I'm Done!

So it isn't that I haven't been getting anything done lately, I promise! I've been busy finishing some projects and getting things in line. I want to get a few things done on the sewing side of things so that I can start something new.

I made about 20 chenille potholders - these are awesome! I have given them to friends and they love them! If you'd like to purchase any, please let me know. They make great gifts! I have "greenish" potholders, and deep red - both pictured below.

I also want to share a card that my friend Gretchen and I cased from our dear friend Paula Bloom. Thanks Paula for sharing - and yes, we totally cased your work but you're awesome! I normally wouldn't post a card that is cased this much, but I wanted to show off this set since I just ordered it - and I love the paper pack! The stamp set is Green Thumb from Papertrey Ink.

Check out Paula's card at http://www.prbloom.typepad.com/ -

I just wanted to point out some things I love about this card! First off, is the use of the "pinkish" paper in the background. Paula used a strawberry paper from the same pack of paper (Nana's Nursery Baby Girl) - but we switched it up a little. Gretchen was worried about the pink and red combo but I told her to be patient - sure enough, with the card done, the colors looked great together. hard to explain but I guess I'll say that it adds depth to the card. Also, love the ribbon slit punch and addition of ribbon on each layer...

I'm going to create all weekend (in the evenings at least) so check back soon!

I'm getting there!

It seems like I haven't gotten my "me" time the last few nights - probably because I haven't! Anyways, I had a visit from two lovely twin girls, their mommy, and big sister on Sunday night. How precious! I'm still working on the 70 announcements, but I was surprised with the following "gift basket" from Nicol as a thank you. Geez - I don't think I could use a thing in that! There are buttons, brad, eyelets, ribbon, paper, stamps, albums, and much more galore! I can't wait to play and what an unexpected thank you! You really shouldn't have - but I LOVE it!

I'm also finishing a new "batch" of chenille potholders tonight (see previous post for a picture). I think I'll have close to 20 so let me know if you want some! These are awesome - for yourself, and for gifts! LOVE EM!

So little time to get to all the things I'd like...

More tomorrow!

Paisley and simple

Last night I went out for dinner and got home late - however, I made myself go and play in my "room" for a little while. My first two cards are simple, but I like them. I wanted to use something other than blue, pink, brown, or yellow - so I opted for purple! I kept it simple, with the doodle this and prima flowers, and just a nice saying.

The third card was something different I had in my mind. I bought the new paisley cuttlebug folder. I immediately thought "polka dots and paisley" stamp set. I wanted to use some different colors again so I went with Taken with Teal and Orange, with some old dp from Stampin UP. The dp has the paisley embossed on it but it's difficult to see in the picture. The window shows the stamped paisley which is popped up for dimension. The picture doesn't do it justice! Although not what I had in my mind, I like it!

I also thought I'd share a couple soccer pictures of the kids. I was surprised - both games were much more "organized" than I thought. The kids actually looked like they knew somewhat what was going on. They both did well!

TGIF!

So I've gotten into my "studio" and have played all night -however, I'm working on the 60 baby announcements for my friend who had twins (almost done!) and some lettering for my sister. I'm showing a picture of one of the thank you cards that I made her for her shower, and you can see my older post (I think my first post ever!) to see the announcement she chose. LOVE LOVE LOVE the Cricut! I promise I'll post something new tomorrow night! It's my goal to get some cards for me to show off done tomorrow after soccer games! have a good night and I'll post tomorrow night!

Wednesday madness

I'm still searching for that hidden camera - I'm trying to convince myself this is all "cabin fever" but my goodness! I won't even go into the stories but my kids have stepped it up a notch and could win awards for their bravery, attitude, and all around congeniality. AAAGGHHH! I thought I'd post a picture of Joseph - the one who thought the toilet made a good "splash puddle." The t-shirt would be as cute as you're thinking if only it weren't so darn true!

Also, I thought I'd show you a couple of Dick and Jane quilts I made. The quilts are crib size. I made the blue one to be more boyish - I love them both! These materials are adorable (remember them from when you were a kid?)...I've made a couple aprons and these quilts, and have some other ideas in mind.

Thanks for looking - my friend Gretchen isn't able to come over tonight (which makes me sad) but I'm hoping to get some new cards made tonight!). TFL!!!

