A Pretty Thanks

I made this card about a month ago for my Pretties class. And I was sure that I posted it. But when I needed to find it today- it was no where to be seen. So if this is a repeat- I apologize! I just love the little orange flower! I love that it was white and I was able to make it match my cardstock perfectly by just coloring it with a marker!

I actually made a new scrapbook layout today that I am super proud of- but I can't share it yet. Sorry!!! The rest of the day I spent working on Class by Mail kits.

Thanks Recipe:

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Live Your Dream

Paper: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery

Ink: Old Olive

Other: Flowers from the Pretties kit, Pumpkin Pie marker, Rhinestore brad, Pumpkin pie striped ribbon

2 Cute

I am exhausted after a long day with family- but I do have a scrap page to share. I saw these Halloween pics last night and I felt inspired! (I apologize for the glare. I forgot to take pics when it was lighter.)The DSP is from a retired SU! pack called Creepy Crawly. (I can't wait to see what Halloween paper they have this year!!!! New catty coming soon!!!!)
I am totally addicted to these American Crafts Thickers letters! They are showing up on all my pages lately. They have dimension and they are very reasonably priced. Now if only I had a LSS to buy them at!

The polka dot ribbon is just some random ribbon that I had in my scrap ribbon pile. The orange is from SU!

I used the white gel pen for my journaling. I sure love that gel pen!

I am about to fall asleep on my keyboard! And my cousin is ready to do some more scrapping so I best get another burst of energy!!!

Bloom

First- I wanted to share my happy news! I was at Michael's today for an interview and I noticed that the July Cards magazine is out! My first ever published card is in there!!! It was exciting to see the card on those glossy pages!

I am just sitting down to do some scrapping. I haven't made anything yet today since I had puppy class, a birthday party and the interview. Plus, I have out-of-state family staying with me.

So I am showing you a pic of a layout that Jill made a few weeks ago. She used the Ginger Blossom DSP, the embrace life stamp set and some SU! rub-ons. Aren't the pictures of her daughter just too cute?!!


I hope to have something of my own to share tomorrow. But I do have another busy day with the church, swimming at the city pool and my parents coming for dinner. Happy Stampin'!!

My Happy Place

Oh, what a day!!! Nothing unusual happened. But with 4 toddlers, 2 puppies, and a hubby- everyday is an adventure. And today was no different. I kept Makenzie home from school today for a special day with mommy. We went to a swimming play date. Now have you ever seen anything so cute?!
I having been working on some cleaning and organizing in my stamp/scrapbook room this week. Every so often I have to go through and re-organize as I find I have new products and tools. I am happy to report that although I am sweaty and exhausted- I have found my happy place again!!! So I thought I would show it off tonight! First of all- I must warn you that my scrapbook room is pink with green polka dots. I am serious! Now pick your chin off the floor and check out my digs!
When we moved into this house a few years ago some friends painted my room for me and my hubby put this large counter top in. It goes across an entire wall and is about 2 feet deep! I LOVE it!!

I have struggled with paper storage for years- but I am happy to report that I have found a system that works for me!!!!
I have these 3 filing crates that I bought at Target. Two of them are for my 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock and one for my 12x12 cardtsock. I have a file folder for each of the 48 Stampin' Up! colors plus naturals and in-colors. Instead of organizing them by color families- I have them organized with all the blues together and greens together, etc. It is easier for me to find the paper that way. I used to waste to much time trying to figure out what color family a particular color was in. Whenever I have scraps that are smaller than 12 inches, I file them in front of the full sheets of 8 1/2 x 11. Then I can easily see if I have a scrap that is large enough or if I need to cut into a new piece. I am using so much more of my scraps now!!!!

This is my 12x12 and it is organized in the same basic way- except that I use the dividers that SU! sells because file folders won't fit in the crate. I didn't take a pic- but let me tell you a little about my pattern paper storage. I have 12x12 drawers that are in rolling carts under my counter. I have a couple of drawers just for SU! DSP. I keep the DSP in the original package it comes in and I do my very best to put all the scraps back in the package when I am done. The other drawers are used for non- SU! paper (organized by company with an extra drawer for "other"), envelopes, bags, projects that are in process, class projects, and my newest purchases. You can see these carts if you look at the 1st pic of my whole room. I bought the carts at Cosco.

