Crafty-Shell

Another Valentine's Day card

2012-01-23T01:50:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend, ours was pretty laid back.We had the cable repair out Saturday so we spent most of the day here. But we did find out what was causing the cable to go down and its fixed, thank goodness. Was so tired of losing it and it taking hours to come back up. And Sunday DH went to OK. for about half the day, I stayed home. Thought I would get to enjoy a bike ride since it was gonna be 71 outside. I was wrong....lol We had winds start up and they gusted up to 32, was not about to go out in that...lol Then tons of dust blew in from the TX pan handle it was crazy dusty here. Felt sand blasted coming out of walmart. Anyway since it was windy and I did not really have anything to do, thought what better time to craft than now. Plus trying to use the scrap paper up.....lol So this was the card I made Sunday and I will have more Valentines cards soon. Thanks for looking, supplies will be listed below.

Supplies used

Cricut cart George and basic fonts for word love

DCWV paper was left over scrap

U from mini monograms

Heart from Cricut cart Doodle Charms

Numbers Stamp set-Hero Arts Poly Clear Fanciful Swirl Alphabet
Martha Stewart Loop Punch

Cereal box for the chip board

Corner Chomper

Tim Holtz distress ink Fire Brick Red
Glossy accents used on the U

Birthday card for a guy

2012-01-19T19:32:00.000-08:00

Once again the dreaded card for a guy...lol I am always stumped when I go to make cards for guys. You would think I be over it by now since most of my family is men. I have two brothers and two nephews and most my cousins is men as well. Anyway I made this card for extended family, DH dad's birthday is coming up soon. He is really hard to make cards for cause he don't have a hobby or anything he don't hunt, fish, golf nothing...lol So this was what I come up with, I hope looks guyish lest I hope....lol I was going to add eyelets to the banner flags but my eyelets did not go small enough. I was already set in making it so I went with it and let the eyelets off.

Well Hope you all have had a good week so far. It was so pretty today here in Texas. It was almost 70 and sunny. I enjoyed a long bike ride and plan to tomorrow as well since it will be 73. Don't like riding in the cold so don't bike much in winter but this year have been able to bike alot more. So that has been what I have been up to today thanks for looking and will be working on more valentines cards next.

Supplies used

K and Company paper Blue Awning Letter Stripes Flat Paper

K and Company Blue Awning & Ivory Damask Flat Paper

Happy Birthday stamp Hero Arts Birthday message

Martha Stewart Alpha stamp set-requiem font

Making Memories Snaps

Scrap fabric for the flags

Valentine's day Card

2012-01-14T18:14:00.000-08:00

Well hope everyone is having a great weekend. Its a pretty nice day here, tomorrow its going to be 70. SO while I can I have enjoyed being able to get some bike riding in. Today I took a hour and half ride since I am by myself this weekend. DH went out of town to hunt, him and his buddy are on a tiny house on a deer lease. Look at this place there staying...lol

It looks like a house that belong in a horror movie...lol I would not want to stay there. No power, no heat, no water, no bathroom. Its pretty much a room with 4 walls. Joked that if a tornado come along I think I get out of the house than to stay in that. lol All I have to say is there is no way I be able to stay there.

So I stayed home where is nice and warm and I have electric...lol This weekend and its been pretty quite weekend got some crafting in, made this card last night so thought I would share it.Gonna craft some more tonight and hope to maybe play a little xbox. Yes I like to game as well. Anyways hope everyone is enjoying there weekend. Thanks for looking.

Supplies used

Cricut cart doodle charms for the heart I cut a few time size down to get layers.

Recollections paper

DCWV for pattern paper

Inkkadinkadoo Chelsea Sentiments

Card for 18th birthday!

2012-01-06T23:31:00.000-08:00

Sorry have not posted any thing new till now. Took a much needed break after the holidays. This was the first project for 2012 I worked on, its a card for my nephew so did not want to take an chance on him seeing it online. My Nephew Ryan turns turned 18 today!

Where did the time go? Seem like yesterday he was just a tiny little thing I could hold in my arms. The day he was born he was thought to be very early so they ended up care flighting his mom who was in labor at the time to the DFW area. Bless my SIL Jenny's heart she had to ride all by her self by care flight in labor. I cant imagine what that was like. He was born healthy and so darn cute! He had my heart the min I held him. I was an AUNT!

Me holding Ryan and that is my dad. Wow look at the cloths and hair....lol

I remember being over at there home and he would be crying in the baby bed and they were trying to get him to not want to be held all the time. I would cave in and the min Jenny would leave the room I pick him up I could not stand to here him cry...lol I know she wanted to strangle me...lol But hey was good at walking babys to sleep though so I think she did not mind to much. lol

Now 18 years later he is a young man about to graduate high school this year. He is in the top 5 of this class. He is so smart and has so much drive to scuceed. With his smarts and his drive there is nothing he cant do. He got accepted to Baylor, just am so proud to call him my nephew. This next year for him will be full of changes as he goes into the next chapter of his life. But for now I just wish him a wonderful birthday with friends and surrounded by family. I think I speak for most who know Ryan we are all so blessed to have him in our lives.

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Working on those resolutions?

2012-01-06T00:10:00.000-08:00

Wow first post of 2012 sorry not posted yet, life has kinda got back to normal. I worked on a card last night (first project of 2012 )but I cant share it yet. That will be posted Friday night or Saturday, don't want to take the chance on a certain person looking at my blog and seeing there card...lol
Anyways so while I wait to post that thought I would share how the new years resolution have been going. This last Monday and Tuesday we worked on the storage are in the attic. We re-decked the storage area. Since we still had all the decorations down we thought better do it now while we can. Don't like to use the attic as storage but for things like holiday decorations I guess its okay. We also have started to add insulation over the garage.
We finished it Tuesday then Weds I started to get the tree ready to go out. It looked like a Christmas bomb went off in our house Weds night....lol Today "Thursday" I finished getting it all packed up I had to buy one more Christmas tote. But its so organized now, so happy! Here is the pics I snapped and thought I share the way I am storing Christmas items so next year maybe It will be little easier.

I broke down the boxes on what should be used first. So for us we buy the real tree and get it home. Normally I have him pull all the boxes down and have to hunt for everything. Not this next year! I labeled them by box number, Box 1 has tree lights & tree skirt and house lights & house light clips. Once empty it goes out and ready for box 2. Which has all the fire place decor and fire place garland, garland lights, as well as some house decor. Then bring in box 3 and I have all my good ornaments in this that go on the tree. I keep this box in a closet cause I don't trust the attic with these cause some I have had since I was 13. Box 4 is the finale box which has our angel and basic fill ornaments. I also put the floral picks as well in here that I use in the garlands and tree and wreaths. I am hoping this saves me some time next year cause I spent way to much time looking for stuff this last year. Have it all labeled so even if I forget by next year the contents will make sense. Want to weed out some of the contents so this next year items I don't use I will more than likely get rid of.
So that has been our start to the new year, I would love to hear how you store your decorations? I have heard when you store items where you have it has bad temp change its messes your ornaments up. I hope its not like that for other things like vine decorations or fabrics.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T21:38:00.000-08:00

Wow we are just a little under a hour to a new year hard to believe. Just wanted to take a min to say HAPPY NEW YEAR and hope you have a safe new year. I wish you a year of happiness, health and to be surrounded by all those you hold dear. We get to start a new and try to even have a better year than before. We make so many new year resolutions that we plan to keep. Lose that extra weight we gained during the holidays. Eat healthy or work out more. Get organized for once, maybe for some get out of debt. I have done the new years resolutions before and they did not get keep no matter how hard I tried. And mine has always been to get organized....lol Which I have got a little better about it just not where I would like to be. But this year the resolutions I am making is something I have put last.
1. Get our home finished.
Start to finally get all these projects we need to do around our house done. We still need to install a new closet system we bought right after we bought our house. And on Jan 8th we have owned our house two years. I have put our home last and its time our home gets finished. I want to have a home I am proud of not one that is full of oh yeah that is another unfinished project. The entry has no paint only texture from where we had it redone, the guest bathroom has the awful wall paper border that I loath....lol I want to get it down and paint. Most of the framed art is not hanging on our walls there just sitting around waiting to be hung. We have boxes still packed and yes I am ashamed to admit that but I will. lol Its sad. So our home this year is going on the top of the todo list.
2. Take time for myself
Seem like I am always busy either with house work and bills or helping someone find something(hubby). Dont get me wrong I love to help and do for others. But its not fun when you cant even find 30 mins to go for a bike ride or time to craft. I love to ride my bike its so relaxing and I want to be able to get that bike ride on a day when its so pretty outside. Or just make time to get to craft more.
3.Call my mom more often
I will admit I am the worst at calling my mom. She is in a nursing home and she has a hard time hearing me. But even if she cant understand me I plan to call her more cause I realize I wont get to have her in my life as long as I would love to have her. Lest I can hear her voice. She has gotten worse lately to the point where we had to go see her this year for Christmas and that has never happened. It stinks when you live so far from where a parent is.
4. And of corse my normal GET ORGANIZED...lol
Yeah right it wont happen I know it wont but my goal is to lest get a tad bit more organized than I am. I keep getting little by little done each year so by the year 2030 maybe I will be...lol One thing I would like to make sure I get organized is the garage wow its a mess...lol
Well that is my 2012 goals its not a list but small enough that its do-able. Hope you find your goals meet and remember not to take on to much and don't beat yourself up cause you did not meet one. Life is a work in progress.

Favorites for 2011

2011-12-30T11:28:00.000-08:00

Cant believe its almost 2012! Is it me or did this year seem to scream by? I wish I could say I got alot done in 2011 but many things like projects on our house did not get completed. But I can say I spent more time crafting than ever :) LOL I did get my craft room reorganized so guess I did get some thing done. I need to post the craft room one day, I will make that one of my goals for the first of the year. Anyway thought I would do a fast recap of the favorite cards or projects I have worked on this 20011. Some I was very shocked that they were so liked. I guess we are our own worst judges sometimes...lol

1.Its Owl good

This card I made for My Pink Stamper Design Team entry spot. I did not make the design team but I thought it turned out cute. Its one of my favorite cards.

2. Father's day card

I got the camping critters cart and this was the first card I made with it. I made this card it for my dad. I thought it was okay but I did not love it I felt rushed making it. But this card ended up being a popular card. I posted it on Criut message board and it got picked for the Cricut Chrip. I could not believe it...lol Then it later got featured on Patches of Pink.

3. Birthday card

This card I made two of I made one for a friend and then my MIL while here made a comment she loved it well I had enough papers to make it once more for her. Learned that blogging and putting sizes online to share comes in handy...lol

4. Birthday card

I fell in love with chip board this year.

5. Graduation card

This was the first attempt at making a pop up card. I used the cricut for most of the items on and in the card The graduation gown and cap and letter was Jolee's stickers.

6.Happy Birthday Stinker

Found a new use for my old 1988 label maker LOL

7. Not a craft

Yes not a craft but I finally got my craft space, this was an old desk the neighbor was getting rid of. I thought this will work prefect for now I keep this in my office so when we have guest in the guest /craft room I can still craft. By the way yes the office is hunter green he wont let me paint them he loves it...lol

8. Operation write home cards

This year I enjoyed making cards for OWH these were for fathers day.

9. Digital scrap booking

Found digital scrap booking to be pretty fun. This was some old family photos that I just love.

10. Ornaments

This was recent I made two of these for my nephews for Christmas. I thought they kinda turned out cute used the cricut for the stencil for it. And a holy leaf stamp.

Well that is my top favorite cards and projects I have done this year. Thank you to all those who have chose to follow and leave sweet comments. know I have not been very active lately but with the busy season over I can get back to enjoying blogging with you all. :)

As promised the ornaments I made.

2011-12-27T21:56:00.000-08:00

Hey hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, ours was pretty good.We were out of town from Saturday till Monday. Today I took the day to relax, matter fact did not get out of pj's till about 4 pm...lol It was a much needed break, it had been a very busy Dec. Next year I am going to start early with what I can, lesson learned. So much I planed did not get done, had to pick and chose what was the most important on the list. So anyway that leads me to what I am going to post on here. Every year I make my nephews a ornament. Its become a tradition now...lol So this year I did not want to do the clear glass ornaments like I have always done I wanted something different.
One day this month I was watching the Nate Berkus show, and someone cut a birch log in slices and drilled a hole and added them on the tree as decoration. And right then and there I thought of that would be cool if you could stencil something on those. We live in Texas so the only way I am getting birch wood is to order it and I did not have time to get it in and make them so I used normal wood logs. Here was the final result.

Front

back added year using versa mark and stamps

Here is how I did it
Took a small thin log and cut slices so I ended up with small round about half inch thick slices. Try to keep the cuts clean as you can.
Then I sanded it by hand I would say if you could use a sander on it that would be better but I could not find our sander. And know we have one...lol
I cleaned the wood off really good and made sure vinyl would stick to it.
Cut with the cricut a stencil I used the deer off Camp Out cut at 1 1/4
I applied the vinyl to the log slice. I tool some extra and covered area that the stencil did not cover. Make sure its all covered.
Then I took a versa mark stamp pad and dabbed the inside of the stencil giving it a very good coat of versa mark.
while the vinyl still is on the piece of log I took Prefect Pearls I used copper and them brushed it on and worked it on well.
Once I had a good coat of the prefect pearls I peeled the stencil off to reveal the sharp clean image on the log.
I took a small leaf holly stamp I had on hand and used versa mark to stamp on the back and some on the front.
Then used the prefect pearls once again carefully only getting it on the stamped areas.
I used red stencil on part of the holly stamp image.
Once I had it all done I coated it with polyurethane in a spray can. And don't make my mistake...lol Make sure its not to close and make sure to do light coats and let it dry and then do another coat and so on till you feel you have sealed it well. All that will do is lock the prefect pearls in and make it where it wont come off.
To finish mine off I added a eyelet at the top and added a decorative ornament hook as well as alphabet metal letter for the person it was going to. But you could just drill a hole in the sliced wood and then tie ribbon or twine.
So that is how I made it, was pretty easy hardest part is cutting the slices. Well thanks for looking and that was my finale Christmas project I made. Before we know it we be packing up all the Christmas stuff. Take hours or days to get everything decorated like you want and a day to get it all down and packed up.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! I am writing the post early cause we are out of town right now as you read this. I am sorry I did not get a chance to post the other Christmas stuff and I wanted to post the ornament a made as well but I was super busy Friday we had diner guest other matter fact I only sat down 10 mins the whole day until the guest arrived. So I will post them Monday prob. Monday I plan to have lots of relaxing time so I am sure I will get some post done...lol Well hope you are will or have had a wonderful Christmas.

