Pandascrapper

wall hanging

2012-01-08T12:51:00.000-05:00

Hello, I have made another wall hanging. The last one I made was more in the theme of Christmas (see Friday, December 30th) and I wanted this one to be generic so I could put it in my office at work. I think it is okay, but... Of course, there is always a but, right? I would use different colors if I made another one and would have made sure that LOVE was more visible. I kind of think the blue is too dark. The green square didn't necessarily have to be square. Oh well I'm still going to use it.

Thanks for tuning in.

3 cards took me all day

2012-01-01T18:05:00.001-05:00

I cannot believe it took me all day for these three cards.

This paper is from a pack of graduation papers I got last year to do a layout for my son.

This card is going to be entered into the Sweet-n-Sassy Stamp challenge. The only requirement was that you use a digital image. Well, I did that. It is not one of their images,but they said that was okay. I am sorry to say I do not know where this image came from. I try really hard to save items using the creator's name, but sometimes I just don't.

This is a little cutie pie. Bright and cheerful with googly eyes. It is also a digi . It is named fcdpco68. I am sure at the time this meant something to me, but not any more. I feel like such a failure when I do stupid things.
One thing I forgot to do was use the pattern or "CASE" one of the DT cards, so I can't post these after all. Oh Well.

I am going to post these and then see about making more cards.

Thanks for tuning in.

cards & 2012 calendar

2011-12-31T17:27:00.000-05:00

Here is one of those "what was I thinking" kind of cards. How much more boring can it be?

Here it is after I rethought it. This card is for a kindergarten teacher so I thought she might appreciate the childishness of the the card. I am sure if her students see it with the googly eyes, it will be a hit. I made sure to add a gator as I am pretty sure she is a Gator fan. Who isn't in Jax? Let me tell you, I do not advertise my leaning toward the Seminoles.

These cards are ones that I found similar on blogs. Most of the time when I save a card in my files, I save it as that person's name and add a number to the end of it so when it comes time I can give credit. Once in a while it escapes me.

This is similar to one I saw on Vicki Wizniuk's blog

I think this one is my own, but I couldn't swear to it. I went back through my files and couldn't find one that came close. If I did get the idea from someone and can't remember, I apologize.

This one I saw something similar on Deneen Treble's blog. She is also a very talented lady.

Ms. Molly had a card like this on her blog and I couldn't help myself.

I just love this little tree. This was the first time I have put ink on that stamp set. Too cute, kind of Dr. Suessish, don't you think? I saw on similar to this on Aaron Brown's blog.

Lisa Lara had one like this with the directions and everything on her blog. I really needed some Thank you cards so I jumped at what would work. Cute huh?

Cool! Blogger actually loaded the photos right where I wanted them.

This is my yearly desk calendar . I really am pleased with it. This is the third year in a row that I have been able to use the base and just change the year and the calendars. It is so easy since I have the stamp set "Moments in Time" from Close to my Heart.

I have seen other cute calendars that have the tear off pages, but I sometimes have to check back on a previous date and wouldn't be able to do that if I had to tear off the previous months.

The neat thing about this calendar is that after June has passed, I can untie my little ribbon , flip it over and I have the next six months showing.

I can just hold the calendar tilted up if I need to see the previous 6 months at a glance.

The tree stamp set is called "Four Seasons" Last year I got the idea to use Flower Soft . I think I will put some green on the July, August & September tree this year. I can't remember why I didn't last year.

That's all folks.

I will have to get back to work in my scrap room so I can post again. I hope you will come back again and possibly leave a comment or two. It really is quite discouraging to post artwork and think that no one appreciates it.

Thanks for tuning in.

More, but different, and Yes I am a copy cat.

2011-12-30T09:52:00.000-05:00

I had a very inspiring comment on my last post, made me anxious to share more of what I have. This is mostly little notebooks you can pick up at Michaels for $1.00, except when my dd dropped in to pick some up for me they were only $0.50. How cool is that?

This little notebook was a gift for my secret Santa at work. Amazingly enough I was hers and she was mine. I am still mad at her though as she was a much more giving Santa than I. I will make it up to her throughout the year, tee hee.

Isn't this card just adorable? I found the pattern in the latest CardMaker Magazine edition. I really get some great ideas from that magazine.

Another gift to my Secret Santa, that isn't the right term for the receiver is it? In this case it works as she was also my secret Santa. Anyway, this was a little photo frame I made for her. The back anyway.

This is the front of the frame. I knew she had two boys that she brought to work with her everyday, come to find out she has a littler one at home. She can use the three places for each of the boys or not...

You will recognize this design if you follow Jeanette Lynton's blog. She posted one of these and I just had to make one. I have it hanging in my foyer. It was fun to make and I am thinking about another one with Live, Laugh and Love on it, in different papers, of course. The Noel is a little hard to see in this photo. There are some silver heat embossed snowflakes, some green on green and a few metallic snowflakes. My sister bought a bag of "table scatters" at Crate & Barrel, but my other sister, who shares their home, didn't like them so I am the the lucky recipient.

Another notebook with a bookmark.

Another notebook with no bookmark.

to make the bookmark I just used some left over paper with some card stock and a piece of the ribbon.

What you can't see is how I attach my ribbon, so cool. You punch a hole with a big bite or whatever you have, then feed the end of the ribbon through the hole from inside, then go down the book or card, then up and back inside from the top, feed the other end into the hole and make sure there is one end on each side of the ribbon and then tie your knot. It is there to stay.

Becky Roberts thought of this darling idea. If you can, check out her blog, I have made her name a link to the page with how to make these shoes. Oh my gosh. I think they are so cute. You may notice if you go there that her elf has polka dotted socks. I didn't want to copy her exactly so I made striped socks. I took a small piece of card stock and scored it (using my Martha Stewart Score Board) every 1/8 inch, then I cut each score mark and bent each other one away and then sponged my stripes. Aren't I clever?

What can I say except it is a little off center. Oh well. I think I saw something similar on Curt O'Brien's blog. No I don't think I will ever be as good as Curt. He is a perfectionist while I just like to play with paper. When I got out my stamp set I found that I had saved a template for this tree in the pack. Normally I would have done every other word in red and then green, but I guess I was in a hurry for something. Anyway, you get the idea.

I did see something similar to this on Curt's blog. The Noel is on a piece of silver card stock, but to get the silver border on the card itself I used Gina K's trick of running the Versa Mark around the edge of the card and then embossing it using the silver EP.

This was copied from Vicki Wizniuk's blog. I had the stocking cut from the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge for a while and it was just siting on my scrap table. I thought this was a perfect way to use it. Not so crazy about my glitter job on the stocking itself, but let me tell you about the border of the label. It is a Nestability label die You know how they get that small embossed edge around them? Well, I very carefully used my glue pen, the one with the brush tip, not the ball point, and went around each section and then sprinkled the glitter, before I moved on to the next section. By the way, this is the same die used to make the elf shoes.

I have some work to do today for one of my offices so I better get a move on.

As Always, thanks for tuning in.

2011-12-29T12:58:00.001-05:00

Here is some more of what I have been working on for the past few months.

These are gift enclosure purses. I hesitate to use the words "gift card" as that implies a monetary card but they are little 3x3 gift cards.

I thought these would sell, but again I think it was too late in the year and overpriced. What would you sell them for, or better yet, what would you pay for one of these? There are 8 individual cards, obviously.

Sometimes I think I sound just like Sheldon of The Big Bang Theory. I am so sorry I didn't find that show SOONER!. My dd, dh and I get the biggest kick out of that show. Oh my gosh, if you like to laugh this show is for you. Howard Wolowitz, George Castanza and Barney Fife, they have driven me crazy over the years. George is from the Seinfeld show and Barney is from Andy Griffith, Howard is on the big bang theory.

I really should go make myself some lunch. No one else is going to do it

Thanks again for tuning in.

a few more things

2011-12-29T10:06:00.000-05:00

This is a book of cards. I got the pattern for it years ago from Vicki Wizniuk. She really is a creative wiz.

This is the inside of the book

These are the cards in the book. Remember All CASEd from Vicki.

There were 8 cards and envelopes altogether. This was actually one of the items that sold at the arts and crafts fair we had at school.

Another box of note cards. I got the idea from Lisa Stenz. Another fine crafter. Everything she makes is so elegant and (I hate to use the term perfect) but as close to perfection when it comes to crafting.

These cards go with the box above it. The cards can be turned either way with the flower in the upper corner, the lower corner or with the stripe going down the side. I picked up the flowers at Michaels, of course, and found that they can be colored with Copics to match your ink and papers.

These cards go with the box below it. I still have trouble uploading photos to my blog. It has gotten a lot faster, but not sure what order they should be posted in.

Another box of cards. Sorry the lighting was so terrible.

Once again, box of cards. This one I gave to my sister for a small gift. This flower and the next three are all colored with Copic Markers.

I don't know why I am dragging it out as I will get busy and forget to post the rest. Check back for more.

Thanks for tuning in.

Arts & Crafts Fair 2011

2011-12-28T16:21:00.000-05:00

I guess I will start with the arts & craft fair that we had at the school in December. Way too late in the year, but it was a good experience. I didn't sell much, in fact, I think I sold 3 items. I probably overpriced all my products. I had mostly gift cards, but I also had fleece ponchos and hand crocheted scarves (not real heavy ones, but more decorative ones, since we don't usually need heavy stuff for winter). Speaking of winter, where is it??? We haven't seen it here in Jax yet.

Back of album

Front of small album

inside

Each inside page has a small card hidden between the pages for more photos or journaling.

next set of pages

I didn't crop these pages, thinking I wouldn't use them and ooooppppssss, there they are.

The piece on the right is actually a card that lifts out

The whole kit and kaboodle

This one is larger than all the rest. It was the first one I made. I got the idea from Brenda Frerich's blog.

I used flower soft for all the white areas . Later I went and got some Flock at Michael's and used that.

These are tags that I cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge from CTMH for the Cricut. They open like a little book and I have a piece of colonial white card stock inside for writing your message.

