Enjoy

I made a card last night for Nicola's 3rd sketch. I got this image in a swap from AnnMarie. Isn't it the cutest little image? I love it!

The card front is a glitter mat stack that I got from Jana! I love opening the stack and letting the paper inspire my color choice. It's fun. The "enjoy" is a $1 Michael's clear acrylic stamp. The scallop circle was cut using Mini Mongrams on my Cricut. The circles were cut using my Coluzzle. I SU ticket punched the card front and added brads to the corners. The ribbon border is from Michael's.

Here's a photo taken right outside my front door yesterday morning. I stuck a 12" ruler in the snow. It's showing 8 1/2", and I have to tell you the spot by the front door was the lowest of what we shoveled! It was A LOT of snow to clear off the sidewalks and driveway! Yuck!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you're having a great weekend!

SNOW DAY, You Float My Boat, and an Award!

It's a SNOW DAY! My girls are home from school! We have a lot of snow outside, and it's still snowing. My husband is stuck in Florida, and he can't get a flight home since they are all getting canceled. Well, I guess if you're going to be stuck somewhere, it's good to be stuck somewhere with warm weather! I don't actually know how to work the snow blower though, so I'll be shoveling in a little bit. My back hurts already just thinking about it!


I got some great images in a small SBS2 image swap. These came from Lori, and I just had to do some gamsol coloring last night with these Stampin' Up images. I think this boat is so cute. I added the Prima as an afterthought, and now I'm thinking it looks out of place on a nautical card. Hhhmmm . . . I love those little clouds of smoke! Aren't they cute?


Next, I got an award from my SBS2 sister Kathleen and from my very good blogging friend Andrea. Thank you ladies. I'm seriously honored when someone presents me with these awards! I think they're so fun! I'll be happy to spread the love! This time, I'm going to concentrate on some of my SBS2 sisters. I'm spreading the love to seven of my sisters: AnnMarie, Becky, Bonnie, Flossie, Lori, Lori, and Maria. It's hard to give these awards out, because I want to give it to everyone! Thank you Kathleen and Andrea! I'm thrilled that you thought of me!

Thanks for stopping by everyone! Have a great weekend!

Design Team News

I am thrilled to announce that Tamara Wheeler has asked me to be on her Sketches! Card Design Team. I am very excited to be on a team with such talented ladies! Here's my first card for Tamara's Card Sketch #29.


I've never made a card before with a circular design, so this was fun. The card base is topped with a DCWV Glitter Mat Stack sheet (thanks Jana!!). I added a ribbon border, the "happy birthday" was stamped with my Karen Foster snap stamps. The round clip is from the CTMH mini medley pack (again, thanks Jana!), and I added a Prima layered flower stack. My mom's birthday is next Saturday, and I'm going to give this card to her!

We have a snow warning for the next day or two. I don't want to shovel anymore! Oh well! Have a great day everyone, and thanks for stopping by!

Check out what Mr. Big Bite can do!

I finally used it! BEFORE . . . I bought this tin bucket at a garage sale, and when I got my first Crop-A-Dile, I went crazy setting various eyelets around the rim . . . cute, right?


AFTER! Look at how far down Mr. Big Bite can reach! Pretty cool! Just like the first one, it cuts through this tin with no problem whatsoever, BUT the big difference is how far it can reach into a project. This is over 3" down over the rim of this tin can. LOVE IT!


The eyelets I set around the rim the first time were as far as I could go. This lovely flower stack is down about 3". I can set something 6" into a project! This is pretty cool, and Mr. Big Bite was very easy to use. I hate to enable people, but if you like your Crop-A-Dile, but you want to be able to reach further into a project . . . you're going to want your own Mr. Big Bite! I'm off to look for other things to punch holes in!! Thanks for stopping by!

P.S. Don't forget to look at the post below which shows size comparisons for Mr. Big Bite!

Mr. Big Bite

Well, I got the Big Bite out of the package, and I read the directions, but I just haven't had a chance to use it yet. A lot of people have commented on the size of this new tool, so I thought I will show you some photos for size comparison!

This is my QuicKutz, my original Crop-A-Dile, and Mr. Big Bite (he's quite impressive, so I'm calling him Mr. Big Bite!)


This is are I and II side by side. Yep, the size difference is pretty significant!

The Big Bite is more comparable in size to the QuicKutz squeeze. A lot of people commented on how hard it was to get it out of the package. Well, I open a lot of Cricut cartridge packages, and it was about the same amount of difficulty. What was difficult was getting the directions out of that triangular section on the bottom of the packaging!

I hope to actually use Mr. Big Bite later today. I'm going to be running out the door in a couple of minutes to chaperone a band field trip. We're going to see an orchestra. I can't wait. I thought for sure school would be canceled today . . . it's unbelievably cold! The actual temperature is -2 right now with wind chills around -25. Whew! That's cold! The wind last night was almost scary. It was really windy all night long. I'm totally behind on blog hopping, but I hope to catch up with all of you this afternoon / evening. Thanks for stopping by!

