an inside to my heart .

Dr. Seuss Baby Shower...

2012-01-20T11:11:00.005-06:00

A little over 2 years ago, I had the opportunity to be a hostess at a baby shower for one of my dear friends! For some reason, I never posted pictures of the corsage and the diaper cake I made for her...the theme was Dr. Seuss since they were one of the rare couples that didn't want to know the sex of the baby prior to the birth...

The first several pictures are of the corsage...I built it on a diaper, attached a flower, a pacifier, a pair of socks, a wash clothe and tied it with a ribbon...

Here's the back view...

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Here's the diaper cake...I just did an online search and found several tutorials...of course I had to add my personal touches...lol. There are some baby items around the cake as well as some stuffed in crevices (like the other pacifier, pair of socks and the wash clothes from the packets I bought for the corsage)

Some more Wedding Signs...

2012-01-18T09:13:00.000-06:00

Pin It

These "Mr and Mrs" signs were at our Table....I bought frames from Dollar Tree...tried to find some more ornate ones AND ones that weren't cheap-looking (you have to be really careful as you get what you pay for...lol). I picked this font because it was "fancy" and just ran some Colonial White Cardstock through my printer, cut them down to size and waaalaaa...

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These were our table numbers...again, using frames for the Dollar Tree...printed the numbers using this font on Colonial White Cardstock, stamped the corner using the largest image from the Friendship Stamp Set (February 2011 SOTM) and Cocoa Ink, matted on some Sweet Leaf B&T from the Wings Paper Packet (retired)...and matted again on Cocoa Cardstock. For a final touch, I hand drew a fine cocoa line all around the edge of the Colonial White Cardstock.

January Blog Hop...

2011-12-31T20:00:00.006-06:00

Well...another month has flown by so that means it's time for a Blog Hop!!!!

If you've come from Wendy's Blog, you're on the right track...just keep on hopping 'till you get back to where you started.

Here's a look at the stamp set and what CTMH has done with it...

My mojo has been MISSING lately so luckily I did all my artwork back in November at a weekend scrapbooking retreat...I used Roxy and Typeset Paper Packets...stamped the numbers all in row then restamped the #7 in Sorbet, cut it out and used 3-D Foam Tape to make it stand out.

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Here's a closeup...once I find out a little 7-yr old to give this to, I'll mark he month and date on the round calendar....

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Here's a second card made to resemble a postcard for change of address or "we've moved" type card...I used Elemental Paper Packet and Grey Wool cardstock (the house is cut using the A/P Cartridge)...

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Here's the back...the calendar is meant to be used to mark the date the change of address will take place...

Thanks for hopping by!!! Now...hop on over to Beth's Blog and see what cute thing she's done with this stamp set!

Don't forget...during the month of January, when you purchase $25 in CTMH product, you will receive not only the NEW My Creations Collage Cubes ($14.95 retail) but you will also get an exclusive E-Size stamp set ($29.95 retail) for only $15!!!!

Rock the Block Blog Hop...

2011-12-18T20:00:00.002-06:00

Starting December 19th, when you order $25 worth of CTMH product, you are able to purchase this AWESOME Rock the Block special for only $15....you get this stamp set PLUS the My Creations Collage Cubes (a NEW addition to the Spring/Summer Idea Book)...here's what the E-size stamp set looks like (retail alone is $29.95 US)...

We have over 30 Consultants participating so you should see a lot of different takes on this stamp set as well as the cubes (made of heavy weight white chipboard-like material).

If you've come from Allisa's Blog, you're on the right track...

{artwork will be added later}

You'll hop on over to Heather's Blog now and see what she's done with it...

Remember...you can order these starting today (December 19th) through January 31st with a qualifying $25 order!

Eat, Drink and be Married...

2011-12-13T12:12:00.000-06:00

It's AMAZING what inspiration you can find online...and that was before I discovered Pinterest (imagine the damage I could have one if I knew of it pre-wedding...lol)...

This sign was displayed at the bar so our guests would know what we had to offer...I found a similar drink sign online (a wedding board of sorts) and decided to produce my own in Photoshop and our colors...Sweet Leaf and Cocoa...I purchased an 8"x10" frame and applied the Opaque Pearls to the outside glass of the frame (for my scrapbook, I simply took the sign out of the frame, took the Opaques off the glass and adhered them directly to the sign)...

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here are some closeups...

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I got all my fonts off of DaFont.com and they were FREE!!!!

Some long lost wedding DIYs...

2011-12-12T12:12:00.000-06:00

I have so many DIY projects that I did for the wedding that I haven't yet shared...

Since my energy and mojo have been missing, I haven't been creating anything "new" so I thought this would be a perfect time to post some of these projects.

I'll start with our card box...I got the idea from fellow CTMH Consultant, Tracey Mason...her cakes are AWESOME!!! So, I thought why not make one that can open and our guests can put their cards in...while I had grand plans to make one similar to Tracey's, I ran out of time and this is what it ended up being...

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Here's a closeup of how it opens (I purchased the boxes at Michael's and they were 1/2 off so I paid a total of $9)...you can also see the dry embossing detail on the Colonial White Cardstock...the top two boxes are just glued to the bottom box and it's the only that "opens"

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Here's a closeup of the ribbon...I originally was going to use the 1" Sweet Leaf ribbon by itself but it just needed something...I found the brown damask ribbon at Hobby Lobby when it was 1/2 off and just glued that ribbon on top of the Sweet Leaf so both colors could be represented...

Bag-full of Holiday Cheer...

2011-12-05T11:11:00.001-06:00

This is a bag using Mistletoe Paper Packet from last year and Holiday Cheer stamp set (the sentiment is cut using the A/P Cricut Cartridge)...I add some Dark Chocolate Striped Ribbon (my FAVORITE!!!) There are some shreds and a pickle bag inside...I think a gift card, candy bar, cash, etc. would be so CUTE in this little bag...it's all in the packaging!

December Blog Hop...

2011-12-01T20:00:00.000-06:00

Where the heck did November go.....I can't believe there's only 4 weekends 'till Christmas!!!

We have a ton of Consultants hopping with us this month and you kow how it works....start where you start, hop to the next blog then keep hopping 'till you make it all the way back around to where you started! And...if you've come from Jen's Blog, you're on the right track...just keep hoppin'

Here's what the SOTM looks like...

And this month, I decided to make two cards...both are using Elemental Paper Packet and colors

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Here's the 6"x6" made using our Kraft Die-Cut Cards and Envelopes - instead of the die-cut flap on the outside, I used it as a 'pocket' for the inside of the card...here are some close-ups...

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Here's the second 3"x3" card...

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and the inside...

Now...hop on over to Gina's Blog and see what she's done with this set...

Remember...you can only get his stamp set during the month of December from a CTMH Consultant. If you don't have one, leave me a comment and I'll let you know how you can get hooked up!!!

Holiday Wishes....

2011-11-13T01:11:00.005-06:00

During the month of November, if you purchase $25 in stamps, you can purchase Holiday Wishes for only $5!!!

Here's a two-page layout made with it...each image can be cut using the NEW Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge (only available through CTMH Consultants)...

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Left page...

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This image was cut using the A/P Cartridge...the acetate sheet that our stamps come on tell you what size to cut it and everything...

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Right page...

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The stockings and the tree were cut using the A/P Cartridge....so CONVENIENT!!!! I also used some of our Silver Glitz Glitter Gel to adorn the stockings and the tree...

Glory to God...

2011-11-11T11:11:00.002-06:00

I just {heart} this stamp set soooooo much!!!! It takes me back to all the wonderful stories I've been told about my Saviors birth!

I saw this card (link will be posted soon) and immediately wanted to try it out with Glory to God stamp set from CTMH. I also tried to mimic the colors...although not really ones I would put together on my own, I think they work really well together!

The card is 6 x 6...I used Kraft Cardstock (I know...you guys are probably getting tired of it...but I LOVE IT!!!) and Colonial White Cardstock to mat all the B&T...a couple of paper packets - Sophia (Pear Polka Dot B&T) and Typeset (Juniper B&T)...I used ribbon from the Designer Green Collection (wide Juniper ribbon) and Black Ribbon Rounds (on SALE now for only $4)...I threw in some Holiday Red by using Red Sparkles and a Red Button....

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Here's a closeup...

Another 'So Grateful'....

2011-11-10T05:55:00.002-06:00

Here's is the other card I made using So Grateful stamp set....I saw a card similar to this online with three little pumpkins stamped (once I track down the card, I'll post a link)...I immediately began thinking of CTMH products I could use to reproduce the card...

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Here's a closeup of the pumpkin...LOVE that the words can be nicely stamped over the solid pumpkin image (I used second generation stamping with Goldrush Ink)...

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I used 3-D Foam Tape to pop off the top layer of Kraft Cardstock...it also makes a nice hiding place for the tied hemp in the back...

So Grateful...

2011-11-09T11:11:00.000-06:00

The minute I saw this stamp set, I knew I'd be making something with it...I also knew it would use Kraft Cardstock and our NEW Dreamin' Paper Packet!

Here's one card I made and I'll have another card to share tomorrow...

The card is kinda a weird size (4-1/4" x 6-1/2") to accommodate the focal image...

Also...I found when working with our Kraft Cardstock, it's texture makes it hard for some adhesives to stick so you have apply your desired adhesive generously and make sure you press down hard.

Cherish the Day Blog Hop...

2011-10-31T20:00:00.002-05:00

I'd love to lie and say that November snuck up on me but I've been fully aware that it's been lurking around the corner. This time of year always sneaks up on me and each year, I promise to me more organized than the last...but, each year, I disappoint! I think it's the fact that it's football season, the weather is getting cooler (or is supposed to be for us West Texans...lol), we start countdowns to Fall Festivals, carving pumpkins, claiming stakes for whose house we're going to spend what holiday...schedules just get full...really fast!

My favorite time of year always comes when I'm least prepared and always leaves me as fast as it comes. At least I have my monthly Blog Hops!!!

This month, we're using Cherish the Day...which is FULL of monthly tags that can be cut using the NEW A/P Cartridge...

Now...let's get on to what you've all been hopping around to see...

If you've come from Krista's Blog, you're on the right track...keep hopping 'till you get back around to where you started!

This month I chose to do a 5x7 card using Typeset Paper Packet plus some Sunset Cardstock to add some warmth...

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Here's a couple of shots of the inside of the card...

Now...head on over to Traci's Blog and see what she's come up with this month...

Remember...you can only get this stamp set during the month of November so get in contact with your CTMH Consultant and ask how. If you don't have a consultant, leave me a comment and I'll be more than happy to explain how you can get it for only $5!!!

Dreamin' Winner....

2011-10-04T09:36:00.003-05:00

With each new Idea Book, CTMH has a contest where Consultants can make projects in various categories using the NEW product and have a chance to Win FREE product credit!

If you recall...I won in three categories with the past Idea Book with this...and these...and this! I had the same 'plan' this go-round...enter as many categories as I could and see what happens. Well...time crept up on me and I only had time to finish one project...submitted it with about 5 minutes left in the deadline...and WON!!!!

Here's my project which is very dear to my heart....it's all about my BOYS (husband included)!!!

The journaling reads:

"I often joke about "my boys"...knowing that some people think I'm talking about my children but in reality, I'm talking about ALL my boys...Daddy included. I used to feel left out and longed for another girl in the house but now I take pride in the fact that you four are there for me...to protect me...to wipe my tears...to hug me when I've had a bad day and to make me laugh when I feel like crying. You're my strength when I have nothing but weakness. You are my giggles, my football and soccer games and my flirtatious smiles. You truly ARE MY LIFE!!!"

