Monday, March 31, 2008

Embellished Labels...


My Sister was over for some stamping on Saturday, this is one of the cards that we made by layering some Sheer flowers and the felt flowers from SU.

Above is a photo of the package of sheer flowers, they are wonderful to use.

Above you see a photo of my ink storage and above that I used her Cricut and Adhesive backed Vinyl to create this fun saying, "If all else fails-add another embellishment!".

Above is a photo of my Sisters eyelet and brad storage, she left it here by accident on Saturday (I would be lost with out my Embellies) so I took some photos of it to share. This is the best storage solution I have seen for these type of products.

Above you see a photo of the case open and how the storage containers stack.

Above is one of the containers full of goodies.


Now have you noticed the photo of ANNATO in the right hand side of my blog bar?

Food for Thought....

This past week we have been trying to figure out a rash situation (hives) that has plagued my DH since we moved to town four years ago. At first we thought he may be allergic to what was in the well water, but after Rural water came to town his rash continued. Then we thought about possible work chemicals, an environmental cause for this onset of rash. That was soon ruled out because the rash was only on the covered parts of his body and not on his exposed skin. Now the rash is moving to his face, head and lower extremities and leading us to think it could possibly be linked to food allergies.

This week we went through the cupboards, fridge and freezer to see what we actually had been purchasing and started looking up some of the additives on the computer. My cupboards were so toxic I about fainted everything from boxed potatoes, Jello, table salt, noodles, breakfast cereal canned soup and seasonings. Some research in the fridge took us to the ANNATTO, did you know even milk and cheese contain additives ie: color in cheese?

So on our journey I will be posting some healthy insights in my right hand side blog bar as "Food For Thought". If you have any further questions feel free to email me or leave a comment in the post.

Facts for food for thought have come from the online Wikipidea. Here is my challenge for you today: Try plugging in one of your questionable food additives here and see what you find.

Happy Stamp Day!

Swingn' into spring...


Okay, I was able to do the TLC challenge over on splitcoaststampers for today TLC162 It is called Paper Tole, where some images are cut and stacked to get some dimension on your card. I set out to make my card look like a jungle, did I make it Swingin' or what? Usually I don't have Patience for this type of coloring or cutting, that is probably why this Changito the Monkey set from Stampendous has not seen the light of day for a very long time. But today with the gentle snow falling and my DH home to care for the kids I took my time and came up with the above challenge card.

Product list...
Changito the Monkey by Stampendous
SU word window punch
SU green galore marker
SU glorious green marker and card stock
SU chocolate chip ink and card stock
SU basic black ink
colored pencils
pop dots
CB embossing folder divine swirls

Above photo is of a bike left out in the AM snow. So a photo of spring and winter merged, only in SD.

There is another post for today blelow...

Happy Stamp Day!

Another Round...

This week is dawning with another round of winter weather in our area and the Chicken Pox is coming after our Middle child now. She started feeling poor on Saturday afternoon and by Sunday noon she started to break out with the Pox. Our little one thinks it is funny when I ask to see the spots so she has started to show us her spots or lack of spots also.

My Sister was able to come over and stamp with me on Saturday so I have lots of things to show you after I get some photos taken.

Happy Stamp Day!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Rub-on Oval Background...



I was so inspired by this card I had seen made by Petal Pusher over on SCS I had to CASE it. Now she used PTI card stock and a SU small oval punch. I don't have any oval punches but I do still have my Sister's Cricut so I cut out 1 1/2 inch ovals on the Cricut. I have not had any luck so far using PTI card stock in the Cricut on any setting, it is so thick it will just emboss the image not even come close to making a cut. So I used the SU card stock colors of Certainly Celery and Soft Sky. Because I used the Cricut to cut my ovals they were also larger then the ones used on the CASE card so I ended up using less on my card. After the ovals were cut on the Cricut I ran them through the Xyron and mounted them on a piece of Very Vanilla. Next I put the rub-on onto a piece of acetate and attached that to my ovals with brads. This was such a fun card to do and I was totally inspired by the pattern.

Product list...
Cricut
SU Certainly Celery
SU Soft Sky
SU Very Vanilla
SU SAB rub-ons
Corner Rounder
Cricut
Brads
Pop Dots
Acetate
Xyron

Happy Stamp Day!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

CC159 a color challenge card...



Tuesday is the color challenge over on SCS and yesterday the colors were...