Christmas Arrangements

2011-12-21T01:53:00.000-08:00

So thought I would post a few X-Mas arrangements I put together. Wanted touches of Christmas around the rooms. This first project was done with almost everything I had on hand. I had the vase on hand and the poinsettia's as well.

I added some tree trimmings got for free at home depot and picks I had on hand. I used some scrap gift wrap and ribbon to the base of the vase.

All I bought for the coffee table center piece was the cinnamon scented pine cones. I love the smell of them so I added those in a glass bowl I never use and added some ornaments and poinsettia and picks I had on hand. As well as used some of the free tree trim.

I made this for the kitchen with the free tree trimmings and so storofoam I had on hand. Wanted to have something Nice to look at in the kithcne since its not joined with the living area.

This is our kitchen and nook

Well that is a few things I did to get a few more touches of Christmas, we have been on a tight budget so I have had to do things that cost zero or very little.

I will post the outside entry next I did it this last Sunday but did not get a chance to take pictures Sunday and then Monday it stormed and rained so I will post them tomorrow. Cant believe Christmas is almost here! Its been a super fast and busy Dec. Well thanks for looking :)

Fire place mantel

2011-12-16T00:28:00.000-08:00

Well as promised wanted to post the fire place mantel. I changed it up a little this year. I added some filler to the garland I use. I have had my garland for many many lol years. Its your standard cheap garland that I paid very little for. I used some fake ivy vine I had and added that as well as went to Home Depot and ask if I could take some tree trimmings off there hands. Best thing ever for garlands that need extra volume to it and its FREE! I also used this in many other places I will post as well this weekend about that.
Anyway I also ran across a wonderful deal I could not believe it, they were going like crazy while I was at Lowe's. They had poinsettias for 2.00 for really big ones in decorative pots that had glitter on them and 1.00 for those in simple foiled pot and .50 for small ones. I got three large ones and one small one for the kitchen.

The two in the silver pots went on the fire place.

To make the center piece to the fire place I used a vine sleigh I got at target for 2.00 in the the 1.00 area. Target 1.00 area has become my favorite place for finding deals on cute stuff. I knew when I seen it what I had planed with it. I used the sleigh and a set of led craft lights and some snow blanket I had a new package as well for the base. I buy the stuff like this at the end of the years so I get it for a few cents and I have it for the next year.

And the finale result was....

The deer are stocking holders but used them as if they were pulling a sleigh. Cover base with snow blanket.

So there we go there is my super cheap mantel on a budget. I think all total I spent 7.00 Well thanks for looking and will post more soon. Have some other things I did with the tree trimmings I will post soon.

Christmas Tree

2011-12-14T14:41:00.000-08:00

I meant to post this sooner but I have been super busy with getting house decorated and to getting ready for company to come into town. And we have been going out of town some so hubby can deer hunt. So its been a busy month here. Anyway thought I would start posting some of the decorations I have done, I will start off with the tree. We had to get a smaller one this year cause I moved the living room around and we plan to have people over. But that is okay less to decorate...lol Last years tree took me forever to get done cause we got a really big tree. Anyway I will have post on the fire place mantel and other decorations tomorrow.Thanks for looking :)

First angel I have ever bought

BUSTED! Cat having fun trying to climb the tree...lol

Crafty Christmas Ornaments

2011-12-14T14:01:00.000-08:00

Three years ago I started a tradition of giving a hand made ornament to my nephews each year. I will be honest I thought they wont like them, there boys...lol But much to my surprise they loved them. First year I gave them there ornaments they ran around the room showing them off. And had to know how I made them...lol So the tradition was born. This Sunday when I was by my brothers home they had there tree up and there on the tree were all the ornaments hanging. I had to smile cause they really keep them...lol So when I seen them this past Sunday it reminded me I wanted to share it with you cause last year I did not get a chance to post it. So if your thinking of wanting a personal gift or maybe you just need to get more for your budget making a hand made ornament is a nice way to give a small little gift that does not go out of style or get old cause newer and better come out.

Ones I made last year

I used plain clear glass ornaments. I used things I had on hand to fill the insides. This one was made with fake snow and I cut out a deer with the crciut on vynil. I also used stickles on the outside dotted around the outside. I also added prima poinsettia flower.

I will say one thing Make sure to wash the glass ornaments with some viniger and water mix. Yes smelly but wash it and let them dry out before using. After they dry they dont smell. This year I dont plan on doing a glass ornament I am gonna try something new this year. Last year cause we have a bigger tree I needed some more ornaments so I made some using boxes I had around the house here they are and if you would like to know how to make them check my post out. BOX ORNAMENT

Well thanks for looking hope this gives you an ideas. :)

Get well card for a guy (Missed Post)

2011-12-07T03:03:00.000-08:00

I thought this had posted Saturday I had it set, but realized tonight it did not. So thought I would retype it and share anyway. To make it current I will not ask how your weekend is going? LOL Hope you had a great weekend and a good week so far. Its been super busy week!

Saturday it rained all day and was woke up to hubby saying hey my parents are coming from GA. Your kidding! just as I had got all the Christmas decoration from the attic the night before. Plus had to get craft room ready for over night guest.

Sunday still rained all day but I cleaned house some getting ready for his mom and dad. Went to store. Cleaned my craft room up. And re chalked the bathroom tub all by myself I am getting good at handy stuff...lol But my arm hurt the next day.

Monday worked all day on doing stuff around house like hanging stuff I had not done since we moved. And worked on the Mantel decorating it. We got a tree that night, was picked over but I had to get it was my only chance before we had company coming and they will be with us for lest a week. They still had not left yet.

Tuesday Moped and tidy up stuff in kitchen, Cooked diner and decorated the tree which took a couple hours. And then cleaned the mess up I made...lol

Wednesday will be a day of working on tidying up getting all the decoration boxes put back in the attic. And tidy up the outside entry. Which I dread cause it super cold here. Tonight its getting down to 25 will be 40 for the high.

So that has been my week so far. And the sad part this story is his parents still have not left but they did say they are leaving today so they should be here today or tomorrow. I need a vacation! LOL Christmas is always a busy month and you add unexpected house guest on top of it and wow it got super busy. Anyway hope everyone is having a great week so far. Products used for the card listed below thanks for stopping by and looking.

Supplies used

K and company card

Cuttle bug folder (

Papers

Tree stamp- Hero arts (Month of November)

White embossing powder

Get well stamp-

Versa mark ink

White gel pen

Been prepping for christmas

2011-11-30T23:17:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone sorry been mia this week. I have been busy prepping house for getting a Christmas tree. I had to move our living room around, that is always a chore. And to while I was at it I cleaned parts of our knotty pine walls. Yes you seen right..lol our living room has knotty pine walls. Everyone that come to our home loves them but if they only knew how hard they are to clean. We hired a texture guy to take pop corn ceiling down and re texture it to a normal smooth look. He did good on the texture just he did not know how to cover the walls good I guess...lol And highest point is 15 ft. I am still cleaning texture off the walls and this was a year and a half ago. So I just do it little by little as I see I missed spots. So that is what I have been up to this week.

I hope everyone had a great thanksgiving weekend. Ours was more like a Christmas Vacation movie that stars chevy chase. I could tell it but it would be long and some parts little to much TMI. I was glad to see the day end I know. We stayed with family from Thurs to sat night. We got home late sat and spent Sunday relaxing getting a few things done before work week started. So that is what has been going on last few days. As soon as I get done with the decorations I will post them also to I have many birthdays coming up I have to make cards for as well as Christmas cards. So Dec is always a super busy month for me. Bare with me for this week on post but after that there will be lots of post this month.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T23:28:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to say happy Thanksgiving. Hope you have a safe and wonderful day with family and loved ones. And for those who are going out after diner to brave the black Friday sales, good luck and be careful. We will be out of town ourselves in the country it a 40 min trip just to walmart. So doubt we will see any stores....lol

Banana Nut Bread Recipe

2011-11-23T13:45:00.000-08:00

Well today I am in full on baking mode. But since I prepared ahead a few days ago its going to be so much less time consuming. I got all my stuff together and out a few days ago and some items already measured and ready to add. When I am making many batches of banana bread it comes in super handy. I will take containers and go ahead and measure all the flours out for each batch as well as sugar and nuts. It saves on time big time. Anyway so today I am baking and then will be packing as well since we will be going out of town for a few days. But thought I would share the recipe page I made was tried of looking at a plain recipe so thought I would jazz it up. I will type the recipe at the bottom. Its so yummy and easy to make its the best banana bread I have ever ate.

Banana Nut bread

1 cup of canola oil

1 cup of granulated sugar

2 large eggs

3 large ripe bananas- mashed

2 cups all purpose flour

1tsp of baking soda

1/2 tsp of baking powder

1/2 tsp of salt

3 tbl of milk

1/2 tsp of vanilla extract

3/4 cup of chopped wal nuts

Pre heat oven to 350

Grease loaf pans

Beat oil and sugar in bowl then add in the eggs and bananas.

Then sift all dry ingredients together and add to wet and mix.

Add the milk and the vanilla mix together well.

Bake at 350 for 50 to 60 mins

Thanks for looking!

Lazy Sundays

2011-11-20T12:12:00.000-08:00

Wow its been a fast weekend, but its been a awesome weekend weather wise. So pretty out I have the doors open and fresh air been a laid back Sunday for us. This weekend I am trying to get a jump start so I am not in in a time crunch come Thanksgiving. So getting thing like cleaning and such done. Looking forward to decorating for Christmas my favorite time of year. Already getting the decorations out and we might go ahead and get the lights up today since its so pretty. Better than doing it when its cold...lol Anyway so hope all is enjoy there Sunday, thought I share some more cards I made with the scrap papers I had left over from the thanksgiving cards.

The things people will do for Black friday! LOL

2011-11-19T19:41:00.000-08:00

Past Friday started with me trying to get bills paid and my computer monitor decided it was going to finally die on me. I tried for two hours to get it to work doing all the tricks I had used before. But nothing it was finally gone no saving it. So when DH got home we went to best buy to buy a new one. There was a couple there camped out in a tent and had been there 3 days already! All for a 42 inch tv for 200.00 normal 800.00 I am thinking don't seem like good enough deal to camp...lol Here is the news report they did on them.

View more videos at: http://nbcdfw.com/?__source=embedCode.

LOL INSANE! I thought Id share it cause I think its just so crazy that someone would camp that long for black Friday. Anyway I will post some more cards I made tomorrow. I am working around the house getting some stuff done.

Thanksgiving card

2011-11-16T21:26:00.000-08:00

Well Thanksgiving is just about here, this month has been really clipping along. We will be going to family's so I wont have to cook much. I will how ever have to bring my normal German Choc cake. They would send me back home if I did not bring it...lol This time of year I also love to make home made banana bread. I will have to make a post with the recipe. It is the best banana bread I have ever ate and not because I made it...lol Anyway today I worked on some Thanksgiving cards for a few family and friends. So thought I would share, its a super easy card. I needed simple being I need 5 of them. Next will be working on getting ready for Christmas cards now those I will have to make alot of...lol

Thanks for looking!

Supplies used

Cricut wild card- Leaf cut at 3 inch

DCWV card paper stack

Kraft paper

Pattern papers recollections (bird watching) pattern -Acorns

Recollections (bird watching) pattern-Bird Seed I cut the tiny off to put up top on box

Tim Holtz distress ink spiced marmalade used on leaf

Time holtz distress ink Tea dye used on journal box

Glimmer mist

Brown ribbon

Hero arts stamps (Month of November)

Cricut cake 49.00!

2011-11-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

Wow what a amazing deal cricut.com has the cricut cake for 49.00! And its the big cricut cake not the mini if you are in the market for a cricut cake I would say now is the time to get one. They also have all the cricut cake carts for 29.99 so make sure to check it out before its gone.

Black friday sales and Cricut imagine!

2011-11-12T13:18:00.000-08:00

Okay time to save and get ready cause the Black Friday sale ads are up! I will warn you this post will be a tiny bit long. When I post the crafty items on sale for black Friday I try to get as much details as I can for you. But its worth the look I promise there are some AWESOME! deals this year on the new cricuts. And of course I save the best for last....lol So here we go.

Michaels

They open at 4pm Thursday on Thanksgiving so get the dinner done early...lol
Cricut carts 24.99 also they have a deal where if you buy 2 carts you get jubilee cart for free 1 per costumer and only while supplies last.

Cricut expression 2 limited edition 199.99! It come Michelas exclusive comes with 4 per loaded carts

ATG gun 19.99 I love my ATG gun its a must for crafters! And if you buy it Thursday with the extra 30 % off you will only pay 13.99 I did the math for you...lol

FRIDAY ONLY DEALS
Cricut V.1 69.99
Iris 12x12 storage 2.99
If you would like to see the full ad click here.

Joannes

ALL DAY DEALS
Cricut Expression 159.99
Cricut cake mini 89.99

Cricut carts 26.99

Also they have the new art bin storage for the cricut carts for 12.99 And they have a deal going on as posted on this image.

SATURDAY ONLY!

Cricut Expression 2 for 229.99
Cricut projects and events carts 18.99

If you would like to see the full ad click here.

NOW DRUM ROLL...lol THE BIG DEAL OF THE DAY!

WALMART

Cricut Imagine for

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? I see the going super FAST!
If you would like to see the full ad click here.

Well that is all the super good deals I see for us crafters. I Love doing this every year, sharing all the great deals so you can get to get some great craft goods and great gifts. Thanks for looking hope you have a great weekend.

Happy Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T12:37:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to say Happy Veteran's day to those who served and are serving our country now. And thinking of those who lost loved ones who gave there life for there country. In our family we have a few Veteran's, my dad who served in Vietnam and my brother was in the Gulf War.

This is my brother Richard I dont have any of my dad photos. He does not like to look at them.

Also Gene's grand father was in the air force WWII he passed a few years ago.

But not only do I wish those who serve a happy veterans day but the family's as well. The wives or husbands who run there houses and family's while the other is away, hats off to you I dont know how you do it. Know I would not be able to. It was hard enough not having my brother around and worrying about him all the time. He called me a few time while he served and you would hear the sound of a missile. I would ask whats that he say oh that is just a scud missile coming across like its nothing...lol Of course I am freaking out. I loved getting to hear his voice but that did not happen to much we wrote alot of letters to each other. Even though he was so far away we still keep in touch I still have all the card notes he wrote home. Why I love doing cards for OWH I understand what its like to get letters from loved ones who are away. Its so so important.
The day my brother come home from the Gulf I will never forget someone gave a note to the teacher and she handed to me. It read

Yes I still have it...lol

This little post it note meant my brother was home cause I only have have two brothers. It took me I think about 8 seconds to get all my stuff together and leave. lol When I got outside I could not get a big bear hug fast enough. Was a great day cause my brother was safe and was home lest for a little bit. Now he is out if the army and living here is Texas again. Well hope you all are having a great Veteran's day.

