third pea from the left...

September Already....

2009-09-03T11:57:00.002-05:00

It's been ages since I posted anything and I'm beginning to think in today's age of fast pace and technology one has to pick and choose in which things they want to be active. I'm smart enough to know that I can't do it all but apparently deluded enough to start or try to do more than I can. I took the summer off from a few obligations to focus on home and me/us. I have gotten a lot accomplished and feel much better but there's always more to do isn't there? I hope to keep this blog as part of the to-do's along with LMN, now AC Bailey and all their awesome products as well as the obvious: husband, home, health.

Stay tuned! I hope to have some things posted soon!

Little behind on posting....

2009-01-26T11:20:00.006-06:00

Retreat planning is in full swing but I'm managing to create in between projects. 52 Weeks of Sketches is keeping me motivated (will post those LO's soon) so I gotta use my creativity while it's here or lose it. I made these this weekend. The hearts and papers are from Target's $1 spot; I can't help but look every time I go and I'm never sorry I did. Letters from the Hot Spot at Archivers; miscellaneous ribbon & embellishments from my 9 years of collecting LOL.

I haven't attached them to make a true banner just yet. They are of the 12x12 variety so even four will be pretty large. I may just tape them to the bar and call it good.

Sketches anyone?

2009-01-08T14:45:00.001-06:00

Ran across this the other day and thought it might help me to work weekly and keep the creativity flowing....we'll see LOL

It's been a while.....

2008-12-29T14:45:00.003-06:00

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!

2008-10-14T15:46:00.001-05:00

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

Hello Beautiful

Swap Items...

2008-10-02T14:39:00.004-05:00

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...

2008-10-02T13:40:00.002-05:00

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!

2008-09-29T10:05:00.006-05:00

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!!

2008-09-25T13:47:00.001-05:00

Click here to visit Hulachickabella and enter!!

Leo #11 - Non scrap related inspiration

2008-09-22T12:58:00.003-05:00

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....

2008-09-22T10:29:00.007-05:00

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

2008-09-20T10:16:00.004-05:00

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...

2008-09-20T00:32:00.006-05:00

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

2008-09-14T23:53:00.005-05:00

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....

2008-09-13T21:34:00.011-05:00

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

2008-09-11T09:30:00.005-05:00

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

2008-09-09T08:10:00.003-05:00

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!

2008-09-04T23:35:00.008-05:00

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

2008-09-04T14:58:00.002-05:00

Go check it out....

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

Some things to share.....

2008-08-31T16:34:00.008-05:00

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...

2008-08-23T20:14:00.004-05:00

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!

2008-08-20T15:21:00.003-05:00

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!

2008-08-18T12:45:00.003-05:00

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!

2008-08-15T14:43:00.003-05:00

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....

2008-07-15T13:55:00.007-05:00

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....

2008-07-15T12:01:00.009-05:00

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!!!

2008-06-18T13:38:00.003-05:00

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

Still a bad blogger LOL

2008-05-29T08:20:00.002-05:00

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.

I've been a bad blogger....

2008-05-22T09:21:00.003-05:00

What can I say the time gets away from you when you have company. I haven't taken the time to photograph any of my latest creations. I had some fun things planned this weekend however my husband's grandfather passed away and the funeral is Saturday. Saw this on blogthings and thought it was fitting:

Your Russian Name Is...

Orlenda Nakita Lebedev

Orange?? Really?

2008-05-06T09:18:00.002-05:00

Your Mind is Orange

Of all the mind types, yours is the quickest.

You are usually thinking a mile a minute, and you could be thinking about anything at all.

Your thoughts are often scattered and random - but they're also a lot of fun!

You tend to spend a lot of time thinking about esoteric subjects, the meaning of life, and pop culture.

What Color Is Your Mind?

What's your funky hair color?

2008-04-30T09:14:00.002-05:00

Your Hair Should Be Purple

Intense, thoughtful, and unconventional.

You're always philosophizing and inspiring others with your insights.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

Holy Revelation Batman!

2008-04-03T16:22:00.004-05:00

I blame Lisa S. - it's all her fault...had she not shown me that etsy site I would have never had the light bulb over the head moment I had today so - just fess it on up girlie... I - the self proclaimed "hater' of the mini album just decided I will never buy another scrapbook album again. Now don't get me wrong...it's not that I didn't like the mini's - I love them, just never saw a personal need for them. Gifts, sure....for me to use? Never. Until I was shown the etsy store of a person who recycles strange little items into notebooks. LIGHT BULB!! Why not make my own albums out of....well - whatever I want? I have plenty of chipboard....binding machines are decently priced now and easy enough to use. I collect tons of "stuff" everywhere I go to use in my scrapbooks and then toss what I don't use....not aneeemo'ore!!!

