So Very Thankful!

Good morning! I have a Cutting Cafe' card to share with you today! This particular sentiment is part of the, So Thankful Circle Word Printable set. I decided to use some fall inspired colors on this card. Fall is definitely in the air.....the temps are cooler, the leaves are starting to change, and my mums are planted! All papers are by Papertrey Ink and all circles/scallops were cut using Spellbinders. I did a bit of hand stitching, added a few rhinestones and adhered a felt leaf I found at Hobby Lobby. A simple card. But sometimes simple is good. : )

And on a personal note......Cortney started high school last week....but I have yet to get a good picture of my girl. I'll keep trying until I get a decent one.......hence the reason you haven't seen her cut mug on here in awhile. : ) Kyle is doing well in 8th so far.....no problems with the kids yet. (Thank goodness.....knock on wood!) He has joined several clubs.....Book Club, Drama, and Track and Field. He is already setting his sights on a private high school in the area.....so I am trying to get a date for him to "Shadow." This is a day where he follows another student throughout his day to see what it is like.

So life is busy. Life is good. Thank you for all of your sweet comments and visits!!!

So Totally Off Schedule!

Alrighty....it is Saturday.....and if you know my normal "routine," you know that I am usually a Monday-Friday poster. And it is done in the morning. Not this week. No siree. I have been posting at anytime during the day......and on a Saturday! Is it because I like to "mix it up" a bit? Keep you on your toes? Nope. I'll give you one guess. W.O.R.K! Now don't get me wrong, I love my job and the people I work with, and technically it isn't their fault. It's all me. Me not being able to drag my sorry butt out of bed in the morning.....me not being organized to prepare meals when I get home.....me not being able to stay up into the wee hours of the night.

So bare with me while I make this transition back into the working world.....eventually, I will get back on a regular schedule!

I have a "Congratulations on Your New Home" card to share with you today. This adorable set if from the Cutting Cafe'. It is called "Welcome Home." I paper pieced it using lots of October Afternoon papers. I backed it with a bit of black so it would stand out a bit. I used my Circle Spellbinder's die to cut the background and grass. Martha Stewart fringe scissors were used to cut the grass. I used dictionary paper for the background and backed it with black and olive paper.
I shaded the window in with my Copics and added Crystal Effects for some shine. The tree is a punch by EK Success. The door was also shaded with Copics to add a bit of depth.

I really, really, really appreciate you stopping by here! Your visits mean the world to me!

Have a wonderful weekend! I am off to a birthday party today and tomorrow the family and I are heading down to Navy Pier to see the "Tall Ships" exhibit! : )

Cutting Cafe' Giveaway!

It is time for another Cutting Cafe' giveaway!!! The very generous Regina is letting us give one of her super cute sets away....and all you have to do is leave a comment. Easy right? You can tell me what you are up to, what your weekend plans are, vent about the hubster, the kids...whatever your heart desires! : ) I chose this sweet set called, For the Love of Lemons, because we certainly get enough "lemons" in our life don't we? : ) (This set includes 20 images!)

I colored these lemons with Copics and added crystal lacquer and rhinestones. (Because we all need lemons with bling....wouldn't you agree? ) The paper is by Cosmo Cricket Delovely. I just love the bright summery colors of this paper!

If you would like to see the entire set click HERE! If you would like to win it....just leave a comment for me! I will randomly draw a winner on Thursday night at 10:00 PM Central Standard Time.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Little Ladybug!

Good morning to you! I have lots to do on my "To Do" list today! So have to get a move on quickly! Only two weeks before school starts and I haven't even started doing anything in my classroom.....eeeek!

I have a little scalloped card to share with you today using the Cute Critter's set from Cutting Cafe'. A few of my girlfriends' daughters were on a softball team called the "Ladybugs," so this card would be perfect for them! I colored the little lady with Copics and used Crystal lacquer over the image. The circles were cut out using my Spellbinder's circle dies. I also did a bit of airbrushing! The edges were inked up using Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Frayed Burlap and then placed on foam squares for dimension. The papers are by October Afternoon and Papertrey Ink.

I added a mini paperclip, ribbon, and stick pin to finish it off!

I need to get a move on and start tackling my very long "To Do" list!!!

Happy weekend! Thanks for stopping by!!!!

