Alone time, penguin tag and pandora!

 I had some alone time today...that hasn't happened for a LONG time, and so I took advantage and created a few tags for Christmas. I cranked up Pandora and listened to a bunch of boy bands (geeky, yes I know), but totally fun!!   I used distress inks, a cute penguin stamp from the dollar bin, along with the snowflake stamps, colored them with my copics and tied with ribbon, (I'm going to change out this ribbon, it doesn't match).  I inked the edge and embossed with white powder, I love the way that turned out!  

I totally had most of the day to myself.  <3 it!  Ash is in AZ for a basketball tourney and the husband is in training for his new job!! Hallelujah!  I SO needed some time to decompress, to have no one asking me questions or needing something from me.  I have totally enjoyed it and now that the husband is working, I think I will have a little more time to myself...( I know that sounds bad...lol) but it is needed.

Here is my cute Ash...all suited up for the game!!  She is totally having fun with it and loves the game, and I totally love watching her play!!

The husband is home now and I rented a few movies from redbox, so I think I'll get in my pj's, grab some snacks and snuggle up for some entertainment!

Challenge:
Crazy 4 Challenges-snow

My Heart Smiles!

It's been while since I've posted anything, been busy, computer has been in the shop,etc, etc.  But, I did get this layout done and have to say that I LOVE it!!!  I did a photo collage of my kids and then slapped it on this gorgeous paper, made some paper flowers, used those gotta have tiny type letter stickers from Cosmo Cricut and done.  Sorry, the pic is a little wonky, my camera is starting to crap out on me too...ugh, such is life sometimes, when one thing goes, it seems like other things follow. 

Love these kids though and am so proud of them! They are the greatest blessing in my life! 

The journaling says "These faces make my heart smile"

I need a refresher course

Holy cow, this layout took me a LONG time, which is not good considering it was a template. Ugh, I definitely need to go back through my lessons over and over again, cuz obviously, I didn't retain much of what I learned.


This picture was taken last month.It's crazy how fast your kids grow up, one minute you're changing diapers, chasing toddlers, first day of Kindergarten, etc, etc.............. then before ya know it, one of them is an adult and the other one is on the verge of getting her drivers license. All I can say, is that I'm going to try and cherish every moment I have with them, enjoy spending time and be grateful for the great kids that they are.   :)

Can we get real for a minute?

I'm having an emotional/mental shift and I'm not sure what is going to come from it, but I'm thinking and hoping that this shift is the beginning of a new me, or maybe not new, but better. A me that is more accepting of myself, a me that can look in the mirror and see the extra 20 lbs and love myself anyway,  a me that is ok with just being a normal average 40 year old woman. A me that wants to be better and improve in a lot of different areas in my life.

  I want to spend more time scrapping and creating.  Am I ever going to be Martha? Not in this life, but I can be the Martha of my life.

I want to run, and do it with ease and joy.  Am I ever going to be a marathon runner?  Maybe!!  But if not, that's alright with me, as long as I am running and being consistent...I consider that a WIN!

I want to bake more.  Will I ever be Bakerella? I WISH!!  She's just plain cool!! But, I can bake and create memories with my daughter (who wants to be the next Cake Boss!)

Will I ever be Amanda from Kevin and Amanda (who is living my dream life btw!)  Taking gorgeous pictures and traveling all over, plus eating all the wonderfully sinfully looking cupcakes, cookies, brownies and staying as skinny as she is!  How does she do that?  Amanda, if by some small miracle you ever read this, please...do tell!!
I just love her!

Will I ever be a Jessica Sprague?  I don't think I have enough life ahead of me to learn all that she knows...she freakin ROCKS!!

I guess the point of this post is just for me to get some thoughts out of my head and realize that I don't have to be Martha, or a marathon runner, Bakerella, Amanda, or Jessica, but as long as I am trying and DOING something to progress in the areas of life that matter to me, then I won't be just a normal, average 40 year old woman!  I will be creating my own persona and reaching my own potential, and my potential isn't going to look like or be like anyone else.  That's the beauty of life and of us as individuals.  So, I'm not going to compare myself to anyone else. I'm just going to strive to live my best life and be the best me that I can be!

Celebrate

I'm slowly coming out of slackerdom, and created a card and a decoration for my daughter's friend who just turned 16.  Ash put this huge cupcake on her friend's locker at school, we put magnets on the back so it could be on the outside and everyone in the whole school would know it was her birthday!

