Paper & Digi Dilemma

A New Family Member

2008-12-14T14:24:00.002-06:00

Well, we broke down. After all of our plans to wait until spring, a darling picture by text message does us in and after seeing this sweet little boy, we are now we are a family of 5!

Rocco (aka Killer) is a Shorkie. His mama is a Shih Tzu and his daddy is a Yorkshire Terrier. We got to see both parents, which was good. And Wendy from work has his sister too.

Now we will spend our days and nights, for a while at least, potty training and playing with the little ball of fur.

This is terrible!

2008-10-26T15:16:00.002-05:00

I have so many things to share and no time to do it, but I am going to work really hard this week to make a dent. What have I been up to? Well, I did a Via de Cristo weekend last weekend, and even though this was my 7th or 8th team, it still sneaks up on me. I forget each year all the things I do to get ready for a weekend like that. I made bookmarks with the jumbo paperclips, cards (which I need to finish for the weekenders and get sent out), helped my mom with her bookmarks and cards, and prepared a 20+ minute talk on leadership of the church. There are always so many last minute details but the experience is so rewarding!

So what else have I been up to? Well, this week, I have had this obsession with finishing a design on my fingernails. It's been in my head for a few weeks, but it took several tries to get it right, which I finally accomplished this morning. I am happy with them now, webs and all! Too bad they will only last a few days! I am going to do Catera's this way for Halloween too, it's part of her costume.

One more before work...

2008-09-30T08:01:00.004-05:00

then I have to go. I don't know why, but I like this little skull!!! This card started with a basic black base and I used a circle cutter to get a hole thru a double layer on the front of the card (so I could hide the strings). I used a piece of silver cord to attach the little spinning skull, which was embossed in white. I used the 1" circle punch to punch it out, and the a 1 1/4" circle punch for the red mat. The circle under the flower was just the left over rim of words, the matted on red and popped up with cut up dimensionals. It looked lonely, so I added a black polka dotted prima with a red brad!

Another Acetate Box...for Halloween

2008-09-30T07:55:00.002-05:00

I don't think I have the patience to make 50 some of these for the kids classes for halloween, but I made one for a demo I did on Saturday morning. I used the Batty for You set and Sprinkles. Colors are Tangerine Tango, Kiwi Kiss and Elegant Eggplant. I used the scalloped border punch, the scalloped circle punch, the 1 " circle punch and the 1 1/4" circle punch. Oh, and a slip of Old Olive ribbon for the handle. Cute, ain't he?

Naughty Blogger...

2008-09-30T07:51:00.002-05:00

I have been so busy with work and life and kids and stuff that I am waaaaay behind on the blogging. I am hopeful to find time tonight to get time to get caught up and I need to get back on the card making so I can finish up my cards for Via de Cristo in October!

This card is for today's color challenge, which was Chocolate Chip, Really Rust and Baja Breeze. This is my first Christmas card "officially" for the year (not counting the ones I made for my grandma.) This is also the first time that Season of Simple Grace has touched ink though I have had it for almost a month...sad! I stamped the images and then trimmed the, and the star and sentiments are stamped in white craft. There is a random speckle in Chocolate chip from the Itty Bitty Backgrounds set. And I added a piece of Baja Breeze striped ribbon.

SC194 Prayers & Missing Someone

2008-09-17T08:07:00.003-05:00

I got two made for the sketch challenge this morning. I needed two cards anyways. The first one is for a man who I work with who's wife had an aneurysm. I just wanted to let him know that there are people who are praying for him. The second is a card for one of my former bible study students who is on his own now in the Twin Cities. I figured he might like some fun mail!
Card 1:
Stamps: Happiness Always, Twill, Sprinkles and a Close to My Heart set for the "pray"
Paper:Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Green Tea DS & Soft Sky
Inks:Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Soft Sky
Embellishments:Word Window Punch, Brad, Old Olive Twill Ribbon

Card 2:
Stamps: Moose You and Peaceful Wishes
Paper:Kraft, Always Artichoke, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip & Riding Hood Red
Inks:Basic Brown & Always Artichoke
Embellishments:Chocolate Chip Twill Ribbon, Crafters Tool Kit

TLC186 Glitter Surprise

2008-09-15T08:04:00.002-05:00

This was the Technique challenge this morning. I chose Bella Toile on Regal Rose and then added Kiwi Kiss. It makes kind of a watermelon color scheme. I used flight of the butterfly, the word window punch, a Rose brad and Kiwi Kiss Ribbon.

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge

2008-09-14T18:53:00.003-05:00

I was going to be done for the day, but I saw this sketch, looked up and found a packet of pre-cut pieces from a workshop and decided I had to make this one. I only had to trim a little from the pieces. And I knew I had to do it when I saw it because I am a symmetrical girl and I often have troubles with off-set things. I started with a base of Old Olive (I can't seem to get away from it no matter how hard I try!). I brushed the edges of the cardstock with the ink pad. Then I stamped the floral on Cameo Coral in Whisper White craft. That just does such a beautiful job of toning things down a touch. I stamped the focal image in Old Olive and used a second generation stamp to make the lighter image. I tied on a piece of Olive twill (wish that stuff would have made the big catalog, it's wonderful!) and stamped my sentiment in Olive too.

WT183 Caring Fairy

2008-09-14T17:23:00.003-05:00

The Ways to Use it Challenge this week was to use the White Gel Pen. Well, if you've seen any of my work, you know that wasn't hard, I love that pen! So I decided to see how many ways I could use it on one card. I used it to watercolor, I used it for faux stitching, and I used it for highlighting. The card base is Pixie Pink, which Chocolate, I sponged white on the edges of the kraft focal image. I used a piece of pink grosgrain for embellishment as well as a swirl I hand cut from Pink Passion. The heart trail is stamped on the pixie with the hearts from "A Happy Heart" and the sentiment is from Best Yet.

Another Bracelet

2008-09-14T17:21:00.003-05:00

Here is another item for the bazaar. I made this one with real red and kiwi kiss on the rolled beads. Now I have to keep my daughter from stealing it from me. The stamp set I used (like it matters, you see very little) is Sweet Shapes.

Bazaar Projects...

2008-09-14T17:13:00.004-05:00

I am the co-chair person for our churches bazaar committee and we are working on a bazaar to take place on November 8th. These are two of the projects I've been working on for the bazaar.

PEACE FRAME - I found these little frames and decided I'd like to fill them with some stamped images for Christmas. This one is done in Sahara Sand, Rose Red and Always Artichoke. I stamped Bella Toile in Sahara Sand on the background. Then I added letters (Headline Alpha) in coordinating colors. I added a length of Rose Red ribbon and some holly punchouts, accents with white gel pen.

SNOWMAN KISSES - This one is made from a package of Tic Tacs. I used Almost Amethyst, and Bashful Blue for colors and the circle punches to make the snowman. It's he fun? Inside there is a little poem. Email me or leave a comment and i can get you the poem.

