Paper, Scissors, and Glue

Little Yellow Bicycle Sketch Challenge

2012-01-17T09:00:00.000-06:00

The Wonder and Wishes/Winter Twig Cycling Team was asked if any of us wanted to play along with the sketch challenge that is going up this month. Of course I said yes! I love a good sketch and right now, it was a nice distraction from all the creating that I have been doing...and the mojo needed a kickstart!

You will have to head over to the Little Yellow Bicycling blog to see the fabby sketch that Liz Qualman came up with! It's a great clean and simple sketch, or you can dress it up and make it with more "stuff" on it!!

Here is my take on it....and yes, this differs from the original sketch! You know how I am, I have to change it up and just use the sketch as a jump off point!

Supplies: Cardstock-American Crafts; Pattern Paper-Little Yellow Bicycle Winter Twig collection; Die Cuts, Stickers and Embellishments-Little Yellow Bicycle Winter Twig collection; Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine in Blossom; Foam Letters-American Crafts; Punch-Fiskars Border Punch; Adhesive-Scotch, Fabri-Tac, and Scrapbook Adhesives

And here is a closer look at that Clear Cut Shape with The Twinery Twine!

Be sure to head over to the Little Yellow Bicycle blog to see the sketch and play along!!

And speaking of The Twinery, makes me bittersweet. My term is now over (I need to change the sidebar!) and I can't wait to see what the new team does with that WONDERFUL baker's twine. There are already new colors coming out, and I know I am going to have to have them!!

That's it from me! Have a wonderful Tuesday!!!

Whirlwind of Activity going on!

2012-01-16T19:47:00.000-06:00

Oh my geez! It has been NON STOP here! I feel like I have no idea which way I am going, what I am supposed to be doing, or when all this is going to end! I should expect it with CHA just right around the corner, but it always seems to creep up on me and then WHAM--hello, I am here!

I am posting my layout that debuted on the Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker blog for the new collection, Exit Here. I LOVE this collection and yes it is travel themed, but so versatile that you can use it for just about anything!

Supplies: Pattern Paper-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker Exit Here collection;

Stickers and Die Cut Embellishments-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker Exit Here;

Inks-Jenni Bowlin; Adhesives-Scotch, Scrapbook Adhesives

Tools: Silhouette Cameo, EK Success Punch

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Well, that is IT from me tonight!! Check back tomorrow, because the next Little Yellow Bicycle's Sketch Challenge is debuting on their blog and I was asked to play along! It's a fun sketch by Liz Qualman and you don't want to miss it!

Exciting News!!!

2012-01-11T07:00:00.000-06:00

The time is finally here to announce the new Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker Design Team! There are returning members and new faces in the mix. I am so honored to be the Design Team Lead for this group and cannot wait to see what they create with Nikki's products! I think it's going to be amazing. Here is the list of the new Doghouse Divas.....

Returning members are......

Julie Tucker-Wolek (Blog Coordinator)

Sarah Eclavea (Social Media Coordinator)

Deana Boston (Retailer Program Coordinator)

And the new Divas......

Stacey Rodriguez

Jodi Wilton (who is re-joining us from my original team 3 years ago)

Jennie McGarvey

Laurel Seabrook

Melissa Pablo

Melanie Jarocki

Marielle LeBlanc

And if you haven't been by the NSS blog, you have missed sneaks of the new collections that will debut at CHA later this month. I have been playing with them, which is part of the reason I have been so quiet on here. Here is a sneak of one of my projects........

Head over to the Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker blog to see the full project and the collection that it goes with!!! This collection is by far, one of my favorites of all time of Nikki's collections! Some of them are a little different this time and I for one am liking/loving them a lot!

Ok, this girl is crafted and blogged out for now! Make sure to leave some love over at Nikki's blog for the new girls!!

Happy Happy New Year....a day late!

2012-01-02T20:28:00.000-06:00

So, the end of December just FLEW by and I skidded right on into 2012 without updating for a couple of weeks. I would love to tell you it is because I have been creating like crazy and have fabby projects to share....but alas, no....that is not the case! Read on for more.......

It has been a WHIRLWIND around the house and it's not all because of the holidays. We had a fun (NOT) time the week of Christmas....we had to replace the entire sewer line all the way to the city main. Which involved tearing about 1/2 of the backyard completely up. Then on top of it, it had to be raining of course! So out came orange fencing to block it off from the dogs....here are a few quick pictures I snapped to capture the mess!

The Trench...this was partially filled in when I took this....

The way to keep the dogs out! LOL We lost a big butterfly bush, but it was partially dead from an ice storm. So, I don't know if we will replant or not. At least we didn't lose the shed!(that is the back of our neighbor's house!)

Christmas was good, and I hope to share pics from it soon...they are kind of still on the SD card! opps..... I did get a fun gift that I had no idea I was getting......an authentic TRAVELOCITY Gnome!!! I have wanted one since they first came out!

He needs a name....any suggestions???

And bright idea me is going to try the "One Little Word" concept for 2012. Not sure what I am going to do for it yet....maybe a layout a month with the word and then I will have an album of sorts with twelve layouts in it. I am going to do a mini based on it with this FUN little mini album from Basically Bare! Cardboard, chipboard and envelopes all combined in one fun little package!

Posted on Instagram...my user name is katrinahunt if you want to follow me! I don't post much, but I am trying to more, since I am also going to be trying to do Photo 365!

Well, that pretty much catches up what has been going on in the world on my end....I hope the rollercoaster slows just a little to let me catch up soon!

Winter Twig/Little Yellow Bicycle Cycling Team!

2011-12-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

Cycling Team Time!!!

It has been SO hard to keep these projects under wraps! I adore the Winter Twig collection, so fun and LOVE the various shades of blues! And I am so sad that now it's time for it to be over!

I am only going to share a couple of my projects here, but ALL of them will be over on the Little Yellow Bicycle blog, including instructions to make one of them from me! I did a total of four, so there are lots! SO, I want you to go over there! BLOG HERE-see I made it easy for you!

First up is the layout that I made. As soon as I found out that I which collection that I was going to get to work with, I knew that I wanted to do a layout with this particular picture.

Supplies: Pattern Paper, Chipboard, Stickers, Garland-Little Yellow Bicycle (Winter Twig); Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine; Adhesives-Glue Arts, Fabri-Tac, and Scrapbook Adhesives; Punch-Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page set

I made the journaling tag hidden underneath the picture, so that you can just pull it out.

I didn't want all my letters the same color, so I just sanded down the "snowflake" portion of the title!

And then I made a quick card. And when I say quick, it's quick! Cards take me awhile, but all the fun embellishments and stickers that Little Yellow Bicycle has made this a super easy card to make!

Supplies: Pattern Paper, Chipboard, Stickers, Clear Cut-Little Yellow Bicycle (Winter Twig); Cardstock-American Crafts; Ribbon-Michael's; Adhesives-Glue Arts, Fabri-Tac, and Scrapbook Adhesives;

That's the projects I am going to show on here! Please head over to LYB's blog to see ALL of my projects, which has a banner and a snowman!

Happy Girl Layout with a Busy Week ahead!

2011-12-18T18:57:00.000-06:00

Are you ready? Christmas is here before you know it. I have all my shopping done and most of the wrapping of the gifts. I love to tie fancy bows, but no bows this year. I had a "mishap" with the hot glue gun and I decided the pain wasn't worth the bows. A big burn on the side of my index finger on my right hand took care of the bow decision for me.

It is going to be busy here on the blog the next couple of days. I have an altered project appearing on Sketch Support on Monday and my Little Yellow Bicycling Cycling Team post goes up on Tuesday on their blog and here. And after that, I don't think I will get a chance to update until after Christmas!

Scrappy time has come to a basic HALT with Higgins needing to either be attached to a leash with us or crate rest. We hate to have him sit in the crate if we are home, especially after a work day. But we have to hang on to the leash or the little stinker will get away and try to do something he isn't supposed to.

But, I got some Basically Bare goodies in the mail and had a chance to play with them. A fun mix of chipboard and felt. Some packages have acrylic and cardboard mixed in too! I am in LOVE with this package of them!

And quite truthfully, I am "sick" of Christmas paper right now! So, I dug out some fun bright papers to play with from Pebbles and came up with this layout!

Supplies: Pattern Paper-Pebbles (Fresh Goods); Stickers-Pebbles (Fresh Goods); Chipboard/Acrylic Items-Basically Bare (Buttons, Heart, Locket face, Cloud); Twine- The Twinery Baker's Twine (Buttercup/Denim); Paint Marker-Elmer's; Adhesive-Scotch ATG, Fabri-Tac and Scrapbook Adhesives

Tools: Martha Stewart Border Punch; Silhouette Cameo with file

12 x12 Background Shapes

A close up of that fun cardboard heart. I covered with pattern paper and then curled and roughed up the edges.

And since I can hardly wait, I am just going to give you a sneak of one of my Little Yellow Bicycling projects that I did! I am in totally LOVE LOVE LOVE with the Winter Twig collection!

Have a wonderful Monday and I hope you get all your shopping done, gifts wrapped and a little time to relaxed before the full holiday swing kicks in!

Higgins and Elmer's....what a combo!

2011-12-06T22:02:00.001-06:00

I said I was going to be back and then I never showed up! Higgins partially tore his ACL, so we are trying to avoid surgery. If he was going to tear it, it was the best kind of tear. NO surgery and crate rest. So, we are doing crate rest and on leash only for the next three weeks. Then the next three weeks after that is slowly doing rehab to build him back up. It's going to be COLDER in three weeks! So, we are looking at after the first of the year for the old man to get better. Here is a pic and you can see how full of spunk he is!

SKETCH SUPPORT NEWS!

And with all the Higgins excitement I totally forgot to share the news that I am back on Sketch Support for another year! We have some returning DT members along with some new ones!! I can't WAIT to see what everyone does for the next year!! Allison runs a great team and if you ever get a chance to be a part of it, do it!

On Wednesday, I am participating in the Elmer's Looks for Less challenge on Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker's blog. Here is a sneak of my project over there and I have a little tutorial to go along with it. And there are prizes involved!!

I am going to try to start doing a few more tutorials, so let me know if you want to see something and if I can do it I will!

That is IT from me tonight! This girl is heading to bed. I am so tired that the snow today wasn't even too exciting for me!!

Fabulous is Whoo You Are....Design Team Call

2011-11-29T08:30:00.000-06:00

It is so hard to believe that November is almost gone. They always said time goes quicker when the older you get and I totally believe it now.

I am pre-scheduling this post, so I am not quite sure what to write. It always seems easier to write on the days that I just write and post right then. I must be better at writing on the fly!

