a proud mommy!

I actually stamped a couple cards last night using my Fresh Cuts stamp set. And I made an SU! only scrapbook page this morning. But you have to wait until tomorrow to see my projects!!!

I have seen a lot of cute kids- but mine are the cutest! So I just can't help showing them off! These are pics that I took today when we were swimming at our local community pool.Kyler: He actually liked the water this year! He was petrified last year! (The scrapbook page that I stamped this morning is for these pics!!!! Can you believe that I made the page before we even went swimming?!)
Makenzie- She was a fish! I was shocked. She never got out and didn't want to go home either! And she had a smile on her face for the entire time!

Laynee- She is the youngest and I wasn't sure if she was going to like the water. She is scared of baths. But she did alright. She was hesitant. She didn't get too wet and liked to hold hands with someone.
Danika- She looks happy in this shot, but it quickly went downhill. She was scared of the water! She would stand at the edge and she didn't even like getting her feet wet. My DH finally got her in but he had to hold her with both arms or she would get scared. And she was only in about 6 inches of water!
So my non-swimmers spent more time in the chairs than in the water!

Lots of people ask me how I find time to scrapbook with four kids. I just tell them that if their kids were as cute as mine- they would make time to scrapbook them too!! All kidding aside, the way that I am able to find stamp time is that my DH is so supportive! He allows me to sneak away. I think he knows that I need it for my sanity!

See ya tomorrow for more stamping creations!

a movie and a class project!

My hubby and I went to a movie today!!! And we didn't bring the kids!!! We have not been to a movie together in 6 months!!! And guess what movie we saw...Sex in the City!!! My hubby was 1 of only 3 guys in the theater! And the movie was great! I laughed a lot. And I even felt a tad teary eyed a couple times! It made me wish that I had friends like Carrie. I guess it is different when you have kids though!

Now on to the card...

UPS showed up at 8:30 last night with my new Fresh Cuts stamp set. 10 minutes later, I had this card made! I am in love with the stamp set and with the note cards! And so I decided to use them in my class next month! And this is one of the projects they will be making. I'll have more info about how you can buy a long distance kit next week.

Right now I am getting ready to take 4 kiddos swimming at the city pool. It's crazy!

Don't forget to check out my post from yesterday about registering for blog candy!

Ribbon Love and Blog Candy Teaser!!

I LOVE ribbon!!! I almost never make a project without at least a little ribbon on it. I once went to a scrapbook crop and told them about my ribbon love. A couple of the gals looked at me strangely and said that they had never used ribbon in their scrapbooks. My jaw just dropped! No ribbon!!!! I don't understand! So when I saw this card: http://forum.papertreyink.com/forum/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=12448 - I knew I needed to case it!!!

The pattern paper and the yummy polka dot satin ribbon is by Papertrey. The cardstock, brads and stamps are from SU!. The stamp set is Holidays and Wishes. I made the scallop border with my corner rounder.

And now a blog candy teaser!!! I have decided to give some blog candy next week! And it will be some good candy!! But in order to win- you have to be one of my Feedbitz subscribers! When you sign up for email updates to my blog you will be eligible to win. So sign up now! More info on the candy on Monday!!!

Have a great night!

Howdy!

I have a real simple card for you today! I just couldn't seem to find any Mojo today! I must have used it all yesterday. But I made this card last week and never had a chance to show it off.

Recipe:

Stamps: Wanted, Billy Stamps (by Pink Cat Studio)

Paper: Western Sky DSP, River Rock, Soft Sky

Ink: Blue Bayou

Other: Large Oval Punch, Brads, Twill

My hubby actually says "Howdy" all the time. I make fun of him for it because I think it makes him sound like a hick!! But it sure does make a cute sentiment on a card!!

More challenges and some GREAT news!

Two posts in one day!!! I am finally starting to feel better and so I got a lot done in the stamp room! But first- I have to share some GREAT news with you!!! A few days ago I mentioned on my blog that I wished I was a Great Swap Girl. And guess what?!!! My wish came true! I got an email today inviting me to join the Great Swap Girls 2 group! I am super excited since I will be swapping with amazingly talented stampers!! If you haven't already- you need to go check out their blog:http://greatswapsgirls.blogspot.com/

Now on to some cards! The first card I did for the SCS Featured Stamper Challenge. We were challenged to CASE something from the gallery of SCS peanutbee. I didn't find this to be a challenge at all because she has such an awesome gallery! I chose this card to CASE: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/909235?cat=500&ppuser=122849

I loved the flowers and the sponging in the original card. I did change the colors, the flowers, the sentiment, and the patterned paper. I also had to move a couple of the flowers to make them fit. The flowers and the patterned paper are from Heidi Grace and I have had them in my stash for a couple years! The sentiment is from It's Your Birthday and the cardstock is Whisper White and Old Olive along with Old Olive ink.