Lots of Happy Hearts

2008-09-14T17:05:00.004-05:00

I was inspired to make a series of cards with this new set from the mini catalog. The first is a card for an anniversary party my mom and dad went to. I started with Pacific Point for a base and added a piece of going gray embossed in silver (the stamp is the Floral background). I embossed the focal image in silver as well as the background of "sprinkles". I added some silver cording as well.

The next one is also using the floral background, stamped in white craft. I used markers to add the different colors to the focal image. I them matted it with one scalloped edge in Old Olive and more Confetti white. I added brads for embellishment.

This one is started on a Kiwi Kiss Base, with Barely Banana and Real Red. I used the ticket corner punch and brads as well as the Kiwi Kiss Satin ribbon for embellishment.

The last card I decided to used one of my new favorite colors, Basic Gray, for the base. I stamped the Twill background on it in Basic Gray. The heart image is embossed in silver on the basic gray paper, cut out and mounted on pretty in pink. The bingo is also embossed in silver and I popped up the cutouts on dimensionals. I added Pink gingham and grosgrain, as well as a little slip of silver cord.

In Remembrance...

2008-09-14T13:00:00.005-05:00

Dale's cousin, Jason Zunker was killed in the line of duty in January. Today his mother and his wife are having a get-together in remembrance of his birthday. I made a card for each of this, just to kind of let them know that no one has forgotten Jason or what they are still dealing with. It has been really difficult for them, and I pray for peace and healing for them.
Each card started with a base of Basic Gray, which is a color I recently discovered that I really kind of like! I made one with Pirouette Pink and one with Cool Caribbean. I stamped using a marker (Old Olive) to just stamp the stems and leaves from Close as a Memory, then I added Primas with brads to make it more 3 dimensional. I added a strip of ribbon and some dots of white gel pen.

More Scandinavian Season...

2008-09-10T18:06:00.004-05:00

I made a couple more of the cards for my grandma and now I am making some of them also for the Norwegian basket for the church bazaar.

The first one is shades of lavender because that is grandma's favorite color. I used Lovely Lilac craft, embossed with Iridescent Ice Ep on almost amethyst paper. I added a bit of silver cording and some silver eyelets, which are matted on 1/4" circles of lilac. I am including an extra photo that shows the sparkle on this card. I just love it! I hope she will also. I finally de-virginized my star! It was the first time I used the silly thing!

The next one is stamped on Night of Navy paper, with craft ink and silver EP. I added 3 silver brads and a strand of cording. The focal image is popped up on dimensionals. The snowflakes are stamped in white craft ink. The layer paper is Going Gray which I did not realize until last night is retired. :(

The last one is stamped with the Scandinavian wheel, Artichoke on Artichoke. The I embossed the tree in gold Ep and matted the tree in Riding Hood Red. I also added he gold brads on the Word Window punch out and a little bit of gold elastic cording too. The dots are gel pen.

Lots of goodies to share and ...

2008-09-10T08:37:00.003-05:00

not much time to share them! I will have to get to the rest tonight, but I will share one card this morning. This is the sketch challenge at Splitcoast. I am really happy with the results and the colors! I started with a Baja Breeze cardstock base and added a strip of Olive, stamped with Twill in white craft. Then I stamped the focal image and matted on Artichoke. The scalloped circle punch is in Olive again and accented with the signo white gel pen. The little strips of paper are from the Green Tea DS papers. And the word Joy I stole from the Perfect Ending set, sans heart. And I added a little slip of Olive ribbon on the focal image also!

BIC22 Inspiration Challenge

2008-09-09T09:25:00.003-05:00

Beate Johns is a wonderful stamper who shares her talent and inspiration with others freely. This morning, she shared this photo from Martha Stewart's collection for some inspiration.

I got a light, airy feel from it and this is what I came up with, inspired by the photo Beate shared. I started with Brocade Blue base, and stamped it in white craft with the Floral background stamp set. I then heat set it because I didn't want to emboss it, I wanted that soft chalky look. I stamped the flower from Bloomin' Beautiful in Black Stazon and colored it with Watercolor Wonder Crayons and added the white gel pen and used the aquapainter to soften that too. I then dry embossed the edges of the focal image with a straight edge and an embossing stylus. I added the dots with the basic black journaler, roughed up the edges of the white piece with my fingernail, and topped it off with a piece of the wide grosgrain in brocade blue.

Priceless Bracelet

2008-09-09T06:24:00.003-05:00

I made this with a tutorial from this blog.

I stamped a piece of copy paper with Priceless in Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black and tempting turquoise and then made the beads with modge podge and a lot of patience. I am thinking about making them for the Fall Bazaar at church what do you think?

CC183 Gray Riding Hood Galore

2008-09-09T06:11:00.003-05:00

This color combo was a struggle for me, I don't even own and going gray classic pad! I didn't know that either! But I managed to find a going gray craft pad and I have the neutrals set of watercolor crayons, so I could play along. I had to break the seal on a really old package of going gray paper! I chose Bloomin' Beautiful and Twill for the stamp sets. I watercolored from the lid of the pad and with the crayons to complete the look. The little swoosh under the "bloom" sentiment is crayon also. I added read red brads, close enough! The tag in punched from the key tag punch and then I stuck it back in because it was a smidge too big. It shaved off a "fingernail" looking thing and made the tag the perfect size. I used the white gel pen also.

No challenge card this morning...

2008-09-08T07:34:00.004-05:00

my Lumiere paint I was going to use for the challenge was think and goopy and made a mess, guess I need a new bottle!

Last night I went to bed with an idea in my head and this morning I had to get up and get it on paper. I did this one with a masking technique to get the nice crisp sponge lines. I used Mellow Moss, Basic Black and Kraft. The stamp sets are Bella Toile, Pocket Silhouettes, EFP and Flores Suaves. I embellished with the word winodw punch, brads, the ticket corner punch and black and moss gingham ribbons.

This card I made with A Happy Heart and Sprinkles. I started with a Pink Pirouette base and added Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze. The circle tag and the heart on the circle tag are popped up with dimensionals to give it some volume and I used a piece of Baja Breeze ribbon and silver cording for accent. The dotted edge was done with a signo white gel pen. You can kind of see in the photo how I dry embossed the focal image to give it more focus. I used a straight edge and an embossing Stylus.

Scandinavian Season

2008-09-07T21:05:00.003-05:00

I purchased this set so I could make a set of cards for my grandma. I had a hard time at first seeing much in it, but after my last card here with it, I think I am getting in my groove. I will post them in order of completion, so the last one, which is my favorite, is the last one I made.

I figured I had better do something with those mittens, so this is what came to mind. I chose Pacific Point and Baja Breeze. I used craft white ink as well as the Baja Breeze double stripe ribbon, the key tag punch (it never seems to get cleaned off my desk for long) and the scallop border punch with the 1/16" circle punch to add a lacey effect. The sentiment is from Best Yet, which is really growing on me!