My first will be a mini album out of all my husbands Houston Rockets tickets...he's such a huge fan ya'll - it's crazy. But the tix are a nice size....3 x 6 maybe? The backs are blah blah blah disclaimer so why not scrap over that mess I ask?? Why not? I can't wait to get started!!!!

I also just found some awesome pics of my grandfather who recently passed. Pics of he and I when I was little.... Now I just need something with a dump truck on it to use.....see, he drove a dump truck and he used to let me sit in it (it was too loud to ride in and apparently I was afraid of it...) I'm 34 now and after all these years he'd still ask....how much you love me but see it was more of a luh me...he had a tire explode on him which made his speech a little slurred after all the healing. My response was always...a whole dump truck full. That's probably my favorite memory...that and he called me doll. Hi doll! but it was more of a dahl....a sweeter man I'll never know. And I'm not just saying that cuz he was my grand-dad. ;)

Being a strong woman....

2008-03-27T10:16:00.003-05:00

I saw this on a blog to which I subscribe and it's original title is "Poem about Girlfriends" but to me it is more about being strong in who you are through God.... He alone gives us the love that we require enabling us to love others...something I just learned n my Breaking Free (Beth Moore) Bible Study. As she said - how else could you love someone you can't stand except through Him?

Someone will always be prettier.

Someone will always be skinnier.

Someone will always be smarter.

Some of their houses will be bigger.

Some will drive a better car.

Their children will do better in school.

And their husband will fix more things around the house...

So let it go, and love you and your circumstances.

Think about it!

The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart.

And the most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children.

And the richest woman you know, (she's got the car, the house, the clothes) might be lonely.

And the word says, 'If I have not Love, I am nothing.'

So, again, love you.

Love who you are.

I would add at the end "as God loves you" and He does not make mistakes so never take for granted who you are and who you can be in Him.

More Layouts!

2008-03-06T22:50:00.004-06:00

Class #6 - Mason, Dixon & Lady at the pond.

Here's my LO for class #5 - when we first got Chorniy :)

I still have to complete Class 4 but I need to develop some pics from our anniversary dinner.

You must visit the Sheet Load blog!!!

2008-03-06T16:10:00.003-06:00

In honor of their 15,000 hit mark they are whooping it up all March long! They are giving away lots of cool stuff people!!! As if the Sheet Loads weren't enough...March rocks!!! You know the link is over there....you know in the list of links ---------------------------->

But here it is just in case: http://sheetload.blogspot.com/

The mate to Embrace :)

2008-03-03T18:45:00.004-06:00

Today's sketch happened to be perfect to scrap the mates to embrace:

Gotta sit down and get some more photos organized and printed...I'm about to run out!!!

Feels good to be scrapping again!

2008-03-02T21:45:00.004-06:00

I signed up to take the Double Dose class at Willow Traders being given by SusieQ and these were my first two "assignments."

This first page will be the second in a layout otherwise the title would make no sense...our other dogs liked to attack the water while my sweet Mason enjoyed it.

The second assignment probably looks the least like the sketch but I had to make my photos & paper fit. It's not my favorite but I didn't have a whole lot to work with in the way of embellishments to match this paper.

Maybe I'll find something later I can add but for now I'm just happy I finished them...time for sleep.

The ever changing scrap room...

2008-02-23T15:39:00.004-06:00

Set up our new computer today and it is fabulous! I now have the spots on the front for my camera discs - I can't say enough how that is the best thing ever! So - I am posting pics of my newly painted scrap table. I only got one of them completed last weekend. The clear coat takes for ever to dry so I took them one at a time...

I almost started the second one today but I have to take defensive driving online tonight and D has to take his continuing education course online as well so we can't have the computer table out of commission...

They toss em - I keep em and you'll soon see why!

2008-01-24T13:45:00.001-06:00

Everyone gives me such a hard time about saving my scraps but I don't care b/c look at these cute little cards I made from planner scraps. A few of us took a class at the now closed LSS making a really cute planner notebook in these colors. I of course save my scraps in case I want to add more to my planner and more importantly to make some cards if I can. This is what I came up with....

