NSD

So what did you do for NSD???

I got up and left the house by 7:30 AM in order to get to Archiver's by the time they opened at 9:00 AM so I could get in on the coupons, make and takes and what knot!!!

When I got there a line of zany ladies were already waiting anxiously at the door and it was only 8:40 AM - I stopped for coffee at Starbucks or I'd been there sooner!!! Archiver's graciously opened the doors about the time I got there and let us all in - perfect timing for me!!!

I made these two things at the make and takes:



This is a page topper or center, not anything fancy but cute!!!



This card was just in time - we had made a last minute decision to drive up Saturday night after work for my FIL's birthday on Sunday and I needed to get a card made, it was perfect!!!

I spent a few hours shopping, picked up some really awesome bargains and met some lovely new scrappy friends!!!

When I got home I decided I was going to log into a site that I was formerly associated with to find my account was no longer active - how sweet. Needless to say a little drama had gone on over there and I decided to remove myself from it for a while not once bad mouthing the site or the owner. So come to find out, the owner found out I joined another site - I didn't think there were any laws about the number of sites you could be on but hey, guess so - and decided to deactivate/ban/delete me AND my daughter's accounts. So no scrappy time over there I guess. I decided to log into the new site and enjoy the company of some super sweet and talented scrappy ladies who believe scrappy should totally be drama free - THANK GOODNESS!!!!

Guess it was a good thing I didn't try to get involved in much since we were going up for my FIL's birthday. We got up there Saturday evening and came home Sunday night - what a long drive for such a short time but worth it to get to see family!!! My MIL had shoulder surgery two weeks ago this Thursday so it was good to see her and how she was doing.............OMG the funniest thing, I helped her get a shower and wash her hair. Pop put a new shower head in with the hose and removable shower head hoping it would help out getting her bathed. Well I helped her get cleaned up and had washed her hair getting ready to rinse. I asked her if she wanted me to do it and she told me she could do it - well didn't she ever do it!!! She rinsed the right side and moved around to the left and POW right in my face a full stream of water........was hilarious!!! She told I should have just waited to shower with her considering how wet I got!!! Regardless it made her feel better to get showered and some better fitting clothes on and have her hair dried and fixed!!!!

My BIL fixed some amazing fajitas - I am still thinking about them today and how good it would be to have some leftovers to eat!!!! LOL Maybe next time - heck he bought 6 pounds of chicken and 4 pounds of beef to feed 13 people and there was a small baggie of chicken left and that was it!!!! I took some pics from the party and of the fajitas so I'll have to get them posted maybe tomorrow!!!

Today was long and uneventful - I'm so tired and should be in bed right now instead of blogging!!! I did get my new Pink Cat stamps that were released yesterday ordered - now just to await their arrival!!!!

OK, gonna call it now - I need to get some sleep. The potential new buyer of the property will be in town tomorrow and Wednesday so I need to be rested - hopefully they will buy and get it over with instead of the waiting game we've been playing. I really hate being in limbo. They went into escrow on the 1st and they have until the 31st to back out if they want. Then it is a done deal and we'll be looking at a closing around the end of July - woohoo a move in the heat of the summer!!!! LOL

Nite all............happy scrappin'!!!!!

Over and out ya'll..............

Pink Cat Studio Blog Challenge

If you haven't checked out the gals over at Pink Cat Studios then I suggest you do so. Not only does Melissa have some rocking stamps she has created, but the talent of her design team and customers is amazing!!!

So, I got my very FIRST shipment from Melissa on Saturday. I have been contemplating for 3 weeks now WHICH stamp set(s) to buy. I want them ALL!!!! But, my budget wouldn't allow me to buy ALL of them right now. So, I opted for two sets and am anxiously awaiting the May 4th release of her newest set to include Milly Moo - check out her blog and have a look see at Milly, she is adorable!!!

Anywho, the two sets I bought were Lily & Tweet and Crafty Kitty. Aren't these awesome!!!