Bursting with GREAT News!

I do believe that I'm walking under a lucky star. Yesterday was a FANTASTIC day, and today is starting out as another amazing day! I think you're going to absolutely hate me after you read about all of the stuff that I have to tell you! Be warned . . . this is a LONG post. Sorry!

First off, I wanted to answer a question from Becky. She asked me about the red border on the page that I posted yesterday. It's not a border. The page is black zig-zag Bazzill die cut cardstock on top of a red 12x12 sheet of cardstock. Sorry, I should have explained that when I posted the page. I've seen this die cut cardstock in Michael's too in a DCWV pad. Very cool. Hopefully that clears up how I did the "border".

Next, check out these goodies! These are all from my secret sister on the Cricut message board, and my very good friend, Jana! This is my big finale package from my wonderful friend. She went crazy, be prepared!! Your mouth will be hanging open. There's SO MUCH!!

These are Halloween items, including the Halloween Backgrounds Stampin' Up set, towels with an adorable dog dressed for Halloween, and instead of saying "Boo", if says "Boof"! Totally appeals to my sense of humor! A spider mug (that I was drinking out of yesterday! I don't think I'm going to save it for Halloween!), autumn buttons, Halloween tissues (which are too cute to ever use!), and two Halloween figurines!

Next, WOW! There is Magic Scraps glitter, snow for shaker cards, adorable buttons, Primas in a tiny magnetic tin, two tins to alter, gorgeous ribbon, a mini medley spring pack from CTMH, a glitter mat stack (which just so happens to match the mini medley CTMH items perfectly!!), more buttons, snowflake brads, more round fantastic Making Memories brads, and a 1/8" circle hand punch! It's actually amazing, I think Jana has ESP, because I love my hand punch, but I've been having problems with it. It's not giving me a clean cut, and I need a new one. I never told her that. Very cool!!

That's not all! This shows the Stampin' Up set Riveting (which I've wanted for such a long time), a fantastic box that I can alter, a small album (in the brown and cream) that Jana made for me (she DESIGNED the album -- it's so cool!), and mini cards that she made for me in two of my favorite scrapbooking / card making colors of all time . . . pink and brown! Can you believe it? I'm OVERWHELMED! Jana is so generous and sweet, and I'm so very appreciative! Mwah Jana! You're the best! Thank you so much!

Next, Terrie B presented me with the "you cheer me up award". Is this photo the best or what? You gotta love Lucy and Ethel! They're fantastic! Thank you Terrie! I'm going to tag just a few of my many wonderful blogging friends. Believe me, you ALL cheer me up, and I hate to leave anyone out, but here goes: Andrea, Becky, another Becky, Dawn, Deb, Jana, Kathleen, Kristy, Marlou, and Samm. Seriously, I could go on and on and on!! The visitors I get and the comments I receive put me on Cloud 9. You're all the BEST! Thank you!!

THEN, I uploaded my Valentine layout of my girls on ScrapCity. It's a blog that Dawn told me about, the ladies there all seem like so much fun, and it's where I'm trying to be a Guest Designer! Anyway, my Valentine layout was picked as the ScrapCity LAYOUT OF THE WEEK! I'm floored! Thank you ScrapCity! I'm honored!!

Then I received an email yesterday and then another one today that I won two items from two of the wonderful ladies over at the Paper Crafts Blog! Seriously . . . TWO things! I'm walking under that lucky star people! WOW! I'll post what I won when I receive the items. I'm just THRILLED beyond belief! Thank you ladies at Paper Crafts!

Last, but definitely not least, I wanted to show you my daughter's poster that she created for her science class. Thank goodness for the Cricut! Her entire class needed to present information on an interesting invention. The inventions were handed out randomly, and she ended up with the ice cream cone. Check out her poster!

The ice cream cone and the scoops are on the Doodlecharms cartridge, and we used Base Camp for the title. Doesn't this look fantastic! She designed the whole thing, and she did a great job! She's almost 12 (Egads!! How is that possible??), and she's in 6th grade, and I'm sure you'll agree that she's pretty talented! She was thrilled with her poster! So was I!

OK, if you read this whole entry, you're wonderful, and you deserve a HUGE pat on the back! Sorry, but I had A LOT to tell you about! I'm just one happy lady over here! I'm also one very appreciative lady! I'm walking under that lucky star . . . !! Thanks for stopping by!!

Love This Man With All My Heart

This is my second page that I'm submitting for a guest design team spot. I'm thrilled with the way this turned out . . . even better than I expected!