Here are a couple of projects that hit the Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker blog the past couple of weeks. A layout and a card. These were created when the mojo was flowing and I was about a month ahead with everything...now...well, not so much!

Supplies: Pattern Paper, Die Cuts, and Stickers-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker (You're a Hoot collection);

Corduroy Brads-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker; Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine (Buttercup);

Punch-Martha Stewart; Adhesives-Glue Arts and Scrapbook Adhesives

And here is the card, this went pretty quick. Which, is what I like in cards! LOL

Supplies: Pattern Paper, Die Cuts, and Stickers-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker (You're a Hoot collection);

Buttons-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker; Ribbon-Unknown; Cardstock-American Crafts

Punch-Martha Stewart and Fiskars; Adhesives-Glue Arts, Fabri Tac, and Scrapbook Adhesives

And I totally forgot to tell you the news! If you haven't heard Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker is having a Design Team Call!! You can find out all the details and how to apply in the link below!

NIKKI SIVILS, SCRAPBOOKER DESIGN TEAM CALL ANNOUNCEMENT

If you have thought about trying out, you totally should! Nikki's team is a fun team to be on and she is very generous with product.

That's it from me today. I will be back tomorrow with a fun fall banner, that I should have posted before now!

A "Fun on the Fall Trail" layout

2011-11-27T19:46:00.001-06:00

Whew, did you survive Thanksgiving? I think we did. We did some Angel Tree shopping for SEVEN kids from three different families on Wednesday. This was from the fund set up when Andree (Carleen's mom) passed away, so it was bittersweet. But got to spend time with "the girls" and their mom while doing it. We got lots of things for them and I hope they love it all. I am glad that I got to go this year and help pick stuff out for them.

On Thursday, I had a layout up on Sketch Support. It was using the One Page Sketch (Sketch 15) and I totally changed this one up. It had a split down the middle of the paper and that is just one of my hang ups...I can't leave that split there! So here is what I came up with.....

Supplies - Patterned Paper: Little Yellow Bicycle (Hello Fall Collection); Die Cut Embellishments: Little Yellow Bicycle (Hello Fall Collection); Adhesives: Scotch ATG, Fabri Tac and Scrapbook Adhesives; Letters: Little Yellow Bicycle, Doodlebug Designs;Acrylic and Fabric Embellishments: Little Yellow Bicycle

These were taken when we took the dogs to Ritter Springs park to have some fun and my camera quit taking pictures and said my card was full after about 16! I was not happy about it at all. I finally figured out that with the Mac, once you take everything off the card, you have to empty the trash on the computer with the camera card in it or it leaves fragments on the card that fill it up! Who knew?? Not me! I didn't have to do that with the PC, so I guess I am still learning.

The girls "stole" the iPad as soon as I showed it to them on Thanksgiving and I am not quite sure how many pictures they took! And they hijacked my Facebook account! LOL But the iPad pictures are the only ones that got taken...shocker I know, but I just didn't pull the camera out! And they are by no means "correct" in any way, shape or form! Just totally fun, off the cuff pictures!

This was taken back in September, but I wanted to post a pic with L too! And she really liked this picture!

Have a wonderful Monday, I am hoping too....but I am thinking it is going to be really, really rough going back to work!

Market Street Stamps and The Twinery Blog Hop!

2011-11-18T05:00:00.000-06:00

The Twinery / Market Street StampsBlog Hop

Friday & Saturday, Nov 18^th-19^th

Yes, you read that right, The Twinery is hopping with Market Street Stamps this Friday and Saturday!

Prizes...well, heck yes, there are prizes. You will need to visit every blog in the hop for both days and leave a comment to be eligible for either prize.

You will have until Friday, Nov. 25th to comment.

The winners will be announced Saturday, Nov. 26th on both The Twinery

and Market Street Stamps blogs

The Twinery will be giving away One Ultimate Sampler Pack

(retail value of 25.00)

Market Street Stamps will be giving away

One 25.00 Shopping Spree

You should have gotten to my blog from visiting Stephanie Muzzlin's, BUT if you didn't feel free to go ahead and leave a comment and then head over to The Twinery's blog to start the hop at the beginning.

I was lucky and got this fabulous background stamp, Vintage Notepad. I love this stamp, so cute for journaling, layering or just about anything you can think of and GREAT for scrapbookers!

And here is what I came up with.....I thought it was a perfect background for a banner!!

Supplies: Cardstock-American Crafts; Pattern Paper-My Little Shoebox (Pretty Little Things collection); Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine (Blossom); Stamp-Market Street Stamps (Vintage Notepad); Die Cuts-My Little Shoebox (Pretty Little Things collection); Letter Stickers-My Little Shoebox; Chipboard and Foam Letters-American Crafts; Adhesive-Scotch ATG and Fabri-Tac

Tools: Punches-Martha Stewart Butterfly and Border Punch

Cricut Expression with the Art Philosophy Cartridge

CropADile

Here are some close ups of each panel!

LOVE these flowers out of the Art Philosophy cartridge.

Whew, that is it from me today! NOW, you need to head over to Amy Kolling's blog from mine and see what kind of fabby project she created for the hop!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Good luck on the giveaways!

Enjoy the Small Things

2011-11-15T22:02:00.001-06:00

Something I have learned, and it has taken me a LONG time, is to enjoy the small things. (thank you Carleen!) I know this sounds cliche or corny, but it's true. We all need to take a look around and just enjoy. Everything is seems to go by so fast and we are always hurrying to the "next" thing, that sometimes the small things are overlooked. Since I have started scrapbooking, but more since I starting practicing with my camera, I LOOK for the small things to take pictures and remember.

Which leads me to this layout. And SURPRISE....it is not one I had to do! I just created this for fun and to use some papers that I had just bought! I took this picture when the girls were down this summer and we went to the Wild Animal Park. I love these types of butterflies and this one was just sitting there, so I had to get a picture.

Supplies: Pattern Paper-Authentique (Splendid collection) and Hambly (Camera Collection); Letter Stickers-Authentique (Splendid collection); Transparencies-Hambly (Mini Brocade, Banners, Urban Chic Frames); Rub-on-Hambly (Banners and Pennants); Ribbon-May Arts; Punches-Martha Stewart and Fiskars; Adhesives-Glue Arts and Fabri-Tac

Here are some close ups to see the details a little more....I lucked out when I printed my picture, because it fit perfectly in the transparency! And you can use "some" punches on the transparencies also, which was a fun discovery for me. You know I like my punches!

A fun thing to do to letter stickers if they are bigger, is to sand the edges and distress them some! I did that to these and I love the way it goes with the paper!

I am so excited about the following.......

I made the Winter Cycling Team for the Winter Twig collection! Which means I get to guest design with the Winter Twig collection for the Little Yellow Bicycle blog! THIS is a DREAM to me and as I have said on Facebook...I am OVER THE MOON! I have loved LYB (as you know) since I first discovered their products and I tend to hoard them, just so I HAVE them! I don't know any details yet, but I am super excited and there are 7 other girls that made the Winter Cycling team also. I am so blessed to have this chance with all these amazing designers. I can't wait to get my stuff and start creating!

And last, but not least, coming up tomorrow on the Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker blog is our guest designer, Suzy West! LOVE this girl and had the BEST time with her in Chicago at CHA.....I want to room with her again!

AND at the end of the week, we will have an announcement on the Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker blog, so you will want to check that out also!

That's it from me tonight!! Have a wonderful day!

Card Class and a Quick Update

2011-11-11T22:31:00.001-06:00

Ok, I am not, repeat, NOT counting how many weekends until Christmas. There is no possible way that it can be here this soon. AND I have been listening to Christmas music???? Ok, yes I am weird...maybe I just want it to snow.

Thursday night was my card/tag class at Scrapbook Generation and it was a full house again. I love that I have regulars that show up. It lets me know that we are doing something right with the class. Since tools are my "niche" of the class, I used the Martha Stewart Scoring board to make accordion flowers (or ornaments), the We R Memory Keepers SewRibbon tool, and an Epiphany Crafts round circle punch. The ribbon tool and the punch were new tools to me, but I fell in love instantly with them. I am hoping to add to my collection soon. And the ladies in the class were starting a collection afterwards!

Supplies: Pattern Paper-My Mind's Eye (12 Days of Christmas collection); Cardstock-American Crafts; Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine in Maraschino; Ribbon-Offray and Michael's; Letter Stickers-Cosmo Cricket; Adhesive-Glue Arts, Fabri-Tac and Scrapbook Adhesives;

Tools Used: Martha Stewart Scoring Board, We R Memory Keepers SewRibbon in Zig Zag, Epiphany Crafts punch in size Round 14

These went together pretty quickly, once you got the ornaments made. We used the hot glue gun in class, just to make it a little quicker.

Now for FUN news....There are TWO design teams calls out RIGHT now that if you are interested in you should apply for!

First one is The Twinery! I absolutely ADORE this team and I hate to see it come to an end. I have decided not to reapply, but I encourage you to try out for the team. Nicole and Julie are dolls to work for and I will be guest designing after the first year. I would love if some of my blog readers made the team! You can find all the details at the link I am providing below......

THE TWINERY OPEN DESIGN TEAM CALL

The next team is Sketch Support! Allison is a dream to work with and the team is so fun to be on. I AM reapplying to this team, I hope I make it! If you love sketches, you need to try out. Since being on the team, I have come to love sketches even more! So, the link for all the details is below......

SKETCH SUPPORT CREATIVE TEAM CALL

And last, but certainly not least, you NEED to check out Scrapbook Steals tomorrow! If you aren't familiar with them, they are a deal site. They have TWO steals a day, one at 9 AM MST and then one again at 9 PM MST, but you have to get the steal while it is live....once the new one goes up, the previous steal is gone. SOOOOO...a little birdie told me that tomorrow mornings steal is a REALLY good one from Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker! You need to check it out. I am putting the link below....just remember the time is Mountain Standard Time!

Ok, that is it from me tonight! I am off to bed and to get some sleep. Hee hee...I woke up this morning thinking it was Saturday, which is not good on Friday morning!

It's A Christmasy Kinda of Blog Hop Here!!

2011-11-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

Are you ready for some fun? The {Stamps} of Life and The Twinery Design Teams are playing together for this hop!

I am so happy you found my blog! You should have gotten here from Joana Studer's blog, but if you didn't please feel free to jump into the hop! You can start at The Twinery's blog and go from there, because the complete blog hop list is up on there!

As you make your way through the hop make sure you comment on each and every post. There will be 2 prize winners chosen randomly among the blogs:

One winner will win 2 stamp sets (winners choice) valued at $12.95 -total retail value: $26.90 per prize! from The {Stamps} of Life.

AND

One winner will win the Ultimate Color Sampler Pack ($25 value!) from The Twinery!!!

