A tribute to Bob....

I just got word that my uncle has passed away. The poor guy just kept hanging on. I'm so glad he's at peace now.

I have a layout planned in my head. There are so many pix of the two of us that I want to scrap. He had some funny sayings and was a wonderful man. I'll miss him terribly.

Candy, candy....

Look at this delicious candy you can win! Visit Chrissy's blog and check it out. I have my fingers crossed!!

What sign do you attract?

No cards to post today so I thought I'd do something fun. What sign do you attract and does it match your hubby/bf? Mine does not. My hubby is a Taurus.

You Attract a Capricorn

When down to earth, responsible, loyal Capricorn meet you, they've met their match. You are as ethical as Capricorn, and they respect your values. You are also able to be a loyal and caring partner to your Capricorn, even when times are tough. You are there to cheer up or motivate your Capricorn - which never goes unappreciated.

What Sign Do You Attract?

Snow day!!!!

I hate having more snow but I sure do like a paid play day!! It's so pretty coming down but it sure creates a mess.

I pulled together a bunch of cards for someone at work who wants to buy a bunch. So that meant putting sentiments on the inside and stamping the backs with my personalized stamp. I seriously can't wait to get rid of a bunch. Am I the only one who has a huge stash of cards? I sent 40 to my SIL for her shop and I have another two bins jam packed. I send out a lot of cards too. So I guess that means I make too many?!!

I needed a few more sympathy. You never have enough of those. Used SU Rose Red, Old Olive, Regal Rose combo which is one of my favorites. The dp is SU also. I'm not sure what set this is. It could be double sided stems or something like that. I traded the set and stamped a bunch before I shipped it. I embossed this one. The flower middles are shimmerzed but you can't see that. The sentiment is a Mike's $1 stamp and I used my rectangle nesties. As always, the colors are a bit off in the photo. The brads actually match in person. Thanks for looking!

Quick valentines...

Finished two valentines tonight, nothing fantastic, but they're done. The purple/red/black is a weird combo and I would never do that other than Valentines. I got the jar idea from a Take Ten magazine. The paper was in my stash and it had that lavender on the backside so I thought it would work.

I'm getting sick of seeing my label Nesties and I'm sure you are too! LOL I made the first for a little pen pal of mine. ;-) The sentiment stamps and ribbon are CTMH and the whale is Rubber Soul. I added the hearts above the spout from a dollar set from Mike's. The red ink is SU Riding Hood Red.

I need my real mojo back. I wonder if it's because I haven't been listening to my music while stamping?! My hubby stole my Ipod tonight because his had no battery left. He was playing MY music!! OH well, I did hear music, didn't I?!

Nothing accomplished...

I didn't make any cards last night. I stamped a bunch of Valentine images for a friend.

I've been exhausted lately. I'm not sure if it's because I'm not sleeping well, sinus issues, or just mentally exhausted. My poor uncle with ALS is hanging on much longer than the nurses expected. He was given two days over the weekend and yesterday she said he couldn't last 24 hrs. So....I hate to post a downer but I may not be on over the next few days. I'm not sure if we'll have family staying with us or what yet.

QOTD: How many Valentines do you send out?

I usually make one for my hubby, mom, each son and I send one to my dad and my godmom. I used to be good and send them to my boys' godmom's too but I didn't last year.

Penguin valentine....

I need to edit as soon as I can find the blog I found this sketch on. It was titled TECC52AW and there was a cupcake card I CASEd. I will do my best to link it in a bit. Ok, what I've found so far is it's Taylored Expressions anniversary. I can't find the exact blog yet for the sketch I used. Sorry! I do want to give credit for the wonderful sketch.

** I found it, I found it!! It's Ana's sketch! Her card is way too cute!

I made this for my hubby. I used CTMH sentiments, Memory Box penguin, I believe the pp is Memory Box as well, CTMH ribbon. Thanks for looking.

Sweet blog candy....

Check out the beautiful work and post a comment for a chance to win some sweet stamps! Love these!! As Claudia says, it's nice to have something to take up that white space!

Creative Cafe CHA Giveaways.....

Check it out! Leave a comment and you could win a Creative Cafe tee or pen or something else. I don't know about you, but I'd love one of those tees!! ;-) My dream would be to go to CHA one day. Wouldn't that be fun?!!

Another sympathy...

Somehow when I need a sympathy card, I always go for the green and purple. I don't know why but I do.

The colors in this photo are way off (the ribbon). It really does match in person. It's a shiny ribbon so maybe that's why. I am too tired to take another photo.

I pulled out another old SU set (Heartfelt Thanks) and old dps for this. I used Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive and Perfect Plum (I think)! Thanks for looking!