This one started with Bravo Burgundy. I think I automatically reach for that burgundy because so much of the rose malling my grandparents made for me is in burgundy. I added a layer in craft and used a little scrap of that beautiful Green Tea DS paper. I added a word window punch with a piece of the sentiment from Best Yet and attached it with copper brads from the vintage set. The ribbon is Old Olive. I also used the Scandinavian wheel with the bravo.

The third one I am not so sure of, I chose a monochromatic color scheme from the color wheel trying to try something new. I used the scallop punch again, with the tab punch and some apricot brads. The colors are Pumpkin Pie and Apricot Appeal. I used a length of Pumpkin Pie ribbon.

This one is my favorite! The tree and the sentiment from Warm Words are embossed in white. The edges are sponged with the white craft to give it that softened snowy look. Then I added the artichoke and eggplant ribbons and the little swish of color with the aquapainter in eggplant. I used the ticket corner punch too. Let me know what you think about any or all of these. I am thinking of making a set of these cards to go in a Norwegian basket that our church is putting together for the Bazaar.

For Teddy

2008-09-05T08:50:00.004-05:00

This is a card I made for my son's friend's birthday. I used Bugs & Kisses with Old Olive (told you I am on an Olive kick!) with Tempting Turquoise and Tangerine Tango. I used the Arrow Punch from Stampin' Up (I don't remember the name of it.) as well at the circle punches and the signo gel pen.

A Happy Heart scalloped card

2008-09-05T08:49:00.004-05:00

I thought I would see if the scalloped punch would go thru 2 layers of cardstock, so I sharpened it by cutting on tinfoil and then punched the card out. It worked pretty well. Then I hand dyed a Pretties flower with Pacific point ink refill, stamped in Pacific point ink with Old Olive (yes again!) on whisper white and tied it up with a piece of pretty Pacific Point ribbon. I added a smaller Pretties flower to the center of the bigger one and a rhinestone brad also from the kit.

2008-09-05T08:48:00.003-05:00

This was for a demo challenge. It is an envelope pocket keeper. It's made with an envelope (sealed) and the tag punch. I stamped Bella Toile in Rose Red with Rose Red scalloped trim and Rose Red ribbon with a hint of silver. The heart is from A Happy Heart and matted after trimming on Rose Red and attached with dimensionals.

LSC184 Orange Roasters

2008-09-05T08:46:00.003-05:00

This challenge was to use orange and coffee on the same card. I used Like It A Latte on mine in Tangerine Tango and Chocolate Chip. Doesn't that sound like it would make a fantastic cappuccino? I used the scallop punch, tangerine tango ribbon, the key tag punch and a little metal heart brad.

A Happy Heart

2008-09-04T20:48:00.001-05:00

The last card is made using A Happy Heart and Sprinkles. I chose Real Red, Old Olive (I guess I am an olive kind of girl tonight) and Black. I used a piece of red gingham to accent.

More new Goodies

2008-09-04T20:47:00.000-05:00

The second card tonight is my Halloween prototype for the kids for school. I figured I can alter the colors and the stamp to the kids' liking. This one is done in Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive and Tangerine Tango. The stamp sets are Batty for You, Sprinkles, and Itty Bitty Backgrounds. I also used the scalloped punch and Olive ribbon and the Signo again.

New goodies from the Holiday Mini...

2008-09-04T20:35:00.002-05:00

I got my box of goodies today and I had to dive in and make something. I can't wait to see what others come up with for the Scandinavian Season Stamp set. I want to make some cards for my grandma with this set, but I haven't had much swirling in my head with it yet. Here's my first card with it. I chose Old Olive, Bravo Burgundy and Baja Breeze for the colors. My grandma used to rose male on woodworking that my grandpa would make. These were some of the more traditional colors she chose. I also used the Key Tag Punch, the horizontal slot punch and Olive ribbon with the signo gel pen to accent.

A Rose by any other name...

2008-09-04T07:38:00.004-05:00

I chose Rose Red and Regal Rose for my color schemes on this card. The stamp sets are Bella Toila bg, Pocket Silhouettes and the Joy is from AYC. I also slipped a little piece of vellum in there. The circle punch is folded in half and embellished with the signo gel pen and then I added Rose Red Ribbon. The focal image is pierced and the sentiment is on the Word Window Punch with a rose red brad added.

WT182 Shore Do Love You

2008-09-04T07:35:00.003-05:00

Made for a friend! The challenge was to use some of that fancy expensive paper we buy at the scrapbook stores and then hoard and not use! I cut a little piece out of a big 12 X 12 sheet, I am so proud of myself! I used Bashful Blue and Vanilla Naturals. The little critters are watercolored. I used Crab & Co. and Itty Bitty Backgrounds. And I embellished with a sponge, the Key Tag Punch and the blue and caramel gingham ribbons.

Another Month, Another Desktop

2008-09-03T19:21:00.004-05:00

The Shabby Princess is my hero! I was looking at my desktop at work today, realizing that I had spent much too much time lately stamping that I hadn't made a new one for the current month! So here it is, complete with fresh pictures from yesterday's pre-first-day-of-school photo shoot!

A Quick one before work...

2008-09-03T08:25:00.002-05:00

This is the Sketch Challenge for today at Splitcoast. The stamp set is Flight of the Butterfly. Colors are Baja Breeze, Old Olive and Certainly Celery. I used the Green Tea Designer Paper, Old Olive Ribbon, Celery brads and the ticket corner punch.

One more for today...

2008-09-02T14:26:00.002-05:00

My Barely Banana pad was at the bottom of my pile so I figured it was time to resurrect it. This one is made with the Twill background stamp and the Live Like You Mean It hostess set. Colors are Barely Banana, Kiwi Kiss and Pretty In Pink. I actually used the Old Olive marker for the stamp and stamped that off before adding the rest of the colors. I embellished with the Key tag punch (double stamped with the "life" in Kiwi Kiss and Whisper White), Cutter Kit, Pink ribbons in grosgrain and gingham and brads.

Bella Rose Happiness Always

2008-09-02T14:23:00.003-05:00

It's this paper yummy? Obviously, I didn't stay away from the Kiwi Kiss, I have no self control! I stamped Bella Toile in the background on Riding Hood Red, then added the piece of the Bella Rose paper and the piece of Kiwi Kiss Satin. The focal image is stamped in Pirouette Pink, Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss. I added the little tab piece (from the key tag punch) which is from Warm Words and is stamped in White Craft. The stamp set is Happiness Always.

Pinky Flores Suaves

2008-09-02T14:16:00.003-05:00

I think the Bella Toile background may be my new favorite background. The Bella Toile was stamped in Pretty In Pink on Pretty in Pink. The Flores Suaves was stamped in Jet Black Stazon and colored with Water Color Crayons. I added a little piece of moss ribbon and a little blossom from the Pretties kit to the tab. The tab and the mat are Cameo Coral. And the "joy" stamp comes from the Everyday Flexible Phrases set.

