Chocolate Chips and Coffee

Wedding Album

2011-12-11T23:17:00.003-06:00

Well...this is an 8 x 8 wedding album that I made for a friend back in October. I used my new Epson 1100 to print these very cool graphic files I purchased from Moonbeam1212's Rosy Glow and Petal Wings at Jaguarwoman.com. What fabulous eye candy is found at that site! You've gotta go and see! I did print and cut roses and butterflies on each page and then pop dotted them for embellishments. For the front and back covers, I used acrylic sheets and engraved a monogram onto the front using my awesome KNK Maxx. It did a spectacular job. I found the "filler" lines for the inside of the monogram in the Make the Cut gallery. There is a small little glitch that didn't engrave. I left it as it was, but if I do this again...which I'm sure I will since its so cool and a breeze with my handy dandy Maxxer...I will design my own filler lines because as I've seen since, it is pretty easy to make. Bound it with my Cinch...so easy, it cut like butter, even the plexiglass. Wah-Lah. Decided to forgo the ribbon on the binding wire. The bride isn't for all the frilly girlie stuff. I left it so that she can put her own pics in it too. The simpler the better. Ü

So here you go...some pics I took of this fun project.

A "Quick" Wedding Card...

2011-11-12T17:15:00.001-06:00

...Sure! Ha! Here we go again. I knew about the wedding well before hand. So the planning started as to what I wanted to make...in my head. The night before...yep...I start designing it in my Make the Cut software. The DAY of the wedding, 2 hours before the wedding, I get ready to cut it out using my awesome KNK Maxx. Well, so I started to, but then I decided to change the design a little. Now we are down to 45 minutes before the wedding. My hubby has to get there early because he's an usher, and comes in the room and asks if he should go to the store and pick up a card. Ha! FUNNY GUY!!! No. Now my plan is, cut it all out, get changed quick, go to the ceremony, come home right after, put it together, stuff some cash in it and put it in an envelope, and go. Whew. So run home I did and put it together before the reception. Then I came downstairs to show my dearest hubby my new creation and waved it in front of him and exclaimed..."there...I saved you $2.50"!!! hehehe. He didn't laugh. Blahahaa!

KNK Denver Retreat...and Happy 30th Wedding Anniversary!

2011-09-06T00:11:00.006-05:00

What a weekend!!! Ü

In May, I told my hubby that when my Cricut "dies"...which it has to get used more often than it does for that to happen...and then when my "back-up" Expression dies following the first...that I had found my next machine. The 15" KNK Maxx. And I knew who I wanted to buy it from--Sandy McCauley the most dedicated, generous, knowledgeable rep ever! So to my surprise he says "If it will do everything you want it to do...then get it! Happy Anniversary"!!! How could I argue with that? He wanted to get something really nice for our 30th Anniversary. I did drag my feet just a teenie bit, but decided I better go with it before he changes his mind. ;) So in June, I joined the proud group of people that now owns a beautiful and powerful cutting machine.

Now, I did notice that there was a KNK retreat lead by that awesome dealer of mine in Denver CO...but it was on the very weekend of our 30th anniversary. So my mind went to scheming on how I could convince my dear man that we were taking a small vacation to Denver...and "Oh yeah, I'll be in class all weekend". Yep...so I dropped it and didn't even mention it. There were going to be other retreats.

Well....Sunday August 7th changed all that. An email from Sandy stated that there was good news and bad news regarding the retreat in Denver. Good News: There were just a few more spots open for the retreat for anyone interested and Chad from Accugraphics was going to be there all weekend and he was bringing with him the new KNK cutting machine, the Zing. Bad News: This was going to be Sandy's LAST retreat of it's kind!!! NO!!! I need to go yet!! So without delay, I informed my best bud of a hubby about what the class is all about, gave him my reasons of why I needed to go...to insure our investment in this excellent machine was going to benefit us in the long run. I told him I knew it can cut more than paper, and I could learn it by watching those great videos Sandy made, and lots of investigating on the internet. But this retreat was going to be the boost of information I need to jump start me. To have both of the guru's of Klic-N-Kut in one room, teaching all weekend. I have to go!! So after putting the cost on paper, and telling dh that I think it would be best that I should go alone because I don't want to miss one minute of class...he said "If this is something you really want to do and can make it happen, then make it happen. Happy Anniversary"!!! WHAT??!! The machine was my anniversary gift, and now this? There is no way I could get him anything close to that as a gift....maybe he considered my being away was his gift...LOL!! Anyhow, needless to say, everything fell into place within 24 hours.