Cricut sale on cricut.com

2011-11-10T17:54:00.000-08:00

Thought I post a super fast post there is a sale on cricut.com they have cricut cartage's from 19.99 They also have one cart that I have not seen it has 6 overlays with it. Has a ton of cuts on it and looks like its kinda a compilation of some of the carts from past. But at 39.00 I think that is a great deal! So go check it out and lots of stuff on sale.

Winner

2011-11-10T12:39:00.000-08:00

And the winner of the blog give away is.....

Yeah Shannon! I will contact you and get your mailing address.

Birthday card for guy

2011-11-08T10:53:00.000-08:00

I always have a hard time making cards for men. But for this card when I seen this pic of the Dallas cowboy baby I knew that would make a cute card. My cousin is a big football fan so thought I would use the pic. I wanted to make it a little funny and poke fun at the cowboys. And since the baby looked like he was not happy I put Make a wish below the baby. And on the inside I put "but you only get one so make sure its a good one" Even as a Texas native we all know the Dallas cowboys are not so good....lol I would not waste a wish on them...lol So anyway that is the card its kinda silly but he will get a laugh.

If anyone has any tips about using embossing powder I would love some. I tried the dryer sheet trick and it did not work. As you will see there still was lose powder I could not get off. Any tips to keep the powder from sticking on places you dont want it sticking?

Also don't forget Weds is the last day to enter for my GIVE AWAY only one comment so far. So come Wed night if that is the only one then she will get the items. Well thanks for looking at my card. Hope your having a good week so far.

Give away!

2011-11-04T13:26:00.000-07:00

Hi just wanted to do a update on a give away I have going on. For the 2 year blog anniversary I thought I would share a small give away with someone. But I have only had one comment (sniff sniff) Maybe no one really does read my blog any more...lol So I thought I would extend it out a few days to see if anyone else would like to enter. So click here and post a comment to enter, I dont like to repost like this but I really would like to see a few people get a chance to win. I will make the deadline for Wed Nov 8th, thursday I will post the winner and if I only still have this one comment she will get it. Its not a huge prize but a little something to say thanks to those who joined my blog or read it. Winner will get a stampology stamp set, two packs of cute rub ons, and two packs of Gems cause I just love to use these on cards to bling it up...lol Thanks have a great weekend.

Blog ANNIVERSARY and Give away!

2011-11-04T13:25:00.000-07:00

Update Give away going till Wed Nov 8th...Here is what you will win. Set of stampology stamp set, two packs of cute rub ons, two packs of gems cause bling is just fun.

Well its been 2 years since I made my first post on my blog. My how life has changed for us since then...lol Back when I started my blog I kinda did it to take my mind off of life. We had been looking for a home for a long time and was not having any luck. Well then about a month after I started my blog we found a house in a area we liked. We made the offer it was accepted and then in Jan we became home owners.

But along the way of this life change I have to say having my blog was great. I enjoyed having a place to put my voice out there. I will never forget the first comment and the first follower...lol I was like wow some body looked at my blog and joined!LOL I was shocked that anyone would want to read my tiny little blog. And its still tiny no doubt. But I am grateful for those who do follow and want to read the blog. I really have enjoyed having the blog and having a place to share ideas and tips. I have always been a person to want to share ideas and help others. And this allows me to do that. So with all that said I want to say as a big THANK YOU to you followers.

So to enter leave a comment, I wont make this follower only give away since some might not have a blogger account. But would be nice if you were a follower ;) Just make sure there is a way to reach you. I am going to let the give away run till next wed nov 8th that way everyone has a chance to enter.

If you have trouble commenting contact me and I will chnage comment fourm my email is mdwatts@hotmail.com

Fall card and cricut sales

2011-10-20T14:35:00.000-07:00

Hello! Shock I know I am posting, its been busy here. Last Sunday I spent the day rearranging my craft room. Added little more storage in the room, its a guest room as well so I have to make sure I keep it easy to move around in. I will take pictures when I get all the re organizing done and post them. And this week so far I have been doing instead of spring cleaning fall cleaning...lol Could not belive how much dirt can build on windows in just a few months. So nice looking out windows that are clean and bright. Trying to get all outside stuff done before its gets cold. Last few days its been kinda chilly you can feel the crisp in there air, I love fall air. But it will be winter before we know it. But I am enjoying fall for now, so thought I make a super fast card. I do mean fast it took me 10 mins total. Its a small card just for a quick note. I made this using all scrap papers.

Cricut sales!

This week two stores have cricut carts on sale at Joanne's full content carts for 29.99 normal 89.00 they also have paper 5/1.00 . If you don't have a Joannes near you or rather shop at Michael's they have carts on sale as well for 34.99 when I was in my local Michael's last weekend they had some cricut carts for 19.99 but they had been picked over. I myself wont be getting any :( still on my debt diet. But that is okaycause I am happy for what I do have. Well off to get more stuff done. Thanks for looking.

Feel bad I have been MIA

2011-10-13T12:48:00.000-07:00

Well I just wanted to say I am very sorry I have not made new post in forever, I have been going through a ruff patch last few weeks. Have not crafted in a few weeks now I just had no desire to. With the new fall season I always get a little blue but this year its been worse. We have alot personally going on but I am trying to get myself in a better place. Life goes on and you just have to deal with what life throws at you and keep going. So I am going to lean back into crafting by getting my scrap room finished. Since we moved in my scrap storage has pretty much been in the same place since its a two man moving job and he stays busy. So my goal is to finally get it to where we have room for the guest air bed and have lots of room for his mom to move around. She walks with crutches so she needs extra room to move around. I feel bad when I did not get it complete and she has trouble getting around. So today I am working on a floor plan. I made a scale floor plan cause I don't want us to have to move everything I have a 100 times. Also going to get some new storage I got in place. We went to a yard sale last Saturday and I found two shelving cases I have been looking for.

There really tall! There skinny but soon as I seen them I thought of it would be perfect for my cricut carts I have. And I got both for 14.00 thought that was a pretty good deal. So we will see how that works out if not I can use it else where. When I get done with the room I am going to reward myself with a fold up table I can keep in the room instead of going back and forth from my office where I have my back up scrap book desk so when we have company I can still craft. I want to make it where I craft in there but I can fold it up and put away when we have over night guest. So check back Monday I hope to have the room done and will post photos. Thanks for staying with me I hope none of you think I am giving up on my blog or crafting, I have not. I love crafting just sometimes when you are going through stuff you don't even want to do what you love. But I will be crafting very soon again have birthdays coming up.

Update on what's been going on and cricut sale one day only

2011-09-27T21:36:00.000-07:00

Well thought I would pop in and update you on whats been going on and also a cricut sale coming up. I have not had a chance to craft at all this week. Have not been feeling good and been kinda down and out. So have not taken time to craft. I am going to try to tomorrow. Today we got Attic insulation added, got some work done on the house to help ventilate the attic. We knew when we bought the home we would have to do it. And we thought with winter coming up we need to do it now. Glad we did, we had lots of air leaks we never knew about. We was leaking air from our air handler and some vents. The company that come out was so awesome! If anyone who reads my blog is local to DFW if you ever need insulation they are great. The company is Attic Comfort.

Off there web site

And no I am not getting anything for saying this...lol I just really like the work they did. The owner was here a good amount of time with the crew helping some making sure all was going good. And he come back before the job was done. And the men that did most the work they were so nice, very polite and friendly. They were so precise on there work making sure to fix leaks. Even fixed the crappy job the home warranty electrician did. Little did I know the sound I had been hearing from the attic fans was because the blades were bent. They went above and beyond with the work they did. Now we have 19 inches of what looks like snow in our attic, just cant make a snow angel in it...lol

Now the game of seeing if it will make a dent in the electric bill. I hope so cause we don't want another 350.00 electric bill this winter. Anyways that is what I did today. So enough about home repair stuff you want to know about the cricut sale....lol
CRICUT CART SALE INFO
Now wanted to let you know about cricut carts that will be on sale one day only at Joanne's. Sat OCT 1st they will have carts for 29.99 pretty good deal if you can make it down there on Saturday. They also will have cricut expression for 199.99 Hope you get to go and do some shopping. Well off to rest been up since 6:30 am I am tired.

Sorry I have been mia and here is a card

2011-09-21T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hi I am so sorry I have been MIA with craft posting. I have been busy working around the house trying to get all those little today things we never finished done. This past Friday we had two attic fans fixed, funny part is we had to get a electrician to come out. And Gene is a electrician...lol But because we did it under home warranty they had to send there guy out. Can say I was very unimpressed! The man they sent out was rude when you ask him something he say I dont know I guess I am not getting what your getting at. The main part that annoyed me was he was so loud. He had this board he used to walk on in the attic. But he was throwing the board on the rafters anytime he need to move on to another area. I realized there would be some noise but I never thought he was going to shake the whole ceiling...lol My poor cats, took the rest of the day to come out cause they were so scared. So anyway now that the attic fans are fixed we will be working on getting insulation blown in. That is so not going to be fun, but we got a good price from a company and we are going to use them. We knew when we bought the home it needed insulation so after paying 300.00 one month for electric we decided its time. I hope after that the bill will drop. But anyway enough about the boring home repair talk...lol

I made this card cause I needed a annv card for spet 25. Funny story to that date is My brother cliff got married to my SIL Jenny in 1994 on sept 25. Then in 2000 my brother richard married my SIL Shelia on of all dates SEPT 25! So both there annv are so easy to remember...lol It was not planned but was funny when my brother cliff said wow your getting married on our ANNV. So the good part of that is one can called the other and make sure they dont forget the ANNV. Which has happened...lol I just thought I share that funny little family story. Okay the card, it s simple card and I had major mental block going for this card. You know how that is when you just have no creative juice flowing. When I dont make something for a while I do that. So products used will be listed below. Thanks for looking.

Supplies used

Prima flowers Hydrangea no 5	My cute stamps elegant birds	Hero arts poly clear everyday sayings	hero arts poly clear fanciful swirl alfa
Martha Stewart white pearl 3d stickers	Tattered angels glimmer mist old lace	Stickles diamond	Martha stewart loop edge punch set

InLinkz.com

Cricut carts on sale at Joanne's

2011-09-20T00:36:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share some sales they have going on at Joanne's. They have full content carts at 39.99 and the best deal is the cricut projects and events carts for 19.99! You can get Flower Shoppe for 19.99 seems like that one has been a big seller.
I am going to start posting the weekly sales again like I used to. Stopped doing it cause I have been on a tight budget and sometimes I see the really good sales and its tempting to go and spend. So that is how I have been saving money not really looking at every sale ad...lol
Also I will be posting a project soon sorry I have taken this last week off. I have been slacking. This weekend was full of to do's or else I would have crafted and posted already. But I have to make a make something tomorrow since I am needing to send a card out and I dont have any ANNV cards on hand. So tomorrow you should see a post. I should be able to make it and get it posted. Thanks for being understanding I am sorry to have slacked off on crafting but we have had a busy few week working around our house. Will explain later...lol

I have a secret

2011-09-12T21:47:00.000-07:00

I know I have not been posted a craft project lately and I plan to in the next two days. But today and last week I have been busy working around the house. Sunday gave our porch a good cleaning and added a few things like table and chairs and flowers. It looks so much better I think, it looks much more inviting. And during the week before I have been scrubbing and scrubbing our guest bath room tile. From the time we moved in I wanted to clean the dingy grout and I knew we had to re chalk the tub. So before we re chalk I wanted to make sure the grout was clean. What a chore this has been. Now we have to repair a few tiles and then we can chalk the tub area. And during all this I weeded the flower bed since the weather was so pretty last week. I also added fresh mulch so the flower bed looks good again and its ready for fall. This past Saturday we had an attic insulation company come and give us a est of how much it would run to get more insulation added and I was shocked it was not as bad as I thought it would be. So we plan to be doing that soon. I have to get two attic fans fixed before then and today Gene fixed an electric line that had wire nuts just open and laying on a beam was not in a box at all. Very safe...lol So its in a box now. So that has been what I have been up to. Just small things that eat up time.
Part of today I spent doing something I used to do a while back before we moved. Its something I have not talked about but I will admit it now. Today I have been clipping coupons...lol Yes I am a couponer!

I cut them for sorting and then I will file them in coupon folder's.

My helper socks she loves coupons....lol

I used to do it all the time before we moved then during getting the house ready and moving and settling I did not have time and then I just kinda got out of it. I used to go to the store all the time and get free stuff, what I did not use I gave to family and friends or donated. I am not one of those extreme couponer like on TV. That drives me nuts to see them get 1,000 worth of stuff for 5 dollars. Best I ever did was 230.00 and got it down to 8.00 but it takes time and you have to orginize to save that kind of money. I just want to save some money. Those extreme couponers have stock piles and spend hours a day getting ready for shopping trips. I want time to enjoy other things...lol I hate doing it, but since we have more bills now I am finding one income is not cutting it. Its so depressing to go to Michaels and have 5.00 extra to spend. Trust me I did it this week. So I have decided the only way I can get to where I can make the bills and have a little extra for crafting is to get back into couponing. And I hope it will give me more extra money to be able to get more of credit card debt paid off sooner. So bare with me I will post something soon, I have a few projects I have to do and some I just want to do. Just wanted to say where I have been and admit my secret to you, maybe some of you are couponers yourself. Well hope you had a good Monday and will have a post craft related soon.