The cupcake was made from the Rock Princess cartridge using my cricut, then I just outlined the frosting part with a white galaxy marker, put some big blingy gems on it and done! 

This celebrate card was made using a frame from Monster Love SVG set, I think from lettering delights, the word celebrate was from that same set.  I used gem flourishes, embossed and inked the white background with a script embossing template from cuttlebug.  The flowers were from a punch, I layered them a couple times and put a gem in the middle. The borders are a fiskers punch.  The gems, were clear, and I just colored them with my copics!!!  Very cool!  The background papers are from doodlebug.

I'm entering the following challenges.

Glitter Geeks-flowers
Anything Goes
Papertake-Use 3 different shapes
Crafty Cardmakers- Anything Goes
Card Cupids-decorative punch
Sentimental Sundays-Anything Goes

Card Challenge

I made this birthday card for the following challenges.   Birthday Sundaes and Cupcake Inspirations 

The cupcake was cut using my cricut and the Home Decor cartridge for the cupcake.  The small letters are Cosmo Cricket tiny type in blue and pink.

Something Wicked This Way Comes!

I made this card, it's just simple, but I think it's kinda cute. I love the little frankenstein guy, he was a stamp I picked up at the dollar bin along with the sentiment stamp. I stamped him a few times and tried a few different color combinations, I liked the purple and green alot.  I embossed the sentiment and colored it with my copics.

I used doodlebug pattern paper, EK notebook border punch, twine, flower, button, ribbon and spattered the background with black acrylic paint watering down. I just used an old toothbrush.  I think I'll make a couple more cards like this but with the different colors!

I'm entering the following challenges:

Crazy 4 Challenges -Halloween
Glitter Geeks-

When did this happen???

At the DMV, getting her learner's permit to drive!  Holy cow, I knew this day was coming, but certainly wasn't ready for it.  It's such a milestone and another step to growing up and finding some independence.  She was so excited and I do have to say that she did a pretty good job at driving home.  I know that every time we get into the car from now on, she's gonna wanna be sitting behind the wheel.  I definitely have mixed feelings about this, but it's life, and part of life is growing up! 

So...it's been awhile

since I've done anything. I've been stressed out the WAH-ZOOOOO, I've been just surviving the day and getting by.  I'm done with that.  Life is too short to be stressed over things I don't have any control over.  I've felt a slap in the face and it's been a wake up call.  I need to focus on the things in life that I actually do have control over and basically that just means me.

I have control over me, that's it.  I don't have control over anything or anyone else.  So, if I complain about something that I have control over, but I'm not doing a dang thing about...then that is MY BAD.  I can't change the economy, or get my husband a steady, higher paying job, I can't make my kids do all the right things and make all the right choices, they need to learn some things out for themselves, and I can't change things that have happened in the past, even if that past was just recently. I can't magically make the 20 lbs that I lost and regained disappear without some good old fashioned hard work and self control.

I can only change myself, my attitude, my outlook and my actions.  I struggle with being positive, not that I'm negative, however, I tend to stay right in the middle. I tend to just look at things the way they are and that is that.  I'd like to think that I dwell above that line for most of the part, I just don't get too overly excited about things or too overly down about things.  I do however, STRESS.  And I'll just end up making myself sick and tired and my stressing isn't going to change the situation either way.  My attitude though, might just change everything.  At least change my perspective and my outlook and give me the strength to not just survive the day, but LIVE it!

I hope all of you LIVE.  Live today like it's on purpose, enjoy the day...even if it's not the best one.  LIVE....... don't just survive. The day is going to happen regardless of anything else, how we choose to see it and spend the time we have will determine if we are LIVING or surviving.  

Hmmm....I wonder if LIVE should have been my one little word!!!  ;)


Happy Friday!!

Friends

Ashlie and Kaela have been friends since they were about 3 years old. Kaela's family lived right next to my mom and dad, and when we would come up from Vegas for a visit, we would get the girls together to play. Well, when we moved back to Utah a few years later they continued their friendship and  they've stayed friends even though they've had a few ups and downs.  I have several pictures of them together and pics of them every year on the first day of school.  It's great to have a someone that you've been friends with for a long time and can be yourself with.  These two girls had a sleep over when these pictures were taken and were totally goofy and having a blast.   I hope they continue to stay friends for the rest of their lives and value the friendship they have.

This layout was a Friday Photoshop lesson from Jessica Sprague.  

Hope you all have a happy Labor Day weekend!!!

