It's been a while.....

So much going on I haven't even taken time to post lately. We finally got our new roof installed so I've been meeting with contractors for the inside work. I scheduled all four back to back so I could get it over with so now I'm just waiting on pricing. I was behind on two months of swaps for Lisa's group so I finished those yesterday. On second thought I would have liked to put a different color on the card back of the banner card but I've already mailed them off so it's too late now. Maybe the recipients. The two swap requirements were to make a card with the front a different shape than the back - hence the banner and to do something with acetate. I had bigger and better plans for the acetate however being so behind I thought I had better get them done and mailed ASAP.

Mmm Yummy Websters!

Go check out their new paper line.....I can't wait to get me some!!!

Hello Beautiful

Swap Items...

We have two swaps for the retreat this time and thankfully I am done with mine. 8 pages wasn't too bad. I took a 12 x 12 sketch and shrunk it but the 18 cards took me a while. I was able to double a 9 card sheetload and whip them out faster than if I had just picked some random sketch....eyelets and all! I can't even tell you when was the last time I used an eyelet but I have a ton of them and I'm going to use them....slowly but surely. So here are my swap items:






I ordered SU paper in an effort to start using my stash of cardstock. Well, I didn't use very much but I used some which is better than none at all!

Leo #15 and a week in the life...

LEO #15 was Heritage - I chose this photo because I've been dying to use this paper for all the years I've had it and of course when it came down to it I had no embellishments but hopefully I can find something. I thought about taking some colored hot glue that my friend Michelle gave me and pressing into it an image of some sort but that was too much to ponder last night. I spent 30 minutes on the phone with my grandmother trying to determine just who these people are....they are either my great grandfather's three older siblings or his grandparents and a her sister? Which would make two of them...my great-great-great grandparents? Who knows. It's old that's all I know.



I've been doing Ali Edwards Week in the Life this week. Strange process for me as I've never been one to document the regular moments much as I'd like to do so. I keep waiting for someone to tell me I can't take pictures in their establishment.

My final challenge LO's!

I'm so bummed that the challenge is almost over! I think we might get one my tomorrow but if not I subbed to a ton of challenge blogs and I really hope I can do one every other day like we have been on Willow Traders.

Challenge #12 was to use as many photos as you could on a LO. With the help of some CD indexes I managed to get 25 on two pages. I failed in comparison to some of the ladies...they rocked this challenge!



Challenge #13 was Then & Now. I used photos of Cole & Kaylie in the same ExerSaucer and shamefully admit that Ludacris' Southern Hospitality was the inspiration for my journaling.

Left side reads: Hand me down onsies, Hand me down socks
Right side reads: Hand me down ExerSaucer, Hand me down blocks



Challenge #14 was to follow a sketch. This one needs something but I used what was in the kit and I could probably scrounge around for something else... Journaling reads: KNOW THIS Never a better Grandaddy will there ever be. Jack Marvin England



On an unrelated note, I have no idea why my photos end up so blurry when I post them here. They are perfectly clear when I look at them on my screen and when I post them other places. I wish I knew how to fix this but if you haven't figured it out already, you can click on the photo and it will open up a more clearly viewable copy.

Yummy blog candy giveaway.....easy entry too!!

Click here to visit Hulachickabella and enter!!

Leo #11 - Non scrap related inspiration

This award card:



Inspired this LO:



Journaling reads "I'm not sure a child could ever imagine the vast possibilities of what can happen when a father hijacks The Big Wheel. This is the left side to the Over the Edge LO previously posted.

My ever changing scrap room....

If I could ever get this finished I would be a happy girl. I never have enough places to put things and I feel like even when it's clean it is still a mess BUT I altered my left over daisy bucket tins (which FYI crackle paint doesn't seem to want to stick to those), hung my letters & few pics, altered a clothes pin, added some rub-ons to my IKEA tins, added some ribbon to my calendar and re-arranged some things. I've almost exhausted my bottle of Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint. I ordered Antique Linen not knowing what I'd do and to my delight it matched the TAC Khamalat paper perfectly so I've put it on just about everything I've altered for the room. Still debating on labeling my baskets since their contents change depending on how much of something I have at that moment.