The prize winners will be announced on The {Stamps}of Life and The Twinery Blogs

on Wednesday, November 16th!

You know me, I love to use stamps on my layouts, so I couldn't wait after I got my stamps to make this layout below!

Supplies: Pattern Paper-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker (Gingerbread Land collection); Die Cuts and Stickers-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker (Gingerbread Land collection); Stamps-Stamps of Life; Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine; Ink-Memento and Jenni Bowlin; Embossing Pen-Zig; Embossing Powder-American Crafts and Ranger; Adhesive-Scotch ATG, Fabri-Tac and Scrapbook Adhesives

I stamped the snowman several times and paper pieced him together. I used an embossing pen on the snow hill and then used white embossing powder on it for snow. I also stamped the holiday lights and embossed some of them in silver and some in pink and then strung them with the fabby Twinery twine!

The stamp set I used was Joy2Christmas, so perfect with the papers and the picture I had!

Here is more about The Twinery

Our twine is made from 100% cotton, it's eco-friendly and made in the USA. Whether you're gift wrapping, crafting or tying up baked goods to give to a friend, our baker's twine adds a fresh, yet nostalgic look to any project at hand! Our baker's twine comes in 14 delicious colors and is uniquely twisted against a bright white hue, creating an eye-popping burst of color and a creative embellishment! Our twine has lots of color which lends to a fun, candy-striped look. For creative ideas and more...visit OUR BLOG!

And here is more about The Stamps of Life

We feature high quality, made in the USA, clear stamps and digital stamps/brushes for stampers, card makers and scrapbookers. Feel free to browse our gallery with more than 2500 samples using our stamps, watch our free how-to videos and join our club!

So now you need to hop along to Laura Williams blog! Don't forget to leave comments along the way!!!

Saturday Late Night Update!

2011-11-05T21:59:00.002-05:00

I was in the mood to write, so I thought I would do a late night Saturday update! That way, I can create tomorrow!!

Busy day today, I taught the free mini classes (two cards) at Scrapbook Generation today and got to see some of the card class regulars and some of the mini class regulars! Great Fun! And I took NO pictures...I just didn't have time! We were 3-4 deep waiting to make cards!

These couple of projects are for the Card Sketch at Sketch Support this week (Card Sketch 13). I made a card and then I decided that it was a great sketch to make a layout with!

So here is the card first....I had a time trying to come up with the card....the layout was a lot easier.

Supplies - Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee/Collage Press (Vintage Vogue Collection); Die Cut Embellishments: Pink Paislee/Collage Press (Vintage Vogue Collection); Stamps:Unity Stamp Co. (Moments in Bloom Kit); Adhesives: Scotch ATG, Fabri Tac and Scrapbook Adhesives; Foam Letters: American Crafts (Thickers); Twine: Stampin’ Up Twine; Wooden Spool Tops: Pink Paislee/Collage Press

And then the layout!

Supplies - Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee/Collage Press (Vintage Vogue Collection); Die Cut Embellishments: Pink Paislee/Collage Press (Vintage Vogue Collection); Stamps:Unity Stamp Co. (All Seasons Kit Of The Month Sept. 2011); Adhesives: Scotch ATG, Fabri Tac and Scrapbook Adhesives; Punch: EK Success; Foam Letters: American Crafts (Thickers); Twine: The Twinery Baker’s Twine; Wooden Spool Tops: Pink Paislee/Collage Press

And then I got my hair cut and colored on Friday....decided to CHOP it off! I took off about five inches and am totally in love with it!!!

That's it from me tonight! I am going to watch a little TV and then try to find a good book to download. I have been having a hard time finding one!

Catching up on Sketch Support goodies!

2011-11-01T21:18:00.000-05:00

I am a little behind in posting some of my Sketch Support work, so this is going to be a catch all post!!

First up is a card sketch (Card Sketch 12). I actually created two cards with the sketch. One where I just used what I wanted and the other was for the Simple Stories challenge that we had going on for the month of October.

Here's the first one....I used a Studio Calico kit, but I can't remember which one and I am going to admit I am too lazy to go look it up right now!

Supplies - Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: My Mind’s Eye (Fly a Kite “Spring” and Lime Twist “Be You”); American Crafts/Amy Tangerine (Oh Happy Grey); Basic Grey (Out of Print “Storyteller”); Studio Calico (Destination); Paper Clip: American Crafts/Amy Tangerine; Twine: The Twinery Baker’s Twine; Stamp: Unity Stamp Co. (Sept. 2011 Kit of the Month); Tags: Studio Calico; Punch: EK Success Border Punch; Stapler: Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher; Adhesive: Scotch ATG and Scrapbook Adhesives

Then I also did a card for the Simple Stories challenge, where we could only use the Simple Stories supplies that we were given, but could add in things like buttons, twine, etc. or use punches and those sorts of things......

Supplies - Cardstock: American Crafts; Patterned Paper: Simple Stories (Happy Day);Ribbon and Button: My Mind’s Eye; Adhesive: Scotch ATG and Scrapbook Adhesives

And I already shared my one-page layout that was made with the one page sketch (One Page #14) for the month of October, but hadn't shared my Simple Stories page that I did for the challenge.

Supplies - Patterned Paper: Simple Stories (Happy Day Collection); Adhesives: Scotch ATG, Fabri Tac and Scrapbook Adhesives; Buttons: Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker; Twine:The Twinery Baker’s Twine; Punches: Ek Success, Fiskars; Stickers: Simple Stories (Happy Day Collection); Chipboard Letters: American Crafts Thickers

I love this picture of Carleen and her dad. It was his birthday and he had came down to stay with us for a few days. We took him to a Springfield Cardinals game the night of his birthday. It's been a hard year for both of them and it's nice to see true smiles on their faces, if only for a little while.

And whoo hooo, I think that gets me caught up on all my Sketch Support projects until later in the week!

And just to show that we had a little Halloween fun, here is me in my witch costume and the dogs in some of the costumes we have around here. It is easier just to put them on to take pictures of them and then take them off before the trick or treaters start showing up....those short legs plus three dogs in costumes with the doorbell ringing equals injury to a doggie leg for sure!

Two Favs-The Twinery and Little Yellow Bicycle!!!

2011-10-27T04:00:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! I am SUPER DUPER excited to be able to represent The Twinery design team in this blog hop with Little Yellow Bicycle. If you are some of my regular readers, you know I love Little Yellow Bicycle, so when I was asked about doing this I almost screamed out loud!

So, you probably came here from The Twinery blog, if not you need to head over there! Both companies have prize packs for commenters!!! I will put the details below!

We all got to work with the "Hello Fall" collection from LYB and this has to be one of my favorite collections from them. I love the colors, embellishments, and well basically all of it!!!

So let's get to the projects! I did three projects, a layout, a card and a wall hanging! I can't decide which is my favorite, but you know I love my altered wall/banner projects, so it's probably that one!

(NOTE-I am going to list out supplies at the bottom of my post for each project instead of underneath them like I normally do)

This was up over on The Twinery blog as my feature. I used the Cappuccino twine to make a trail for the leaves. To do this, I just used a little liquid adhesive and glue where my loops were and then just covered the area with a leaf.

I also sanded the corrugated cardboard squirrel to give him a little interest and a little highlight!

Next up is my card (yes, I am saving the hanging for last!) This card was quick, I made it in a little under 15 minutes by using one of the quotes and that wonderful felt flower that LYB has in embellishments for the collection.

The quote was actually a 12 inch strip that I just cut into sections and the same with the scalloped border. I used the same Cappuccino twine on the card as I did on my layout. And I love those little leaf stick pins! I kept trying to put them everywhere, I didn't care if they were going to work or not!

And finally my wall hanging! I had thought about making a mini album, but at the time I was creating, didn't have quite enough pictures that I wanted to use, so decided on this instead! I was glad that the mini didn't work out after I got this completed. I already had one person try and "steal" it! LOL

I took one of the LYB banners and detached all the little elements and then used the Cappuccino twine as the hanger! Those accordion flowers are in an embellishment pack that has all kinds of fun things to make flowers out of...die cuts, strips, etc. I just used my Martha Stewart scoring board to make my score marks, so that I could fold easier! Also, that orange strip is a crepe border strip that is in an embellishment pack also and I just ruffle folded it and the glued it down.

(I totally made up the "ruffle folded" term....maybe I will start a trend!)

For the center panel, I played a little off my layout with the trail for the leaves. I used the Mandarin twine for the trail. I really wanted to use that tree and the corrugated cardboard leaves and that was how I decided it would work. I also used a big swirl chipboard piece that LYB has in the chipboard elements as a mask and misted the yellow paper with some orange. You can see it if you enlarge the picture.

I also sanded the leaves like I did the squirrel, but then misted them also, to give them some color with the same orange mist and then some blue mist that matched the papers.

And here is my last panel. To make the owl strip I cut it from the 12 x 12 sheet that had the border strips on it, then I border punched below the owls. And then backed the open border strip with some of the paper that I had cut from the top of the owl strip.

So, you want to know how to win??? Look below!!

You all have several opportunities to win prizes

from The Twinery and Little Yellow Bicycle.

There are just 3-4 blogs to visit each day, and

when you do, leave a comment

to be entered to win.

For additional opportunities to enter

and win, drop by The Twinery blog.

Thanks for stopping by today!!!!

Supply List: Any LYB products are from the Hello Fall Collection

Link to Little Yellow Bicycle Hello Fall Collection HERE

Link to The Twinery Baker's Twine used HERE

Layout: Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine in Cappuccino; Pattern Paper-LYB; Corrugated Shape-LYB; Canvas Border and saying: LYB; Cardstock Letters, Leaves and Tree-LYB; Stick Pins-LYB; Chipboard Word-LYB; Chipboard Letters-American Crafts; Punch-Martha Stewart; Die Cut (grass)-Cricut Expression w/Gypsy and Martha Stewart Seasons Cake Cartridge; Adhesive-Scotch ATG, Fabri-tac and Scrapbook Adhesives

Card: Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine in Cappuccino; Cardstock-American Crafts; Pattern Paper-LYB; Quote-LYB; Felt Flower-LYB; Adhesive-Scotch ATG and Fabri-tac

Wall Hanging: Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine in Cappuccino and Mandarin; Pattern Paper-LYB; Chipboard Album-LYB; Chipboard, Die Cuts, Flowers, Acetate Shapes-LYB; Cardstock Borders, Quote, Die Cuts, Letters-LYB; Crepe Border and Fabric Tape-LYB; Mists-Studio Calico; Adhesives-Scotch ATG, Fabri-tac, Scrapbook Adhesives; Punch-EK Success; Tool-CropADile

My First Subway Ride and a Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker Giveaway

2011-10-25T21:51:00.000-05:00

Do you ever just hit a wall with your scrapping? I admit it, I do. I would love to say that I don't, but I do. I think that I "have" to come up with something new or that I really really need to change the sketch so that it looks nothing like the sketch. It's a habit that I just can't seem to break.