Soft Sky (bashful Blue)
Basic Grey (Basic Black)
Whisper White

So the above was my challenge card and I did not even dirty up a stamp for this one. All the images are SAB rub-ons from Stampin' Up!

Product list...
Soft Sky Card Stock
Whisper White Card Stock
Basic Black Card Stock
Scallop Punch
SAB rub-ons
Ribbon
White Paint Pen
Brads
Circle punch

It is fun to make a window using the Scallop Punch from Stampin up and a 1 1/4" circle punch. First you need to punch your circle on the card stock then center the scallop punch around your punched circle and you have your window.


Happy Stamp Day!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Flap Fold Cards Face the Truth...



Here is a link to the tutorial by Rose Ann Reynolds for Scor Pal Flap Fold Cards.
This was for TLC161 on SCS for Monday's Challenge. You can find a link to all SCS weekly challenges on the right hand side blog bar, challenge yourself today!

I made mine 4 1/4" wide and did not use the magnet closure but other than that I followed the directions and it is a very simple and fun card to make.

Product list...
SU Purely Pomegranate Card Stock and Ink
SU Pretty in Pink card stock and gg ribbon
SU Close to Cocoa Ink
SU DP Berry Bliss
SU build a brad
Cricut (for the flowers and heart)
MM brad
Paint Pen white
scallop circle punch


I also made a goal last week to do more with the inside of my cards, this style of card really lent itself to this goal and I had tons of fun with it. Do you suppose my Sister will eventually ask me for her Cricut back? LOL! She reads my blog so I better say, "Just kidding, but eventually you will have to come over and stamp with me to get it back".


Sometimes the truth is just laugh out loud funny...This is me to a T!


What Sara Means




You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong.

You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know.

You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do.



You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.

You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.

You have the classic "Type A" personality.
You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind.

A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable.
You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out.

You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.


Happy Stamp Day!

Monday, March 24, 2008

Spring Cleaning...



So here is our youngest DD getting in on the cleaning action. The spoon was sparkling clean, LOL! She also likes to dust and she does windows, right after they have been cleaned. How does the saying go, "cleaning while children are young is like...."?

You can download this free digital kit by visiting...
www.shabbyprincess.com

The girls will be going back to school on Tuesday and hopefully life as I know it will be getting back to normal. And my plans while they are home for today is to get some cards made.

Happy Stamp Day!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Not Wired and a shout out...

It was so quiet around here on Friday almost to the point of being ridiculous. Started out when the answering machine would not pick up calls, next it was no Internet and finally the satellite. What is going on? Turns out our little DD had unplugged the second phone line and it was repaired when DH came home but it sure made for one boring Friday. I thought the girls were going to go nuts so we did some spring cleaning. Forgot what the world is like when you are not wired, just unplug for a day, LOL!

Today I want to thank Rochelle over at Impressions for the grand gift set she made and sent to our oldest DD. She did not make just one she sent two and our DD happily shared it with her BFF. So many ideas on her web site please take some time and look around.

She also sent the following along, Hershey Stick Holders plus an entire box of extra sticks. WOW, chocolate heaven for sure! In the box was also a very nice notebook and matching pen just for me. And to top it off she replaced the stamp container for the "have a ball" set, so kind!

Thank you Rochelle for all of your kindness and making a very special mail day for our DD.

THANK YOU!

Happy Stamp Day!

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Just Springy...


Happy Spring!

Found this cute scallop card over at Can I Stamp That? Just begging me to CASE, so the above photo is of my creation.

Products used

SU Close to cocoa card stock and Ink
SU SAB rub-ons
SU small envelope
SU Hostess set Spring Solitude

PTI perfect match ribbon and ink

White paint pen
Giga Scallop Punch


Wall Art blog candy winner is number 3 Cheryl, Cheryl said...
Whoops--forgot to add that your favorite birthday was at Disneyland and the beach!! Sorry, got caught up in my own birthday story.
Cheryl

March 16, 2008 2:23 PM

I will be contacting you Cheryl.


Happy Stamp Day!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

William Tell Mom...video

My college roommate sent me this video email today, totally hilarious! Thanks Lani!

Winter follies with the Easter Bunny?



We had a great snow on Monday, in fact this was the first snowman snow we have had all season. It has been so cold this winter the snow was falling as powder and when it did warm it turned to ice crystals. Needless to say our youngest DD has been waiting a very long time to make a snowman and on Monday she got her chance. Daddy was home early because of the weather so he helped her get the job done. And with all of this new snow it is hard to believe that Easter is this Sunday, here is one of the cards I have gotten made.