I used the NEW Dreamin' Paper Packet...Cork Color-Ready Alphabet...Dark Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon...Pewter Mini-Medley Accents...and the A/P Cricut Cartridge.

Holiday Magic Blog Hop....

2011-09-30T20:00:00.001-05:00

I can't believe that I'm playing with Christmas stamps and my little part of Texas just reached the 100th day of triple digit weather for THIS YEAR...that's 100 days out of roughly 270...HOTTTTT!

This month's stamp set gave me a reprieve from all that HEAT...I turned down the A/C and got to work.

I'm hopping this month with over 50 other Consultants and we're all using "Holiday Magic"...

Cute, huh....

If you've come from Wendy's Blog, you're on the right track...keep hopping right along 'till you get back to where you started...

I decided to finish a card that I started quite a while ago...it's a standard size card plus a little...lol. I cut the focal point and the sentiment frame using the WONDERFUL Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge...although I could've cut the little flowers using it as well, I decided to free-hand those but cutting spiral circles and rolling them up.

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I random stamped the argyle image from All Hallow's Eve stamp set onto Sweet Leaf cardstock...then I used Create-a-Shade Pearl Paint and a dry brush to distress the edges.

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And of course...I had to decorate the inside using the same focal point as on the front for symmetry...

I hope you like!!!

Don't forget to hop on over to Tamatha's Blog and see what she's done with the stamp set.

You only have a month to get your hands on this CUTE Christmas stamp set...if you don't have a consultant to help you out, leave me a note and I'll let you know how you can get if for only $5!!!

Cupcake Birthday...

2011-09-08T09:05:00.000-05:00

My niece's birthday was last weekend and so I took out my A/P (Art Philosophy) Cricut Cartridge and went to work on a very special birthday card...

I used a retired CTMH paper packet...Red, Pink & Purple Sparkles...

Limited Edition Blog Hop...

2011-09-01T01:11:00.001-05:00

Thank for stopping by...boy have we got a stamp set for you!!!

If you've come from Wendy's Blog, you're on the right track...

This month's stamp set is super versatile and with the tag image that coordinates with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge...it makes it super easy to cut it out, stamp it and use it as a tag or focal piece as I did on the card below...

I used the Typeset Paper Packet, some Creme Brulee ribbon and my Wishes how-to book (Name Plate on page 18)...card size is 3" x 6"...

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Here's a close-up...

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Here's the inside...I used the Art Philosophy (A/P) Cricut Cartridge to cute the inside piece of Colonial White...

Thanks for stopping by...

Don't forget to keep hopping to you get back around to where you started. Your next stop is Michelle's Blog ...

Don't forget...you can purchase it for $17.95 or you can get purchase it for only $5 with any $50 CTMH order. Contact your consultant today to get your hands on this stamp set!!! If you don't have a consultant, leave me a comment and I can get you all the details.

Pair-a-Phrase Blog Hop...

2011-08-14T20:00:00.003-05:00

It's a little weird for me to be "hopping" in the middle of the month but CTMH has got a deal for you!!!

To celebrate National Stamping Month, CTMH is offering for the first time EVER...a dual stamp set! All of the stamp images below come on 2 carrying sheets inside one envelope! Yes, you've figured right...that's TWO D-Size stamp sets you're seeing there!!! The BEST PART is that you can have this set for FREE when you purchase $75 worth of CTMH product starting August 15th through September 30th! I can EASILY think of $75 worth of stuff to buy...the FIRST thing that comes to mind is the NEW Art Philosophy (A/P) Cricut Cartridge!!!

Here's a look at what the Pair-A-Phrase stamp set looks like...

Now lets see what everyone's done with it...

If you've come from Brae's Blog, you're on the right track...I'm sure she's left you with a taste of what can be done with this versatile stamp set. Now let's see if I can keep tempting you...

Here's my first SIMPLE card...it's almost a standard size card but has the cute little sentiment flag sticking out so the finished size measure about 4-1/2 x 5-1/2. I used the NEW paper packet, Elemental, and added color to the image using CTMH's Watercolor Pencils...

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Here's a close-up of the sentiment banner I cut using the NEW A/P Cricut Cartridge...

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And, here's the inside....

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Here's another one I did using the A/P Cartridge to make the scallop borders and the frame that the cute little bicycle is framed in. I used two paper packets on this one...Typeset and Dreamin'...and of course had to use my all-time FAVORITE cardstock...Kraft!!! This card measures 5x7 and has a lot of layers...

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Here's a close-up of the cute little bike...colored using CTMH's Watercolor Pencils...

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Here's a close-up of the scallops...SO MUCH EASIER than using my corner rounder with the guard off!!!

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And here's the inside...

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Thanks for hopping by...

Don't forget...for the rest of the month of August, when you purchase $50 worth of CTMH product AND purchase the August SOTM for only $5, you'll get this stamp set FREE...not to mention that you're almost to $75 which is the purchase limit to get the Pair-A-Phrase for FREE as well!!!!

Here's a look at both Wicked (August SOTM) and A Typeface...

Now...keep hopping to Jennifer's Blog...I'm sure she has something SUPER cute to share with you!

Don't forget...you can order this set as well as the Wicked and A-Typeface sets through the month of August!!! If you don't have a consultant and want your order shipped directly to your door, click here to order from my website...otherwise, you can order through me directly by dropping me an e-mail or leaving a comment with your contact information and I'll get right back to you!

David's Bridal Review....

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

I think I'm gonna just list the time line of events and you can decide whether it's a "good" review or a "bad" one. It's a LONG story but definitely a good read!!!

Saturday, March 26th - 90 days out...

My mother, sister (Matron of Honor) and I drove to Abilene which is about an hour and 15 minute drive from here (us Texans gauge everything in time...NOT miles...lol). We arrived a little before my appointment time...I filled out my paperwork, told them my size (which I gave 2 sizes...we'll call them M and L), told them my budget which was small and told them the kind of dress I was looking for (which was "flowy"...not "satin"...Ivory in color, PLAIN, long and strapless).

(me filling out all the paperwork)

I was assigned a "helper" and she went to find me some dresses (they call them floor models) to try on. These "floor models" are purchasable but meant to find what you want and then you order a new one so you don't have to wear one that's been tried on a hundred times.

She brought out 4 or 5 dresses...only one was "flowy" but I played along. Oh...and they also bring you a tummy control slip and bra thing that restricts your breathing just as much as holding in all your fat rolls. As she and I were in the dressing room trying on things, my sister and mother waited outside for me to "appear" and ooooo and awwwww.

The first one I tried was the "flowy" one (see picture below)...I was IN LOVE!!! The only thing was...I was SET ON wearing a flower in my hair so my sister and I thought that the flowers on the shoulder would be a little too much coupled with the flower in my hair. I told the girl to mark this as a finalist and then asked the price...it was on sale but still $150 OVER my budget which equated to 50% of my total budget (clear as mud)....they do this on purpose so you fall in love and up your budget (I saw it on "say yes to the dress" on TV).

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They brought a flower for my hair since my sister and I were worried about how it would look...see, it's a little too much. Hind sight, I probably would've changed my mind on the flower in my hair...oh well!

The next few I tried on weren't "flowy" but I loved them...I chose one of the three...

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we liked this one...especially the back but I wasn't too fond of the sparkly thing on the hip...

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here's the back that we loved...those little buttons were so lovely

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I'm not sure what they were thinking when they brought me this...I made my notes on the photo...lol

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and here is a rough sneak peek at the dress I chose...don't worry, there's a full size photo at the end!

I told the girl that I didn't like the breath-sucker bra and asked if I could take it off and try it on...I did and then the dress felt kinda loose up top...you know, like I was gonna bend over and the girls were gonna fall out...so the seamstress from the Alterations Department came out to see if I could go down a size (they didn't have the M size for me to try on)...she pinched 4 inches and told me that the only difference in the L and M was 2 inches so I'd be fine. I accepted their explanation...after all, they're the "experts", right...and I've never done this before. We ordered a M size in Ivory and I waited patiently for it to arrive.

May 6th
I got an e-mail and a call saying my dress was in so I called to set up an appointment for May 14th. We, once again, drove to Abilene (just me and my mother this time) prepared to pick up my dress and bring it home and hide it from QT so he'd be surprised. I arrived and was escorted back to the Alterations Department. They had a hard time finding my dress but finally did and brought it in. I tried it on and it zipped up perfectly until it got to my bra line and then it wouldn't budge. I didn't understand...the floor model I tried on was 4" too big and the alterations lady told me the only difference in size was 2". The alterations lady that was helping me now said that the floor models stretch because of all the people trying it on (uh...shouldn't the original ladies helping me out a month ago have known this????). I was in tears as the alterations lady was telling me that there wasn't enough material for her to alter this dress so we'd have to order a new one in the Large size and it would cost me $60 for a rush order since my wedding was less than 2 months away. You've got to be kidding me!!!!! It's not my fault that I didn't know all of this. The new alterations lady could see my disappointment and ANGER so she offered to do all she could to get one ordered and here in time to make the alterations if any were needed. Oh...and have I mentioned that my dress is WHITE....NOT Ivory!!!! I was told that when you put it up next to the white dresses, you can tell it's Ivory...uh, hello???? I'm not going to be anywhere near any white dresses on MY BIG DAY!!! But...AGAIN...what could I do? In fact, when shopping for shoes, I had to buy WHITE patent leather ones...lol...but that's a whole nother post.

So...we left our second trip to David's Bridal with no dress in hand and our fingers crossed that the new, size L, dress would arrive in time.

May 25th (1 month out)
We made our 3rd trip to Abilene to pick up my newly sized and newly ordered dress. Got there, tried it on and WHAT...it still didn't fit!!!! Their explanation was that maybe the floor model I tried on was "mis-sized"...lol...you've got to be kidding me, right! They tried to find the floor model so I could try it on but they "think it was sold" 'cause they couldn't find it. It came a lot closer to zipping up but if I wanted to breath, we were gonna have to do something. FINALLY...someone thinks to measure my chest and a plan is put in place! She would take out an inch or two...all at a cost of an additional $100...at this point, what are my choices...NOTHING! We agree and THEN she tells me that it will take her 3 weeks....yes, THREE WEEKS to get the alterations done...that would mean that the weekend BEFORE my wedding, I would be making a FOURTH TRIP up there!!!

June 17th (9 days before my wedding)
We made our 4th trip to Abilene (my mother and brother joined me)...we left work early since it was a Friday and my appointment was at 6:30pm. We get half way there (so it's a little before 6pm at this point) and my cell phone rings...it's David's Bridal asking if I could reschedule because my dress is "no where near finished"...I paused for what seemed like a minute (probably more like 10 seconds but you know how that goes) and said "what happens if I say ABSOLUTELY NOT?...I don't live in Abilene...I'm about half way there...this is my FOURTH trip and my wedding is in a week!!!!" She said she understood and that she thought she'd try asking anyway. I told her that I was about to lose cell coverage and that if they needed me to, I could come at 8:45p (they close at 9p) and to CALL ME BACK in about 30 minutes to confirm. We hung up. About 45 minutes had passed and I hadn't heard from her so I decided to call them back. I told the lady who answered the phone my name and the "scenario"...she said "come now, you're dress is ready"...I said "what...I thought it was no where close to being finished"...she said "no, come now, you had an appointment, it'll be ready". This made me a little nervous...I mean I didn't want them hurrying up and my seams busting...lol

We arrived and had to wait only 15 minutes...I tried it on and it still felt the same as it did the last time I tried it...my mother who has been the "zipper upper" all these times assured me that the zipper zipped up so much easier this time around. I stood in the mirror...no one helped me...they just stood there looking...tight lipped...waiting for me to go off on all of them. I took a deep breath and said "I guess it'll have to work"...took it off, they pressed it in record time and I loaded it in the car. At this point, I'm not in love with my dress anymore...all my "budget" money is spent and I probably couldn't find another dress in a week even if I tried.