From the Color Wheel

2008-09-02T14:06:00.004-05:00

I was looking for a way to use some of the colors I hardly ever pull out, so I pulled out my color wheel and low and behold, two of them were on the wheel together. Not Quite Navy and Blush Blossom. So I decided to add the other colors in there and this is what I came up with. The card base is the Not Quite Navy, stamped with the swirls from Priceless. I also stamped "Life" from Live Like You Mean It on the Key Tag punch out with NQN on Bashful Blue. The scalloped strip, which was punched with the scalloped punch is on Always Artichoke and accented with the White Signo Gel Pen. The focal image is Bashful Blue with NQN sponged on the edges, the added with dimensionals to a piece stamped with Blush Blossom and then matted in Close to Cocoa.

The First Day of School

2008-09-02T13:45:00.003-05:00

I can't tell you how excited my kids have been to start school. Last night Catera went to bed with a squeal about the fact that school started TODAY! Here are a couple of photos of the kids this morning before school, in all their first day finery.

I made these little cards and snuck them in the kids' lunches this morning with a little Hershey's bar attached. I hope their day's are going as well as they'd hoped. I was wonderful to see how excited they were for the first day of school.

CC182 Monochromatic Kiwi

2008-09-02T09:52:00.002-05:00

Have I told you lately that I love Kiwi? It is my favorite right now of the new in colors. I thought it was going to be Baja Breeze, but that Kiwi Kiss has me reaching for it on almost every projects. I am going to try to make a few more things today with no Kiwi on them, because I am a hoarder and I am afraid I will run out before I get a new package!

This was the color challenge on Splitcoast this morning...monochromatic. And I had heard some grumblings that some stampers didn't think that Kiwi Kiss could go with other greens. I felt the need to stick up for the Kiwi, so I came up with this. I used Pocket Silhouettes and Flores Suaves. The base is Kiwi Kiss, then I added a piece of the Green Tea Designer Series paper, a Kiwi Kiss focal image, matted in Old Olive...and a Kiwi Kiss ribbon tied on a slip of Artichoke ribbon (I didn't find my Olive ribbon til after it was attached to my card!) The edges are distressed with the Cutter Kit.

"Bear"tastic Series - Bear Hugs...

2008-09-01T07:54:00.013-05:00

I made these for some of favorite people in the world...my bible study kids who just left for college in the last two weeks. I figured they'd enjoy some snail mail and a hug. Here's a picture of the wild bunch:

For all the cards I used the bear from "Under the Stars". When I saw it, I knew the bear look like he wanted to give a big hug and so that's why I had to have the set. This card is stamped on a Kiwi Kiss Base, which Chocolate Chip and Confetti White. I used the alpha from "I'm here" to do the letters and the pinecones are from Peaceful Wishes. I used the 1/4" square punch, Hemp Twine, a sponge and chocolate chip grosgrain. Oh, and mini glue dots for the letters.

This card is made with a Barely Banana Base, Kiwi Kiss, and Pumpkin Pie. Can you tell I am in love with Kiwi Kiss? The stamped foliage is from Pocket Silhouettes. I added two little orange primas and the sentiment is hand written with a chocolate chip marker. I used the Kiwi Kiss Satin ribbon for embellishment and a brad for the flower too!

This little bear is on a Chocolate chip card with Apricot Appeal and yes, you guessed it, Kiwi Kiss punched with the spiral punch. The background is the Twill background stamp in Chocolate Chip. He is again sponged and the sentiment is hand lettered with the Chocolate Chip marker. The ribbons are a slip of Kiwi Kiss Satin and Apricot grosgrain.

This one is also on Chocolate Chip (the bear just looks so good in woodsy colors!) with a piece of Green Tea DS paper. I stamped the Skeeters wheel in Kiwi Kiss, and the sentiment is hand lettered on the word window punch out and attached with Gold brads.

This one is on Ruby Red Cardstock base, with Artichoke, Chocolate Chip and a piece of Cameo Coral thrown in there 'cuz the color wheel said so! The backgrounds were stamped in Chocolate Chip with Peaceful Wishes. I used Artichoke and Chocolate Chip grosgrain, the word window punch and artichoke brads. I used the ticket corner punch for the fancy corners too.

This one is on Chocolate Chip with Ruby Red and Artichoke. The backgrounds is from Itty Bitty Borders. I used copper brads from the Vintage Brads set and artichoke ribbon with a little bit of hemp twine.

And last but not least is the other one with his words on a string. I used Sprinkles for the background, a piece of artichoke paper and the caramel gingham ribbon. It also uses hemp twine, the "I'm Here" alpha and mini glue dots with the 1/4" square punch outs.

I hope they enjoy them as much as I did making them!

3D066 A Thank you for camping

2008-08-31T14:14:00.004-05:00

My in-laws allowed us to borrow their cabin for a weekend and I just wanted to let them know we had a wonderful time! While we were there, I took a ton of shots of the kids, so I thought a neat thank you gift would be sharing those pictures. This photo wallet was the perfect way to say thanks and to show off the kids. I am adding some of my favorite photos from that day.

For John Michael...A Circus Train

2008-08-30T19:34:00.004-05:00

I whipped up (literally - as evidence of the difficulties of watercoloring all the little parts in a hurry!) this card just minutes before we left for Dale's little cousin's 4th Birthday party.

It fits in a #10 business envelope. I used Circus Train, Sprinkles and It's Your Birthday. The colors are Pacific Point, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss and Whisper White. I also used the Word Window punch and a brad. Oh, and I used watercolor crayons and ink pad lids for color. Whew...that's one looooong train!

Joyful Daffodils

2008-08-30T14:43:00.006-05:00

I managed to finish one more this morning before my family woke up. I used Always in My Thoughts and All Year Cheer for stamp sets. Colors are Pumpkin Pie, Kiwi Kiss and Barely Banana, which I think make a fabulous fall color combo! I also used a piece of Hodgepodge Hardware with brads and The Kiwi Kiss Satin ribbon, which feels luxurious!

IC143 Priceless Joy

2008-08-30T14:36:00.005-05:00

Still working on a ton of cards for Via de Cristo...this and the next one would be number 14 & 15 of 92. This one is the inspiration challenge from splitcoast. This was the inspiration for the card.
I used Priceless, All Year Cheer and Flight of the Butterfly. I chose to go with the Taken with Teal and white and the butterfly I stamped Cool Caribbean over the craft white ti give it a little more of the bluish hue. I used 2 primas and a half pearl from the Pretties kit. I also used the Cutter Kit to distress the edges of the white layer.

One more before I CRASH!!!

2008-08-29T23:57:00.003-05:00

Another new set...Pocket Silhouettes (did I say I love this set? It's so beautiful!), Flores Suaves (for the script) and Twill background. I chose Certainly Celery and Taken with Teal and a little Basic Black to make it pop! I used a prima and a half pearl from the SU Pretties kit. Let's see, what am I missing...Gingham ribbon, corner punch, ticket corner punch and the crafter's tool kit for the piercing. Good night!

