Girly Girl and Advice Needed!

TGIF!

Although really, I shouldn't complain seeing as how I only had a 3 day work week. ;)

 But weekends are good too. 

Especially when we will celebrating a certain someone's 17th birthday.

So tomorrow we take Kyle out for his birthday a few days early.  Just the 3 of us.  It is the one day a year we leave Cort behind with a babysitter. 

In the meantime I have a scrappy page that was published last year in Cricut Magazine.  It is my super cute niece, Katie. And yes, the title says it all.

She is a girly girl!

I used my Cricut Expression and cut the background using the Cindy Loo cartridge.  I love the tone on tone background.  It gives it a bit of interest without overpowering the photos. 

I used Make up Party for the nail polish, crown, and mirror. I swiped the edges with a bit of white ink. 

I used Kate's ABC's to cut the title.  When I first adhered it to the LO it seemed to be getting lost, so I took a pen and outlined it.  It made it pop a bit more and was easier to see!

As many of you know this crazy mama has been trying to get Cortney into some type of modeling.  It is a hard industry normally, much less trying to get a child with special needs in. 

I am thinking of starting a Facebook page just for her. 

But then I worry about creepy people....but then I think she also could use the exposure. 

I am still contacting companies frequently......

I am still acting as her "agent," but I need help.

So what do you think......should I start a Facebook page just for her? 

Here is her latest photo.......

If you know an Etsy shop owner, or if you have any outside connections to a modeling agency,  clothing company, or make up company, and would be willing to pull a few strings for this gal...her and I would be so grateful! ( I know I am reaching a bit....but desperation will do that to a mom!) ;)

The world is a small place and maybe just maybe the "right" person will 

see her cute face and take a chance on her!

Have a great weekend my friends!

Next week is going to be a busy one! All new JustRite stamps being released and Crafty Secret's Linky Party!

Photography and Vintage.....

I am home again today with the kiddos. Our temps are supposed to reach about 40 below today....so it is another day to stay inside. (oh darn! ;)  

Of course this means I'll probably be cursing about this come June! 

Yesterday I spent the day working on my photography skills. My dogs and kids were used as guinea pigs....again. I've been working on taking the camera off of auto and choosing my own settings.  I've also been working on "finding the light." My house is small and fairly dark so finding a good spot was a bit tricky. But I managed to find a spot to get those pretty catch lights in their eyes. 

  

I have more photos....many of Cort, but didn't want to bombard the blog with too many in one day! 

And since Kyle actually cooperated for a few pictures, I thought I'd take this time to remind my blog readers that I do indeed have another child! ;)

My sweet Myla.....I think she really should have been a movie dog.....or a dog model, dont' ya think? 

She is such a ham in front of the camera! 

I also managed to get a bit of crafting done.

I created a touch of spring using this floral image (hydrangea maybe?) from Crafty Secrets. It is from the Flower Garden Digital collection. I printed it on glossy photo paper and colored it with my Copics.  I fussy cut it out. The frames in the back were cut using Spellbinder's dies, Resplendent Rectangles and Labels Twenty-Nine.  I created a shadow box effect by popping up the smaller frame on music paper using dimensional foam dots.  

I airbrushed the frame with my Copic airbrush system while leaving the dies in place. 

I added a bit of lace, a couple of sequins, and a vintage inspired button. 

Someday it's gotta get warm again right?

For now, I am going to enjoy the warmth of my house....

And craft.

And stay in my jammies all day.

:)

Stay warm my friends!

Valentine Water Bottles

Happy Friday to you!
I have a fun Valentine's project to share with you. I have some candy to pass out to Cortney's class, but you know how you get really thirsty when  you eat chocolate?   why not pass out some pretty water bottles to accompany those sweets? I think my family thought I was crazy....the ultimate sign of wackiness. My husband said, "Honey  they are cute, but why in God's name would you decorate a water bottle?"   "Because I can", I answered. ;)  
And I did. 

I used my Silhouette to cut the straw decorations.  I used various papers and mixed and matched the patterns for a fun eclectic feel.  I added various buttons tied with string to the centers. 

I made a little "pocket" for the straw to rest in and added an SRM sticker over it.