10th Annv of 9/11

2011-09-10T22:02:00.000-07:00

I wanted to take some time to remember Sept 11th. It is hard to believe its been ten years! Sept 11th did not affect me personally, I did not lose anyone or know anyone who lost loved ones. But my heart goes out to any of those who have lost loved ones or friends to the tragic events of 9/11.
This week as they have been showing past videos it brings up so many emotions, I cant even imagine what its like for those affected by it personally. They have to relive it over and over I dont know if I could bare it had I lost a loved one on 9/11. They say time heals but I dont think time will ever heal what happened on 9/11 and the impact it made on there lives. Each person lost was not just a name they were husbands and wives mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers. And they were somebody child. I will never forget that day I found out about the attacks.
I was home and I was still asleep till the phone rang and I heard the answering system come on and could hear Gene saying turn the news on there are planes crashing. As I said I was asleep so I was very confused. I thought what in the world is he talking about? I call him back at work and he tells me turn the news on, two planes have hit the trade centers. And when I seen the building I was first in shock then they replayed the video of the second plane hitting and I could not believe it. Well after I hung up with him I was glued to the tv as most of us was that day. But he had to go out of the office to work since he is a electrician. So him and his helper who is also a friend left for work. I was watching it thinking who did this and why? And then I thought I wonder how they will get these fires out. Never did it cross my mind what would happen. As I was watching live I seen the building go, I thought no that could not have been the whole building. But it was. I called Gene and his helper and said the building just fell, he said the building what? I said the building is gone. And during the between news you were getting reports of all planes to land and be grounded. And then reports if of a plane hitting the Pentagon and others still missing. It was then I realized this is not over what target is next. When I seen the news of a plane crashing in a field you had to wonder where had that one been heading to. If it had not been for those brave people who knows how many more would have died that day. That evening after seeing this all day, I was outside sitting on our porch. It was so quite, the silence was erie. We lived right under the landing path for DFW airport. And for the first time there were no planes, it was just so quite you could hear a pin drop. But with the quite come the comfort of it was over but life will never be as we knew it.

Forward to ten years later I think its safe to say we all have adapted to the normal. But those mostly those who lost there loved one. They still had to get up the next day and live life no matter the pain. Mom or dads still had to take care of there children and provide for them. And some who had not had there children yet had to face giving birth without there husbands. Its amazes me the strength they had and still have. It really says something about the human spirit to move ahead and adapt. We cant every change what has happened but you found a way to move ahead to a new normal.

Did what happen make me want to not travel? No for the first time in my life on the week of the first annv of 9/11, I flew on my first commercial airplane to Vegas. My brother thought I was nuts...lol But as I told him if you let what happened scare you into not enjoying life then they have won. I will not let them hold me back from living, life is to short. I don't want to look back when I am older with regret of all the things I wish I had done. That is what I have learned from 9/11, live for today your not promised tomorrow.

The water falls that honor the lost, were the WTC's once stood.

So as we remember 9/11 my hope for today on the tenth annv of 9/11 as they unveil the memorial, may it bring closer to those who survived or lost loved ones. So many did not get to bury there loved ones and have no place to visit. I hope this will give them a place to grieve and pay respects. It is there finale resting place. And I pray that all goes well today and it remains a safe day. Its so sad that such hate and evil live on this same planet we all share. I have yet to understand why cant we all have the right to believe in whom ever god we want to believe in and not be hated for it. But I guess somethings will never make sense. Take time to remember but do take time to enjoy life, your loved ones and be thankful for what you have. Have a good day! Feel free to share your story, would love to read what others were going through that day.

AND THE WINNER IS?

2011-09-06T10:56:00.000-07:00

Hello hope everyone had a great Labor day, we had a pretty good time. I am sorry to leave picking a winner hanging till today. But I did not know that DH had planned for us to leave out sunday around lunch to my familys to spend the night and then Labor day. So with that said its time to pick a winner! And the winner of the MY Memories Suite is...

JustYolie said...

Beautiful layouts!! I like anything with swirls and they have several that I can't choose just one! :)

Congrats JustYolie! I will be contacting you, if anyone would like to get the software also here is the info just for crafty-shell reader.
Special offer to Crafty-Shell readers!!!
My Memories Suite has an coupon code for crafty-shell readers. You will get 10.00 off the software plus 10.00 to spend at the my memories store to get your favorite digital pack or packs. A 20.00 vaule the coupon code is STMMMS95065 just click here and add the code during checkout.

Thanks for entering the give away and congrats to the winner.

Happy Labor Day!

2011-09-05T08:39:00.000-07:00

I am making this post early and posting on Labor day. I just wanted to take a min and say happy Labor day hope you are having a great one. Also want to let the ones who entered the My Memories Suite give away that I wont be able to post it till Tuesday. I am sorry I did not know when I said Monday that we would be out of town today and Monday DH forgot to tell me he planned for us to head to my family's early. So I am very sorry for saying Monday I will post the Winner Tuesday. Have a great Labor day!

Card and reminder about give away!

2011-09-02T13:36:00.000-07:00

Hey just wanted to share a card I made with the My Memories suite. I use the software to create some layers for making a card. Its not just for scrapbooking! This was a super easy fast card, I had it done in 5 mins. Yes its Sept and this is a Christmas card...lol but I was in the mood to make something Christmas Themed.
If you would like a chance to win the software hop over and check out the post My Memories suite software and give away post. Tomorrow is the last day to enter it ends at SAT midnight. Thanks for looking!

Give Away on my blog going till Saturday!

2011-09-01T12:47:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to pop in and tell everyone to make sure to hop over and check the give away out going at my blog till Saturday. I am in shock there have not been more than 1 comment. Thought there would be some of the readers who would love a free digital scrapbook program. If you would like to enter make sure to leave a comment on this post My memories digital scrapbook software and give away! Be sure to enter for your chance for the free software. I was told by one person they had trouble commenting if that is going on email me at mdwatts@hotmail.com and let me know I will try to see what is going on.
Anyway sorry have not posted any new post we have had company this week they left yesterday. It was a very interesting two weeks. I wont go into detail cause I don't want to bore you....lol But lets say for those that are lucky and get along with there in laws feel lucky and don't take it for granted. But anyhoo I just thought I make a fast post saying things will get back to normal. And also wanted to share some more I the LO's I made with the my Memories suite software. I am really loving the digital scrapbook software I think my goal this year to make my nephew a graduation album will come true with some help from this software. So here are some more LO's I did

This is some of the old family photos I have been lucky get, my grandma and grandpa you far right at the end.

The photo with the kids is my grandma and her two girls my mom and my aunt and her nephew Gene

My better half Gene after he got his Thanksgiving day Deer. I hope it dont upset people who don't believe in hunting I am the say same way I hate seeing deer killed but I don't force my view in Gene. With that said I do not eat DEER MEAT...lol or anything he kills I don't like seeing my food with fur or feathers on it before it gets to my table...lol

So there are a few more LO's and I think I will make a card today as well, will share it tonight or tomorrow. Make sure to go and comment for a chance to win the My memories suite as well.

My Memories Suite and GIVE AWAY time! (CLOSED)

2011-08-29T18:07:00.000-07:00

I am so super excited posting today. Sorry it is later than I thought it would be but we have had Gene's family in town. But I have been looking forward to posting this for little over two weeks now. So here we go!

Liz at My Memories Suite contacted me asking if I would like to try there digital scrapbook software and sponsor a GIVE AWAY! So I thought why not been wanting to try digital scrapbook software and excited cause one of you will also get to win it as well. At the end of the post will tell you how you can get win this software.

For some time been looking in stores for digital scrapbook software, but did not buy any due to not knowing which one would be best. And to was not sure about digital scrapbooking. My memories suite is the number 1 selling digital scrapbook software on amazon. I have to say it was a easy download and very easy install. And what I love about the software is its very user friendly. Simple and start forward, it kinda reminds me of photo shop but so so much more user friendly. And if there is something you cant figure out they have how to videos, and there blog is a great source to view for ideas and how to.

As soon as I got it I started making LO's this was the first one I did.

My brother and his race car, its a simple LO but by the next one below I had figured it out.

Nephews Ryan and Jacob play ball. Made this with the trouble maker download pack

Nephew Jacob made with happy go lucky pack its a free theme pack

My mom when she was I think in her 20's this is my fav photo of my mom.

The thing I really like about the my memories software is you can use your own downloaded papers and digital packs you get from else where. This LO was made with the fall collection by Amanda at Kevin and Amanda I downloaded it long ago and was able to use it as well. I have more LO's to show tomorrow so check back and see what else you can do.

NOW TIME FOR A GIVE AWAY!!!!!

I am super excited about it, thank you My Memories suite for sponsoring this give away. One lucky winner will get the my memories suite software for yourself so you can start your own digital scrapbooking. To win click here on my memories suite home and pick one favorite digital paper pack or LO's they offer. Then come back to my blog and comment on this post which one you would choose. They offer so many pretty packs I don't know how you will choose...lol I think I will let the give away go till Saturday at midnight that way all those can will get a chance to enter, will post the winner Monday. You dont have to be a follower to enter but make sure to leave a way to contact you.
Special offer to Crafty-Shell readers!!!

If you would like to buy the software, My Memories Suite has an coupon code for crafty-shell readers. You will get 10.00 off the software plus 10.00 to spend at the my memories store to get your favorite digital pack or packs. A 20.00 vaule the coupon code is STMMMS95065 just click here and add the code during checkout.

So check back tomorrow for more creative ideas you can do with the my memories suite and here is a video and face book link to check out. Thanks for looking and good luck

Welcome to the Family! from Lisa Jurrens on Vimeo.

Find My memories facebook

Fun things coming up!

2011-08-23T10:54:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone hope you had a great weekend and a wonderful start to the week. For many this last Monday was the first day of school here where we are it was. My nephew started his senior year of school this Monday. I am so excited but at the same time sad. He will be leaving home soon and wont get to see him as much. This year for his graduation I would like to complete an album for him from a baby to the present time of the young man he has become. So I plan to start working on getting it together this year and work on it little by little. What he dont know I have been secretly getting pictures of him from the school news letter from his school for a while...lol Whole reason I had been doing it so I could use in a album. So that is goal this year.
And I will finally have LO's to post I know I make alot of cards...lol Even I get tired of me and the fact all I make is cards. Just cards are so fast I can make a card so much faster verses a LO I get really slow on those. But I will say I do have something to share this week that will help me in getting to my goal of more LO's. I will be posting about that at the end of the week or weekend. If you dont follow me make sure you keep a look out over the rest of the week. I have something special coming up that I have been so excited about. I have been sitting on it cause I did not want to spill the beans till I ready. But I will say I have been wanting to do this for the followers for awhile. All I am going to say....lol

Now time for yes another card....lol I really did need this one though. My aunt had shoulder surgery a few days ago and in 4 weeks she has the other one done. So she will be out of work for 2 months, each shoulder needs 4 weeks to heal. So I did not make a get well card yet since she has yet another surgery to go but I wanted a thinking of you card so she knows we are thinking of her. So TFL and make sure you keep checkingg back for something specail...lol WINK!

Supplies

Bird and tree cut out 3 Inch-CindyLoo

Stickles

Glossy accents

Martha Stewart pearls

Martha Stewart loop punches

Cuttle bug D'vine swirl

Hero arts Ploy Clear- everyday saying

All paper are from scrap folders!

Round Birthday card

2011-08-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

Sorry had this to post monday and it did not so thought I would post anyway.

Hello hope everyone had a great weekend was a pretty good weekend here. First off we got rain Saturday morn finally! It was not a soaking rain but hey we will take what we can get since we had no rain since late May. And for a solid week it was 105 and one day was 109! So Saturday was much cooler it was I think 95 But after the high temps it felt like 80...lol It was also cloudy which was nice. It was just in time for my brother and nephews to come into town. They come for the day and we went to a few places and then went school shopping with them. Been a loooong....time since I have done that. lol I have new respect for all you mom and dads now who do it year after year. But it was fun, Jacob and I tried on some roller blades and was skating around Sports Authority shoe area...lol He wanted me to show him how to skate backwards. I tried it no worked..lol for some freak reason I have always been a natural on skates. I can twist, turn skate backwards while crossing feet to make turns. Loved skating so much. Anyway long story short I put them up after he almost took out a row of bikes, I pretended I did not know him. LOL And after a long day of shopping we come back home and I heated up a pork loin I had cooked and we all had diner. Was a great day Ryan my nephew had not been to our place since he was just learning to walk. He is almost 18! That is so sad. But they are talking about coming back up in a few months for nascar. Anyway after Sat we did not do alot Sunday I worked on master bathroom tub. Had to fix some grout work and trying to get it ready for use again. Since Gene mom and dad will be here I think Tuesday or Weds so they say. They keep not meeting the day and then saying in a few days. So who knows they show up when they show up.

Anyway since I still have time to thought I would make a card. Made this card for a upcoming birthday. Did a circle card since I have not done one before, used wild card for the base. Was going for a very famine look. Used glimmer mist on the butterfly and then added some stickles. Well better wrap it up have house work calling. Thanks for stopping by and checking the blog out.

Supplies

Card base wild card cut at 5 1/2

Leaves Picturesque cut at 3 1/2

Butter fly Picturesque cut at 3

Spellbinders dies

Martha stewart silver sage ribbon

Hero arts birthday Messages

New uses for computer desk

2011-08-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Hi just wanted to make a post on what been going on. Friday was a busy day I did three loads of cloths and cleaned and organized since in laws will be in town Monday. And I also mowed the yard as well Friday.Today my brother and his family are down so we will going a few places and back our home for a bit and then rest of the day I plan to relax a bit...lol Cause Sunday I have to tidy up entry way since it will be the last day before they come in. Anyway during cleaning my craft area I thought about making a post about how I have used a computer desk. But let me tell you the story of how I got the desk.
After we moved in a few weeks later people next door was remodeling and was throwing alot of furniture away. I had see all this furniture outside and I keep seeing this desk and I was thinking I bet I could use that for crafting. I would never bring myself to go get it...lol But after it got a little dark I thought here is my chance. So I went over and got it and Dh was saying what are you going to do with this. Since we had just moved in at the time and I had a place I could finally have a desk to craft at I needed a desk. But what I was thinking when I seen this was "this will not take up a huge amount of room like a full size desk". Best of all its FREE...lol

What I love it all closes up it a computer hutch type unit. Its not very wide but it open up and has a pull out keyboard area. So between both surfaces it gives me a pretty good amount of room. And when I am done I close it all up and I can just put the key board area in with projects I am working on.

Its been working pretty good for me and I can house some supplies I work with alot on hand in bottom.

Its not pretty by no means but its functional. I do plan to refinish it later on cause the top needs it, I was really shocked to see it was all real wood not pressed board. Its heavy for such a small unit, takes two to move it. Well anyway thought I share this idea with anyone like me that needs a craft area but has space limits. Thanks for looking, hope you have a great weekend. It might be a few days before I post again since we will have family in town.

HI!