June 26th (the BIG day)
I took the dress out of the bag, put it on and walked down the isle to the man I have loved for almost 13 years (if you ask him, he'll tell you that I loved him from the moment we first started dating...I have to act like it isn't true just to save face...but truth be known, I probably have!!!).

Did my guests know all the problems I faced with my dress...no. Was I uncomfortable in it...HECK YEAH...my ribs hurt so bad that night when I took off the dress and probably for a whole week after...lol. Do I have some pictures that show major back fat hanging over...of course! Will those be in my scrapbook....how else would I get to tell my story! Will I use David's Bridal again...hopefully not since I won't be walking down the isle again! Will I know the questions to ask in case a friend or niece uses them in their wedding...I'll be right there bugging them to the end.

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Here's what we looked like on the BIG day...

you be the judge,

WHITE or IVORY????

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To put a "perfect" ending to this "perfect" story...I got a call the day after our wedding from the Driskill Hotel where we spent our wedding night. They left a message saying "Um...I'm so-and-so with the Driskill Hotel and I'm calling because we found a wedding dress that was left in the closet this morning and this phone number was written on the tag attached to the dress bag so we were hoping you'd know something about it"...lmbo!!!! I guess they were confused since the name on my wedding dress was my maiden name and the room was reserved under my husband's name and plus...WHO THE HECK leaves their wedding dress in the hotel when they check out...lol!

Luckily my best friend lives in the area so she picked it up for me...I'm sure had a laugh at my expense with the front desk...and brought it to me later that week! It's now hanging in my closet waiting to be cleaned and then it will be sold...I wonder what size I should put on the ad...lol.

Flower Girl Rehearsal Dress...

2011-08-01T20:55:00.000-05:00

This originally was going to be the dress for the wedding but I ended up finding a more FABULOUSLY CUTE one at Dillard's so we decided to use this for Rehearsal...

I bought the dress at Kohl's on sale of course...but, it had pink ribbon and that just wouldn't do...

I carefully took the ribbon off...

I added Sweet Leaf 1" Stitched Ribbon from CTMH...

Then I added some Tulle on the bottom that was pretty close to Sweet Leaf but I have no picture to show
:0(

My sister made some ADORABLE flip flops for the cute little flower girl (my niece)...but I don't have a picture of those either...

Here's the sweet little flower girl at Rehearsal Dinner...all smiles and she sure was CUTE!!!

Once I get our pictures back from our photographer, I'll know if she got any pictures at the Rehearsal that show the dress more...

Wicked Blog Hop...

2011-08-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to this month's SOTM Blog Hop using WICKED, the SOTM for August, out of the NEW Autumn/Winter Idea Book!!! I guarantee, with over 60 Consultants participating this month, you'll see lots of NEW product so let's get started (or continue depending on where you are in the hop)...

Here's a view of the stamp set for this month...{SEE THE NEW SOTM POLICY AT THE END OF THIS POST}

Isn't it so CUTE...and not too "wicked" if you ask me!

If you've come from Paige's Blog and seen her ADORABLE home decor item, you're on the right track...if you get lost along the way, you can find a complete list at Helen's Blog.

I've had so much fun playing with this set, I decided to make several cards...the first are my usual "simple" cards...these are SO FAST to put together and so easy to mail since they don't have a lot of dimension to them...

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Here's a closeup of the cat's eyes using Red Sparkles from the Red, Pink & Purple Sparkle Assortment...at only $2.95, I love to purchase these to use on just about anything!

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And...just for an another excuse to play with my NEW Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, I decide to take the card above and add some Cricut flare to it...I cut the card base and the focal piece from White Daisy Cardstock...then cut the same size decorative square out of B&T from our Halloween paper packet, Mischief...added the same hat and sentiment...then took the NEW "zip strip" that's located on our 12" x 12" B&T (one side contains all the copyright information as well as the paper packet name and colors, etc...you cut it off before using it and don't have to worry about the CMTH logo on the backside of the B&T...ALSO the flip side of the zip strip is patterned so it can be used on layouts and cards just like I did on this card)...OH...and that cute little spiky flower at the bottom is ALSO CUT USING THE SAME CRICUT CARTRIDGE!!!! This time I added a Purple Sparkle from the same Red, Pink & Purple Sparkle Assortment! The outline of the "bracket" is hand-drawn using our Black Marker...I just followed the edge all the way around...

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Here's a close-up of the flower and the flip side of the "zip strip"...

That's all I've done with the stamp set so far but I'm sure it'll stay close at hand throughout the month so I can play with it some more...

Thanks for stopping by!!! Now...hop on over to Dawn's Blog to see what "wicked" thing she's done using the stamp set...don't forget to read the NEW policy below to find out how to get your hands on this stamp set!

New SOTM Policy: STARTING in August with the NEW Idea Book, the SOTM policy has changed! Now...you can purchase it at full retail price at only $17.95...which, by the way, CTMH has adjusted all their stamp prices DOWN to make them more affordable!!! OR...when you purchase $50 in CTMH product, you can purchase it for only $5...as easy as that...only 2 price points to memorize and if you ask me, the $50 in CTMH product will be EASY to reach!!! If you need help, all SOTM's pictured in the Idea Book come with a full list of items used to make the artwork you see pictured...most of them will get you half way there so half the work is done for you! And just when you thought it couldn't get any better...each SOTM stamp set comes with a full color copy of the artwork pictured...it's an insert that comes in your stamp set carrier.

Don't forget...you only have 'till August 31st to get your hands on this "wicked" stamp set!!! And to make it even MORE ENTICING....during the month of August, when you purchase $50 in product AND purchase the SOTM for only $5, you will receive "A Typeface" FREE!!!! I've included a picture of both to entice you further...

Centerpieces go "green"...

2011-07-17T19:08:00.005-05:00

Our budget for our wedding was small so we had to get kinda creative with our decorations! CREATIVE is my middle name so I hopped on the computer and went searching for fabulous things I could make!

One of the MAJOR costs of most weddings are the flowers. I've never really been a flower girl because of all the money that is wasted...don't get me wrong, if the hubby shows up with fresh-cut flowers, I welcome them with open arms...lol...but, it's not my first choice of spur-of-the-moment gifts.

Here's a look at one of the centerpieces (we had a total of 3 different tablescapes)....

Here's what you need to complete the project as well as a picture tutorial:

Supplies:
Small Rocks
Soil
Grass seed
Plastic (I used small trash bags)
Containers

Step 1: Gather Rocks

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YES...can you believe that while I'm making centerpieces for the tables at the wedding where I will marry the man that I've LOVED for 13 years...we found a rock that looks like a HEART!!!! AMAZING....

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Here's my sweet little helper that is going through a phase of smiling funny....

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Since our colors were Cocoa and Sweet Leaf, we chose these wooden containers that were a dark, dark brown...

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Step 2 (not pictured): Line each container with your plastic (since I was using bags, I cut them down to size)

Step 3 (not pictured): Pour small rocks in the bottom - we did about an inch thick

Step 4: Pour soil on top of rocks...this is where you'll need to decide how close to the top you want your grass...we didn't want it very close so the soil was about an inch thick as well.

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Step 5: Sprinkle your grass seed on top of the soil...since we didn't have any room for error, I was pretty liberal with my grass seed....don't forget to water!!! You don't want to add too much water because the gravel and soil are so shallow...I think I add about 1/2 cup the first day and then sprinkled every day after...

NOTES AND TIPS:

We planted one of these a month or so before the wedding so I could gauge at what point after planting we liked the growth of the grass...we decided on about 10 days. So...about 10 days (it was actually 8 'cause we kinda forgot...lol), we planted all the planters (6 of them) and let them grow.

Put them in sunlight but not outside...we had them in my scrapbook room in front of my windows.

The Allan House Review...

2011-07-17T18:08:00.001-05:00

Our first review is of the wonderfully eloquent Allan House in downtown Austin...literally blocks away from the Capital!!!

This quaint Victorian-style home is situated on what seems like a city block...it's outside courtyard is donned with a canopy of trees, each decorated with string of tiny white lights and hanging, lit, paper lanterns. There is a large wrap-around porch where guests sat and visited and enjoyed the ceiling fans. The inside is truly gorgeous...hardwood floors, staircases, antique furniture...AMAZING!!!

Since this was a destination wedding of sorts (we don't live anywhere near Austin), everything had to be done via telephone or e-mail. The girls there were nothing but helpful and WONDERFUL!!!! They answered our questions promptly and made me feel like everything was under control. They even referred us to a couple of vendors since we didn't know any in the area.

If our wedding would've been "smaller", we could've enjoyed the inside more (which was air conditioned) but it only seats 75-80 comfortably and we were kinda even wondering about that number...lol.

Pros:

GORGEOUS house
AMAZING staff
Very SPACIOUS
ROMANTIC outside courtyard
WONDERFULLY landscaped yard
TONS of photo ops
GREAT downtown Austin location (corner of 11th and San Antonio)

Cons:

The initial time frame is only 6 hours and that INCLUDES set up and tear down...you can purchase additional hours (or even 1/2 hours) but they're pretty expensive.
Parking is limited to the street (FREE on Saturdays and Sundays so that's good) but there's not a whole lot of street since they're skinny and one side of the street is NO PARKING. Additional parking can be purchased from a church and a business close by but, again, it's very pricey.
This is more of an "Austin" con but I'll put it here...Austin city ordinance says that music must be off by certain times...since our wedding was on a Sunday, that time was 10p...it's different for Friday/Saturday nights as well as the week nights.
HOT if your wedding guest total is greater than 75 and it's in the Summer months...we purchased large fans that our guests could go stand in front of for a little reprieve. Misters would've been wonderful but with all the rock around, I'm sure that would be a liability no one wants to take on.
A/C was on but it still was so hot inside...I didn't hear this from any of our guests so I'm guessing it was just us and our wedding party, photographer and DOC since we were running around.

All in all, despite the "cons", we would do it again...especially since we know what to look out for :0)

THANK YOU, Whitney...you were the BEST!!!!

Mr & Mrs....

2011-07-14T22:10:00.001-05:00

After-Wedding Reviews...

2011-07-11T01:11:00.003-05:00

I'm gonna start posting our "reviews" of the vendors, venues, etc. we used for the wedding. Not all of them will be nice but I'm hoping that they will help some un-suspecting bride determine who to use, what to ask, what to look for, etc.

Don't worry...I'll still be posting artwork! In fact, I still have all my hand-made goodies to post. Maybe for every "review" I post, I'll post a wedding project and maybe even have mini-tutorials.

Something to keep me busy since I'll be missing CTMH's annual Convention this week (my 1st and ONLY if I have anything to do with it...lol).

Here's the order I'll be "reviewing" but they are IN NO WAY in any "specific order":

Wedding Dress - David's Bridal
Tuxedos - Al's Formal Wear
Bridesmaids' Dresses - Target online
Man of Honor Suit - JC Penney
Venue - The Allan House
Caterer - Pappas
Cake - Michelle's Patisserie
Guest Accommodations - DoubleTree Hotels - Austin-University Area
Guest and Pre-Wedding Accommodations - Embassy Suites Austin - Central
Groom and Groomsmen Pre-Wedding Accommodations - Vacation Rental
Wedding Night Accommodations - The Driskill Hotel
Homefield Grill
DOC (Day of Coordinator) - Sylvia Williams
Photographer - Jeanie Slate Photography
Stylist - Shona Ramos
DJ - DJ 'Lil Mario

American Celebration Blog Hop....