So Friday Sept 2nd I boarded the plane and flew by myself for the first time. Well, just getting to the airport was a feat in itself. The very same time as I set out to leave for my 90 minute commute to Milwaukee, the weather decided to kick in with 70-80 mile an hour wind gusts. I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE! Semi's were swerving in the wind. Rain was coming down hard, cars were going slow...I had to get to the airport! I wondered if I was going to see my first tornado. But not like this!! I wanted to be in a safe place to see my first tornado...not on a highway! So trying to use a sound mind, and as I was listening to the radio station keeping me updated on the storm. There were no tornado warnings, it was a straight wind front going through really fast. Watching for the best time to pass semi's was my mission. I waited until there was some sort of wind break, line of trees or hillside, and then I would take my shot and hammered pass those large moving obstacles. I did that for about 40 minutes, and then there was clear sailing. I did hear about 10 minutes after I got out of my county that a semi trailer did flip over on the highway. Thank goodness they were behind me.

Okay...fast forward to the retreat. I got to the meet and greet a little late, but I was there! Ü What a great time! What a room full of talent!!!! Words can't express the fun we had. The learning...my head did explode by 7:30 pm Saturday night. I would do it again though! I got a wonderful welcome from Sandy...it was like we had known each other for a long time. Oh and then there was Lynn...the master of organization and skills of all types of media!! Such a wonderful lady. She even arranged for Linda, who is equally fabulous, sweet and generous, to stop at the Container Store and pick me up a couple of plastic containers for my blades and blade holders and surprise me with them on Sunday. Judy and Cherrie and all their hard work in coordinating the retreat with Sandy. Millie, Ouiszee, and Helen, oh my...you ladies are an inspiration! Thanks to Andrea, my table partner. She put up with my fidgeting as my daughter calls it. I hope she loves MTC!! Big thanks to Linda and Kim who kept checking on me to see if there was something I wanted to cut. I hated that I couldn't bring my machine and had to rely on everyone else's. I tried to get Chad to let me keep the Zing...didn't work. He didn't even let me carry it into the airport after we were dropped off by the hotel shuttle. Guess he didn't like the look in my eyes! LOL Oh and a BIG THANK YOU to Sandy, Chad and Elina....they decided to leave the hotel and get to the airport really early and we got to share the shuttle ride together. I got to pick their brain just a tiny bit more! SCORE!

So here are a few pics I took off my cell...I'm really terrible at taking pictures with that thing.

The ZING!

LYNN: the Ultimate Crafty Lady!

Luv her!!

CHAD helping attendee's with MTC

ANDREA: playing with her new MTC program Ü

SANDY teaching us the Tippity-Tip of the iceberg!!!

♥ Thanks Sandy!!!! ♥

The Nugget Boxes that I made for everyone.

These were made with MTC and my Maxx!

Oh what a FUN weekend! Ü I'm so happy I had that opportunity!

Another GREAT SALE AT DIGI SCRAP KITS by TRINA CLARK!

2011-08-11T22:25:00.001-05:00

Trina Clark does it again with a wonderful sale on her sweet CLIP ART!
All sets are 88¢!!! You can't go wrong with these beautiful files. And best of all, they work awesome with Make The Cut! Bring the images in with a pixel trace, or break it into layers and piece it together to make a dimensional design on your scrapbook page or card. She has hundreds of fun artwork on her site...and at that price, it won't hurt your pocket book! ENJOY! Ü

Digi Scrap Kits

AMAZING THINGS HAPPENING OVER AT MAKE THE CUT!!

2011-07-25T00:18:00.001-05:00

Have you heard??!!! Make The Cut V. 3.3.2 has been released and is now available for download! It is OUTSTANDING!

Andy and company have outdone themselves and added some very COOL features to this version. Truly brilliant and easy to use. And if you love Lettering Delights Graphic Art and SVG's, MTC has integrated the ability to access your SVG's right from the software. Again...BRILLIANT! There are many other new features I haven't even touch yet...so I'm off to play, and hopefully I'll have something completed to share here. Ü

If you were on the fence about MTC...jump across already and join us. LOL You won't be disappointed. And at this great price, it is so worth the investment. And remember, Andy doesn't charge for updates. Donations are completely up to you! Isn't that terrific Customer Service?!!? So if you want to go straight over to buy, this link will take you right to the order form. (again...Ü)

ONE DAY ONLY!!! 40% OFF At MYGRAFICO.com

2011-07-13T20:48:00.008-05:00

One day only...tomorrow July 14th, MYGRAFICO.com will be having a BIG SALE--40% OFF! Don't miss this deal on some fantastic must have SVG Files, Digi Paper Paks, Printables, and Clipart. 40%!!! WOW!! Click HERE to get your deals! Enjoy! Ü
Just look at a few of these adorable sets!

If you want to become an Affiliate too...just click follow this link:
Webmasters Earn Money Here!

Calling For MYGRAFICO Affiliates!

2011-07-10T00:04:00.008-05:00

Do you like graphics for digi scrapbooking, card making and print and cut. Maybe SVG files for cutting with MTC or SCAL. How about digi paper packs or digi stamps? MYGRAFICO.com has all of that. Besides they have just started taking applications for AFFILIATES! YAY! Click on the button below to take a look at what they offer...and if you like, click HERE to sign up for Affiliate opportunities. Ü

SVGCuts 3D Alphabet SVG Kit

2011-06-25T10:42:00.004-05:00

Now you can use your cutting machine and Make The Cut! to create custom word art for your home! Create baby names and kids' names for childrens' rooms or create your last name for your family room. Spell out any word to go with any theme in your kitchen or TV room.