For a sweet baby girl

I made this card based on the color challenge over at Birthday Sundaes with the colors pink, green, white, and using neutrals.  The digi stamp is from Bugaboo Stamps, soooo cute!  This card is going to a lady in my neighborhood who just had a baby girl.

I'm entering these challenges:  Pals Paper Arts-CAS with rounded corners
Paper Crafting Journey-Anything Goes
Cupcake Inspirations-Image
Joyful Stamper (Inspire Me Fridays)-anything



So, I'm trying to cut back on my diet coke habit....I've only had two 44ozers since last Monday, and I'm trying to only have it on Saturdays..........but I can honestly say that I've got such a craving for one right this minute that I don't know if I can wait until tomorrow.......ACK!  I can literally taste it, I want that sweet bubbly goodness RIGHT NOW!!!   Have any of you tried to kick a habit?  It's dang hard....what did you do to succeed?  Or, at least cut back significantly?  Any tips, hints, or ideas would be appreciated!!  ;)


Ok, I'm off to start my day...yeah, it's already almost 11:00, I've been up since 6:30, but haven't gotten much done yet. So, off the pc and on to errands and chores!  Happy Friday everyone!!

Two Cute Girls!

Just posting a quick digi layout I did with the help of Jessica Sprague and her Photoshop Friday series.  This is of Ashlie and Shelby (my step-daughter), we are so lucky, grateful, and blessed that these girls get along and actually really like each other.  Shelby was with us for a week during the summer and these girls became fast friends.  This was really the first real time they had spent together since the wedding, they are only 1 day apart, and have a lot in common.....especially their like of boys!!  Good thing "the husband" has a shotgun handy!!  ;)

LIfe Is GOOD!!!

Life right now, after quite a few days of emotional panic.....is good!!  Ash had been in Vegas for 3 weeks with her dad and for a few days thought about staying and going to school there.  Well, that would have put me into a complete panic, and I actually was, until I got her home last night and registered for school this morning.  Ahhhh, now I can breathe and be at peace with the knowledge that she is here and is staying here!!  Yay! 

Here is the card I made for a challenge or two.  This is a color challenge from Frosted Designs, you had to color on your card, layout, or project.  So, I colored this cute digi stamp from Bugaboo Stamps with my copics, and used pattern paper from Bo Bunny Ad Lib line. I'm going to enter into a few challenges, which I will link up tomorrow!

Fairy and Frog!

Another card using the cute image from Some Odd Girl, I think she is adorable!!   I still need to add a sentiment, not sure what yet.

  I love that black flower pattern paper from Doodlebug, they are so stinkin cute and come in lots of yummy colors, the other side is striped, so can be used for a variety of looks. I colored the images with copics, still trying to get the shading down, but having fun and wish I could have every single color!!

Birthday Fishes

                                                        Made this card for a few challenges, it's a SVG set from Lettering Delights, they have some really cute stuff!  You should go check it out!

 Birthday Sundaes challenge 19- based on this photo
 

 

 
Frosted Designs-Circles, the fish and eyes...I think that counts, yes? ;)

Inspire Me Fridays-Anything Goes

Paper Cutz-Under the Sea

Crafting for all Seasons-Beach/Ocean

Dutch Dare Card Challenges-#123 Birthday Time

Papercraft Star #55 Anything Goes

Scrapbook Sisters #45 Happy Birthday

The Cutest Little Notecards EVER!

So,one night I sat up and made about 25 of these cute little guys. I used Jin's tutorial over at Under A Cherry Tree and used a Lettering Delight doodlebat.  I think they turned out super cute!  I used up a lot of scrap paper and made some girly ones and some boyish ones.

On too a personal note....I'm heading to Vegas tomorrow for the day to spend some time with this kid. It's time for some mother/son bonding. Plus, the kid just broke up with his girlfriend of over a year and he's a little bummed. He's ok with the decision, just feels bad for hurting her.  He's such a good kid, and even though he's in a hard time right now, I actually did a happy dance when he said he broke up with her...as a mother, I just didn't feel that she was right for him or a good influence, (I can put that here, cuz he doesn't read my blog).  Anyway, I'm looking forward to spending time with him, and maybe we might just hit Retro Bakery again for some gourmet cupcakes!!!  ;)

Challenges

I made this card for a several different challenges. I think it turned out super cute!  This is the first time I've used a digi image from Some Odd Girl, and I think she is adorable!  The frog was a clear stamp from the dollar bin, I used some pattern paper from my scraps, some green twine and my fiskars border punch.  The inside will say something like "hope your day is magical," I still have to add the inside sentiment.  I added clear stickles to the wand and her wings although it's hard to tell from the pictures.

