Mojo Birthday Wishes

Hi everyone! I hope you are all having a relaxing (or productive!) weekend so far. I have so many things on my "to-do" list before Monday...which begins Teacher Appreciation Week here. So many fantastic things I'm envisioning doing to express my deep appreciation to those teachers at my son's school, Round Rock Christian Academy. It's been a bit of a challenge though as I'm feeling a bit....somber?? perplexed? maybe a little bit angry? More on that later....if you care to read about it. :)

In the mean time, I have two wonderful friends who are going to be celebrating their birthdays here in a couple of weeks and I wanted to go ahead and have their cards finished. I based my layout completely on the MOJO Monday sketch...which is also a contest! I also used a hodge podge of my beloved Verve Stamps....a little Bountiful Backgrounds on my tag, Thankful Accents behind my sentiment, and sentiment from Wishful Elegance. Paper is from the new Valentine paper pack from K & Company....so very pretty and versatile. One birthday celebration card down....one more to go.



I had also enlisted myself to make Gratitude cards for all those teachers who touch and enrich our children's lives on a daily basis. Six teachers...in addition to the kindergarten teacher, who I am sooo thankful for. Their job really is thankless...


I had a gift certificate to Papertrey from Christmas and couldn't wait to get my new stamps inky. I used the new Baby Button Bits and Signature Greetings on these cards and went with a Clean and Simple format. Did a little coloring and airbrushing with my Copics and whipped these little lovelies out.



I hope they'll like the cards. The children will be signing them for all their teachers...PE, Art, Music, Spanish, etc....
I really am so grateful.

***Read on with caution...the following is just me being human...airing frustrations...getting personal**

Friends....some stay with you forever, while some quickly come and go, but they all leave little imprints on your soul...whether it be good, bad or indifferent, it is a part of you. I know that not everyone is going to like me all the time...I'm comfortable with that. I had a friend...she was near and dear, but I recognized that the friendship could not continue. It wasn't healthy for both of us...we both moved on. Recently, I discovered that one of her little ones was in the hospital. He's sooo little...I sent a text message...just a sentiment that I said a prayer for him. The message was completely benign and with the best intention. But I soon discovered my sentiment of prayer was unwelcome...at least by a family member. Her message implied that only her true "FRIENDS" were praying for her son. Really??? How this has anything to do with a little one....I have no idea? How grossly spiteful. This coming from an a) adult who b)claims to be the epitome of spiritual. I'm in shock. I'm dumbfounded. I don't share this feeling at all nor will I ever. If you've never liked me...for whatever reason valid or not, if you send a prayer my way, for my children....I welcome it openly. I feel a little better. It feels good to type this out and share...I'm human, and this is me.

All My Love

This month has been all about Love on my blog in the preparations for the upcoming holiday. I must say, I'm breathing a large sigh of relief that I'm prepared for the big event. :) In a few days, I'll hopefully start mailing out those letters of love to loved ones and friends that I hold dear to my heart.

One project I wanted to complete, as my last days as a Verve Guest Diva dwindle, was a Love banner. Before I show my project, I just want to take a moment to thank Julee over at Verve Stamps for the invitation to join the rest of her fabulous Divas this month. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to work with your latest release and stamp alongside such fantastic stampers! Special thanks to the Divas as well for openly and warmly welcoming to the crew. :) It's been a fabulous month!

So, this is about to be picture heavy, so hold onto your hats ladies! Here's how my banner started.

The paper is called Spring Petal from Autumn Leaves (I bought this at the Hot Spot paper item at Archiver's) and I stamped the leafy image from Love's Flower randomly throughout with Antique Linen Distress ink...I just love how soft it turned out.

And then I poured my heart into creating each letter....


"I Love You" was stamped repeatedly across the top in Tea Dye Distress Ink using the Heart's Desire set.


The "O" fit perfectly atop my stamped image from Accent Notes...I was just tickled pink! This letter's a regal one with a large rhinestone from Anna Griffin in the center and a crown adorned to the side.

"V" for Valentine...and what's a Valentine without a heart? I placed a delicate crocheted heart under my "v" with a dainty ribbon rose.


And finally the "e," embellished with a single flower with pearl center and Prima bling flower centers on the sides.


And the banner in it's entirety. Made from my heart using all my favorite little things...


Hanging on my mantle...you can really see all the shimmer here. I sprayed Bed of Roses Shimmerz on my chipboard letters (which were also covered with fine glitter and glitter glass) and over the crepe paper rounds.

