Baby Steps

Look how tall he was at 8 months! Keep in mind that my husband is 6'4". This is my take on a the most recent Creating Keepsakes sketch posted on their submissions page. The photos are a little faded but they went well with the Paradise collection by Little Yellow bicycle.

Cardstock: Bazzill; specialty paper: Paper Studio; patterned paper: Little Yellow Bicycle, W R Memory keepers; letter stickers: October Afternoon, Jenny Bowlin; chipboard, diecuts, stickers: Little Yellow Bicycle; buttons: W R Memory Keepers; brads: My Minds Eye; punches: E K Success, Martha Stewart; ink: Tsukinenko; pens: Sakura, Sharpie; adhesive: 3L, Therm O Web, Tombow; misc: wooden skewers, mini clothespins.

Used a skewer as the post for the banner and some of those adorable tiny clothespins.

Martha Stewart border punch. Love the bright pink!

Fussy cut the clouds from some W R Memory keepers paper and used chalk ink to make them look "cloudy".

The punched pink circles really make the letters stand out.

It feels good to scrap these old photos, they were just waiting for the right paper :)

Mimi has her last 2 basketball games of the season and I'm scheduled to work them both :( Hoping Grandpa John or Daddy will attempt to take some more photos for me. It's really hard to take good photos in the gym, so a lot of mine are blurry due to poor lighting.

Tomorrow is a big day for Matthew...he starts driver's ed! Where has the time gone? I just realized that he only has 3 1/2 years of school left and then he will be off to college. I almost had an anxiety attack just thinking about it!

Look for a new post on Tuesday, have a great week!

1st Haircut

A "do it yourself" job. I was stunned to say the least. Sit down on the floor and cry stunned. It took this child 3 years to grow enough hair for her adorable little ponytail. She was bald for the 1st year of her life and I spent every outing repeating "She's a girl" to everyone that said "Isn't he cute!". The child was dressed head to toe in pink and they still thought she was a boy. There was an entire drawer in her dresser just for all the hair pretties I'd accumulated for the day she had enough hair to use them.

She had other ideas. Headbands...nope. Barrettes...nope. Ponytails...she tolerated them, until this fateful day. She ran into the house for a potty trip. When she didn't return in the usual amount of time, I went in to check on her. She was standing in the kitchen with a funny look on her face and a lopsided ponytail. Clueless, I reached up to straighten it and it came off in my hand!!!

Cardstock: Bazzill; patterned paper: K & Co.; laser cut paper: Anna Griffen; stickers: Crate Paper; letter stickers: Making Memories; chipboard letter stickers: Basic Grey; chipboard: Maya Road; flowers: Petaloo, Prima; punches: E K Success, Martha Stewart; die cutting machine: Cricut, Provo Craft (Birthday Bash cartridge); pen: Sakura; ink: Tsukinenko; adhesive: 3L, Therm O Web, Tombow; sewing machine: Viking; misc: thread, vintage buttons; sketch: Sketchy Thursdays.

It took 2 years to grow it out to a short bob.

This pretty flower and chipboard scissors are part of my tax time loot :)

The banner is cut with the "Birthday Bash" Cricut cartridge. Threaded the little butterfly right onto the twine.

Having a lazy Saturday. Mimi is sick and camped on the couch. Trying to get the mojo going but feeling like a slug today. Wishing I'd stopped and picked up the copy of "Hunger Games" that I won on the way home from work Thursday night from the local radio station. Could be curled up with Mimi reading :) Thanks for popping by and have a great weekend!

A Little Bo Bunny and Imaginisce

You know those little stamps, the ones you can't resist because they're only a $1 or so and they are so cute... I have a shoebox full and most have never been used.

 I'm so ashamed.

 Not.

Finally pulled them out and experimented a little! Used markers to color in the first one by Imaginisce. The tiny border stamp is theirs also. The rock in "U Rock" is from Studio G. 

Used the "Stand and Salute" Cricut cartridge for the stars

Cardstock: Stampin' Up, Bo Bunny; patterned paper: Imaginisce; letter sticker "U": Recollections; ink:Tsukinenko; markers: Marvy Uchida; adhesive: 3L, Tombow.

I noticed in several magazines that not everyone sticks to standard card sizes , so I decided to be daring and try some new sizes. Continuing my goal of using scraps, I came up with these two.

Love these texting abbreviation stamps by TPC Studio.

Cardstock: Stampin' Up, patterned paper: Bo Bunny; stamp: Studio G (Thanks So Much); chipboard letters: Die Cuts with a View; chipboard: Bo Bunny; ink: Tsukinenko; baker's twine: W R Memory Keepers; adhesive: Tombow; misc: buttons.

On a totally unrelated note...

Why did both of my children come home today and just tell me an hour ago that they have a band concert tomorrow night?!!! Now don't get me wrong, I know teachers tell students information and said information is quickly forgotten, but a note or email would be nice! Sure we want our kids to be responsible and dependable but face it, they mess up! So what is the harm in sending us parents a reminder?