I have lots more to share, but this is all for this one post. Sorry about the color, I took these photos the night before the craft fair. If you have any questions please comment. It is very disheartening when I post and never get any comments. That is why I stopped posting for so long. I am just as guilty though.

Thanks for tuning in.

I know it has been a log time, but...

2011-12-22T12:09:00.000-05:00

Hi all, I have tons to post, but haven't taken the time, sorry. I will try to get some time in the near future to post some of my stuff. I am actually off work until January 3. It is a lot easier to spend time in the scrap room and on the computer when my husband is at work. He is off this week for Christmas.

If you are reading this through my blog you may notice that I have removed all indications that I was connected with Close to my Heart. I have had to drop my consultant status with them. No money to keep it up. It was only $100 a month, but I just couldn't maintain it. I really like the CTMH products, or at least I used to. Their stamps are the best I have ever worked with. Their paper (background and texture) was great. I loved their paper packs of 6 different coordinating papers and their matching card stock colors, as well as ink, markers and embellishments. They are changing though and their B&T papers were now a cross between paper thickness and card stock thickness and their designs just seemed to get "DIRTIER and DIRTIER". By that I mean they were not clean, crisp, attractive designs. Everything was sponged (which I call "dirty"). I have enough papers, card stock, ink and stamps to last me several years. Maybe by the time I run out things will be looking up for my husband and me. Sorry, didn't mean to get maudlin.
Like I said, I have a lot to post and will get to it soon.
Thanks for stopping by.

Back to School

2011-09-05T14:55:00.000-04:00

WOW, IT LOOKS LIKE I AM POSTING ONCE A MONTH NOW.

Have I been busy, lazy or just not enough energy. The correct response is: All of the above!!!!!

On September 19 I will be hosting a crop at Michaels. The theme is Summer/Back to School. If you live close by you can join us.

I put together this layout of my girls going back to school. Several things give away the fact that these are not current photos. Like the fact that the girls are wearing hoodies, I put their full names on their backpacks, and both the house is brick and the school building is brick. These photos were taken in 1993 when my baby girl was starting kindergarten and my oldest was going into second grade. Mind you, both girls are at university. One will finish her major after this semester and the other has another year to go.
In 1993 we lived in Martinsville, VA where you could put first and last name on a book bag and not worry about your child's safety. Ash & Case were going to Druid Hills ES, one of three in the city (and I use that term loosely). It was already cool in the mornings so they wore hoodies.
I have to tell you a funny story about this small town. The middle school was across the street from the public library and my then 12 year old would go there in the afternoons and her dad would pick her up from there or I would on my way home from work. One Thursday Ash's dad ran into the library and was looking all over for her. He caught the eye of one of the librarians and asked if he had seen Ash. Dad was told, "It's Thursday, she has piano lessons on Thursday." My husband owned his own business as a dental technician for 21 years. If one of his doctors was trying to reach him and couldn't find him at the lab, they would call the library and ask if he was there. This was before Cell Phones had come into use.
Do you know what the name of the 7th dwarf is? I called the librarian and asked, without stopping to think he said, "Bashful". He was right, that was the one we couldn't remember. This was a wonderful small town. Too bad they sent all the textiles to Mexico and the furniture to China.
This layout is called One Way Mirror from CTMH Magic How-To Book. The paper is from EKSuccess. It is a kit with about 12 papers and two sheets of stickers and an alphabet sheet. This would not have been my first choice, but I have to use items that can be purchased at Michaels. The last two kits I bought from Michaels I was not impressed with as the papers were so terribly thin. This time the papers were somewhere between CTMH Background and Texture paper and cardstock. Although CTMH is now making their B&T papers the thickness of cardstock. I haven't had a chance to buy any of the new stuff yet, but am hopeful that this month I will have a little extra money left over after all the bills are paid.
I hope I will find time to post more often than once a month.
Thanks for tuning in.

another CDACPC1 post

2011-08-07T18:54:00.000-04:00

This is another entry into the CDAC Progressive Challenge.

The digi is a freebie from Priscillastyles. I feel that my card is kind of bare, but I don't have the gift that some people have to fill up a card with all kinds of stuff and make it look right. After I colored in the fan I put some fat pop dots around the widest part of the fan, then about half way down I put some thinner pop dots and put a single flat glue dot under the center of the fan to give it some depth. All the teeny tiny dots on the fan have stardust glitter on them. Too bad it doesn't show up in the photo.

You too can have these fun digi images if you would like, just join the progressive challenge over at CDAC - Crafter's Digital Art Center. There will be more as time goes on.

Tonight DH is fixing dinner - knights in shining armor so I have just a minute to post this.

I went in to work for a couple of hours today. I am still so far from being caught up that it worries me. I will be out of the office two days this week and school starts in another week. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not ready.
Thanks for tuning in.

CDAC challenge

2011-08-05T20:04:00.001-04:00

CDAC Progressive Freebie Challenge - cdacpc1
Image by Whoopsie Daisy
I can't explain exactly how it works, cuz I am not sure I understand everything, myself. Over at
CDAC - Crafters Digital Art Center there are 6 challenges. You sign up to play, if you aren't a member you must join first, and you are sent 5 digital images to play with.. This is one of them.
It looks like over 225 people have joined in the challenge so far. Won't you be one of them? The grand prize for the first challenge is a set (12) Copic Markers. I can always use more Copic markers.

Thanks for tuning in.

Wishing you well

2011-08-05T09:19:00.000-04:00

Here is a card I made for my uncle. Hopefully to cheer him and to wish him well (meaning if cards and prayers and wishes could make it so, he would be well).
I used the stamp set 'Summer Breezes' from Close to my Heart.
It is the last Friday of my summer hours. Next week I go back to five 8 hour days. I am going to miss not having Friday's off. I am going into Michael's and hang some shelf hangers advertising my classes and crop night, then I hate to admit it, but I am going to run into school and check on a few things. I will be gone most of Wednesday and Thursday at meetings at District so I am going to be so far behind, I will be meeting myself at the door.

Not sure anyone is still out there, but if so...
Thanks for tuning in.

A little this a little that. . .

2011-07-31T19:35:00.001-04:00

A thank you card using the Tim Holtz inks to make the glossy paper background. In other words, just playing around to see what I could come up with.

A feel better soon card for my uncle. He is in his 80s and isn't doing very well health wise. My sister is up in Georgia staying with my aunt while he is recuperating. She says cards cheer him up so I will be making several more. I made one for his birthday and when he realized I had made it just for him he got all choked up. I am hoping this will bring a smile to his face.

This is for my friend, Kat, we have worked together for about 6 years now and she is a special lady. Look closely at the star detail. I used clear embossing powder on it.

Thanks for tuning in.

I am a Bugaboo Winner

2011-07-30T17:17:00.000-04:00

Wow, one of my cards won 3rd place in a Bugaboo, Catch the Bug Challenge. It all started with a Freebie Digi Image. I love digi images especially when they are free. This is the digi image that they were giving away and I made this card for the Christmas in July challenge.

The next challenge was called Heavy Metal and this was the card I posted. It won 3rd place. How cool is that?

Now I get to choose two Bugaboo digi images for free. Decisions, decisions...

Stay tuned to see what I have chosen.

Thanks for tuning in, and please check out Bugaboo's Catch the Bug Challenge Blog.

Google Reader questions

2011-07-30T08:20:00.000-04:00

Hi, no photos today, I just wanted to ask how many people use Google Reader to follow blogs? I guess you could say I am addicted to blog following. I love getting ideas from other bloggers. At present I think I follow close to 300 blogs. Yeah, that's a lot, I know!!
Have you noticed in reader that sometimes the blog page you are following comes up in your list with photos and all, the only thing missing is the comment link and other times just the name of the blog, who it is created by and the first line or two of their post, but no photos? I emailed a blogging friend yesterday, because all of a sudden her blog was doing that shortened version. She wasn't aware that something she had changed had caused it to do that. Are you aware of how your blog looks in reader? I have to admit, I am not. I did find out where you go to fix it. If you don't know though, you can't fix it. hmmmmmmm! Some people like it the other way so that people are sure to visit their blog, but those of us who just have the one page and want to share their artwork, don't need that. When I am in a hurry, I don't take the time to go to the blog I just pass it by and eventually delete the subscription from my list.

I did find this fix.

How do I change my site feed settings?

To enable or disable the site feed(s) for your blog, first go to the Settings | Site Feed tab.

Thanks for tuning in.

Cased Thanks 2

2011-07-27T21:55:00.000-04:00

I almost said this was cased from Simplicity, but that wouldn't exactly be true. I saw it on Susan Raihala's Simplicity blog, but it was submitted or sent to Susan by Lori M. I have included a link in case you want to checkout how closely I cased the card.

I want to send a card to the school that I have been working from since our computers weren't in and the Internet wasn't set up yet. Fortunately the school is exactly 1 mile down the road from my school so it wasn't a lot of travel. The school was kind enough to give me an office and a computer to use so I could finish ordering the EVERYTHING we need to open the school in a few short weeks. The school is named Sabal Palm and their mascot is the flamingo so I used the pink color to represent the flamingo and the palm trees, well you know why I used those. Anyway, I think I am quite pleased with my card. I am not usually fond of cards with no background and texture paper. This is an exception. Now I just have to sell my boss on the idea or not. If she is not interested in sending a thank you card, I will send it myself, just from me.

Did I tell you that the mail man hasn't darkened our door yet? I went to the PO the other day to buy stamps and mentioned that since we are open for business, so to speak, we would like service... The postal person said we didn't have to request service that when there was mail the postal person would deliver it. Are you thinking what I thought, only after I got back in the car, what about the mail that we want sent out?!? Oh well, I fixed that by making a card for my principal and putting it in the mail. They will have to deliver it, right????? Hope to see him tomorrow. This may sound familiar if you read the previous post.

I have got to head to bed. Thanks for tuning in.

another bugaboo challenge

2011-07-26T22:04:00.000-04:00

This challenge was to use metal. I used small hinges with brads.
Check out the challenges at Bugaboo's Catch the Bug Challenge Blog.
I used the Tim Holtz method of coloring glossy card stock using his ink and the small dauber with the handle on it. There are two hinges, you just can't see the one behind the ribbon. The flowers are punched out with a pearl embellishment. I got the idea for this card from a 2009 issue of CardMaker Magazine.
Thanks for tuning in.