Spell out a team name for your favorite sports fan or create just one embellished letter representing your last name for your living room. They also make fabulous gifts!

Your download includes everything you need to make all 26 letters of the alphabet using any mat size! Even 6x12 mat users can create up to 5.5" tall letters and 12x12 mat users can create letters up to 6.5" tall. 12x24 mat users can even create letters up to 11" tall if using 12x24 paper. Letters shown in photos are 6.5" tall. You can get them by clicking right HERE. Pick up this awesome set today!!! Ü

Free SVG File– 06.15.11 – Step Right Up Caption

2011-06-24T12:38:00.003-05:00

Here's another Freebie from SVGcuts! Use this file with your Make The Cut! software program to add a bit of fun to your layouts or cards. Actually this would be so cute to cut it out of vinyl and put it on a stepping stool for a kiddie! They have AWESOME files and well as video tutorials!

Thanks SVGCuts for another little nugget!

Free SVG File – Sure Cuts A Lot – 06.15.11 – Step Right Up Caption

MTC and SVG CUTS Peony Cottage SVG Kit

2011-06-11T01:50:00.004-05:00

Oh my...when I saw this file, I had to have it!!! It's so darn CUTE! I made it for my 7 year old great-niece Kamiko. She had a dance recital last weekend and I missed it. So I thought about this new kit I bought from SVGCUTS.com and decided to make it and fill it with goodies. I think she'll like it. Hopefully her 20 month old brother doesn't love it to pieces...literally! Here's the link for the kit:

PEONY COTTAGE SVG KIT

It was super easy to make using my MTC software. This tutorial is so well done! I love it. I first printed out the directions, it has all the sizes and paper type (solid or patterned) printed under the pic of each piece. I just imported each piece onto my Make the Cut! mat, and cut everything out on my cutter. Inked edges and then followed Mary's video for assembly on their website. Super, SUPER Easy! (did I say that already??) I want to make myself one...for what, I have no idea. But it's so darn CUTE...I think I said that already too! LOL You can easily customize your design for each season, just by changing your paper choices. This file is so ingenious! Great Job Mary Rudakas!! There's a few more fun files that I purchased and will have to make asap. Maybe I'll wait to make them until I get that new cutting machine. Which one you say??? One? hahahaha....time will tell, and then I will shout it out here and on the MTC forum of course! Ü

5 NEW LETTERING DELIGHTS Summer SVG Sets!!

2011-06-03T01:28:00.001-05:00

Look at these awesome MUST HAVE summer svg files from Lettering Delights! They are totally sweet!

I swear that they look into my wishlist and play around with my head! LOL I have 4 of these graphic sets sitting there in my wishlist...and now look what they did! They took the work out of converting it into svgs to cut out in my MTC software program.

Now this is a "no brainer"! I gotta have these. If you want to get a better look at these sets, just click on the pics and it will take you right to LD. And we all love using coupon codes when ordering...so don't for get to include this when checking out! FiveSVGS Now off to play....

ENJOY!! Ü

Coupon Code: FiveSVGS

My Turn...MTC BLOG HOP! Day 22

2011-05-22T07:00:00.164-05:00

Alrighty then...if you been keeping up with the Make The Cut! Blog Hop this month, you have now enjoyed 21 days of fabulous projects by amazing crafters. If you have missed a day or two, just click on the MTC button on my right sidebar and it will take you to Christy's blog...she has the Host link for each day listed there.

Now on to my project. The inspiration for this mini photo album is the grand daughter of one of my clients. Wendy's baby sister is due this week, and I thought a little gift to include her in this exciting event would be fun. I decided I was going to demonstrate the Print 'n Cut method using Make the Cut! for this chipboard book. To my delight, it was sooooooo easy!

For each page I started with bringing in a square from the MTC! Basic Shapes file and resizing it to 6" x 6". Then opening my Lettering Delights Baby Girl Mini Album file, I chose the paper I wanted to use and resized the texture to 32% to fit the square. For each page I brought in a coordinating image from the LD Baby Animal Squares Graphic Set. Setting the Visualization properties as follows:

Apply Changes, check Set Image as Texture and Import. Resize your image and texture to your desired size on the MTC! virtual mat. When all of your images are imported, resized and textured, send each page to your printer. Place your printed cardstock onto your cutting mat and load into your machine. Before cutting out your images, go back to your virtual mat in MTC! and select the image you will be cutting out. To simplify your cut, press shift/ctrl/Z keys on your computer. You will get a pop up box (Auto Simplified Node Count) that will tell you how many nodes or spots the blade will go to around your image/path. Hit OK or the enter key and repeat this process until no further simplification can be done. This process will help to make your machine cut around your image more quickly. From the drop down tab under "Cut Project With..." select your cutting machine. Depending on the thickness of your cardstock or chipboard, you may want to select from the drop down box how many passes you want to cut your design, as well as how fast you would like it to cut. Press "Start!" to cut. Complete this process for each page of your album. Once everything is cut out, ink edges, assemble and embellish as desired.