2011-07-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

July snuck up on me!!! I had grand intentions of getting the artwork done BEFORE the wedding so I wouldn't have to be in my scrapbook room on my "honeymoon"...and by that I mean the small window of time with no kids...lol.

EDITED TO ADD: I've finally been able to get in my scrapbook room and instead of making 80+ "Thank You Cards", I decided to do this card using July's SOTM, American Celebration!!! I totally cased the idea from one of my MAJOR sources of inspiration....Betsy Veldman (Paper, Scissors and SuperHeroes)...I saw the card a week or so ago and knew immediately that I was going to transform her PaperTrey Ink card into an all CTMH card!!! I think it went pretty well...

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here are some closeups...

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All products CTMH:

Paper: Fanfare

Stamps: American Celebration (Only available during the month of July)

Inks: Cranberry, Sunflower, Sky Blue and Pacifica

Embellishments: Black Hemp, Red & Blue Buttons, Sand Paper & Edge Distresser

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This month's stamp set is SUPER-DUPER CUTE and who doesn't love a good 'ol patriotic stamp set!

Here's what it looks like...

I think I'm so late in the game that I've been skipped but you can keep hopping to Dawn's Blog and pick up the hop there! Keep on hopping 'till you get back around to where you started!

Leave some love along the way by taking the time to comment and if something inspires you, purchase the stamp set from your Consultant (or e-mail me to find out how to get your hands on it).

Miss B---eautiful!!!!...

2011-06-16T00:12:00.003-05:00

So....one of my favorite things about CTMH is that it has opened so many doors for me and has allowed me to meet many people I'm sure that I wouldn't have met if not for our shared passion of scrapbooking!

Miss Aaron Brown, "Miss B" to me (not sure why I started calling her that...lol), is one of these people. I met her for the first time last year at our annual Convention in Washington DC. She was in the audience of one of my classes and being a Texas gal myself, I immediately picked up on her accent :0) She said she was from Lubbock which I attended Texas Tech so that was a HUGE PLUS for me! She commented on my blog and my class I taught a few times shortly after and so I started following her blog. I've since become a stalker of her blog and LOVE her work!!!

Last week, I went to check my mail and look what was there...

A handmade card from Miss B!!!! I couldn't have been happier had the card been from the White House! As you can see, it's GORGEOUS, vintagey, has some old buttons which I've since learned are from her great-grandmother's stash (how SWEET is that...to share something so dear with little 'ol ME!!!)...plus it has a lot of textures and materials which I just LOVE!

I've been running around finishing (and, YES, even starting) wedding projects and didn't have time to take photos of my card that would do it the justice it deserves....so, when I saw that she posted it on her blog, I had to steal the photos for myself!

Thank you, Miss B....you'll never know how much I appreciate the handmade card and the gift inside! You made my day! Although I won't be at Convention this year due to the wedding, I hope to see you again SOON! Until then, I'll secretly stalk your blog and remember the very kind gesture during this special time for me and my family! Thanks!!!

Wedding Countdown and HUGE to-do list...

2011-06-13T12:12:00.000-05:00

Well...it seems we're on the short side of 6 5 4 2 weeks 'till our wedding and while I'm THRILLED to see everything come together, my to-do list is still HUGE!!!

I've had an abundance of really close friends, a LOT of my customers and some "I fell obligated" family members offer to help in any way. I haven't actually taken them up on anything yet as it's easier for me to create in the late, late hours of evenings when the boys are asleep and hubby-to-be is watching basketball.

As time nears and my list doesn't seem to be getting any smaller, I may have to call on these people to "help a girl out"...

In the meantime, I thought it'd be fun if I posted my to-do list here and marked it off as we go! QT's "we live in a perfect world" idea was to have everything completed by May 15th...it's come and gone and we're still here...maybe he meant "his list" was to be done by May 15th...lol

Here we go (I'm going on memory since my notebook is "missing" right now...could be under all the piles of Hobby Lobby bags and Sweet Leaf B&T and Cocoa Cardstock...lol)...

~~Call for parking~~ Decided not to reserve additional parking since street parking is FREE on Sundays
Call Flower shops (decide on flowers 1st)
~~Decide where Rehearsal Dinner will be - call for reservations~~ - DONE
Table #s (need RSVP count 1st) - Demo done and all the rest started
Seating Chart (need RSVP count 1st) - Preliminary chart done
~~Drink Choices - adult beverages as well as non-alcoholic~~ - DECIDED
Card Box (almost done)
Bouquet (one to toss)
Tears of Joy packets - All pieces cut & items purchased
Programs
Signage: Drink, Food, Entrance, Mr & Mrs, etc. - Started
~~Call Hotel for reservations~~ DONE
Bridesmaids' gifts, Maid and Man of Honor gift - Started
Flowergirl gift
Ringbearer gift
Ushers' gifts
Start "Thank yous"
Guest Book - Started
~~Frames for engagement photos~~ - Purchased
Table Layout
Get boys fitted for tuxes - Measured
Get dad fitted for jacket (thanks to Uncle G...might have this taken care of)
~~Decide what Man of Honor is going to wear (same as girls or groomsmen????)~~ - DECIDED...now I just have to get him over there to get measured :0) He threw a BIG FIT so now we're on to different things...I think it'll still look good though :0)
Find wedding shoes - FOUND and ordered a few pair just to make sure - should arrive via UPS today!
Final Try-on for dress (scheduled) - Needs alterations so FREAKING OUT!
Find Rehearsal Dinner "attire" for me, boys, QT - FOUND for me...now onto the "boys"
Need something old and something blue
~~Tent rental in case of rain~~ - Decided
Fan rental in case of HEAT
Small gifts for guests (need RSVP count 1st) - Received and will start working on them - DONE, FINISHED, PACKED!!!!
STOP ADDING TO LIST!!!
ADDED: Champagne Flutes - FOUND for us...got reserved for guests
ADDED: Napkins (paper or linen) - paper and they're ordered
ADDED: Activity Books for the kids (started)

"Finally a Bride" shower...

2011-06-11T01:11:00.000-05:00

Let me just say that my girls know how to throw a party!!! They all know how much I love Close To My Heart...they knew I'd be scrapping these pictures using CTMH colors Sweet Leaf, Cocoa and Colonial White so made everything "matchy matchy"...they knew that I have waited for almost 13 years to marry this man that I love and finally have the Taylor name with him and our children! It was a very special day with tons of presents, lots of WONDERFUL food and some very special friends....did I mention all the HANDMADE goodies!!!!

Let me share those today...1st let me explain that the theme was "finally"....much to my urging and one of the hostesses is one of my best friends and fellow CTMH Consultant, Sylvia Williams...this came in handy for decoration items such as these:

This 1st project is a 12x12 canvas she made using our wedding invitation package...she added the word

"finally" to tie it in to the shower theme...she borrowed some of the singed silk flowers I've been making for bouquets and such...isn't it GORGEOUS!!!! After we display this at the wedding, I will probably be putting it into a shadow box and hanging it up in our house.

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Here's a close up of the flowers....

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Here's a close up of the Dimensional Elements and the damask ribbon from Hobby Lobby...doesn't it go PERFECT with our wedding invitations! You'll see some more of this ribbon on my card box that I will share later...

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This is the second project Sylvia made...it's a banner made from CTMH's My Creations Banner and more Sweet Leaf B&T from the Wings Paper Packet, Cocoa Grosgrain and Sweet Leaf 1" Stitched Ribbon and Pearl Opaques. Truth be known, I bought several of these banners (can't beat $5.95) and had great plans for doing something with them...I might still but at least I know that I already have one made in case I run out of time!!!!

Here's a closeup...

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Here are some of the wonderful "handmade" cards I received (I only took pictures of the handmade ones because that's what this blog is all about...my obsession with scrapbooking, paper crafting and card-making and it's quite obvious that I couldn't take a picture of the 30+ cards we've received)...

The 1st one is from my upline, Pamela...she stitched around the edges, she mimicked our wedding invitation using the Friendship stamp set...she used the Mocha Opaques and she's a woman after my own heart...she decorated the inside equally as pretty!!! If everyone knew how special you feel when you receive a card that has so much feeling and hard work put into it, they'd STOP BUYING HANDMADE CARDS...lol

isn't it gorgeous!

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This one is a tag from Sylvia...she did the same and used Friendship stamp set and added Love Always just like Pamela...

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This card is from one of my good friends and monthly club members, Renee....she used Sweet Leaf Ink and the little eyelet hole detail at the bottom of the card is so pretty...the envelope matched!!!

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This card is from another loyal CTMH fan...Myra happens to be a monthly club member of Sylvia's and is helping us with all the linens and such for the reception...she's an EXCELLENT seamstress and is very generous with her time and suggestions! Can you believe she made the envelope!!! See...I told you she was a very "loyal" CTMH fan...everything is CTMH and she's not even a Consultant! This is a present itself, not to mention the gift card inside...like Myra needed to get us anything else!!!

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This is a gift from another one of my besties, Meg....she's normally right there with everyone else hand-making cards for people but she's elbow deep in a Father's Day album for a friend's husband and she's short on time which I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND!!! She said that she found this months ago and thought of me...you betcha...I'm gonna be ironing this onto something...I just don't know what yet!

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This is from Dana, a very talented, professional woman that started scrapbooking only a year ago...she started quite ambitious with making a WHOLE ALBUM for her niece's birthday...she asked for my help, I went over to her house and showed her some basics and she's taken off from there! She scrapbooks all the time and she's a VERY BUSY Attorney so if she can find time to preserve her family's memories, SO CAN YOU!!!! The bow was tied much prettier when I received the package but I had to hurry and tie it back to take this picture...inside was a well-LOVED gift card!!!! Thanks, Dana!

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This is a glimpse of our "present corner"....it's so fun getting presents but even more fun knowing that these sweet cards (both handmade and store-bought) and well-wishes that our guests are writing will find a special place in our Wedding Scrapbook for us to treasure always!

A very VERY SPECIAL Thank You to my hostesses: Cary (my very bestest friend in the whole wide world, my sister and Matron of Honor), Susan (my best friend since the 3rd grade), Shannon (my best friend and once roommate), Sylvia (my best friend and fellow CTMH Consultant), Malinda (the SWEETEST Nini you'll ever meet!!!), Shona (my good friend, hair extraordinaire and monthly club member) and Roann (another good friend and monthly club member)...you girls truly went over and beyond!!!

Even though this small gift I gave to my hostesses didn't even begin to express my gratitude, I hope they enjoyed the "pun" (my *new* name will be "Taylor")...

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the flowers were made using the singe technique...I added tulle in between the satiny layers and added a big Cocoa-colored bead...I sewed the flower onto Sweet Leaf Ribbon and then tied the ribbon around the bottle...

Ohhhhh my aching feet...

