good picture of it, but I just "painted" the tips of the branches, one at a time, with the glue. After each branch, I sprinkled some crystal glitter on it (I'm sure there is a bunch in the bottom of the basket, but that's ok!). I repeated with all the branches and let it dry.

While it dried, I worked on the pine cones. I watered down the glue a little in a foil lined pie pan, then did one of two methods to "glue up" the pine cones. Remember when you were little and made ornaments out of pine cones by rolling them in glue and then in glitter. I did that, as well as painting the glue on the smaller ones. Then I covered evenly with glitter and let them dry.

So, here is the final centerpiece. A snow covered wintery wonderland!!!

Thanks for looking! (It's much sparklier in person...I couldn't quite capture it on camera!)