So here is my finished album for Wendy...you can double clink on pic to get a closer look!

If you would like to purchase this FANTASTIC software for your creative projects, please click my MTC! button below and you will be directed to the order form. This updated and fast growing software is on sale for a limited time, and you will want to pick it up now while the price is still HOT. And FYI...all updates are FREE and new cutting machines are being added to the supported list when available. This is a list of machines that are supported by Make The Cut! at the time of this posting:

* Klic-N-Kut™ Series

* Black Cat Cougar and Lynx

* Boss Kut Gazelle

* USCutters MH/LaserPoint Series

* Craftwell eCraft

* Any cutter machines that support HPGL printing (Craft ROBO, Silhouette, etc)

* And many more to come in the near future Ü

To purchase these fun files I used with MTC! just click on the pictures below and it will link you straight to Lettering Delights. There's so many fun files...something for everyone!

Thanks for looking! I hope you consider this AMAZING software...you won't regret it...just ask anyone on the MTC! forum. Ü

MTC Blog Hop May 1-31

2011-04-25T01:00:00.005-05:00

Can you believe it? I am participating in my very first BLOG HOP!!! Yeaaah-Huh....{i think i just heard a few peeps fall off of their chairs} LOL Well get up and listen to this...

Let me tell you...I actually committed to STARTING and FINISHING a project and will have it posted here on my very own blog for all to see. yep:) My day is Sunday May 22nd....oh yeah, and this year...2011...hehehe. And so hopefully all you wonderful bloggers and super crafters will come and see what I have been planning to make for this event. Our goal is to share with the world how AMAZING our favorite crafting software, MAKE THE CUT! is...and how easy it is to use with the many different cutting machines available on the market today. Everyday, beginning with May 1st. through May 31st, at 7:00 a.m, there will be a new blog to visit. There are amazing designers lined up with awesome projects to share to help you keep your MoJo flowing at top speeds. Please come join us in the fun. Make sure to check back here May 1st to see where to go first and then back everyday throughout the month of May to see where the hop will take you next for the excitement...you just might find a project or two that you will have to do before the month is over. And...there just may be some blog candy along the way to sweeten this adventure! ;)

If you'd like to check out why we are so excited about our MTC, download the TRIAL. And when you are totally blown away by it's simplicity to create your own cuts, and you just have to buy your own copy of MAKE THE CUT! just click this highlighted link, you will be directed to the order form. Feel free to and contact ME with any questions about this wonderful program.

Cutting machines that support MTC!

* Black Cat Cougar and Lynx
* Boss Kut Gazelle

* USCutters MH/LaserPoint Series

* Craftwell eCraft

* Any cutter machines that support HPGL printing (Craft ROBO, Silhouette, etc)

* And many more to come in the near future

Winter Scene Window Painting

2010-12-06T01:26:00.002-06:00

The girls at work informed me that I was in charge of painting a window for our window display...yay. For those of you that don't know me...I procrastinate about procrastinating. But even I surprised myself on this one! LOL I went to the salon on my day off and in 4 hours got it mostly done. The following day, I put in two more trees, and while my client was in the pedi spa, I "found" the snowman sitting in the back yard waiting to be seen, so I picked up my paint brush and got him in there. I really wanted to redo the sky because it isn't how I wanted it to be, but DH said it was done. hahaha....it looks like Lake Michigan. I used acrylic paints for all but the sky. The girls at work thought I should use window paint daubers...ummmm...no. You can't layer with that stuff to make it look realistic. They thought that we...I...could just wash off the window and paint something else for next season....ummmm...again...no. I will fix the sky next winter, and I will find another window downstairs and paint something else on it to use in the display. So help me if I see someone with a razor blade heading for that painting! ;) Here's a few pics I took of it on my iPod...just incase I can't save it from the co-worker that doesn't understand how attached I am to my artwork.

Inkspot Workshop Hump Day Giveaway!

2010-11-04T23:44:00.005-05:00

Inkspot Workshop and The Twinery are teaming together this week for an AWESOME Hump Day Giveaway! Check out Inkspot Workshop's blog site for details!

Best Buds...