The next card I made for the Mojo Monday sketch challenge. Check out Julee's blog to see the sketch: http://poeticartistry.blogspot.com/ As soon as I saw the half circle on the bottom of the sketch I thought of the large flower from the Pretties kit!

I used the Afternoon Tea DSP (AGAIN!) along with Chocolate Chip and Whisper White Cardstock. The stamp is a set from the mini called Full of Life. I also added some Groovy Guava ribbon and a Build-a-brad. I am really liking the way this one turned out!

And one more challenge card:

I did this card from today's Color Challenge on SCS. The colors were Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, and Very Vanilla. I am not a huge fan of Sage Shadow so I decided to only use it in small amounts. I used the Spring Solitude Bundle which is a hostess set and Curvy Verses. I cut 2 of the flowers out and attached them with brads. I added my signature ribbon- and done! It is simple- but I like it!

If you have never tried a challenge before- I recommend them! They will make you a better stamper because they will stretch you do use colors, techniques, and layouts that you had never thought of.

I will see you tomorrow!

Inspired Scrapbook page

It's time again for Beate's Be Inspired Challenge! Here is the picture she came up with-I was first inspired by the colors. I picked out Pumpkin Pie, Soft Sky, and Basic Gray. I was also inspired by the large scallop shape in the middle of the dress. It made me think of the Carousel notes in the Occasions Mini! I started out making a card....and ended up with a 6x6 scrapbook page!!

Journaling: "The song of a morning bird, the blue sky, and the love of a toddler...Amazing."

I took this picture of Makenzie last month at the zoo and I just LOVE her great big smile! I cropped it pretty close so that the background and her dress would not be distracting. And I used lots of fun embellishments! I have not been hoarding!!! Yippee!

Recipe:

Stamps: Pretty Amazing

Paper: Basic Gray, Pumpkin Pie, Soft Sky, Whisper White, and Carousel Note

Ink: Black Stazon, Soft Sky, Pumpkin Pie

Other: Flowers from Pretties kit, Flower from Flower Fusion kit, rhinestone brad, silver hodgepodge hardware, blender pen, white gel pen

I hope to be back again today as I have more challenges to catch up on. I am hoping they will bring my mojo back!

SU! Makeover Monday

If you have not been to Andrea Walford's blog- then you are really missing out! She is super talented! Anyway- on Monday she challenges you to find a non-Stampin' Up! project and make it over with SU! supplies. I almost didn't participate as I still don't feel well and I am extra worn out from a long (and fun) day with the kids. But then I say this card: http://debbiedesigns.typepad.com/muse_and_amuse/2008/05/pencil-jar-copi.html
Isn't it cute?!! That patterned paper is adorable and the pencil stamp would be great for teacher gifts and cards. I love the layout so I thought I would do a quick makeover. Here is what I came up with.

I used my favorite SU! patterned paper- Afternoon Tea. I matted it in Wild Wasabi and then put it on a whisper white card base. The circle was cut with my colluzzle and then I paper pieced the Onesie from By Ones and Twos. The buttons on the layout made me think of a baby card. I planned on adding a sentiment- but I kind of tuckered out. But I think I will try the same sketch again tomorrow!

Hope you had a great weekend! I did! But I am still happy that the kids will be back to school tomorrow!

Great Swap Girl Challenge and some pics!

I am not a Great Swap Girl. I wish I was! But I can do the challenge anyway!!! The challenge was to CASE a card from Great Swap Girl Jimmi Mayo. She has a cute gallery- but as soon as I saw this card: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/851293?cat=500&ppuser=71474-
I knew it was the one I wanted to CASE! And the best part- it took about 10 minutes from start to finish!

I loved the simplicity of Jimmi's card. So I CASED the layout. I changed the colors to Papertrey Spring Moss and the matching DP. I also used Spring Moss Polka Dot Ribbon. Love it!!! I did add a couple things. I put my sentiment (from Just Celebrate in the mini) in a small oval hodgepodge piece. I also used my Cropadile to add little embossed dots on the scallops. And that's it!

Now here are some pics of the kids from yesterday's excursion to the park.
Danika- the DivaKyler and Danika riding in the Escalade the Uncle Bryan bought them for Christmas a couple years ago.
Makenzie- my Girly Girl

the twins- Danika and Makenzie. Isn't this a great shot?! I won't tell you how many times I made them go down the slide before I got a good one!!!
Kyler- the boss!


Ok, I am still not feeling well so I am going to go park my bottom on the couch! Hope you're having a great holiday weekend!

Mini Scallop Card

I don't feel well today. I am still in my pajamas and I have spent the entire day just laying around. But I did manage to stamp this little mini card. It is going to be one of the make-and-takes at my workshop tomorrow morning.