I have to remember to tell myself that it's OK if I don't do something different every time. I hit that wall this weekend, but I think it is slowly passing. I decided to take a "break" probably until late week from creating and then pick back up. Sometimes that just does the trick.

Wheeee, the weather is turning colder and I am super excited. That means before long I can drag out the sweaters and snow will be on it's way soon! So different than the way it was in Chicago during July!

Since I had my first subway experience, I knew it was one I was going to have to scrap! So, while we were waiting for the subway to come I started snapping pictures. For the layout, I changed them to black and white, but chances are I may scrap them again in color!

This is the one page sketch over at Sketch Support this week (One Page Sketch-#14). I didn't deviate much from it, but did try to liven it up a bit. These Amy Tangerine papers were perfect and it helps that I had black and white pictures to use for the layout. And before I forget, we have a product challenge with Simple Stories over at Sketch Support, so I will have another layout with Simple Stories products based on this same sketch!

Supplies - Patterned Paper: American Crafts (Amy Tangerine Collection); Cardstock:American Crafts; Die Cut Embellishments: American Crafts (Amy Tangerine Collection);Journaling Tag: Maya Road; Stamps: Unity Stamp Co. (Just Circles) and Amy Tangerine;Adhesives: Scotch ATG, Fabri Tac and Scrapbook Adhesives; Punches: Martha Stewart;Chipboard Letters: American Crafts Thickers; Stapler: Tim Holtz Stapler; Stitching:Machine

And don't forget that The Twinery and Little Yellow Bicycle have teamed up this week! There are some prizes, so head over to The Twinery's blog and Little Yellow Bicycle's blog to get all the deets! My date for my reveal is Thursday and I can't wait!! So, here is a "peek" of one project that I have done!

AND did you see this??

Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker is doing a giveaway on the Scrapbook Steals blog!! Here is a picture of the prize you can win!! You only have until Thursday, so you better hurry over!!!

Giveaway Link

With that, I am off for the night! Have a wonderful Wednesday and I will be back on Thursday will all my Little Yellow Bicycle projects!!!

Put Me Down...a layout!

2011-10-23T22:34:00.002-05:00

Oh geez...I don't know where the month has gone, or my brain for that matter! I keep thinking that I have posted projects on here and I look back and I haven't! Then I totally forget what day it is and about freak out when I do figure out the date, because it's is WAY later in the month than I thought it was! Trust me, time does fly faster when you get older! (ok, I am only 42, but still!)

This is one of my FAVORITE layouts that I have done for Sketch Support! I had Carleen take these pictures super quick one night after work when the lighting was perfect in the backyard. And Jetson is definitely a wiggle worm! These capture his personality perfectly at times!

The layout was based on a one-page layout for Sketch Support (Sketch #13-the link to the sketch). I had fun with it and just played around one night when I had some time!

Supplies - Patterned Paper: Jillibean Soup (Dutch Mustard Collection); Transparency:Hambly Studios; Kraft Elements: Hambly Studios; Ink: Jenni Bowlin Ink; Stamps: Unity Stamp Co-Jillibean Soup (Blossom Soup Collection); Adhesives: Scotch ATG, Fabri Tac and Scrapbook Adhesives; Twine: The Twinery Baker’s Twine (Buttercup); Letter Stickers: Jillibean Soup (Dutch Mustard Collection); Chipboard Letters: American Crafts Thickers

I love these little squares! I haven't every really gotten to work with Hambly products until recently, but they are quite fun! I thought they would be perfect to accent the butterflies! And speaking of the butterflies, the orange one is a stamp that I hand cut. I stamped the butterfly in orange on my layout and then stamped again on pattern paper. I cut the pattern paper one out and placed it over my stamped one on the actual layout. This left the trail on my layout and then I could pop dot my butterfly!

Fun, fun, fun stuff coming up this week!! The Twinery and Little Yellow Bicycle are teaming up and I am SO EXCITED to be a part of it! You know I love both companies and I can't wait to show you what I came up with!! My day is Thursday on The Twinery blog! I will show one full project over there and then I will have two more to show here!!

Ok, time to clean up the mess I just left so I could come and do some computer work! And then I am heading to bed!

The Twinery and Sweet and Sassy Stamps Hop!

2011-10-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! I said I would be back with a hop this week and here it is!! The Twinery is teaming up with Sweet n' Sassy Stamps for a blog hop!

If you arrived here from Cathy McCauley's blog then you are on the right track! If you didn't or just jumped in because you read my blog...head over to The Twinery's blog to start the hop!

Here is the set that I got to play with...the Wildflowers set.

I was going to do a layout, but then just opted on a card! And here it is!

Supplies: Pattern Paper-Echo Park (Summer Days); Cardstock-American Crafts; Twine-The Twinery (Honeydew and Mandarin colors); Stamps-Sweet n Sassy Stamps; Markers- Faber Castell Big Brush Markers; Ink- Memento Ink; Adhesive-Scotch ATG and Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Tools: Cricut Expression with the Art Philosophy cartridge.

You are going to want to make sure to go thru the entire hop and comment on all the blogs! There are a couple of prizes up for grabs....The Twinery's prize is a YUMMY Ultimate Color Sampler pack (valued at 25.00). You can see it pictured below....

So you need to hop along now! You are going to go next to Dina Kowal's blog from mine! Make sure and comment! You know you WANT that Ultimate Sampler pack!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Segway Fun and a layout!

2011-10-16T19:54:00.000-05:00

Whew, it has been a busy couple of weeks! October, I think, if flying by quicker than September did...which is NOT good for me!

Warning....kind of a long, catch up post ahead!

I took a few days vacation here and there this past couple of weeks and on Friday, we took a road trip to a nature park. It is called Dogwood Canyon and it is a privately owned nature park. So, there is a small few to get in, but it is totally worth it! More on that below!!

The September Challenge over at Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker that I gave to the DT is to scrap a size you normally do not scrap. For the card makers, I told them they could do an odd size card! Come and play with us, the link about the challenge is HERE. You still have until October 29th to get your entry in!

Here is what I came up with, I scraped an 8.5 by 12...I kind of liked working with a different size like this and I will probably do more in the future!

Supplies: Pattern Paper-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker (You're a Hoot Collection); Punch Out and Cut Outs-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker (You're a Hoot collection); Stickers- Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker (You're a Hoot collection); Corduroy Brads and Burlap Buttons- Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker; Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine (Denim color); Punch-EK Success and Martha Stewart Punch around the Page; Adhesives- Scotch ATG and Fabri-Tac

And a close up of the title work

I have always wanted to ride a Segway, but didn't know when I would get the chance. Well, they have Segway tours at the park, so I signed us up...being the brave person that I am! LOL That is until it comes time to ride!

Here are a few pictures from the day!

There was a painting competition going on....can you see the painter?

Carleen at the Segway Area...wondering what I have gotten her into!

Carleen, with our instructor Randy, learning how to ride

Proof that I DID ride! The waterfall behind us is beautiful!

Carleen ZOOMING down the trail!

I did really good on the getting on and getting off. I did lose my balance when I was learning and fell off! In front of a TON of people of course..... BUT then we went over a wooden bridge that we had to stay in the center of. I was busy concentrating on getting to the end and when I did there was a bump that I was NOT prepared for....I ended up bailing (literally!) off and holding on to the Segway because it was heading down the hill, straight toward the stream! Carleen was laughing her head off at me, but was trying to look concerned....I think Randy, our instructor, was thinking I was heading straight for the water!! Those were the only two times I officially had to bail! I just went slower than the other two most of the time! Would I do it again? YES!

Check back this week, I will be in a blog hop with The Twinery and Sweet and Sassy stamps!

A little Apple Cheddar Soup for you!

2011-10-02T22:45:00.000-05:00

I am almost all prepared for my next class at Scrapbook Generation! I started on it as soon as I finished up the last class and could get over to get paper picked out!

I bought the Jillibean Soup collection, Apple Cheddar, for myself, but haven't had a chance to use it yet. But since my class will be in November, I thought it might be fun to use. (Plus, I kept picking out "summer" papers, you know I like bright colors!)

So here is the card/tag combo. We are going to use a combination of Martha Stewart punches, along with some of The Twinery baker's twine, Unity Stamps (which I already stamped the sayings!) and some Cricut cuts!

Supplies: Cardstock-American Crafts; Pattern Paper-Jillibean Soup (Apple Cheddar), Twine-The Twinery baker's twine (honeydew and caribbean); Punches-Martha Stewart and Marvy; Stamps-Unity Stamp Co.; Adhesive-Scotch ATG and Scrapbook Adhesives

Die Cutting-Cricut Expression with the Art Philosophy cartridge.

Tag cut at 2.5 inches and the spiral flower cut at 4.25 inches

Well, that's it from me tonight! I am off to read a book...or fall asleep...which ever might come first!!

Winner and a fun banner!

2011-09-28T21:39:00.000-05:00

Well, first off, Monday slipped right by me and now it's Wednesday. OPPSS!!! And you guys all ROCKED with following my directions about the email address!!! And your comments were so sweet and amazing....thank you so much! And if you did become a follower, I hope you continue to like my projects and that I inspire you to create your own!

Now, let's get to that winner.............

Kelly Massman...YOU are the lucky winner of the Ultimate Sampler pack from The Twinery!!

I will be emailing you shortly for your info!

Now for a project! I am trying to get caught up on posting my Sketch Support projects! I never seem to post them in the week that they happen...it's usually a couple of weeks later!

This was the Add-On sketch (sketch #9) for this month. A camera! I was baffled at first, because I knew I didn't want to use it on a layout or a card. I knew I wanted to be creative with it! So, here is what I came up with!

Supplies - Patterned Paper, Buttons, Stickers, White Lace: Crate Paper Portrait Collection; Mania File Folder Base: Staples; Yellow Lace for Banner Hanger: Unknown;Adhesive: Scotch ATG, Fabri-Tac and Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L; Stapler: Tim Holtz;Other: Sewing Machine

And here are some close up of each one.....

Higgins!

Ella

Jetson

The neat thing about this banner is that I used some manilla dividers that I had bought for something else and didn't use! They are the PERFECT shape for a camera with the tab, I just cut them down a bit!

Alright, I have been going to bed fairly early and right now it is PAST my bedtime!

Have a wonderful rest of the week and I will try to pop in this weekend!

The Twinery Design Team Blog Hop!!!