Cased Thanks

2011-07-25T22:10:00.000-04:00

I cased this card from Brenda Frerichs, Stamp.Scrap.Create. blog and looking at her blog. I see that she cased it from her mother. Mine just does not do justice to Brenda's though. As much as I like the Wings paper packet, I don't always like what I end up with. This should be no reflection on Brenda though. I will probably just have to keep trying until I am satisfied.
http://brendafrerichs.blogspot.com/2011/07/three-diamond-card.html

Thanks for tuning in.

Christmas in July - Bugaboo Catch The Bug Challenge Blog

2011-07-22T16:42:00.001-04:00

I decided to play along with a challange at Bugaboo. I will have to do some more reading to figure out where exactly to post the card on their website. Just wanted to share with you. This is a darling freebie image. I hope I did it justice.

Here is the link to Catch The Bug Challenge Blog. Check it out for yourself.
Thanks for tuning in.

baby banner

2011-07-04T11:44:00.000-04:00

For Lillie Sunshine

Lillie wasn't due until the end of July, but she popped in about 6 weeks early at 4 lbs, 12 ounces. She and mom are doing well, thank God. I made Lillie's folks a picture frame, you may have seen it posted a few weeks back, but I really wanted them to have this banner. Lillie's mom, Carissa, is a very sweet lady that I have enjoyed working with. I will miss her now that I am going to be at a new school. See post about other news. for the convoluted story about my new assignment. We had lots of fun when we saw Carissa in the halls and around the office, saying hi to Lillie and telling Lillie we needed to see her mom, to bring her to us.

I think this is all for today. I think 4 posts in one day is enough, don't you?

Thanks for tuning in.

Everything else

2011-07-04T11:10:00.000-04:00

I have so many cards to share with you that I made and never posted. Let's see how many I can get down/up loaded before I give out. :-)

I found a card similar to this in my CardMaker Magazine. I really don't know if it is a current magazine or a 2009 issue. Love the design, so simple and easy. That's me simple and easy!

ehhhhh, not so crazy about it.

I really really like this paper packet. It is called Sophia by Close to my Heart. Apparently this set is going away after this month. I probably ought to buy another kit.

another one I am not so crazy about, but hey if it gives you something to work with then I am happy.

I found the pattern for this hanging on a shelf in Michaels Cute design. Don't know what I will do with the card. I think I have another one just like it in this batch.

Cute little father's day card. Used Aspen paper.

I bought a bunch of packs of 5x5 cards with envelopes at Michael's for $1.00 just to get the envelopes, but then I realized I could use the cards even though they had Christmas designs on them. Some of them may not be as easy as this to re-purpose

digital stamps

This wonderful lady named Sliekje draws digital stamps and then posts them on her blog for anyone who stops by to visit. I have saved a bunch of them to my docs. I have made a link directly below the two cards so you can visit her blog. She actually has two blogs. She is a fantastic artist.

sliekje digi stamps

I am not sure if I am caught up yet.

Thanks for tuning in.

Not so proud of this one, and some news!

2011-07-04T09:04:00.002-04:00

I can't believe I am even posting this one as it is a big disappointment.

The teacher asked me to make a picture frame for her brother and fiance. The colors were brown, tan and blue. I am really disappointed in the results. I am just going to give the frame to her and she can give it to them or not.

Since my last blog in June I have experienced some interesting changes. I think most of you knew that I was working in an inner city elementary school as a bookkeeper/Principal's secretary. A new elementary school is opening in August and I will be working there. I am so excited to be there as it is 3.5 miles from my house. That means about 4 hours not on the road each week, probably one tank of gas every two weeks, rather than once a week, and a much safer neighborhood. The downside - I love the people I worked with and will miss them. I sent out an email letting the teachers and staff know that I would be leaving and got back some of the sweetest replies. "Booo hooooo, BOOOO HOOO HOOO!!! We will miss having you at SP everyday! You did an outstanding job of being the VERY BEST bookkeeper I have ever had! No one does it better than you, "The Godmother". There will never be another. Thank you for all your commitment, service, & support. SP will always be home for you! Boo hoo hoooooooo! Wish you all the best!" This was from my boss. Just an example of what I got. This lady brought the school up from an F to a C in her first year and up to a B this year. Just 21 points to an A. I imagine she will do that next year. She loves children, she cannot walk past a child without stopping to speak and lay a gentle loving hand on them.
A few weeks ago a friend had called me to ask me about calling or emailing another friend to see if she was going to interview for this new school called Waterleaf Elementary and then it dawned on her that I might want to interview there. (On the way to my son's graduation I had pointed out the school to my husband and son saying wouldn't that be neat if I could work there. The Lord thought so too. :-).) I contacted HR and they said they had already given my name to the principal. A while later I realized she had called my cell and asked me to call her. I went in for the interview and the rest is history. My new principal has a son the same age as mine, in fact, the boys were in scouts together.
My new school is exactly that - a brand new school. It is within 1 mile of the elementary school my son went to many moons ago. You can stand in the yard of one and see the yard of the other school. There is another ES down the road and around the corner, another one about two miles down the road from the new school. Yikes, I guess we are really growing in this area of town.
I started my new job on Friday, but never made it in to the school. Our city takes the plans for each new school and uses them twice. Our twin was opened two years ago at the other end of the city, on the way out of town toward St. Augustine. The bookkeeper there, having dealt with outfitting her school, was in charge of outfitting my new school so I ran down there to see what my school will look like once we get the certificate of occupancy and pick up all the Purchase Orders and other files she had. After that and running several errands on Friday, it was almost 4p.m. and I was across town, (this being the largest city in the country - area wise) I never made it back to the school. Tomorrow is my first day IN the school and I know it won't be for long, we have to take our laptops to get them programmed. Oh yeah, I need to pack my desk chair and a card table to take in to work with me until our furniture is delivered. Fun, Fun, Fun. I really am so excited. I also have to go out to my old school to wrap up things there. The new bookkeeper there was hired on the spot. Great lady, I know she will fit in nicely. She won't have access to the computers for awhile so I will be working two schools for awhile.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings. Stay tuned, if I can figure out what I have and haven't posted I may have some more "artwork" (I use that term very loosely) to post.

Thanks for tuning in.

Oh Man have I been bad about blogging.

2011-07-04T08:11:00.001-04:00

I made a card for a teacher to give to his wife for their anniversary and it fit the H2H challenge so I am posting it here and there.

This is what I came up with from the photo on H2H challenge.
The specs from the teacher were pink and green with sparkles. I used Olivia paper packet, some green ribbon with sparkly hearts, some pink & green sparkles and a couple of Nestabilities dies.

I didn't get lost, just too busy to blog

2011-06-12T17:39:00.000-04:00

My baby boy graduated. WOO HOO!!!!!

The beautiful lady shaking my son's hand is the honorable Becki Couch, our school board representative. My son's class had only 29 students. I am so proud and thankful that he has graduated. I needed a layout or two for display at Michael's to generate some interest in scrap booking.
This one may not do it, but ...

I am hoping this one will generate some interest.
Isn't she a cutie pie???!!!???!!!This is my nephew's baby girl and she is a precious. I have the Easter Diva photo on my desktop at work and every time I see it I smile all over.

I am now a certified scrapbook instructor for Spotted Canary School. They place instructors in Michael's and Joanns. I made these two layouts for display.

I checked with Ms. Olivia's mom and grandma before I put this layout on display. I think they were excited.

I have another project to post, but since I have been so bad about it lately, I think I will wait awhile. That just means you will have to stop back by for a visit.

Thanks for tuning in

Some May Cards

2011-05-25T00:17:00.000-04:00

Found the tutorial to make this Hug Fold Card on Brenda Frerich's blog, stamp.scrap.create. Oh my gosh, she has the most wonderful creative ideas.

Add caption

I was getting tired and needed a gift bag. The L is from a set of grey chipboard letters that I bought several years ago. I sponged it with hollyhock ink and it looks like suede. I think it is beautiful. Not so crazy about the bag. Especially when I realized that what I was covering up on the front and back was also on both sides. Oh well, too late. I hope Lillie's mom will forgive me when she sees the gift inside. It is a picture frame that I found on a website for eksuccess.

I found this design in the latest CardMaker Magazine. I think. I have about 25 cards that I was going to post tonight, but realized that was just way too many cards to post at one time. My notes for the designs are probably back in the scrap room so I can't be certain about when I found this pattern. I was going through a CardMaker mag from 2009 and then the latest came in the mail about the same time. I think this is such a clever idea. It is a corner bookmark that comes off the card, as you can see below. The recipe is by Tanis Giesbrecht.

I tried to make this one NOT look halloweeny, but I don't think I succeeded.

This was from the 2009 CM mag. The Inchie section. As you will notice in future posts, I really liked the inchie style. This is just a tidbit.

I think I saw something like this on StampTV by Gina K. Love that website and her great videos.

This card is for Lillie's mom. Poor Carissa hasn't even had her baby and she has already lost her identity. Her shower is tomorrow and I made this card and the one below for myself and another lady at work. Deneen Treble shared the pattern for this card quite a few years ago. It comes in very handy.

I used the overalls pattern that Deneen Treble designed. I just left out the little triangle at the bottom center to make it into overalls. Debra Smith made a card VERY much like this one, so even though I had the pattern, the design is hers.

Picture this frame in blues with no name or flowers and that is what I found on the eksuccess website. Not a bad gift for probably $2.00. The frame cost $1.00, I already had the letters, flowers, brad, punch and paper. I hope Carissa will like it. I was going to do a banner using CTMH banner kit, but didn't have the energy.

Thanks for tuning in. I have tons more to post, just not tonight.

more April cards

2011-05-03T11:04:00.000-04:00

I used the triplets favorite colors for this card for their dad's birthday.

I used this one to send to a man at work. Would you believe I laughed at someone when he told me his name is Mike Myers? How totally rude of me.

This card needs a whole lot of something, just never had the mojo to go back and fix it.

I really like this card, even if I say so myself.