Wanda over at My Creative Corner had this cute bunny card posted the other day and I had to give it a try myself, it is so CUTE!



Supplies:
PTI perfect match Card stock and ink
Cricut
Cuttlebug embossing folder
SU word window punch
Scallop circle punch
SU Pretty in Pink card stock and ink
SU Close to cocoa marker and card stock
Aqua painter
small page pebble

Happy Stamp Day!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Pop-up Card PTI and Cricut...



My first pop up card, this style of card was really fun to make and easy. Here is a link to the best directions for this style of card... Capture the Moment

Products used on my card...
PTI Ribbon
PTI Card Stock
PTI Perfect Match Ink
PTI set Spriral Boquet
Cricut flowers
Bazzil Brad
Craft Knife
Ruler
Gemstones
Corner Rounder
Scallop Punch

Happy Stamp Day!

Monday, March 17, 2008

March Madness....



Yes it is March 17th St. Patrick's Day 2008 and so far we have 6 inches of new snow on the ground, and it is beautiful this AM. So quiet and peaceful, then again I don't have to go out I am sure for others they would have a different story to tell. No wind, just peaceful bliss of gently falling snow.

Happy Stamp Day!

Everyday Blessings Memo Cube tutorial...

We are getting dumped on again with snow today as a spring storm makes its way through our area. Hopefully the last snow day of the year, this means our oldest DD will miss one less day because of the Chicken Pox. Have to admit a fresh coat of white sure does look good to me, and it is not so cold out anymore so a possible snowman today??




Made this project to sit on DH's desk, here is a list of supplies...

1) Foam Block (Dollar Tree)
2) Everyday Blessings DP from PTI
3) Everyday Blessings Stamp Set from PTI
4) Perfect Match Card Stock PTI
5) Perfect Match Ribbon PTI
6) Cork Paper (local dollar store)
7) Page Pebbles (wal-mart)
8) Thumb Tacks
9) E6000 adhesive
10) Mod Podge
11) Foam Brush
12) Beads and beading supplies (Hobby Lobby)
13) Acrylic Frame

How to assemble your cube..
1) Cut all of your pieces to fit your measured sides of cube
2) Adhere them to memo cube with the mod podge two opposite sides at a time
3) Place on wax paper glue and paper side facing down and one facing up
4) Place a layer of wax paper over the top and cover with a heavy book
5) Let sit for 30 min or more this helps the mod podge to adhere to the foam and prevents curling of the paper at the edges
6) Repeat steps 2-5 two more times 'til the cube is covered
7) To make thumb tacks, punch circles from your DP, place a page pebble on top of your dp circle and adhere a thumb tack to the back of the dp with E6000 adhesive
8) To make your photo holders cut a length of wire, wrap one end around a pencil three times, bead the bottom of the wire dip the wire in some mod podge and poke into the top of the cube
9) Place your photos and or sentiments and you are done


Here are two links to similar projects I have made...

The Other Side
Re purposed Valentine Memo Cube

Reminder to sign up for blog candy in the previous post.

Happy Stamp Day!

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Favorite TV shows and a Blog Candy Hide and Seek...

Seems like all we watch around here lately are kid cartoons our youngest DD gets upset when the channel is changed so we wait 'til we retire to our room at night to watch the DVR shows for the day. As we were watching Curious George for the 100th time our oldest DD asked me what kind of cartoons I watched as a kid and this is what came to mind...

Early, very early on Saturday morning I remember getting up to watch the "Bay City Rollers", LOL funny. But that is where you would find me first thing on Sat AM. I also liked Finstones, Mr. Magoo, Sesame Street, Kapt. Kangaroo, Mr. Rodgers, Jetsons to name a few.

Some daily shows we used to watch were...
Gilligan's Island
Leave it to Beaver
Brady Bunch
Little House
Simon and Simon
CHIPS

I can remember my Mother watching Guiding Light and As the World Turns.

Don't recall my Dad watching much TV, he liked to read and go to bed Early very hard working man. With one exception he did like to come home and watch the news but my sister and I were busy watching Sesame Street for the third time, it really would wind him up sometimes we would win and other times he would get to watch the news.
I do remember him purchasing our first VCR because of a Power surge while we were renting one we had to purchase it. It actually had a remote control attached to the front of the VCR by a cord, LOL! (Can anyone else remember that?)

So there is my answer, they thought I was kidding when I showed them a clip on You tube of the bay city rollers, LOL!

Blog Candy Hide and Seek is back for another round...