2011-09-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

It is Day Three of The Twinery's design team blog hop!! I love the fact we split it into three days, so that it's quick to get thru and easy to comment!!!

You should have arrived from Julie Ranae's blog. If not, start here at The Twinery's blog and hop thru from the beginning!!!

And I am giving away one ULTIMATE SAMPLER PACK compliments of The Twinery!!! This has ALL the colors currently available!

I 'had' to wait until I had the new My Little Shoebox papers from CHA to scrap this picture!! This is Erin Yamabe the DT coordinator for My Little Shoebox, so now you know why I had to have the new papers!! I got to meet her at CHA and she is a sweetheart! LOVE HER! I could totally see us hanging out all the time if we lived closer!!

Supplies: Pattern Paper (My Little Shoebox), Die Cuts (My Little Shoebox), Transparency (Hambly Studios); Letters (My Little Shoebox and American Crafts); Lace and Button(My Mind's Eye); Twine-The Twinery in Blossom and Buttercream, Punch (Martha Stewart), Adhesive (Scotch ATG, Fabri Tac, and Scrapbook Adhesives), Pen (Zig)

Here are some close ups of the twine!!

I used Blossom here:

This is one of my most used colors!

And then I used the new Buttercream color here:

And this color has been used by me over and over since it came out a few months ago...I can't seem to STOP using it!!

So, what do you need to do to win? Well here are my requirements:

1. Leave me a comment letting me know what you would use The Twinery twine on if you won it!

2. You MUST leave an email address for me to contact you at. If you do not and you are the winner, I will pick a different winner. If you are worried about spammers, just put some spaces before and after the @ sign and let me know that you did

3. For an extra chance follow my blog and let me know that you did! This is TOTALLY NOT A REQUIREMENT, just if you want an extra chance (and if you like my blog!)

I will leave the comments open until Sunday 11:59 PM CST to give everyone a chance to hop thru and comment. I know Fridays are FOOTBALL and weekend can be hectic!!

I will announce the winner here on my blog sometime on Monday evening...probably after 9:00 PM CST.

Now you will head to Jordan Bariesheff's blog to continue on the hop!

Here is a complete list of everyone participating today!

The Twinery
Julie Ranae
Katrina Hunt-You are HERE!
Jordan Bariesheff
Jessica Diedrich

Don't forget to leave your comment for a chance to win!!!!! Have a wonderful weekend!

A little Salt Air anyone?

2011-09-21T22:06:00.001-05:00

I have been pulling out paper collections that I loved and bought them when they first came out to use them on some of my Sketch Support projects! It's kind of like a treasure chest, you never know what I am going to pull out of an Iris container!!!.

This was a card sketch, which you can see here (Sketch 11). I immediately thought banner when I saw the sketch!

Supplies - Patterned Paper: Comso Cricket (Salt Air); Chipboard: Cosmo Cricket Blackboard; Stickers: Cosmo Cricket (Salt Air); Ink: Jenni Bowlin (Chewing Gum, Stick Candy, Chicken Feed); Adhesive: Scotch ATG, Fabri-Tac, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L; Twine: The Twinery Baker’s Twine; Ribbon: May Arts

Here are some close ups of each panel:

sorry about the color tint on this...I tried to fix it, but it made it worse!

I loved this Cosmo Cricket collection when I saw it, but just couldn't find the right thing to use it on. Then I decided I would make something the RIGHT thing! LOL It's just a fun little banner to look at, once I get it hung up! ( and I have lots of those...need to hang up things!)

And The Twinery is having a blog hop the next few days!! It actually started on Wednesday and runs thru Friday. My day on the hop is Friday, but here is the link to start at each day!!

THE TWINERY HOP

And there are lots of THESE to give away along the way, plus possibly other goodies that I may not know about!!! This is the ULTIMATE Sampler pack! With ALL the colors that The Twinery has!!!

and yes, I will have one up for grabs on Friday!

I am hitting the bed. My class was mad chaos, but lots of fun. And if any of the ladies are reading this thanks for coming!!! And it looks like there is another one on Oct 13th!

AND I LOVE the comments you guys leave. A lot of the time I would love to write you back, but I don't have an email to write you back at! I want you to know I appreciate every comment left! Thanks so much!!!

My Class I am teaching!

2011-09-20T22:00:00.000-05:00

Ok, so tomorrow I am teaching my first class at Scrapbook Generation! Ekk....little nervous, but I am not the only one teaching there are three of us, so it shouldn't be too bad! But the class is totally filled!

I thought I would share what I am teaching, it's a card and tag set. It's the first time I am teaching with Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker products (well, except for the mini classes, etc!) and Unity Stamps! A couple of my favorite combos!

Supplies: Cardstock-Bazill; Pattern Paper-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker (My Lil Monster); Stamps-Unity Stamp Co/Jillibean Soup Co-Branded (Blossom Soup); Punch-Martha Stewart border punch; Ribbon-Micheal's; Ink-Jenni Bowlin; Adhesives; Scotch ATG, Fabri Tac and Scrapbook Adhesives

And then here is my tag. Pretty basic, but I think it's also cute!

Supplies: Tag-Staples; Pattern Paper-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker (My Lil Monster); Stamp-Unity Stamp Co. and Nikki Sivils Co-Branded (My Lil Monster);

Ribbon-Michael's, Buttons-Making Memories; Punch-Fiskars; Marker-Faber Castell Big Brush Marker; Ink-Jenni Bowlin;

Adhesive-Scotch ATG; Stapler-Tim Holtz

My part of the class is to introduce people to tools and how to use them! We know I am a gadget girl! This class focuses, as you can see, on border punches to create neat borders and to use them in ways you might not think of. In future classes we will be using the Martha Stewart Punch around the Page sets, the Sew Easy (which I need to work with) tool from WeRMemory Keepers and more!

Well, that's it from me. Have a great rest of the night and look for the Twinery Blog hop happening this weekend! There "might" be an Ultimate Sampler pack up for grabs here on my blog!!!!

Crate Paper and Sketch Support....Good Combo!

2011-09-15T13:45:00.000-05:00

Ok, someone just tell me where the heck does time go? I glanced at the calendar and thought...what it's the 15th? And the last time I blogged was the 6th...which I had pre scheduled?! This month is FLYING by and right now, that is NOT "a good thing".

I know it seems like the only thing I get done are Sketch Support and Nikki Sivils projects! I do have others, but I just haven't had time to take the pictures and edit them the way I want to.

And let me tell you all the Sketch Support sketches this month I totally, utterly FELL IN LOVE with! Most of the time I do the card/one page combo...but I loved them all so much I had to to ALL of them, including the two page! I am getting a little more comfortable with two pages if I have a sketch. Which the two page sketch went up on Monday and you can find the sketch I used HERE (Sketch 19).

I have lots of pictures of downtown Chicago, when Suzy West, Jennifer Priest, and I went downtown the last day of CHA.....hotter than...well, you know and I look horrible in all my pics. Those other girls didn't break a sweat! LOL

Supplies: Pattern Paper-Crate Paper (Emma’s Shoppe); Stickers-Crate Paper (Emma’s Shoppe); Buttons-Crate Paper (Emma’s Shoppe); Chipboard Piece-Crate Paper (Emma’sShoppe); Foam Letters-American Crafts; Twine-The Twinery Baker’s Twine; Adhesive-Scotch ATG, Fabri-Tac andScrapbook Adhesives by 3L; Punch-Martha Stewart; Photo Collage-Kerri Bradford

LOVE these photo overlays and collages by Kerri Bradford, I have been finding myself using them a LOT!

Well, that's it for me! I am grabbing a bite and heading back to work!

And tomorrow, on Sept. 16th., we will have Stacy Rodriguez as our guest designer on the Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker blog! Be sure to stop by and tell her hi!

Guest Blogging for Creating Keepsakes!

2011-09-06T07:09:00.000-05:00

Head over to the Creating Keepsakes blog today....why you ask? Because I am the guest blogger!!!! You can see my guest posting HERE!

Make sure and comment over there, because there is a Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker School is Cool collection kit-plus the FULL collection of School is Cool stamps from Unity Stamp Co.- up for grabs for leaving a comment!!!!!

And to go along with the School is Cool theme, here is a card that I did with School is Cool. I also used one of the School is Cool Unity co-branded stamp sets!

Supplies: Pattern Paper-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker (School is Cool collection), Cardstock-American Crafts; Stickers, Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker (School is Cool collection); Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine; Stamp-Nikki Sivils & Unity Stamp Co. Co-Brand; Ink-Memento;

Markers-Faber Castell Big Brush Markers; Adhesive-Scotch ATG and Scrapbook Adhesives

Well, that's it for me! I am loving the cooler weather and thinking I really really don't want to go to work today.

Sticking it to another Studio Calico Kit

2011-09-04T13:38:00.000-05:00

It's Labor Day weekend...and what have I done?? Nothing, well, I have prepped some mini classes for Scrapbook Generation's Scrap-A-Palooza and figured out what I was going to teach for the Card Party class that I am doing with Allison Davis and her sister, Stacy Atchley. I will show you what I am teaching a little later in the week. And if you are local, come and take the class, I would LOVE to see you!!!

Well, actually the Studio Calico kit is same kit that I had made the prior card from! But I love the greens and teals in this kit.

This was for the one page sketch (Sketch #12) over on Sketch Support which you can find HERE. It's the same sketch I did the card from.

Photo Collage from KerriBradford Designs (Picture That kit,collage #1)

All Items except mist and greyletter stickers from the Studio Calico August Main Kit Boardwalk.

Pattern Paper-Sassafras(Enlighten and Flourish); My Mind’s Eye (Bingo); Crate Paper (Studio C and TealSong both for Studio Calico);Stamp-Studio Calico; Mistable Linen- Pink Paislee; Chipboard Letters-StudioCalico; Letter Stickers-Studio Calico (Elementary) and Sassafras for Studio Calio (mini alpha green); Brads-Basic Grey (Out ofPrint); Sticker Label-American Crafts Chalkboard stickers; Mists-Studio Calico Lunchtray and White Calico

Well, that's it from me today. It has cooled down TREMENDOUSLY here....like a 30-40 degree drop! We have the windows open, the dogs are running in and out and I think I might try to get some scrappy things done for me!

Check back, on Tues. I will have a link to a giveaway that you might want to get in on!

Pulling out the Studio Calico Kits!

2011-08-29T09:15:00.001-05:00

When I went to CKC St. Louis back in April, I signed up for the Studio Calico kit club while I was at the vendor fair. Since then, well, the kits have kind of been piling up! hee hee, imagine that! So, I have been trying to pull them out and use them on my Sketch Support work, just to give me some variety.

This past week was the One Page (sketch #12) sketch week. You can see that sketch HERE. I did a couple of projects for the one page sketch. I am going to share the card with you today.....