2011-08-09T11:23:00.000-07:00

Hello hope everyone is having a great day. Its been a busy week working around the house, today I am working on the guest room. It also holds some of my craft items I don't have the room to have it all in one room. I craft in our office and the book cases and paper rack are in the guest room. Today on my to do list is finish my second paper rack. I am building one to house my card stock only. Since I use my cricut more now I have a pretty good amount now. Anyway enough about my organizing talk....lol Well as promised here is a card I made. I did not use the cricut and the reason is I have a ton of scrap papers, I want to use up. And after going through all the scrap paper I decided to try to make it with only scraps. All the paper used other than the card base is all scrap papers. Well off to finish the paper rack thanks for stopping by and looking.

Supplies used

Cuttle bug embossing folder (d'vine Swirl)

Cuttle bug Scallop square dies

Martha Stewart Pearls

Hi-Stampendous (Happy Messages)

Flowers- Stampology (Mindy Flowers)

Imagine on sale and quik update

2011-08-08T08:55:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would pass this along a sale info, Hobby Lobby has got the imagine on sale this week for 299.00 . Know some places online has been cheaper but if you are a person that does not trust ordering online and having it shipped this is a pretty good price. They also have the imagine carts on sale for 25 % off.
Michael's also has there reg cricut carts on sale for 39.99 I think they got some new ones in, they had a bunch on clearance not long ago to make room for new ones. So that is all the sale info I have hope that helps someone out.
Now a update where I have been. I am still working around the house since we have company coming end of this week. But today I do plan to craft some today, I need a craft fix...lol I will be posting tonight or tomorrow. I have been doing anything to stay out of this heat its been miserable hot here. All last week we hovered at 107 every day. They had us conserving electric last week due to over load of demand and we almost come close to rolling black outs Thursday. Hard not to use your stove, dishwasher or washer or dryer between 3 pm to 7 pm every day. But hey was nice to have the news reporter say hey you cant do dishes or wash cloths right now...lol Sure we will have to do the same this week unless something changes still looking almost same temps this week. Hope it gets cooler soon and get some rain, we need rain so bad. Grass is like walking on hay, and ground is cracking. Our water bill was bad this month but hate to see the next bill. Anyways way speaking of water I need to go and put a load of cloths in so I can get them done and on the line. Will post craft related project tonight or tomorrow.

What did I do today?

2011-08-02T00:13:00.000-07:00

Not craft related at all. Okay well this is embarrassing but I have my blog to share and maybe I hope inspire others. Well what I did today was go through a mound of JUNK! Its amazing how much clutter can be accumulated over just a few weeks. Okay so I will show a before picture I warn you its not pretty...lol

This was all the junk I found between the table and the kitchen counters. If I could I would do away with our table, it seems to be a junk mag. Its the desk for DH on his paper work nights, his tool storage all other days. And it seems to be a great place for the drop off and find a home for it later spot....lol As I was getting all the stuff together to sort I thought oh how funny a mag with Oprah de-clutter your life...lol And it hit me I am going to blog this. Yes it not pretty but I am being truthful and maybe there is someone else dealing with the same issue's. So I sat my timer for 30 mins and started sorting throwing away stuff and finding home for others. And the end result was this I have a table again!

Yes there is Oprah again but this time its looks so much better...lol I do have a item left. Fabric tape measure to the left, but it going to used for lining my cabinets. So that was part of what I did today, so thought I would share the ugly truth...lol Maybe someone will feel like they are not alone we all have clutter in our homes maybe it might not be this extreme...lol TFL at my mess...lol

Birthday card

2011-07-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

Hi as promised here is a birthday card, it will be going to my mom her birthday is in a few days. Its very simple. I did not use a cricut cause I found a cute 12 x 12 paper from a left over paper stack and so that is where the art comes from. I glued it to card stock and then cut it out and the remaining left over paper I also used for a little of the background. Sorry for the late post, meant to post last night. We were helping our new neighbor's, they needed to borrow our wall paper steamer. So had to show them how to use it. They are doing what we did work on the most you can before you moved in....lol They already have been working on the outside. They seem so nice, young couple they have a 19 month old. The wife keep saying wow it gets so dark out here is it always this dark? LOL We have no street lights cause our subdivision is so small not HOA to pay for lights. You get used to it though...lol
Well back to work I am working on our bedroom closet going through stuff and getting rid of what no longer fits or I dont wear. I am trying to get my life back in order to much stuff and unorganized. And have come to learn the more you have the more you have to clean and up keep. More is not always better...lol Well thanks for looking.

Supplies
Paper stack
core destinations paper brown
Hero art stamps- Birthday message
Celebrate it sheer ribbon
Celebrate it poke a dot ribbon
Kraft card stock for banner
Stickles

Quick update!

2011-07-27T14:07:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post a super quick update. I have been busy reorganizing scrap area I got a major mess after months of plan laziness of not putting stuff back, my fault...lol Plus I found out we have company coming in two weeks. Since its Gene's mom and dad want to make sure the house is almost spotless, they are neat freaks. So just wanted to let readers know I will post a project just will be in a day or two. I have to work on a card tonight no matter what my mom's birthday is coming up on the 3rd of August. So please dont think I am letting the blog go just have to get this stuff done. Plus I have to work on getting some supplies out of guest room. Last time they were here they stayed a month! I was out of my scrapbook room a month! It like to have killed me...lol That wont happen again, I have my work station in my office and will take out supplies I work with alot that way I can still craft. Planning ahead..lol Well there will be a post soon just give me a day or two. Thanks

Newphews Birthday card

2011-07-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

Well today is my youngest nephews birthday. (Happy Birthday Jacob!) I sent his card out early cause they left yesterday for Chicago. They are having a family vacation to visit SIL extended family. So I am sure he will have a blast for his birthday. Sad part I heard its just as hot there as here so they wont get a break in the heat. But maybe one of those days they have a cool day before coming back to super hot Texas...lol So this was his birthday card I wanted something that would give him a laugh. Ever since I got the campin critters knew what I wanted to do with this skunk coming out of a out house. It was going to be on his birthday card...lol Hard not to put stickles on the skunk but it had to go out that day was no time to dry :( Thanks for looking.

Supplies

Campin Critters

Baszel card stock

Kraft card stock for card base

Chip board for rocks on bottom hand cut

Tim Holtz distress inks

Happy birthday stamp - Hero arts Birthday messages

And super old label maker...lol

Twine

My Pink Stamper Design Team Submisson

2011-07-19T20:20:00.000-07:00

I know I am cutting this close, Robyn from My Pink Stamper is having her design team call. Her last design team had some amazing projects. I got to find some awesome talented blogger's. I have never had the chance to serve on a design team but I would love to give it a try. I enjoy crafting so much, any chance to or reason to craft sounds good to me...lol So for the My Pink Stamper Designer team call you had to use theses colors.
Orange

Turquoise
Green
Brown
(other optional color of your choice) I pinked hot pink
I love when she says certain colors cause it really challenges you. And what she picked it really fun colors bright and cheerful. I have got to where I use more bright colors cause of her, I used to use alot of pastels. So I used the Cindy Loo cart for this card I just loved this little fellow.

So that is my card I am submitting for the design team call, there are so many wonderful projects submitted I don't know how she is going to pick the designers....lol I feel for her. Here is the link if you would like to check it out. Pink stamper designer team call Thanks for looking!

Recipe
Cindy Loo Cart- squirrel cut at 3 inch with DCWV stack card stock greens
Box for squirrel cut at 2.75 by 3.75 I used corner chomper on it Recollectons card stock hot pink
My Friend stamp- Stampendous Happy Messages
Pattern paper imaginise- sweet summer breeze 3.50 tall by 6 inch wide
Orange DCWV stack card stock
Turquoise DCWV stack card stock
Brown Card stock core dinations
Martha Stewart Ribbon
Martha Stewart Loop punch
Stickles diamond
Tim holtzs distress ink
White Gel pen

Winnie the pooh (Oh DEAR)

2011-07-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

Sorry meant to have up yesterday but it was one of those days, everyone was calling and when I was trying to get finished the cats would say hey lets bother mom. lol Anyway okay I know some will think okay she is adult but I cant help but love how cute the new Winnie the pooh movie looks. Its just reminds me of my child hood and the simple time in life. And every time I see the movie trailer I say AWE POOH...lol So I thought in honor of the movie I would make a winnie the pooh card. I had bought this cart and had not used it so I thought what better time to open it up and craft with it. My gyspy was low on power so I had to play with the sizes so forgive me for not having the sizes of the cuts. Here was my inspiration.

A clip from the movie

And here is my card I made

The movie trailer if you would like to check it out I dare you not to go AWE!

Thanks for looking!

Supplies used

Pooh and friends cart

Create a critters for tree stump

Card board I cut the rocks out by hand.

Hero arts stamps

Stickles

Dog days of summer

2011-07-14T21:21:00.000-07:00

Not my pup but this is how all the furry friends feel right now.

Extreme measures to keep cool...lol

Okay is it just us or everyone having hot temps, here in Texas its plan misable. Tonight on way home from bike ride I seen a bunny in a yard and it was just sitting there panting. It was so hot it did not hardly move, it said to heck with it I am not moving. LOL Poor thing and it was a big black bunny at that. And as I watered the garden tonight at 9 pm a cat come in our yard panting. Its just been crazy hot here. Be nice if we could get some rain we have not seen rain in a while. I found our ground is cracking by our drive even with watering it. Our garden is not doing so hot in the heat, have lost some of my veggie plants. I am down to tomato's and peppers and bells peppers. So anyway hope others are getting to see rain and cooler temps. I just had to share this photo cause this is how we all feel right now...lol I got it off the local news web site. Well off to craft I have not had time this week so I am going to now. Will post it Friday or over weekend. Thanks for stopping by.

Birthday card

2011-07-11T11:48:00.000-07:00

Hi I am so sorry I have been MIA for so long on craft projects. I know I lost a few followers and I get it, my post have gone down. Where have I been? Trying to get our home back in order, seems like the more you have the more time it consumes. And after our move last year I put off alot of boxes and home projects cause I was tired and needed a break. So I have been trying to work on getting that done. Please bare with me if I dont post a project one week. I will in future post if I wont be able to make a post that week to let you know. Anyway we had a productive weekend here till Sunday night at lest. We mowed and cleaned up the front entry amazing how much dirt collects there. And I picked up some junk in the back yard. Then I clean our shed some and that is where the end of the weekend took a turn. As I was coming out I missed my step and started falling since I my hands where full I could not catch myself. So I finally let go of the stuff cause what was coming was a cinder block I was about to fall on head first. That would have hurt, so I was able to miss it but I still hit the cinder block with my chest area. If you girls know what I mean. My that hurts so much, one of the girls is bruised up now. I scraped up and banged up my arm and leg, leg will have pretty good bruise on it for sure. But I am lucky I missed falling face first on the cinder block. My wrist took the brunt of the fall but seems okay. It hurts a tiny bit if I put a bunch of body weight on it but no breaks just a little bruises. So that was my weekend. Anyway today I made my SIL a card her birthday will be coming up in a few days so thought I would share it with you. I used the new cart I just got cindy loo. Thanks for looking and I hope you can bare with me if I dont post a ton like I was. This week should be better cause I got alot done last week.

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T12:21:00.000-07:00

Well I have been busy working around the house last couple of days sorry for no post. So thought I pop in and say hope everyone is having a good July 4th. We stayed home this year so just us two no cook outs or company...lol But I have enjoyed the laid back weekend getting a few things done that needed to get done. But later on we might go see some locall fireworks tonight have not decided yet. But before we go I am going to water our yard really good. We are under burn ban in our county in Texas cause of how dry we have been 80 % of Texas is under extreme historic drought. We are the lucky ones but we are still dry. But with all that we still have people in our housing addition still using fireworks in there back yards. Not little ones the big ones that go way up. And the fire marshal was driving our road last night looking for them to....lol So anyways hope everyone has a safe July 4th and enjoy the day. Will be back with a craft post soon.

Trip to the fire museum

2011-07-02T01:14:00.000-07:00

Okay a few days ago I posted about our train ride through Denton county Texas. And I had a pretty long post so promised I would post about the fire muse another day. So here it is. While we was in town walking past the main fire station I noticed they had a small museum inside and since DH used to work part time for a small fire department I thought well lets go check it out. They had lots of pictures of our town long ago and pictures of certain fires they worked. But they had lots of equipment on display as well.

This is a Hose Cart they used to move these around by hand in the late 1800's until the early 1900's they went to horse drawn hose carts, Cant blame them...lol

These are fire man suits worn through the years The one in the center is late 1990's to present One to the right is from the 1920's to 1930.

1950's to 1960's

I did not get a date on this but judging by it I would say its a 1920's to 1930's

Now this one is very old I have never seen such a old helmet and well used.

This guy looks like he is about to take off in the space shuttle...lol But he is a proximity suit not sure what that is really.

This was a bunch of old hose nozzles

The brass nozzle was a deck gun nozzle it was dated late 1800's

Well that was most of what I got I did not take alot of photos cause my camera bat was running low. I know its not craft related but thought some of you might like to see all the neat stuff fire museums have in them. Its always neat to see all the old old equipment they had to work with. And here is a interesting fact to end with. Back when it the fire department was the bucket brigade it was law you had to have your own water bucket and have it outside your home. Many would have there names on them, and I always thought they brought there buckets to put fires out. I learned something new. Thanks for looking.

Caution Birthday ahead

2011-06-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

My brothers birthday is coming up and I wanted a cute but kinda funny card. I had major card making block last night, did not help I was really tired...lol Anyway I used the camping critters cart for this river rafting skunk. I cut the hills out by hand and added some green flocking to give it the look of patchy grass. I not in love with how the hill turned out but they were already down when I decided to try that idea. Oh well...lol Thanks for looking. Below are the sizes and supplies used.

Camping Critters (Skunk cut at 3 inch)

Flocking

Tim holtz distress ink

hero art ploy clear stamp set fanciful swirl alpabet

hero arts ploy clear stamp set birthday message

Riding the A train in Denton county, TX

2011-06-28T13:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have not posted in a few days we had a busy weekend and took the last two days to re cope. Saturday we was riding a train around denton county...lol and Sunday my aunt was down so I drove to see her.We have this new train that just started up this week called the A train here in Denton.Its been years in the making and this weekend was the first weekend of service so we decided to go and give it a ride.

going over Lewisville Lake

Our main road we live off of

It connects with the Carrollton Dart rail and from there you can go to Dallas. All with out driving in the awful Dallas traffic. We did not go any farther than carrollton only cause we did not have a whole day to go onto Dallas but next time we will. This was a spare of a moment trip. Anyways it was a great ride really nice comfy seats far as the a train goes.