Here is what you have to seek out, your favorite food, kitchen or cartoon memory make sure you share your story and answer one of the following questions...

Where did I celebrate my favorite Birthday?
What SU color are my two new kitchen walls?

Leave a comment here on this post and I will draw a random winner with the number generator. Winner will get there own wall art (up to 15 letters in the George Font), and some secret goodies.

A random winner will be drawn on 3-20-08.

Vinyl Wall Gallery Cricut Project a tutorial...



I so wanted to include this in yesterdays post but my computer did not want to type, today it does and I have done nothing with it. Weird!

In my kitchen reveal I showed you my "Savor the Memories" gallery wall, here is how you can make your own...

1) Gallery Mounts

A) Blank Artist Canvas (found these at the Dollar Tree) came two in a package for one dollar. For this project I purchased three packages.
B) Spray Adhesive, make sure it is acid free. (This was found at Hobby Lobby.)
C) Decorative Paper, I used Berry Bliss from Stampin' Up!
1) Cut your DP one inch larger on every side then your artist canvas.
2) Spray your artist canvas with adhesive, I also sprayed the back of my DP.
(Please follow the directions on your spray for adhering your paper.
3) Mount your DP to your artist canvas and let adhesive dry.
4) Since mine are hanging in the kitchen I decided to spray them with a matte finish spray sealer, (found at Hobby Lobby).
5) Place doubled sided foam tape on back of your covered artist canvas.
6) Mark your wall placement, for this I had my DH help and he used his laser level. You can also snap a chalk line.
7) Mount your artist canvas per directions with your foam tape. Depending on the size and weight of your canvas it will tell you how many inches of tape to use.
8) You can now leave your artist canvas as is with just the DP or you can take it further as I did my placing matted photos on the canvas. Keep in mind that these photos were printed at home from my computer, I intend to replace them after a certain time period. You could also cover your copied prints with laminate if you intend to leave them up for a long period of time. (Never laminate your original photos!)

Below is a photo of items used for gallery mounts...

Below is a photo of the Vinyl packaging purchased at Hobby Lobby...




2) Wall Art
A) Adhesive Backed Vinyl, (found mine at Hobby Lobby).
B) Cricut machine with font cartridge (I used the George Font).
C) Laser Level or chalk line
1) Figure out what the sentiment is you would like to use
2) Figure out the Font height that will match your intended space.
3) Peel your adhesive backed vinyl from its carrier sheet and place on your Cricut Cutting mat.
4) Use the Cricut to cut out your lettering.
5) Set up your laser level or snap a chalk line.
6) Place your cut vinyl letters in your project area.

Here are some places I have searched out where you can find the adhesive vinyl...

1) Hobby Lobby (in store only have black and white).
2) Lowes, Wall Pops many colors and patterns
3) HappyScrapinscrapbooking.com Many colors
4) Ellison (this vinyl is for WINDOW CLINGS, can not be used as wall art will not stick because it is not adhesive backed.

Huge thank you going out to my Sister for letting me use her Cricut with out this my wall art would not have been complete. Thank you!
Happy Stamp Day!

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Blogoversary Day today, Happy Birthday....

Edited 3-16-08 to get video working, video now displayed below.



Okay today is the big day the final reveals and my Blogoversary. Hard to believe I have been at this for a year, but it is such fun the time has flown by. I hope you are enjoying my progress and finding some new ideas and inspiration as I go.
So for the final group of photos in my "Savor the Memories" scrapbook I titled it Friends. We usually go out with our friends here in Monroe most of the time we take turns having each other over for dinner and a game of cards. We also like to play dominoes, Scattergories and this Christmas it was Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader (proud to say that I am), but we decided what happens during the game stays with the game, LOL!
Bottom photo my BFF since the second grade with my Dad at her going away party. She now is happily living in Ohio and is very much missed around here. It is our 20th class reunion this summer I hope she can make it back. She happens to agree with me that my Dad's homemade ice cream is ROCKIN!


Here is a photo of us eating out at Granite City this was a birthday party for my sister and myself. Did you know that there was only 11 months between our births. Her birthday is July 5th and mine is June 9th (I find it funny that we are the same age for a few days, LOL!)
The bottom photo is of my with the women's coffee club my Mom belonged to. Everyday we would walk up to the Bowling Alley so she could chat with her friends. Wonder what she would think of chatting online these days or of Starbucks coffee? Anyway these ladies totally spoiled my sister and myself they would give us anything we asked for up to and including new bikes and a puppy.