2011-06-10T17:55:00.004-05:00

So...most brides look forward to dress shopping and SHOE shopping!!! I thought I would as well but here are my dilemmas...they're the same dilemmas I always face:

They don't have my size - I have a BIG foot...but what would one expect from a girl that's 6ft tall...or
The heel is too high - since I'm a tall girl, I've never had the need to wear anything higher than 1" - 2"....luckily my QT is 4" taller than I am so if need be, I could wear a taller heel but since I've never worn them, I don't know how to walk 'gracefully' in them...lol...or
I get this from my mother...."I can make that"...lol. - It's true...the shoe I want has flowers on top and I'm sure that I can find some reasonably priced basic shoe and adorn the top with what I want...this inhibits me from wanting to spend the BIG BUCKS that stores want for these shoes 'I could make'...lol

So...I thought I'd share my shoe shopping with you guys and my thoughts that run through my head as I look at shoe after shoe after shoe:

#1 - These are perfect...a little too pricey for me and a little darker than what I want...why can't they come in ivory??? They have silver but I don't want silver...LOVE the heel (it's kinda funky) and the FLOWERS...definitely could make something like that!

www.nordstrom.com

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#2 - These are what I really, really, really, really want but there's no way in HECK I'm spending $235...they're the right color...the right amount of "bling"...OPEN TOED (I mean why would I go get a well-deserved pedicure if I'm not going to shoe my toes!)...

www.nordstrom.com

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#3 - These are "ok"...I don't like the footbed...it looks too casual but the flatness is ideal! Not sure pewter is the color I'm going for...the gold could work but I'm not a "gold girl" so it would have to be a very subtle gold...nothing too shiny.

www.nordstrom.com

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#4 - And what about these...SUPER CUTE flower thingy...again, a little too pricey (was $150 when I was looking...now $70 which is at the very, very, very TOP of my price range...at least I'd wear these again) for me and I could DEFINITELY make these...I mean, what is that flower made of anyway...it looks like crate paper???

www.nordstrom.com

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#5 - Love the flower on these...if only it came in ivory...and if only they didn't have the cork footbed...oh, well...

www.nordstrom.com

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#6 - IN LOVE WITH THESE...minus the slight color difference (don't they make plain ivory shoes anymore?!?!) and minus the 3-1/4" heel...they look so feminine and the flower on the side is to DIE FOR!!!

www.nordstrom.com

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#7 - These remind me of Cinderella...at least I wouldn't have to worry about color...ouch $75 for plastic...I think I'll pass...the heel sure is cute though...

www.shoes.com

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#8 - Hmmmmmm....this one is very eloquent...LOVE the ankle detain...LOVE the size of the heel...LOVE the open toe...OUCH...price is high...yeah, probably would never wear again...oh, FREE shipping???? Maybe so...

www.shoes.com

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#9 - These are OK...not really a fan of the gold...looks kinda "bright" to me...nope, price is higher than the ones with the ankle detail...plus "I could make these"...lol

www.shoes.com

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#10 - I'm really liking these for some reason! Love the little loop detail and even though they're gold, they're not a bright gold...I think the heel is perfect...there's an ankle strap to hold me on in case I trip...lol...price is very reasonable!

www.shoes.com

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#11 - These could definitely be a choice...but, Katy...who buys their wedding shoes at Payless...$22.95 does sound pretty good though....this way, we could afford one more flower arrangement :0)

www.payless.com

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#12 - Another steal from Payless...not really feeling the silver but I could hide most of it if I could find or make a big 'ol flower to go on top...but, oh wait, look at that heel...it seems a little high for me and it doesn't have an ankle strap so my butt would probably be falling off them 30 minutes in....I guess that's a no, cheap little silver cuties!!!

www.payless.com

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#13 - Be still my heart....Ivory {CHECK}....Flower detail on the top {CHECK}...Kinda low heel with ankle strap {CHECK}...Price is kinda high at $60 but they do have FREE SHIPPING!!! Hmmmm...rounded toe, have I been noticing the rounded/squared toes on all the other shoes I've been mentally taking stock of...I think I prefer square...Bookmark this shoe {CHECK}

www.shoes.com

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I soooooo wish I could show you #14 through #20...especially since it contains 2 shoes I ended up ordering...I had to order several pair since there's only 2 weeks left, I couldn't chance it....BUT the DSW website won't let me right click and save the pictures and I really don't feel like giving you a bunch of links to go check out...I mean, really, who wants to take the time to do that.

So...there you go, girls...my feet are still undressed with only 2 weeks left. I should get my shoe choices in the mail next week and after the wedding, I'll share pictures of the ones I bought along with FULL reviews...I mean prettiness isn't everything...they better be comfy too!!!

Keep Calm....

2011-06-08T01:11:00.001-05:00

With only 18 days left 'till the wedding....

Our house has gone from this...

(courtesy of www.cafepress.com)

to this....

(courtesy of www.cafepress.com)

I know that I haven't shared much on here in the last few months but it doesn't mean that I haven't been creating! I have lots of wedding stuff to share...some AWESOME stuff to share from my Bridal Shower last weekend (all using CTMH stuff)...and some "to-do list" updates to make.

Stay tuned to see just how hectic our life gets...

Jubilation Blog Hop...

2011-06-01T13:11:00.000-05:00

I cannot believe it's JUNE ALREADY!!! It's already reaching 100+ degrees and in fact, we almost broke an all-time record the other day with 110-degrees! Summer is definitely here in Texas!

I hope y'all ("you all" for those that need subtitles...lol) are enjoying your weather wherever you're at and I hope sitting in front of the computer doing our monthly Blog Hop will help with the heat or the cold...whatever the case may be.

If you've come from Angela's Blog, you're on the right track...just keep hopping around 'till you get back to where you started.

Here's the adorable, all-purpose SOTM for June....

Here's what I started to do with it....a VERY simple card set using various images to reflect the different holidays. I wanted to go with something really quick and easy since I still have a LOT (and I mean...all caps, bolded, underlined A LOT) to do for the wedding which is only 4 weeks away!

Well, if you girls know me, I just wasn't happy with my first go-round so I decided to kick it up a little...it's still pretty basic and believe it or not, this card came together in 30 short minutes while I was cooking dinner...Colors are Kraft (my FAVORITE) and Cocoa...I used various buttons from the Red, Blue and Green Assortments and I threw in Card Chatter - Birthday for the sentiment.

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And here's the inside....simple as well...

Don't forget to hop on over to Doreen's Blog and see what cute thing she's come up with!

And...you can only get your hands on this HOT little stamp set during the month of June. If you don't already have a consultant, let me know and I'll hook you up!

Memorial Day Prayer....

2011-05-28T20:28:00.000-05:00

Some of you many not know this, but my Grand-daddy was a Baptist Preacher...He served in WWII and was such a patriotic man...he LOVED his Country and respected what the men and women who serve do for us!

When he passed away almost 13 years ago, I got his little box of sermons, devotionals and prayers...ALL handwritten AND dated by him!!! It's something that is very special to me especially since his handwriting brings back so many fond memories of the man I loved so much and respected!

Well...I was going through his little box of sermons looking for a wedding prayer or something that can be read at our wedding in honor of my Grand-daddy. While I didn't find anything fitting for the wedding, I did find a Memorial Day Prayer he read in Miles City Park on 5.30.1984....I thought I would share here on my blog in memory of the all the men and women who have given so much for our freedom!

Here goes, written just as it was by my Grand-daddy...

"Our Father,

We thank You for the gift of memory and as we look backward to days gone by - days torn by war and strife - may we be thankful for peace -

Many of us know that peace was bought with a price - today we remember those who made the supreme sacrifice by giving their lives that we may enjoy peace -

May we dedicate ourselves anew - that this government of the people - by the people - and for the people may never perish from the earth and may we ask not what our country can do for us - but rather what we can do for our country even as those who have gone before us -

In Jesus name we pray - Amen"

You & Me Kraft Card...

2011-05-23T23:11:00.002-05:00

Here's a card I made which was inspired by this month's You & Me Kit (only available 'till May 31st)...LOVE the wide striped ribbon...ADORE the stamp set...CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT the colors...and the paper is to die for!!!

I mixed it up a bit and added some Kraft Cardstock...threw in some Pink Ribbon and some of my all-time favorite Sweet Leaf 1" Stitched Ribbon and made them into leaves using Connie's great tutorial! I stamped the Fleur using White Daisy Ink and then took a Desert Sand Marker and traced some edges for shadowing...

It's your birthday...

2011-05-20T01:11:00.000-05:00

My boss's wife had a birthday this week and it was a BIG ONE so I decided to keep the card black and silver (Grey Wool) to match all the balloons I left in her office :0)

I used retired Black B&T from CTMH, Grey Wool Cardstock, Card Chatter - Birthday and an old SOTM...the button and ribbon are random stuff I've had and probably purchased at Hobby Lobby.

2011-05-19T00:12:00.000-05:00

This card/gift card holder was made for a very dear person...probably one of the most generous people I know. She LOVES Starbucks (I wasn't the only one that gave her a gift card from there)...her husband says that if SB is open 365 days a year, she'll be there 365 days...lol

I free handed the cup...ran some Kraft Cardstock through a crimper, punched a hole (using this and this) in some Sweet Leaf B&T from Wings, stamped a little here and there using You & Me, A Sip and The Works Alphabet and added a tiny Sparkle 'cause this birthday girl LOVES SOME BLING!!!

You & Me...you did it!

2011-05-18T00:12:00.001-05:00

This is for a graduating senior who LOVES black and turquoise...I used the You & Me Kit that's only available during the month of May and You Did It stamp set...Colors are White Daisy, Black and Lagoon...

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Here's the inside...

Guest Book with Handmade Sweet Leaf Satin Flowers....

2011-05-16T00:12:00.004-05:00

Well...my blog is about to be overrun with Wedding posts so if you're coming and want to be surprised with all the little handmade details....STOP READING NOW :0)

On my agenda this weekend was the Guest Book....I've looked at TONS online and picked out my favorite and went to work trying to mimic it.

Of course I used CTMH products when I could...My Creations 3-Ring Binder...Sweet Leaf B&T (from Wings)....Friendship Stamp Set (Feb. SOTM) and even some retired vellum (Fleurs Des Jardines B&T Vellum)...I distressed the stark white binder with Bamboo Ink which added a vintage, Colonial White look. I hope you like it...

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Here's the tutorial on how to make the flower...I bought some stain material at Hobby Lobby which resembles CTMH's Sweet Leaf color ($2.99/yd at 1/3 off and was able to get enough material for probably 10 or 11 flowers)...cut into various size circle...I did 4 sizes...5", 3-1/2", 2-1/2" and about 1-1/2 "...the 3-1/2" ones are pictured below...

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Cut slits in around the circle...it's easier if you do 4 or 5 at a time...BIG HUGE TIP: Stack all the layers where the silky sides are all facing the same way...when doing more than one at a time, they tend to melt together and if your sides are facing the same way, you'll always have the pretty side facing up...

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Hold over a candle (with a low flame) and watch the material curl...

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Here are the smaller ones...I used tweezers to curl those because the flame was too hot for that little of a circle...

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Here's to show how close this material is to Sweet Leaf (our 1" stitched ribbon is laying on top of some flowers I've already done)...SO EXCITED about the color resemblance!!!

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Once I finish the "innards", I'll be showing the full Guest Book! 'Till next time....

To one of my favorite "PEEPS"....

2011-05-14T21:11:00.002-05:00

I saw these all over the blogger world right before Easter and had to try my hand at them...

H2H Button Challenge...

2011-05-14T15:33:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I've created in the H2H Challenges but I always LOVE to see what their talented Design Team come up with!

This week is all about BUTTONS and since I'm a button girl, I thought I'd give it a try....

These cards were made for a co-worker who has some friends with upcoming birthdays...they're both 5"x7" and both use retired and discountinued paper (Cherry-O)....the first one even uses the SOTM from February (Friendship)...

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Here's the other one...

Wedding Cake Card...

2011-05-14T14:27:00.000-05:00

A friend's nephew is getting married and she wanted a card that matched their invitations. The invitation is laying down under the card...I used Grey Wool Ink with Two-Step Backgrounds and Royal Birth (I masked the candle off the cake so it would look more like a wedding cake), Lagoon (Magnifique Paper Packet) and plain 'ol White Daisy Cardstock...