2010-09-02T00:22:00.002-05:00

So we went to visit our best buds in Indiana last weekend and had a fantastic time as expected!! Of course I had in mind that I wanted to make a scrap book for Debbie...just didn't know exactly WHEN I was going to actually start it...lol...doesn't that sound just like me???!!! Well, after a few attempts in DS and then decided I love MTC far more, I went ahead and started my project. Worked on setting up the pages for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, only to forget to save the darn thing and closed out of the program, Yeah, dumb me. But all worked out in the end, because on further meditating on the idea, I went about it way too difficult. That's what I get for not pounding out projects on a more frequent basis. Well with a few very late nights, I got 'er done just the way I had imagined...with a bit of extra ideas that came to me because I had actually gave it more time and thought. I was kind of worried about Deb's reaction towards it. She's not a scrapper, and is a very thrifty and practical person. When we were discussing my addiction to this hobby, she was kind of callused with her comments. Before I gave it to her, I at first doubted if she would appreciate the time and effort I put into the book. But she was THRILLED with it!!! Yeaaaa...as was her hubby! :) I had left one mat empty because I could not find a pic with all four of us together, but she and Aaron ran to find their photo albumns to put a pic in the spot and we completed it together. I only wished that I would have gotten a final picture of that page. But any how...this is the book. I like how it turned out and have plans to make other books as gifts also...but ahead of time...right. hahahahha....

Winter Bears colored in MTC

2010-06-29T15:10:00.007-05:00

Here's something I did with a new stamp image I found. I just LOVE Make The Cut! It is so easy to convert images into layers for scrapbook pages and cards. Isn't this image sooooo darn CUTE!!!! The eyes were too small to cut out, so I'll have to draw or stamp them on. You can download your own copy of MTC by clicking on the icon on my sidebar.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

OKAY!!! Here's the cut! I used my Make The Cut software to make the layers and cut it out with my sweet Pink E. See Amy...I can multi task too! LOL My DH was razzing me too...he said this was cute, but what am I going to do with it! HA...I need to get a couple pics together and put this on a layout. I'll show him! ;)

Altered Tin Box

2010-06-01T14:32:00.004-05:00

Alright...this is a metal box that I've stored my gel brushes for work for the past 6 years. I found it at Hobby Lobby, and it had the Disney Princesses on it. Yes...I kept it like that and it was a topic of conversation for a while. :) Well...I decided it was time to "mature" the look...just a wee bit...Won't my clients be shocked!! I took some of my pretty paper from the My Minds Eye~Simply Delightful paper stack, a bit of Modge Podge and this is what I came up with. I am still undecided if I like the bling I put on it...some random and a few aligned...just don't know if it's working. I keep moving the bling around, but am afraid one of these times I'll tear the paper when I do it. Why do I stress over things like this???!!! {I'll probably change it another time or two yet...sigh} So here it is...leave me your thoughts on what I should do. Thanks a bunch! This reminds me that I'll have to take pics of my tin I altered when I first started scrappin'. I put my Cuttlebug folders in it.

Testing out Bloggers' new insert image tab...and a pic from my Breyers party

2010-05-31T18:29:00.005-05:00

This is just a pic of the items I got for free for my Breyers Ice Cream party from Houseparty.com. Pretty cool, huh?!

testing siggy

2010-05-31T15:01:00.007-05:00

Okay...I'm getting closer. I still need to tweek a bit...but after I go pick up my 12x12 mats from WalMart.

More Cards...

2010-05-17T00:32:00.003-05:00

Breyers Ice Cream Invitation

2010-05-16T23:31:00.005-05:00

Well okay...I should have put some of these up sooner, but here are a few cards I had worked on recently. The Breyers Ice Cream card is an invite that I slapped together quite quickly for a Breyers Ice Cream party through Houseparty.com I'm having on Saturday. I used my Make The Cut awesome software program to weld the Breyers logo to a ice cream bar coloring book page I traced into MTC. I decided to color the image with Copics instead of paper piecing...very terrible job at that, I was trying to rush the project and didn't stay in the lines!!! I told DH I wanted to make a better card, but he reminded me it was just an invite...LOL!!!

Bon Jovi Widget

2010-04-10T08:39:00.007-05:00

Oh my goodness! They continued the live stream for 10 songs total! I was in sheer heaven! They were Superb...the finest! LOL...and to see Jon dance....OMG...can you say $3Xy M @n!!!!

Best Band EVER!!! WOOT!

I'm in the Paper!

2010-04-07T08:31:00.005-05:00

Our salon was featured in the business section in our local paper! Yish...I hate looking at myself in pics...but at least I was having a good hair day!! . Glad I colored it when I did! ***I'm the one on the right...in brown...LOL! Here's the article:
http://www.htrnews.com/article/20100407/MAN0101/4070712/1357/MAN01

Disney Autograph Book

2010-02-06T20:45:00.012-06:00

The questions to ask are..."How long did I know in advance that my little great niece was going to Disney World this week????" Answer: A few MONTHS!!! Next question..."WHEN did I actually start making the autograph book that I wanted to send along with her????" Answer: THREE DAYS BEFORE THEY LEFT!!!! I am officially the Procrastinating Queen! Needless to stay after pulling off two consectutive scrapping till 3:30 in the morning and having to be at work by 8:00 am....running home on a lunch hour and feverously trying to put some sort of finishing touches on the darn thing before presenting it to the 6 year old...I got it MOSTLY done. With the promise I will finish, embellish, and mat the pics they take when they return home. Please be kind. There are a few "scarey" eyes on the characters...lol...and a bit of shakey lines drawn on a few pages because my body was starting to shut down with shear exhaustion! But here it is...I think it's pretty cute despite the limit of time I put on myself. I can only imagine how nice it could have been if I took all the time I had from when I decided I would like to do this.

