H2H (finally)

The whole reason for me wanting to create a blog was so that I could participate in challenges!  I’ve been following for a long time, but have never really figured out how to set up my own blog.  So now that I’ve finally figured it out, I can finally participate in the challenges!  That is a big part of what motivates me to create, besides my beautiful family, of course!  So now that I’ve started my blog, here is my very first challenge post – yay! 

This challenge required using animals or birds on your layout/card.  I love butterflies, and I used a sponge dauber to ink several colors on my butterfly.  I used all CTMH products, with the exception of a border punch on the inside of the card, which is a MS border punch.  I used the Miracle paper pack (again.  This is turning out to be one of my favorite paper packs).  I also used the kraft color ready self-stick borders.  These are great to use even without adding color to them, which is what I did here.  I LOVE bling, so I used the bitty sparkles on the butterfly (from the Delight stamp set) and on the flourishes.  I finished it off with some ribbon from the designer ribbon rounds.

I added a small strip of paper on the inside to finish it off

Thanks for looking today!  Have a great weekend!

The Drink Store

Daddy typically takes Alyssa to school almost every morning.  And, almost every morning we go through a similar routine:

Alyssa: (whining) Mommy, I want you to take me to school today.

Mommy: Honey, I’m late, I can’t.

Alyssa: (Still whining – and louder) Will you get me dressed?

Mommy: (flustered because I’m late) Okay, but get out of your Jammas for me and I’ll help you.

Alyssa: (still whining) But I want you to do it!

Mommy (very frustrated):  Alyssa, pllleeeaaasse, just get undressed!

Alyssa (crying): WWAAAAHHHHH!   But I want you….

Mommy: Alyssa, I can’t take you.  We have to plan these things.  I’ll take you tomorrow. I will help you get dressed though.

Alyssa:  Complete MELTDOWN! (but she finally lets me dress her)

Daddy:  Alyssa, how about I take you to the drink store (Chevron)?

Alyssa:  (smiling – smugly). Okay.

When Daddy takes her to the drink store, she usually cons him into getting some $5 juice box that she either doesn’t finish before getting to school, or doesn’t even like.   Today, Daddy was able to get by with just giving her a cookie this morning, which she both liked and finished before she got to school.  I’d be mortified if they knew what she ate in the morning!  I guess we have to pick our battles.  At least she gets her vitamins, right?  That’s the only way to justify her diet of yogurt, cookies, cereal, cheese, and macaroni and cheese.  And chicken nuggets – but not for breakfast (that one is for you, Elaine!!).  Of course, her daycare might know her eating habits now, but I seriously think only 2 of my friends actually read my blog, so I’m probably safe.

Anyway, my husband just left for the gym, so I knew I didn’t have to rush to make dinner.  So instead, I sat down and created something for you.  This card is made from the new Miracle level 2 paper pack from CTMH. I LOVE this paper.  It’s so versatile and the colors are beautiful!  I used a SU border punch, the new kraft color ready (self-stick) borders from CTMH (uncolored), a large flower punch from Paper Shapers, a sparkle brad from CTMH, and the sentiment is from the new Card Chatter Birthday stamp set from CTMH, stamped in Chocolate. I finished off the inside of the card with a stip of paper along the top and stamped the second half of the a sentiment.

...and the inside of the card

Thanks for looking today!

Stone (cold)…

I ran in to Walmart to get McDonalds for the kids over the weekend, but there was going to be a slight wait.  So I decided to browse the movie section while I waited.  I had been waiting to see this movie “Stone” for a while.  For those of you who may not know me, it is not unusual for me to buy a movie or two (or three hundred!!), so I went ahead and bought it  sight (movie) unseen.   We watched it last night.  Let me just say that both my husband and I want our hour and 45 minutes back!!  Great actors do not a great movie make!  I usually like Ed Norton and DiNiro films.  It was boring, depressing, and a complete waste of time.  Not to mention the ending was strange.  It was so bad we didn’t even waste our breath trying to figure it out!  I wish I’d just read my book or even gone to bed! 

I would, however, like to share something I did yesterday that was at least semi-productive, and NOT a waste of time.  Besides making blueberry bread (yum!) I have a card to share.  Like yesterday’s card, it’s also made from the Wings paper collection.  It is a 6×6 card and showcases the paper a little more than the one from yesterday.  I used the January Stamp of the Month for the images and sentiment, black ink around the torn edge, and some CTMH Crystals.  I used a sponge dauber to color the butterfly different colors (black and vineyard berry), then I cut out the images. 

This is the inside of the card.

As I play with these papers more and more, I have decided that I really like this paper pack.  But then again, I’m a sucker for paper in general, anyway!  It is really pretty, though.  Thanks for stopping by today and looking!

Not just any other day…

Today is not just any other day.  Sure, it’s a typical Sunday, which includes laundry, errands, cooking, and lounging.  My DH is off at the Barrett Jackson show (thanks to my boss for the tickets) so I had the day to myself (sort of – the kids are still here and I’m still not feeling 100% better yet).   However, in between cooking and tending to the kiddos, I spent most of today looking at blogs and trying to get motivated to create something for my very first upload!  It’s a card I made today using mostly CTMH products.  I used paper from the new Wings collection (one of my faves) and the new color ready Kraft borders.  The first time I tried to color them, the color was too dark, so I turned it over and colored the other side, which is white.  I didn’t realize that they they are self-sticking, so I colored the removable strip on the back!  I’ve done that a few times now – you’d think I’d learn to check!  Anyway, I colored the kraft border sticker black and used the new wider Sweet Leaf ribbon.  The sentiment is from one of the new stamp sets called Rosy Regards.   I also used the CTMH pearls in cocoa and a SU! punch for the border on the DSP.

Thanks for looking today and I hope you have a great evening!

Hello World!

Welcome to my new blog!  I’d like to think I’m fairly computer savy, but I have had a hard time getting my own blog up and running.  After hours of reading and playing around with it, I think I’ve finally figured it out – at least minimally.  I can’t believe I’m finally here – for everyone to see!  I wanted to start my own blog not because I have anything really important to say, but I can’t participate in challenges (a big motivation for creating), and I wanted a place to showcase my cards and scrapbook pages.  Maybe one day my creations will be important to someone, other than myself!  I can’t wait to start.  I’m a busy gal with a family and full-time job, but hopefully you’ll be seeing more from me really soon!  Welcome!!