I know I cased someone else's card. Deneen Treble, of course. I can't tell you how many of her cards I have cased over the years. I really like her style. Her blog is A Path of Paper. Check it out. You will be glad you did.

I loaded these photos a few weeks ago, but finally am taking the time to finish the post. I have more photos to load and post. I just wanted to get this one finished first.

I love when I sign into my blog and it says I manage one blog, Oh yeah, I manage alright, just barely. I need to join some challenges (when I have the time) to get more interest.

Anyway, thanks for tuning in.

Attack the F.C.A.T.

2011-04-16T17:37:00.000-04:00

Last week was F.C.A.T. week, actually so is part of next week. Our school's theme was military, as in Attach the FCAT. We all wore army green t-shirts that read Attack the FCAT, some folks wore army fatigues and several found themselves being saluted while in public.

Our pre-k decorated the bulletin boards with camo letters, our 1st and 2nd grades all put on performances to encourage the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders to attack the FCAT. Last year we had a Michael Jackson theme. Extremely cute.

Anyway, the tags that I made were for the teachers. I went out and (spent other people's money) bought gift bags and lots of goodies to fill the gift bags, chips, nuts, candy, fruit snacks. The tags were tied to the goody bags and put in the teacher's mailboxes. I also went out and got gift cards to places like Chick-fil-A, Panera Bread, Moes, Starbucks, McDonalds, Burger King and made little sleeves to put them in.

Not exactly the duties of a bookkeeper, but I had fun doing it. On all the job descriptions for our school district the last line reads something like "and any other job that the principal deems your responsibility". You won't hear anyone saying, "Not my job, man".

I thought the "re-treat from the FCAT" was especially clever.

Thanks for tuning in.

Blog Candy over at Lucy's place

2011-04-16T15:22:00.000-04:00

Check out Lucy's Cards blog. She will have 6 days of give aways. Today's give away is some wonderful chipboard shapes. Lucy hasn't been feeling well this week so stop by and leave her some cheer.
Thanks for stopping by.

2011-04-10T14:28:00.000-04:00

I believe this is Queen's 61st birthday. Her daughter-in-law is helping to make this celebration totally awesome. These are note cards for friend to write a little message of love. There are some close ups farther down that show the Sakura Jelly Roll Clear stardust gel pens on each of the flowers. I used three different flowers to so the cards aren't all identical. This flower is from the Dreams Come True stamp set.

This rose is from the Rosy Regards stamp set.

This flower is from the Beloved Blossoms stamp set.

This is for Queen Olivia Green, yes, Queen is her first name. A friend from work is planning a birthday party at her church for her mother-in-law. She wants cards that friends can write a message to the birthday girl and a card.

Thanks for tuning in

April birthday cards

2011-04-02T19:25:00.000-04:00

Most of these cards were inspired by cards I found in magazines. This one I found in the May 2011 CardMaker Mag. by Michelle Woerner

This card was inspired by Roxie Glaza in volume 19 of Just Cards!

This card was inspired (LOOSELY) by Susan Stringfellow's Pinwheel Hello Card in the May 2011 CardMaker Mag.

This one is inspired by the latest tutorial on SCS called Bargello

This one is from May 2011 Cardmaker Magazine by Linda Beeson. Linda's was for a bride & groom.

Another from CardMaker Mag, Best Wishes by Tracy Henry

I get so much from the magazines I buy. As soon as I get one, I go through it and put a post-it on the page to mark it so I can go back at another time and try it. This batch was easier than some. I need to go back through some of my older magazines and recreate some oldies. Try it.

Thanks for tuning in.

with a rose

2011-03-31T23:17:00.000-04:00

This one has a rose rather than the other flower. I used my stardust glitter pen on the darker areas of the rose.

Thanks for tuning in.

note cards

2011-03-29T17:36:00.000-04:00

A friend asked me to make note cards for her mother-in-laws birthday. Here is a prototype. If she likes it I will produce 30 or more for her.

Thanks for tuning in.

Mother Daughter project

2011-03-29T16:10:00.000-04:00

Greilyn's banner

My daughter is going to a baby shower this week and wanted to make a gift. First she wanted to make an entire album, but that takes a whole lot of time and money, neither of which I have lots of so....this is what we came up with.

Aaron B over at Booth 32 has a beautiful banner for someone named Lauren. I showed that to K and she was gung ho. This is what we came up with. Sorry the color is a little off in some of the photos. We finished it about 11:30 last night and had to use overhead lighting for the photos. I used paper from the Life's Delight paper pack. To get the ric-rac to stick I used 1/4 inch scor tape and then sprinkled silver glitter over it to cover the sticky. I made the organdy flowers using the instructions from Connie Mac Farlane's Paper Petals and Ribbon Roses.

I hope you will check out these two blogs as these ladies are so very talented.

Thanks for tuning in.

got to use some fun stuff

2011-03-27T19:02:00.000-04:00

The flowers are from yesterday's post, well two are anyway. I made the third one today to bring all this together.

I used the Friendship stamp set and hollyhock and pear inks to make this random, okay not so random, stamped card stock. I made a gift for a friend and had to include a card with it, right? I will put this in the mail tomorrow and hope that the card remains intact until she receives it. If you look closely you can see that the glue is still wet under the dew drops. The green flower started out as 5 colonial white paper flowers that I colored with a Copic marker, folder and glued together with liquid glass. As I mentioned in yesterday's post check out Paper Pleats and Ribbon Roses for some great how to videos and lots of ideas.

My daughter just walked in and is distracting me so I will sign off.

Thanks for tuning in.

fun stuff

2011-03-26T14:47:00.000-04:00

1 inch wide organdy ribbon with a center of a big brad with a button glued to it, on top of that is a large clear sparkle and about 7 smaller red sparkles attached around that all held together with liquid glass.

paper flower made with 5 paper flowers - cute huh???

Another fun paper flower

lots of fun paper flower

ehhh, not so hot paper flower. This one didn't have any character to the petals, all just flat so it didn't turn out as pretty as the others.

probably my favorite. it is smaller than the red flower as this organdy ribbon is about 5/8 in wide. Love this color blue. The center is a larger colonial white brad with the pearl and blue sparkles glued down with liquid glass.

This one was probably my first one that I made last night. I was sharing my joy over my little goodies that I had made and my daughter snatched this one up and said she wanted it and could we attach it to something so she could wear it in her hair, thus the bobby pin you can see in the lower center of the picture. Since the center is made using a brad, I just put the brad ends through the end of the bobby pin and bent them over it. It looked darling in her hair and survived an evening out at a dance club.

I found the how-to videos on Connie McFarland's blog Paper Pleats and Ribbon Roses. Check out her blog. She is a very talented lady. I love her style.

I will have some photos to share, eventually, of an ATG stand. I made one this morning for a blogging friend and will put it in the mail to her once I get the right size envelope. After she gets it, I will post my photos.

I need to run some errands and then come back to get a few cards made. Got to do something with these flowers, right???

Thanks for tuning in.

March Birthday cards

2011-03-13T20:07:00.000-04:00

This little guy is a party animal from the stamp set of the same name. I hope the little girl likes it/him.

This hibiscus has to be my favorite stamp. It is getting so cloudy though, I think I need to order a new one.

Deneen Treble had posted a card like this and I had to copy it. I made 6 or 7 cards today. I am not sure if blogger will let me load them though.

I saw this card design in a magazine by CardMaker and thought I'd try it. I like things to be a little different.

This is the inside of the card below. I have not figured out how to master blogger since they changed the add photo link. Oh well, you get the picture right?

Inside of the first card

I had a few other cards, but nothing to write home about so I won't even bother posting them. I really don't know why I bother posting anything.
Thanks for tuning in.

a couple of journals and a card

2011-03-06T19:02:00.000-05:00

This is a journal a picked up at Michael's from the $1.00 bin and covered it with some CTMH TopStitch paper.

I saw a card similar to this on Kelly Jo's Stamp Pad. I saw a paper pack at JoAnn's with these colors and it keeps catching my eye so I decided to combine the two - Kelly Jo's card layout and the colors.

Another journal from the $1.00 bin at Michael's. The paper pack is Cherry-O by CTMH. It is such a fun paper to play with.

I plan to use them as goodies when I hold a gathering at work. I have had three ladies sign up already and hope to have several more.

Thanks for tuning in.

Thinking of you

2011-03-02T20:19:00.000-05:00

I found the pattern for this in an All Occasion booklet that I got for renewing my subscription for Card Maker Magazine. A woman at work asked me if I had a card like this at the office and at the time I didn't so I thought I would make one to have on hand, just in case. Something seems to be missing, but I don't know what it might be. You can't see it real well, but I went over all the dark areas on the rose with my stardust pen. It is so pretty IRL.

A birthday card for a teacher. I tried to use the latest technique from SCS, but not real crazy about the job I did. I probably left out a few steps. Maybe another day, right?

Well, I am going to read for awhile before bed.

Thanks for tuning in.

What else - CARDS

2011-02-27T12:19:00.000-05:00

I made this one for a lady at work to give to her para (teacher's Aide) One of the other two will be for the same lady, then the other will be for our cafeteria manager.

This card is fashioned after my friend, Kathi Carlson's card, check out her blog - kathiscreativecorner.blogspot.com. She has such a gift, I get a lot of my card ideas from her.

Can't decide who this is for. I have two people to give birthday cards to.

One of these days I will surprise you with a layout or two. Yeah right!!
Thanks for tuning in.

some cards and a project

2011-02-26T15:38:00.000-05:00

For a teacher - you may notice that I used this pattern several times. I was kind of in a hurry. It bothers me when I get so busy and don't get a card made for someone.

A teacher asked me to make a card for her sister-in-law's 50th birthday. She didn't want me to put the age on the card so I figured using the silver card stock would work for 50, you know 50th anniversary or silver jubilee. Subtle in thought!

This card is for the same teacher. She has a friend at church who is celebrating either her 84th or 85th birthday. I am sorry it is so busy. I was copying a card from one of my cardmaker's magazines and got carried away.

Another quickie card for a para - teacher's aide.

For a kindergarten teacher.