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Here's a closeup of the cake...being that my very own wedding is SOON, cake designs are one of the many things we looked at and looked at 'till our eyes were sore. The diamond pattern seems to be popular so I decided to make one for this cake using my stylus to emboss the pattern. I then inked it up using Grey Wool Ink and added the tiny sparkles for a little bling...

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This view shows that the cake is pop-dotted using 3D Foam Tape (LOVE THAT STUFF)...You can also kinda get a shot of the 'innards' here...I kept it simple with just "Congratulations"

Daisy Thank You...

2011-05-14T14:16:00.000-05:00

Here are some Thank You cards for the ladies in my mother's office for Administrative Professionals' Day a couple of weeks ago....

The card base is an envelope (a gift card went inside)....licked and sealed then cut at 1-1/2"...you just slide the 1-1/2" top over the bottom by 1/4" and then you have a card (let me know if you need clarification)...

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This is the top almost off the bottom....

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This is the top totally separated from the bottom (please excuse the photos...I had to take pictures in the car before I delivered them...lol)

Chairs to You Blog Hop....

2011-04-30T20:00:00.002-05:00

Welcome to May's SOTM Blog Hop using Chairs to You!

If you've come from Kathleen's Blog, you're on the right track. If you get lost along to the way, don't worry...Helen has a complete list <<<here>>>. Now...let's get started!

Here's the stamp set....cute, huh!?!

Here's what I've done with it using Wings Paper Packet and 1" Sweet Leaf Ribbon...

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Here's a side view...

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and the inside....

Thanks for stopping by....if you can't live without this stamp set, make sure you contact your consultant to get your hands on one...if you don't have a consultant, leave a comment and some contact information and I'll tell you how you can get it for FREE!!!

Now hop on over to Susan's Blog and check out her project!

Bingo LUCKY Winner....

2011-04-08T14:22:00.008-05:00

Here's another WINNING entry from CTMH's Make it From Your Heart Contest!

It's using, by far, my FAVORITE paper packet...Lucky and the super versatile stamp set, Bingo Alphabet. I apologize that the pictures are a little yellow...you can always go here to view the card front on CTMH's website!

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I stitched a border all around the focal point using Colonial White Embroidery Floss and then stitched some Wooden Buttons along the way...

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On the inside, I masked off the grid of the bingo card for the handwritten sentiment...

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I used a Dimensional Element Star and stamped the star image for the break in b-day...

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I cut off one section of a Kraft Color-Ready Border for a tab of sorts...I still can't get over how many borders come in a single package and the price is GREAT!

Friendship Winners!!!

2011-04-06T01:11:00.001-05:00

With each new Idea Book, CTMH has a contest where Consultants can make a project(s) using the NEW stamps and papers. I decided to enter this go-round and won in THREE categories!!! I'll be posting my winning artwork over the next few days since I've been patiently waiting for them to be posted on CTMH's website (you can see them here).

Here are the cards I made using February's SOTM, Friendship...the colors are our wedding colors and I've been using this stamp set to make the Save the Dates, Invitations, Maps, etc. (that'll be a whole other post once I get them all sent out)...

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Inside of the card on the left....

If you're wanting this same look, never fear...CTMH has some other stamps sets that mimic the damask effect. Check this one out: Two Step Backgrounds

Blessed Hop....

2011-04-01T00:12:00.000-05:00

Not only is it April 1st...April Fool's Day...and my Cousin's birthday (Happy Birthday, Colb!!!) ...but it's also time to HOP!!!!

If you've come from Lisa's Blog, you're on the right track...if you get lost along the way, you can always go to Helen's Blog and find a complete list of participants and pick up where you left off.

Here's a look at the stamp set...

And here's what I did with it...I also used Card Chatter - Sympathy stamp set (a must have if you ask me!)

A very dear person to some very dear people in my life passed away last week...she LOVES purple so I decided to make her a card...

I spritzed it using reinker and alcohol (it'll be okay since there's no pictures) and 2nd-generation random stamped (stamp the image on a scratch piece of paper first then stamp on the card - it gives you a lighter version of the color you're using) the sentiment all around the card and sponged...I had to mail it so there aren't a lot of "frills"...

Here's a close-up of the text I random stamped...I also used a Blending Pen to color in the flowers...the ink bled a little because I was inpatient...lol

Thanks for stopping by! This stamp set, like all SOTM's, is only avaiable during the month of April...so call your consultant (or drop me an e-mail) and get your's today!

Don't forget to hop on over to Dawn's Blog and see what she has to share...

Fanfare Workshops...

2011-03-23T00:12:00.003-05:00

My girls did Fanfare layouts and cards this month....it's become one of my favorite paper packets for the Summer!!!

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I cut out the starts from one of the B&T patterns and then got my ruler and Legacy Writers out and faux stitched them to the layout...

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A combination of Blue Buttons, Red Buttons and Fanfare Level 2 Assortment...

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Some Blue Ribbon added for some dimension...

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More buttons and my faux stitching "x" on the B&T....

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2nd set of layouts...

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Clear cards...they made 2 of each design...

Wedding Planner....

2011-03-15T23:27:00.000-05:00

More wedding stuff...

This is my "planner" I made in an attempt to keep us organized. I'm using February's SOTM, Friendship, for everything and Wings B&T (backside)...

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These are our NEW Irresistibles Eclectic Chipboard Die-Cuts sponged with Cocoa Ink...LOVE these things (other than the "q" doesn't look too much like a "Q"...lol)

Baby Basket for Ava Grace...

2011-03-15T01:11:00.000-05:00

A coworker asked me to put together a basket full of goodies for a baby shower....here's the card and envelope...colors are Sweet Leaf, Smoothie and Black...

Sensational Blog Hop....

2011-02-28T20:00:00.001-06:00

If you've come from Carla's Blog, you're on the right track...if you get lost along the way, you can always go to Helen's Blog to find a complete list of hops along the way!

Now...let's get started! Here's what the stamp set looks like....cute, huh!

Here's what I did with it....I used Mayberry Paper Packet because it just seems so "country" to me and there's something about a bunch of little bunnies that screams wheat fields and old barns....

My first card is a 5x5...you know how I love me some square cards! I paper-pieced her dress and apron and used our Watercolor Pencils and Blending Pen to color her fur.

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I stamped some of the eggs and covered the present Ms. Bunnie was holding....I also threaded some super thin strips of the Smoothie B&T thru the tiny button holes. These buttons are some of our NEW FABULOUS buttons...from the Basic Assortment

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I kept the inside simple since the front is so colorful....

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Here's my second card and possibly my favorite of the two just because this little guy is so ADORABLE and our NEW Kraft Cardstock is something I've been wanting CTMH to carry for FOREVER!!! It's a standard-size card and is perfect for your Easter wishes or just because! I paper-pieced his shirt and colored him just the same as his mammy!

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I random stamped him for some background noise....I used Bamboo Ink so it would be subtle...

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How 'bout those carrots and those cute little buttons...again, from our Basic Assortment! I stitched them with Colonial White Embroidery Floss

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Here's how I did the carrots....I stamped the image...

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Using Watercolor Pencils, I shaded the carrots (to include that little bunny's nose), the bunny's sleeve and the greens....

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Took my Blending Pen and blended....then cut out and ignored that the carrot on the right is actually a nose and that the brown burlap looking stuff is actually a sleeve...lol

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Here they are side by side so you know I'm not lying...can you see the little guys nose behind my Colonial White Embroidery Floss????

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Again...I kept the inside simple...stamped using Desert Sand

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Thanks for hopping on by...

Don't forget to check out SUSAN'S BLOG and see what cute little bunny thing she has to share!

Also...this stamp set, like any other SOTM, is only available during the month of March so run, don't walk, to you local consultant and ask them how you can get it FREE!!! If you don't have a consultant, leave me a message in the comments below and I would be more than happy to help you out.

Happy Hopping!!!!

MORE Friendship....

2011-02-25T16:16:00.000-06:00

I have the SWEETEST sister....

2011-02-21T09:43:00.000-06:00

My sister called me on Saturday and asked if I'd be home Sunday afternoon....she had something for me that needed to be refrigerated. Well, for those of you that know my sister, she's an EXCELLENT cook and baker so I had a hunch it was something DELISH!!!

Well...she delivered it yesterday and it was OVER THE TOP...brought tears to my eyes! You see...QT has been out of work since December and since I'm surrounded by BOYS...all of which eat me out of house and home, my grocery bill is one thing we haven't been able to reign back on.

Here's what the SWEETEST sister in the whole wide world did....

That's right....she brought me the makings for Spaghetti and Meatballs, complete with Parmesan Cheese, French Bread, Salad and HOMEMADE Ranch (not pictured)....Homemade Gourmet Soups (3 of them - Enchilada, Chicken & Rice and Baked Potato) complete with the Chicken to go into the Enchilada Soup and Chicken & Rice....Biscuit mix...Cornbread Mix....

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She also made my FAVORITE!!!! Chicken Pot Pie (she also made this for me when I had my sweet little DD...I need to mention that she had her sweet little JHW only 10 days later so she was big, fat pregnant and she still thought of me and made me several casseroles to tide us over)...

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and the icing on the cake....HOMEMADE granola bars!!! Who does that!?!?! This is why I call her Martha Stewart all the time...lol

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Now...since I'm off today because the Market is closed for President's Day....I plan on making a special thank you for her to let her know how much I appreciate her and LOVE HER DEARLY!!!!

Friendship card set....

2011-02-18T13:11:00.006-06:00

Here's a card set I made using this month's AWESOME Stamp of the Month, Friendship! There are 4 cards with envelopes using Cocoa, Sweet Leaf and Colonial White. I used a clear card box and adhered my FAVORITE Sweet Leaf Ribbon around the bottom to resemble purse handles....

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The Sweet Leaf scalloped borders are from our NEW Kraft Color-Ready Borders colored by sponge-daubing Sweet Leaf Ink on them. The funny thing is that I totally didn't read the memo that the borders are peel and stick so they're adhesive on the back...I thought the white back side was for "coloring"....lol...anywho, they're colored to match and no one will know as long as they don't try to peel the backing off :0)

When Simple is good....

2011-02-17T01:11:00.001-06:00

I spent a couple of weekends ago "playing" and here are some super simple cards I made using various color schemes from the NEW Idea Book's paper packets....I hand drew all the lines around the edges with CTMH markers...

Love is in the Bag....

2011-02-15T01:11:00.001-06:00

Here's my final Valentine's project using, once again, Sweetheart!

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The ever-so-popular lunch bag ensemble....

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I sewed a couple of pockets on the front so everything would have it's own place...I did the zig-zag on my sewing machine and then hand-drew the "heart strings" to disguise my crooked zig-zags...lol

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From the top of the bag so you can see the pockets....

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I saw quite a few of these online and decided to do one myself! This is also what DD's class got...I thought I'd better do something kinda special since this is his last year giving out Valentine cards...

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A bottom view of the sweetheart box to show that I did not cover the top (for easy opening) nor the bottom (because we all know that a bunch of 5th graders aren't going to take ease when opening nor will they care if the bottom is covered in cute paper)

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A view standing up....

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My Ghirardelli Box (pattern from SCS)....

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Slightly open....

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Laying down with contents spilling out....the FLOWER is from our NEW Pink Collection Ribbon...just cut a single flower from the yard of ribbon that you get and waaaaalaaaaaaa!

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And here are cupcakes for TK's class....

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And the inside....just fill the cupcake liners 1/2 full of yellow or white cake batter then add food coloring to the remaining batter, put in a piping bag (or a Ziploc and cut off tip)...insert tip into yellow/white cake batter already in muffin tin and squeeze! This is another "for my benefit only" thing since a bunch of 3-yr olds DEFINITELY won't care that their cupcakes had a mysterious red center...lol

I hope you all had a FABULOUS Valentine's Day...however you chose to spend it!