Leo #10 - on the edge

The challenge was to literally scrap on the edge. Fitting as my father lived his life on the edge until his body wouldn't allow it any longer. This is a photo taken of him being pulled along the beach behind the car on my big wheel....

The joys of insurance...

The good news is that the adjusters were very accommodating; the bad news is that of the estimate they came up with only 10% of the funds they allotted were for the roof. If we get three estimates, provide proof of higher estimates, etc. The dance begins.

In between the insanity of putting the upstairs back together I've managed to keep up with my WT challenges and finish my retreat swaps. This is what the late nights are netting me.

Challenge #8 was a few of my favorite things. I hate the design of the LO - it is not at all what I had in mind and I realize now I should have used wacky fun paper. I did find a really cool text box in the 07 office - you can see the top & bottom brackets on the chocolate rules...I think I'll be using that a lot. I'll probably rip apart the LO & re-do it later but for now it is what it is. Duncan's smile, our home and La Maison du Chocolate are a few of my favs:



Challenge #9 is Love....however you wish to represent it on your LO. I bought this paper when Moments in Time was still open - that has been at least a year. I'm really happy with the way it turned out but I ended up sitting here crying as I wrote the note to my mom that is now tucked inside the vellum envelope. I miss her all the time but especially now when I don't know what to do with this whole insurance thing. Thank God for Skype and that I can call her for pennies.

Two more challenges completed

Today was about a blah day. It rained all night last night - more rain than Ike produced and we experienced some more leaking but with buckets in place and not much wind to speak of we left it be. I certainly didn't want him on the slick roof. So, I spent the day soaking up more water since some of the towels dried out; they are asking people to conserve water so I'm holding off on any laundry not really knowing if that means our area or not. We never lost water and we're not on city water but I'd hate to be wrong and using it up. Duncan spent the day helping friends and family put back up their fences. Some of our friends are still without power; we'll see what tomorrow holds with regard to the office. My FIL is headed in to let us know the situation but I'm staying here to deal with the adjuster.

On to the layouts; nothing spectacular but I can't even think at this point let alone be overly creative. I slept most of the evening waiting for my migraine to pass.

You are my sunshine Kaylie Tyne I did this morning before the clean-up; challenge was to use your oldest paper. I used the yellow half of a Kit N Kaboodles kit from May 2004:




Challenge #7 completed just now was to use a punch and is the right side to an earlier challenge.

Ike photos....

Tasha isn't down with being boarded up...




Pre Ike Sky



Chorniy cares not about Ike



D boarding up:


Sky to the Northwest:



Looking to the South East



Daybreak - through my roof :(



2nd daylight action:



Hard to see but lots of shingles gone & peak is missing a lil bit....down on the lower peak from this is the second section missinh. I didn't have the heart to ask D to take pics while he was up there LOL It started raining again so we were on borrowed time.

Leo Challenge No. 5

I was really dreading the start of this album for some reason but now that I've started it I can't wait to work some more. I'm using an older BG line - fruit cake I think. I've made several projects from this paper pack and I'll be happy to have used it all. I didn't have any embellishments beyond the tags and alpha set that came with it so I'm having to improvise with what I have.





Looks like the office will be closed tomorrow due to the possibility of Ike so I may get to work on this a little tomorrow depending on if we have any prep work to do on the house. We picked up water & groceries this am on the way to work so we're prepared as much as we can be I suppose.

Everyone be safe!!

Two more challenges completed

Leo Challenge #3 - as I mentioned on WT I never thought I'd use this paper as I'm not in love with bright colors but the challenge was summer so I have to admit it came in handy. I forgot to punch the holes in my scallops....



