Very Late!

I have to apologize for posting these cards so late! I guess I am at least getting them up before the new year! This first RAK is from my good friend Simone. I adore this card! I love the color choices, the paper pieced tree....it is all so dang cute! Thanks Simone!
This next RAK is from Corie. She outdid herself with this gorgeous card! The background is all glittered....which is right up my alley! Thanks so much Corie!
This next card is from Michelle Weaver. She has fast become another wonderful blogging friend! This gorgeous card was made using the Flourishes set. I love the gold ribbon underneath too! Thanks so much Michelle!
And this last card was made from my cutie pie son, Kyle. I am glad he still likes to create with me every now and then.......

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!!!!

Tree House Stamps

I recently won blog candy from Ashley Bowen. She has just started her own line of stamps called Tree House Stamps. This is her first set! It comes with this adorable snowman and a gingerbread house.....which I am hoping to play with next! There are bunches of sentiments to go with the images too! I used some scrap KI Memories paper, Lasting Impressions, and SU! I also used the Doodlebug glitter paper to punch the 2 hearts. I really liked the hat from Jolee's stickers, and decided to replace his usual hat with the sticker. IT was a perfect match and fit! I did some sewing too, which looks like I had been drinking heavily when I did it........honestly, Pepsi was all I was drinking! Good thing I don't work as a seamstress or something! Last but not least I used this "snow" that comes in a tube from Michael's. I added glitter to the snow.....cuz the more sparkle the better!



Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New YEAR!!!! 2008.......YIKES!

Kiss!

This was a page I completed awhile ago and forgot to post. The picture is of my 2 nephews. I loved the picture so much that I wanted to keep the layout simple. Once again I used my Cricut for the title. I can't remember who made the paper. I also used my Quickutz for the triangular tags. I finally used up some old acrylic leaf buttons I had. Still haven't had much time for creating. Tonight we went to the mall to make our returns. It actually wasn't too bad! We got home after 9, and by the time I get the kids to bed, I am pooped! Plus I have been reading a book entitled, Winter Home. I am so into it that I don't want to make cards or anything! There are just not enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do!

Getting some Scrappin done!

Well, did everyone survive the craziness of the last few days? I have to tell ya, I am somewhat relieved it is over! Today, I have done tons of clean up, laundry, and lots of catch up. We have lots of step-parents, so Christmas is a 5 day celebration. As fun as it all is, it is exhausting! Anyway, I finally scrapped LAST YEAR's pictures.....yes, I know, pretty pathetic! Notice the cute little "snow globe?" Kyle drew this in 4th grade. They were asked to draw their favorite part of Christmas. He chose going downtown, Chicago. Notice the little wheelchair? Isn't it cute? I HAD to include this in this layout of the 2 kids. I kept the LO pretty basic. I cut the title with my Cricut. Added some red Doodlebug strips. I also used Heidi Swapp's journaling tags. And that's it! My new motto is keep it simple stupid! (Where is that expression from? Anyone know? )
I have been playing with My Adobe Photoshop. I took this picture of my cute nephew Alex. He got this tricycle for Christmas. I layered the 2 photos (black and white, and color) and then erased the parts I wanted red. I can't wait to print this and scrap it!

I am so behind on scrappin, so I am going to try to do more LO's and less cards! Am I the only nut who feels pressured to create things JUST for the blog? I know that I sound totally goofy, but I do feel I scrap less, because I want to post often, and it just isn't possible when you are scrapping, cuz it takes longer for most of my layouts. Crazy eh?

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

Merry Christmas!!!

I just wanted to take this time to wish everyone a safe and very Merry Christmas!!! I will catch up with all of you later this week, in the meantime, ENJOY!! ( My cutie pie, Pug, Bruno)

A Putzy Card.....Yep about 3-4 hours worth!