Is this a full moon Monday

Today started out as one of those days that I really thought someone was playing a joke, or had a hidden camera somewhere. There were muddy puppy prints throughout my house, kids fighting, my eldest son thinking the toilet made a great "puddle" so he was inside the toilet jumping (who thinks of that?!), crying, bickering, tattling, "mom my ear hurts," "mom my tummy hurts," trips to the doctor, etc. etc. I could use a stiff drink about now!

I felt guilty not posting today so I thought I'd share an oldy but goody. I LOVE the "Priceless" set from Stampin Up - I cased it from somewhere out there (maybe my good friend Paula?!). The paper is some glittery stuff I found in a paperpack from Joanne's - and the double stitched ribbon in wild wasabi, and the new jewel brads. LOVE IT!


I thought I should share a couple pictures of the quilts I made for my dear friend who had twins recently. It's an adorable pattern - with the prairie points as the "border" - love it! I did two quilts - one with the green border and one with a yellow border. I ended up tying them so they'd be softer! I hope they liked them!

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day! It has to be!

Rainy days and Saturdays...

I was so excited last night that I almost posted again. But I've made you wait until now. I made five cards last night - after running three miles! And I didn't 'case' the cards - I just played and this is what I came up with.

Can I just say that I LOVE Riley the Moose? It seems this stamp is better to use blender pens to color, in order not to lose the details. I used liquid applique for the hot cocoa (cute, cute!), and a glittery red cherry on the cupcake. Love love love it!








This is one that we did in hostess club for a Christmas card, but I tweaked it for birthdays. I think it's very masculine (for my FIL's birthday today!).











This one is simple but elegant - using some DP from Hobby Lobby (the Frisco store just opened - LOVE IT!). I also bought the circle die for my cuttlebug and thought I'd use that. I sponged around the ivory circle to make it a little more muted. This one is for my MIL!













I bought these two stamps at HL too - just for a different twist on my stamp collection. They turned out adorable, and they weren't difficult to color at all!

I'm hoping to get more done tonight. I was just so excited to get these done that I had to share!

TGIF and aprons!

I'm not sure why I'm glad it's Friday...maybe I think I can get more done on the weekend, although that's not likely! It's supposed to get cold and rainy here this weekend - and I wonder why my kids have depleted my budget with doctor copays this winter! Gotta love Texas weather!

I finished a couple aprons last night - this is the adult version. I'm giving one away as a birthday gift, but the black and white one is for sale! I just love these aprons! I added a couple buttons right where the ties are - just to give some added stability. I liked the idea, and it seems to work great.

I do love to sew! It's always fun to find friends who share the same passion. When I was first learning, I thought it was somewhat and "old" hobby - and that it was dying out with our older generations. But I've met many great friends who sew too! My friend Tricia lives in Boerne, Texas and is really great at nap mats, rag quilts, etc. She has an online store and blog too - check her out, and tell her I sent you - http://simplysewncustomembroidery.blogspot.com/

I'm hoping to get some more stuff done tonight!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'll admit, I'm not big into Valentines Day - I either wish I had a hopeless romantic as a husband, or else I really don't think I would like that mushy stuff. However, now with kids, I have THE BEST four Valentines in the world! Ok five, if I throw my husband into the mix. HA!

Gretchen and Vanessa came over last night. It was fun! They each brought me a sweet Valentine gift - Gretchen gave me a tin with paper heart flowers, and a wonderful card she made using the new stamp she bought me from Elzybells - the "Hugs" and "Friends Forever" stamps. LOVE LOVE LOVE them! We joked about how we'd love to work for them as their stamps are awesome!!! She's supposed to be loading what she made me on her blog - check it out at http://in2stamping.blogspot.com/ I used me new stamp to create the card below - I'll be giving to a great friend for her birthday! Thanks, girls, for a great night!!!

I also got the Riley Moose stamp - the chair one - and I stamped out some of Gretchen's St. Patrick ones. Love these as well and will hopefully post a new creation with those later tonight.

I got a wonderful "honor" from a dear friend Paula - http://prbloom.typepad.com/ - it's the Excellent Blog award. Thanks Paula! She is one of the main reasons I got back into doing my own cards - she is an awesome designer who I met through hostess club - such an inspiration to me!

So to all my great friends, especially Gretchen, Vanessa, and Paula - thanks for helping inspire me!