             

  

These are the challenges I've entered.

Birthday Sundaes-anything goes

Cupcake Inspirations #119-

My Favorite Things-sketch

Are these not just the cutest? I followed Jin's tutorial over at Under A Cherry Tree and used lettering delights with my cricut to make these shaped cards.  I made like 20 of them, I figured I could put 4 or 5 together and give them as a small gift.  I made elephants too...I'll post them next time!!

Christmas in July

I think sometimes when the funk hits, maybe part of the reason is because I'm so far behind that it's easier (for the moment) to just ignore all the stuff that needs to be done and caught up on. Hmmm, something I'll have to think on and organizing/time management is something that needs serious consideration!  I spend too much time just being unproductive and that is never good for motivation. 

So, for now, I'm glad for quick and easy.  That's where these layouts come in...they were done using quick pages! Yay for quick pages! ;)   I did add some extra embellishments and of course the journaling, but sometimes, just to get back into a groove, you've got to get stuff done, get it off the table and put away nice and neat like!

CARDS!

Yay!! I finally made some cards and I'm hoping I'm outta my funk and can find some mojo.  I just stamped the owl and tree limb and made 7 different cards. The stamps are from Unity.  They aren't super detailed, just clean and simple, but I tend to do more simple than anything.

This first card is for the challenge over at Birthday Sundaes. It's using orange, white and green.  The other cards, I just made because I figured while I'm at it, why not make several at the same time!!

Crazy Girls

This page was a digi template from Jessica Sprague, a tutorial on how to make clipart into a brush, (the pointy hand is the clipart/brush). It's a pretty cool technique and I'm really wanting to get back into learning photoshop.


I've taken a break from anything creative, not that I want to, but it's that unmotivated stress thing that has sapped any desire to do anything. I'm hoping that little phase is over and I can really find motivation to be productive.  I feel so much better when I'm actually using my time wisely, instead of stagnating like a couch potato.  I thought I'd slowly jump back into it, hence the digi template.  This picture is of my daughter and her friend, they are so goofy together and have a ton of fun. 

Ok, I actually think that I might make a card now....I guess once you start doing something, it really does help bring back some mojo!!! 

Happy Saturday! :)

Really bad funk

Have you ever gone through times where you just have no motivation?  No desire to do anything other than get through the day?  Been weepy and emotional for any reason and no reason at the same time?  Man....I've had about a month of feeling like this and I'm really not sure why.  Maybe I'm hormonal?  Don't know.  Then, I thought for about a few days that maybe I was pregnant and that threw  me into a whole other panic, (I'm not....whew).   Whatever was going on and for whatever reason, I think I'm on my way back to somewhat normal.  I'm not an over emotional person to begin with and the fact that I would get teary several times a day at the drop of a hat was pretty strange. 

I haven't kept up on blogging and when I would check other blogs and try to leave a comment, it wouldn't let me leave one, so in my unmotivated funk, I just kinda gave up for a little bit.  I did receive a couple of blog awards from some really sweet ladies, Thank you!! 

I haven't really put much effort into scrapping or making cards lately........but, I did play with my MTC and cricut and make a bunch of shaped cards, some penguins and some elephants, and a thank you card.  I forgot to take pics of my penguins and elephants and my child now has my camera for the next couple weeks...ack.  Well, if you've ever checked out Jin's blog UNDER A CHERRY TREE, I was using her tutorials to make those cards.  They were fun and kinda took a little effort on my part, it takes me awhile to figure things out, so I made like 25 of each!!  I'll post pics in a couple weeks when I get my camera back.   For now, here is the thank you card I made using the cricut, MTC and Jin's tutorial. 

I love the frame, so pretty! Then I just used rub on letters, flowers and some bling for the centers.  The pp is some I've had forever and can't remember which company it's from.

Alright, I'm off to the mall, the husband is getting itchy to get out of the house. Happy Saturday!!!

Some happy time!

I have most of today by myself, and it seems like forever since I've any time whatsoever, in my house, with my things............by myself.  So, after my daughter headed to Vegas for the weekend and with my husband doing National Guard stuff, I thought I would really try to get some scrapping done.  I can tell I haven't created in a while, cuz this layout....um...I don't love it. While I love scrappin pictures of my daughter, I had a totally different idea in my head for this picture and what came out on paper ....wasn't it.  OH well, at least it's done right? 

I did this layout, based on the colors over at Cupcake Inspirations challenge blog.  I thought a lot of bright colors would compliment the black and white picture. 