A few of my blogger friends.....ahem.....Simone.......knows that sometimes my cards take me awhile. I putz, move things around, switch papers, add accents.....this card was no exception! I am not even sure I am crazy about it. I started with the Stampendous trees stamp. I colored them in with my Copics and added dew drops to the ornaments. At first I had it stamped on white paper. Then decided to cut each tree out. I have some on pop dots. Still not sure I am happy with it. I did some faux stitching with my white gel pen. (I was too lazy to actually use the sewing machine!) I liquid appliqued the snow and added some glitter. So yes, even after 4 hours of putzing, I am still not sure I like the card!

To those of you who left comments, I appreciate your kind words and support. I know many of you mentioned band and swim. He is currently in both and decided tonight to quit both. So we are back to square one. He is not in any other clubs. I feel at a bit of a loss. I am trying to let things ride a bit. I just worry. Again thank you for your support, it really means a lot to me!

Another little notecard! (And a little advice needed...)

Lisa Zappa sent me the cutest little images in a card she sent a little while ago. So I am not sure who these hedgehogs are from....Penny Black maybe? I colored them in with my Copics. I added dimensional snow and crystal flakes that I bought from Michaels. I the paper is SU! Kraft and KI Memories Christmas pack. I cut the card using my Spellbinders. I added a couple of dew drops in the corners, inked up the edges, and added a pretty silver ribbon.

I could use some uplifting words today. My ten year old son told me that everyone at school ignores him and people make fun of him for being "weird." He cried today while we were out to eat. He proceeded to tell me that he could shout across the room and no one would bother with him. It nearly broke my heart! He isn't an athletic kid at all, really more intellectual. He loves the History Channel over Cartoon Network! He writes his own books, wants to be an architect, loves to scrap with me, bake, color, play LEGOS when every other kid has already decided that they are too "old" for that stuff. I have taken him to a few docs who told me that he didn't seem to be depressed, just had a high anxiety level. I don't' know if I should talk to his teacher.....take him back to the doc, just let it be for awhile......Can't one of my kids be easy? Being a kid is really tough....

Is this not the CRAZIEST snowman you ever did see?

There is a new line of stamps by Peachy Keen. They are acrylic stamps and I got hooked on them by fellow blogger, Regina Easter. I ordered this snowman, because it just made me giggle! What is up with that hair? I colored him in with my Copics and added some glitz with my Sakura gelly roll glitter pen. I added some "snow" flakes I bought at Michaels. The sentiment is actually a sticker. It was in a kit I ordered a Christmas scrapbook kit from Noel Mignon. Her kits ROCK! The paper is by Daisy D. I also added some dew drops from Ellen Hutson's store.

Baker Cortney & RAKS!

As many of you know, Cortney has discovered cooking! She decided to help us bake cookies this past Sunday! We found this chef hat and thought it perfect for keeping her hair out of the batter. Where is the apron you ask? My son was wearing that part. Maybe I need to consider getting her her own chef set! And yes she still has her Hello Kitty PJ's on! (We basically stayed in our pajamas all day on Sunday and just baked and baked!) So as not to show favoritism among my children I will show a picture of Kyle tomorrow!

Now on to these wonderful RAKS! This one is from Allison Filo, the GURU of Internet blogs! This girl rocks! She has all the latest info on blog candy, tutorials, etc! And she is super sweet to boot! Thanks Allison!
This RAK was from Florence over at Flossie Goes Hi TEch! She is the cyber queen of blogging! She must visit a million a day, and always leaves such sweet comments! Thanks so much for this sweet card Florence!
I got this little surprise in the mail from Mary Ann over at A Very Mary Design. She noticed I had used sheet music on one of my cards and mailed it to me.....just like that! She and I were Halloween swappers! She is quickly becoming a favorite blogging buddy. She is such a generous person. Thanks to Mary Ann!
And last but certainly not least is my good friend Simone. Her blog is a Daily Dose of Spazz. IF you are EVER in the need of a good laugh, she is the one to cheer you up. I am fortunate to live near to her, so on Saturday I went to her house for the first time. She lives about 45 minutes away. I left nice and early so I would be on time. I got there a half an hour early! I would have drove around for awhile, except Chicago makes me a little nervous with all their one way streets and all! So I called her, and someone else answered the phone. I asked this person if it was Simone, and the voice replied, "Noooooooooooo."