There was actually a third similar to the one on the left but it went to my grandmother in her stash...

Card Swappin Time

2008-01-08T10:15:00.000-06:00

In a few card swaps this month both using my new favorite thing over there on the right - Sheet Load!! I can't remember which month this SL is from though :( The cards are for Karen's CTMH group. The paper is Sweetwater - I think the fresh line and the stamp is from one of those clear sets Michael's sells.

The January swap for the Scrap On yahoo group is Valentine's but the catch was no red or pink. Well, I had the plan to use a cute color combo with orange, purple, something like that but I ran across this paper from kit I bought years ago as well as some random paper I bought and couldn't resist. I used the January Sheet Load for this swap and I was really pleased with how it came out. I was in my scraps looking for more gray or silver paper when I ran across a whole bunch more of the silver & black as well as some other paper that coordinated so I went on and made as many cards as I could. I think I ended up with 25? I took pics of all the different variations and I'm not telling you girls who read my blog which one is the swap card...you'll just have to wait and see when it gets to your mailbox. Ha!!

A little somethin somethin...

2008-01-08T10:04:00.001-06:00

I finally worked on my magnet board some more over the holiday and I'm still not quite finished but here's some progress. I bought some magnet strips and punched holes with a regular office style 2 hole punch. I tried a hand held punch but it wasn't quite big enough. The magnet strips already had adhesive on one side, so I punched more holes out of scraps in the lighter shade of paper, stuck them on and viola - the perfect surface on which to write. Then I got really brave and started drawing pictures for the holidays, martini glass for NYE, heart for valentines, etc. I have more to draw and then I need to coat them in crystal lacquer for that extra umph. Still need to borrow a crop-a-dile to punch holes down the side for ribbon. Oh and instead of having all the months up top on a slider, I stuck the left over magnets from my hole punching on the tags & can just toss it on there....the extras store on the back. Genius!!

How sweet it is!

2008-01-04T09:54:00.000-06:00

A New Year and a new plan. A plan of organization I was able to start before the 1st and I really pray I can continue. Last night I got all the cards finished for my grandmother's stash. She was in major need of birthday cards so I have been making a ton of those lately. I didn't take photos of all hers but I have similar ones at home that I plan to post. I also completed the last few pages in her book that my mom was unable to finish before they had to leave to come here for Thanksgiving. I feel bad I'm just now mailing her Christmas gifts but in all fairness we weren't sure if she was coming down here or not and with all the holiday happenings I can't do it all!

Over the weekend I managed to finally get all my kits into my new scrap area. I need a few more of those 12 x 12 holders. It's so hard to sort everything. Not all my embellishments fit in my scrap rack, ribbon is everywhere, I have kits with embellishments, paper I've put together with CS, lines of paper with no CS, card kits, paper I want to make cards out of, kit scraps to use on cards, LO scraps to use when I journal. It's a mess...how do you organize all that??? I think the key is to get as much as I can made into kits - I seem to work better that way. I really need some of those nice paper holders though. The 2 gal ziplocs are almost too big. I guess I'm frustrated that I buy all this cute stuff and I never seem to use it. So that's my answer....make kits. Then I think having all this "stuff" really isn't doing me any good. I almost want to get to a point that I buy only for what I need....but I'm not really sure how I'd get to that point. That would mean I'd need to completely stop buying and use what I have....I've really tried to do that but not completely. I still buy here and there but I have gotten better. At least I like to think so :)

Was I born wth a lost animal beacon...

2007-12-28T15:06:00.000-06:00

that activated when we bought our home??? I counted up 12 animals since we bought our house four years ago. And that's only the ones I could catch. I'm sure that number would double had I got my hands on those little buggers! Friday night on my way home I picked up a beautiful husky. She had tags (I hollered as I hung up on my husband while he hollered no!!!) and oddly enough when I stopped in the median to get the number off her tag, a lady pulled up next to me that had seen a sign posted by her owner's that had been there for three months. Apparently the dog gets out all the time which irritated me to no end but I offered my chicken wire suggestion...what else can you do? Sunday, I noticed my husband had Chorniy outside with him. Next thing I know, he's inside and I don't know where she is....I see a doggie behind through the window in our neighbor's drive. Turns out it wasn't Chorniy....it was this sweet thing:

She is the sweetest thing! Duncan walked her around the hood and of course no one claimed or recognized her. I took her to a local vet Wednesday to see if she had a chip...no luck there either. I took some photos over the holiday and made some signs to post. I secretly hope she has no home but with two large dogs already I know better. I can't begin to explain what a doll she is...she's taken to sleeping in our bed (which we have NEVER let any of our dogs do so that tells you a lot there) and she groans....for a long time....many times during the night. I'm not talking the normal stretch I gotta make some noise groan. It's a long drawn out, from the gut, I could not be any more comfortable groan. In the mornings, the alarm scares here LOL...so she snuggles up to me and I love on her...she cries, whimpers, moans and groans like she's never even had any attention paid to her at all. The thought breaks my heart....and Chorniy...she acts as though the puppy was her Christmas present. She dotes on her and plays with her non stop. What ever are we to do?