Leo Challenge #4 - all scraps I picked up at Lisa's sale. I used stickles to highlight my embellishments (which thanks to the flash you cannot see) and A Dog's Life & Best Friend.

Willow Traders Challenge is ON!

The sweet girls at WT were kind enough to allow my late sign up so I quickly made up the first challenge and I was so inspired I completed the second.

The first LO is a little bit from a lot of places - a kit from Lisa S., a Scrapaholic kit, random ribbon & embellishments and a home decor rub on there in the top right corner.



2nd LO is nothing but CBX scraps & punched flowers; a few embellishments.

Cool site

Go check it out....

http://www.freerice.com/index.php

Some things to share.....

Seems like this has been a pretty productive weekend so far and I still have one more day to go! I worked on retreat stuff yesterday; we have almost everything in and it was so exciting to see all the items together. That's all I can say about that for now :)

I made my mom's banana nut bread recipe today only to find I didn't have enough walnuts so I took a chance and lots of pecans & chocolate chips. I've eaten three peices now it's so good.

On to my items to share...

These are two custom Christmas albums I've been working on. I while back I posted about doing some and thought I'd share two that are completed. I had put off scrapping these photos because they weren't so great but it turns out when I put them in a cute little album and surround them with even cuter embellishments the moments were captured better than in a 12 x 12 LO. The Christmas Tree was made with an older Sweetwater Kit and for the Gingerbread House I used the a kit from the dozens. I think it was November. I cut the shapes on the cricut out of chipboard then traced pages and hand cut them as needed.



This layout I did today after a nice Sunday afternoon nap; the right side is based on the Gettin Sketchy August Sketch. I used the Sweetwater Express kit from July 2005. Yes, 2005 :(



Finally, this little project I cranked out last weekend. Our friend Lisa has officially moved and we wanted to get her a little going away something. I made the holder out of a TAC stamp set container using chatterbox products. Found the mini pink paint roller and couldn't resist! The gift card holder on the front of the card was a Chatterbox envelope that I embellished.

Swap Cards Finished...

You know how people "stage" their card photo shoot with haphazardly strewn ribbon & embellishments...sorry I don't have time for that. Instead I'll share my mess.



These are for my August card swap with friends. I foolishly used a brown marker to ink up my stamp instead of basic brown so I got a little bleeding but what's done is done; live & learn. Chocolate Chip, Pixie Pink, Summer Sun and Green Galore on watercolor paper with some HL rhinestones.

Addicted to Etsy!

I could spend hours on there....in fact I have to the point that I ache. I ache in part from the physical distortion as I click and lean in to look closer; partly because I want to buy buy buy and I can't can't - notice only two can'ts since obviously I buy. So, here are a few of my favorite shops:

picapica
alisaburke
sushipotparts
uncommonARTicles
Desdemona's Treasures
Lovelymumu
sisicata
kellydesigns4u
Play * Create * Inspire

I love supporting etsy shop owners and even better that most everyone I have contacted about a custom order has obliged me given that they had the time.

Post & share your favs with me!

I think today is be nice to Nicole day!

My two good friends paid me sweet compliments this morning, I got free lunch at Panera on Dunvale & Westheimer, D traded soup with me since I liked his better and a nice man offered to walk me to my car since it was raining - he had an umbrella and I didn't. D was pulling the truck around to get me so I thanked him and he went on his way. Back to the free lunch at Panera. Last week we went and I got what I think was the classic salad which is comprised of field greens which normally depending on which greens you get can be bitter. Sadly - bitter was not my problem.....I tasted dirt. Which has happened before in other restaurants but I never said anything....field greens clearly state field so you manage even though this is not the way it's supposed to be. While I pondered what to order the clerk is asking what I like to try and help so I mention about the salad, didn't like it, dirt and while I go get drinks he treats Duncan and I to a free lunch - how's that for (and what is rarely seen these days) customer service! Thanks Lisa, Lisa, Duncan, umbrella guy and James for making my day!