Holiday?....

Well, it was supposed to be my day off. I planned on playing all day (after a visit with my uncle and then grocery shopping). That didn't happen. My uncle had a bad night so I didn't go over. I stopped at the mall to get my free panties at Victoria's Secret and use the rest of my gift card. I popped in to see my mom because she works at the mall. Went grocery shopping and came home. My son asked me to make him breakfast so I did. Then we got a phone call about a showing tomorrow. So....out comes the vacuum. I ran around making sure every little thing was perfect. Thank God I cleaned yesterday, huh?!

I just sat down to make a card after making dinner. I decided it had to be quick and easy. I needed a valentine for my dad and had this image in my bin. I've gone back to cardmaking 101 but it's done!! I keep reading about simplifying in the scrapbook magazines so I suppose that's what I'm doing. Thanks for looking.

Easy, peasy....

I made a couple of quick cards last night. I keep seeing this SU Eastern Blooms set being used and figured I should pull it out. I have so many stamps that I never think of using. I also have a bunch of last years In Colors so I figured I'd dust them off too.

I made the first "wishing you well" one with a CTMH sentiment stamp, Blue Bayou, Purely Pomegranate and Wild Wasabi cs (SU), Blue Bayou ribbon, CTMH white brads. I used my rectangle Nesties to back the sentiment and SU scalloped edge punch.

Once I was done, I decided I liked the combo and it was so easy so I made another. I have the holiday off today and plan on playing later, but grocery shopping comes first! Thanks for looking!

I've been tagged too....

My friend, Kristen, over at Scrap-Creations tagged me so feel free to play along but just let me know so I can read yours.

1. Link to the person who tagged you (as I did above).
2. Mention the rules.
3. Tell 6 things about yourself.
4. Tag 6 other bloggers by linking to them.
5. Go to each person's blog and leave them a comment to let them know they've been tagged.

So... 6 things about me:

1- I am married to someone I went to high school with (sorry, Kristen, I had to copy a little).

2- We have 2 grown boys and one grand-dawg,Reese. My boys love pets but were never allowed to have any. My oldest now has 3 cats and a dog because he has his own place.

3- I'm an office manager at a University.

4- I love food and I am constantly battling my weight, but I used to be SO skinny.

5- I hardly watch any t.v. I only watch Greys, Private Practice & ER.

6- I am addicted to stamping. I started out as a scrapper, got into stamping and I've been hooked since. I now have to force myself to scrap every now and then.

I am going to tag:
(if you can't play, don't worry!)

1. Marianne
2. Stacy
3. Paula
4. Betsy
5. Linda
6. Terri

The babies....

I finally finished the twin baby shower card for my niece. She's having a girl and a boy! I can't wait to see the little dolls.

The colors are off. I used SU So Saffron and I used Bazzill pink. I'm not sure about the blue - it came from Mike's. I used those shades of pink and blue because I wanted to use the flock that someone nice sent me. They look so cute and fuzzy in person. You can't see that here though. Anyway, I used my rectangle nesties and some buttons that just happened to be the perfect shades of pink and blue. The background pins & the Baby stamps are a Mike's dollar stamp and I just added to it. I have no idea who makes the baby stamp and I do not feel like running upstairs to get it. I ran the embroidery thread through my stamp pad a few times to get the saffron color. Thanks for looking!!

p.s. I have no idea what's up with those little dots on the baby boy image. I can't really see them in person. Must be the macro setting that picks up every little dot.

Not fit for beast.....

Ok, I was complaining about the 8 and 9 degree temps. WELL....this morning I woke up and looked at the thermometer. I thought it said 18 degrees. My hubby said it wasn't possible, it must be 18 below. It wasn't 18 below, it was -8. I guess I should have put my glasses on. It got up to a balmy -5 by the time I got to work. I don't know how other parts of the country are dealing with the 40 below temps!! It is NASTY out there.

I started to make my twins card last night but then I realized it was Thurs. and my shows were on (Grey's, Private Practice) so I wrapped it up until this weekend. I'm having a hard time with a design made for two. I'm so used to the threes so I may have to look through some sketches or put a sentiment on the third block. I cut the babies out with my rectangle Nesties. If I like it enough, I'll post this weekend. Have a great one!

Oh, I guess I can post this sympathy for today. I felt like I needed something on the lower left but wanted to keep it simple since it is a sympathy. What do you think? Should I add something there? I used a Whipper Snapper bucket stamp, Prismas/Gamsol, SU Wild Wasabi and Perfect Plum (I think?) and dp, Labels #1 Nesties. I forget who makes the sentiment. The ribbon is May Arts.