Can you guess what this is? No don't scroll down just yet. check it out and see if you can guess.

A view from the side.

Ta Da!!!!!!!!!! Isn't this just the coolest thing you have ever seen? My friend, Sharon Field, a Stampin' Up rep, made one for me and I loved it so much I made one for my up-line, Faye. Sharon has a tutorial on her blog today for how to make these ATG stands. Check out her blog: Created By You. Here is the link. Be sure to email me and let me know if you make one, I would love to see all the different ones made out there

I spent about an hour trying to find the original post that I had copied to make this picture, but cannot find it anywhere. Of Course, it is copied, you don't think I am this clever, I hope.
I sure wish I could have found it to give proper credit. I made one for myself back in 2008 and framed it. Had it hanging on my office wall and a woman I work with asked me to make a couple of them for her. She wants to make a layout for her mom and aunt who have made several trips to the beach for vacations.

This one is only a smidgen different in the placement of the shells. I used colonial white, parchment and sky card stock, some colonial white brads and the stamp set Footprints with Desert Sand ink.

Thanks for tuning in. Have a great weekend.

a few cards

2011-02-21T19:51:00.000-05:00

A friend needed a card for twins. I don't know, is something missing? Maybe it's the buttons, I'm going to see if I have some really small pink ones and replace these. Maybe then I won't feel like it is yuk.

This is for a clerk at my office. I made a pink and blue one with a pretty pink bow exactly like this one, but the more I thought about it the more I realized she is not a pink & blue person, so I made this one instead. Google doesn't like the pink and blue card because it won't load it. I have been waiting for the last 20 minutes for it to load and finally had to cancel it.

You will have to take my word on the other card. Google won't load it.

I have several more cards to make, maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow. I'll see.

Thanks for tuning in.

cards, cards, & more cards

2011-02-16T18:44:00.000-05:00

I thought some of the sorority gals would appreciate this card, but I was wrong. I really like the pink and green with the Bohemian alphabet. I must have needed more.

This one made several sales.

Again, this one I thought would be a nice masculine card, but no takers.

One of my favorites. I think this little guy is so cute. I made this one and another in pink and another in yellows and all three were snatched up.

This one was a hit with some of the ladies at work.

This one I ended up making 4 of, but I used tulip colored card stock and colored the roses each a little differently. I think they all sold.

This was a hit also. I made another in deeper tones and different letters, and both sold.

this was the first one I sold.

This one didn't fare so well. I thought someone might get it for a child, but no takers.

One sweet lady is moving at the end of the week and this is our going away card for her.

This was a hit. I did remember to cover up the 29th through the 31st on all the cards, but this one. I also changed the heart. I thought this one was a little too fat. I kind of like the heart, but it reminds me of a really big butt.

Another version of the rose card. I really like the coloring on the rose in the photo. Why is it that in person I thought it looked stupid?

Baby Ryan's mommy is getting this card

Big brother William is getting this card. When the teacher said William likes trains, I told her I could do trains!!!!

I'm sure you can guess that I made cards to sell at work for Valentine's Day. They were a big hit. I made a little money. You probably can't see it, but on each of the embossed backgrounds I used the clear stardust jelly roll pen. LOVE IT!!!!

I'm sorry I haven't been blogging for a while. I have been in a blue funk for a while now. I think I am finally over the bronchitis, but I am still suffering from a major migraine. I asked the doctor to give me a new/old prescription and it is working well as long as I take it. I used to have to only take the meds when I felt a migraine coming on, now I have to take at least one if not two pills a day to keep the migraine at bay. There are some days that I don't even turn on the computer when I get home from work except to do some property mgmt work.

Thanks for tuning in.

I got lots done on MLK day

2011-01-18T19:43:00.000-05:00

Vicki Wizniuk was my inspiration for this card.

Vick was also the inspiration for this card. My customer said purple and flowery. I think I have made this same card 3 times now for different people.

Saw one like this in the current Card Maker's Magazine. If you haven't noticed by now, I really like that magazine. the polar bear is stamped on acetate. I have a piece of colonial white card stock behind him so you can see him. You can't see it very well, but I colored the bear with some grey copics and the scarf with yellow and blue to match the paper. This was a "just because" kind of card so I like the sentiment.

The other side.

I used CD envelopes for these cards since I couldn't find the envelopes that I bought to go with 4.5 X 4.5 square cards.

Lisa Stenz is my inspiration for this set of cards. I made 5 different ones using different card stock colors and different B&T (background and texture papers)
I stamped the butterfly on the base card stock in two tones and then stamped another in the three colors and cut it out and just adhered the center of the butterfly to the card stock to give it some depth.

I wrote my message on a post it note and put it inside the card with a message that if the person removes the post it, they can reuse the card. I guess I should say re gift it.

I forgot a few people when I made my list of thank you cards, so I need to go back out to my scrap room and do a couple more. Probably not tonight though since I will get my Mark Harmon fix in another 32 minutes. In fact, I am not sure when I will get to them. I am meeting with a new client this week and have a CT Scan this week. As the last doctor said after I had a CT Scan, there is NOTHING in there. Because I suffer from Migraines they like to do a scan every 15 years or so.

I guess because I have lost 4 relatives to lung cancer and one lung cancer survivor, that they like to do chest xrays every so often too. Especially when I come down with bronchitis and asthmatic bronchitis every year around this time and know that I have asthma. I guess I thought you outgrew it, but my doctor assures me I haven't. Now I am wondering if all those time I had "chest" pains and seldom feel that I can take a satisfying breathe that maybe it's my asthma and not just stress.

Thanks for tuning in. See ya later in the week.

Clever thank you card, I think

2011-01-12T21:29:00.000-05:00

A lady at work asked me to make a thank you card for some friends where she was a guest in their home. I think I am really pleased with how this turned out. There are a few things I would change, but it's done, so I won't. I used a paper pack called Sweet Home and a stamp set called Welcome Home. Both by Close to my Heart.
I am sure everyone is cold. It is 60 degrees in the house as we don't have the heat turned on. I am going to snuggle up under the covers with a book.
Thanks for tuning in.

A few Birthday cards

2011-01-09T20:51:00.000-05:00

The layout for this card is in the back of the current CardMakers Magazine. The buttons are clear and I colored them with Copic markers to match the Vineyard Berry color of the ink.

This and the next card are found in the current CardMaker Magazine, by Monika Davis.

After I took the photos I ran out to Joann's to pick up some fleece and found the JellyRoll pens that Gina K, of Stamp TV, made a video about. The pen is called Stardust and it is a clear glitter pen. I am in love. No, don't look for it in these photos as it is not there. Trust me, it is so cool. It really does add sparkle with the ease of a ball point pen. Pretty soon you will be so sick of seeing my stardust jelly roll clear accent on everything I make. I made a cute little 4 in square card that I will post another day. On the front of the card you score it to make 9 even squares then you put 9 different pieces of B& T (background and texture) paper in each of the squares. The card in the magazine used stitching to delineate the squares. I used my new Stardust clear pen over my score marks. I bet you can't wait to see it. I am such a tease. Maybe later in the week.
I am headed to bed now. I am not coughing as much as I have been, but my baby girl moved back home last night and we were up until 3 a.m. getting her unpacked, so I am beat.
We are having something called a state visit tomorrow and apparently it is pretty important. Our first state visit went extremely well, so I am hopeful this one will as well. I should probably try to be bright eyed and bushy tailed, as they say.
Thanks for tuning in.

Happy New Year 010111

2011-01-01T17:11:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone.

card 1

card holder

Card 2

Card 3

card 4

This paper pack is new from Close To My Heart. The stamp set is also new. The shoe, dress form, butterfly, bird and friend sentiment are from a stamp set that I can't find the name of. The two Thank yous are from a different stamp set.

The card holder is copied from Vick Dutcher from All I Do Is Stamp blog. She does really beautiful work. The other cards are composites of one I found in the latest CardMaker Magazine by Kristine Reynolds. The shoe card I copied from Leisa of Big Red Scraps.

You see, I need to get my hair done, hopefully tomorrow, and I wanted to take a small gift to my hairdresser. She has been coloring my hair for years now. Ever since I let my husband pick put my hair color one time. Big mistake!!! He kept telling me that my hair is darker in the back where there was less gray. So on a Sunday afternoon I used the color he chose and let's just say I had a decision to make. I either had to go buy some black make up and nail polish and go Goth or I had to find someone to fix it. I chose the latter and called Hair Cuttery right down the street. One girl was brave enough to tackle it and the rest is history.

A friend sent a text message this morning that had a cartoon of a naked baby and the sentiment was

Happy Nude Rear. Quite clever.

Thanks to those of you who sent me get well wishes. I am doing much better. I still have a horrible cough, but each day I am a little bit better. Probably come Monday, when I have to go back to work, I will be right as rain. I got to do a whole lot of reading.

Thanks for tuning in. Hopefully I can continue to create and post to my blog in 2011.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T09:37:00.000-05:00

Today is Christmas Eve. I want to wish everyone who stops by to visit a wonderful and blessed Christmas.

I have lots of excuses for not posting in a while. My most recent is that I have had bronchitis for the past week. Before that I haven't done much in my scrap room. No energy, no time, no get up and go. In fact, my get up and go got up and left. Deserted, abandoned, headed for the hills. Yup, just gone!!!

I did make one card this week, well. . . actually I made three, but only took a picture of this one. The other two I gave away before I thought to take a picture. They were the same design, just maybe a little prettier. Sorry, you will have to take my word for it. This card is called folded tree and if you click on the link,
Connie Babbert you will see my inspiration. I found a card like it on someone's blog and followed it to InkspiredTreasures.com where Connie had posted the diagram for this darling tree. It is really quite easy if you have a circle cutter of some kind.

I made 5 of those Thanks/Joyful banners for a lady at work. I don't want to do any more of those for a while. I keep thinking that Spring/Summer would make nice banners also, but that is as far as that line of thought has gone. I need to order more coasters if I am going to attempt it. My original banner was one sided. I am trying to improve on it. I found some large split rings and took out the hemp and connected it with the rings. Now I am trying to put JOYFUL on the other side, but one of the pieces is confounding me. I used different pieces of chipboard for it and one just refuses to take on any color. I can't decide if I want to remake that one piece or keep messing around to try to get it to take the color.