I used a tutorial by Andrea at Sunny Stampin' for this one. She used hers for a candy treat and I used mine more like a pocket card. It would also fit a gift card perfectly! And it is soooo easy to make. You just take a carousel note and score it at 1 1/2 on three of the four sides. You use scissors to cut off the 2 bottom corners and then fold it on the score lines. To get it to stay closed- wrap a belly band of DSP around it. My DSP is 1 x 7 and I adhered it with snail. I decorated it with Afternoon Tea DSP, the butterfly from the Essence of Love set and a few punches. It still needed a little something....so I used a glue dot to adhere a small flower and pearl from the Pretties kit. Done!

Today our high was in the 60's!!!! It was awesome. That's 50 degrees cooler than it was last weekend. Oh how I love to be able to open the windows and feel a cool breeze coming in!

BTW: I put all my sale-a-bration stamp sets up for sale in my ebay store. They are selling FAST so if you want any be sure to check it out ASAP. The link in on the left side of my blog. I will be mosting more retired stamps soon.

Howdy Partner!

I don't usually toot my own horn- but I have to say that I LOVE this card!!!! I used my Pink Cat Studio Billy stamps again with my copics!

Isn't he adorable?!!! He reminds me of my kids playing dress-up and running around with a stick horse. And he makes the perfect masculine card which is the Way to Use it Challenge today on Splitcoast.

Recipe:

Stamps: Billy Stamps by Pink Cat Studios

Paper: Western Sky DSP, Blue Bayou, River Rock, Whisper White

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Blue Bayou

Other: Copic Markers, Real Red Gingham Ribbon, Vintage Brads, Large Oval Punch

It's raining out!!!!! It almost never rains in the Phoenix area so this is cool! On Saturday it was 110 degrees and right now it is down in the 60's according to my computer!!! I love just sitting next to the window and smelling the rain. Crazy, huh? I know the hot temps will be back nest week so I have to enjoy this break while I can.

I am going to scrapbook with one of my clubs tonight! We always have so much fun together. I will be starting new clubs in August so let me know if you are interested.

Nighty Night!

Making Memories

I am posting a tad early today since my hubby is home and we are having company over for dinner tonight! Enjoy! I have lots to share!

First I bought 1 sheet of this Making Memories paper from the Garden Party line at Michael's. I used it right away and had to go back for more- along with a few embellishments from the same line! You know how much I like to work with coordinating product!!! Then one day I was in Target and saw a pack with the paper, more embellishments, and die cut monograms. I had to have them!!! So today I am going to show you a variety of cards and scrapbook layouts that I made with these supplies!!! A few of these things I have already shown you- but I included them again just so you could see the different things I did with the kit.

Cute

Paper: Making Memories DP, K and Company DP on the inside of the card, Whisper White

Other: Chipboard and Button Brads by MM, Old Olive Ribbon, Corner Rounder

I think this would be a perfect baby card!

Thinking of You

Stamps: Essence of Love

Paper: Making Memories DP, Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive

Other: Flowers by Making Memories, Rhinestone Brad, Old Olive Ribbon

I love how sparkly this patterned paper is!!! This is the first paper that caught my attention from this particular line! It is perfect for Easter, Spring, Mother's Day, and Girls!

I Love Being Your Mom

Paper: K and Company DP, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

Other: Flowers, Buttons, Chipboard, and die cuts by MM, Old Olive Ribbon

The big photo corners on the bottom of this layout are sparkly!!!

The Hunt (Girl Version)

Stamps: Best Friends Lower Alphabet

Paper: MM DP, Whisper White

Ink: Certainly Celery

Other: Die Cuts, Flowers and Buttons by MM, Certainly Celery Ribbon



This layout is the perfect way to showcase some fun DP!!!

My Chick

Stamps: A Good Egg

Paper: DP by MM, Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink: Black Stazon

Other: SU Marker to color the chick, Chipboard by MM

The Girls

Stamps: Best Friends Lower Alphabet

Paper: DP by MM, Whisper White

Ink: Certainly Celery

Other: Flowers, Buttons, and Die Cuts by MM



OMG! I just realized that there is no ribbon on this girly layout!!!! How did I do that?!! Don't you love these sweet photos that I took of my girls on Easter morning?! The polka dots on their dresses match the DP nicely!

The Hunt (boy version)

Stamps: Best Friends Lower Alphabet

Paper: DP by MM, DP by DCWV (the small floral piece next to the pic), Whisper White

Ink: Certainly Celery

Other: Die Cuts by MM, Bashful Blue Brads

The die cuts on this page have a little sparkle to them. I love that all the die cuts I got at Michael's already had bling! The ones that came in the kit from Target didn't have the bling.