And finally a couple more projects that I haven't shared with you yet that I made early for the release.

I've always wanted to try a mussy tussy...romantic, Victorian, and just pretty in general.


Here I used vintage sheet paper and used the romantic images from the set Heart's Desire. Spritzed entirely with Bed or Roses Shimmerz again...can you tell I love that color? :)


And finally a card using the set Love's Flower. I'm not sure why I haven't shown this card earlier...I absolutely adore it! I love the fun colors from the latest Valentine collection from Pink Paislee. I want to make more cards with it! I wish I had more time..


And I think I've inundated you with enough pictures today. :) Enough to last the rest of the month maybe?? hehe I'm soooo looking forward to Friday tomorrow. Today was a rough one...my little girl took a Sharpie marker to the kitchen tiles...I cleaned up the evidence, but the grout didn't fare too well. My boy...he's just being a boy. Rough and into trouble. I'm a strict one though...we'll get a handle on it.

Until then, I look forward to my usual Friday evening margarita at my usual place with my usual suspects.

Any plans for you? I'd love to hear!

Thanks so much for your visit...and getting, "in stamping mode."

So Thankful

So thankful for so many things today. Thankful for a wonderful birthday weekend that began Friday morning and lasted into Sunday evening. I must give special thanks to my superman of a husband, my mom for being here, and my wonderful friends for sharing such special time with me. I loved it all!

This card definitely encompasses all the things I am thankful for today. First, a blogger by the name of Melissa Phillips. Her words are sooo inspiring to me. They are so real...so raw...and so heartfelt. She issued a challenge to create something inspired by this gorgeous photo.


Amazing, huh?! I definitely wanted to capture the soft and delicate texture. Enter yummy chenille.


Hues of pinks and purples...


Sketch layout was inspired by the latest Mojo Monday. A hodge podge of stamps was also used. A little Papertrey Ink, the background behind the chipboard is from Tim Holtz and I can't find the name of the set. The sentiment is a perfect little one from Verve...one of the nice little treats Julee gives as a thanks for the order.

And finally, sooo thankful to you. Readers that stop by and keep things going...you make my blogging world go 'round. :)

In Stamping Mode Supplies
Stamps: Vintage Label Papertrey Ink, So Thankful Verve, Unknown Tim Holtz
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Up!, Antique Lace and Tattered Rose Distress Ink Tim Holtz,
Paper: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Razzleberry Lemonade Stampin' Up!
Accessories: Bed of Roses Shimmerz Spritz, White Gold glitter Martha Stewart, Blush twill ribbon Papertrey Ink, Doily Lace punch Martha Stewart, rhinestones Michael's, Regal Alphabet Chipboard Tattered Angels, Flower Prima, Embossing Folder Stampin' Up!, Tissue paper

A couple color challenges

I'm back! My Monday was interesting, to say the least. Remember when I mentioned, oh a week ago or so, that I had broken out with hives? Well, I took that cortisone 6 day pill pack and once I was done with it, you'll never guess what happened. The hives came back....and with...a VENGEANCE. I was able to get in to see a doctor today (it was so unbearable, I couldn't sleep at night), and 1 steroid shot and 3 meds later, I'm feeling a little bit better. I'm about to hop in the bath after this post and do one of those oatmeal bath thingies. (When someone first suggested to me to do the oatmeal bath, I literally thought you cooked up some Quaker Oats in the tub) Go me on being the sharpest tool in the shed! LOL

In between all that scratching, I actually manage to stamp! I recently was turned onto Embellish Magazine and wanted to participate in one of their challenges.



And I actually put together something rather quickly using one of the new sets from Verve, Love's Flower.


I actually REALLY like how this turned out. I wasn't sure about the color combo, but I think it works!

The next color challenge I participated in was hosted by Verve Diva Amber over on the Splitcoast forums to use Black, Gray, and Turquoise.


This was a toughie! But here goes...


And this card used one of my faves from the release, Accent Notes.

Both cards were Clean and Simple style...which I really like!

Ok, I'm off to go and soak. I'm hoping for a decent night's sleep tonight. Wish me luck!