This is my non SU! ribbon. It is stored up on a shelf in these cheap sterilite containers that I bought at Wal-Mart. I store my SU! ribbon in the storage system that SU! sells. But I am outgrowing them and I saw something at Michael's that I might have to try!

These 12x12 drawers are right above my workspace and contain my chipboard, hodgepodge, pretties, cutting tools, and various water coloring tools. I plan to label them- someday!
I store my punches on a towel bar that I purchased for a couple of dollars at IKEA. I am running out of space!!! I store some of my smaller punches in a hanging pail at the end of the bar.

I store my brads and buttons on these magnetic strips that I also purchased at IKEA. The brads stick right to the strip in the SU! container. The buttons I stick in these little round magnetic containers that I found at IKEA.



Here are my magazines. I am a magazine lover!!! I collect them! But I have promised myself not to keep more than a few months worth at my workspace. So I write down ideas or tear out a sketch and add it to my inspiration book. Then I have to the hard thing- and throw the magazine away!

Here are boxes with cards that I have made. They are super cheap show box containers that I got at Wal-Mart. I put all my cards in a clean envelope and then file them in these boxes by occasion. I made little dividers with the cardboard that comes in the DSP packs and the tab punch. Now I can find cards in a jiffy!
I like to showcase my newest creations on this old china cabinet. It used to be my mom's and I repainted it and took the doors off. It works out great in my craft room and allows me to feel inspired by my own work!

I store my SU! stamps in plate racks that hang on the wall. I purchased about 12 of them for IKEA for a couple of dollars each. Now I can see my stamp sets!!! It is easier to find what I am looking for as I have them separated by them (Christmas, sentiments, Alphabets, baby, ect) but it also makes it easier to find a set when you are not sure what you are looking for! These racks hang all over my room!

I hope you have enjoyed the tour!!!! I have more to show- but it is too dark to take pics! Leave a comment with some of your favorite storage tricks. I know everyone loves to get new ideas that the heap of stuff that we "need."

I am heading for the couch!!!

Some more summer fun!

Don't you guys just LOVE these simply scrappin kits??!!! Right now my favorite is the Summer Fun one. The colors are so bright and happy! Click here, here, here, and here for more projects that I have made using this kit.

I found these pics of Kyler, who is now 4 1/2. He is just 5 months old in the pictures. They were hidden in a photo album. When Kyler was a baby- I scrapbooked holidays and special occasions. I didn't scrap many of my FAVORITE pics like I have done with the girls. So I am have been going back through photo albums and picking some photos to add to Kyler's scrapbook. For this layout I used a sketch from the Got Sketch 101 class. It was supposed to be a 2 pager- but since I only had 3 pics, I just used one side of the sketch.

Everything comes from the kit except the Brilliant Blue Cardstock, the clear button, and the rhinestone brads.
I punched a piece of that fun DSP to go behind the clear button.


I used the word window punch to make a few strips for this simple who, what, and when journaling.


Life sure has been busy!! Dentist appointments, pool parties, haircuts, pictures, puppies, various illnesses, etc!!! And tomorrow my cousin from New York is flying in for a week long visit. So tonight and tomorrow I am going to be cleaning up my scrapbook room so that we will have space for us both to scrap during the week. I am sure I will have plenty to share!

Happy Stampin!!

Tart and Tangy 3x3

I have a friend (Hi Sara!) who makes jelly. She was asking me for suggestions of a fun and cute tag to put on her jars of Jelly. I instantly thought of Andrea Walford's 3x3 card tutorial. I told Sara that I would test drive the tutorial for her. So here is what I came up with. Once I got it figured out- it didn't take long. But I do hate the Coluzzle!!! I am asking for some circle Nestibilities for my birthday!!! The DSP is Bali Breeze and the stamp set is Tart and Tangy.

Tag I'm it!!!

Ever since joining the Great Swaps Girls- I feel like I have made a new group of stamping buddies- even though we have yet to meet! And one of those buddies, Cyndy Lawrence, has tagged me! You have to check out her blog! She is AMAZING!!!