I went to visit my sisters in August and one of them introduced me to Debbie Macomber books. I wish she hadn't done that. You will probably notice that my posting fell off around that time. I can't get enough of her books. I used to read regency romance novels and never cared much for modern day stuff. I just wasn't reading the right authors.

There's a nice fire crackling in the living room, I am going to go snuggle up on the sofa and try not to cough my fool head off.

Have a Blessed Christmas and A Happy New Year.

Thanks for tuning in.

Joyful/Thanks

2010-11-21T19:43:00.000-05:00

The photos are horrible, I need a decent camera, I guess.
Blogger changed the way they upload photos and I guess I just loaded them backwards. Sorry about that.

I wanted you to see my latest thanks/joyful banner. I changed it a little using different stamps and thought you might like to see. This originally started from a photo in our Close To My Heart Idea Book. I think it was the Summer edition. Since then I made one like the book and then Annette Greene made one that is beautiful. I have been trying ever since to imitate hers. Check out the link to Annette's Creative Journey. She is an artist by trade and gift. Take a look around her blog, she is so fantastically talented it is impressive. If you stumble across her Halloween photos you will be amazed at the make up job she did on herself, her husband and her daughter.
I made one of these banners for a lady I work with and the other morning she came into my office to tell me her mother had to have one and paid me for it up front. I was in the middle of another job, so I had to wait until this weekend to get it together. I hope she will like this one as much as she likes the one I made for her daughter. My biggest problem is finding the chipboard letters. CTMH is retiring them, so I snapped up several more packs. The ones I used on this banner are actually from Michael's. I am thinking of making more for Spring and Summer. I made one for a wedding gift and I made one for my sister's birthday. I was going to send it to her, but I really wanted to see her open it so I will take it with me when I go next week. I get to spend 5 wonderful days with my sisters. I went down in August when they were just getting everything back into the house ofter the construction project. and worked my butt off, this time I am hoping most of that has been done.
I have some work to do this evening so I better sign off.
Thanks for tuning in.

weekend work

2010-11-01T20:37:00.002-04:00

Ornament box - pizza box on a diet.

I picked up the Paper Crafts Holiday Cards issue and this was on the same page as the card below. It is supposed to look like a gift on the front of the card. I could have used a different paper and a larger bow, but oh well. The button has a big brad fed through the holes and wrapped around the bow. My Friend, Sharon, showed me this trick. I thought it was pretty clever.

Deneen Treble made a card like this, Then I saw that my friend Sharon had also made one and she showed me the original in the Holiday Cards magazine. Love it. It is so simple and so darn cute.

head on shot of the ornament box.

I am anxious to get back to my book so I will say goodnight and thanks for tuning in.

United Way Contribution

2010-10-28T23:28:00.000-04:00

United Way expects everyone in the school to make a contribution. I am not crazy about the idea of contributing money from my pocket, but contributing my artwork is another story. I have all the supplies already and for the selfish reason that it advertises my business. These items will become part of a silent auction. Whatever is bid will become my contribution. Yeah, works for me.

The brightly colored School Rules is a 5X8 notepad with a pocket on the inside of the cover.

The 4X5 Thank you cards go inside the box with the pumpkin on the front.

The six little 3x3 thank you cards go inside the little drawer.

Thanks for tuning in.

Sports Bar

2010-10-27T21:27:00.000-04:00

I think this is so cool. One of my teachers asked me if I could make a sign for her son, Christian's, loft. He is only about 11 or 12, but he told her it wasn't his loft, but his sports bar. Yes, I know that these balls are out of proportion, DH has already pointed that out. Too Bad, So Sad. What do you want when you are making them from scratch, right?!? Can you think of anything else I should add to it?
I think I might get to bed early tonight, how nice for me. I want to get up early in the am so I can run by WalMart and get a birthday cake. Tomorrow is the principal's birthday. I made her a card, you already saw that the other day, and I gave toward a gift card to Bath & Body Works, but she is a special lady. You can never have enough cake, right?
Thanks for tuning in.

Couple of cards 2

2010-10-24T15:14:00.000-04:00

Check out Vicki Wizniuk's card here. This is cased from her blog. Vicki makes and sells the most beautiful work and I always enjoy visiting her blog for new ideas. The card is for my boss. Her birthday is Thursday and her favorite colors are pink and green, which is also her sorority colors.

This card is for our Teacher of the Year. Ms. C. Smith. We have so many Smith's in our school we call them by their initial. I used the Notebook paper pack. One of my absolutely least favorite paper packs of all time, as the papers have coffee stains ALL over them. In all CTMH paper packs there are 6 different 12X12 papers, two of each design and there are 10 sheets of 12X12 card stock six of them in the colors that are found in the papers of each paper pack and four in white daisy or colonial white to use as bases for layouts or card making. Back to the coffee stains - ewe yuk. I DO NOT like distressing done on a card, layout or other project. Some people really think it looks nice, but to me it looks dirty. Why would I put all that effort into a project and then half destroy it before giving it to someone? To me that would be like taking an article from around my house that I didn't want or care much about and giving it as a gift. Nope, not happening!!!! I was able to cut this paper so that little to none of the coffee stains showed.

Thanks for tuning in. If you haven't seen them check out my other three posts today.

another version of THANKS from the idea book

2010-10-24T14:53:00.000-04:00

For this set I used the Passages paper pack and cut my chipboard from nestabilities. The one that I copied from the idea book on page 38 is made from a Mix and Mingle album. I had this one at work and was showing it to one of the clerks when a teacher walked by and said she wanted one. I will take this one and the other, two sided one in and see which one she prefers.

I have a couple of cards to share and will do so in a 4th post today. Check it out.
Thanks for tuning in.

Imitation part 2

2010-10-24T14:37:00.000-04:00

Here is side two of my imitation of Annette Green's project. The paper pack is Olivia, the stamp set used is Many Thanks and a very old one, I cannot remember the name. More of the Mocha opaques.
Thanks for tuning in and stayed tuned for another version.of the THANKS. I don't think I have posted it yet.

Imitation - the sincerest form of flattery

2010-10-24T14:02:00.000-04:00

Annette Green made a beautiful project (for want of a better description) based on a photo from our idea book. It has Thanks on one side and Joyful on the other side. This is my imitation. Annette used an acrylic and chipboard shaped album from CTMH called Mix and Mingle. I used coasters. I attempted to make one similar to the one in the idea book using chipboard, which I will post later. Be sure to check out Annette's (link provided). It is beautiful. She is a graphic artist so please don't compare mine to hers.
I used a brayer and put cranberry and garden green inks on my coasters. Used the new Mistletoe paper pack from CTMH and the new Mocha opaque gems. The stamp sets are: I Believe and A Timber.
I will post the other side of this project in a second post.
Thanks for tuning in.

thank you cards for my birthday gifts

2010-10-21T21:59:00.000-04:00

I was overwhelmed by the love I received on my birthday. The Office Chicks gave me a gift card for JoAnns. Two ladies from our parent/volunteer department bought a cookie cake for me. One of the teachers that I eat lunch with bought my lunch that day. The next day my bosses, the principal and assistant principal, bought a flower cake for me. One of our substitutes bought a mini cake for me. I made these thank you cards for them. Also a couple of teachers are celebrating birthdays this month so I made cards for them. I love the pumpkin with the polka dots on it and the paper pieced pumpkin.
I was telling DH this evening I have so many things I need to work on and no energy to go into the scrap room and do anything. Tonight I spent two hours overtime at the school getting our payroll keyed. Didn't make it to my other office and then had to go to my son's school for spaghetti dinner. I am wiped out. Maybe this weekend I will find some mojo and energy to get some projects finished.

Thanks for tuning in.

birthday gift

2010-10-03T14:01:00.002-04:00

The pattern for this card holder is by Vickie Dutcher. Hers is actually for a 4.25 x 4.25 card. I adapted it for a 4X5.5 card at .5 inch deep to hold about 3 or 4 cards and then added another inch to it so it would hold 6 card and envelopes.

This was the first card holder I made using Vickie's pattern adapted for a 4X5.5 card. I really like this holder, but it is only a half inch deep so it only holds 3 cards and envelopes and I wanted to be able to give my friend, Marci, more than 3 cards. I used the Olivia paper pack - actually the level 1- for the front of the box.

I was at Michael's the other day and they had some Free - Take me patterns. This is based on a pattern by Debi Hammons

This card is CASED from Vicki Wizniuk. She made a set of these in a card holder. I thought it was so cute I had to copy it. I especially like Vicki's work and get quite a few of my ideas from her. The paper is from the Animal Cookies paper pack.

This is called a windmill card. I found it on Sheila's Stampin' Stuff blog. I used the Olivia Paper Packet for it.

Oh my goodness, I really really like this card. This was patterned after another one of the Michael's Free - take me patterns by Arlene Lobach. The background is random stamped, the pumpkin is from the stamp set Friendship patch. I colored the 'punkin' in with copic markers and set it aside. I don't know what made me think to add the white dots, but I am so tickled with how they came out. I used a "Brad Buddy" which is just a piece of plastic canvas and dotted every other hole with a white get pen. The ribbon I picked up at Joann's. Totally my favorite.

Anther pattern from Michael's by Arlene Lobach. I used the Cherry O paper pack, Something Splendid stamp set for the flower and Buttoned together for the sentiment. You don't notice them but there are three tulip colored brads in the upper left corner of the card. Not my fav either.

Not bad, even if I do say so. This is a new stamp set called Father Christmas. Isn't he beautiful? I think maybe the area under his beard should have been red, but. . . I am also not sure where the ivy stops and his hair and face start, but you get the picture. I think I need to get some gold and silver gel pens for things like the bells

This is the front of the card holder that I am not happy with. The size is great. I think I need to remove the bowl of cherries though.

Next weekend a couple of my sisters are coming to town. We will be celebrating several birthdays over the weekend. One of them is Marci's. I made two card holders because the first one is too narrow to hold a half dozen cards. I really like it much better than the second one, but . . .
In fact, I really don't like the second one at all. I am going to have to rethink this gift. The cards are okay, some I like better than others as you can see.

