Thank You

Yes, thank you.  Thank you for happening by, for reading, for commenting or just thinking about what I have posted here. 

This is an uber-simple card with 5 layers.  It is not my regular style, layered up like it is.  It does reflect how I feel today.  I just wanted things to be simple, symmetrical and clean (in design). 

Today, I am contemplating how to finish FUN week for my daughter.  We have been to the Children's Museum, the zoo, to a local hotel with a heated pool, had an overnight with a grandma and have a play date today.  I think that is plenty for one who is four years old. 

Switching back to the main theme, thanks again for sharing your time with me!

Details - Stamps: Thank You Kindly; Paper: River Rock, Old Olive, PC Soft Serenity; Ink: Versamark, Old Olive; Accessories: clear ep, heat tool.

Viva La Verve in December

I had a chance to play today and created the last three cards for December's Viva La Verve sketch challenge.  This is the 4th sketch by Teresa Kline.  One twist with Viva La Verve is that it's an inspiration and sketch challenge combination.  This month the topic of inspiration is Ornaments and Decor.  I find a fun Christmas decor site and used this Nativity Stable for my inspiration. 

I think this Plain Jane from Verve is totally cute!  I went with a yellow and blue color scheme to mimic the stable colors, the stars in the image to match the star hanging in the stable and the embossing folder to match the backdrop of the stable. 

I modified the sketch a bit.  I didn't add in the butterflies, as it just didn't work for me.  I also didn't use different papers, but used different colors to represent layers.

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Little Star (Verve); Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy; Ink: Night of Navy, Versamark, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight; Accessories: Moroccan Screen ef, Nestabilities, clear ep, heat tool, white wrinkled ribbon, mini glue dot, stampin' dimensionals, sponge dauber.

The Day After

This is a photo I took with my daughter's new Mickey Mouse camera!  It's a little grainy but perfect for her.  I altered the photo a bit and made it black and white.  She is really having a ball with all of her new toys.  My hubby wants to go camping (in the rain!).  I think it is not a good idea for several reasons.  The weather is poor.  One of the dogs is sick.  We also would be leaving all of the new toys.  I am sure that we would have fun and we could bail out if the weather turned terribly cold or we couldn't get outside due to rain.  I just don't think it's a good idea.  Camping is for spring and summer.

Since this post features Sweet Pea, I thought I would post this card she made for the last VSN.  I can usually get her to play along with me.  This card was made for Peggy's VSN challenge called Nine Count, where there had to be at least 9 things on the card.  We stamped 9 cupcakes.  I made pencil marks to guide her and then she stamped and colored.  She also chose her own butterfly accent.  I wasn't surprised as the first thing she heads for in my craft room is my MS butterfly punch or the bottle of Modge Podge.  Strange, but that is my girl!
Last week, she used the birthday card she made to accompany a birthday present for one of her daycare friends!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Bitty Basics, Occasional Quotes; Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Pretty in Pink; Ink: Basic Black; Accessories: colored pencils, red gingham ribbon, MS butterfly punch, two way glue pen.

O Holy Night

This star is brightly shining!  Okay, I wanted to tie today in with my card, but I didn't have the perfect card for today.  I want to wish all who happen by here a very Merry Christmas!  I do think that the ivory and the gold make for a very pure looking card.  This makes sense to me for today!

This is from the last VSN and Carole's challenge to make a Christmas card without red and green.  I was able to do that and added some embossing.  Each and every Christmas, I hit my embossing powder hard!  I don't know why, but embossing and Christmas go hand and hand for me.  I used one of Julee Tilman's sketches for this card!  Love her ideas!!!  Speaking of which, I have a few sketches printed out to play with.  Maybe after my girl hits the hay, I will get some play time with a new crafty tool!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Loads of Love, Serene Snowflakes; Paper: Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold; Ink: Versamark; Accessories: Gold ep, heat tool, Textile ef, Nestabilities, M's Ivory satin ribbon, stampin' dimensionals, glue dots, Chit Chat rub-ons.

Everyone Knows I Love a Good Game!

It's only too bad that I just found it.  With games like this, I love how the excitement builds.  However, I say, "better late, than never".   You can find more about this game here :)  Heck, you will want to play too, as the prize gets bigger with the greater the number of players.

Seeing this game posted reminds me that I need to dig out the story or the movie for my little one.  It's jus the right time and the perfect weather for it (I live in Washington and it rains here!).

Okay, off to read the rest of the game posts and to find that movie!