Fresh Rubbah...

2008-08-29T23:54:00.003-05:00

I was just itching to play with all my new stamp sets, but this one spoke first! The is from the new set out of the Spanish supplement called "Flores Suaves". I used Basic Gray, Tangerine Tango and a little black. The ribbon is the new color to match the new in colors. I also used the new large oval punch. The other stamp sets are Bella Toile background and Happiness Always sentiment. Enjoy!!!

LSC183 Little Somethings

2008-08-29T08:42:00.005-05:00

This challenge was to used something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Old: All Year Cheer's "JOY", New:Flight of the Butterfly stamp set, Borrowed:I used my daughter's water brush because mine is missing on my desk! Blue: Bashful Blue. I also used a 1" circle punch, the Designer tag punch, the rectangle puncg, bashful blue brads, white gel pen, zig .01 black pen and Black gingham ribbon.

One More then I am off to work!

2008-08-28T08:25:00.006-05:00

This was for fun this morning, but I think I have a use in mind... Colors are Kraft, Black and Brocade Blue with a piece of Dp from the previous hostess pickin's. I used a scallop punch for Marvy, the corner punch and the word window punch. The sentiment is hand written. I also used the black brads from the vintage set.

WT181 For Grandma

2008-08-28T08:13:00.004-05:00

My grandma moved to St. Paul over the weekend, and I thought it might be nice if she had a card to let her know I am thinking about her right now! This challenge was to use colored pencils. I decided to try the light colors on kraft again and see how they came out in colored pencils. The stamp sets are Sassy Stems, Sprinkles and Sincere Salutations (a lot of alliteration there!). Colors are Taken with Teal, Certainly Celery and So Saffron, with the kraft. I used the scallop punch, brads from the vintage set and celery ribbon. Oh, and the white gel pen to add the dots on the scallop.

SC191 Priceless

2008-08-27T08:13:00.003-05:00

one quick one before work...from the Sketch Challenge at Splitcoast. This is made with Priceless, In Wild Wasabi, So Saffron and Chocolate Chip. I used a flower and brad from the pretties kit.

Bud Basics...

2008-08-26T20:00:00.005-05:00

I had a frustrating day today school shopping with the kids, so when I got home I decided I need to make one more card and see if I could shake this funk. I started out with the Kiwi Kiss and Kraft paper laying on my desk and added the rest of the colors as I went. I love when inspiration hits like that! The other colors are Chocolate Chip and Tangerine Tango. I used the end of the key tag punch for the sentiment and I used the corner rounder to add the scallop to the circle. The edges are sponged and I added a strip of Twill and brads as well. Then the scalloped image is popped up on dimensionals. Oh, and the stamp sets are Bud Basics, Sprinkles and Everyday Flexible Phrases.

CC181 Again...Inspired

2008-08-26T14:09:00.004-05:00

I was inspired by this card and the technique on the flowers and I decided to try and see if I could duplicate it (or try!) with something that I had on hand. I used watercolor crayons and the signo gel pen on the tips and then used the aqua painter to spread the color. I am happy with the results! This is a gorgeous stamp from Bloomin' Beautiful. I also used Everyday Flexible Phrases, the Twill background stamp and Itty Bitty Backgrounds. The color scheme is still the Rose Red, Basic Black and Kraft. I also used brads, the tab punch and black grosgrain ribbon.

More Chester Park Photos

2008-08-26T10:30:00.004-05:00

A few more of my favorites!

New blog header and Chester Park Photos

2008-08-26T09:32:00.007-05:00

Our family took an afternoon and went to the Chester Park in Duluth to shoot some photos. The light was perfect, the day was beautiful and this kids were cooperative, so we came out with some great shots. Here are some of my favorites.

CC181 Krafty Black Roses with Bloomin' Beautiful

2008-08-26T09:00:00.002-05:00

This card was trouble, a lot of it. I made all the elements individually and when I went to put them together like my mind saw them, they didn't fit on the card front. After much prying and new adhesive, I got this. I am pretty happy with it still, not sure where I will add a sentiment yet. Colors: Rose Red, Basic Black and Kraft (LOVE the combo!) Stamp sets: Floral bg and Bloomin' Beautiful. Accessories: Corner punch, Ticket Punch, Rose Red Brads. Inks: Rose Red, Always Artichoke and Sahara Sand markers, which I them embossed with Crystal Clear EP, then I used River Rock, Rose Red and Always Artichoke Ink in the lids to watercolor. The top layer is popped up with dimensionals.

TLC183 Faux Dry Embossing

2008-08-25T06:53:00.004-05:00

Another challenge and another Via de Cristo card. 4 down, 88 more to go! This one is done with a technique called Faux Dry Embossing. All you need is white craft ink and a stamp-a-ma-jig. I chose the Priceless set, AGAIN! I need my new stuff, which should be here on Thursday if UPS doesn't reschedule again...arg! Here I chose Regal rose and Kiwi Kiss for the colors, as well as the hostess DP from the last catalog. I used the word window punch to add my little sentiment as well. I also added a little touch of white grosgrain ribbon. You can check out today's challenge HERE.

The other card is one from the Friday challenge that I didn't have a chance to upload. I used the Peaceful Garden set, which I still adore after all these years. It just seems to make some of the most elegant cards! I used Kiwi Kiss and Elegant Eggplant for the colors and the White Naturals paper for the focal image. I added a touch of gold with the brads and the cording. Stampin' Up is bringing back the cording in the Winter Mini and I am so thankful, I LOVE the stuff!

WT180 Paper Tearing

2008-08-21T08:22:00.003-05:00

I go in spurts with paper tearing, sometimes I love it and sometimes I forget about it. This was the challenge this morning, so I whipped one up before work! Papers and inks are Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze and chocolate chip. I used the crafter's tool kit to pierce, a sponge and a prima with a brad. The punches are the scallop punch, 1/2" cirlce punch and Word Window. I used Moose You and Sprinkles! The card opens at the scallop and when closed, tucks behind the cluster of hearts.

SC190 Welcome Butterfly

2008-08-20T06:44:00.003-05:00

I am doing a Via de Cristo weekend in October and I would like hand made cards for all the team and weekenders. I have 3 done and only 89 to go! This is one, made using the sketch challenge from Splitcoast. I just had a few minutes before work and this literally took less than 15! I used the hostess benefits paper from the last catalog as well as Sweet Shapes and Warm Words. Colors are Chocolate Chip, Garden Green and Bashful Blue. Scallop Punch, 1 3/8 Circle punch, Word Window punch and 1/4" circle punch. And a Bashful Blue Brad!

Acetate Box

2008-08-19T10:49:00.004-05:00

One more challenge for today...the TLC182, Acetate Box. This one I am going to make more of for the church bazaar. I will buy the chocolate candies right before the bazaar so that they are fresh, so for now, it's empty! I printed the poem in a matching brown (I think I may try to make them just a tad smaller so that you can see that there is something behind it!). The papers are real red and Chocolate Chip. Inks are Basic Brown and Whisper White Craft. Stamp sets are Moose You and Snow Flurries. I am really happy with how this came out! Oh, and I used the scalloped circle punch with another circle punch to make the tag and chocolate chip grosgrain and red gingham.