Birthday card....

I made this card for my son (a drummer) who will be 19 pretty soon. The stamp is Inkadinkado and sentiment stamp is a Mike's $ stamp.

I didn't want to make it too foofoo so I kept it pretty simple. I used my CTMH tool on the edges to distress them. I used sticky stitches (I think they're made by Fiskars). SU cs used but I can't remember the names. I ended up using Ancient Page Lapis Blue instead of my SU Night of Navy because they were new clear stamps and I needed something to stick. I used Angel Wings Shimmerz to color in the white parts of the drums. It's so not my style but I think he'll like it.

Talk about Blog candy....

OMG, you HAVE to check out the generous blog candy my talented friend, Kerry, is offering for her blog-a-versary. I'm drooling. And the picture of the cookies didn't help much! :-)

While you are checking out the candy, scroll down to see some of her amazing cards!!

Shout out to Sheet Load....

If you love sketches and also getting the most out of your paper, check out Sheet Load of Cards Free Monthly Ezine. They have beautiful designs and they show you how to cut the paper so that you can get as many cards as possible. It's a FREE download each month.

Also, if you check them out and post on your blog, you may win some free Just-Rite stamp sets. I love Just-Rite. I have a few of their monogram stamps and a rectangle set.

So click on the link above and check it out!

Must be a slump....

Or I'm just too rushed. I did make a card last night using my Labels #1 but it wasn't my best work. I need some time to work with the shape. I haven't had enough time to just sit and play. I'm really looking forward to the holiday on Monday. Maybe that'll be better...turn up the tunes and create...all by myself in the house (hopefully).

Speaking of tunes, I had the best ride in music-wise! I heard Matchbox Twenty/3 AM, Ray LaMontagne/You Are the Best Thing, Jason Mraz/I'm Yours, Dave Matthews Band (one of my all time favs), etc.

You have to listen to Ray L. It's kind of Motownish in a mellow way. Love his voice and he comes from Maine so that makes me love him more! LOL My cousin gave me the cd.

Click here to listen:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001HDYF9Q/ref=dm_mu_dp_trk1?ie=UTF8&qid=1231940891&sr=1-1

p.s. Pia, if you are reading, I thought it was another boring day with gray sweats for PJ Man. When I drove past, I saw that they had pink and white stripes going down! LOL

No stampin for me....

I picked up my SU catty and got home to a package with my Labels #1 in it. So right after dinner (a little later than usual), I went downstairs and started cutting out labels. I'm embarrassed to admit that I finally tried the embossing after cutting. Love the look!

I was too tired to stamp so I made myself go upstairs to look through the catty. I got close to half way and fell asleep. It really wasn't the materials, it was exhaustion. So...it's with me today. I'm going to the bank at lunch and then I'm reading the rest of my catty. I saw a few cute sets so far. I did not make it to the dp section which my SU rep threatened to rip out on me!! LOL I'm sure I'll be drooling.

p.s. Just for Pia - PJ man had white with pink tie dye pants yesterday and black shorts over those. Today he was wearing....are you ready?.....normal black sweats!! I'm shocked.

Gorgeous blog candy from Shimmerz.....

Love the pretty new colors. Just post what colors you'd like to see in the future, for a chance to win.

The best intentions....

Well....it wasn't a very productive weekend for me. I semi cleaned the house, shoveled the front and back stairs (YES, more snow - 6 inches), and the snowmobile trailer.

Tonight I finally sat down to play and I just didn't have much luck. I wanted to play with some new stuff (only new to me). It's Crushed Velvet Flock by Doodlebug. A good bloggie friend sent it to me (thanks, Betsy! Wanna come up and play in the snow?!). So...first I decided to do a flower. I stamped the green stem in regular SU ink and then wiped off the flowers and got them glued up with my Glue pad and stamped. I put the flock on the flowers and it came out kind of nice. I made a mother's day card because I was looking for pp to match and only came up with Mother's Day paper. It wasn't my favorite. That will be put in a pile for my SIL's shop.

Then I tried to make a a single flower with just the glue pad (Tsukineko's Essential Glue Pad). I filled in lines with a glittery pen,. That came out kind of nice. I put stickles in the center. It's really blurry but you get the idea. I'll have to figure out what to do with it.













Then I tried stamping two little babies because my niece is having twins - a boy and girl!! We're very excited. I used a Zig two way glue pen and it didn't completely cover the pink. The blue came out great. I still haven't made the card but here's how cool they look. Don't they look soft and furry?