Also, I just want to quickly say a sincere "thank you" for leaving such sweet comments. I really do enjoy reading them....it's what keeps me going here. :)

On a Clear Night

The house is quiet. The kiddos are tucked away in their beds....ahh the sweet sound of peace. I relish these moments. I hide away in my office when everyone's gone to bed and engulf myself in my comfy headphones...either jamming out to some fun Pop music or the soothing sounds of John Mayer, Jem, or the likes of Missy Higgins. I love keeping up tabs in my Google Reader...I wish I had more time to leave comments. That's been one of my resolutions this year....to let those that inspire me know that they have. There are sooo many! I'll not make this too wordy. Just wanted to share a little snippit of me with you. :)

So I hadn't had a chance to post some of my creations as a Verve Guest Diva and I'm dying to share! Unfortunately, I slept right through the Release party on the Splitcoast forums. I was soo bummed. My friend Anitra called me and woke me up at 10:30 PM! I'm such a weak one. I drank only one margarita for dinner and then promptly snuggled up in bed with my son and ventured into la-la land. :)

This first card uses the set Heart's Desire. I just love this super elegant Valentine set. I felt the images were so soft and delicate and pretty, so I wanted to really convey that in my card. I used really gentle colors...so soothing!




And I always love doing my Clean and Simple cards. Here's one that I did using Accent Notes coupled with a sentiment from Celebrating You.


I just loved being able to build my own little pattern from all the gorgeous background builders and accents.

I still have more to share...for another day. :) It's almost 1 AM. Time to start creating.

Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge 98

Good morning everyone and TGIF!!!!!!! My goodness, I just loooove my Fridays! And I really don't know why I love it so much...I still have the exact same routine during the day. I guess it's just the anticipation of the hubby and the kids being home for the weekend. That and I look forward to my margarita in the evening...YUM! I also look forward to my Friday sketch challenge. Check it..


I loooove this sketch!! Definitely one of my top faves. And here we go with my take on the sketch.


Not much stamping here and do your eyes deceive you? No! No they don't! I didn't do any distressing!! I know, shock and awe! The sentiment however is a NEW Plain Jane from Verve that will be available tonight! Lots of new goodies on this card actually...patterned paper is the new Martha Stewart Valentine line and I finally got my hands on that Prima flower center I've been eying for a while now.

Don't forget to check out what the rest of the sketch crew has done!

• Alice Wertz
• Monika Davis
• Lisa Hjulberg
• Sherrie Siemens
• Taylor Vanbruggen

So do you have any big plans for the weekend? I like pretty uneventful ones....uneventful is good! :) Hope you have a GREAT one though!

In Stamping Mode Supplies
Stamps: Be Mine Verve, By Definition Stampin' Up!
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Valentine's Martha Stewart
Accessories: Pink ribbon Hobby Lobby, Sultan Gem Clear Prima, Clear rhinestones, Deco Wedding Pins Making Memories, Heart & Stamp stickers Martha Stewart, Apron Lace edge punch Fiskars, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug, Scallop punch Stampin' Up!

Verve Sneak - Love Monkey and Accent Notes

Whew! I've just been stamping up a storm this month...and it's only 13 days in! Having a blast though...although my husband just walked in my office and informed me, "this room is FULL of cards!" LOL! Yes it is! Guess I should do something about it, eh? :)

Oh well! I've got some fun stuff to show you! I have the greatest pleasure to Guest Diva for Verve this month and yesterday began the sneaks. Here are just a few things I came up with.

Valentine Treat Toppers featuring the new set, Love Monkey.


I just got giddy when I saw these little guys....TOO CUTE!!


The possibilities are just endless for these little furry friends! Remember this book?? :)


My little monkey, AKA my son, Harrison, is turning 6 next month. This little guy was just PERFECT for his card!

If I can manage my time well, I may even be able to make some cute little Birthday invites using this as a base!

And finally, a clean and simple stationery card using the new set Accent Notes. You are just going to squeal when you see this set in it's entirety! SOOO many beautiful images.


There is definitely MUCH more eye candy to see over on the Verve blog and Guest Diva Rosie's blog!!