This is my first attempt to place my own video on the blog so please bear with me it sounds as if a train is going through our new kitchen.

So how did I do the lettering "Savor the Memories"? I have borrowed my sisters Cricut and purchased some sticky back vinyl from Hobby Lobby. Below is a photo of the vinyl packaging, comes one sheet per package and they have black or white for $1.27. When I was checking on the net one place priced my wallart at $150.00. Good thing for Loving Sisters.


I am having problems with my laptop, does not want to type, be back on Sunday...

Happy Stamp Day!

Friday, March 14, 2008

Chicken Pox...

Our oldest DD has been sick for the past few days, she went to bed with two spots on her last night and this AM she is covered. A trip to the Dr. this AM reveals Chicken pox.

Remind you she has had the Chx pox Vaccine and had a bout of the pox when she was around 6.
Photo below at age 6...


Photo of today's Chicken Pox...


She has them everywhere I feel so bad for her, a ton in her hair and there is not much you can do for them. So here we go with more missed school and more angst for her. The kid deserves a break, there is a lock in at church tonight she will miss and a swimming party on Saturday.

"Savor The Memories" Day 1

Part three of my scrapbook is labeled Holidays. Here I wrote down my fave memories of Thanksgiving and how there was lots of people, food and love. The fact that all dishes were done by hand before any other activity took place and the we would watch the adults play poker or everyone would play Trivia, Pictionary, Scattergorries etc. Not many times do I remember my Dad laughing, but I can hear him clearly in my mind when I think of our family games or fishing trips (Fishy Farts, right Dad)! I also put down how the smell of food cooking would wake me up. My Dad had to work on some Holidays and I can remember it was hard for us smaller kids to wait for his arrival, He would often be bringing Grandma Smith with him so it was double the fun when he arrived.

The page below is of those Holiday Memories...


The page below is of Family memories in the kitchen it is the fourth grouping of my photos for this scrapbook. The biggest memory I have is of coming home from school and my Mom would be sitting at the kitchen table waiting everyday. She would be there reading, supper would be cooking and usually (If my brothers were not around because they are sweet pigs) there would be cookies or brownie treats for us. When I was in high school I came home and it looked like the kitchen had blown up, Mom and Dad were trying to make Lefsa there was flour everywhere. In 1992 Mom got her wish granted for a new kitchen my Dad, aunt, uncle and myself redid it for her. We painted, hung wallpaper etc, (she was so thrilled now I can feel her pain after putting up with my kitchen for five years and her excitement of something new that I have now). I can still here my Dad complain about the forty dollar wall, the wall behind my Mom in the photo where the shelf is full of nick nacks. Mom loved going to the craft shows at the mall with me and she had a good time picking the nick nacks out. The forty dollar wall now rests in my Dad's new home, every time I visit have to chuckle when I see it. The other photo on this page if of my Mom and my two nieces playing Pictionary there was always something going on in our kitchen. The girls were getting a kick out of me taking a photo when my Mom was not wanting one look at them smile, so cute!


Taking a break here for a minute you can see my new wall with tiny hand prints on it. I don't have the heart to wipe them away, our little DD loves to pull the chair over and look at the photos and this is the result to the new kitchen wall. You have to look close in the photo but they are there....



Below is a photo of a family Thanksgiving...

Here you see a family Christmas...

Chuckie Cheese with my Nephew and our oldest DD in the front of the photo then it is I and DH...

Here are my Nieces again, this is from a Bday party...

Here is a game of Scrabble in progress (niece, Aunt, Sister, Mom and Grandma). Mom or Grandma would usually win, I think there was some type of contest going on between those two. (Look at Grandma telling my Mom her word was worth mega points, LOL!)

My Mom sitting in front of her forty dollar wall, this was the scene every day...



And here is the north wall I have been waiting to show to you...I just love it hand prints and all! I will be back tomorrow with the final installment of "Savor the Memories" and fill you in on how it was done and the final scrapbook page of Friends.




Forty Dollar walls, fishy farts Dad you crack me up (Come home soon, we miss you).
My Dad and Jan are snowbirds they are in AZ as I type soaking up the sun and Mexican food and enjoying retirement. Both of them are great cooks Dad does the best grilling ever and any thing Jan makes is out of this world, YUMMY!

I was asked if you can still purchase the sandwich makers and the answer is yes. Here is a square style on sale at Wal-mart.com. Here is the link, Square Camp Chef cooking iron
Happy Stamp Day!