Here is the layout.  Ash was lucky to spend a weekend with her cousin in Vegas a couple years ago.  Her aunt and cousin invited her to go to a Miley Cyrus concert and spend the day shopping, eating, getting manicures and makeovers...............spoiled child!  ;)   This picture was taken at Serendity Cafe where they had frozen hot chocolate. YUM!

So, yeah with all my free time today...this was about all I got done as far as scrapping stuff, and the colors are a little wonky.....ugh.   

 I think I'm going to read while I have some quiet time, or play Gardens of Time....  :D    If anyone plays and wants a neighbor...let me know!!! 

Monday Challenge!

I'm not sure why I'm on a Happy Birthday card kick lately, other than you can never have too many birthday cards.  Someone, somewhere is always having a birthday!!!  The koala is from the Create A Critter cart, I used scraps from my stash, the black border is fiskars, I used flowers, some bling for the centers of the flowers, the Happy Birthday sentiment is from a 7Gypies stamp.  I popped up the koala with 3D Glue Dots.  I'm not sure if it needed something else, but I figured I'd leave it as is. 

I'm entering this in these challenges

My Craft Spot

KB Cute Monday

Make It Monday

Happy Birthday

I put this card together for my step-daughter who will be 21 in a couple days.  I used a free digi stamp, can't remember where I found it, but it sure is cute!  I used copics and prisma pencils, stickles, white enamel accents, glossy accents and the background was a doodlebug card with the matching envelope...I love those cards, so dang cute and the perfect base to build upon!

I didn't enter into any challenges, right now I'm too dang tired to look up which ones will fit this card, maybe next time.

I hope everyone is ok, especially those who are in the areas that have been hit with tornado's, flooding, wildfires, and other crazy scary things going on.  Please stay safe and be careful.

A Simple Happy Birthday

My Ash and I made this simple birthday card for her friends birthday. Well, actually I made it, and she picked the colors and which image to use.  She chose the snail from Create a Critter. The grass is from a strip of green cardstock and I used Martha Stewart scissors to cut the blades...I think it turned out cute!  The sun is from a flower that I had made and just cut the excess off.  I'm entering this into the following challenges.

Birthday Sundaes 

Craft Your Passion

Cupcake Craft

Incy Wincy Designs

lexi's Creations

Make it Monday

My first Cricut Award

Thanks to Traci over at Cricutjunkie for this award, you should definitely go check out her blog...she's got some super talent!

Now on to the rules. Your Blog has been deemed Cricut-tastic! Wear this Badge proudly on your Blog share it with friends! Since Cricut is 5 years old and they have an E2 out share this award with 10 people that you think have Cricut-tastic Blogs! You also have to tell 5 Cricut Related things about yourself

1. I started out with a baby bug and when I upgraded I gave the baby to my mom.

2.  I was taking my Expression with me to a crop and dropped it.....(gasp)  Yeah, it was broken. Luckily my mom and dad went in half with me to replace it.  (thanks mom & dad)

3.  I only have 11 cartridges and want them all!!  ;)

4.  I used the cricut to make the cutest basketball signs for my daughters school team.

5.  My favorite cart right now is Create a Critter....now I just need to get those punny stamps to go with it!

I'm passing this award along to these blogs....I follow a ton of blogs and am going to try to find ones that haven't received this award yet.  I hope I can find 10 before I have to actually get back to work!  ;)

1.Rexann at http://ibecircled.blogspot.com/

2.  Cheryl at http://pinkandpaper.blogspot.com/

3.  Faith Abigail at http://www.faithabigaildesigns.com/

4.Patty-http://creativediva98.blogspot.com

5.Kris-http://creationsbykris-kris.blogspot.com/

6.Jalisa-http://www.patchesofpink.com/

7.Mintas Creations-http://mintascreations.blogspot.com/

Ok..I know that's not 10 but that's all I have time for, and I really need to get back to work..It's been fun and I hope you all check out these ladies and their blogs, they do amazing work!!

 

check out these giveaways!

Cards by Kerri is having blog candy too, here is what she is giving away!

So go check out these blogs and enter for a chance to win!  Plus these ladies have some really fun projects for inspiration.

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And this giveaway over at Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons

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And another one!!  This one is over at Michele's blog Thoughts of a Cardmaking Scrapbooker!  She is giving away both of these cartridges, so 2 winners!!!  One cart is for the imagine for those of you who have that cricut...so go check it out and enter the giveaway!  Good luck! :)

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