So now I have to tell you 7 random or weird fact about me:

1. Some people are addicted to Starbucks. I am addicted to Wendy's! Seriously- I know everyone who works there.

2. I LOVE coke. But not coke out of a can. Yick. I LOVE fountain cokes!!!!

3. I cannot eat rice without applesauce. If we run out of applesauce- then I don't eat the rice.

4. My kids probably think that they are movie stars and I am the Paparazzi. I take about 500 pics per month. (Even more during the month of December!) I have taken pics of my toilet (don't ask), my purse, and most recently- a bottle of ketchup.

5. Speaking of ketchup- I like it on eggs, mac and cheese, chicken, mashed potatoes, and of course- fries from Wendy's!

6. I watch the Young and the Restless every day. It is set to record on Tivo and I never miss an episode. I have been watching since attending a babysitters house in the 3rd grade.

7. I have 4 kids and 2 puppies- and it is perfectly quiet at my house right now. Now that is weird!!!

Now I have to tag 7 different people:

1. My Favorite Things

2. Stamp Your Heart Out

3. Stamps Alot

4. Zany Not Crazy

5. Stamp with Heather

6. the Scrappy Chick

7. Flutter by Atomicbutterfly

Check these blogs out! They are awesome!!!!

I got a bunch more of the projects done from my To Do list. So check back tomorrow as it is too dark to take pictures right now.

the Sweetest Thing

I'm back! Did you miss me? Sorry I didn't post again yesterday. Laynee has been home with me the last couple days because the air at her preschool has not been working. During the day I have to keep her and the puppies entertained and out of trouble while Scott sleeps! Then I thought I would get a lot done last night and I ended up with a bad migraine! I was in bed by about 6. I have a lot to catch up on- so hopefully you will see another post today!!!

This page is made special for Jill and Traci. Jill is going to be joining my SU! family in the next week or so!!! It's about time! They were both at my house on Friday ,night for my Fresh Cuts class and I promised them a scrapbook layout using the set. So here it is!!
The big flower is from the Pretties kit and I colored it with an aquapainter and Groovy Guava ink. The center is a circle punched from the DSP. Then I added the Build a Brad. The other 2 flowers were punched with the 5 petal punch from the Mellow Moss cardstock. I stamped the little flower from the Fresh Cuts set in Ruby Red on Whisper White cardstock. I cut them out and added them to the other flowers with a silver brad.
I used the background stamp from the Fresh Cuts set for the strip of Guava going across the layout.

Recipe:
Stamps: Fresh Cuts
Paper: Ginger Blossom DSP, Mellow Moss textures, Groovy Guava Textured, Whisper White
Ink: Ruby Red, Groovy Guava
Other: 5 petal punch, Pretties kit, Circle punches, Build a Brad, Groovy Guava Ribbon, Eastern Elegance Rub Ons (for the title)

Hope you enjoy!!!

Busy weekend!

Sorry- but I don't have anything to show! I taught class on Friday night. On Saturday morning I took the twins and Cooper to his first puppy class. (Cooper did fine. The twins- not so fine!) After puppy class, I had one of my scrapbook clubs. Then when I got home we made a spur of the moment decision to go to the movies! This morning we had church. Then we picked up the house and my parents came over. They took the kids to swim in the backyard and I made Chicken Parmesan for dinner. After dinner my mom taught Kenzie some ballet. It was VERY cute.

And now I am looking around my disastrous stamp room and feeling very unmotivated!!! I have to clean up a bit before I can get my stamping mojo on!

I will have something to show tomorrow!!!

Hope you all had a great weekend!

And our family keeps on growing!

And this time it is 4 feet at a time! Introducing Candee!

Yes- we adopted ANOTHER puppy!!! That's 2 puppies in 2 weeks! We went back to animal control today to get Cooper's shot record and they mentioned that they still had his sister. And they couldn't keep her much longer. About 30 minutes later we left we both dogs!! No more going to animal control for my hubby! He likes dogs too much!! It is the same reason I can't volunteer in the church nursery. I like babies too much that DH fears I will take one of the babies home with me!!! j/k!!

Anyway- Candee has been very mellow. But Cooper has been ecstatic! He won't leave her alone for a minute!

On to a stamped project. I actually made this last weekend- but wanted to wait until my friend mailed them out before I shared. She asked me to make birthday invitations for her daughter's 4th birthday. They are having a sprinkler, kiddie pool, slip and slide party.