I soooo appreciate you coming and visiting me on my little 'ole space on the internet. Thank YOU for stopping in! :)

In Stamping Mode Supplies

Title of Project: Monkey Valentine Toppers
Stamps: Love Monkey
Paper: Neenah Solar White
Ink: Cocoa Memento
Accessories: Copics, Red glitter Stampin’ Up!, Glaze pens Sakura, Clothespins

Title of Project: My Little Love Monkey’s Turning 6
Stamps: Love Monkey, Heart’s Desire
Paper: Whisper White, Lil’ Man Cosmo Cricket
Ink: Cocoa Memento, Frayed Burlap Distress Ink Tim Holtz, Chocolate Chip Craft Stampin’ Up!
Accessories: Copics (E53, YG0000), Tags die Spellbinders, Chipboard Stampin’ Up!, Felt ribbon Stampni’ Up!, Hemp, Buttons, Paper Distresser

Title of Project: Just a Note
Stamps: Accent Notes
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black and Soft Sky designer paper all Stampin’ Up!
Ink: Onyx Black Versafine
Accessories: Black Satin ribbon Papertrey Ink, White Opal Liquid Pearls, Small Circle and Small Scallop Circle Nestabilities Spellbinders, Circle Scissors Stampin’ Up!, Mistletoe Design Card Slice, Slice Machine

Verve Guest Diva and a Winner

So did you see the news over on the Verve Blog?!? I am a Guest Diva for the month of January!! I'm so thrilled to be chosen and yes, I've already gotten to play with this month's release!!! You are just going to love it and I can't wait to share what I've made. :) So be on the lookout for some sneaks in the coming week and a half or so.

And now to announce the winner of my belated Blogoversary candy!!

Random.org chose #27 which is:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your Blogoversary! I love checking your blog and getting inspired. I celebrated my last child graduating from High School. No more school - its exciting for them but a little sad for me...they grow so quickly.

Thanks for the chance to win and I hope 2010 is a great year for you.

Judith
justdaja@yahoo.com.au

January 1, 2010 3:47 PM

Congratulations Judith!! I will be emailing your shortly to get all your deets. :)
Also, thank you to everyone else who commented AND who visit my blog. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your comments....some made me REALLY laugh!

Now...for some more goodie news tomorrow!!

*hugs*

Clean and Simple and a tag

I get some new Verve goodies in the mail yesterday, and of course, had to play right away! I just love this release of Julee's...everything about it! So this week's CAS challenge over on Splitcoast was to use Brown, Red, and white/vanilla. Perfect for a Valentine's card, in my opinion!

I used the sets Thankful Accents and Thankful Hearts on this one. And I just noticed both of these sets are still on sale...SCORE!

I also had some time to take on another of Tim's tags. Here's my tag #3.


He showed how to make a cool plaid pattern on glossy cardstock. I didn't have access to the materials he used, so I just used my sponge dauber to make my own little plaid with white craft ink on kraft cardstock. I kind of went a bit monochromatic and I like it!

Ok, I need to move a little faster on tackling these tags, lol. Hope to get more stamping time in later. :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

A mini book for MY dad

I actually started this project back in June for my dad's birthday/Father's day...and of course I didn't get far...I'm just slow as molasses trying to do scrapbook pages...no matter how small! Anyway, the Verve challenge to make Gifts, Decor, and more really inspired me to get back at it and hopefully finish this to present as a Christmas gift for my dad. Now, my dad is a real sensitive guy (don't tell him you read that here!) and I think that he'll appreciate this a ton. I actually had tears in my eyes putting this together. Here's the cover on an acrylic scalloped square base.


I actually really love how this cover turned out! Lots of dimension with the chipboard all over it.


On the inside of the cover is the first page...him holding me as a newborn. :)


Can you tell by the haircut he was in the military? Or is it that military green shirt that gives it away? LOL!
And onto the next page!


What a handsome man he is! He was so lucky to be blessed with such a chubby baby! hee hee
So I'm not completely done with the mini-book yet, but the pictures progress all the way up to my high school graduation. I hope he cherishes it as I cherish him!

Now...for some quick non-stamping-related stuff :)

Today was "bring a friend day" over at our little friend, Sophia's ballet class. The class is for 2-3 year olds...and well, I think that my Catie might be a little young for the class. She barely lasted 15 minutes, ROFL! Here are a couple pics I wanted to share. :)

She just couldn't stand still! During the stretching routine, she just stood by the door moving her arms in the stretch motions...then she walked around the class a bit, opened the door, and proceeded her merry little way OUT! LOL


She has really been into hair clips lately so she insisted the little blue one stay on...you know 2 year olds and their temper tantrums?! I didn't want to battle one so we just left it on. :)

I'll be back in the morning with my take on Taylor's Sketch Challenge so see you then! Busy night tonight and still a million things to do....

I won blog candy!