I asked, "Carol?"

The voice again Replied, "Noooooooo, take a guess!"

Finally, it hit me, "Max?"

"Yep! By the way, my Mom is still in the shower."

Crap I thought......should I sit in the car and wait? So I asked, "Will your mom kill me if I'm early?" "Yea, probably, " was his reply. OK, I'm willing to take a chance that I may be killed. So I drove around to find parking, and went to Simone's house. And guess what? She didn't kill me! She even fed me lunch and gave me presents! Just look at these cutie stamps from Amuse! And this box! SOOOOO cute! I hung out with her, Max, and her friend Carol all afternoon. We laughed, stamped a little, and ate! Thanks for having me Simone!

Crafty Secret's Cornet

I made this cornet using the Crafty Secrets Cotton Scrap images. It worked perfectly in my living room because my tree, wreath and knick knacks are all in this lime green and turquoise color scheme. I used some fringy ribbon from Michaels as well as the peacock and snowflake ornament. I glittered the pine cones and buttons and used my hot glue gun to make sure everything stayed in place. The paper is from Basic Grey. I was pleased with how it turned out and it now hangs on my Curio handle.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! I know mine sure was busy with parties, baking, and such!

Just a quickie! (Get your mind out of the gutter!)

I just wanted to post this card before going to bed. I am so tired! I love the holidays, but boy are they exhausting! I have such a busy weekend ahead! Anyway, I used alcohol inks on glossy paper to get this marbleized effect. I stitched it on gold paper with my sewing machine. The picture looks rather yellow, but in real life it is a deeper gold. I had these awesome rhinestone swirl stickers and used them with the star that I embossed in gold. The stamp was from Stampendous. The ribbon is SU!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Magnolia or Matilda?

I received this adorable cake paper from Mary Ann over at A Very Mary Design. I didn't want to cover it up, so I stamped my Magnolia/MAtilda image and then cut her out. (What is the name of this stamp? Does anyone know? ) I colored her in with my Copics. I chose green for her dress because there was so much green and brown in the background paper. While I was coloring it I couldn't help thinking of the song, "If I had a million dollars." There is a line in there that says, "If I had a million dollars, I'd buy you a new dress, but not a green one cuz that's cruel!" ........Guess ya had to be there! LOL! OK moving on......The ribbon is from Making Memories. I cut the oval out using my Coluzzle. I added some glitter to the cake because glitter makes everything better! : )

Cortney's appt went fine yesterday. They X-rayed her hips because she has "subluxed" hips. They just like to make sure they haven't dislocated. Her muscles are tightening since she is growing like a weed! At some point she may need surgery to lengthen her muscles. In the meantime we were given night splints. We also met with the wheelchair guy. He admitted that he screwed up and is ordering all new parts to make her chair right. Unfortunately, this could take a couple of months. Nothing I do can ever be right the first time apparently! Thanks for checking in and leaving comments! It really does brighten my day!!!!!

TAC Penguin!

I love these cute penguins from TAC! I colored him in with my Copics and flocked him in white and black. I also added stickles to his scarf and hat. The scalloped punch behind him is by SU! I used my Coluzzle for the 2 circles behind him. The paper is by K I Memories. The snowflake border punch is by Martha Stewart. The sentiment is by Stampendous! I pulled out those eyelets.....had to actually blow dust off the top of em! It felt good to hammer away!





Off to Shriner's Hospital today for Cortney's orthopaedic appt. She has X-rays 2 times a year to check her hips. Because of her fast growth spurt, her muscles are tightening up again. She had muscle lengthening surgery a few years ago....and I am dreading the day it has to be done again. So I guess we will see what the doc says. We also have therapy and a meeting with the wheelchair company. I am praying that this issue also gets resolved. No rest for the weary I guess! Hope you have a great day!

