Happy Halloween and My Little Angel!

Happy Friday and a Happy Halloween!!!

I can't believe it is already Halloween! I am really looking forward to seeing all the kids tonight. It is supposed to be a beautiful night, so I think we will be giving out lots of treats. I don't think Izzy will be dressing up though. First, she is still afraid of her costumes and secondly she seems to have come down with the same thing I have. Poor baby her little nose has been running all day and she is falling all the time. She hasn't been too grouchy though, just super loving.

Well I have some news about Izzy, we have started potty training!!! I am so excited. She hasn't actually gone potty in the potty chair yet, but she has the whole routine down. She even brought in some reading material this morning and sat down. I wonder where she learned that from, Daddy? I am really proud of her though. She has caught on really quickly. I think next week we will actually try to get her to go. I am a little concerned though because she likes to stick her hand in the bowl after she gets up. Hopefully that will stop. EWWWW!!!

Oh another piece of good news. I have been selected to be this weeks Star Stamper over at MFT! Can you believe it!!! It is a new program they are starting featuring customer's cards. I am so honored!! Have you seen some of the incredible creations the MFT ladies create? I am just flabbergasted that I am included with them! Thank you!

Well on to my Halloween cards! I really had a lot of fun creating these last few Halloween cards today. I am a little bummed though that it is over. I do have Christmas cards to uplift my spirits, so I am looking forward to that. I just can't wait for all the Christmas sets. Yeahh!!

Okay so here is my first Halloween card for today. This card was created for Challenge 6 over at Spiral Whisper. The Challenge was to create a card using one of the Halloween stamps. Well I just received Broomstick Milly and knew she would make an adorable card. Here she is.

I have been seeing a ton of window scene cards out on SCS and really wanted to give it a try. I started off by stamping Milly on a piece of whisper white along with a piece of Halloween DP. I paper pieced her together, colored her in with my stampin write markers and cut her out. I then cut out a piece of purple card stock and scored a 1/4" and a 1/2" in on each side and folded them back and forth so it would pop off the black card. I then cut a hole using my nesties and placed a piece of acetate behind it to create a window. Next I cut out different lengths and widths of green card stock and arranged them on the black card so that they would look like buildings. I aged them with a green copic marker and added windows with a black marker. I then cut out a circle from some very vanilla card stock and shaded it with a sponge and some summer sun ink and some apricot appeal. I then arranged them to create a cityscape. Next I adhered the purple window card stock to the top of the card and cut out a free hand tree out of brown card stock. I added some bark with my markers and then punched out the fence with my new Martha Stewart punch. I finished the card off by adding some Halloween buttons and three green mini brads. I am really happy with the way this turned out. I think Jason's parents will appreciate it even though it is coming a little late.

My second Halloween card is an idea that I have had for quite awhile but have never gotten around to actually executing. Since today is really the last day for Halloween cards, I knew this was my last chance. I'm calling this one "Never Rely On An Elf".

Isn't it cute? I just couldn't help myself. I bought this set from MFT a couple of months ago and just knew it would make a funny Halloween card. I am all about altering stamps to fit other occasions. I started off by stamping the rug, fireplace and Santa's legs from Home For the Holidays by MFT on a piece of whisper white. I then colored them in with stampin' write markers and copics and drew in the floor boards. I then paper pieced the wallpaper with some Halloween DP I had left over. Next I stamped the pumpkins and the sentiment from Kooky Kostumes by SUInk and More on whisper white and colored them in adding some cobwebs. I went ahead and popped off the pumpkins to give them some dimension. Next I stamped the little spider from Trick or Treat by Penny Black to the side of the fireplace. I finished the main image off by printing off the skull from CC Designs Digi Download Sweet Pea Halloween and the cauldron from Simply Sista's and Card Scents' Halloween Digi Stamps and coloring them in using my markers and copics. (I know I used a lot of different stamps, but I needed several small accessories to fill up the "room".) Next, following this week's MFT sketch challenge over at SCS, I layered on Halloween DP and purple card stock. I used my nesties to cut out the circle and my spider web embossing folder to create some texture. I finished up the card by printing off the sentiment on my computer and coloring it in with copics and some Halloween brads. I think it is funny. I can just see Santa getting all excited and heading out on Halloween instead of Christmas! I know my sister will appreciate it.

Now on to the last project for today. Wow have I been busy! This is a little angel box I created for Izzy. When she gets older I hope that she will fill it up with all those little special trinkets she finds and enjoys. This box is being submitted for the Cutie Pie Challenge over at Paper Pretties. They will be releasing their new stamps tomorrow evening and I can hardly wait.

Here is a side view.