For Annissa and Chad

2008-08-19T08:14:00.003-05:00

One of my former Sunday School kids (gosh I am getting old, I had her in the 2nd grade!) got married and though we couldn't make the wedding in sunny Florida, she and her new family celebrated here with a BBQ at her parents home. This is the card I made for them. Paper and Ink Colors are Basic Black, Regal Rose and Whisper White. I used Stazon Jet Black and pink Sharpies on the acetate. Accessories are rhinestones, Prima flowers, glue dots, sheer dotted ribbon and the ticket corner punch. Stamp sets are God is Love and Sprinkles. I attached a panel on the inside back to be able to write a message on.

CC180 For a Friend

2008-08-19T07:50:00.004-05:00

The inspiration hit this morning for a card for a friend. Now I better get it right in the mail so hopefully she'll see it in person before she sees it here! These colors are the color challenge on Splitcoast this morning. Close to Cocoa, Ruby Red, and Blush Blossom. I have to tell you, Blush Blossom is one of my very LEAST favorite of our 48 colors! I used the Like It A Latte and Sprinkles Stamp sets. Punches are the Key Tag Punch (one of my favorites!!!), Slit Punch, Scalloped edge punch and Ticket Corner Punch. I used an assortment of gingham and grosgrain ribbons. I used dimensionals to add some depth to the focal image and to accommodate the ribbons behind the tag.

LSC181 Think Snowman!

2008-08-15T08:14:00.003-05:00

I was checking out Splitcoast this morning and I was struck with an idea after checking out the Limited Supply Challenge. So here he is, in his fabulous new In Colors...FROSTY! I used punches for the body and sponged Baja Breeze to give his a chilly depth. Tangerine Tango for the carrot, Kiwi Kiss for the scarf, and embellished with a Signo gel pen, Riding Hood Red for the earmuffs. I used priceless for the swirling winds in the background. I am loving these new in colors!

080808

2008-08-08T08:50:00.003-05:00

My father-in-law's birthday is today and Dale wanted to do something with the date, being that it was unique. This was what I made from his vision. I used new colors, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss. Then added a bit of silver again. I guess I am stuck on silver right now! I used Headline Alpha and Sprinkles Stamp sets.

Priceless Breezy Red Riding Hood

2008-08-05T18:55:00.002-05:00

This one is my favorite I think from the new color ones. This one uses Riding Hood Red and Baja Breeze. I love how the silver makes it just jump off the page. I have to get better at photographing these! The background is the Twill background stamp. The sentiment is from Warm Words. I used retires silver cording (why they retired this stuff I don't know but I will cry the day I run out!) And the silver is from the Hodgepodge Hardware set from the last mini catalog.

And Another...

2008-08-05T18:49:00.002-05:00

I am LOVING this new combo! I used Pirouette Pink, Cameo Coral and Kiwi Kiss. The set I used is Happiness Always (again, a new hostess set from the new catalog!) I also used the new scallop punch, I am loving it! And I used the "Grace" from Graceful Words. Then I added a double Prima flower with a brad.

More New In Color Cards...

2008-08-05T18:16:00.002-05:00

I had to break open each color and work to find a combo that would pop. The first is a card made with one of the new hostess sets coming in the new catalog. It's called Happiness Always. I used Kiwi Kiss and Tangerine Tango. I guess I used those on the last card didn't I? I also used the new scalloped edge punch that coming in the catalog. And a little bit of organdy ribbon for fun, which I added using the help of the rectangle hand punch.

NEW IN COLORS!!!

2008-08-05T16:26:00.003-05:00

They've arrived and I couldn't wait to put stamps to the beautiful new colors! I chose Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point and Kiwi Kiss paper, along with the Naturals-White. The porcupine stamp was new, so I cleaned it a few extra times on the Stampin' Scrub before I used it so the ink would lay evenly. I used the Cutter Kit to rough up the edge of the Tangerine Tango layer and added a bit of Always Artichoke ribbon to divide up the focal image. Then I punched 3 circles (1/2") and added the orange brads I had in my brad organizer.

Another CC178 Polka Dots & Paisley

2008-08-05T12:11:00.002-05:00

This may be the only other one I get to complete today, we are going to take daddy on a picnic during his lunch break...

This one is made with Groovy Guava and Wild Wasabi paper (the In Colors) and also whisper white and basic black.

I inked the first stamp of the flower very carefully so I could get both colors on the stamp. Then I used Black Stazon for the outline overlay. I used the crafter's tool kit to pierce the border on the focal image. I stamped the background in groovy guava and then used my Signo gel pen to add a little dot to make the background "POP"! I hand lettered the "You Make Me" part of the sentiment with a .01 Zig Millennium. I also hand bordered the focal images with the same pen. I added Wild Wasabi double stitched ribbon and black gingham ribbon. The stamp set is Polka Dots & Paisley from Stampin' Up.

My Favorite Place for Desktop Calendars

2008-08-05T09:31:00.003-05:00

The Shabby Princess is one of my very favorite Digi Designers. Each month, she or one of her Crew makes a FABULOUS computer desktop calendar to just plop your photos in. I love changing them every month and I am always so excited to see what comes next! Here's my August one, with photos from the kids at Moore Creek Battlefield in NC.

CC178: Farewell In Colors

2008-08-05T09:16:00.002-05:00

In just a few days, the Stampin' Up In Colors for 2007-2008 will no longer be available. You know what that means though? Somewhere on a UPS vehicle traveling in my direction is the full order of the NEW in colors, due to arrive hopefully today! I can't wait to dive in and play! My goal is to have some new cards with new colors up here this week yet.

In a nod to the retirement of these fab colors, the SCS color challenge today was In Colors and only In Colors! I made a card for my hubby. Somedays I just feel like a card, just for the heck of it!

I used the Boatloads of Love Stamp set, as well as Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, Baisc Black and Naturals-white for the cardstock. The inks are Soft Sky (also sponged on the edges), River Rock, Wild Wasabi and Stazon Black. I used the Soft Sky double stitched ribbon, the Key Tag Punch and the Slit Punch. Ooooh, and I also added a brad on the folded corner from the silver Hodge Podge Hardware kit.

Finally a Post!!!

2008-07-22T09:54:00.003-05:00

I know I always say this, but things get crazy here and the blog seems to be the first thing to go! I am hoping to get a few posts in today, I have so much to catch up on. Our family and friends around us have been dealing with loss. Loss of loved ones is always so difficult, but a friend lost her husband in a plane crash while he was on a fishing trip and she's been on my mind. I was thankful when I found the Splitcoast color challenge that inspired this card. Colors for the challenge were Soft Sky, River Rock and Very Vanilla. I stamped the swirly from "Doodle This" in river rock on river rock cardstock. Then I added a layer and the card base is the swirl again on Soft Sky stamped in Soft Sky Ink. I sponged the edges to add depth and then I cut out the watercolored flower from very vanilla. I embossed the dye ink really quickly so I could watercolor it. Then I added the touches of silver with the hodgepodge hardware. The heart on the sentiment is stamped from Moose You and the saying is from Small Sayings. I wish the watercoloring would have shown up more vibrant from the scan, but alas, the scanner is smarter than the operator!