The train we found out was put in service in the 50's! They redid the inside of it to modernise it but they will have new ones in service in sept. I will say it was pretty packed, and lots of bikers on it. They have room for your bikes! I think that is so cool. After we rode back to the main station we walked over to historic down town Denton.

Way back when

Denton today

Photo I took of the court house while in town

I have always loved our town square its has so much charm. Most are old building from late 1800's. As I walked it I was thinking how neat it must have been back in the early 1900's and here we are walking the same square in the year 2011 only if they could have seen how they city would be a 100 years from then. I have a thing for historic homes and building forgive me...lol When we was there we went into this wonderful antique shop (County Seat Antiques) that had lots of kitchen and home items.

The building had original 14 ft doors and original hard wood floors, all shelves are original. It was like stepping back into the 1900 so cool. Inside tons of dishes and pretty milk glass.

She even had our formal dishes there she had almost a full set, like ours.

Our dishes

She sold by piece so to get it all would be kinda pricey. We have service of 6 a full complete set of all the dishes and cups and salt and pepper shaker. I had been wanting a new set so think after seeing that I will keep ours..lol We also visted the fire museum will post those another day cause dont want to bore you...lol Oh to end the trip home we seen a very interesting lady. As she went by us she was talking into a two way radio saying" let them try to shut me up"....lol I had to snap a pic.

If you are local to get on the a train is is well worth the trip into denton and go check out the old town square and the amazing old stores. And you can end the day at the old fashioned ice cream store right on the square...YUMMY.

round two of storms tonight

2011-06-21T23:55:00.000-07:00

Well Tuesday was a long day for me for many reason. I had only had a hour of sleep due to storms that come in the we hours of morn. I had to run outside to get our outdoor kitty and bring her in cause some areas had half dollar size hail. And as we are getting her the winds hit, we got her in safely and put her up and then 10 mins later around 2am lights flash off and on about 5 times then they went off for good. I was thinking great...lol

Get the old trusty Yankee candle out, so without power we had no clue what was going on with the weather. I know there was lots of lighting, I have never seen so much. And the winds was so strong I heard the roof creek and began to think it was going to come off. But it never hailed which was a great! But the Storm was so slow, it took forever to leave our area. I ended up laying down at 5 am after I gave up on being able to put the cat back out. Then I was back up at 6am when he was leaving I had no clue how long we would be without power so I had to open all the doors and windows to let all the cool air in. No way I was going back to bed with doors open. So with nothing I could really do I thought hum why not make a card. I am not going to let a little old thing like no power stop me...lol With no cricut I only had stamps and cuttle bug dies. Not a pretty card but I was trying to stay awake and I was so wanting to sleep. So long story short, I keep busy till about 11 am I closed the doors up since it was getting warmer. And I planned to lay down for a nap. And as luck would have it about 1130 am the power come back on. Soon as the ac kicked on I went for a nap well I ended up sleeping till 4pm...lol Come to find out 33,000 was without power and at lunch there still were 31,000 so we was lucky to have gotten it on so soon. The winds were hitting 80 Mil an hour. Was a pretty good storm. And again tonight we got round 2 of storms but they only had some wind and rain nothing major. Got to love Texas weather. We needed the rain so wont complain but man its stinks when you lose your power for 8 hours in middle of hot weather. Well wanted to share my sleep deprived card with you, don't laugh at it to much....lol

Simple card and Criut chirp

2011-06-16T12:49:00.000-07:00

Hello happy Thursday! Sorry have not posted any new projects been trying to get some much needed stuff done around my home. Anyway last night I thought I wanted to make a card with only stamps. So I made a template for a card front and cut the template in sections so that I could remove each one and stamp. Then after I do the stamping I put the piece back into place and then remove another piece. Repeat until all done then remove all the sections and you have the big reveal. Its not hard at all. I did use versa mark to define between sections on the bottom, I got a little carried away on the first section of the versa mark...lol And I should have used some different stamps patterns in places. I am not loving the card but hey I am keeping it real not every project crafters make we love, right?

This week has been kinda reassuring for me in crafting terms. I had read a thought provoking post about blogging and it really made me think. One part of it touched on what she called the number game, and she was right. Most blogger's watch there stats and how many follow you, it can consume you. I never fretted over how many followers I have but I will admit I did watch stats...lol After reading this I kinda let that go.

But the funny thing is a few days later I thought well I will pop in and see how many page views there have been. And I was shocked I had 30 people on in a very very short amount of time. And for my little blog that is alot...lol I was wondering what is going on? I looked to see where it was coming from, it was coming from cricut.com message boards. HUM...

Then I go and look at the post I made and I see congrats on Cricut chirp high light. I look at my cricut chirp newsletter and sure enough there is a link to my card under message board high lights. It was my fathers day card I made for my dad with a fishing deer on it. I was so shocked. I was just sharing a fathers day idea, never once when I posting it did I think it was cricut chirp worthy...lol Anyway it was nice to have my card picked not complaining...lol Well off to do the daily chores and have some fresh green beans from our garden to cook. They look yummy. Thanks for looking

Supplies used

Kraft card stock

Versa mark

Celebrate it ribbon

Stickles and white gel pen

Top text stamp-stampendous dream text

Flowers in 1st block-hero arts month of may

Butterflys- by judith (got at Scrapbook shop unknown what the name is)

Flowers 3rd block-stampendous may flowers

Leaves 4th block-hero arts fanciful swirl alphabet

Center branch and bird-hero arts fanciful swirl alphabet

Sentiment-stampendous happy messages

Cricut machines and carts on sale

2011-06-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

Just thought I make a super quick post to let you know about a sale. Cricutmachine.com is have a sale they have the expression for 129.00 now that does not come with a cart but still pretty good deal for those who dont need the cart.
They also have the Imagine for 239.00 and they have carts for 14.95 and 19.99 And some imagine carts for 19.99 They have a really good sale this week so go check it out. http://www.cricutmachine.com/product_info.php?products_id=673

Our house has old guest...

2011-06-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

I now have meet two different people who owed our home at one time. Months ago I meet the lady who owed till she lost it due to her husband dying. Little did I know when we bought our home he died here, was not happy to find that out right after we bought it. When she lost the home she took all the lighting and even the fire place mantel. We got the mantel back cause she left it with a friend across the street and when he ask did you guys get a new mantel. I said no, he said would you like your mantel? I had the oddest look on my face. lol He went over to his house got it and even helped us put it back on. That day I knew I picked the right neighborhood to live in.

Then today a man come by and said he was in the area seeing if any of us need any roof work due to the big storm that blew through that had hail and a tornado in it. And then he began to talk about how his mom and dad was the ones who had the home built. I am not a super trusting person so I was not going to oh really well come in...lol He said him and his dad built the huge deck in back, and I thought okay anyone could know there was a deck. Then he ask if what is now our office is still hunter green? That is when I knew he was telling the truth...LOL cause it is hunter green no joke. And I so thanked him for that, cause hubs wont let me paint it. lol He loves it. The mans dad is the one that painted it hunter green. Then he said he and his dad put up all the pine wood slats in the living room and bathroom. Its so odd meeting all the people who have ever owed our place. Makes me feel good though, to know this home had a history with people that loved it here and I am getting to learn some of the stories from these owners. I am going to have him look over the roof so when he comes back when the husband is here I will let him in and I have to ask what is the deal with the body outline.

Yes body outline..lol right before we moved in we had all the carpet replaced and this was what we found. I knew that who ever had this home had a since of humor cause I knew for sure no one died here on that date they had wrote. If I would have had the time I was going to add a gun outline to it and then add some circles around the room with marks...lol Would you not love to see the faces of the people when they pull carpet up and see this stuff...lol I have sense of humor as well. Well thought I would share my day with you been a interesting Monday so far.

Pink stamper color challenge

2011-06-09T16:18:00.000-07:00

My pink stamper is having a color challenge on her blog. Her challenge is to use Orange, turquoise and green and any other colors can be added that you would like. Her card turned out so cute! So here is the card I made with those colors. I love prima flowers I have to say I am hooked on them...lol I did not use the cricut much on this card but the pink border is off Accent essentials.

I wanted a sugar coated look to the big flower so I added chunky glitter to the flower tips and center. Well that is my card if you would like to join in click the my pink stamper blinkie to the right on my blog, and you can add your link to your project. Thanks for looking :)

Supplies used

DCWV scarp stack

Prima flowers

Cricut accent essential

martha stewart pearl stickers

Tim holtz distress inks

Stickles

Glitter

Birthday card

2011-06-06T07:41:00.000-07:00

Hi well hope it was a great weekend for you, our weekend was okay. Was a pretty laid back Saturday but Sunday late in the day hub's decided to change out our faucet well that was a mistake...lol What we thought would take 20 mins took an hour plus. So next time we replace a faucet I will make sure we have lots of time. Before we moved in we had a leaky bathroom faucet so we got a new one that one took 3 hour to just get a nut off. lol Alot of the items like faucets are the original 1987 fixtures. So pretty...lol Slowly we are working on getting the home updated but when you run into the bolts wont move cause they have been in the same spot for 20 years its a pain.

Anyway early Sunday while my better half was watching nascar I was able to enjoy some craft time. I needed a guy card and I always have a hard time making cards for guys. The day before I had went to michael's and just happen to pick up this stamp set I used for the words and candles. They were marked down to 5.99 and there photo polymer, thought that was a good deal. So I used that along with sweet treats cart. I am not in love with the pattern paper but thought it was a good paper for a guy card. Anyway glad its made cause it has to go out today. I will be busy this month with cards have lots of birthdays to make cards for coming up. Well thanks for looking.

Supplies used

S.E.I paper Tegal + Jambi

Cake slice cut on 3 inch- Sweet Treats

Corrugated cardboard

Hero arts stamp set-Birthday

Stickles

Blogger issues or just me?

2011-06-03T06:38:00.000-07:00

Okay they say blogger is fixed and back to normal but since all this started I have had trouble making comments when I am on others blogs. If its a pop up comment box I can make a comment easy using blogger account. But my issue is when they have drop down boxes one will say google, word press, and forget the others one is open ID and then there is URL and Anonymous.
Now in the past I would use my blogger account but when I select google in the drop down box and hit post comment it takes me to the google log in so I put my info in then it takes me back to my comment. I hit post thinking okay its ready to post and its back to the log in again. And it will keep doing it.
Is it just me or is anyone else having issues? I am having to make comments by typing my blog address in which is not that bad but I like the easy way...lol Unless its a pop up comment box then I can without no prob make one. I dont know what I am doing wrong cause I know it must be working for some I see others pics next to there comments. So anyone have any tips or having the same issues? LOL help anyone...lol

Graduation card for my 100th post!!!

2011-06-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

Well this is my 100th post cant beleive it I know not all post were craft related...lol But this one is! I had been planing this card since I seen this idea on scrapbook.com. I was looking for graduation card ideas cause I have never made one. Did not have a need to make any till now. My cousin Jasmine graduated this past weekend, now she is out of high school and off to nursing school come aug or sept. I am sure she is excited she has to find a place to live and she is starting out with very little. We all know how that is takes one truck load to move into your first place but after 10 years takes a uhaul...lol Anyway back to the card.

I wanted to do something fun. So I decided to make a pop out card. First one I have ever done. I did learn a few leasons in making it so that if I make another I will know maybe a little better way of doing it. I am a little worried about the mailing and her getting it in one piece. I have faith though.
For the card front I keep very simple cause there is so much going on inside. Wanted to stay with pink and black colors.

Now on the inside is where all the fun is.

Will be honest this took me a while...lol I used the cricut and a few of jolees stickers. I had to make cuts as I went and look up what had what. I used a few carts to make this card will post below what I used. Did write down some sizes but a few I did not so sorry about that. I have not put my sentiment yet it will go on the rug.

For the mirror I had some shiney silver paper so that is what I used for the mirrors.

The grad gown is a jolees 3d siticker sorry best photo I could get with a point and shot camera...lol

Thanks for looking

Carts used

Door- wild card cut at 4.25

Shoes- paisley .75

Mirror- Accent ess 1.75

Hand Mirror-sentimentals 1.75

Dresser- Meow not sure of size sorry.

Gypsy wonderings for ovals

Happy Memorial Day and Michael's reward program

2011-05-29T16:41:00.000-07:00

Okay this will be a quick post Just wanted to say Happy Memorial day early. I will be gone tomorrow, we are going to see my family about 2 hours away. My cousins always cook out for Memorial day so that is where I will be. I have to make a german chocolate cake, its law I bring it any time I come down...lol I am also going to make some mashed potato's. So I am about to go and make it right now so I can relax tonight and not stay up till 2 am cooking. I am the worst at putting things off...lol
I wanted to share with anyone that might now know, who knows this could have been around for a year and I am just now finding out about it....lol But Michael's now has as a reward program. When I was there today the sales person ask you want to join. I ask what it was and she explained you get rewards for what you buy and its free to sign up. Really. So I joined and I looked at the packet you get with it and it said for joining you get 20 % off your total first sale. And I looked and no where does it say you cant use it on the cricut. I was thinking man 20 % off of a crciut would be a pretty good dent. I have not looked at how the rewards work yet. Says reward program is only in 270 stores but its in all my stores here in Texas. Here is the link if you want to look at it here. So anyway thought I would pass it along to those that might not know.
Have a great day and wonderful Memorial day.

Cricut Imagine On sale

2011-05-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would share Cricutmachine.com has the cricut imagine on sale for 249.99 a great deal! I would be ordering it myself but not in budget this month...lol Oh well. But thought I share for those that can. They also have reg and some imagine carts for 19.99 I shop only at a few places online this is one of them. Matter fact my expression come from here. Oh they also have some gypsy covers for 4.95 they have other items as well they have a pretty good sale right now. Well hope you find some goodies.

Father's day card

2011-05-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

I bought camping critters about two weeks ago for one reason that is this little deer fishing. I could only pick one cart and I thought you know what I have tons of carts with frilly stuff on it and I need something I can use on guy cards. What I like about this cart is, its cute, funny, and will work for men who love the outdoors or even kids. I knew fathers day was coming up and I wanted to use the fishing deer for his card. He loves fishing and likes to hunt. So tonight I used the cart for the first time and have to say I love it.

How I made this card was I cut the river scene but wanted the river to be a little longer so I hand drew it to the same paper and cut it out. Just extended it a little tiny bit. And then I cut the fishing deer out he was easy to put together, the scene took a little longer. Other than to two die cuts it just some background card stock. Added stickles to the mountains tops and on the fish to try for a fish scale look.