I am also putting together a beginner card class that I am hoping some of the teachers will attend. One of them will be the birthday card above, the other will be the Friendship card and the third will be the pinwheel card. I don't want to overdo the first set with coloring and cutting. That can be frustrating to some people.

Got to keep moving.
Thanks for tuning in.

going away card

2010-09-29T21:11:00.000-04:00

This card is for a young man who will be leaving tomorrow. He and his family moved down here from Ohio and both he and his wife have accepted jobs back home so . . .
I saw the video on Gina K's Designs Stamp TV tonight and thought how easy and elegant that is. I ran to my scraproom (yeah right) I know you're thinking it. Okay, I walked to my scrap room and decided to try it. The sentiment is from the Veranda WOTG kit and the house is from the Neighborhood stamp set.
Thanks for tuning in.

Just a couple of Just Becauses

2010-09-26T12:15:00.000-04:00

This is cased from Helen Onulak's color-splash-black-white-a-touch-of-pink. I needed a Just Because card for a teacher to give his wife and found this "just because" on Helen's blog. The other two cards are my first and second attempt. The lady for whom the card is made is in a sorority whose colors are pink and green. That's all I know so I tried to use a couple different pinks and greens to give him a choice.

This card has two sides. I have made these cards before but I don't very often . It requires a lot of measuring and a blade type cutter which I have but don't use very often. So it means crawling under my desk and digging it out. The pattern for this was found in the latest CardMaker Magazine Fall 2010 Fun Folds issue and is patterned after Michele Boyer's card.

This, of course, is the other side of the card. I can't really tell if it is the front or the back or if there even is a front and back to it.

Ewe yuk! This is my least favorite of the three.

I have a ton of book work to do today, but I want to play and play and play.

Thanks for tuning in.

some birthday cards

2010-09-23T23:03:00.000-04:00

found the example in CardMaker Magazine Fall 2010 edition by Loretta Mateik

This was based on a card in CardMaker Mag by Lindsey Botkin

These cards are for a couple ladies I work with.

Thanks for tuning in.

peacock birthday

2010-09-21T20:46:00.000-04:00

Don't you just love this peacock? I almost think of it as a girl because I put sparkles all over him. What was I thinking. Peacocks are boys - duh.

Thanks for tuning in.

Couple of cards

2010-09-20T22:59:00.000-04:00

This card is to go with the box and album. I thought bigger would be better, but not so when it comes to sparkles. Oh well.

This card is for a lady who is going to work at district. We want her to know that we wish her well and will miss her.

I am in training this week. In three weeks I will not be a "probie" any longer, but a full fledged Civil Servant bookkeeper. A friend, who went through the first training at the same time last year, and I begged for a refresher course and this week is it. We have a 5 inch thick manual of the rules and regs and hope that going through it a second time, things that made no sense last time will be perfectly clear this time. I plan to get caught up with my work on Friday. I am still going in to the office for a few minutes each morning as training is just a few blocks down the road.

Right in the middle of class today I got a photo on my phone from my sister who is a grandmother for the very first time today. Olivia was born this afternoon. 8 lbs, 5 oz, 22 inches long. As far as I know mother and daughter are doing well. I am sure my nephew is on cloud 9. Being 6'7" his head is always so far above mine it's like he is in the clouds to me. I can't wait to see who Olivia takes after.

It is time for beddy bye. thanks for tuning in.

continuation of another wedding gift

2010-09-19T22:11:00.000-04:00

Top of the gift box again using the Olivia Papers

View of box from side

Tissue paper stamped with flowers from The Present. I ran out of time so I didn't finish the bag, make a tag or a card. Tomorrow is another day, they say.

Thanks for tuning in.

ANOTHER album and box wedding gift

2010-09-19T16:33:00.000-04:00

Back of album - I am really quite pleased with this page. It has such feeling a Fall. It shows off the various papers in this paper pack so well.

First set of inside pages. The stamped image on the gate fold photo place holder is from the stamp set The Present. The Happiness is from State of Mind stamp set and the two die cuts are contemporary hearts from Spellbinders. The little silver dots are from the same die cuts using a silvered card stock. You will see that i have used the little hearts from the die cuts all over the album. They are just too cute.

Right side - nothing new that I didn't already say about the left side.

Second set of inside pages - I have used the heart on most every one of the albums that I have made. I am not crazy about this set, but it is on there now.

Right side of second set - The die cuts are filled with mini pearls, as opposed to Minnie Pearl. Some of you older ladies will understand the reference. - grins -

Back set of pages - kind of blahhh, boring, so so. . . The corners of the photo is actually a stamp from the set, The Present. It looks so totally different, probably because I covered up part of it. If you can get a close look at it, it is really very pretty. More of those contemporary hearts.

Right side of back set - Same story here.

Front of Album - more contemporary hearts. I actually asked the bride for the invitation. It was one that had been returned in the mail and the envelope had a small hole in it and caused the spot on it that I then tried to color over. I can see it, but probably one one else will notice.

I was commissioned to make this wedding gift for a teacher at work. Remember the Magnifique box and photo pages that I posted last week? That gift was from me to the same teacher, this one is from a lady who has commissioned other gifts as well as been a recipient of one of my albums and boxes herself .

I really struggled with this even up to Saturday morning I was thinking of using a different paper pack. I already had some of the paper cut and backed out. I wanted to use this Olivia paper pack and wasn't going to be happy until I did. I thought long and hard about this all week. Now I hope the giver and the receiver are happy with it. I haven't even begun the box yet so I better sign off and get back to it.

Thanks for tuning in.

anniversary card

2010-09-15T22:25:00.000-04:00

Ever make a card and think that the random items that you added to the face of it are just that - RANDOM? Oh well. I hope she likes it.

Thanks for tuning in.

wedding gift

2010-09-09T01:09:00.000-04:00

Top of box with Peacock as focal point

This wedding present is for one of the teachers at work who is getting married on Saturday. Being married on 9/11 will probably mean they will never forget their anniversary.

This is the back of the box. Who ever decorates the back of anything? Well, I guess I do. The sentiment was supposed to be for the top of the box, but I wanted to leave the peacock as the focal point so I had to put this sentiment somewhere. Then once I was looking at the photos, I realized that the ribbon was not finished off very prettily so I added the brass flower.

Card 1
This wedding gift is a small recipe box and inserts for photos. You can see how much I am enjoying the new Magnifique paper pack. The idea for this gift came from Sherri Tozzi, my up-up-line. Check out her blog, I have put a link to her box so you can see what it is supposed to look like. Sherri used the Passages paper pack. Sherri is an artist and she so willingly shares her creative gift. She puts so much into each project she creates. Little things that you may not even see, but they make for a beautiful project. There are ten "cards" that go inside the box.

Card 2

Card 3

Card 4

Card 5

Card 6

Card 7

Card 8

Box with lid open

Card 9

Card 10

Front of box with lid closed

Gift bag.
I was afraid I was going to have to run to Wal-Mart at 6:30 in the morning on my way to work to pick up a gift bag, but then I found this bag in the bottom of my stash. Most of what I have are Christmas bags. This one belonged to my daughter, I realized as I found a HUGE silver Superman Emblem. She is crazy for superman.

Really I have to run to Wal-Mart anyway. The shower is first thing in the morning and I am bringing the juice. It is after 1. I guess I better hit the hay.

Thanks for tuning in.

more cards

2010-09-05T15:34:00.000-04:00

My coloring is horrible, I know. This is a card for one of our students. I know I have told you before that I work in an inner city school in Jacksonville. This little girl and her step sister were just being picked up from cheer leading practice a couple weeks ago with their dad when the dad was shot and killed. One of the girls was shot in the arm and the other girl was shot in the leg. I believe it was Ja'onnie who was shot in the leg. This card will be from the "office chicks"

Amazing how one little piece on a card can be off just a tiniest bit and make the whole thing look crooked. It is also how I cropped it crooked.
This card is for the pastor of one of the office chicks. He has just had surgery

This was the original card I was going to take to work, but the next morning I had a few minutes to spare so I tried some more coloring and the photo below is what I ended up with. It is amazing how just a little bit of color makes such a difference.

Added just a little bit more color to this and pleased with how it turned out.

Got some work to do this afternoon so I will sign off for now.

Thanks for tuning in.

Another card for Avis

2010-08-30T23:00:00.000-04:00

The other card I made for Avis just didn't speak to the lady who commissioned it so I am trying again. She really liked the card I made for her other sister, Cheryl, so we went with that design. I used the Olivia paper pack and the sunflower stamp is by Mark's Finest Papers. If you look closely you can see I stamped on the orange panels under the sunflower. I also stamped that image on the inside of the panels. I am really taken with that stamp. I need to turn in for the night, so I will say . . .

Thanks for tuning in.

Set of drawers with card

2010-08-28T23:50:00.000-04:00

Looking down on drawers

That's Amore paper and Something Splendid stamp set (I did tell you how much I like this stamp set, didn't I?)

Close up

Different angle

drawers and card closed

from a side angle view

close up side angle

I think you get the idea

I found this recipe on a blog. It is by Kristine Breach. This set only took about an hour and a half to make. Nary a clue what I will do with it (as usual), but it was fun to make.

Please don't pay any attention to the clutter on my desk.

Thanks for tuning in.

cards for a lady's sisters

2010-08-28T18:14:00.000-04:00

This card is made with the Olivia Paper Pack and Something Splendid stamp set

Inside sentiment of the card for Cheryl

Inside sentiment to the Sweet Home card

This card is made with the Sweet Home Paper Pack and Shining Star stamp set

This new blogger is even worse than before. Oh my gosh trying to get 4 photos loaded is crazy. I can't get the photos moved where I want them. While the photos are being uploaded you have to just sit there and watch the clock go around because it won't let you move off that screen to do anything else.

I am going to start looking at other options for blogging. This is crazy.

Thanks for tuning in and listening to me rant.