Oh yeah...one more thing

2007-12-21T13:28:00.000-06:00

Another card....Lisa S was kind enough to scan my card to her so I could post it:

Both our scanners don't want to display the true colors for some reason...this was more of a frosty Christmas blue - not aqua!

I cranked out a project!

2007-12-21T13:17:00.000-06:00

I can honestly say it is the first time I've just gone on with my bad self and completed something on a whim. I decided to make a gift for a few people - family & friends so I made my prototype last night. I think it turned out pretty cute and when the recipients add their photos I bet it will look even cuter! I tried to leave plenty of room for the photos on either side which was hard - I wanted to fill the whole thing up! Made from the front half of a file folder that I found through a link on a blog feed over the river & through the woods. I hope to find it in my trash so I can post the link in case you might want to give it a go.

Front/Outside:

Back/Inside:

I had to flatten it in order to scan it but it folds like zig zag when it stands up. I used bookmarks for my tags since they were the perfect size.

Two posts in one day...I know

2007-12-13T14:14:00.001-06:00

It's crazy - blame it on the weather but Lisa S just sent me the neatest blog link - you'll find it over there in my link list "A Sheet Load!" They give you ideas on how to cut up just a few sheets of paper and get a whole stack of cards from it. Who can't use that kind of help???

Sad sad scans....

2007-12-13T13:46:00.000-06:00

of my Christmas Cards....I'm not sure what's up with the coloring of the scans nor do I know how to fix it but you get the idea. My cameras are both on the blink so I didn't get pics of all the different designs - namely my favorites. I used the same basic design and all my scraps from past recipe swaps, layouts and what not. As my list has grown my cards seem to have gotten less and less detailed (read complicated, time consuming, frustrating) but I was pleased with how these came out despite my minimal effort. I mean it should be a joyful time to make Christmas cards for your loved ones and friends; those you may not have spoken to in a while. Anyhow, here are a few:

Paying It Forward...

2007-11-27T13:55:00.000-06:00

As promised, I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on this post requesting to join this Pay it Forward Exchange. Not sure what you'll be getting as my brain is flooded with ideas and you may not receive it next week, but you will receive it within the New Year :)

The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. So basically, if you comment, you’re on. I’ll send you something crafty that I’ll make for you. Once you sign up, copy and paste the above paragraph on your blog, and three other lucky people will be recipients of your handmade work. I got mine from a great new blog I just found. This is a positive way to start off the New Year. Awesome of you ladies to have started this act of kindness.

Wow - a whole month!!!

2007-11-06T16:06:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I posted....not sure if anyone reads it but I'll humor myself into thinking so.... I've been working like crazy to get caught up on my swaps and here comes Christmas just around the bend. I have lots of projects and my deadlines are strange this year. Here's praying I get it all done. Some stuff I can't post just yet on the off chance a recipient might be reading but once they've gotten the gift I'll let ya see it!

Here are a few swap cards:

The first is a fall card and my inspiration came from some Mother's Day transparency shaker pockets. The person who made them had sewn transparencies into pockets with cute little flowers inside but I never made it to the sewing part. I did my best with the envelope LOL. I glued the tree up top so you could get the true fall effect.

The second is a shabby chic card where I supposed to use TAC stamps but I forgot and used SU....this set matched so well I guess I got sidetracked. I inked a CTMH chipboard buckle in the ruby red to match the stamped image. I used the melon ribbon b/c it matched some of the text on the friendship paper.

On the last card I FINALLY used my QK balloon die. I wish I had positioned them differently and maybe got 3 instead of 2 but I'd already stamped my happy birthday....love these stamps by the way! I bought the CTMH set that has nothing but Happy Birthday sentiments and this one is long and skinny so you can form it any way you like.