So, like I said I got my stamps on Saturday and couldn't wait to tear into them but I had two orders for Baby books that I had to get finished before I could get into these yummy stamps. Needless to say I have finished my baby books - well, I still have a little embellishing to do on one but couldn't wait any longer to play with my new stamps. I only managed to get ONE of the Lily & Tweet stamps mounted and cut out before I started stamping. These two cards serve a few purposes: 1.) I got to play with my new stamps....YAY!!! 2.) They are part of the 6 to 8 Mother's Day cards I need to make (I make for my Mom, MIL, sister, SIL's, etc.)!!! 3.) Very happily completes a challenge on the Pink Cat Studio Blog!!!! 4.) Used up a stack of scraps from a recent Baby boardbook that I made!!!

Without further delay....................drum roll please.................

Here are my first card creations with Pink Cat Studio Stamps Lily & Tweet stamps:





Did you notice on both cards how the flower in Lily's hand kind of stands out??? I stamped Lily twice for each card and the cut out the flower and used a pop dot to give it a little dimension as well as added some stickles to the flowers!!!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my work!!!

Happy Scrappin'

Over and out ya'll....................

April 9, 2008 - Accomplishment

So on Monday I swore that I would not turn on the monitor after work until I accomplished something crafty. Do you think I did it???






Well, of course I did!!! I made this darling little stationary box with 3 cards to go inside. I really love the colors and those stamped flowers are my newest stamp purchase. I totally adore them!!!

Check out my stationary box:



And the inside of the box w/the cards I made:



And the cards that goes into the stationary box:



I really enjoyed making this little set.

Last night I managed to whip out about a dozen more of the Post It note keychains but I haven't had a chance to get pictures of them to post but will try to do so tonite.

I spent last nite talking to a dear friend of mine from high school. I haven't sat down and talked with her in ages and we spent 2 1/2 hours on the phone last nite giggling like school girls reliving some of our crazy times and catching up on things in the last 10+ years that we've missed out on in each others lives. It was so great to talk to her - it really felt like old times as if we hadn't missed each other all those years.

Well, got work to do so I better get busy. A/R calls won't make themselves so I best get busy. Take care and have a great day!!!

Happy Scrappin'!!!

Over and out ya'll...........

March 21, 2008

Well, I got scrappy last night while cleaning up my mess from making the wedding album. I had a bunch of scrap pieces of the Scarlet Letter paper as well as the solid color cardstock from cutting pages down to fit the album. They were too big to toss but not big enough to complete larger layouts so I decided to put them to use. I threw together 11 mini cards using just leftover cardstock, BG SL paper, HOTP flowers & brads , Making Memories rubons - all of the stuff used on these cards were leftovers from recent projects. The cards range in size from 2 1/2" x 3 3/4" to 4" x 4" - they are rather cute if I do say so myself!!!







So this morning Rob took Cait for her permit. Good grief all the stuff you have to have and go through!!! We had all the papers the state requires for the permit and even had them notarized, her birth certificate and our marriage license showing he was her legal guardian and it still wasn't enough!!! I guess I failed to read the social security card was needed - or it wasn't on there, one or the other. Needless to say they had already stood in line at the driver license office and had to leave, drive to the only social security office in Austin which of course, was in North Austin and then go back to the driver license office in South Austin. I'm waiting now to hear if the driver license office will accept the printout from the social security office or if we will have to wait for the card to actually arrive - I'm such a bad Mom, I have no clue where her social security card is but hey, I do know the number that's a start........LOL. Then it will be a wait to see if she passes!!!

Today looks like it is going to be another gorgeous day in Austin. The sun is shining and we have a light breeze and it is just gorgeous out. I tell you I think I must have spring fever!!! I am so not focused on doing my work and just want to get out and play in the sunshine - even though I know I would get burned so bad I still want to get out and play!!!