I really don't like the pressure to finish in a short time...so when will I learn??

BTW...I cut Kamiko's name using my Make The Cut software! Such a cool tool! I found a free Disney font and uploaded to the software and within minutes I had it cut out...COOL! :o)

2010-02-06T20:34:00.002-06:00

2010-02-06T20:31:00.002-06:00

2010-02-06T20:26:00.002-06:00

2010-02-06T20:23:00.004-06:00

...these are extra pages for those characters I didn't get to...yet! ;0)

My New Pink E!!!!

2010-01-20T09:02:00.003-06:00

***SQueeeeL!*** Oh My Goodness....I can hardly believe it! I got the Pink E that I kept drooling over since it's release. DH said back in August/September..."Get it if you want." I reply back..."But Honey, I have a perfectly fine Expression upstairs...it's just because of the color that I want it. It cuts the same." I let it go just like that and here I sit months later kicking myself I didn't take him up on the offer. So anyways...I address the issue again on Sunday...his reply..."I think you don't need to buy any more scrapping stuff." My reply..."Hmmphf...." When he asked if I was angry and I tell him no, I explain to him my idea about selling my first E and the cartridges that came with the new machine and how it will make up for the cost...and then some. Now the idea seems to be okay with him...and now I'm the one with the cold feet all of a sudden! What if this machine doesn't work right? What if it came from the batch of Pink E's with 'issues'...what if I sell my old one and I liked it better??? I'm PMS-ing...can you tell? I need some encouragement to open up the box and play!

My entry for the Cropping with the Stars Contest...

2010-01-15T21:13:00.008-06:00

Well I did it again...I stayed up late every night that I could and designed, cut, tape and toiled over another acrylic 3-D book©. I stayed up all night on the eve of the deadline and entered this bugger, had only 2 1/2 hours of sleep before I had to go to work the next morning...only to find out that the contest was reopened and I could have taken more time on it, had a good nights sleep and entered 10 days later! Bummer. I wasn't going to tweak my book and then resubmitt my project because of sheer principle, but then on the {YES} eve of the final deadline, I stayed up until 3:00 am to retake pics, spruce up my instructions and resubmitted. And BY-GOLLY...I didn't win again! Next time...maybe. I think Admin put a big black check mark by my name and it wouldn't matter. LOL But it was fun, and I love the results. And my peeps that I know give me all the encouragement I need right now. Thanks everyone...Huggs to the bunch of you!!!

The first three pics are what I entered in the contest...and the last two are a few others that I took (sorry for the poor photography...) It is really hard to capture what it looks like in person, and the background lights reflected horribly in the acrylic. You can enlarge the pic by clicking on the photo for a better look at details.

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...and these two additional pics show more details of the first scene.

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Thanks for looking!!!

I'm entering my Cricut/YourStory project into the M's big contest!

2009-12-10T12:25:00.004-06:00

Okay...after much praise from peeps on the MB and encouragement from Lisa (BugJunkie) I entered my project below in the contest Michael's is having!!! I know! Scary! If you have a moment to go over to it and vote for it, I would soooo much be appreciative! I already know what I want with the gift card if I so happen to score one...a PINK EXPRESSION! OOooooo...so pretty! LOL....thanks in advance for helping me out...here's the link:

http://www.michaelscontest.com/uploads/2540

...and the pic:

My Cricut and YourStory Challenge Entry!

2009-12-01T19:59:00.006-06:00

OMG...This was my first challenge ever...and I loved it! I told myself I was going to win this thing...but alas...I didn't. But I do love my project. I think it's pretty cool. I have so many ideas that I can do with this design. The idea came to me after waking up one morning after dreaming about the challenge. Funny. It's a 3-D Acrylic Picture Book©. From back to front...It Has Mickey and Minnie standing in front of the house (last page), then the next page in front of that is Pluto and his dog house and a tree in the front yard. The next page has Donald, Daisy, and Goofy, and the 2nd page has the fence and mailbox. The front page is the cover that you can see through. It is also to appear as if Mickey is in the distance....and gradually the characters get bigger in the foreground. It looks neat in person...just don't know if it came across that way.

So here are my pics that I submitted. Tell me please what you think. BTW...who really needs 100+ cartridges and a fully loaded Gypsy???!!!! HA! It would have been pretty cool to win....maybe someday.

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A Favorite Layout...Pretty In Pink

2009-10-20T21:03:00.005-05:00

Since I'm on a roll...I thought I'd load this two page layout I did earlier this year. It's no way as fancy as many talented peeps in scrappyland...but I'm working my way up! I have to go and take pics of the other layouts I finished this year. I lack the ability to journal on them...I need to work on that too. So here is a pic of DD when she was 11 months old...26 years ago! This was the day she started to walk. She use to do this cute little "fishy lips" and the photographer caught the end of it in this first pic. She said she thought it was so cute, and if she did it again, she would snap a picture really quick. I guessed Rachel knew we wanted her to do it again, so she didn't cooperate...that's my lil girlie! LOL Oh, how I miss my sweet babies!!!