Meeting A Goal

At the beginning of 2010, I decided that I would like to craft every day.  Well, I wasn't able to do that and I found that I didn't want to craft every day.  Sometimes the creative part of me needs to rest and I think this must be true for most.  I have however created at least 331 separate cards or projects that I have posted to my SCS gallery.  I know that I have made many other things that didn't get posted to may gallery.  I can think of 8 different cards and a gift card holder that I have made within the last two weeks that haven't been posted to SCS.  I wonder if it is at all possible for me to complete 365 projects in one year.  It's been a very fun and crafty year.

This particular card is left over from November's VSN.  This was for Lura's challenge called Twinkle, Twinkle... and I made it in honor of my daughter (thus the black bird for Raven). 

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Asian Artistry; Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Night & Day dsp; Ink: StazOn Jet Black, white acrylic paint; Accessories: XL bird punch, M's rhinestone, stampin' dimensionals, 1/8" black taffeta ribbon, mini glue dot, MM edge distresser, Finial Press ef.

It's The Holiday Spirit

I have finally got it and boy have I got it bad (or good, one might say)!  I might do myself a favor and remember that I enjoy the holidays soooo much more when I am prepared.  Almost all my shopping is done and I can now enjoy the rest of the shopping without pressure.  I do enjoy the holiday sights and sounds and the patience of people that doesn't normally exist!

This card is one from some time ago.   I made it for the VSN mini from this past October.  This was Kelly's challenge to be inspired by some Cloud 9 Design product.  I used a CPS sketch to get going on the challenge again.  Speaking of VSN, I haven't checked the thread lately to know if there is any news of the next VSN.  I had such a good time the last time that I would hate to miss it.  Have you ever played along with VSN?  It's a guaranteed good time!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: All Year Cheer II; Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso, AC Merrymint; Ink: Early Espresso; Accessories: white gel pen, oval template, slot punch, white satin ribbon, paper snips, glue dots.

A Fun and Festive Day

We started today out like any other Saturday with morning coffee and cartoons.  It quickly turned into a crazy, busy day!

The first stop we made was at the bank with a super long line.  The woman in front of me turned around and apologized for the three transactions that she had to make.  Next, we hit Starbuck's for a little Christmas shopping and liquid refreshment.  Then we headed to Michael's (coupon in hand) to get the birthday party gift and the kraft bag to which I attached this lovely tag I made for a recent Technique Tuesday challenge.  Again, terrible lines and a woman in front of us who was returning 12 Christmas picks.  The checker had to scan each pick and then she goofed up and had to have management assistance.  The woman returning all the picks said, "Oh, I'm so sorry.  I am THE person I hate to be in line behind".  I was gracious, but running out of time.  My four year was complaining of being hungry. We finally checked out and were on our way.

I elected not to go to the McDonald's nearby as it was further away from the party.  Instead I drove to the mall, parked, wrapped the package and took my daughter into the mall to find they had closed the McDonald's in the mall.  I offered to buy her pizza at Chuck E. Cheese instead and she agreed.  So off we went to the party at Chuck E. Cheese. 

I have never been to a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese and I will never go again.  There was this horrible schizophrenic energy in the room.  There must have been at least 3 parties going on and children running everywhere.  All the games had lights flashing and buzzers buzzing.  It was crazy.  I was afraid my daughter wouldn't eat her $8.00 pizza (as I have heard that their food is terrible), but she did.  I had a little bit and it wasn't too bad.  All in all, we spent two hours in that zoo.  Then I ran out to the parking lot to move clothing, stamps and a dozen farm fresh eggs into my girlfriend's car while she watched the children.  Of course, the forecasted downpour had begun and I discovered that my shoes are toast as one of my feet got soaked!

I was going to run more errands, but I bagged it and took my daughter home for a nap.  My hubby had stoked up the wood stove and the house was nice and cozy.  She went to sleep quickly and I caught up with some chores and even had time to clean up my craft room a bit.

Bedtime is in a few minutes so that I can prepare for tomorrow's Christmas party for the grandkids at my MIL's house.  I'm not very excited about a house full of children in a very small house with a grandma who has no limits!  I think I will only last for a couple of hours.

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: A Little Round (Technique Tuesday); Paper: Kraft; Ink: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip; Accessories: sponge dauber, 1 1/4" square punch, stampin' dimensionals, MM eyelet, deep red embroidery floss, Star Dust Stickles, Chit Chat rub-ons.

Fortune 500

This, my friends, is hubby's hobby!  This is what leaves me several guilt-free crafty nights a month.  With weekly practices and several shows a week, I get a bit of free time.

Tomorrow night is a great example.  They are playing in the San Juan islands tomorrow night and that requires leaving early and staying overnight due to limited ferry schedules. 