Before I close up this post just wanted to say welcome to all the new followers. Am sure most of you are from link party at Getting Cricky with k Andrews. That was a fun link party, found os many talented crafter's and bloggers. I have lots of blog feed to view now..lol Its great. But no matter how you found my blog glad to have you here.
Thanks for looking!

Too Close

2011-05-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

Wow yesterday was something else. We were warned we have bad weather and there was high risk of tornado's. I really did not think we would get anything in our area it looked like it as going to skirt by. I was wrong. I seen the tornado warning on tv, sirens start going off. So I put the cats up and got our laundry area ready only center we have. And from what the weather map looked like it looked like it was going to miss us. Then they showed towns it would be to next. Well there it was our little tiny town of Shady shores.... :0 So panic sat in after seeing all these large tornado's last few weeks it has me little leery. Sirens went off here three times last night. Of course everyone is standing outside to see if they can see it...not to smart I know. I come back in not going to get killed to get a look at it...lol
We got so lucky I went back up before it got here. Was not a big tornado at all thank goodness. It did hit our old neighborhood we used to live at for 15 years.

This was it is leaving denton into our little towns. By the way that is not my photo I would never risk my life over a photo. This was off the news site. Was not very big and it was jumping up and down alot so I would think the damage was not to bad. I bet the baseball size hail did more damage than this did. We never got any of the hail, not in the mood to do roof replacement yet...lol

I don't know what is making these storms so bad this year but my heart goes out to all those who have lost loved ones and homes. I cant imagine what it would be like to lose everything. Well thought I share what our Tuesday was like. Hope everyone else is safe and no one was affected by the storms.

Operation write home cards

2011-05-21T09:46:00.000-07:00

Hope you all are having a great Saturday, DH had to work today. So today I am doing some much needed cleaning. I so hate cleaning...lol Anyway thought I would share a few cards I made for OWH, they were mailed out Thursday. Wish I could have had more time to make more but they had to go out. Anyway here are a few I snaped before I packed them up. There not fancy just simple cards, the last one I dont card for it needed a little something more. Well got to get back to work, Thanks for looking.

Garden update

2011-05-19T23:20:00.000-07:00

This is a little off key of crafting but I wanted to post a garden update. These radishes got picked fresh today from our garden. We planted them by seed back in April radishes are so easy to grow and fast to. This was the first year we got to plant a garden in our new house. We got so lucky the garden was already fenced off just needs a little repair and paint. That is next on the to do list. We tilled it up in April and I was shocked at how great the soil was it had not had a garden in years. When we planted we planted some seeds, like the green beans and radishes now the bell peppers, hot peppers and tomato's and squash was bought in packs. Here is the garden right after we planted it in April.

in April not much to look at lol

Garden today as of May I love my garden

Green beans see all the tiny little beans sprouting

Squash

This is our Topsy Turvy we have its holds three tomato plants and three herbs. We have pretty good size tomato's growing on this. Great for those who don't want to till and have to cage them. Well that is our garden so far, thanks for looking. And next post will be craft related I promise...lol

Erin Kramp

2011-05-19T00:06:00.000-07:00

Normally I would not write a post saying oh you have to watch Oprah but Thursday I really think if you could make the time you should. Tomorrow they will bring the family of Erin Kramp back on. Of course we all know Oprah is going off the air and she is catching up with her most memorable guest and Erin is the guest I remember most.

In 1994 Erin learned she had terminal breast cancer. Her daughter Peyton was two at the time, Erin fought but at the same time began to prepare her family for the day she would no longer be with them. In 1995 she began making videos for her daughter. Anything from giving advice about boys to putting on makeup, and then the final one saying she will always be with her watching over her on her wedding day and when she has her own children she will watch over them. I am getting teary eyed just thinking about it. The courage it must have taken for her to make those videos many times she said she would stop the tapes and have a cry and then go back to making the video. The sad part is back then there was alot of back lash over it saying it was parenting from the grave, which I think is a awful thing to say. She just wanted her daughter to know her and to be there for her to give that mother advice of how to do something simple as make up. I am sure with that gift she has given Peyton it has made her daughter feel how much she was loved and that her mom was always thinking of her and her future. She lived for years longer than they said she would. She passed away here in Dallas tx in Nov of 98 leaving the gift of her videos to her daughter and husband. Her husband has since remarried and had two children with his wife and that was Erin wish that he move on and remarry. I think we would all want that for our spouses. So tomorrow if you can make the time I think this show would be something you can watch and get something from it. She really makes you think what if that were me would I be able to do that for my children. I don't have kids so I cant even begin to understand how it would feel to know you will not be there for your children. But at the same time I wish I would have been giving a gift like this. My mom has been sick for a long time, she has Huntington's. And it has robbed me of my mom I once knew, I sometimes feel like I am watching my mom leave me little by little each day. I miss being able to just call her and talk to her for an hour. I can call her but she is only there for about 5 mins I lose her after that. Huntington's is a horrible illness that robs you of your mind and then your ability to walk. But I am grateful for the time we have with her she has good days and bad. But the things she once knew she no longer knows. I cant ask her about her mom and dad cause she dont remember. Maybe if she knew what would happen to her she would have prepared letters or something. I think that is why I like scrap booking so much its a way of leaving my story behind. Well sorry about the long post did not mean to mention anything about my mom normally keep that private, just wanted to say watch Oprah Thursday and have the tissue handy.

Link Up Love Party with K Andrew Of Getting Cricky

2011-05-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

I have got to where I love the linky parties, you get to see so many cool projects and meet wonderful talented people. I end up finding a blog I have to join every time...lol So Kristal of Getting Cricky is having a link up love party. Her link party is calling for us to link up our favorite projects we have posted on our blogs. So after looking though all my projects I have posted I come to find I love this one. For me this one is my fav, I have not even give it away. Its still is up on display...lol I love the owl. I made this card to enter for a spot on My Pink Stamper design team. And no I did not get the spot, but I had fun making the card. I tried two new things working on this card. First using flocking which I loved how cute is that "its owl good" stamp, second using peeled corrugated cardboard. I was going for texture. One of these days I will have to send it until then it inspires me to try new things. So that is my favorite project I have posted so far, thanks for looking.

Supplies used
Cricut Give A Hoot cart cut at 3 inch

Recollections Gems

K and company cards

Peeled cardboard

TCP sticker sheet (Branch)

Studio G stamp (Its Owl Good)

Hampton art Flocking

Prima flowers Teal / lime

Time holtz distress ink

Gel Pen

Is anyone else having this prob?

2011-05-16T13:57:00.000-07:00

Okay if visited my blog Sunday night and it was not looking normal there was a reason...lol For some reason I can not edit my blog site. Blogger wont let me see the previews of the templates in the edit mode I have to save it to see it. So after a few hours I posted my old blog back up, thank goodness I saved the old blog site. Does anyone else with a blog have this prob? I want to change my layout but with the html code I have now it wont let me so that is the reason I was trying to change it. Plus I want a bigger banner. Anyway anyone have any good sites to explain how to make your own blog design? Sorry for the mess if you happen to look at the blog Sunday. I am going to try to work on it again so if you see its not looking right please forgive me...lol I am still learning. Thank goodness posting is super easy...lol

Hope you all had a great weekend. Sunday we worked on the yard, we mowed and edged then went to the store. And later that day we went for a bike ride. Was so pretty this last weekend it was tab bit cool just like a perfect spring day. And the blue jays seemed to love our fresh mowed yard, we have lot of blue jays here. This was the one hanging out by me when I was getting clothes off the line. So pretty.

Sales this week 5/8-5/14

2011-05-10T10:43:00.000-07:00

I am sorry I did not post sooner but Joanne's has a pretty good sale this week. Michaels dont have a ad but they do have one scrapbook item on sale.
Joannes
They have cricut cart for 29.99
Cricut expesstion or cricut cake 199.99
Martha Stewart party or crafts 25 % off
Michaels
180 page paper stacks 60% off
No ad this week but they have a 40% off reg item at Michaels.com
Hobby Lobby
50% off stickers
50% off scrapbook and paper pads

Pink stamper NSD challenge #12

2011-05-09T19:51:00.000-07:00

I almost did not do this one but thought might as well....lol I hope this will be kinda kid related its something I thought be a good card for my nephews.

Well this is my last post for tonight, I did not do a few of the challenges but I got through most of them. This is the most cards I have made in one day, I felt the presure to...lol Now I have to go and clean a very messy unorganized craft room. Thanks for looking at my NSD projects, I enjoyed it enevn if it was a challenge.

pink stamper NSD challenge #11

2011-05-09T19:36:00.000-07:00

Project using pink, Green, Black

Pink stamper challenge #10

2011-05-09T19:32:00.000-07:00

Layout or project with a pet. I used the moew cart.

Pink stamper NSD challenge #9

2011-05-09T17:40:00.000-07:00

Glitz and glam and glitter
I used glimmer mist, stickles, gems and glitter papers lost of glitz...lol

pink stamper NSD challenge 8

2011-05-09T17:35:00.000-07:00

Somthing summer
I skipped 8 cause of I only worked a few hours saturday on project and sunday I was gone and worked when I got home. So today was the only day I had to work, so all the post I am making today is all the stuff I made today. Need more time in a day...lol

My pink stamper NSD challenge #6

2011-05-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

Whew! am I tired...lol You will have to forgive bad grammer and miss spelling cause I have a lot of post to post super fast. I am not going to add the supply list right now but will add them later tonight. I have to get this up cause we have to run to town and I have to cook and clean up a very beyond messy scrapbook room...lol

Okay now for the post I skiped challnege 4 cause I already had mothers day stuff sent out, challenge 5 I skipped also cause well I have ran out of time...lol But I did get 6 other challenges. Challenge 6 was incorporate a tag in a project I made a card shock I know...lol Thanks for looking.

NSD Challenge 3

2011-05-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

Breast cancer project. This one was a challenge, I made a card. During the time I made it I thought of my grandmother who died 5 months before I was born. She died of breast cancer. Strange how you can miss somebody you never met.

Supplies

Cuttle bug dots

Martha Stewart butterfly stamp

Jolee's by you flowers

Pink ribbon

Marta stewart pearl gem

Dyno label maker

NSD challenge 2

2011-05-07T11:28:00.000-07:00

Make something using kraft paper, that is easy for me cause I use it so much now. I made this card for OWH

NSD Pink stamper challenge 1

2011-05-07T11:20:00.000-07:00

I am running a little behind I woke up late, plus DH did not have to work today. So I am crafting in our office where he is as well. You know how that is when you are sharing a place and they keep looking over at you to see what your doing...lol I am a private scrapper...lol Anyway here is my cup cake card its very simple. I left it blank so I can add the stamp I want to the front when I send it.

Supplies used

Kraft card stock

Sweet treat cart cup cake cut at 2 1/4 inch

Tim holtz distess inks tattered rose and tea dye

DCWV paper from a paper stack

Celebrate it ribbon

For those shopping at Michael's inportant info

2011-05-05T13:55:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share this in case any one who shops at Michael's but is not on there email list. A notice about a Michael's store that had pin numbers stolen. Almost a year ago I was victim of someone stealing my card number( I believe at garden ridge) so I feel this is important to pass on. I was lucky I got all my money back but I caught the use very early. But some of my money was tied up for about two weeks while they did the claim. I took steps to make sure using my card online was safe, I bought very good security software. And do feel safe using my card at some stores but if I shop at garden ridge I will not use my card. Cause right after I used my card there is when all the charges come up. Some places its best to go and get cash to pay, would I still shop at Michael's with my card yes. I have shopped for years with my card and never had anything happen there. So anyone in this area listed might want to check into there accounts. Here is the email from Michael's I got.

Dear Michaels Customer:
Michaels has just learned that it may have been a victim of PIN pad tampering in the Chicago area and that customer credit and debit card information may have been compromised.
In the event that this is a more widespread issue, we are taking the precautionary measure of alerting all of our customers so that they may protect themselves. We recommend immediately contacting your bank and/or credit card company to check for and report any unauthorized charges, as well as seek their advice on how to protect your account in the event that your information has been taken. Additional information is available on the Federal Trade Commission website at
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt150.shtm.
We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may have caused you, and we want you to know that we are working with law enforcement authorities in every way we can to help in the investigation. As always, we thank you for being a Michaels customer.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
John B. Menzer
CEO, Michaels Stores

Another Mother's day card

2011-05-04T11:33:00.000-07:00

Hello hope you having a great Wednesday, just wanted to share another card I made for Mother's day. I just loved this paper so much I had to use more of it...lol This is the card I am sending to my mom, I wont be able to go visit her for Mother's day :( I wish we coul make the drive down. She just got out of the hospital yesterday, she has been sick with the flu and two weeks before that she had been in for a week. She is doing a lot better now, she is on the mend just in time for mother's day. Which is great!

By the way this Saturday May 7th is National Scrapbook Day. I am going to try to join in the fun over at my pink stamper. She always has fun things planned for NSD and you can join in the fun. And I am sure she will have some wonderful give aways. So if your home hop over and join in the fun. I hope I get to, don't know what is planned for Saturday just yet.
Thanks for looking :)
Supplies used:
paper SEI chocalat- cherie
Butterfly- cricut cart sentimental cut at 2 in.
Stickles
prima flower
K & Company; company Gems
celebrate it ribbon
Hero arts stamp set- Month of may

Mother's day card

2011-05-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have not posted any projects lately, I had been working on my craft area. Since we moved in last year...lol yes last year I had been crafting on a 18 x 18 area. It was taken for ever to get anything done. I finally put a small desk in so I have a place to craft. I got it from next door neighbors they had put it out by the curb, I seen it and was thinking huh that make a great little craft desk. Has a pull out keyboard area also which is great double the space but takes up less room. So this was the first project I made on my new desk...lol
This card I made is for my sister is AL. They just got power back on and worrying about going to get cards is the last thing she needs to worry about. There home is still there but they lost some shingles and lost all there food cause of no power for days. But that is minor compared to what some have lost in the storms, my heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones or lost there homes. Makes you thankful for the home you have, even if you gripe about it when its cleaning day.
So about the card I made for her, its not to fancy. I wanted to use chipboard letters so I made some using a cereal box and story book cart. I painted them with making memories paint, but I really piled it on. I wanted it to have texture so I kinda just patted it on once I got it how thick I wanted it I took my hair dyer and dried it a little. I also sprayed glimmer mist on and added some time holtz distress ink. I wish the paint had been a little more darker its so light it does not stand out like I would like but this card did not take to long to make at all. And I love this paper it was 1.99 a sheet but I thought it would make perfect mother's day cards. So thanks for looking.