My sweetie was supposed to take me to eat sushi but instead ordered it to go and took me down by the river, pulled up to a park bench and picnic table, opened the trunk and pulled out all the stops....cooler with wine and covered strawberries (both dark chocolate, white chocolate and toffee chips), our sushi, wine glasses and a big candle for the center of the table to provide light and warmth! TOTAL SURPRISE!!!!

Sweetheart HUG....

2011-02-14T01:11:00.001-06:00

Well...I think this is one of my FAVORITES...it's simple, it definitely speaks the truth and I got the idea from PaperCrafts so it was somewhat easy!

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Inside of the card...

Products used are all CTMH:

Paper: Sweetheart Paper Packet

Stamps: Sweetheart (from the WOTG Kit) and Card Chatter - Love

Ink: Black and Tulip

Embellishments: Black Waxy Flax and Pink Button Assortment

Little SweetHEART....

2011-02-13T13:11:00.002-06:00

I just love little 3x3 cards...it makes it so easy to whip one up and leave it somewhere inconspicuous for my QT.

This little one is made using the Sweetheart WOTG Kit (I've been on a roll with this one...it's just so CUTE, I can't help myself!) and the NEW Affection Stamp Set. I used the bottom of the little stitched heart from the WOTG stamp set to make the zig-zag stitching across the top of the card...I just love finding other ways to use my stamps!

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Side view to show the dimension of the pop-dotted hearts...

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Here's the inside of the card using the WONDERFULLY CUTE Sweetheart Level 2 Assortment that's included in the WOTG Kit...

Sweetheart LOVE....

2011-02-11T22:10:00.002-06:00

This is one of the cards I made to give to my QT....I used the Pennant Alphabet to stamp our initials, our boys' initials, and the number 12 which signifies the number of Valentines we've celebrated together (I know, I know...it's kinda corny but I had to narrow the alphabet down somehow...lol)...then I used L.O.V.E. stamped in Cotton Candy ink to make it pop!

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I'm not sure if you can tell but each pennant is cut out separately and adhered on to the card front. I didn't do this on purpose...I stamped the whole thing then realized that a few of the pennants were crooked or not spaced evenly so the easiest thing to do was cut them apart...there's was no way I was going to restamp them all...lol

All Products used are CTMH:

Paper: Sweetheart

Stamps: Affection, Sweetheart (from the WOTG Kit), Pennant Alphabet

Ink: Tulip, Cotton Candy and Black

Ribbon: Pink Collection

Sponge Daubers

Sweetheart Home Decor....

2011-02-10T23:11:00.001-06:00

Just a little somethin' somethin' I made up using the NEW Sweetheart colors and stamps....

All products are CTMH unless otherwise noted:

Cardstock: Tulip, Cotton Candy and White Daisy

Stamps: Affection, Card Chatter - Love and Sweetheart (from the WOTG Kit)

Ink: Tulip, Cotton Candy and Black

Picture Frame: Dollar Tree - 5x7

More Friendship and some Sweetheart...

2011-02-08T00:12:00.003-06:00

I'm just LOVING February's SOTM, Friendship!

In order to do the layouts for the Blog Hop (seen here), I random stamped a sheet of Colonial White Cardstock and had some leftovers so I decided to pair it with B&T from the Sweetheart WOTG Kit and make this anniversary card. I also used the Sweetheart stamp set that comes with the Kit. I added some Cranberry velvet ribbon (which against the colors of Sweetheart don't look Cranberry so it matched perfectly) and Monogram Dimensional Elements inked up with Cocoa Ink and waaaalaaaa....

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The inside of the card uses a retired stamp set but any sentiment would work....maybe even one from the NEW Card Chatter - Love!!!

Friendship Blog Hop....

2011-02-01T01:11:00.000-06:00

WOW...I can't believe it's already February and the NEW Idea Book goes LIVE today!!!!

There's no better way to start the month off than with a BLOG HOP using February SOTM, Friendship!

Isn't it GORGEOUS!!!!! This is going to be one of my all-time FAVORITES!!!

If you've come from Carla's Blog, you're on the right track and I'm sure you're starting to fall in LOVE with this stamp set, if you haven't already done so!

I recently got engaged to my QT....we've been together for almost 13 years and have 3 boys but we just haven't done the "wedding thing" yet. I decided to use Friendship for our wedding invites and album. Here's what I made using this stamp set....it's a two-page spread for my wedding album! I hope to do a few layouts a month so when we do set the date, I'll already have the album almost done and ready for pictures!

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Colors are Cocoa, Colonial White and Sweet Leaf (B&T is from Wings...gotta LOVE those B&T Duos!!)...

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The scallops you see on both layouts are our NEW Kraft Borders inked up with Cocoa Ink....LOVE these things!!!

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Now hop on over to Angela's Blog and see what crafty thing she's created!!!

Thanks for stopping by....enjoy the rest of the Hop...don't forget to contact your Consultant or e-mail me to get your hands on this stamp set before February is over!

H2H Color Challenge....and HAPPY 1.11.11!!!!

2011-01-11T01:11:00.000-06:00

I have been so busy for what seems like F.O.R.E.V.E.R!!! With my "day job" and busy kids in the evening, I have hardly had any time to create.

Oh...and the HAPPY 1.11.11...for those that know me know that I'm a number person (hence the Accounting degree, I guess)...2011 has 4 dates that just make me smile! 1.1.11...1.11.11...11.1.11...and 11.11.11....cool, huh! So...total AWESOMENESS would be to have a baby on one of these dates but since I'm nowhere close to being pregnant or ready for another one, I guess the next most WONDERFUL thing would be to get married on one of these dates...but, since the only ones left are November 1st and November 11th, and I have a Scrapbooking Retreat to attend November 5th, I'm gonna have to turn those dates down as well... :0( I guess there's always 2012 (12.12.12)...lol

I was so glad when H2H started up their challenges again and being that I needed a birthday card for a very good friend, I decided to sit down and create while everyone else in my house was glued to the Oregon/Auburn game (sadly, our Oregon Ducks lost but both teams played their hearts out and it was such a GOOD GAME!!!)

I used the colors in the challenge...with the small addition of Sorbet

I used the January SOTM, Find Your Style...some Pear B&T from Olivia, Some Sky B&T from Magnifique, some Sparkles and some satin edged ribbon from the Colonial White Ribbon Rounds...

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and the inside of the card....

Find Your Style Blog Hop...

2010-12-31T20:00:00.010-06:00

Welcome to the FIRST SOTM Blog Hop of 2011!!! If you're like me, you're still in shock that another year is over and a new year is here!!!

We're starting the year (and new decade) out right with the SOTM Blog Hop using Find Your Style. There are over 50 consultants this go-round and I'm sure they will all have some awesome artwork to share as well as some sneak peeks into the NEW Idea Book that will be available February 1st....some of which is available starting TODAY!!!

Now...let's get started! Here's a view of the stamp set....aren't those images GORGEOUS!!!

If you've come from Michelle's Blog, you're on the right track....If you get lost along the way, try going to Helen's Blog for a complete list of consultants.

I decided to go with a 6x6 card using the butterfly image and Wings Paper Packet (NEW and available for purchase TODAY!!!)....I pleated some B&T....BUT ONLY because I didn't have the NEW pleated ribbon!!! That's right....PLEATED RIBBON!!!

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I got my cutting knife out and cut the wings from the card front and curled the edges for more dimension...

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I adhered some B&T on the inside so you can see paper and to hide the raw edges of my cuts...if you look really close, you can see the B&T peeking out...

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Here's a closer view....isn't that butterfly B&T awesome!

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And, of course, I had to decorate the inside...LOVE the dress form image!!!

That's all I've got for now but I'm planning on playing with this stamp set some more over the LONG weekend!

Now hop on over to Wanda's Blog and see what she's done with this stamp set!

Don't forget to contact your consultant to order this stamp set as well as the Wings Paper Packet that is available NOW!!! If you don't have a consultant, feel free to check out my website and your order will be shipped directly to your home or office.

P.S. I got the inspiration for my card from the PaperCanvas Blog....one of the many things I love about blogs and sharing!!!

Marshmallow Goodies....

2010-12-28T01:11:00.001-06:00

Aren't these the CUTEST thing!!! Believe it or not, they are SUPER EASY to make as well!

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I was hoping to get a picture of them all pretty in the basket but they were eaten so fast, it never happened!!!

2010 Christmas Cards...

2010-12-22T16:49:00.000-06:00

Luckily, CTMH has this wonderful card kit....Festive Memories....otherwise, my family might've not received cards this year. We have been SO BUSY...it just seems like I can't catch up...I meet myself coming or going...or whatever that saying is...lol.

This is what I sent out to our family and everyone else will probably be getting New Year's cards...lol TK was such a ham in this photo shoot...he just cracks me up!!!

CTMH made it SO EASY for me this year!!!! Thank you, Close To My Heart!

Christmas Photo 2009....

2010-12-14T00:12:00.001-06:00

I thought I'd share last year's Christmas Photo since I haven't even printed this year's out yet...

Here's the layout I did using Mistletoe Paper Packet...Rustic Alphabet (LOVE this stamp set 'cause the letters are so easy to cut out and they're about 2" tall so they're PERFECT for titles!)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

2010-12-13T11:04:00.001-06:00

in my HOUSE at least....West Texas is expected to continue with the mid to high-70-degree weather so it definitely isn't going to FEEL like Christmas!!! Last year it actually snowed on Christmas Eve...it was a PLEASANT surprise...one that I would gladly welcome again!

We put up and decorated our Christmas tree last weekend and I thought I'd post pictures since everything I'm "creating" these days are for gifts and I don't want to post pictures of those 'till the recipients have a chance to open them.

This is a picture of TK and DD putting up our tree (KT was out of town for soccer and I couldn't wait any longer to start decorating...he was more upset than I thought an almost-16 yr old would be :0(....I guess I won't be doing that again)

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TK trying to put the Santa hat on DD...

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Our tree all lit up and our stockings hung on the wall since we don't have a mantel of any kind....

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A little peek at my boys acting silly during our Christmas Photo photo shoot...silly boys!

Christmas Card Workshop...

2010-12-03T00:12:00.004-06:00

I held my my annual Christmas Card Workshop last night with a total of 8 women attending and my dear friend and sideline, Sylvia, helped me out! It was FUN and we got our Christmas Cards made and ready to send out!

Here's the cute little package I put together for my cards and some tags that I played around with...

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Here are the tags I played around with....LOVE this Santa from the Father Christmas Stamp Set...I used a sponge dauber and Bamboo Ink for the "vintage look" (sorry about the quality of the pictures....my camera was not cooperating...lol)

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Here are the cards we made....

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I got the idea for these cards from Leisa Hubley...

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Products used are all CTMH unless otherwise noted:

Paper: Mistletoe Paper Packet, Mistletoe Creative Basics, Black Cardstock

Stamp Sets: Vintage Christmas, I Believe, Father Christmas, Adorn-able, Friendship E-size

Ink: Black, Cranberry, New England Ivy, Cocoa, Bamboo

Ribbon: Black Organdy, Cocoa Grosgrain and ribbon from Mistletoe Creative Basics

Embellishments: Red Sparkles, Cocoa Crinkle Ribbon (non-CTMH seam binding ribbon dyed with Cocoa Ink), Wooden Button (non-CTMH)

Nestibilities Dies

Amore Blog Hop....

2010-11-30T20:00:00.029-06:00

To take a little break from all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, today we are going to focus on AMORE!