All this paper Lisa G gave me from her slab who knows how long ago. I've really been on a mission to use what I have and stop buying so much. It really put it in perspective for me just how much stuff I've got when I put it all in my scrap rack... That's all for now but I will have more soon :)

Musical Scrapping anyone?

2007-10-05T14:09:00.000-05:00

A friend of ours made the best game suggestion for the retreat - Musical Scrapping. Everyone puts together a kit with photos and each participant gets 5 SHORT minutes with your layout. I chose some skiing pics from over 5 years ago that I never could get motivated to scrap. I felt bad that I threw in very few embellishments but look how nice it turned out:

I noticed someone else's brads were used b/c I forgot to even include any with my snowflakes!! Thanks Yvette! I think they were hers anyhow...

Blast from the past!

2007-10-05T14:04:00.000-05:00

I was moving some photos around just now - a little computer housekeeping if you will and I found a this old pic:

I made this for a swap I was in with people from other countries...there was some criteria you had to meet and one was a handmade embellishment. I took a page protector and cut out the bottle shape, placed the sticker inside and sealed it. I cut the "stopper" from some cork I had and made the label from paper and a monogram sticker. Not too shabby for only 2 years into scrapping if I do say so myself!!!

A few things to share.....

2007-09-18T14:48:00.000-05:00

I'm absolutely the worst about posting pics of my creations...even when I'm proud of them...so I thought I'd post a few of my recent cards and favorite layouts from the last few crops I attended.

I've been expanding my stamping knowledge on Lisa's Stampin Angels site by joining her monthly card swap - each month a different requirement and/or technique. Here are my August (wax paper resist using paper I bought at Michael's; TAC stamps & SU Ink) & September (kissing using CBX paper, SU inks & stamps and CTMH Solo and alpha stamps) swap cards:

These pictures were so hard to work on. I at least started scrapping my photos of Mason before we had to put her down but that really didn't make it any easier. Dixon on the other hand got sick and was gone in a flash...right after we bought our house and I was distraught for a long time. I suppose I'm finally done grieving over the both of them and now I just love looking at their sweet faces remembering their wild personalities.

Cute photos of both Mason & Dixon:

Random pictures of Dixon:

These are pictures shortly after I got them...maybe 9 or 10 weeks old. You can barely see Dixon on the right - she's hiding in the plants.

I have a bunch more but it's a lot of work uploading these LO's so you can see more here.

Blog Tag

2007-09-17T13:08:00.000-05:00

I've never played before but I saw this one on a blog to which I subscribe and thought I'd play. Granted I don't know many that blog so I may not end up with 5!!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) - Jodi Toyota

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Rocky Geneva

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) -D-Wal

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) - Periwinkle Hippo - oh come on!!

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) - Nicole Dallas...it should really be Skye Dallas - if my mom had her way!!

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) - Walda

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put “The”) The Brown Banana....so not right!!

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)- Jack Jack....that's lovely

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) Shi Chocolate...what is that???

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) Diane Keith

Okay well that was enlightening...I'm tagging Lisa G & Lisa S....I'm waiting!!!

So I had a bummer moment this morning....

2007-08-27T11:37:00.001-05:00

I had to meet a subcontractor this morning so I took a different route to the bank. I stopped to get a drink on the way and as I pulled out of the drive through there were some donation containers and just to the side someone had left a couch. I noticed it b/c it really bothers me that people put furniture outside in the rain to ruin. I know - maybe it wasn't all that to begin with but for someone who has no couch it's something. A sheet and some throw pillows from the $1 store is better than nothing. Bust out the staple gun, nails - whatever. So if you didn't get it already...drives me bonkers that furniture in decent shape gets left out in the elements to become even more damaged. Getting to the point..there was a man sleeping on the couch. I assume he was sleeping. I felt like I was in a movie. My heart ached to drive on past and even more so that I didn't know what I should do. I know what I could have done...there are tons of things I could have done. His left shoe was off and his foot was bandaged. Not assuming anything about that person I still have my safety to consider. I don't want to put myself in harms way however - when do you make the decision to put aside your own safety on the off chance you could help someone as small as that help might be? I didn't have any cash, I suppose I should have gone through the drive through and bought a meal but what if I startled him. I was in such a daze...I literally felt like I was in a movie scene - you know the kind of scene that is shot as if you are in the car with the actors and you "feel" the movement of the terrain, music was playing in the background. So I'm irritated at myself...for not knowing what to do. I've always felt that the Lord leads you in all situations and there are times when I feel led to help, others I don't....I'm okay with that. The times when I'm unsure are what bother me most. It's raining now and I think about the man and the couch...