Home Sweet Home

2008-05-14T06:51:00.002-05:00

It's been a while since I have had time to blog, mostly because we have been in a bit of a spin here! My mom and dad bought a house in North Carolina about a month ago and they left Sunday to head down there to finish it. I am excited to be leaving on Saturday to be their laborer. I was trying to think of something for Mother's Day for my mom and I decided I wanted to be the first person to give them something for their new house. I came up with this. I got the shadow box from Michael's and the rest of the goodies I had. The stamps are from Stampin' Up (Letterpress Alpha).

Sharing a Slideshow

2008-04-14T08:17:00.003-05:00

One of my sweet bible study students gave me an awesome birthday present last fall. We went to see the live show for "So You Think You Can Dance". It was a great experience and we took some amazing photos. Some I took, some Emily took, so it's really a collaborative work. These are some of my faves. We took two CD's worth of pictures. Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Slowly but surely...

2008-04-11T22:31:00.001-05:00

I am learning this blog thing! I have added some of my favorite links in the right hand side bar for you to check out if you've got some time to burn. They are mostly links from my favorite artists, both paper and digital. I am sure I will have more to add soon.

I think this is the last post for today...

2008-04-08T19:55:00.004-05:00

As you can see from the variety of birthday cards lately, we kind of drown in birthdays during the month of April. Oh well, I guess it gives me an excuse to stamp! I did one more birthday card with my cute little crab! I think this one will be for Jakey. I also used the Rough Texture wheel with it. The colors are Ruby Red, Creamy Caramel and Brocade Blue. Here's the blog where you can see the technique: Scrapnextras

A Leisurely Evening

2008-04-08T16:26:00.000-05:00

This layout is pictures from a beautiful beach front walk at sunset. Can you tell I am just enamored of the ocean? It was so peaceful and serene. These pages use a kit called "Melon Sorbet" by Maria la France. I need to get some of these babies printed and into my album! I am behind on the printing, go figure.

Just a Stroll on the Beach

2008-04-08T15:02:00.000-05:00

More vacation pages! These are photos of the kids strolling the beach and playing in the waves. I used a kit called Two Little Pixels by Sharon K Designs (another amazingly talented designer!!!)

Cabana Shores

2008-04-08T12:13:00.000-05:00

A completed another layout for our vacation scrapbook. I am in a creative groove this morning! This layout was created using Sweet Serenity from the Shabby Princess (I adore her stuff, she is so talented!) Two more layouts and I will be done with 1/4 of the photos from vacation!

Time Well Spent

2008-04-08T11:06:00.000-05:00

Stampin' Up sent us this wonderful stamp set, which is a level 3 hostess set back in December as a thank you to demonstrators. It is a great floral set and I decided to make a card using it and splitcoast's TLC163 Challenge which is "Stacked Ribbons". My inspiration started with the adorable striped ribbon and then I remembered I had a gorgeous wide satin ribbon from the Holiday Mini. This satin ribbon has the most luxurious feel to it, I love it! I stamped the focal image on Confetti White and then watercolors using the watercolor crayons and then I trimmed the image. I used a thin paper stump to roll the petals and then I put small pieces of dimensionals under the petals to make them stay 3D. I sponged the punches (scallop and key tag punches) and then added 2 little circles (1/4") to make the brads pop a little more. Paper colors are Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink and Confetti White. Ink is Chocolate Chip and Timber Brown Stazon (for the water colored image). The pink curvy piece was cut with the SU cutter kit perforater. I love that little kit!!!

Moose You!!!

2008-04-08T09:10:00.000-05:00

After checking out what was going on over at Julie Buhler's Blog this morning, I found her color concoction and the colors just spoke to me. I made a card with Stampin' Up's Moose You stamp set. Now I have grand ideas about getting some more cards and hopefully some scrap pages done today so that I can send out some happy mail. Card Details: Stamps~ Moose You and Canvas. Papers~ Confetti White, River Rock, Ruby Red and Always Artichoke. Inks~ River Rock, Ruby Red and Always Artichoke. Accessories~ Sponge, Word Window, Rich Regals Brads, Tab Punch, Staple. I think this moose is just too sweet! I punched the word window punch and the put the punchout back in the punch from the bottom to make a shortened Word Window for the brads to go into. This can be seen in my gallery at Splitcoast.

CC161 Snappy Birthday

2008-04-08T08:15:00.001-05:00

Two weeks in a row! I have not been able to do the challenges at Splitcoaststampers.com much lately but two weeks in a row now I have had time to complete the color challenge. This is a "Snappy Birthday" card for a friend using Stampin' Up's Crab & Coompany stamp set, the challenge colors of Real Red, Night of Navy and Glorious Green, as well as the No Copics, No Problem technique which can be found here: Julie Buhler's Blog

Finally Finished Another LO

2008-04-01T16:50:00.001-05:00

And it feels like it took me all day to do it! I almost finished scrapping 1 of 4 CDs of photos from vacation. This one was some random pictures that just really leave me all warm and fuzzy feeling inside. One of the most special moments of our vacation was when we walked on the beach together, just Dale and I. I used the Coconuts kit by Jacque Larsen, Barcode Rubons by SVDesigns and Spring Break by Heidi Williams at Weeds & Wildflowers. Let me know what you think!

Sweet Daughter

2008-04-01T15:23:00.001-05:00

I found this note on my desk a few days ago from my sweet little girl. Newspaper Alpha by Rikki Donovan, the gorgeous silver swirl is from the Christmas Brites kit by Sharon K Designs, and the remainder of the layout is from the Tonight kit by Jennys Scrap Place.

Splitcoaststampers CC160

2008-04-01T09:55:00.001-05:00

I needed something to get my creative mojo back again after workout this morning. I popped on over to splitcoaststampers to check and see if the color challenge could pique my interest. The colors were Mellow Moss, Creamy Caramel, Apricot Appeal and Cameo Coral. Here's what I came up with. I used Bugs and Kisses and Canvas for stamps, Mellow Moss, Creamy Caramel, Apricot Appeal and a small piece of Designer Series paper and then added a ribbon and a ton o' sponging.

My New April Desktop

2008-04-01T08:46:00.001-05:00

I have been using desktop templates since December to change the desktop on my computer each month. Well, I decided to try my hand at it this month and this is what I came up with. The paper, clip, rhinestone and ribbon are from a kit called Mediterranean by Laura Bozeman, the calendar is from Ellie Lash, and the frame is from Lindsay Jane Designs. The photos are some of my faves from South Carolina. I love the one from under the boardwalk, it shows so much dimension!