Deep breath...

Beautiful Dream

You know how you see a photo for the first time and you just fall in love with it, this was one of those for me. The sky is so blue (not even Photoshopped), her face so dreamy and the pumpkin a rich burnt orange color, the whole scene is so ethereal. Tried a little color blocking and created a faux envelope. Here are the results...very linear, even for me :)

Cardstock: Bazzill; patterned paper: Little Yellow Bicycle, My Little Shoebox, Sassafrass; stickers: K & Co., Little Yellow Bicycle; diecuts: Little Yellow bicycle,Stampin' Up, Tim Holtz; brads: K & Co., Making Memories, eyelets: Making Memories; punch: E K Success; circle cutter: Coluzzle, Provo Craft; ribbon: ink: Colorbox; American Craft; pen: Sakura; adhesive: 3L, Tombow; misc: twine.

My best friend of 28 years and I "did" lunch and caught up on kids, jobs and family matters :) Then this afternoon Matthew begged to go to the antique mall. Since I enjoy a good stroll around the mall myself, off we went! He came home with the Eagles album "Hotel California" and I nabbed an awesome Victorian flower frog. Perfect for displaying cards and such. It cracks me up that he loves the music that I grew up with and acts like it is all new for me. Here is a sample of our conversation..."Mom, do you know who sings this song?", "Yes" I reply. He turns and looks at me incredulously, "Really?" and " Yes really" is my answer :)

Happy surprise this afternoon, my layout "If I Could Turn Back Time" was highlighted on the Club Creating Keepsakes Blog along with several other very lovely cards and layouts. Pop on over and check out our creations!

Aaaack! They Are Multiplying!

What are they doing in that scrap folder?! Can paper have babies? No matter how many cards I make, I never seem to get ahead! Rummaging through the scraps does have it's benefits, like rediscovering old favorites and finding pieces that go with lines I already have or have forgotten. Here are a couple made with an old K & Co. line.

Also used up some of my extra diecuts, bonus :) The desserts looked so pretty I had to make the card taller to fit all three. Liked the size so much I made the second one the same size.

Wish I'd picked up more of these Martha Stewart doily like diecuts.

On another note... Heaven help me...the computers are coming! We are finally moving ahead and converting to computer charting at work. It's been an interesting process to say the least. This ole dog is learning some new tricks but her arthritis is acting up! "Why do you have to click in four places to get here?", "Tell me again why it's necessary to flag that when it is already here?", oh and the ever popular " It will work like it's supposed to when we go live!". I know it will all be good in the end, it's just the beginning and middle that I'm worried about.

More cards to coming soon!



Paradise

I can't get that Coldplay song out of my mind, ever since I watched them perform it on the Grammys! It made an appropriate title for this page about our visit to the Michigan State Children's Garden. It is also coincidentally the name of this cute line from Little Yellow Bicycle. The teal in the paper was a perfect compliment to the little bridge in one of the photos.

I remember how excited the kids were to experience the myriad of colors, textures, and smells of the gardens. A virtual feast for the senses! Mimi was so cute, following Matthew around trying to do everything he did :)

Used another awesome Sketch Support sketch.

 

Traced and trimmed the pink paper as a foundation for the title, then popped with foam squares.

Love the paper flower kits from Little Yellow bicycle, so many combinations possible!

 Stay tuned for some more cards this weekend,  now I'm off to watch American Idol with my hubby :}

If I Could Turn Back Time

If I could find a way...

I know this is a "love gone wrong" song but the lyrics were the first thing to pop into my head when mulling over a title for this layout. My husband is what you might call photo phobic. Can't stand to have his picture taken. Hand up, turn the head, non photogenic, don't even try to take my picture...photo phobic. So I was thrilled when I came across this photo. He looks so handsome, a bit redneck in his muscle man shirt I'll admit but handsome all the same. Most of all...he looks happy and not in pain.

He was involved in an accident years ago that has left him with chronic pain. Debilitating, continuous pain. Over the years his condition has worsened to the point that even the mundane things like changing a light bulb cause him pain. These fractured lyrics just seemed appropriate.

If I could reach the stars

 I'd give them all to you

I fell in love with this Authentique paper! So blue jeans and bandanna :) The chevron border is cut from a sheet of patterned paper, stitched and popped with foam squares.

The Graphically Speaking Cricut cartridge is full of awesome icons like this clock face and hands. Cut the hands from Core'dinations paper and sanded to match the distressed feel of the papers.

Punched, inked, sanded, and layered and voila! Coordinating flowers.

Did I say how much I love coordinating products :)

 I just remember my wedding vows...For better or worse, in sickness and in health. He is still here with me, and for that, I am grateful.

WOWZA! Having a Great Day!