More Elzybells!

I have a tendency to go on "kicks!" I start with a particular stamp and just go crazy! This is another Elzybell's stamp. I cut the note card using my Spellbinders. I distressed the edges and again used my Copic Airbrush System. I cut the scalloped heart with my Marvy punches. I glued some dew drops onto the heart. This angel is standing on a flocked cloud with glitter wings.


I haven't had much time to create these days! These are cards I made a few weeks ago! Thanks to those of you who have sent me lovely Christmas cards! At some point when I can get my act together I will post them. Eventually, I guess I need to send out cards.....haven't even sent my family any! So much to do and so little time to do it! I apologize for not visiting you more often.....soon I will have 2 weeks off and then maybe I will have a bit more time!

Elybells!

I made this little note card with my Spellbinders die cut. I also used my new Copic Air brush. I placed the circle over the reindeer and bird and sprayed around it. I also used the liquid applique for the snow on the ground and on the animals. While I was heating it, I sprinkled glitter over it. The image was colored with my Copics. The ribbon was in the dollar bin at Michael's!

What a busy, busy weekend! Friday we had friends over. Saturday was the eye doctor, dentist and tons of Christmas shopping. And on Sunday, we went downtown Chicago to see the Christmas lights on State street. For a change of pace we also went to Navy Pier. They have their Winterfest there. It was so cool! There was ice skating, rides, food, slides......I am sooo tired! I will post a few pics tomorrow! Hope everyone had a great weekend!

St. Nick's Day & My first Magnolia card!

St. Nick visits our house every year. So this year Kyle, who is 10 is somewhat questioning the validity of this whole thing. I think a huge part of him really believes in the magic of Christmas. So he put his shoes out. Since he couldn't find Cortney's shoes, he put my ONE white gym shoe out for her gift. He proceeded to place his stuffed animals' shoes out! (Along with the stuffed animals....maybe he thought they would act as spies? )
He placed a Pepsi and NERDS for St. Nick and wrote him a note asking him if he could leave a little something for his stuffed animals. (I am sure Santa had quite a bit more energy after drinking and eating Kyle's snack!)
When he awakened in the morning he had a movie and Cort had a book. He asked me why St. Nick didn't leave his animals anything. I told him Santa had billions of kids to leave gifts for and there was no way he could leave stuffed animals toys too. His reply? "Boy is he cheap!" I was cracking up!!!

I have seen these adorable Magnolia stamps on quite a few blogs. (Specifically Sophia Landry's over at Moonlight Inker ) I just fell in love with this sweet face. I used my Copic Air Brush system for the first time. (Thanks Carol and Simone!) I think I need to practice a little more with it. It was a bit splotchy! I used stickles on her dress. I cut the ovals with my Coluzzle and added the dew drops from Ellen Hutson's store. ( I love these soooo much! I bought 6 different colors). The patterned paper is from Mary Ann' s Etsy shop.

So, an update on Cortney's chair. We are arranging a meeting with her OT, PT, and the vendor next week. Hopefully something will get straightened out!

TAC card....

I bought this cute penguin awhile back from TAC. I colored him in with my Copics and added some glitter using my stardust pen. I punched the blue paper behind him with my Martha Stewart snowflake punch. The ribbon is SU! Kraft. I added some buttons and felt snowflakes. The patterned paper is by Basic Grey.

What an aggravating day! I had an angry mom call me after school....and Cortney's new $9,000 wheelchair is too small and alllll wrong! I think I am going to take a hot shower and try and forget what a crappy day today has been! At least we are almost to the weekend!!! THANK GOODNESS!

More Elzybells!