ANOTHER album and box - if blogger cooperates

2010-08-26T22:26:00.021-04:00

I get so frustrated with Blogger and the time it takes to upload photos, I have almost given up trying to post to my blog. My Friend Kathi uses something different than blogger and I may have to follow her lead. Of course, after I said this blogger was very user friendly tonight.

a piece of random stamped home-made B&T

Random stamped - home made B&T

This is called bandanna technique. I learned it from Tressa Black on her U-stream video.

Each flower on the lid has a small sparkle in the center and Hope is all in glitter.

side view of box and my homemade random stamped B&T

front of box - should have lined up the images better. The lid has a magnetic closure. I fit my card stock to the front and then punch holes where the magnets are and cover with B&T.

Some of my random stamped , hand made paper

front of album - it is a retirement gift - thus the poem. Love the peacock stamp.

Sorry these next few images are blurry see explanation below

I wish you could see my buttons. I purchased some chocolate buttons from Jane. She has a blog and makes and sells these wonderful buttons. With the order came these three buttons in just the right colors. Amazing how that happens.

Sorry about the blurry photos, every time I tried to photograph this last batch of pages, my camera would go wonky and rather than close up or even portrait I would have to use the "mountain" setting. I finally gave up. The reason I wanted you to see these blurry photos is that some of the paper is handmade. I made the mistake of showing the new idea book to the lady requesting this gift and she chose the one paper pack I didn't have. Well, I immediately put in my order, but it gets here tomorrow and I have to deliver the gift tomorrow. So I did the next best thing. I used my stamps and made the paper.
The lady receiving the gift was one of my first customers at school. She purchased an album and box for her stepson and daughter-in-law. I feel like she will be pleased.

I need to go put the box in a bag. I do not even have the energy to make a card for her. I didn't tell the lady I would, but I usually like to throw one in. I only charge $30 for this set and with all the hours I put into one I make about $1 an hour.

Going to get this put to bed, the gift put to bed and me put to bed.

Thanks for tuning in.

I will try again to post some cards.

2010-08-23T21:45:00.008-04:00

This one is for a football player/teacher's aide at my school. During arena football season he plays for the Dallas Vigilantes and the rest of the year he is in demand at school. He has to carry a walkie as he is called to different classrooms all day for control issues. I thought the sentiment on an oval was rather clever since it is kind of like a football. It got me a hug today.

This card is copied from Aaron Brown's blog, I really like the flower on this . It is from a stamp set that came with a mini album set called Triple Play from CTMH. The paper is called Cherry Oh.

This card I copied from Sharli's Place. I have made at least three like this. One in yellow and purple, this one in pink and purple and another one in green and orange. It goes together so quickly, I really like the simplicity and beauty of it.

Blogger is frustrating me terribly. I used to not be able to get a complete sentence keyed before the photo was uploaded, now I can key about three sentences and it still isn't uploaded. I have gotten lazy about taking photos of my artwork. I think it is because I get so frustrated I figure what's the use. There have been several cards that I have taken to work without even photographing first.

Boy, do I sound grumpy or what? I must need to go to bed.

I will say goodnight.

Thanks for tuning in.

no photos

2010-08-21T11:14:00.002-04:00

Just want to say hi.

I was going to post some photos of the cards I made for this week's birthdays at work, but Blogger is not cooperating.

Check out Scrapbook Patty's give away

2010-08-15T15:44:00.008-04:00

Check out Scrapbook Patty's give away.

I know you all are wondering what happened to me, but I just got busy. I have several cards to make today, I had a couple albums I was supposed to finish before yesterday, but I just got them completed this morning. I won't bore you with the photos of the albums I made as they are ealmost identical to one I made for my niece.

Well, maybe I will show you some of the different photos. G&G's album was in primary colors. These are for twins and the mom wanted pink & brown and blue & brown. The twins were born several months early and only weighed 2lbs, 11oz & 3lbs, 13oz.

You may remember I made some announcements that said this family was adding 4 feet to there home. Well these are the 4 feet. Jordan and Jayden.

Got to run to the store for DH.

Thanks for tuning in.

baby shower gift - never ending album and drawer/box

2010-08-01T12:32:00.041-04:00

Oh My Gosh, isn't that the cutest? I just love looking at that picture. The tree is from the Grown with Love SS and the animals are all from It's a Zoo SS. Yes I stamped and cut out over 30 little sets of leaves for my tree.

The front of the drawer.

This is a photo of the album in the special drawer that I made for it. I think the tut came from S.C.S. I just had to adapt it to the 6x6 size.

Album from with images from Flower Child SS and Baby Steps SS.

The other panel with an image from Love You Forever. See Below. I forget that I am loading these backwards so when the photo comes up I am journaling about it only to realize that another photo might need the same explanation.

Another panel in the album. I got the words from the SS - Baby Steps. The mini brads are white and I used my Copics to color them to match the paper and the words.

The inside panel with a pocket and journal/photo spot. The image is a SS called Love You Forever. It has a sentiment in it from Robert Munsch's book of the same name. I am sure I never read the book to my children without getting choked up. If you have small children, Robert Munsch books are a must have. That's if you like books. We, my family, never goes anywhere without a book. My daughter, who has food poisoning, went to the doctor yesterday and had to take her book with her. The first of his books that I read was: Thomas' Snowsuit. It was so funny I couldn't help but laugh. It wouldn't make any sense to someone in the south. The lady bug is from the Flower Child SS.

This is a close up (duh) of the alligator from the You're Great SS. I am quite proud of him. NO I AM NOT A GATOR FAN! If I had to choose it would have to be a Seminole since my favorite BIL went to school there. I don't tell very many people around here that because I want to keep my friends and my job. I live in GATOR country. Did you know that Gatorade was developed at UofF for the football team? That is why it is called Gatorade, for the Florida Gators. I didn't know that until just a few years ago.

a panel that closes over the elephant panel on one side, The other side is similar only has a place for two photos rather than one. I got these new soft eyelets in black & white and decided to use my Copic marker to color them. If you look closely you will see that part of the color came off on the sunflower colored heart B&T-Background & Texture paper. I didn't think Copics were supposed to do that. hmmmmm.....

Gate fold section hiding an" album". I think this elephant is so cute. The little clothes line is kind a sweet too, don't you agree? The elephant is from a SS called You're Great. The clothesline came from the Baby Steps SS.

Here is a close up of the front of the hidden folder. It is hidden behind the gate fold doors with the elephant on it.

This is the other side of the inner most hidden "folders". It is kind of like an accordion.

This is one of the many hidden pages in this album. The flower pots are from the SS-Stamp Set Flower Child. The hand and foot prints are from the SS-Baby Impressions. Aren't they precious?

This is looking down on the album so you can see all the many panels. It doesn't look like that many here, but try designing each different side and it seems like it goes on forever.

This is the back of the album. When you are done, you are done! I could not think of one more baby thing to put on this album. This is a Nestability pendent. I think it is called Contemporary Hearts or something. If you have ever tried the Nestie pendents you probably have thought to yourself: "that wasn't fun!!!!!" In case you have experienced that let me tell you there is hope. Between the card stock and the die place a piece of wax paper and the images almost pop out of the die. I don't recall where I read that piece of most helpful information, but I am so thankful that someone shared with me. I am sharing with you.

I have heard these albums called never-ending, but I don't know the real name for them. It feels never ending while you are working on it. I can vouch for that.

This is a baby gift for my nephew and niece's new baby due in a few months. I used Animal Crackers paper packet, or what I have left of it. If you have never bought a paper packet from CTMH - Close To My Heart, try it sometime. It keeps going and going, just like the Energizer Bunny. I put a zip lock baggie in with the paper pack and store all the scrap pieces in it. You would be surprised how often you can use the scraps and never cut into a new sheet of paper.

Blogger used to be so quick about loading a photo that I couldn't get a complete sentence typed before the photo was popped into the post. Now I can type for ever and still wait. I have decided to skip some of the photos I would have posted because it is taking s o l o n g t o l o a d a p h o t o.
It is after 4. I began this blog around 1:30

I have two more baby shower gifts (I guess albums) to make hopefully before Thursday when I go on vacation. I am going to run to Michael's and see if I can find some cute baby stamps. I just don't feel like getting out in the heat and a summer storm is coming. Glad I got this loaded before the storm struck.

Thanks for tuning in.

Hawaiian themed card

2010-07-28T23:02:00.005-04:00

Have you ever met someone that you hit it off right away. When everything you say or she says you find yourself saying, "me too". I call that being separate at birth. A girl I work with is like that. We are so alike that we have decided we are sisters who got different moms. This card is for my "sister's" mom. My friend is having a Hawaiian themed birthday party and asked me to make her a card. Blogger is taking F O R E V E R to load and it doesn't look like it is going to upload tonight. Oh well, I will save this post and publish at a later date.

I'm back, a day later.

I couldn't believe how long it took to load these two photos.

I took the card to my friend at work this morning and she loved it. Kept taking it out to look at it and show to everyone. Several times she had to fan herself to keep the tears at bay. I love it when some one really appreciates my work. She asked me to put world's greatest mom , but I didn't have a stamp for that. I did have World's Best Dad so I used that stamp and masked it. All the names inside the card are the children and grandchildren. There are 5 children and I used the pineapples with the rock & roll technique, then I used the poinsettias for all the grands. The poinsettias are a border stamp so in some areas I had to cut pretty close. I printed the names out on white card stock and sponged them before I cut them out. This is the moon doggie paper pack, one of my faves.

My hours during the summer are 7-5:30 Monday through Thursday and I am off on Friday, wo0 hoo - tomorrow is Friday. This morning I woke up at 6:56, had 4 minutes to get across town, not to mention shower, dress, fix breakfast, brush teeth and drive 30 minutes. When I called my boss, she was so understanding. She calls herself the "queen of sleep throughs". It is a good thing she is the boss. AND, I had 334 composition books in my car that I had to unload. Our Target and Wal Mart stores are selling composition books for $0.25 each. That is $0.53 cents less than what our storeroom has them for. I am 300 shy of our goal to purchase 1000.

Since tomorrow is Friday, I hope to sleep in. What do you want to bet that I wake up at 5:45 or earlier?

Well folks, that's all for tonight.

Thanks for tuning in. Hope your weekend is fanterrific!