Obviously I couldn't wait to use those gorgeous letters that I received from Kristy! I think they're perfect on this page. I like the letters, because you can distress them, ink them, add ribbon, put rhinestones or brads in the holes, etc. However, on this page, I like them just the way they are. The strips at the top and bottom of the page are from a ki Memories sheet of patterned paper. The photo is Stampin' Up ticket punched, matted, and the ribbon around it is from Hobby Lobby. The letters under the photo are Making Memories rub on letters. The heart is a ScrapWorks glittery chipboard piece. This page is simple, but I think it has a huge impact with the black / white / red color combination. It doesn't hurt that my husband looks awesome on his Harley! (I may have a slightly biased opinion about this fact!)

Thanks for stopping by!

You Stole My Heart & More Goodies!

I'm attempting to be a Guest on a Design Team, and the requirements were to create two Valentine's Day or St. Patrick's Day pages. We don't do anything for St. Patrick's Day, so Valentine pages it is! This is the first one I'm submitting.

This is a total "use what I have" page! I've had the embossed red and purple cardstock for a really, really long time. The circle (cut with my Coluzzle) and "I love you" pieces used as embellishments were cut from a patterned paper sheet I've had for a long time too. These photos are from 2005, and they feature two of my very favorite people in the whole wide world . . . my daughters! The "you stole my" in the title was done with Making Memories rub ons. Very cool how they easily go over embossed paper. The "HEART" letters are ScrapWorks glittery chipboard that I got on QVC. The GORGEOUS flowers were a RAK from the wonderful Beatriz. I'm finally using some of them! The white heart and red silhouette heart are also ScrapWorks glittery chipboard. The XOXOXO office clip on the side of the page is Lil' Davis designs. The photo corners were cut using my QuicKutz. I'm thrilled with this page! I'm so crazy about my girls, how could I NOT be thrilled with this page? What do you think?

Next, look at the HAPPY MAIL that I received from my most wonderful blogging friend Kristy! It's going to be hard to make a long story short, but basically, I have admired many a project of Kristy's were she uses these spectacular chipboard letters! So, after admiring them, and drooling over them via comments on her site, she offered to send me some. Kristy is in Australia, so I thanked her very much for her offer, but then I refused, because I knew postage would be a killer. Kristy really "twisted my arm" by offering again, and telling me that she knew I really wanted them! Well, she was right! I did want them, I caved in like crazy (at least I refused once! Right?), and she not only sent me the letters, but other goodies too! Kristy, you are awesome! The next photo is just for you!

A very big special "THANK YOU" to you Kristy! Can you believe that gorgeous card she made? Look at the flowers on it! GORGEOUS! Thank you so much Kristy! Happy mail will be on the way shortly to YOU!

One last thing, and I applaud you if you're still reading this incredibly LONG post . . . thank you to all of you that wished my girls well yesterday on their pre-contests. They were amazing! My oldest sang and did a wonderful job, and then both girls played their instruments. Unfortunately, my oldest did not get an opportunity to play with her friend, because her friend was unable to attend the pre-contest. However, as a solo act, my daughter did great! It's unfortunate her friend wasn't there, because they are judged on how well they play together. I'm sure they'll do fine on Feb. 9th. Now my youngest has been playing the french horn for less than a year (she previously played the trumpet), and the judge was VERY impressed with the way her and her friend played! Yeah! She thought they did a great job on a very difficult song! So, bring on the contest! I think they're ready! Thanks for the good thoughts and wishes! I appreciate them!

Give yourself a huge pat on the back if you're STILL reading! WHEW! I'm helping my oldest with a project / poster board today, and then I hope to get to my review of the Crop-A-Dile II, Mr. Big Bite. Thanks for stopping by!!

Hello, Big Bite!

Look what arrived yesterday from HSN. The Big Bite, also known as the Crop-A-Dile II is here!


I'm looking forward to trying it out later today or tomorrow. LOVE all the eyelets and rivets that came with it!

This morning is a little busy with both of my daughters participating in musical pre-contests for singing (my oldest), and playing an ensemble piece (both girls). The actual contest is February 9th. My oldest plays the flute, and my youngest plays the french horn. Their ensemble pieces are played with a friend that plays the same instrument. They've been practicing quite a bit, so this pre-contest today should go very well!

I have some goodies and a scrapbook page to show you. I need to get some photos taken. Thanks for stopping by!

Be Marvelous

I'm taking part in an image swap with some of my SBS2 sisters. I got some great images yesterday from Flossie, and I just had to put a card together! She sent me both the lady in the hat AND the "be marvelous" sentiment.


I used colored pencils and gamsol for the coloring. I cut the circles with my Coluzzle, and the scallop was made using Mini Mongrams and my Cricut. I paper pierced each scallop, but you can't see that too well. The patterned paper card front is ticket-punched DCWV Pocket Full of Posies, and the ribbon is American Crafts. I added three brads to the ribbon. I know exactly WHO I'm sending this card to! It's perfect for her!

Thanks for stopping by!