Just a quick post today! Sorry about the blurry photo..... I should be using my light box. : ) I am really loving my Elzybell's stamps! I used my Copics to color the image. The paper is by KI Memories. The charm I have had in my stash for awhile and don't remember who it is by. The twine is by Martha Stewart. I added glitter to her wings and puffy paint to the scalloped circle. Thanks for looking!

Pictures & Elzybells!

We had our first holiday party this past Sunday. Every year my Dad and Step-mom host a huge Christmas party. We eat, drink, and Santa comes to hand out presents. This is my hubby and I. Can you tell how short I am in this picture? (He is 6' 4 inches and I am 5' 4 inches!)
Here is my cutie pie son. Check out those adorable dimples!
Cortney was fascinated by Santa! She loved to sing Jingle Bells and Rudolph.

Here are all the cousins! Do you notice the little guy all the way to the right? Is his face priceless or what? If looks could kill..... He is quite a character!

And last but not least is my Pug, Bruno. He is an "only" dog now that Molly is gone.

I just bought a bunch of these Elzybells cards. I love this little mouse! I colored him in with my Copics. I added liquid applique to the branches and crystal glaze to the ornament. Click on it for a close up! I cut the red paper with my scalloped spellbinders. The card base was already pattered and is made with Die Cuts With a View. I added some green SU! paper and vellum. Last but not least I attached some ghost snowflakes from Heidi Swapp with brads.

Thanks for visiting me today! Love hearing from you!

A Crafty Secret's Card!

As you already know, I love the Crafty Secret's images. I colored Santa in with my Prismas and Gamsol. The music paper is by Flair. The snowflakes were cut using my Quickutz. I then sanded them and added rhinestones to the center. I did some sewing and added some brown ribbon by Making Memories.

We are already starting the holiday parties....Sunday our family gets together including all the cousins and their kids. It is quite a full house! Santa visits and brings presents for all the kids. Hopefully, I will get some pics of my two with Santa! Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Let it Snow.....OK NOT literally!

I am definitely in the holiday mood. I have the Christmas station on all the time (Sorry Simone, but I do! ) I have all my decorations up and have been in that "nesting" mood. So here is another wintery holiday card to celebrate! The image is by Stampendous. I also used lots of glitter and my Copic markers. The ribbon and square brad are by Making Memories. I added puffy silver paint to the ornaments. The paper is SU! and Basic Grey.

So did anyone watch Dancing with the Stars? What did ya think? I have to tell you how relieved I was that Marie did not win. Don't get me wrong, I like her......but her dancing? Well.....not so good. Anyway, I am glad that cutie pie, Helio won. (Did I spell that right?)

So tonight is another of my fav shows, Dirty, Sexy, Money! Love it!

My First Elzybell's Card!!!

I gave in to the peer pressure and bought a few Elzybell's stamps. I think they are the cutest images!!! I used Basic Grey paper, my corner punch and a crochet flower. I added liquid applique to the snow and crystal effects to the star and reindeer's nose.

Is anyone else finding it harder to find time lately to stamp? I don't know about you but for the past week I haven't even walked into my stamp room. I miss it terribly. I think it needs a good cleaning first. I have a cute "scrapbook" tree and nowhere to put it because the room looks like a tornado ripped through it! Maybe tonight after watching Dancing With the Stars. If Marie OSmond wins, I am NEVER watching that show again! I like her, but come on..... she really can't dance that well. And what was with that "doll" dance she did last night? Weird if ya ask me.

Bitten by the Bug Challenge!

This was the newest challenge over at Regina's blog, Bitten by the Bug. We were to use the Santa suit from the Christmas Cheer cartridge. (Cricut) I struggled with this a lot! What do you do with a suit with no person in it? Check out her blog for some really creative ideas! The sentiment is a sticker by 7 Gypsies. I added liquid applique to the fur of the suit and rhinestones for buttons. I added the sentiment to 2 layers of paper and adhered that to a SU! square tag. The patterned green and pink paper is by K & Company. I added gingham ribbon by Making Memories and 3 pink rhinestones.