Just a Little Easter Funny...

2008-03-25T21:37:00.002-05:00

I got a kick out of this picture. Things that make you go hmmmmm...

134 Paper Scrapped Pages, where are they?

2008-03-25T19:04:00.000-05:00

I recently challenged myself to scrap all the photos I had actual prints of. I had about 3 weeks until I was going to visit my friend Gidget to do a Stampin' Up party and to scrap for the weekend. I really wanted to just bring the laptop and the hard drive and a couple of CDs of photos and leave the rest. I just couldn't think of how I would pare' down what I would need to bring into a few different bins. Well, 2 1/2 weeks into the challenge, I completed the layouts, with a whopping total of 134 pages. But why is it that I have yet to share any? It's been 3 weeks since I finished. I just haven't taken the time to set up the camera somewhere where I can photograph these 12" by 12" monsters! And I need to do that! What's the point of scrapping if you can't share any of it, right?

Beachy Fun Pictures

2008-03-25T18:57:00.001-05:00

I had to redo this first page because I had first done it on the new laptop and I couldn't for the life of me figure out with the new program how to do drop shadows. It's really hard to switch programs and learn it all over again with a different program! So I gave up and made a new page and this one I love so much more! The whole layout was made with Inflor- escence by Carrie Stevens at Fish- scraps.com. I am LOVING this kit!

Beautiful Southern Homes

2008-03-25T14:54:00.001-05:00

Here are two more pages I finished today. The arch- itecture and the homes were so striking and all I kept thinking when we'd see bright coral shutters or a seafoam green cottage was that color schemes like that would NEVER fly up north here! These were made with the Berlingo kit made by Fran Designs except the Green Glitter Alpha which was created by Vicki Stegall.

Heather and Glen

2008-03-25T13:36:00.001-05:00

I just had to share the picture. I was going thru my photos from vacation and this was in the beautiful homes folder. We went house hunting one evening, just looking for what was available and at what price. This is the sign we just couldn't pass us. You see, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law are Heather and Glen and we just got a kick out of the sign!

Barefoot Landing

2008-03-25T13:28:00.001-05:00

This was the other really neat mall in Myrtle Beach. It also had a lagoon but this place and foot bridges to the other side. There were turtles and birds all over the place. I also loved the rocking chairs every- where. It really was a different pace of life.

Cover Page!!!

2008-03-25T13:18:00.001-05:00

This is about the only photo from our vacation that all of us are in!

Broadway at the Beach...

2008-03-25T12:03:00.002-05:00

This was just the coolest place I think I've ever been to shop. Even cooler than the Mall of America I think! The mall was layed out around a lagoon and the little groups of shops dotted the walkway around the lagoon. There were two Christian store there where we found lots of cool goodies to take home. The mall also boasted a mini golf course and some wonderful rest- aurants. Surely there was more than I could fit into a 2 page layout! It was certainly an experience I can't wait to enjoy again!

More Vacation stuff...

2008-03-25T11:57:00.001-05:00

Can you tell I really want to get this album finished? These are actually two of the first pages, besides the Title Page which I will hopefully get to show you later! This was the kid's first "com- mercial" airplane ride. They have been in a six-seater before. They were so excited to leave for vacation and they behaved so well, even though we were running on very little sleep! Enjoy!!!

Good Friday

2008-03-21T22:48:00.000-05:00

I had the most wonderful evening tonight, immersed in the love of Christ. We gathered a group from 6 local churches tonight to present the Stations of the Cross to our church at Peace Lutheran. It was the first time most had seen the Passion this way and it was such a uplifting experience to be a part of. For me, each time I participate in the presentation of the Stations of the Cross, it is moving and powerful and most definitely Christ-filled. Tonight was no exception. Each person who gave of their time was just a part of the body of Christ. Without each one, we would not have been able to for a whole. From the ushers to the soloist, you could feel the movement of Christ in the church and it's almost overwhelming. I am so thankful for those who were willing to give of their time and talent for tonight. I pray that it brought each person who attended closer to God. I hope you had a peaceful day! Blessings!!!

More pages to share...

2008-03-19T08:15:00.001-05:00

Here's another page with the Flatten family and us on the beach in MB. And a page about the fun and slightly weird things we saw there.

A Day of Firsts

2008-03-18T05:59:00.001-05:00

I am going to do my best to get something in here at least several times a week if not more. It's sad that I got it all started and set up and then never continued with it! Here is a layout that I made, also from our South Carolina vacation. It is Jonas' day of Firsts. He got to dip his tootsies in the ocean and he got to float in the pool back at the house. He is such a doll!

One Cute Picture to Share

2008-03-16T17:40:00.002-05:00

This is my little sweetie Gabriel yesterday in our backyard. :)

I am a terrible poster!

2008-03-16T17:25:00.000-05:00

You know, this always happens. I get busy with things in life and some other things seem to get a break. For instance, my blog. I didn't realize it had been 7 months since I had posted something!

I have been swamped in scrap land lately though! I finished 134 paper-scrapped pages as a challenge from myself. See, I had a bin full of older pictures from 2004 and earlier! How sad huh? So I told myself 3 weeks before I was going to spend a SCRAPPING weekend at a friend's house that I needed to finish all those paper layouts if I was going to head to her home sans paper supplies. I finished them in 2 1/2 weeks with a little time to spare to get my digi goodies unzipped and ready on my hard drive. I left here with enough stuff to do her Stampin' Up workshop and then just a laptop, hard drive and some photo CDs. It's was soo nice to pack to light! I only got 5 whole pages completed and one more that I need to add drop shadows to, now that I've figured out the new program on the new laptop. It took me the better part of the big scrapping day to figure out just shadows. But I will be moving along now that I am getting the hang of it and I really would like to finish my vacation scrapbook soon. It's almost a year later! So glad I journaled it during and right after vacation!

Hopefully I can photograph some of the 134 layouts and get them uploaded here soon. I am going to try to do a better job of keeping up with that!

One More Page Before Work

2007-08-10T08:42:00.001-05:00

I managed to finish one more page this morning. This is my son with Mark and Amy's son. Gabriel was so enamored of him! The kit is again Boy Fashion.

Mark Amy & Jonas

2007-08-10T07:09:00.001-05:00

This is the first page of several with our friends who came to visit us in Myrtle Beach. Isn't that little boy a sweetie!!?!?! The digi kit is call Boy Fashion and is by Ilona Hamp, The Heart eyelet is from Misty Cato, The chipboard date pieces are by Janel Kretschman, and the torn corner was created by Sara Ellis.

Arrrrrr, I'm on a roll!

2007-08-07T18:20:00.001-05:00

Ok, one more set of pages for the day, then I think I am done for the evening. This completes one whole CD of pictures though, which means I have 3 more to go! These photos were also from the Ripley's aquarium, in the Pirate exhibit. This kit if called "His Stuff" and is made by Jeanelle Paige.