Supplies: Most Items are from Studio Calico August Main Kit Boardwalk.

Pattern Paper- My Mind’s Eye (Bingo); Crate Paper (Studio C and Teal Song both for SC); Cardstock-American Crafts; Stamp-Unity Kit of the Month (July 2010);

Twine-The Twinery Baker’s Twine (Buttercup); Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black;

Markers-Letraset Pro Markers; Adhesive-Scotch ATG, Fabri Tac and Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Here's a peek of something that I did for the Nikki Sivils challenge this month. It will be live on the Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker blog on Aug. 30th.

Well, I am off here for now. I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday. Well, the best you can for a Monday and I will be back later in the week!

Then There was Jetson....Studio Calico

2011-08-23T19:54:00.000-05:00

Well, it has been a crazy money spending couple of weeks. It started with taking Ella to the ER vet last weekend. Then the computer got hung up on some type of update (windows, anti-virus, who knows) and locked up. So, I quickly did a back up to make sure everything was saved! Then the noises started..squeak, squeak, etc. I looked up noises on the internet and it was a sure sign of your hard drive failing. NOT GOOD!

So off to Best Buy to check out hard drives after work....selection was slim to none....then we "wandered" over to the iMacs. I had thought about getting one last time, but didn't do it. Should have, that darn hard drive only lasted a year! So, before we knew it an iMac was heading home with us! So far so good...majorly easy to set up, everything is wireless...only a power cord which is nice. And it takes up less room on the desk!!

So, I have gotten some scrappy stuff done! I decided I better start digging into my Studio Calico kits that have just been sitting there. I did a couple of DT assignments for Sketch Support with one of them and then this layout. I had printed these pics of Jetson at separate times, but never used them for anything. I am an overprinter...but I try to use them if I can.

Supplies: Paper Moon Studio Calico June Main Kit (Aldrin and Armstrong (Studio Calico) Starter ABC's (Sassafras), Dandy (Basic Grey), Incoming Transmission( October Afternoon), Explore (Crate Paper): Stickers-Crate Paper (Toy Box); Letter Stickers-October Afternoon; Chipboard Letters-American Crafts, Buttons-Pebbles; Tags-K&C Smash and Studio Calico; Pen-Zig Micron; Punch-Martha Stewart; Adhesive-Scotch ATG and Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Here's a closer look at one of the tags

OH and I almost forgot, the boys had to go to the ER vet this past Saturday. They BOTH hurt the same leg, basically the same way. We think they must have been playing before we got home from work. A sure sign that Jetson is hurt, he doesn't bark. It was quiet for a few days, but a little too quiet. Here they are in the same exact room that Ella was in...at least we got a multi pet discount!!!

Well, that is it from me!!! I am off to try to get something created tonight. Last night I vegged out on the couch watching Charmed! Season 5!!!

The Twinery Anniversary with Echo Park!!

2011-08-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

Today is a fun day! As I have mentioned The Twinery's first anniversary celebration is this week and today we are partnering with Echo Park! You should have arrived here from Leslie Ashe's blog! And if you didn't then you need to start over at The Twinery's blog HERE, because if you like prizes...well, there are prizes for people that comment on every blog in the hop! You have two days to complete the hop, so grab a cuppa, soda or a water and enjoy yourself!!

The Twinery is giving away the Ultimate Sampler Pack Collection pictured below

And Echo Park is giving away THREE of their fabulous paper collections!!!

Those of us participating today are combining The Twinery Baker's Twine and the Echo Park paper collections. I got the Springtime and Victoria Gardens collections to play with!

Here is my project with the Springtime collection. A fun altered tray!

Here is a layout that I created with Victoria Gardens. I love the shabby chicness of this kit.

Supplies: Pattern Paper-Echo Park Victoria Gardens collection; Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine; Adhesive-Scotch ATG, Fabri-tac and Scrapbook Adhesives; Stamp-Unity Stamp Co; Collage Template-Kerri Bradford Designs

Here's a closer look at the twine element in the title

Make sure and leave a comment to be entered to win one of those fabby prizes up there. You have until 11:59 PM Eastern time Friday, August 19 2011 to comment. Winners will be announced on the Twinery blog on Saturday August 20 2011. I hope YOU will try some of The Twinery Baker's Twine after seeing everything you can do with it!! So glad you "hopped" by!

Now you will go to Tamara Tripodi's blog to see what she has in store for you!

Lots of things going on!

2011-08-16T08:35:00.000-05:00

Anniversary Party at The Twinery!!!! Check out the blog HERE

Allison Davis is our Guest Designer over at Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker Blog.....HERE

And last, I have be meaning to mention this but keep forgetting! If you noticed that Mr. Rebates button over on the right hand side of my blog....well, it WORKS! I have been using it for over a year now when I shop on the internet and I have gotten a little over 200.00 dollars back. And they do send you a check, it's not a gimmick or a scam! It's just an extra way to get a little cash back!

Girls Day and Ellaboobear Emergency

2011-08-13T20:45:00.001-05:00

I had grand plans of sleeping in this morning, but at 3:30 Carleen said she needed help. While chasing something (probably the rabbit that likes to torment the dogs) Ella had hurt herself. One of her front legs to be exact. So, off we headed to the overnight emergency clinic. The vet on duty said that when she was running, she hyper-extended it. No x-rays, but a shot of good pain meds that would make her sleep most of the day and a week's worth of some anti inflammatory medicine. Whew, it's always so scary when something is wrong with them and you don't know what to do for them. Here is a picture I took while we were waiting in the exam room for them to get ready for us to check out......

Poor baby, you can tell she is in pain by her eyes...

So, this also means that she got carried in and out all day by the two of us. She is feeling better tonight, so we are a little more relieved.

While she was laying around sleeping, I decided that I should get off the iPad and work on some scrapping. I have had this Echo Park collection, Country Drive, for awhile but just hadn't found anytime to play with it. So, I figured it was a good choice.

Supplies: Pattern Paper-Echo Park Country Drive; Transparencies-Hambly Studios; Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine; Stamps-Unity Stamp Co.; Embossing Powder and Chipboard Letters-American Crafts; Ribbon-Bo Bunny; Photo Collage-Kerri Bradford Designs; Adhesive-Scotch ATG, Fabri Tac and Scrapbook Adhesives, Ink-Memento Ink

I haven't really worked with transparencies, but I am loving these Hambly that I ordered! This is the first time I have used them and I loved trying to figure out what to do with them. They are the cameras and the black accent swirls frames in the layout!

Some closer pictures! And I really like these photo collages by Kerri Bradford. I only bought one set, but I think I am going to go get the rest of them! I have another layout coming up this week with a different collage that was in the same set.

That's it from me today. This coming week is The Twinery's ONE year anniversary. There is going to be lots of fun, prizes and more. I will be participating in the Echo Park celebration day which will be this Thursday, August 18. BUT I hope I update the blog before then!!

My Crafter's Companion Winner and more

2011-08-08T22:19:00.000-05:00

First of all, I need to post my Crafter's Companion winner.........

Nicole ~ The Diva said...How awesome would it be to win this cool tool. I hope I win nicole burris

Nicole, congratulations! Crafter's Companion will be getting you your prize out shortly!

Here is a layout done with the My Lil Monster collection from Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker. There is a story behind this, as I had emailed Nikki to ask her if I could use this picture for a layout for CHA. I told her I had an idea and it involved the Monster paper. She wrote me back and said sure...that she was going to use the same picture and create a layout about the "monster she had created" when she introduced me to scrapbooking. WELL, that was the SAME idea that I had! LOL We had a good laugh about it. I don't know if she got her's done yet or not, but I did mine!

Supplies: Pattern Paper-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker (My Lil Monster Collection); Buttons, Brads-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker; Punch-Martha Stewart;

Stamps-Nikki Sivils and Unity Stamp Co. Co-Brand My Lil Monster set;

Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine;

Markers-Faber Castell Big Brush Markers; Ink-Memento;

Adhesive-Scotch ATG, Fabri-Tac and Scrapbook Adhesives

Also Used-Cricut Expression, Gypsy, and Elegant Edges cartridge.

Also, if the layout looks somewhat familiar, well, I used the sketch from Sketch Support that I had done a layout for in THIS POST. I loved the way the sketch flowed and this is the FIRST time I have used a sketch a second time in almost the same way....actually it's the first time I have used a sketch a second time period! The layout just worked and at the time I had a ton of stuff to do, so I just went with it.

I have been playing with some other papers other than Nikki papers, but I can't show anything yet....there might be some Echo Park coming up on the blog soon! I haven't had a lot of time to create since getting back from CHA and trying to get caught up, so you are seeing my CHA work right now! And a little Sketch Support projects thrown in here and there!

And there is a little thing I got over the weekend that will cause even more distraction.......

Picture courtesy of Apple, Inc. website

I didn't think I would ever get one (because it is definitely a toy!)....but then Saturday, it just happened! I got the black iPad2 with a black cover...I know boring, but I will probably get a fun color cover later! I have been busy looking thru apps, playing games and just getting the feel of it. I seem to be addicted to Words with Friends! I think I have about 15 games going on right now.

Well, I think I am going to go play on it right now! Have a great night and good day tomorrow!

Yearly Check Up For Jetson....and an ink tip....

2011-08-04T22:44:00.000-05:00

I want to thank everyone for all the congrats/well wishes on my news yesterday. My blog readers are so so sweet! And I love that fact that you guys are funny sometimes too!

I have a tip for those of you that love to ink things or use lots of ink that I thought I would share. (I either heard this or read it and I don't remember which.) Since I got into inking edges, I have bought makeup sponges to use with my inks, so that I don't tear the pads up....I am pretty rough on them and have had the ink pads fall apart before! I went to ink with a grey ink and when I put it on the paper it turned a purple color...WHAT?!

I found out that most makeup sponges contain a chemical that can make the color of the ink change. So, the other day I picked up some natural sponges in the art section of Micheal's. I used them tonight and guess what....they worked perfectly!! I just got the round plain sponges...think they were around 1.99 for a pack of three that you can cut up into smaller ones. No color changing! Just thought I would pass that tip along!

On to the layout! This is from Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker's new Get Well Soon collection. Yes, even the veterinarian's office is not off limits for the camera! I took these at Jetson's last check up while we were waiting on Dr. Blackburn to come in the room. He makes the funniest faces while sitting on the table! The lighting was horrible (of course) so I have edited them the best I could!

Supplies: Pattern Paper-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker Get Well Soon collection; Stickers/Die Cuts-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker; Punch-EK Success; Ink-Memento;

Adhesive-Scotch ATG and Scrapbook Adhesives

This is a fun collection to play with! Great for surgery pictures, boo boo pictures, etc! I love the first aid sign paper, I think it's my favorite in the collection!