While in the midst of typing this our contractor showed up regarding our retaining wall and he brought BABIES!!!! He brought his 3 year old and his 6 month old and oh boy did I get to play!!! I love kids and he has the most precious little girls!!! It was a breath of fresh air - I have baby fever too for those of you who don't know. I've had it for about 10 years..........LOL. Unfortunately the man upstairs didn't think I should have more than one child by birth and one by love but I am blessed with them!!!

So, off to try to focus and do some work today no matter how hard that is going to be!!!

Happy Scrappin'!!! Over and out!!!
K-

Today rained. And rained. And rained some more!!! Other than that it was relatively quiet and that is good some days.

I picked up the kids from school and Dylan asked to go to Hobby Lobby for a new model car - who am I to refuse a trip to Hobby Lobby right??? **wink** I am so thrilled we went too!!! I know I should have taken the package of BG paper I bought to the front and told them it was mismarked but I didn't - I was bad, I admit it!!! I bought it!!! It was on the shelf with a price tag clearly on it stating the price was $3.99 and I know that was wrong but I didn't say a word - I almost feel guilty about it!!! The price on all the other packages was $17.99 and if I hadn't bought it someone else would have..........right??? Anywho, I got a new pack of paper that I definitely DIDN'T need!!!

I also used my 40% coupon and got some of the new Doodlebug Designs Sugar Coating Glitter assortment - they are so so so so pretty!!! Wanna see???



Aren't those some of the yummiest colors you've ever seen??? I couldn't resist since I had the 40% off coupon - I should have but I just couldn't. I have promised Rob I will create more, spend less - we'll see how that goes, I'm not so good at that promise, I try but I can find things at any store to use in my scrapping and cardmaking - yes, especially Home Depot!!!

So, I said last night I was going to focus on card making for a little while. I will still be making 8x8 albums as they are so loved but I am trying to get my scrappy mojo completely back and cards are so quick and easy and give satisfying results so I'm gonna work on my mojo via cards for a while.

Here is a quick card I made tonite for a darling friend who just got engaged!!! Gratz Elisa!!! The cardstock is from my stash, patterned paper for background and dress is Basic Grey Scarlet Letter, the embossed patterned paper was done using the Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder, Dress Stamp from Hero Arts, Pearls on dress from Hero Arts, Congratulations stamp from Kelly Panicci for Sandy Lion and the ink is ColorBox Chalk Ink in Charcoal.



Hope you like and thanks for looking!!!


Happy Scrappin' - Over and out ya'll!!!

February 22, 2008

Well, I'm done with the Survivor Contest!!!! I withdrew my name as of this morning due to personal reasons where I can not be confident I can upload in time. I've also decided that the competitive scrapbooking really brings out the mean and ugly in women and I just don't like it. So, with that said, you can now see all my work with no repercussions to me!!!


All items below were created in the MMFY Survivor contest:

Round 4's challenge - A LO any style using at least one picture of you with NO other living thing(s) in the picture. My LO is titled : To Thine Own Self Be True - and guess what, what better way to leave the contest than on a statement like that right???




Round 3's challenge - An altered item using transparency that was clearly visible. We were requested to show the item before altering and after:

This is the before and after, I have to tell you I totally love the after. I loved it so much that I put it on my nightstand beside my new bed....LOL.



Round 2's challenge - A LO using NO pictures of any kind. Really came at a fitting time as our daughter's 16th birthday was the weekend before and I had these awesome papers sitting waiting for me to do something with. I love, love, love how this came out!!!



Here is a pic of inside the journaling folder. The journaling says:

2/9/08

Happy Sweet Sixteen my baby girl!!!

How time flies when you are having fun!!! It seems like only yesterday that you came into my life and really shook things up!!! I was so happy you were here, you were beautiful and just perfect but I was so scared to be a Mom – I just didn’t think I was good enough!!!

I look back over the last 16 years to realize that I’ve not been the perfect Mom. Mistakes have been made. But the one thing that I never slacked on has been my undying love for you!!!

I am so proud of the young woman you have become. You are beautiful, intelligent, quirky, fun and most important of all.............YOU!!!