I used a circle punch to decorate the tops too.....cause I am that nutty!  But I say, "Go Big or go home!"  

I don't know if the kids will love them as much as I loved making them, but I am really pleased with the result.  And of course now I am thinking of other "beverages" to alter! LOL!  

That's all I have today......still no cheer leading photos.  Too busy with haircuts, therapy, and cheer leading games to edit anything.  But I DO have a bit of good news!  Cort's school is starting a cheerleading group and asked if Cort would like to join.  She was so excited and of course said, "YES!"  She got her big, wide smile, and said to me, "I be on TWO teams!" 
*sigh*
Sweet, sweet girl of mine.

A Little Spring Coming Your Way!

I had every intention of posting some of Cort's cheerleading photos from Saturday.....but it's not gonna happen!  I need a day that is longer than 24 hours to get everything I need done, finished! 

*sigh* 

Maybe tomorrow.......

So in the mean time I have a Crafty Secret's card to share with you today. It uses a digital image from the Flower Garden set. It is a slight deviation from my regular style I think.  No glitter. No ribbon. Just this brightly colored flower, a bit of embossing, a few paint splatters, and a scattering of sequins. 

The image was printed on glossy craft paper and embossed in black.  I colored it with Tim Holtz Distress Markers.  I fussy cut the flower and adhered it with dimensional foam circles. 

By the way, does anyone know what kind of flower this is?

I am a total brown thumb and know very little about flowers!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stay warm!

Owl Treat Bag

I am so thankful to have today off and regroup a bit from our very busy weekend. 

Saturday was Cortney's big game, and then that same night Brian and I went to see the play, Ghost.  We had dinner downtown and really enjoyed the play. Sunday was my "chasing" day.  A bit of shopping,  a haircut for the the boy, nails, and dinner prepared.  So today, my plan is to craft while doing a bit (a lot!) of laundry in between. 

Valentine's Day is around the corner, so I've been creating some fun projects.

I thought this owl treat box from Silhouette was just the cutest!

I love pink and cream together with just a touch of blue.  The rose was created from the Spellbinder's Rose Creations die.  The sentiment is an SRM sticker. 

I added pop dots to the eyes and glossy accents. I love how the hearts on his body are dimensional. 

Well I am off to have a productive day.....hopefully! ;) 

Have a great day!

Monogram

Good morning and happy Friday to you! 

I have a card today that was published over the summer in Northridge's Cricut Magazine.  It is a bright cheery monogram card using Paper Trimmings and Fontopia. To create the card base I used Paper Trimmings in aqua and white.  For the square in the middle I cut several layers using solid card stock and fun polka dot paper from Martha Stewart.  

I added 3 strips of American Crafts glitter tape for some extra sparkle! The letter was cut out using the Fontopia Cartridge.  I adhered the top layer to the shadow cut using dimensional foam circles.  I gave the entire thing a generous coat of glossy accents.  I added a flower and several gems to finish it off. 

Cortney has her "big" cheer leading event this weekend.  She cheers for our local special needs basketball team with the local high school cheer leaders.  It is always such a heartwarming event!  I love watching high school girls interact and help our girls.  I will be taking lots of pictures (of course!) and video (of course!). 

I happened to capture this one of Cort before heading out the door to a "regular" game.  

My girl.......

*sigh*

Have a fabulous weekend!

Hugs to you my friends!

Movie Night!

Hi there friends! I have a card to share with you today that was published over the summer in Northridge's Cricut Magazine.  It is a movie night card.  It is a great way to invite friends over for an Oscar party, or a child's sleepover birthday party!  

I used the, When I Was a Kid cartridge and cut two of the popcorn boxes.  I scored the bottom layer at the top and glued it to the top piece to create my card's base. 

To create the popcorn effect I used multiple layers of liquid applique.  The first layer was a traditional "flat" layer. I let it dry for quite a few hours before heating it.  Once that was "puffed" up a bit, I went ahead with my second layer.  I did little "blobs" of liquid applique and again waited hours before heating it.  Since they were little "blobs" when you heat them, the center will puff up and then sink and fall to the center creating a popcorn effect. Cool right? ;)

A pair of 3-D glasses, title, and some twine were added for a bit more fun!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great day!!