Soft Poofy Cupcake! : )

When I saw the shaped cupcake card by Cutting Cafe', I had this idea to make the top of the cupcake soft and "poofy." (Yes, that is the technical word for it!) I have all these beautiful pieces of felt from Papertrey ink and decided on Hibiscus. I printed off the top of the cupcake on printer paper, cut it out, and pinned in to the felt and cut two pieces out with good fabric scissors. I chose the blanket stitch in white thread. When I was almost done stitching it up I shoved cotton balls in side to give it its "poof." Then I finished with my stitching. I adhered it to the top of the "paper" cupcake using tacky glue. I added a Jennin Bowlin heart, silk ribbon, crocheted flower, and a candle to the top of my candle. Seed beads were added as well. The Designer paper is by Cosmo Cricket, deLovely line. That was also hand stitched using a straight stitch.

I have a very busy weekend and week ahead of me. Tonight is a birthday celebration with a few of my scrappy friends, tomorrow is my American Cancer Relay for Life walk, then on Sunday we are taking Kyle to camp. He will be gone a whole week! Next week I will be at CHA everyday. Not complaining though.....it is all good! Excited and a bit nervous! Have a great weekend! And thank you so much for stopping by!!!

My Girly Princess Crown and Some Pics!

Good morning to you! And HAPPY WEEKEND! I told you about a week ago that I had created a girly version of THIS crown. It uses the Cutting Cafe's Crown Template. I used October Afternoon and Papertrey Ink paper. The sentiment is part of the Crown Template set. I cut it out using my circle Spellbinders's die. The tag is also from Spellbinders. I used a little bit of glitter here....... : )

I love how it opens at the top.....it doesn't give you tons of room inside to write, but enough for a young girl who is just turning 8!

Here are a few pics from our Michigan trip last weekend! This first pic is of Kyle skiing. He is a regular pro now! I love watching him zip around the lake!

...............and this is what your hair will look like after zipping around the lake! LOL!

This is my girl and I tubing. If only you knew how hard it is for this girl to keep her head up....her body upright and erect.......this picture would make her physical therapist proud!

And I love this picture of Kyle with his two younger cousins fishing. So sweet.

I am off to see Kyle play a "Card" in the play, "Alice in Wonderland" this afternoon. Tonight Brian and I are going to the White Sox game! It will be so fun to have a "date" with my hubby and root the Sox on!

Have a FABULOUS weekend!!!

Little Boy Birthday Crown!

I have a fun little crown card to share with you today! My nephew just turned 3 and we have his birthday party tomorrow. So I whipped up this card using Cutting Cafe's Crown Template. I used October Afternoon, Melissa Frances, and Papertrey Ink papers. I added some bling, some Prima Roses and a little frog from Inky Antics. He was colored in with Copics and a teeny tiny rhinestone was added to the flower he is holding. The circles were cut using Spellbinder's Nestibilities, then I airbrushed them while leaving the brass die on the circle. When you take it off you are left with a nice clean edge.

My niece is turning 8 soon and I created a girl crown that I will share with you later this week! : )

Off to swim with the kiddos! Hot and sticky today......perfect pool weather!

Have a great weekend!

How About a Ray of Sunshine Today?

I am patting myself on the back right now for incorporating 3 of my favorite companies together to make today's card! (pat, pat, pat!) I used paper and a flower stamp from Noel Mignon's Sun-Kissed kit, a JustRite sentiment, and a Cutting Cafe' Sun Template! I printed the sun template and cut it out. Then I stamped JustRite's Seeds of Kindness (1 5/8) set in Black Momento ink. The butterfly was colored with Copics and the image was cut out using my Spellbinders. The edges were then inked with Tim Holtz Distressing Ink in frayed burlap. The little flower stamp behind my JR sentiment was in the Sun-Kissed kit and is by Imaginence. I stamped it and cut it out to create an extra layer behind my sentiment.

I added a bit of ribbon and some cheery stick pins. The front of the sun opens up so that you can write a little somthin' somethin' in there! : )

Busy weekend ahead of me! I am teaching a crafty banner class in Evanston IL tonight. Tomorrow I have a graduation party and Sunday is Father's Day! Hope you have a sunshine filled weekend!!! : )

Cutting Cafe's Flower Pot Template!

Good morning and happy Thursday to you! I am doing the "non" rain dance today, hoping that the rain stays away for a bit. My 5th graders are going to a nature center today, where we hike and learn about ecosystems and such. It would make for an unpleasant and very muddy trip if it rains!