Well, I need to clean up my scrappy mess. I was playing with some Twinery twine, Echo Park, and an altered something! You will get to see it soon!

Some exciting news and then a little School is Cool for you!

2011-08-03T20:49:00.001-05:00

I thought I would share my news with you. I have known for a few weeks now, but just haven't had time to process it in my head yet! Nikki asked me to be the design team lead for Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker! I wasn't sure about accepting at first, but decided it might be fun! I have some BIG shoes to fill since Susan Dupre stepped down, but hopefully I will fill them pretty good. It means I get to do more posting and showcasing the Design Team Divas work over on the blog, so I am pumped about it! We have an amazing DT over there and I love showing off their work.

Here is a layout I did for CHA that was used for the School is Cool area! You know me, I love to showcase that paper can be used for "other" than the theme (if it has one!). I love this picture of Ella and I, it was just a random moment that I handed Carleen the camera and told her to take some pictures (which is rare....I hate my picture taken!).

BE BACK SOON!!!!!

Supplies: Pattern Paper, Die Cuts, and Stickers-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker School is Cool Collection; Button-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker; Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine; Adhesive-Scotch ATG and Fabri-Tac; Punch-EK Success;

Cricut Expression and Gyspy with the Elegant Edges Cartridge

I am using my Cricut more and more I have found out! Yes, it's a pain to drag out, but once I have it out I seem to just create things over and over with it! I used it and my Gypsy to create the background loop paper for this layout and I love the way it looks with the pattern on the paper. I used the Elegant Edges (my FAV cartridge!) cartridge and just enlarged the shape until I couldn't enlarge it anymore. If someone wants the exact size, I can look the file up, because I save it, just let me know in the comments!

AND for those of you wanting to get some Twinery Twine...well, they are having a SALE!!! Whoo hooo, that's right! This is on all the twine, even the fabby new colors!!!!! It is for a limited time, so grab some quick! The Twinery Baker's twine is the BEST out there!

Ok, I think I have rambled enough for someone that wasn't going to update the blog tonight!!! Have a wonderful night!!

Sketches for Scrapbooking Winner and Crafter's Companion Giveaway...

2011-08-01T21:03:00.000-05:00

First of all I have a winner of the One Page Sketches for Scrapbooking Volume 1

.........drumroll please........And the winner is......

Steffanie said...

Nice home-spun feel to this layout! Thanks for the chance to win!

Steffanie (love the spelling!) I will be contacting you for your mailing info!!!!

Disclaimer: I know it seems like I am having a lot of giveaways (I actually kinda hate that!) I promise they will slow down.....I don't want you to think I am pushing things on you....I would have liked to spread them out, but they kind of all fell at one time!

Now on to my post!

This was my latest project for Crafter's Companion. Sadly, this will be my last month with them, but I will still be checking out their products!

I have a couple of the Humphrey sets and I wanted to work with the Birthday Girl set, since I hadn't inked her up yet! Here is a picture of the entire set. I love the fact that you get more than one sentiment!

And here is the card I came up with.

Supplies: Cardstock-Recollections; Pattern Paper-American Crafts Peachy Keen collection; Stamps-Humprey from Crafter's Companion; Punch-EK Success; Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black; Markers-Copic, Bic, and Tombow; Adhesives-Scotch ATG and Scrapbook Adhesives

It was a little late when I made this and I didn't feel like dragging my ribbon out, so I just pleated some paper to create the effect of ribbon. I love to do it, if it seems to fit with what I am working on. And since her dress had flowers all over it, this little strip worked perfectly! Here is a close up of the pleated paper ribbon strip.....

And Crafter's Companion is having a giveway of an Envelopbox board! How can you win one? Well, each team member is giving away one board! Here is more info...and this runs from Aug 1st-7th.

They have given the entire design team an Envelobox to give away on their blogs to one lucky U.S. resident! Here's how you can own this amazing tool. Simply become a follower of Crafter's Companion USA challenge blog and leave a comment on this post. You must do this to win. If you'd like a couple more chances to win this post about this giveaway on your blog or sidebar and become a fan of our Facebook page. For each of these things leave a separate comment here. This giveaway will run for one week from August 1st through August 7th. I will pick a winner using a random generator on Monday, August 8th so be sure to check back Monday evening!

NEW Twinery Colors!!!! And don't forget you still have some time....

2011-07-31T10:47:00.000-05:00

Quick post for today...The Twinery has NEW COLORS and you are totally going to swoon over them. So, I won't keep you in suspense, I am just going to show you!!!

I don't know which is my favorite...I think I love them all!!!!!

We have some fun company this weekend...Carleen's nieces are down!! It is always the adventure when they are here. And constantly on the go! We did the drive thru animal park yesterday and had quite the time. We almost got (for lack of a better word) "crapped" on by a camel. We were in the car, but there was quite the smell all of a sudden. Two teenage girls and me screaming, then Carleen trying to get the car out of the way! Here are a few of our pics from the day....I will have more later! And I made myself practice my manual photography skills and I was quite happy with most of the pictures!!

Hanging out downtown!

The offender! I think his name was Clyde....

Sheldon the giraffe, he is about 7 months old and so sweet.....and yes, it was HOT again!

This guys CREEPS me out....reminds me of the velociraptors in Jurassic Park!

And don't forget I have the One Page Sketches for Scrapbooking giveaway on this POST. There is still time to enter to get your hands on this! These are wonderful books to get your mojo flowing, or to just complete a quick page!!!

I promise, projects are coming!!! I had to get this post in quick while the girls were at Tagret! I didn't have time to do supply lists, etc.!

Off for another adventure with the girls!!!

Pottery Show and a Giveaway!

2011-07-28T20:28:00.001-05:00

My roomie, Carleen, loves to do pottery. We have pots, critters, vases, you name it it's probably sitting around the house! I gave her a set of lessons for her birthday and it is the gift that has kept on giving!!

At the pottery shop, they had a showing of students work. OF COURSE, I had to go take pics! After a little while I think she was pretty much done with the camera being out!

This layout is made with this weeks sketch on Sketch Support. I did this right before I left for CHA...like the night before and I still had to pack! So, I basically followed the sketch and didn't change it up much! The sketch is HERE-Sketch 11 on the Sketch Support site if you would like to see what I worked from.

Supplies: Pattern Paper-American Crafts Peachy Keen Collection; Chipboard Letters-American Crafts Thickers; Sticker Letters-My Mind’s Eye Sophie; Stamp-Unity Stamp Co.; Ink-Jenni Bowlin Lemon Drop (on the letters for show); Markers-Faber Castell Big Brush Markers (for the stamp); Adhesive-Scotch ATG and Scrapbook Adhesives

I pretty much followed the sketch as it was....I rounded some corners, added the border strip and move the journaling. I would have loved to have "added more", but time did not allow it and I am ok with the way it turned out!

Picture courtesy of Scrapbook Generation's website

NOW, it's YOUR chance to win the new ONE PAGE Sketches for Scrapbooking Vol. 1!! All you have to do is leave a comment here on this post. You have until midnight CST on Sunday, July 31st. I will announce the winner on Monday evening!

Have a great rest of the night!

Edited to add: YOU MUST leave a way for me to contact you, either thru your blogger profile/blog or an email address in the comment you leave! Thanks!

A Sketch Support Layout

2011-07-26T18:52:00.000-05:00

Wow, I did not realize that I was so far behind on posting projects! That is what happens when you don't blog, yet keep creating layouts, cards, and altered projects. That just means I get lots to post without a lot of picture taking and editing. I usually take pictures and edit all at the same time...I just seem to get in a rhythm and can get it done fairly quickly. Don't interrupt me though! LOL

This is a layout that was up on Sketch Support for the last one page layout sketch! So, basically a month ago. The link above will take you to the sketch I worked with and then you can see how I changed it! The new one page sketch is up this week and I will have my take on it over on the Sketch Support blog on Friday. Also check back because I will be having a giveaway of the new One Page Sketches for Scrapbooking book also!

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants (Spring Fever), Pebbles (Dandy), Crate Paper (Bouquet), Studio Calico (Fly By and Cooped Up); Letters: American Crafts, Basic Grey, Girl’s Paperie; Stamps: Unity Stamp Co (Priceless Reflections); Chipboard: Crate Paper (Neighborhood); Flower Brad: Pebbles (Happy Go Lucky Flower Brad); Die Cut Tag: We R Memory Keepers; Stickers: Crate Paper (Neighborhood); Pinking Edge Filters: Fancy Pants; Ribbon: American Crafts; Ink: Memento and Jenni Bowlin; Adhesive: Scotch ATG, Elmers, and Scrapbook Adhesives; Pen: Zig Micron; Tools: Fiskars Border Punch, Cricut Expression, Gypsy, Elegant Edges Cartridge

And here are some close-ups.

This was a hard layout to do. You have seen me scrap, Fannie, the red and white Pembroke. The black and white is Toby. This is the first page that I have scrapped of him and I will say there were some tears during and after I was done. These two were peas in a pod and this picture was taken the week we found out how sick Toby was. Miss you bunches little guy.........

That's it from me.....I will catch you later in the week.

BACK from CHA with a quick update....

2011-07-23T22:38:00.000-05:00

Wow, I am wiped out!! My first CHA (and hopefully not my last!) was sad, crazy, fun, overwhelming, hard work, exciting, and wonderful all rolled into one.

I am going to apologize upfront, that my CHA pictures will be in no particular order! I will tell you what day I took them, but I have them on two different computers at the moment!

The sad part is that I did not get to meet my online buddy Sarah de Guzman. She had a medical emergency and she and Gloria had to cancel their flight right before they were to leave. You can read about Sarah's scary emergency here. So, I was very worried about her and still am...missed you buddy...get better soon!

So after an 8.5 hour drive, I got to help set up the booth! Now, this is quite interesting as everyone is there, the air conditioner is BARELY on in the convention center during set up/take down. I do not...let me repeat...DO NOT like to be hot! (more on THAT later!). So, I helped Nikki and Dan set up the booth until about 8:30-9:00 Sunday night. Then I went back to the hotel room and worked on these!

I love the way they turned out, but they do take awhile!! These were all out of the "My Lil' Monster" collection. Then on Monday, I worked on these out of the "Gingerbread Land" collection.

On Monday, my roomie, Suzy West arrived. LOVE that lady, she is a HOOT!!!! Here is a picture of her when we went to downtown Chicago (which is a entire post in itself!).

Let's just say she made me SICK. She looked daisy fresh the entire time in 100+ degree temps...me not so much!