Paper Albums

Creative Memories has adorable paper albums that make great gifts. I made the Preppy Patterns and Purple Paisley ones. They also have a Candy Cane one (really cute - I made this before Christmas), and a Garden Party (flowers/pink) and Bohemian themed one. I've made up the albums, and they're ready to simply add your pictures. The pictures don't do them justice, but thought I'd share them anyways. I'll be sending this with my husband to work, and maybe get some more orders from there! I think the Preppy Patterns one is great for the men in your life! The cover has an opening for a favorite photo - LOVE EM!

Hey There Cupcake, Two Scoops, and Valentines

Last night I started playing with the Hey There Cupcake from Eclectic Paperie, and was having so much fun (along with my Basic Grey Two Scoops paper). I wish they had a saying that said "happy cupcake day" but instead I colored parts of words to get what I wanted! Love it! Love this set - and I almost forgot that Valentines is this week and I have a ton of stuff to make. So, I put my new set away for the time being, and came up with my Valentine card to send out to family/friends. It's similar to the one we made in hostess club, but I didn't want to use the elephant - it looks cute! I have a picture of all four kiddos to go inside! This year I'm only sending about 16 out - not doing my crazy horribly expensive and labor intensive Valentine I did last year. I'll go ahead and post that one as well - it's the one with all the hearts and ribbon and dimension - it was nuts to make!

(this is the crazy one I made last year!)

Have a great night and maybe we can surpass 500 hits tonight! thanks for looking!

My first Challenge

I got the Hey There Cupcake set, along with Basic Grey's Two Scoops paper - my friend Gretchen and I had said we should try to make something using both this weekend. I got on SCS tonight and found the limited supplies challenge - a non traditional valentine using no red, pink, flowers, hearts, and limited layers. I loved how this card turned out! The picture doesn't do it justice. I added "dimension" just by sponging the edges of my layers, and I love the circle window. My son is now saying this but I "love it, love it, love it!" Love this stamp set, and the paper!

I've also doubled my hits this week - and it's only been five days! I'm excited to see where everyone is from! Greetings to you all! I hope you enjoy my midnight madness - and everything in between.

And there are sewing projects too

Some may be wondering - yes, I'm still sewing - I have a ton of projects that are just in that final stage of completion! I did finish a table runner and two table centerpieces (using some fun fabric that I can't for the life of me remember the name of!). I gave the table runner to my friend Gretchen - a thanks for letting me keep a tab with her! I felt bad since we get too wrapped into creating that I forget other things! The two centerpieces were fun too - just finished them tonight. I may give one to a friend who would just enjoy getting it - and who's been a lifesaver for me!

Tonight should be a good time to play with some cards, etc. I have got to get my Valentine cards out. Check back soon!

Butterflies, hearts, and more

My friend Gretchen came over last night and we had some fun time creating - and we didn't go looking out there and case anything, which is always fun and interesting as you never know what you'll come up with! I really like this first card. She had a set of designer paper that the set Priceless from Stampin Up came to mind. I popped the butterflies up and used ruby red with the odd blue color. Very sharp!




The second card I had something in mind - this isn't really it but it turned out great anyways. There's a ton of glitter!

Check back later as I hope to finish a sewing project and give you a glimpse of a couple gifts I made using some new fabric! That is, if the kids take a nap this afternoon...

I made it!

I just thought I'd go ahead and post some older cards, but still some of my favorites. I think some were done at Hostess Club. I love the cherish card - very eloquent. And the "find joy in the little things" is a favorite too - love love love yellow and brown together. And the pink/brown giraffe is one of many thank yous I made for a friend who had twins. Simple but nice!

Tonight I want to finish up a few sewing projects so hopefully I'll have those to share with you later. I'm off to get them ready to be quilted after I get on the treadmill tonight! My trainer just emailed asking for a current picture of me to use in a brochure. Lovely! I have trouble with pictures of myself! But it gave me that extra push to make sure to get on the treadmill again tonight!

And thanks all for looking. I passed 200 hits within one week of being here. Thanks! I've even sold a mailbox or two!

Mailboxes

So...I heard about those dollar mailboxes at Target. I figured, why not try it? My daughter needs something to bring to put her valentines in at school, and looking on SCS they were really cute. Let's just say, I'm addicted to them now! I promised Hannah she could make hers today while the boys napped. Things were crazy so it didn't happen and after I put the boys down for the night, Hannah and I cranked out a mailbox and some elephant treat holders. I still got her in bed by 8:30 - and then worked on the other four mailboxes I had bought at Target on Saturday. Here's the results. They are sooo adorable IRL! I'm thinking of running to Target tomorrow and getting some more!