For today's card I used the Cutting Cafe's Flower Pot Template and October Afternoon paper. (Thrift Shop line) I did lots of distressing to the edges and added vintage buttons or pearls to the centers of the flowers.


The sentiment is also from the Cutting Cafe'. It was cut out using my oval Nestibility and distressed also. I added some scrunched seam binding that I colored myself and added a pretty stick pin.

I am off to put on my "hiking" gym shoes and grubby clothes! : ) Thanks so much for stopping by today!! Your comments truly brighten my day! (Yes, I am that pathetic! LOL!)

Graduations Galore!

Good morning to all of you! It has been a hot sticky few days here in Chicago! We have been getting our pool ready and have run into a few snags here and there. (Which is always a bit frustrating!) Monday I had a bit of an asthma attack and had to leave work. (No air conditioning.......and 24 hot sticky bodies in one room!) It is much better today, but it was a bit scary. I've never had one like that before, it has always been mild and well controlled. Doc gave me a script for a rescue inhaler just in case it happens again!

June is fast approaching and that means weddings and graduations! I created this little grad hat using the Cutting Cafe's template. I used Papertrey paper and October Afternoon's DP. I had to add glitter, a Prima flower, and the year cut with my Quickutz.
The card does open, but I had a hard time standing it up....it kept toppling over! : )

My 5th graders are taking a field trip to the junior high today. They are so nervous about making the transition. It seems like only yesterday, they were just walking into my classroom for the first time. It is amazing how they have become "my" children. I am extremely protective of them.......even when they drive me crazy! I will miss this class dearly. Such a great group of kids!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!!

Cutting Cafe'

Good morning! I have a card to share with you today using Cutting Cafe's Beautiful Blooms set. I used Papertrey's Kraft cardstock and some Melissa Frances DP. I printed the images on Papertrey Vintage cream card stock and colored the flowers with my Copics. I added a rhinestone to the center. I printed the vase on DP but did add a bit of shadowing using my Copics as well! I used various Spellbinders dies too. I wanted the flowers to stand out, which is why I added the cream circles behind them. : )

I am on the official count down to the start of summer vacation.......only 4 weeks to go! (4 very long weeks ; )

Have a wonderful Tuesday!!!!!! : )

Cutting Cafe's Giveaway!

Regina, owner of the Cutting Cafe' is having a giveaway! The DT is giving away the sets they used to make their card to one lucky winner! I used 2 sets to create my sweet sugary strawberry card. The first one, is obviously the strawberry! I sewed fabric onto the front of the card, and added glittered paper to the top. I added some Papertrey ribbon, a Prima flower, a vintage paper flower, and a teeny tag and sentiment. I added the word sweet with Cutting Cafe's All Occasion Banner set! Banners are all the rage right now! I just love 'em!

Would you like to win the Strawberry template and the All Occasions Banner set? Then leave me a comment before Wednesday 11 PM Central time. That's it....easy peasy! I will pick a winner shortly after using Random.org!

Have a fabulous Tuesday!!!!! Thanks so much for stopping by!!!!

Baby Boy Card.....

Good morning and happy Tuesday to you! Today is supposed to be sunny and near 80 degrees...... : ) That just makes me wanna do the happy dance!!!

I created this little sailboat card using THIS template from the Cutting Cafe. The gym teacher at my school just had a baby boy, and I am going to give her this with a few items I bought for the new baby. Much of the paper was from my scrap bin....so I am not sure of the manufacturers. I Cuttlebugged the sails and added glitter. The sentiment is also by Cutting Cafe. It is from the Assorted Boy Word Circles set. I am going to make a few more to have on hand because I truly adore this shaped card! mmmmmmmmmmmm? Maybe even a Father's Day card? We'll have to see where those creative juices take me! : )



Have a wonderful Tuesday! I sooooooooo appreciate you taking your time to visit lil ole' me!!!!

Dreams......

The season of graduations is upon us and I thought I'd better get crackin' on some cards for the occasion! I used the Cutting Cafe's Star's Background set. I used Paper Trey's Kraft and Pure Poppy paper. I did a bit of machine stitching, added rhinestones, glitter (that goes without saying! LOL!), and some rhinestone swirls! To add emphasis on the sentiment, I scored above and below it and added 3 rhinestones.