The best part of CHA, is meeting friends that you only know online, or that you haven't seen in awhile!!! I LOVE these girls, Jen Matott and Sarah Eclavea that are on Nikki Sivils DT with me! LOVE LOVE LOVE them!!!!

And then here are Sarah and I with Nikki, Jen had to catch a flight and we didn't get the picture taken before she had to leave...boo! and it's a little blurry, but we were getting ready for booth tear down.

I was so happy to get home! And this morning, I got up in time to catch this moment outside.....gosh, I missed their furry faces while I was gone. And then I have slept all day! LOL

That's it from me...I need to get another blog post done over on Nikki's blog!!!! Catch you next week....probably on Monday!

I'm Back with a School is Cool layout!

2011-07-12T23:26:00.001-05:00

Well, I disappeared off the face of the "blog" universe! As of tomorrow it will be almost a month since I have blogged...EKKK....that's a long time. I have been sick with a summer (icky) cold and then CHA madness took over!

So, this is going to be short and sweet, but I wanted to update the blog at least one time before I leave for CHA. I am hoping that I can "pre-schedule" a couple of posts before I leave to post a few projects and then update while I am there with some fun pictures!

Here is a...wait for it.....TWO page layout with the new Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker "School is Cool" line. This is a FUN line and I can't get enough of that blue argyle pattern paper! I want to use it over and over!

WILL RETURN SOON!!!!

Supplies: Paper, Stickers and Embellishments Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker (School is Cool collection), Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine; Adhesive-Scotch and Scrapbook Adhesives

The clouds were cut with my Cricut, using the April Showers cartridge. I don't have the exact cut sizes near me at the moment, but I did save the Gypsy file, so if you want them I can look them up!

And a close up

So this goes to show you that you do not have to have kids to use a school themed collection!!! So, be looking for this collection soon at your LSS and if they don't have it, ask for it!!!

If you are going to CHA, I will be in the Nikki Sivils booth, so stop by and say hi! I would love to meet you!

School is Cool at Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker!!! CHA SNEAK PEEK!

2011-06-13T13:25:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I know everyone is always wanting sneak peeks, well here you go!!!!!

And that is not all!!! Nikki has added collection kits, punch outs, SIX different Alphas on one sticker sheet, plus a sticker sheet of elements. AND then there will be those FABBY Unity stamps that will coordinate with each line!!!!

Let me know what you think!!!

Elmer's Craft and Tell Challenge

2011-06-10T23:11:00.000-05:00

Looking for the Twinery/PSA blog Hop?? Click Here!

Some of the Divas from Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker took on Elmer's Craft and Tell Challenge! Elmer's was very generous with items for us to work with and incorporate into our project! We divided into teams with Julie Tucker-Woleck being the captain for one team and me the other!! AND we are each giving a prize pack from Elmer's!!!! See details below on how to win!!!!

Here are some of the fun goodies, I got to play with! A little note....I have seen these in Walmart here, so you may be able to find them there too!

And here is what I created!!!! This was quick easy and will make a cute gift to give someone or I might just keep it myself!!!!

Supplies: Pattern Paper-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker We are Family collection; ChipboardNikki Sivils, Scrapbooker ; Brads-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker Warm Cord Brads; Buttons-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker Cute as a Button Burlap Buttons; Pearls-Recollections; Ribbon-Offray; Adhesive-Elmer's Glue Stick, Glue Spots, Fabric and Paper Glue; Paint Marker-Elmer's

I used the decorative scissors to make my flowers!

And I used the Paint Markers to color my chipboard!!! I loved the effect, it made it look like suede. I will be doing that again, very soon!!! And the Fabric/Paper glue dries clear. I had glue everywhere with those pearls, but you can't see it!!

Want to know how to get your hands on some of these goodies???

Visit each one of my teammate's blogs and leave a comment on their project!

And me!

THEN, you need to go to Nikki's blog HERE and leave me a comment letting me know that you visited everyone. You have until June 12th at midnight CST to leave comments!!! Only five more blogs to visit and you could win!!! And don't forget to comment here!

The Twinery and PSA Essentials Blog Hop!!

2011-06-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today's Line Up

FRIDAY, JUNE 10
April Meeker: http://www.suaviloquy.blogspot.com/
Stephanie Jones: http://pinkstarcreations.blogspot.com/
Katrina Hunt: http://www.paperscissorsandglue.blogspot.com/ (you are here!)
Emily Leiphart: http://www.leiphartonart.blogspot.com/
Amber Zimmerman: http://amberzimm.blogspot.com/

Hi there, this is Day 5 of The Twinery and PSA Essentials Blog Hop. You can get the entire week's line up here and you are going to want to because there are prizes!!! Details on prizes and discounts will be at the bottom of the post! So, let's get on with my project.

I played with the following set from PSA Essentials, The Rosetta! This is such a cute set! Along with the Orange/Poppy ink set!

I thought the set would be really cute to do a layout with accents! So I just started creating!!!

Supplies: Cardstock-American Crafts; Pattern Paper-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker (Summer); Stickers-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker (Summer); Letters-American Crafts; Stamps-PSA Essentials (Rosetta); Ink-PSA Essentials (Orange/Poppy); Twine-The Twinery Baker's Twine (Honeydew and Pink Sorbet); Adhesives: Scotch ATG, Fabri-Tac and Scrapbook Adhesives

And some close ups!

Here's some "knowledge" for you about both companies!!

PSA ESSENTIALS

PSA Essentials manufactures custom, self-inking stamps (think return address labels.) We have patent-pending Peel & Stick technology which allows you to PEEL away your custom stamp and STICK on a new design, and we have thousands of designs - from Holiday, Birthday, Sentiments, and licensed Peanuts, Hello Kitty, U.B.U., Smirk, College & Universities, and Greek Life, making PSA Essentials perfect for crafting! The self-inking stamper (and 22-ink cartridges) give a crisp, clean and consistent impressions every time, the technology allows you to interchange your designs quickly for scrapbooking, cardmaking, creating gift tags, bags, wrap, making favors and decorations.

Get your order in for PSA Essentials right HERE and when you order between June 6-10th (today!) you will get a 30% discount!!! No code needed just order TODAY!

THE TWINERY

Our twine is made from 100% cotton, it's eco-friendly and made in the USA. Whether you're gift wrapping, crafting or tying up baked goods to give to a friend, our baker's twine adds a fresh, yet nostalgic look to any project at hand! Our baker's twine comes in 11 delicious colors and is uniquely twisted against a bright white hue, creating an eye-popping burst of color and a creative embellishment! Our twine has lots of color which lends to a fun, candy-striped look.

And THE TWINERY is offering a 15% Discount on all orders placed between June 6-10th (today!)!! You will need the following code: PSAHOP15

PRIZE GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

The Twinery Prize Pack

Winners choice of 6 spools of baker's twine (value of $84)

PSA Essentials Prize Pack

1 stamper & 3 Peel & Stick packs, and 1 Monogrammed Tote Bag (value of $75+)

HOW TO WIN

Enter from June 6th at 12:01 AM EST to June 12th at 11:59 EST

LEAVE COMMENT ON EACH PARTICIPATING DESIGNER'S BLOG

FOR ADDITIONAL ENTRIES, SEE BELOW!
Follow the PSA Stamp Camp Blog – 1 entry

Follow The Twinery Blog – 1 entry
Like PSA Essentials on Facebook – 1 entry
Like The Twinery on Facebook – 1 entry

Winner will be chosen on 6/13 and announced on The Twinery blog as well as on the Facebook pages of The Twinery and PSA Essentials.

Thanks for stopping by!!!!

It's a Tree, It's Beatrice, It's Beatrice in a Tree!!!

2011-06-08T22:43:00.000-05:00

Ok, this is going to be short and sweet with lots of pictures!!! This is a tree I made for CHA that I finally was able to take some decent pictures of. I was sitting on the ground, practically laying down trying to get the entire tree in the shot!!!! LOL LOL

I am not going to tell you how long this took....let's just say I was glad when it was done!

I am going to list the supplies right here at the top, which is different than I normally do, but with all the pictures I thought it might be easier!

Supplies: Pattern Paper & Die Cuts-Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker (Beatrice); Punch-Martha Stewart border punch; Adhesives-Mod Podge, hot glue; Ribbon-Offray;

Scissors-Martha Stewart fringe scissors

Exciting News and a Way to help fellow Crafters!!!

2011-06-05T12:26:00.002-05:00

I have no excuses for my absence here...well, yeah I do, but when I tell you I have been watching Dexter I know that excuse isn't going to fly! LOL LOL

Do YOU want to help the people in Joplin, but just aren't sure how to do it? What to do something that is dear to your heart and that you love for other people just like you? Well, for crafters this is a GREAT way to help.

Nikki Sivils, Scrapbooker has started a donation drive for supplies for the Joplin scrapbookers that have lost everything. How neat is that! Here is the flyer with all the info and I am donating stuff myself along with people ALL over the country! I am hoping to work it out, so that I can help take these supplies down there and into hands of people that may just "need to take their mind" off of things for awhile. If you have any questions about donating, please let us know! This was Nikki's idea and such a GREAT one!!!!

And then...did you see this??? I just have to say I am so excited about this I can't stand it!!! I CANNOT wait to see these!!!! I am still pinching myself! And if you look, there is a sneak of one of the new CHA lines!!!

Grab this badge too, use it on Facebook, your blog, where ever you want!!! You never know when we might spot it!!!

And then on the Sketch Support front, it was card week last week!! I whipped up a quick little card using the sketch (sketch #8) that Allison had for us and tweaked it to make it "fit" what I wanted to do!!!

Supplies: Cardstock-American Crafts; Pattern Paper-Echo Park Splash; Stickers-EchoPark Splash; Stamps-Unity Stamp Co. May Kit of the Month; Twine-The Twinery; Ink-Jenni Bowlin (Chicken Feed); Embossing Powder-American Crafts; Adhesive-Scotch ATG and Scrapbook Adhesives.

And all this week The Twinery and PSA Stamps will be having a blog hop. I will be participating on Friday, but here is just a little reminder!!!

Ha ha, I thought I didn't have anything to blog about....guess I proved that wrong!!!! Have a wonderful Sunday and I will catch you next week!!!!

It's Tuesday??? Oh heck, I blew right past Monday!!!

2011-05-31T20:57:00.000-05:00

Well, I blew right past Monday! Sorry about that, I need to announce my Growing in Unity winner. I put all the names in a hat and drew out one....and the lucky winner is..................

Julie Tucker-Woleck!!!!

I will contacting you for information! Thank you to everyone for coming by and making my week so fun!!!

That's it for me today.....I am a little behind. I cleaned out ALL my clothes that I don't wear anymore this weekend and then I started on my scrap stuff....so I haven't done much!!!!!

I will catch you later in the week!!!!