I couldn't believe it, but a couple weeks back, I discovered that I had won some FABULOUS blog candy over at Christine Creations. Let me tell you, this girl does BEAUTIFUL work and I was just thrilled that I won....1) because I never win anything and 2) I've definitely never won any candy despite the many many times I've left comments to try, LOL! Check out what I won HERE. Oh yes....it's good to win! :) Anyway, I wanted to make a Thank You card for Christine for her generosity! I used the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge for inspiration.


I didn't want to use the traditional "thank you" greeting, so I went with "You're the Best" from Verve's Kindred Spirits set. You ARE the best Christine, and thank you so much for the sweet candy. :)


Here's a quick rundown of the deets.
The card base is Very Vanilla and all of the designer paper comes from Cosmo Cricket's Girl Friday. I used the Nestabilities Labels 1 die and then stamped the dots within with Papertrey's Vintage Labels in Rose Red ink. The chipboard flower is from Stampin' Up! as well as the leaves. I covered them with Very Vanilla craft and Old Olive craft ink and then glittered the flower with Martha Stewart's fine glitter. I also added some Bamboo Leaf Shimmerz Spritz to the leaves. The buttons are from my stash and the little butterflies were punched with a Martha Stewart punch I bought at Michael's a while back. Hope you enjoyed it! :)

PS. I'll be celebrating something VERY special tomorrow so watch for it...you just may win something fantastic yourself! :)

Mojo Challenge and Upcoming Blog Hop

I have a couple of really quick announcements before I get to my mojo card.

First, my card from Mojo 89 was selected as a top 20 card!!! WOOOOOOT!! It's always so nice to know that someone out there enjoyed your creation...don't ya think??

Second, Shimmerz is celebrating a birthday this coming Tuesday, June 16th, 2009. There will be a blog hop with $80 worth of Shimmerz product as a prize!!! As a guest DT member, I get to participate, so be sure and come by on Tuesday to ogle over my project and then proceed to the beginning of the hop and continue on through so that you can win that fabulous prize! Wanna see a pic?


*hint* *hint* There is a fabulous rumor that some participants of the blog hop are also having blog candy in celebration....LOTS of things to win my friends!

So onto my Mojo #90 card for the week!

I used Verve's new set Up, Up and Away coupled with the greeting from Sweet on You. I just loved making this card! The dsp is the Pink Flamingo dsp from Stampin' Up! I first stamped the clouds from the stamp set all over my white cardstock. I then colored around the clouds with my copic markers and then added Liquid Applique onto the clouds. Let that dry over night and then heat for the best fluffy clouds. Don't believe me? Lookie!


Ok, I'm off to go and hop on the treadmill. I overindulged in my favorite meal of Tortellini with clog-your-arteries-on-the-spot Alfredo sauce. MMmmmmmm...

See you back here for the blog hop!

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge 6

Here are the colors and boy were they a challenge!!! I pulled out one of my Verve sets, Meditations and coupled it with a greeting from Bella Blossoms by Stampin' Up! Since, I don't have any PTI colors/inks *sniffle*, I used Stampin' Up! colors Cameo Coral, Cool Caribbean, and Chocolate Chip.



I actually am loving these colors put together. It really looks so fresh and fun! Thanks so much for looking!

Stamping Mode Supplies
Stamps: Meditations by Verve, Bella Blossoms by Stampin' Up!
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Cool Caribbean, Cameo Coral
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Cool Caribbean, Whisper White, Walk in the Park dsp
Accessories: American Crafts Mockingbird baby ribbon, clear rhinestones (colored with copics), buttons from my stash

Happy Anniversary

Eight years ago today we said, "I do." I can still remember that day like it was yesterday. I thought I was the happiest woman in the world. Who knew that sitting here...8 years and 2 children later, I'd be happier and love you more than I did then? You have given me the greatest gifts I could ever have...your heart, our children, patience, understanding, and so much more beyond words. Thank you Jeff for being my rock. I love you always...forever.




I made this following the Mojo Sketch #77. I tried not to use too many "frilly" things since this is a man-card, lol. I used a couple of my favorite Verve stamps, Hundred Hearts and Hearts on Fire. The base cardstock is Baja Breeze and the rest of the paper is a new paper pack from Cloud 9 called Cocoa Mint. The argyle dry embossing is from a new Sizzix embossing folder I found at Archiver's.

Hope you have a GREAT day!