Hope everyone had a great weekend! It was sooooo hard going back to work today!

Old World Santa

I love the Christmas set from Crafty Secrets. The paper is from Cosmo Cricket. There is a bit of sparkly brown paper that was punched with Martha Stewart's border punch. The image was colored with my Copics. I added flocking to his beard and then "dirtied" it up with a brown dauber. The ribbon is from my vintage stash.

*** Many of you asked me how I cuttlebugged the note card set. I simply put the folder on top of the card and ran it through my Sizzix machine. It didn't leave an indentation around the folder at all. Maybe with a different machine it would, I'm not sure. Try it and let me know if it works for you!

And thank you for all the kind comments concerning my daughter. It really means a lot to me that people care so much. Especially since most of you come to look at cards and such.....so from the bottom of my heart.....THANK YOU!!!

Best Thanksgiving.....

I know that those of you who visit pretty regularly know that I have a 12 year old daughter with Cerebral Palsy. Many of the things that daughters and mothers share, I haven't been able to enjoy. Cortney doesn't like to shop, it is overwhelming, and she covers her ears, bangs her head, and cries. She doesn't play with regular toys. They are electronic "baby" toys that give her instant gratification. I haven't had the luxury of baking or cooking with Cortney....until now. Kyle loves to cook, and on Wednesday we were talking about it since I was hosting Thanksgiving. Cortney told us several times, "Me cook." I was astounded! I asked her several times, thinking that maybe she would change her mind, and each time her response was the same......"Me cook." I quickly put her in her Gait trainer, pulled her up to the kitchen table, and turned on the Christmas music. I was so afraid that this wasn't going to last, that suddenly she would start to bang her head and want to go watch a tape in her room......but she wasn't.....she was actually smiling! So I had her help with the green bean casserole. I had her dump all the ingredients in and mix them in with a big wooden spoon. Still no tears! I had Kyle take some pictures of her! When she was done with the casserole, she announced, "More cook!" So then we proceeded to make a pound cake. It was pretty funny, because at one point while mixing the flour with the spoon, she flicked it too hard and ended up with flour in her hair, her shirt, and her face! She really looked like a chef! For an entire hour, I had the pleasure of preparing my Thanksgiving meal with my 2 beautiful children. I can't explain how good it made me feel. It is these little milestones, that keep me going.

I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! And if you shop the day after.......well, God Bless You!

Teacher's Gifts for Christmas!

These are super simple cards that I am making for my kids' teachers. I figured since I make cards, why not give them as gifts? I bought clear cellophane bags from SU! I will slip 5 cards a piece in there and it is a nice little gift! ( They were embossed with the small cuttlebug folders.)

Snow is in the Air!!!

Living in the Chicago land area, I am pretty used to varied weather. The weatherman are predicting flurries for Thanksgiving. So here is my card to honor the impending snow! I couldn't find the stamp......God knows it is probably buried under piles of stuff.....I think it is by Stampendous! If I am wrong, drop me a line! I used the Figgy paper by Basic Grey. I didn't actually sew on this....it is the rub on stitches by Daisy D's that comes in a runner. I had a little trouble with getting it to come out consistently. I am rub on challenged apparently! I used some glitter, jewelry tags, and a brad thingy with a loop. (Which I bought eons ago and never used!) And that's it!!! Thanks for coming to visit today, and thank you for leaving comments....it REALLY makes my day!!! : )

Apple Picking Scrap pages!

Last weekend I scrapped with my girlfriends and got a whole whopping 6 pages done. (insert sarcasm) These were 2 of the layouts. I had lots of pics to scrap so that is always a challenge for me. It is easier for me to scrap one or two pics at a time. But since I am constantly clicking away for every event, who can choose only one or two pics? I used some Basic Grey paper, my Cricut for the title, and some Jolee's stickers. I had to journal about the muffler falling off and us pulling up to the apple orchard in a VERY loud vehicle! Ahhhhh memories!!!