This month's blog hop will take you to a little over 60 consultants' websites and show you multiple uses for the December SOTM, Amore!

So...let's get started! Here's what the stamp set looks like....cute, huh!

If you've come from Carla's Blog, you're on the right track. Don't forget to go all the way around to where you started. If you get lost along the way, you can always find a full list of participants on Helen's Blog.

And...this is what I've done with it...a 5" x 7" card using Desert Sand, White Daisy and Vanilla Cream Cardstock as well as some Bella B&T (Retired but I LOVE IT!!!)

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I bought some Seam Binding Ribbon online and dyed it with Olive Reinker. I used some of our Pretty Pins to add a vintage look and then stamped some Heart Dimensional Elements with some images from the SOTM for added dimension...The scalloped border was made using our Corner Rounder and an 1/8" hole punch...it's a good way to improvise.

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Here's a close up of the background I created by stamping in second generation...I wanted a damask tile look and I think it turned out better than I expected....

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Here's a peak into the inside of the card...

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A little closer up of the "Amore - Be Mine" sentiment....

Thanks for stopping by! Now, keep hopping on over to Krista's Blog and see what fantastic thing she has to share!

Don't forget that you can order this stamp set during the month of December! Contact your consultant or e-mail me to find out how you can even get it for FREE!!!!

FALL brings me JOY....

2010-11-23T13:11:00.010-06:00

One of my workshops this month was this home decor item....

I basically lifted the idea from page 86 of the Autumn/Winter Idea Book and from Annette Green using CTMH's Mix & Mingle Album. My girls LOVED it!!!

For the "FALL" side, we used Olivia Paper Packet, Mocha and Pearl Opaques, Shimmer Designer Brads, Monogram Dimensional Elements, Harvest Home Stamp Set, Timeless Stamp Set from the Olivia WOTG Kit, Blending Pen and Watercolor Pencils and Finishing Files for all the intricate sanding around the scallops, corners, etc.

For the "JOY" side, we used Mistletoe Paper Packet, Mistletoe Level 2 Assortment, A Timber Stamp Set, I Believe Stamp Set, more Pearl Opaques, more Dimensional Elements Monograms and, of course, Finishing Files.

Pumpkin on my wall....

2010-11-09T10:10:00.001-06:00

Remember this post when I said I had a pumpkin wall decor to share...well, here it is!

I used Oliva Paper Packet...left the DOLLAR frame the color it came and add various ribbon at the top.

A Little Thanks....Blog Hop

2010-10-31T22:08:00.004-05:00

I can't believe this weekend has been FULL of pumpkins and costumes, candy and sweets....and NOW, it's time for November!?!?! I'm busy getting into the season of "gratitude" and this month's SOTM is perfect for just that!

We're using "A Little Thanks" stamp set...

If you've come from Annette's Blog then you've seen her SUPER CUTE cards (LOVE that coffee cup), you're on the right track!!! Keep hopping along 'till you see all 60+ consultants' blogs and what they have done with this wonderful stamp set! If you get lost along the way, you can always go back to Helen's Blog and she'll have a complete list where it'll be easy to pick up where you left off!

Are you ready to see what I've done with this stamp set???? It's one of my FAVORITE things to do with "word stamps"...why pick just one when you can use them ALL! This little home decor item can be used to display during the month of November for Thanksgiving or you can give it to a coworker, friend, etc. as a "thank you" for taking you out to lunch....maybe carpooling with you...and when the frame cost only $1 at the Dollar Tree...this gift is VERY affordable!

All I did was lay out all the images I wanted to use from this stamp set face down on my piece of paper (this one happens to be a 4x6 picture frame with an opening of about 3-1/2" x 5-1/2"). Once I knew that all my images could fit and where I wanted them, I loaded them onto blocks, one by one, inked them up and stamped them! HINT: Cut a second piece of paper measuring 4x6 and use that to stamp on...that way your 1st piece will still contain all the stamps in the exact places you want them!

That's all I have for you this go-round....make sure you hop on over to Adeline's Blog and see her CUTE card...you're gonna LOVE IT!

Don't forget...this stamp is available all month through your CTMH Consultant. What...you say you don't have a Consultant??? We can't have that now! E-mail me to find out how to get this versatile stamp set for FREE!

Wordless Thursday...'cause I'm a slacker...lol

2010-10-28T11:13:00.000-05:00

Carving Pumpkins...TIPS

2010-10-27T16:36:00.000-05:00

I read many, many blogs each day and SO ENJOY doing it...the hazard is that I often run across something that "sticks" in my head and by the time I get around to create something using their inspiration or post hints and tips (which it is in this case), I forget where I saw it....if you know where I got the following pumpkin carving tips...PLEASE let me know so I can link to their blog!

TIPS FOR CARVING A PUMPKIN:

Instead of removing the top for the lid, try cutting around the bottom...it makes it much easier to light the candle (yes, we still use a candle) and then place the pumpkin over the bottom (who would've thought)
If you're working with stencils to draw your image, use masking tape...it sticks better
When cutting intricate designs, start with the most detailed parts first
"THIN" the side you're carving before cutting by taking a spoon and scraping some of the 'meat' from the inside....you have to be careful because if it's too thin, the pumpkin might break but if it's too thick, it makes it hard to cut
If you're carving several days in advance, place the CARVED pumpkins in a bathtub full of ice water and they won't "shrivel" and will be good as new when you're ready for them (this locks in the moisture)
Rub Vaseline on the carved portions (i.e. inside the holes for eyes, etc.) to keep the moisture in which will make them last longer

Aren't those WONDERFUL tips!!! We're painting pumpkins this year using glow-in-the-dark paint but next year, I think I'm going to try these tips!!! Knowing me, though, I'll probably go ahead and carve one THIS YEAR just because I'm curious...lol!

Simple Halloween....

2010-10-26T03:33:00.002-05:00

I've seen these cards all over the blogs I read...and by "these cards" I mean SIMPLE. I've tried to do simple before and I usually fall back into the elaborate ones that take hours to make and are too pretty to give to just anyone or too dimensional to mail out. These are PERFECT for giving and mailing....AND, since I used liquid glass on the eyes, they should fare well in the postal service!

Card size is 4x4 (you know how I love my SQUARES)...lol

Products used are all CTMH except when noted:
Cardstock: White Daisy
Stamp Set: The Boo Crew
Ink: Black, Gypsy, Pear and Sunset
Licorice Opaques (eyes for the Sunset Pumpkin)

My Legacy Writers

Wiggly Eyes (Michael's)

Happy Haunting - sPookY.....

2010-10-25T01:11:00.001-05:00

Here's a card I made this weekend using Captured Moments stamp set, Hooligans Paper Packet, Olivia Paper Packet (the flower), Purple Sparkles, Black Glitter (Michael's) and an altered version of the Recessed Window Card I found at SCS...I kinda regret not making my moon a little "moonier"...it kinda looks like a sun...lol. This card also qualifies for H2H's challenge of something "Halloween" so be sure to go over there and see what other "Halloween" projects have been linked up.

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I'm love with this part of the card...not sure why but I am...I drew the little spider by hand...hehehehe

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I'm hoping with these next 2 pictures you can tell that the window is recessed and adds such dimension to the card...

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And....here's the inside of the card...SIMPLE but cute!

Thank You God - You Have Been So Good To Me...

2010-10-24T15:33:00.002-05:00

In honor of my Grand-daddy who would've been 89 yesterday, I'm posting the poem he wrote, and that I read at his funeral 12 years ago...I can't believe it's been that long.

My Grand-daddy was a Baptist Preacher, WWII B1 Bomber Pilot, High School Football Coach and Science Teacher...he loved his Country, sports, teaching and traveling but most of all, he loved his family with all his heart and God with all that he had!

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Here is the layout I did many, many years ago as a tribute to him and this poem (you can read the full poem below the pictures) that he wrote shortly before his death. I printed the poem on Vellum and then adhered over one of my favorite photos of him. He's smiling ear to ear which was how he was 95% of the time!

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Title: Thank You God - You have been so good to me
Written by: N.T. Gault

Sometimes I visit small country cemeteries and look at names and dates on the stones. So many are children who lived only a day or two. I bow my head and say - Thank you, God, you have been so good to me.

Sometimes I look at my parents' wedding picture and think of all the things they taught us, and took us to Sunday School and Church each week. I bow my head and say - Thank you, God, you have been so good to me.

When my war experiences were over and I stood safe on America's shore, I looked up and saw the Stars and Stripes. I bowed my head and said - Thank you, God, you have been so good to me.

At Christmas time when we celebrate our Savior's Birth, I look at my wife and our family of three children and seven grandchildren and one great-grandson gathered 'round the Christmas tree. I bow my head and say - Thank you, God, you have been so good to me.

And when life on Earth is over and I meet my Savior face to face, I will bow my head and say - Thank you,

God, you have been so good to me.

Pumpkin for my sister...

2010-10-23T00:12:00.003-05:00

Here's the "just because" gift for my sister that I gave a sneak peek of yesterday....

I took a small pumpkin (weighing about 3 lbs) and painted it with white paint...let dry for 30 minutes or so, then added second coat...let dry for 30 minutes or so...then added the wood-grain (which kinda resembles Zebra-print) with black paint...let dry and then sprayed with clear enamel. I added the Dimensional Element and Red Sparkles and adhered with Liquid Glass.

I gave it to her at lunch and she LOVED IT!!! She was sad to find out that the pumpkin was real and wouldn't last but a few months...:0(

Gift Sneak Peek....

2010-10-22T01:11:00.001-05:00

Here's a sneak peek at a gift I finished up last night and will be giving to my sister this afternoon for a "just because" gift. I try to do that often for her because she's always so appreciative...and the gifts are usually the simplest of things...items on sale, items I want to make so she's my guinea pig, etc. She LOVES it though which keeps me going!

I'll post the full pic once it's in her hot little hands!

A birthday that is Magnifique...

2010-10-21T00:12:00.000-05:00

On Fridays a bunch of us girls get together and eat lunch...each time it's one of our birthdays, we give a card and some lotto scratch-offs hoping that we'll all get rich and can quit our day jobs...lol.

Here's one of the cards made last month...I usually just put a sticky on the inside saying "happy birthday" so they can reuse the card for their own purpose.

I used Magnifique paper packet for the card, Cocoa Cardstock for the flower and a Pearl Opaque for the center! There are many tutorials out there but my fellow CTMH Consultant and friend, Tracey, has a really good one...so, head over there and take a look!

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Open it up and waalaaaaa....

Don't you just LOVE these colors!!!

Spook Alley Bag...

2010-10-19T00:12:00.000-05:00

I just love these little bags! I did this one for Christmas a couple of years ago....and couldn't pass up the chance to do one using Spook Alley and Hooligans!

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I added shading to the web using a Grey Flannel Marker

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His eyes are actually our NEW Opaques....Pearl and Licorice...I used Liquid Glass to make sure they would stay in tact.

Skeleton Wall Decor...

2010-10-18T00:12:00.003-05:00

This project cost be a whopping $3....can you believe it!!?!!?!!

I saw the idea HERE at Eighteen25...LOVE their ideas!

I did a pumpkin one that I will post later but since Halloween is right around the corner, I thought I'd post this skeleton one. I know some of you may not be fond of "skeletons" but they are the hot trend right now and this one is all glittery and I jazzed it up with our Sparkles so it's not so scary! I also LOVE the Hooligans Gypsy-colored polka dot B&T as the backdrop...LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this paper! Oh...and the BEST part is that the frame only cost me a DOLLAR at the dollar tree...it was a gold color and I sprayed it with silver paint!

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lol...I didn't even know that he was missing a tooth 'till I took these photos