Baby

Paper: DP by MM, Soft Sky, Whisper White

Other: Chipboard and Buttons by MM



This line of products made me flower and button happy!

Hi

Paper: DP by MM, Soft Sky, Whisper White

Other: Chipboard and Flowers by MM, Rhinestone Brad

The Eggs

Paper: DP by MM, Old Olive

Other: Die Cuts by MM, Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon


So what do you think???? Do you like Making Memories Garden Party line of paper and embellishments? Which project is your favorite?

Thanks for stopping by!

Lots of Cards!

Yesterday's post was wordy so I decided that today I would show you a bunch of cards to make up for it!!
Wish Big
Recipe:
Stamps: Warm Words
Paper: Bali Breeze DSP, Whisper White
Ink: Old Olive
Other: Flower Fusion, Rhinestone Brads, Tempting Turquoise ribbon

Berry Best

Stamps: Punny Valentine & Year Round Puns (by Papertrey Ink)

Paper: Summer Picnic DSP, Real Red, Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive, Real Red

Other: Red Striped Ribbon, Red Brads, Nestibilities

I Love You

Stamps: Mailbox Greetings (by Papertrey Ink)

Paper: patterned paper by SEI, Barely Banana, Whisper White

Ink: Pumpkin Pie

Other: Flower Fusion, Silver Hodgepodge kit, Pumpkin Pie Striped ribbon, Small Oval Punch

On this card- it is hard to see, but I actually punched the oval through the patterned paper and the yellow. The sentiment is adhered to the white base and the hodgepodge is on the main panel. The whole thing is popped up with dimensionals.

Hoppy Birthday (first time using copics and first time using the Pink Cat Stamps!)Stamps: Billy Stamps (by Pink Cat Studio)

Paper: Jersey Shore, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black

Other: Copic Markers, Hodge Podge Hardware, Large Oval Punch, Wild Wasabi striped ribbon

So which one is your favorite???

Tomorrow night I will be posting a bunch of projects as well. They will be cards and scrapbook pages made with a Making Memories kit!!!

Goodnight! I think I am going to go watch American Idol while I color in some stamped images with my Copics!

This & That

First- I have decided to start posting at night. I have more time to type while the kids are sleeping than I do while they are eating breakfast. So guess what that means? I can be long-winded! He He!

First, I will show you a card since that is why most of you come.

I must admit that I am not loving this card. I just got my first 2 sets of nestibilities (the oval and the scallop oval) and this is the first thing I made with them. I usually hide the seam of my paper with the ribbon- but for some reason I decided not to on this one. Not the best decision! But it is made with my favorite stamp sets (Live Your Dream), my favorite color right now (Soft Sky) and some bling (Rhinestone brads). So it's not all bad!! I tried to do the rock and roll technique with the flowers- but I am not too good with that.

Ok- time for some pics of the kids from this past weekend!!!

You know that Wells Fargo commercial where the kids are all playing in the kiddie pool with a hose? It says "Someday a real Vacation." Well here is our version of the commercial!!

We spent most of the weekend in the blow-up pool in the backyard!! The pool actually has some leaks and so we have to refill it with air every hour or so. But the kids loved it (with the exception of Laynee who refused to get in) so it was worth it! And with the heat we have here- we have to stay in the water. It was 110 degrees here today!! You read that right!!

Kyler

Danika

Makenzie

Aren't they adorable?!!! I am loving the little bikinis! I got them at Marshall's and they were so cheap!!!

And now some kid stories:

- I had Scrapbook Club yesterday (Hi Jill!) and my parents were going to watch the kids for me. My mom came down with the flu so it ended up being just my dad. He has never watched all four kids by himself. He called before church and told me that he was going to take them to the mall for an adventure. I laughed! Four toddlers at the mall would definitely be an adventure! Well- you wanna know what he ended up doing with them??? He took them all to the movies!!!! CRAZY!!! Seriously- would you take fours kids (ages:4, 2 1/2, 2 1/2, and 1 1/2) to the movies by yourself?? But he did!!! And he survived! Maybe I need to step it up a little. Nah.

- I was waken this morning by a four year old in my face. He was repeatedly saying "Mommy, are you awake?" I decided to not move and see if he would leave me be for a little while. He just got louder!!!! I don't even know why we have an alarm clock. I have not had to use it in eons! I have four- walking, talking- alarm clocks!!! And they are kinda like roosters. They get up when the sun does!

-But the wake-up calls are all worth it at night when you get the sweet goodnight! I said "I love you, Danika." And she says "I love you too, mommy." So Sweet! Never get sick of hearing that! So I said "That makes me so happy." And she said "It makes me happy too." That will be journaling on a future scrapbook page for sure!

Sorry this was so long! But I had all day to think about what I wanted to say!!! I'd love to hear from you so please leave a comment!! Especially if you have a cute kid story!