Supplies used
paper SEI chocalat- cherie
Celebrate it ribbon
Story book cart for MOM
Cereal box...lol
Glimmer mist
Making memories paint-rose petal
Hero arts stamps-month of may

A Royal Wedding

2011-04-29T16:11:00.000-07:00

I got up early this morning to watch the wedding but ended up falling asleep, thank goodness for DVR...lol Wish Diana would have been able to see her son wed, she would have been so proud of him and how he has turned out. The dress Kate picked is so beautiful, it was elegant and timeless. She made a beautiful bride. Anyway so I was looking at photos and ran across this one and I was cracking up I had to share it. Its the big moment were we see the kiss and this little girl does not look happy. I am sure she was covering her ears but the way she looks she looks like she is mad. I wonder if she is thinking how dare she take my prince away....lol

Ps by the way sorry for no post have been working on mothers day and birthday cards. Will be posting very soon.

Well Easter did not go as planned...

2011-04-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

Well we went to east Texas for Easter but thing did not go as planned. I woke up late so that put us off picking my mom up. So my brother went to pick her up. After we got there about 2pm my brother calls and he said he was not going to be able to get mom. The nurses at the nursing home said she had been sleeping all day and could not stay awake. So they said they did not recommend we take her. I was disappointed but what can you do, felt bad she did not get to get out for Easter. Had not seen her since Christmas. And since we went down for Easter and mothers day is in two weeks this was going to be the only trip we could make. But the one good thing was my brother Richard showed up I had not seen him in 6 months so that was nice to visit with him. He was his old self it was great he had us falling over laughing. We was all sitting at the diner table talking about old time as kids growing up and stupid stuff we all did as we are laughing our heads off. I remember looking around the table thinking how much it felt like the old days. I loved it, i miss those days. After a few hours we all started to get ready to leave to make the drive home. And we had to make a stop to drop DH deer head off. Yes deer head he is getting it mounted...lol I will have to look at the poor deer on our wall come Oct. But least it is out of my freezer! hated looking at the horns every time I went out there. So as we leave to make the drive home we get a call we have bad storms coming and they are hitting our town right now.We call neighbor and she said yes its here and next thing you know she says gotta go my fence just went. What! The sirens were going off and the winds was worse than the last storm. So we are two hours from the house and our pets are by them selves and one hates storms she will shake so bad. And about hour and half into our trip we run across the storm. It was pretty ruff, the rain was heavy heavy and the winds was making it hard to drive. A lot of lighting and I hate lighting. So we get home and we see the front everything is fine then we go to the back and other than a ladder that blew near the back door everything was fine. Fence still up shed still there, so everything was all good. But next door her back fence went down. So anyway that was our Easter day. And to top that off my mom called as we getting ready to go home asking where we was and if we was coming to take her out. Really! I am so upset at the nurses for talking my brother into leaving her. Anyway hope everyone elses Easter went better...lol

Happy Easter!

2011-04-23T23:59:00.000-07:00

As I am waiting for my cake to cool just wanted to say Happy Easter, hope everyone has a wonderful day. We will be making a 2 1/2 hour trip down to my family's hate the drive, but all my family is down there now. I am the only city folk in my family now...lol Anyway if all goes well we will be making the trip, Dh not feeling all that great today and if he is still not feeling good Easter morning we will not go and we will have lots of cake for us. Hate to miss out on seeing my mom since she is in a nursing home she dont get out much. I made her a little goody bag with a few of her fav candy. So fingers crossed we are able to go. Well here is the goody bag and after I took the photo I realized I did not clip that ribbon so it has been clipped, its late..lol Happy Easter! And thanks for looking

Earth day and lowes tree give aways

2011-04-22T10:37:00.000-07:00

Our Garden

Well today is earth day, I am sure some people will say what is earth day...lol Its a day you try to do something good for our planet. For me every year on earth day I try to plant, since my garden is already planted and my flowers already planted not much there to do. But I looked at the ad from Lowe's, on Saturday April 23 they will have free trees to give away while supplies last. I may try to get one and plant. They also have tomato's and pepper plants 2/1.00 that is a great deal for those wanting to start a garden.

Tomato plants from lowes 2/1.00

Check home depot as well for earth day deals and give aways. So anyway here are the little ways I try to be earth friendly every day. Maybe this day you can take one idea and use it even a simple thing like using a reusable bag will help. Or plant a free tree from Lowe's.

1. I recycle everything I can, we fill our huge bin with wheels each week to the top. Even put my scrap paper pieces in. I only have about 1 bag of trash each week to put out since I recycle so much.

2. I have reusable bags that I need to remember to take more often. Plastic bags take 100 years to dissolve.

3. Any time I am waiting for the hot water I have a pitcher by the sink so I can use that cold water for plants and cat bowls.

3. I only run the dish washer when its full.

4. When cleaning I have old rags instead of using paper towels.

5. Try to make sure each load of laundry is a full load. And I use cold water unless its sheets and towels.

6. I hang the laundry out to dry any chance I can, what I loved about our house had clothes lines in place already. Took 30 mins to dry one day, faster than the dryer. Yes wont lie its a pain but it saved money makes me happy.

7. We bought a programmable thermostat and in one month it paid for it self. That is one thing I think everyone should have.

8. On days its nice and cool I turn the ac off and open windows, good to let fresh air in anyway.

9. Donate or give away anything that can be used by someone else. Best buy recycles electronics for free.

10. My finale earth friendly thing is start a garden. It takes work but when you can walk out and pick that tomato you want with diner it feels so good to know you grew it. It saves money but most of all its so fresh and fresh is yummy. If you don't have a place for a garden the topsy turvy work pretty good for growing things like bell pepper and tomato's. They have the kind that hang up or one like ours that is on a pole you can grow herbs in that one along with the veggies. The key is use good potting soil. Will post a photo of the topsy turvy soon.

See the littl bell growing on the right side middle

Well that is the small things I do everyday to help conserve. And by the way I am not a hippie lol far from it...lol I don't compost, I do by non organic foods. Just if I can do one thing to help take up less space in the land fills or use less water I want to try to do that. And if its saves us money that is a added plus. Thanks for looking.

My pink Stamper is having a give away

2011-04-21T22:40:00.000-07:00

I wanted to pass this on to anyone reading my blog. Most of you are on My Pink Stamper blog but just in case there are some that are not. Robyn is having a huge give away, you have a chance to win a ........

Yep that my friend is the new cricut expression 2! It goes on sale this Monday on hsn but here is your chance to win one. Know I would love to win one...lol Look for the my pink stamper blinkie on the right side of my blog and that will take you to her blog. Watch hsn Monday night for the cricut launch, my pink stamper will have a live show Monday night as well, Robyn's live shows are so fun. Good luck!

Crafting Mistfit blog hop

2011-04-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

Crafting Misfit blog had a blog hop and the challenge was to try something new. So after I read the post I thought would like to try this. So Lately I have got where I love stamps, thought I have never tried masking with stamps. So this is my first attempt at masking. Was going to make it all masked but wanted the vase and flowers to stand out so I popped up the paper and added ribbon. I liked doing this technique and would like to try it more in the future. Oh and I made a portirt card first time for that as well. Its not perfect I messed up on a few of the stamp images but I have let the need for it to be prefect go...lol Thanks for looking, supplies listed below.

Kraft paper
pop a dot boarder -Stampology Celebrate
Flower and vase- hero arts month of may ( the 1.69 stamps I found)
Flowers for background- Stampendous stamp set May Flowers
Hero arts ploy clear- everyday sayings
White gel pen
Martha Stewart ribbon -putty
Versa mark ink pad
Brown ink pad
Stickles

Micheals and sales 4/17-4/23

2011-04-17T14:00:00.000-07:00

Forgot to post and this will be a a little late but for those that has a Micheals near you they have a 50% off one reg priced item plus a 20% off total pursuce. Those I beleive are today only sunday 4/17. Anyway here are all other sales.
Micheals
40 % off
Iris storage
Jetmax storage
Recollections paper trimmers and punches
Recollection 180 paper packs sale 11.99

Hobby lobby

Joannes

Cricut expresstion 229.99

DCWV paper packs 9.99

They will have a pre easter sale so mark your calender for the 21-23 here is what they will have

Cricut V.1 AKA baby bug 79.99

Cricut carts 39.99

Print and card stock papers 12 x 12 5/.95 Great time to load up...lol

Scrap cart organizer 34.99

Working around the house

2011-04-17T12:32:00.000-07:00

Well this Sunday has been spent working around the house. I got some more flowers planted and DH worked on the roof had a few leaks around vents and sky light. We planted our garden yesterday we planted squash, tomato's, radishes, Green beans, Red and green bell pepper, hot peppers. And today I am going to plant okra. This by far is the biggest garden we have ever had. But when we bought the house what I liked about the yard was it had a huge garden gated off already. We did not use all of the space cause this is the first year we have planted anything so this is what you would call a trial run...lol I will post photos when they start growing good. Here is a picture of one of the flowers that is in our flower bed its so pretty I love this flower.

I will post some photos of the flower bed soon as well. We now have all the flower beds complete this year last year I only finished one and part of one. This year its complete :) , maybe next year we can get the back yard finished. Well thanks for looking, know its not craft related...lol

Weekly sales 04/10-04/16

2011-04-12T21:05:00.000-07:00

Sorry this is late I forgot to post the sale ads. There is really not alot this week to post.

Best deal is Joanne's
They have the cricut carts for 18.99 I am not sure if its close out carts which I am guessing but they are not bad on price.
40 % off Paper crafting mechines and tools
DCWV stacks 9.99

Hobby lobby
30 % off all cricut assceriores, I think that inculdes carts

Michael's
Bazzill paper 2/1.00
clear and wood mount stamps 40 % off
Coupons they have are 5.00 off each 25.00 you spend. They also have normal 40% off as well.

My Pink stamper Blog Hop

2011-04-11T22:14:00.000-07:00

Well little late but better late than never...lol I had planed to post on Sunday night but we had bad storms roll in. We keep losing our power, it was pretty scary. I could not believe the wind it had be lest going 75 mh, Then the hail started the cats did not like that so much..lol I did not like that either. Whats bad is our weather radio is out so when the power was off I had no clue what was going on. Anyway there were three tornado's in other towns and lots of wind damage. We go lucky we did not get any damage that I know of. So enough about the storms...lol Last Friday night was my pink stampers blog hop, wow there were some really pretty projects. The design team is so great, they are so creative. The part that is great is even if you are not one of the designers you can still play along and make projects and post the link, its fun. This months theme was birthday.

So here is my card I made, I wanted it to be simple but I wanted a fancy flower. This card is going to Gene's grandmother I think here birthday is coming up. The big flower is made with the cricut all I did was cut 4 flowers but made then each time one size smaller. Then I curled the ended up and used distress ink on the ends. The other flower on top was made with three different flowers I pieced together to make my owe. I hope it will mail okay if not will save this card for hand mail. All supplies will be listed below. Thanks for looking. Hope over and check out My pink stamper blog hop

Supplies
Anna griffin paper
recollections Boutique Fleur chipsboard alphabet
K&Company Gems spring blossom
Cricut cart designer calendar for big flower cut at 2 inch decress size by 1 each time you cut till you have 4 flowers
Cricut cart for small flower Accent essentials and sweet treats. Combined to make one layered flower.

OWH fathers day card

2011-04-10T16:40:00.000-07:00

As promised here is one design of fathers day cards I have made so far. You know I am not a very patriotic person I don't fly the flag outside our home. Not that I don't love our country, I was so blessed to have been born here. But no matter if I fly the flag the one thing I support is the troops who serve our country. And when I hear of loss and the person who served our country and there story's, it brings tears to my eyes. I have such honor for them, and what the gave and what there family's gave. My brother was in the first gulf war he came back he was different when he came back but he came back we were lucky. My dad was in Vietnamm he served years, he come home as well. But some family's are not so lucky. We found out a few days ago that DH dad lost a cousin in Afghanistan on March 31 2011. I think he was a second or third cousin but still its there family. DH did not ever meet him and that is sad being he was kin. He was so young only 23, he was from GA. His name was Jeremy Faulkner , his funeral was Saturday in Ga., cant imagine what his mom and dad are going through. I am sure they are so very very proud of there son, but their hearts heavy with sorrow. Now when I make more cards for OWH I will think of him. If making a simple card for someone serving helps even in the tiniest way I am glad to do something to honor those serving our conntry. Makes me want to send so many cards any chance I get. If you would like to leave a message to the family on the funeral home web page here . I am sure they would love all the support they can get. Thanks you.

OWH and where I have been

2011-04-07T22:35:00.000-07:00

Sorry have not posted any new projects in a week. The last few days have been busy. I have been working on operation write home cards. If you dont know about them you should check them out. They supply cards for service men and women over seas, so they will have cards to send home for holidays or just a card to write home. They have to get cards way ahead since they will will takes 3 weeks to get to them. So right now I am working on Fathers day cards they ship them May 21st. I really have enjoyed making them. Wish I could make them more but budget wise I cant make them all the time in bulk. Note that if you want to make cards for OWH they have deadlines so check before you start making them. But they do need other cards all year round like love, missing you, thinking of you,birthday, thank you, and blank cards.
So besides making cards we have been working on my computer. DH keep telling me we need to update your computer. So finally I said okay, he likes building computers. Its his hobby...lol So now I have a new system, seems faster. And after fighting it for a while I updated my system to windows 7. I will be lost for two weeks on where everything is but oh well....lol Lest its faster and I have a bigger hard drive, and he is happy now..lol. I am still loading programs back on. I loaded my photo shop today, you notice the banner?...lol My atemped at making my own banner lol, I wanted something smaller. Anyways I will post the fathers day cards next post, thanks for stopping by.

Wondering?

2011-04-05T13:05:00.000-07:00

You know as I was crafting late last night I got to wondering, I wondered what time everyone is at there most creative? I find I am most creative at night, I have no idea why. Maybe its because I am not thinking about the laundry and cleaning and what are we having for dinner. It seems like even if I set time a side to craft during the day either I get phone calls or have to much to do I cant even get my creative juices flowing. So for me I am most creative at night, unless I do get a good night sleep and wake up super early. Which is hard when you have insomina. On days I do wake up rested I find I want to go craft for just a little bit, helps to if I have a fresh clean craft area to work in. Which is not that clean to much...lol Well I would love to hear everyone else's most creative and favorite times to craft. Maybe I am normal...lol sometimes think I am the only one up at 1:30 am finishing up a card.