Please don't change a thing about yourself for anyone!!! Be who you are. Be confident and strong. You can do and be anything you want in life!!!

I love you. I am proud of you. I may not say it enough but don't ever forget it!!! You are my life, my pride and joy and nothing will ever change that!!!

Happy Sweet 16 Cait!!!

Love Mom



Round 1's challenge - 3 greeting cards using plastic that was not a flower and a flower that was not a plastic. In addition the greeting on each had to be different.



In other news the Baby books we've been making are starting to roll out - we've had 3 sell so far and a request for a special order one again as of yesterday!!! Love doing those books!!!

Well, Over and out for now.........I need to veg, maybe have a drink tonite, cry a little more, sleep a little and just hang out with my kids and no expectations from me other than being Mom and wife!!!

February 19, 2008

Today is a little rough on me. It is my grandfather's birthday. Anyone who knows me knows that I did not deal with the death of my grandfather over 20 years ago then and I still haven't dealt with it today. It gets a little easier each year but I sure do miss him. Here is a layout I did last year as a challenge and as therapy.



I was less than a year old and my grandfather painted the concrete patio blue and would take me "swimming" in it every day. Granted I don't remember this but I do have the pictures and the stories told to me by my parents. Thanks for looking.

On a lighter note, check out what I made thanks to guidance from my friend Frankie at MMFY:


It is an imposter clip it up. This is a picture of it empty right after I made it and below is a pic as I was putting things on it.


You really would not believe the difference this thing has made in my room!!! Not only can I see most of what I have, I freed up over 7 of the plastic shoe boxes of stuff from shelves and put it upright into this one little space. Now the pic is not of the imposter clip it up in my room but on the counter in my office as that was the best lighting at the time. I'll get a pic in my room and post it later to show just how much space it really does save. I honestly don't know how I made it this long without one!!! To be perfectly honest with you - I'm working on making a second one to hold kits and such - haven't decided totally what will go on it but I can definitely use more space!!! Maybe flowers??? That would free up my Prima bottles to be altered........oooohhh, like I need more ideas to alter!!! LOL

On another note I made it!!! What did I make??? Well, I made it to round 4 of the MMFY Survivor Challenge. I tell you what, the competition is strong. The ladies who made it through and even the ones who didn't put out some amazing work and I'm inspired by them all. I've been stalking the boards today waiting for the next challenge to try and figure out what I have to work with.............So exciting!!!

On a sadder note, my dear friend Kelly with Keep In Touch is going through some rough times. Her mother is very ill and the poor thing has so much going on in her life. If you have a spare moment please throw up a few prayers for Kelly and her family.

Also visit her site if you get a chance - she has recently started up a monthly kit club and let me tell you, I purchased the Tinkering Ink Beloved kit from her and was amazed at the value and what all came in the kit. Here are a few things I've made with my TI Beloved kit and I still have lots of stuff to do more!!!




I know a few others who have bought kits from her as well and they have been amazed at what all comes in the kits for the price. Kelly is one of a kind and I'm honored to call her a friend!!!

Make sure you stop by MMFY to check out what we've been up to in the survivor game and cheer us on. So much talent and I'm honored to play alongside these ladies!!!

Over and out for now - have a scrap happy day!!!

February 7, 2008

You may ask why on earth I am posting at 12:15 a.m. - well, why not? When I didn't think things could go from bad to worse they did. I won't get into details but lets just say I am completely in shock and quite hurt from several events that happened today.

I will strictly be scrapping for my blog and whatever orders I have - making sketches, doing a layout of the sketch and posting them for my enjoyment.

So, I posted earlier (well yesterday technically) that I finished the baby boardbook and took it to our customer. Well, here is the finished version with the journaling added:







Now I am really not sure why on earth that last picture is so huge - I resized 3 different times but it just doesn't want to shrink!!! OH well!!!

And then here is a quick card I made last night:




Over and out for now!!!