Just came from the Creating Keepsakes blog and found that I have one of the layouts chosen for the Readers Pick. The outcome is decided by the voters and the winner is published in the Readers Gallery of an upcoming Creating Keepsakes Magazine! My friend Steffanie is one of the finalists too! Pop on over and check out the layouts, then vote. Of Course I would love for you to vote for me but you have to pick your favorite all on your own ;)

The voting is open until February 17th at 11:59 MST. You can vote once per day! There is a link on the upper right that takes you to the page and the vote button is on the upper right.

Winner!

I love to read those words :) About 2 weeks ago I entered the Guest Designer giveaway on the Pebbles Inc. blog and received my prize package today...the entire Floral Lane collection! Needless to say I was thrilled. Can't wait to make some springy projects with this adorable and versatile collection.

Check out the cute acrylic stamp set and card rubons.

So many pretty florals...

And check out all those great polka dots! I can never have too many dots or stripes :)

Sending them a BIG Thank You!

Whoo's That Girl?!

 She looks like a teen model, with that mysterious smile and saucy toss of her head. My jaw dropped when I saw these on the the computer, since my 40 something eyes can't focus on that tiny camera display :P I was unaware how they turned out. She is blissfully unaware of the male attention she is attracting right now, it's a good thing. I'm starting to glare at the offenders in a menacing way, think Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry. So far it's doing the trick!

I went a little wild with the spray ink and was really happy with the results. Adds a festive feel, don't you think?! Notice the slightly askew"ness" of the paper and photos? An attempt to step outside my very square box, lol!

The banner is a trial cut from another layout, I keep all my "mistakes" to use on future projects.

Love this little fabric owl, I seem to have a thing for owls :)

Supply List:

 Cardstock: Core'dinations; patterned paper: Little Yellow Bicycle; letter stickers: Crate Paper (Whoo's, girl?), Making Memories (that); paper flowers, fabric stickers, journaling spots: Litttle Yellow bicycle; die cutting machine: Cricut, Provo Craft (Stand and Salute cartridge); punch: Fiskars; ink: Colorbox, Tsukineko; pearls: Recollections; spray ink: Smooch, Clearsnap; snaps: Making Memories; pen: Marvy Uchida; adhesive: 3L, Therm O Web, Tombow.

Well...we survived Matthew's impromptu Super Bowl Party! "Can I have a few of my friends over? Please Mom!" turned into 7 (8 with Matthew) fifteen year old boys in my front room. They sounded like a troop of monkeys but ate like starving lions! Two family size pizzas, Queso & chips, crab dip & crackers, cocktail weenies and barbeque meatballs later, they were finally full. If that is possible. They were all groaning at weigh in (wrestling) the next day I'm sure.

I'm so proud of Matthew! He's lost 50lbs. since the beginning of December. The only thing I don't like, is how obsessive they are about weight in wrestling. We are going to work the mechanics of proper nutrition and exercise over the spring & summer. Maybe I can coerce him into a photo shoot or two...well I can dream anyway :)

And The Winner Is...

Connie! Please email me your address at ehallgren@comcast.net so I can send out your goodies. Thank you all for becoming followers. Stay tuned for lots of new creations, I've been a very busy gal ;p

A Valentine's Day Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Valentine's Day Card Blog Hop. If you didn't arrive from Cassie's blog, www.allsmilesandsunshine.blogspot.com  please follow my link and to begin at Amanda's blog www.lovejoypaper.com My multi talented friend (the Amanda of above) sent  us each an envelope of "bits" to make a card. The only stipulation was to use at least 50% of the product she provided. I started as soon as I opened the envelope! Slow is my middle name when it comes to scrapping, card making, and crafting in general so I figured I'd better start ASAP in case of "crafter's" block :) Surprise of all surprises...I was done in an hour. So unlike me!

Supply list: Cardstock: Stampin' Up; patterned paper: My Mind's Eye (stripe and floral glitter), Crate Paper (pink scallop), Pink Paislee (diecut); sticker: K & Co.; twine: The Twinery; chipboard hearts: Paper Trey Ink; ink: "Smooch" by Clearsnap, Colorbox (chalk ink); adhesive: Tombow, 3L; misc: Modge Podge.

The chipboard hearts caught my eye and I rummaged around in my stash for something to cover them. A trio of Smooch inks, the ones that come in a cute little nail polish like bottle, were perfect. A coating of Smooch and some sparkly Modge Podge later, they were set aside to dry.

The small scalloped circle was cut with the Mini Monograms Cricut cartridge. I wanted it to resemble a doily so I punched holes in each scallop with my Cropodile. The only items not from Amanda are the "My Valentine" sentiment sticker and the scalloped pink floral paper.

If you would like a chance to win this adorable paper pack from Echo Park, then become a follower of my blog and leave a comment telling me what is your favorite Valentine's candy. I will very scientifically select a winner (all names will go into a hat and my wonderful assistant Mariel will draw a name) on February 5th, 12 Noon EST. Winner announced that night!

Thank you for taking the time to check out our creations, I hope we inspired you today! Your next stop on the hop is with the talented Laura (aka Moonirl) at www.happinessequalscreation.blogspot.com