Monday, Monday........mmmmmm. Who sang that song anyway?

Have a great one!

Cutting Cafe'!

Good morning to you! What a productive day I had yesterday! My bedroom is officially done being painted, my garden has been weeded, bills were written, laundry was done, and I even managed to get one card made! I created this card using the Cutting Cafe's All About Mom's set. I decided to use up the scraps on my desk and make a "quilt" with 'em! Papers are Melissa Frances. My stitching in the corners went a bit wonky.....hence the glittery Martha Stewart corner pieces! I bought these pretty glittery butterflies from Michaels and removed the plastic body part and added a button and stick pins instead.

It is back to school time for me and Cort today! She is so happy to go back and see all of her friends and teachers! Plus Tuesdays is a swim day for her........so added bonus!

Still no computer for me.....I tried calling the guy and he didn't answer the phone. WTF? I am sooooo aggravated! I have to retake all of my pics and upload them to my tiny computer because as you know I have nothing but time........nothing but time. (Said in my best sarcastic voice!)

Have a wonderful Tuesday!!!!

Cutting Cafe' Mother's Day Card!

Good morning to you! Yesterday I had a tutorial on how to make these dimensional glittery flowers and as you know I made like a bajillion of them! LOL! So here is a card using the All About Mom Cutting Cafe' set and one of my flowers! I sewed the sentiment to a piece of fabric using pink thread. I added some scraps of paper from my desk, I know one of them is a piece of old Wild Asparagus paper, but not sure what the other paper is. I added a dollie, a satin Papertrey Ink ribbon, glittered flower, and an old vintage button tied with twine.

aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh..............glitter!!! : )

What a aggravating, crabby day I had yesterday! Here is the list of craziness that ensued yesterday.....

1. computer still in the shop.....no word on when I will get it back yet! EEERRGGHH!!! (Which explains my lack of "blurfing.")

2. Took 9 hours to install AT & T U-verse (cable, phone, Internet company) because they screwed up my order for the 3rd time!!!!!! (Company was out last week and this past Monday....so this was day #3!)

3. My washing machine's "pump" broke..........I am out $250.00. (Did have it fixed however!)

4. AT & T screwed up our order AGAIN......went to use the High Definition channels.....which we wanted.....but didn't have. ANOTHER call to this darn company to get it fixed!

5. Awaiting parts for my van. Apparently they are "custom" made parts and won't be in for 10-14 days. So I guess I will continue to struggle getting Cort in the van on the other side of the van, which is NOT handicapped accessible!

6. My bedroom is a mess, because we are redecorating it.....so I painted woodwork, in between the AT & T U-verse guy, and the appliance guy!

7. Cort's CT scan came back......she has persistent Sinusitis and a blocked sphenoid. So back on ANOTHER round of antibiotics. (This makes 4.....but who's counting?)

OK..........enough of my crabbing! But seriously? A day that I am glad is OVER!!!

So I do apologize for not visiting anyone.....but I am working once again, off of my Teeny Tiny Netbook! Not really ideal for long computer time! Hopefully, next week, I will be back to my normal schedule! : )

Thanks for listening to my rant! Have a wonderful Thursday!!!

Cutting Cafe' Winner!

Random.org picked number 43!!! The winner of the Cutting Cafe' give away is.......

SARAH!!! She said, " Beautiful card, thanks for the close up picture- love the little details!"

Thanks everyone for playing!!!! : ) Please send me your e-mail Sarah and Regina will send you your goodies!

The Cutting Cafe'.....& a Giveaway!

I am so excited to share with you that I am now a part of the Cutting Cafe' team! What talent this DT has! I met Regina a few years ago and worked with her on the Bitten By the Bug team....and she has since opened up her own store called The Cutting Cafe'. She is amazingly talented and sweet too! This place is filled with amazing digi stamps and templates! I used the new Mother's Day stamps and adorable coffee cup template. I dressed up my coffee cup with Melissa Frances papers, a bit of airbrushing to the sentiment, Prima Flower, Maya Road stick pins.......and a scalloped die cut from Spellbinders.

A lil' close up......... : )

Regina is doing a generous give away! You have the opportunity to win the two sets I used to make this card! All you have to do is leave a comment by Tuesday night 12PM CST and I will randomly pick a winner. : )