Then I decided to do the same (stamp and fill in with a glue pen) to a cupcake. It's for one of my little nieces. It's very girly girl, glittery card. I started out trying out a color combo but it never happened. I was trying for SU Kraft, Pink Passion and Lovely Lilac. I just couldn't do it so I left out the Kraft. The Bazzill Blingz CB background was from another great bloggie friend (thanks, M!!!). The purple paper on the cupcake was painted over with Angel Wings Shimmerz. Those bling flowers to the right are CTMH.

Repeats...

Well, I did a similar mouse card (from the blue one posted recently) the other night and a blue Bella instead of pink for a change. I don't have anything else to post because I didn't have time to stamp tonight.

I got my hair cut, came home and tried on a bunch of clothes. I was trying to decide what to wear to a party tomorrow night. I will only have about 15 min. to change after I get home so that's why I was planning ahead. I didn't sit down until after 9 so forget about creating tonight.

So, this is all I have, folks! This time they are colored in with Prismas and Gamsol.

I used a generic orange on this card with the Cuttlebug birthday folder, a Memory Box note card and pacific point from SU.










I feel like this one is too dark on the left. Maybe I should have put a white strip or turq. under the ribbon. OH well....

I used SU pacific point and riding hood red on this one. I'm using pacific point a lot these days!!

No crafting last night...

I had good intentions but I ended up calling my sister-in-law who has a little shop in NH. She asked for some cards to sell so I sent up 40 from my stash! We ended up gabbing and I painted in a cupcake with Shimmerz while I talked to her but that's as far as I got.

Then I went to get caught up on some Facebook games and never went back to my room. Maybe later...

(no PJ pants today - ooops, I meant he wasn't there!)

Amazing blog candy....

Ooooh, I really want to win. Go and check out the amazing blog candy you can win at The Voices in My Head blog!

CASED cards....

I saw a sketch on the Card Sketch a Day blog and thought it was cute. I also thought I could use up some scraps. So....I cut up a bunch of squares and made two quick cards. I was going to make the pink one a baby one or a get well but the clear stamps weren't cooperating with the inks that I had to match the pink. I hope it's ok to post these.

I used some Basic Grey scraps and Memory Box cards. Sooooo easy!

Back to....

It's a day of back to's. Back to work, back to the diet, back to making myself walk up the five flights in the a.m. Back to going home to cook dinner for three adults when I'm the last one who gets home.

I'll stop complaining now. It's just one of those days. Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!

On a good note, I scrapped again last night which brings my weekend total to 9 pages!!! Yay for me! I'm just about finished with my youngest son's book. All I have is his graduation party and then I can move onto my oldest or our family book.

Well, back to work.

p.s. PJ man was in street paint yellow again today.

Early Valentine's card....

I was cleaning up my room the other night and found this paper I recently got. It reminded me of Valentine's so I got in the mood to make one. I think I'll give this to my mom but I'm not sure yet. I used a sketch from Mojo Monday sketches (not sure about the link).

I used a CTMH set for the hearts. I think the sentiment is My Sentiments Exactly, but I could be wrong! I think those little gel hearts are Heidi Grace. Again, I could be wrong! I'm too lazy to get up and go into my room to check. The ribbon was a Mike's purchase. I used the threading water punch by Fiskars. I'm not sure who makes the pink paper (thanks, Linda!). The brown cs is Bazzill. The patterned paper is by Cloud Nine Designs.

I finally scrapped....

I don't know how it hit but I got the scrappin' bug. I'm not the world's greatest scrapper so don't mind the lo. I tweeked a Becky Higgins sketch from this month's CK magazine and used a Heidi Swapp kit.

I was having a rough time finding the right colors so I pulled out some cs that matched my house. Then I didn't know where to go from there. I typically use blues for winter. So....I went through my stash and found the HS kit and it was the right color!! I was so excited to have the rubons & papers to match. It also had a bunch of flocked tags which is why I used one for my journaling block and the other for my date.

I am definitely getting better at using my stash!

Holiday Thank you...

Do you send out thank yous for Christmas gifts? I usually have a ton to make for the gifts we receive in the office during the holidays. This year we only got two gifts. One was an extra nice one from someone I like a lot. It was a bead for my Pandora bracelet. I made this thank you to send to her and I cased my friend Tracy's card (I can't link to it because it's not online).

I made several Christmas cards with this color combo and stamp.

I used:

Amuse Chubby Bird
SU Flaky Friends for the snowflake background
SU Pacific Point & Riding Hood Red
SU Riding Hood Red Ribbon (love this - I used the whole roll!!) & ink
CTMH sentiment
Cuttlebug background from my friend Mary quite a while back!
Marvy punches
Not sure who makes the snowflake but I bought a pack really cheap during Christmas at Mike's.