Awesome Online Store!

I've been meaning to post this for a while but I've been so busy there has been no blogging. A friend of mine told me of sale on this site and in a hurry me didn't read the instructions. I placed my order, paypal jacked me and didn't complete my order. I went to lunch thinking I'd replace it when I got back. By the time I got back, they had replaced my order for me and given me the discount code I didn't even know about....that's customer service people! But wait it gets better. By the time all that happened a few items were sold out and they gave me credit and a half back. Who does that??? Check them out if you can! scrappersXchange

Tart & Tangy with a little etsy....

These Japanese stickers are going to be the end of me....I can't even admit how much I paid for them because I pass on embellishments that are the same price. I cannot resist them....I'm hooked. These little ones aren't much bigger than 1/4" so you have to see why they are irresistible....not to mention the match the Tart & Tangy SU! stamp set that came from my Stamps In The Mail project kit courtesy of Kari Ransom. She has put together the cutest projects these last two months (see them by following her link) and I can't wait to check my mail tonight in hopes of finding my third installment. After I finished my projects last week these little stickers were staring at me so I had to play a bit. I have a really hard time with all the SU cardstock...I feel like my cards always end up so plain compared to the ones I see on blogs and in the catalogs but I press on hoping one day I'll get there. I stamped some Only Orange, Real Red & Pink Passion paper with versamark ink and the stamp that coordinated with the stickers although they don't seem to match as well in the photo as they do in real life but I'll share anyhow and you'll have to trust that they do. I'm using the smallest of the CM circle punches:

These strawberry stickers are puffy!



The cherry stickers on this card are flat & a have a little gloss to them...they remind me of Mrs. Grossmans. There are two shades of pink & one red.



These cherries are puffy and match the darker pink cs....



I tried adding a little something to the white card base by stamping alternating dots in all three colors but it looks more like I just freehanded it - live and learn; these are puffy fruits.



I have one more with a green apple but I need to stamp a sentiment before I can share it. Thanks for looking at my sad little cards!!

Yes, I'm really still here....

I have been creating a lot but just not posting....not sure what my problem is on posting...granted at least half of is retreat stuff and therefore must be kept under wraps until next month so it's not all my fault. I'm having so much fun with the new direction my scrapping has taken. I realize now I was limiting myself only scrapping 12 x 12 and I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself. Do I have any of the creations to share from this new direction? No - I haven't yet taken any photos but I did manage to take a few so I'll share them now and hush...

I hosted a card swap on the TxScrappinChicks group a while back where each participant sent in a specific list of items with which the recipients could create a card including paper, embellishments and stamped images. I finally got around to making something of them:



I have more to post but I'll have to do that in a bit....lunch calls.

A new blog from the Sheetload girls!!!

How exciting...go check it out - there is blog candy & new product coming: sheetloadshortcuts

Still a bad blogger LOL

Life seems to get in the way of what I want to do and I'm always ending up on the "have to" but that's okay because last night I had a wonderful dinner with friends. It is so nice to share a good meal and lots of laughs. A few of us are celebrating birthdays this month (Happy Birthday Lisa B today and Kim on the 23rd!!) and we were each showered with such thoughtful gifts. It was a nice pick me up after the passing of Duncan's grandfather. Sure was hard for him to head off to Vegas days after the funeral but in a way I think it was good for him to get away. I still have lots to post and I hope to catch up on that Friday night while I do my best to stay away for Duncan's midnight flight! For now I leave you with the newest quiz; not sure if that free from desire line is a good thing or bad and ya'll know I don't believe in some luck but they are funny to take anyhow!

Your Gemstone Says...

You are at peace with your life and your place in the world.
You are not greedy or materialistic. You are generally free from desire.
You bring calm to environments. You are a good mediator.
People consider you to be good luck.