It's Time To Post A Few Projects...

2009-10-20T20:28:00.004-05:00

Ahhh...it's time to get the last post moved down...I've been a bit lazy and greatly boring regarding my blog. Funny thing is my daughter finally discovered this place! LOL She always tells me I never tell her things...lol...guess I'm guilty as charged! I have been busy with trying to upgrade and get my computer moving faster...it's going on three weeks now and DH told me he would have given up on the whole thing two weeks ago. Things were going pretty smoothly until I deleted a few critical things that I didn't want to, but thankfully I found the way to get it all back. I love "Google"!!! But when he said I could go ahead and get a new computer, at first I told him I wanted to save the money and get this one flying...but in the end I ordered one from HP!!! I'm expecting it by the end of the month so that will be sweet! I can't wait to load my new PE7 and play...I just discovered how to digi scrap...maybe it won't take me as long to complete a layout as it does paper scrapping! **right...;^p ** I find that I'm so afraid to adhere things down...seems so permament! HA!! HA!! Anyhow...I found some pics on my external drive...sorry about the fuzzy pic. I need to learn how to take a better picture...

Cutting Above Gypsy Giveaway!

2009-09-17T10:04:00.001-05:00

Cutting Above is THE new place for industry news, review information, tutorials, videos and just about anything else related to scrapbooking and die cut machines!! AND have you also heard that Provo Craft is helping them celebrate! That's right. They have generously donated 2 Gypsies to be given away for their launch as well as to celebrate their Grand Opening on HSN September 24th!! So stop over at Cutting Above's blog to get the info and sign up for a free Gypsy!!!

http://cuttingabove.blogspot.com/

Cricut Celebrates Cartridge #100!!! (links for each week in post)

2009-09-10T21:58:00.023-05:00

How Cool is this??!!! Provocraft has come through with a fun giveaway by giving a total of 100 eager scrappers; 20 winners for each of the next 5 weeks...A FREE WINTER WOODLAND CARTRIDGE!!!

Check out this cute cartridge...It's a "GOTTA HAVE"!!

http://www.cricut.com/shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?id=361&s=1&sc=2

Follow the Cricut MB for details...

WEEK #1:

WEEK #2:

WEEK #3

WEEK #4

WEEK #5

***OooooOoooo...it would be fun to win just one of these RAK's someday! LOL ;^)

My First Blog Award!!!

2009-07-17T20:10:00.003-05:00

Woo-Hoo!!! This is so awesome!!! I'd like to thank Julie over at http://raggedydoodles.blogspot.com/ for including me in her list of blogspots for this award...I feel honored! Go pop over to her site and see all the fun stuff she has been creating! She's one talented artist! Now my assignment is to go and find a few blog sites that deserve this award as well...there are so many...

FINALLY FINISHED!!!!

2009-06-15T09:56:00.006-05:00

Oh My Goodness...could it be true??!!! I was asked by a friend in our congregation to paint a mirror for her wall. She had "heard" that I paint and do other artsy things. Well, I accepted the challenge, somewhat excited and flattered she asked...and yet at the same time horrified on the task at hand. I mean...she is going to hang it on her wall and people are going to ask...she will point it out...yish! One MAJOR mistake on her part...she told me..."I'm in no hurry...take your time"...not the right thing to say to me. I still have many unfinished layouts and cards sitting on my table...not to mention the laundry! LOL

Sooooo...5-6 months later....yep...it took me that long. Procrastination is my sir name. But that's what you get when you combine a procrastinator and perfectionist. Not saying I'm a perfectionist per-say...more like I like things to look perfect, and knowing I can't get it like that in 5 minutes drives me crazy! Weeks would go by without even pulling it out to work on. So the end result is that crafts take me an anguishing amount of time to complete. In fact, even after My hubby declared that I was finished with this mirror, I kept pulling it out and picking out what I don't like and catching myself going for the paints again. (which I did twice after the declaration!) So without further ado...and proof that I completed a project...here is the finished project! Please be kind...I love art and wished I was just like my friend Beth Senn, who could have whipped this sucker out in 5 minutes...and make it look like the real thing...no exaggeration!!! She rocks!

Hahaahaa...I think I'm procrastinating putting up the pics! Here's the card that she wanted a painting of...

This is what she's getting...

You can see in this last pic that I had gone back and darkened up the grass...which is driving me crazy because it's lopsided...oh maybe it's on a hill! LOL I like that the relfection of my floor makes it look like the basket is on the floor...cool.

It was neat taking pictures of the mirror...first one I took, there was a reflection of me in it...delete. Then the next one I took you could see my messy cubbies in my bedroom...delete. Then another I took while it was on my stove. That one was hilarious because it looked like the basket of flowers were drifting in the air in my kitchen...