Anyway, this card was for Pat's VSN challenge to make a card inspired by music.  I chose hubby's new CD and cased the cover for my card.

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: Pure & Simple Alphabet, Rough Edges Alphabet, Always; Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Summer Sun, Tangerine Tango; Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Versamark; Accessories: white ep, heat tool, MM page pebbles.

A Verve Gift Trio

I got a little crafty with some gift items for my nephew who is an exchange student in Germany.  It's a good thing that the Verve deadline is today, as I need to get this in the mail to my nephew!  This  trio is for this month's project parade. 

I chose to use blue as he has a constant argument with my mother, his grandmother, about blue being a Christmas color.  My mother disagrees with him. 

So what you see here is a CD holder (the large square), a pop-up gift card holder (the smaller square) and some gift wrap (that casually hides some Almond Roca)!

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps:  Merry Wishes (Verve); Paper:  Kraft, Whisper White, Soft Sky, SEI Wintersong dp; Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Sky, Versamark, Craft White; Accessories:  Nestabilities, White ep, heat tool, Stardust Stickles, Waterfall Stickles; May Arts Burlap string, White SU ribbon, stampin' dimensionals, white gel pen, paper snips.

More Time

I had more time for crafting today and began work on a project I have been thinking about for two weeks now!  I'm not ready to show the whole project, but I will tell you that I have been working with my Verve images. 

So.....I picked a card that I made with my Verve stamps from the last VSN.  I made this one for Carole's challenge and even stamped inside my card!  I hardly ever do that!

I am having trouble adding the little peek inside, so check it out here!  I also used Karen Giron's sketch for this card. 

Thanks for stopping by :)

Details:  Stamps: Kind Words (Verve), Blue Skies (Verve), Beautiful You (Verve); Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Poppy Parade; Ink: Poppy Parade, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Peach Parfait; Accessories: Square Lattice ef, Nestabilities, M's silver pearls, stampin' dimensionals.

Time For Crafting

I hope so!  I am home from school today as my daycare provider is still in Hawaii for her vacation and my relative that was supposed to care for her fell ill.  I am not too upset about it though.  Nothing critical is going on at work today and I have a huge to-do list in order to get ready for Christmas.  I think nap time will be quite productive for me. 

I hope to play a couple of challenges today.  Maybe I will make a set of 3x3 cards like this set.  I made this for Marilyn's VSN challenge that last go round!  Seriously, I made this cute set of  4 in under 45 minutes.  I went CAS and that always helps.  I did do kissing with a solid image butterfly stamp and then fussy cut them out.  I applied glitter and popped them up on a plain white base.  Finally, I added a short sentiment!

Thanks for looking and have a terrific Tuesday!

Details - Stamps: Butterfly Accent, Vintage Labels, Canvas, French Filigree, Pretty Pattern, Woodgrain; Paper: Whisper White; Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso; Accessories: Paper snips, Two way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds, stampin' dimenisonals.

An Apple A Day...

Or maybe just a post a day will keep the crafting blues away!  I made this fun little card during the last VSN.  I made this one for Lela's challenge to make a thank you card and to make it personal.  I made this card to give to a teacher friend, thus the apple theme.  I cut the paper strategically to isolate the one green apple and then worked with the design to come up with a Clean and Simple design that could work. 

Crazy, but I used decorative scissors to get those tiny little scallops.  I just had to try and it wasn't too bad.

Thanks for stopping by!

Details - Stamps: One of a Kind; Paper: Random Textured White, Chocolate Chip, OA Cherry Hill dp; Ink: Chocolate Chip; Accessories: large oval punch, scalloped oval punch, decorative scissors, corner chomper, stampin' dimensionals.

It's The Holiday Season

I am feeling a little bit of the holiday spirit.  While I have been busy crafting, I haven't been posting much!  I will be trying to get back into the routine of posting, especially with winter break coming up. 

This set of 10 cards is the November selection I made for this year's Christmas Card challenge.  Can you believe that I made 110 Christmas cards this year.  Since my little one is still young, I send picture cards to family and friends at the holidays.  What that means is that the ladies that I work with were absolutely thrilled to be able to pick up a few hand made boxed sets of Christmas cards.  That's right, I built my own boxes and used acetate to make the lids so you could see the cards.  I also received three custom orders for Christmas thank you cards and mother-in-law/sister-in-law gifts.  Hooray, it was fabulous!  Although, now that I am busy with holiday prep and projects, I have 30 cards to make!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Sunday!

Details - Stamps: Short & Sweet; Paper: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Jillibean Soup Heavy Cream; Ink: Early Espresso; Accessories: small oval punch, large oval punch, white taffeta ribbon, stampin' dimensionals.