The DSP and cardstock (except for white) come from the Summer Days Simply Scrappin' kit. (Have I enabled anyone to get that yet?!) The sand pail is from the Life is a Breeze stamp set in Pumpkin Pie ink. And I am loving the yummy striped ribbon! The actual invite was printed on my computer and matted on Wild Wasabi cardstock. Isn't it fun? I think that it screams summer!

Fresh Cuts Class Sneak Peak!

My Fresh Cuts Class is tomorrow and I have not shown anyone the projects we will be making. (To be honest- I had no idea what the projects would be until last night!) So here is one of the cards that the ladies will be making tomorrow night.

Gosh I LOVE this set!!!

Class Details:
Class includes the Fresh Cuts stamp set and note cards, plus all the supplies and instructions needed to make 6 cards. (2 each of 3 designs) Cost: $30

Drop me an email (sears1130@cox.net) if you are interested in a class kit. It you will be needing the kit to be mailed- I will have to charge for shipping. Class available for US customers only.

Recipe:
Stamps: Fresh Cuts
Paper: Fresh Cuts Note Card, So Saffron, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Soft Sky
Other: Soft Sky Ribbon, So Saffron Brad, 5 petal punch



Happy Stamping and Scrapping!!

Together Forever

I am exhausted!!! The puppy has been keeping me up at night! It really is like having a newborn! He has to go out and pee every few hours and then at about 4am- he decides not to go back to sleep. He barks until everyone is the house is up. Needless to say, the kids are tired too!

But just look at him!

He was just too cute to leave at animal control!!!!

It has been 112 degrees here in Arizona the last couple of days. It is miserable!!! I don't want to get in the car or cook, or even stamp! I have felt unmotivated!! I just want to lay under the fan until Taxi Mom has her next run!


Yesterday, I had to force myself to get a card made. I need a couple wedding cards for my cousin who is getting married next month. I have had one in my head for a while and so it came together quickly.



The colors are Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink, and Old Olive. They are the wedding colors.

I am off to stamp. I HAVE to design the projects for my class on Friday night!!! I have put it off as long as I can. Cross your fingers that I get some sleep tonight!

Together Forever Recipe:
Stamps: Fresh Cuts, Together Forever
Paper: Fresh Cuts Note cards, Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Mellow Moss, Old Olive
Other: Rhinestone brad and flower from the pretties kit, Pretty in Pink Marker, Mellow Moss Ribbon

That Face

Today I am showing you a layout that Jill and I put made together last week when we were scrapping. She had a 5x7 pic of her daughter that she really loved. And although the background is busy- she didn't want to crop it out as it was part of the memory for her. So I mounted the photo on white to help separate it from the DSP.

The DSP, Cardstock and die cut adhesives are from the Summer Days Simply Scrappin Kit. We did add rhinestone brads, flower fusion, some wild wasabi ribbon and Thickers from American Crafts.

Are you getting sick of all the scrapping yet??? Well I promise that I have a Stampin' Up! card to show you tomorrow!

Where there is Love

Before I share my layout- I just have to tell you my good news!!!! I got an email today from Cards magazine and they are going to be publishing 2 of my cards in their November issue!! I am doing the happy dance! And I needed something to brighten me up after stepping in a puddle of puppy pee (say that 10 times fast) and drinking sour milk (for the 2nd time in just a few days)!!! I can't wait for the July Issue of cards magazine as my first published card ever is in there!

Now on to a scrapbook layout. I made this with one of the sketches from the Got Sketch 101 class. It has so many more elements than I am used to and I LOVE that! (Just wait until you see the next layout!)
I made this with the Summer Days Simply Scrappin kit. I begged Jill to let me have her kit to make some invitations for a friend. (No worries- I ordered her a new one!) And after I finished the invites, I decided to use some of the leftovers for a layout.

I just had to add some flower fusion and some brads!!!! But there is no ribbon!!! Did your jaw just drop? No worries! The ribbon will be back!

This cool little bracket shape was made with a template that they gave us in the class. I just printed it on to some DSP and then cut it out. The journaling around it says: the Sears family: full of laughter, full of energy, but most of all full of love. I just wrote it with my white gel pen.

I am off to work on some swap cards (hello GSG!!!) and the next sketch for the class! And I have MORE scrapping to show you tomorrow!!