Let me know if you'd put this up on your wall. I think it's going in her bedroom...maybe nobody goes in there but her!

One More Card For Today...

2009-06-07T20:07:00.005-05:00

This is my most recent card I made. Precious Moments stamp colored with Prismacolor pencils and gamosol technique. SU! stamp on the inside and texture from a cuttlebug embossing folder.

A Few Cards I Made...

2009-06-07T16:00:00.004-05:00

These are just a few cards I've made within the past year. I'm going to put them up for my own "Personal Growth" purposes...to see where I've began and where I'm heading as far as creativity. There are tons of inspiration online...so many ideas to scraplift. I hope to be as gifted as an artist as many of my favorite blogsite owners are! ;0)

A Couple More Pics...

2009-06-07T13:56:00.005-05:00

My Louis Vuitton Knockoff....

2009-05-30T21:22:00.004-05:00

Here's another project I made "Purse" related! One of my clients gave me her Louis Vuitton knockoff purse she had. It wasn't her...and knockoff or not...I think it's a fun purse. **I will have to take a pic of it and post it her another time** So to say thank you to her, I cut a little purse from the Tags, Bags, Boxes and More cartridge! Look how cute it turned out! LOL I cut the L & V's with my cuttlebug alphabet dies and placed them "just so"...and a little ribbon bow, just like my handbag. Inside I put some treats and a gift card for a free pedicure from me. Mona LOVED it! come to think of it...she should be booking that appointment soon!

Altered Purse

2009-05-30T20:55:00.006-05:00

This was a project I made for a "big girl" pajama party I went to. Along with the invitation, we were given a name of someone that was going to be there, and we were to make a gift with our own two hands to give to that person. It was quite fun! It was pretty amazing that everyone got a gift that fit them perfectly.

This is the altered purse I made for Rebecca...she is in the picture on the front. She is a purse lover...like myself, so I thought this was an easy choice of projects. I absolutely loved putting it together. I got the pressed board purse from HL as well as the paper. I used Colorbox Cat Eye chalk inks to distress the edges, and applied Modge Podge to adhere the paper. A little ribbon and flower attached to the beaded handle, a few gems around the framed pic, and a monogram to personalize... and ...WhaaLaaa! Take a look...I think it turned out pretty fantastic if I do say so myself! BTW...I received a handmade braided rug made out of my favorite colors...purple, green and blue! It is under my feet at this moment under my computer desk...PERFECT! =0]

I Could Spend All Day Here!

2009-05-12T20:53:00.010-05:00

This blog idea is a beast! I can actually spend my whole day here looking up other peoples blogs...is that a problem for anyone else? As you can see...I have not posted a single thing of my own yet. And will I ever?? How can I when I see the beautiful work everyone else does in the "Cyber Scrap World"! I have been working up the courage to post pics...just don't know quite where to start...probably my first LO would be good.

When I first thought I would like to 'get into' this hobby, I really hadn't expected the adventure that laid ahead. I quickly found out. The once small basket of goodies, now has no turned into a corner of my bedroom of cramped delight, and images in my mind of someday in the *near--HA* future, that one or two...shall I say all three of my dear children (young adults) moving out and actually having a whole room so that my deliciously fun toys can finally find a proper spot in this home...someday.

Well here I go...Now remember that this is the very first LO I did...NO Cricut, a few stickers, a glue stick and hand cut outs from a nails magazine for embellishments. I don't have but a picture of my first LO...it was for one of my dear clients, Liane, that I had known for 2 years. She was from Germany, and she and her small family were returning home after living here for 6 years. Liane introduced me to card making and scrap booking. She invited me to my very first SU! party...and that's all it took. I knew I was hooked. But it wasn't until she was about to leave, she asked all her friends to create a page for her to take home for memory sake...what a cool idea! Still, after she left, it took me another year before I really decided to start collecting my stash. Funny, I thought all I needed was the Cuttlebug! LOL--NOT! That's another topic...So be kind...I promise it gets a little better.

Look at this AWESOME Blog Candy!!!!

2009-04-28T18:02:00.008-05:00

CONGRATS TO PINKY...HAVE FUN WITH YOUR NEW GOODIES!

Debbie at http://passionforcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/04/blogoversary-candy.html is celebrating her blogoversary with this amazing blog candy. Its running until the 30th so check it out. Don't you agree it's amazing??!!! Thanks for sharing Debbie...you are so generous! Congrats to whoever gets these treats! ...And it makes my page look so pretty! LOL...that's a treat in itself.

I LIKE THE CONCEPT...

2009-04-14T12:17:00.007-05:00

...but I have nothing to say!! LOL!!! I will have to download some pics of my creations, get some friends on here and make this thing look interesting! Well here I go...the official start of my blog. This will be a scary adventure...what if nobody likes my stuff...or worse yet...ME!!!!

So add yourself to my Followers link and comment away...well there's nothing to actually see here yet, but my pic. LOL Enjoy!