The other two...

2007-08-23T15:48:00.000-05:00

shelves ended up being used for more supplies after all....I took down the two tension rods in the closet that held all my spools of ribbon and sorted them by color into the extra baskets I bought. Now I just need to label all of them b/c I have no idea where anything is....

I did manage to get a few frames up there, my little wooden man, some candles - like they'll ever get lit up there. It still looks such a mess! Granted I had just finished creating 16 of these so it's not my fault....really. The scary thing - I'm not completely sure I'm done with them yet...

Let's see what else do I have to share...oh I put my rolodex together and started tying ribbons but that got old real fast so I stopped after the front and back were complete. I need some different types of ribbon too - the repeats were getting too frequent:

I used CTMH cardstock & a circle punch to create the dividers; assorted rub-on letters for the alphas front and back; scraps to alter the rolodex cards. At some point I need to re-size the template I made to handwrite everyone's information in case of emergency - you know, cell phone dies, power outtage LOL but I haven't gotten that far yet.

And finally here's Chorniy - wondering why I was taking photos instead of playing with her :)

Finally - My new crafting space!

2007-08-07T13:53:00.000-05:00

I know - it's been weeks but you know how once you start moving things into a new space you don't want to just throw it together - you want to do it right. So it took me longer than I thought - going through this, putting that in it's proper place....and I just realized I forgot to take pics of below the desk...oh well -this is all I have to offer for now. I wasn't even sure the camera would work since I haven't charged the battery in forever.

This is the table runner turned window covering. Duncan is going to build me a cornice to finish it off but I haven't been able to stop by Home Depot to pick out the moulding.

Here is the new workspace with my nifty IKEA shelves - all but two of them anyhow...I decided I needed two more for decorative items & photos. These pictures really don't do it justice...I need to take some from better angles & zone in on specific areas. Will do that and update this post but this is the jist.

And finally - here is the nook where I moved (really shoved) the couch into and put my photo collage above...obviously I need two more nails and I am actually thinking I might do another row of frames up top near the ceiling but really I'm doing good to have all this done - I know my frames are crooked but ever time I hammer something moves so I need to get that teacher supply poster goo to hold them in place. :) Thanks to mom for being a good sport and smiling for the camera despite the fact that she objected to the photo.

Here's hoping my creativity gets a boost when I can actually sit down in my new space!!

2007-07-24T11:40:00.000-05:00

It's official - the shelves are hung and the product has been moved...I have a new craft space!!! I bought the few remaining baskets last night at Wal-mart if you can believe it - they had cute ones for $3 to $7 that fit my needs perfectly...I actually bought 4 too many but I can always return them. Hubby installed a new fan with better lighting though two of the bulbs that came with the fan were already burnt out so I'm not working with much light - hence, no pics. I managed to get the majority of what I need moved into the new space however all my kits, scraps, magazines and such will have to stay in the closet. The next desk I get will hopefully be more accommodating with respect to those things. There is still much for sure want to more shelves to balance the wall, bit of re-arranging to do, finishing touches, curtain to hang, cornice board to make, pics to print before it is complete but lucky me - Mom is coming to stay with me for a few weeks before heading back to Mockba. I'll take all the advice she has to offer.

Since I have no pics to show I leave you with our Olympic Brick in the Salt Lake City Gateway Plaza- in honour of my new guilty pleasure - Big Love...I hate to admit that I like to watch that show but since I lived there and saw it first hand I can't help it!!

Here I am...

2007-07-18T13:35:00.000-05:00

I've gotten away from posting on my yahoo group or any other group for that matter so I thought I'd try a blog instead.

This week I've been busy moving out of my crafting closet:

and into what used to be our tv room upstairs. Here's hoping hubby will hang my IKEA Lack shelves tonight so I can make it official. It's been quite an undertaking but very worthwhile - not just for the obvious benefit of having a space for all my projects but it has forced me to clean out and condense files since the file cabinet is no more - my mom will be happy. She always said I should hide it in a closet but I barely did my filing as it was - shoving it in a closet would only delay the process. Now I have cute baskets that hold them and I scored them at Michael's for 50% off thanks to Karen C. So in short my move has many benefits - I won't go into them all but let's just say I'm a happy girl!!

With any luck (a term I use for lack of a better word) I will be posting pictures of my new space tomorrow.