This box is actually a little papermache box I found at Michaels for $2. I wanted something that would last. I started off by covering the box with some pretty Christmas DP that I just bought. I then cut out a piece of white card stock and stamped the sentiment from Angel Wings by Paper Pretties over and over in pink to create a background paper. I mounted it behind a piece of green glitter paper to create a little frame. Next I stamped the main image from Angel Wings on a piece of white card stock, a piece of white glitter card stock and a piece of deep red glitter card stock. I paper pieced her together and colored her in using my markers. I then cut her out and applied some liquid applique and more glitter to her skirt. I finished her off by adding some silver rick rack to create a little halo and popped her off the frame. I then punched out a tag of red glitter card stock using my new Sizzix die and stamped the sentiment on a piece of white and mounted it behind it. I added two black brads to either side and threaded through a piece of white ribbon. I added some snowflake brads to the box and closed the lid. I really think Izzy will appreciate it when she gets older. She is such a sweetie.

And here she is my little angel!!

I hope your Halloween is a good one. It is getting close to time here. Be safe and have lots of fun, I know I will! Thanks as always for stopping by!!

Sneaking in a Halloween Card and One More Get Well Card!

Happy Thursday everybody!


I am so happy the weekend is almost here! I can't believe tomorrow is Halloween! It doesn't feel like October should be over yet. I am not ready!!! It will be fun to see all the neighborhood kids dressed up and passing out candy Though. I doubt Izzy will be doing it, but there is always next year. I think it is supposed to be a really nice night. I hate it when it is really cold or rainy because then the kids are all covered up and you can't see their cute costumes.


Well Izzy seemed more content this morning. She seems to be going through a phase lately of not being content with anything. The Parents As Teachers lady said that it is probably because she knows the words but can't get them out. That makes sense, especially since sometimes I can actually hear her stuttering before she says something. Poor baby! Although, the grunting is driving me crazy!!!!!


She has really gotten into coloring lately. Yeah! A girl after my own heart. I actually sat her on my lap this morning and showed her how to color with my makers. She seemed really interested. She loves her little Aquadoodle pad and will lay on the floor and color with the pen. She also likes to color with her crayons, in fact I think it is one of her favorite toys. Which brings me to a point I am trying to make to my husband.


Yesterday when Melaina was over, both Izzy and her were rearranging my stamping shelf. Pulling out all the loose stamps and building with them and stacking and lining them up. It was their favorite toy. Now don't you think since my stamps double as kids toys that I should be allowed to incorporate some of the toy budget into my stamping budget? Who agrees with me?


Well today I am sneaking in another Halloween card before the big day. For the the last three weeks I have been participating in the Freaky Friday Halloween Challenge over at Sunflower Studio. This weeks challenge is a sketch challenge. It was really fun and different. Here is the sketch and card I came up with.




I actually just bought this stamp over the weekend and have been dying to use it. When I saw it all I could think about are those super organized women who have pictures on all their shoe boxes or who have a catalog of all their different wardrobe choices and I thought wouldn't it be funny if a witch was like that too?! I started this card off by stamping the Witch's Shoes by Stampendous on a piece of whisper white and coloring it in with stampin' write markers and my copics. I then mounted it on a piece of purple card stock and then created a frame around it using black card stock and a Martha Stewart edge punch. (I had to do this because I do not have the rectangle nestabilities. Don't worry though it is in my budget for next month!) I then popped it off the background following the sketch with some Halloween DP and some purple card stock. I went ahead and used my edge punch again on the bottom of the purple card stock to give it some visual interest. I printed off the sentiment on the computer and attached to the side with some purple card stock behind it. The card was finished off with three orange brads. I can't wait to give it to my mother for Halloween. Don't worry she is out of town and isn't able to read my blog, so it won't spoil the surprise to give it to her.


The second card is another get well card. The good news is that nobody else is sick, the bad news is that I am so indecisive that I can't decide which get well card I should send to our friend. I am leaning toward this one because it is just so cute.



Well I would love to take 100% credit for this card but I can't. I actually got the inspiration for this card from a first aid kit that Lauren Meader made. I found it on her blog a couple of months ago and have been thinking about it ever since. The woman is a genius! Well I started off by stamping Lilly from Dress Up Lily by Pink Cat Studio (love this set if you can't tell! Ohh and did you hear? They will be releasing more Bily and Lily stamps on Thursday November 6th. I can't wait to get my hands on them.) on a piece of whisper white along with the thermometer, hat and bag. I colored them in using my markers, copics and souffle pen. I cut out the different pieces and layered them on the main image. I then stamped the band aid box from Stamps by Judith on a piece of whisper white and colored it in. I layered the images on DP, white card stock, blue card stock and red card stock. I added faux stitching to the background (mainly because I am lazy and didn't want to get out my sewing machine last night) and popped off the two images. I added some silver brads and some ribbon to the side and printed off the sentiment "We Hope You Are On The Mend!" and stuck it inside. I really think I might send both because I just can't decide! Ohhh, maybe it will help her heal faster!


Well I am going to go lay down for a few minutes. I am back to feeling a little tired, which is really bad since today is so beautiful! Thank you all for stopping by!!

Get Well Soon and Lily Snapshots!

Happy Wednesday everybody!

Today was kind of a crazy day. Jason was home working today and I was able to take care of Melaina again. Yeah!!! I thought I wasn't going to be able to, but her dad called this morning and said that he was so tired he couldn't keep his eyes open (he had been in a car for 32 hours). He wanted to know if I could watch her. Well of course I immediately said yes. I just love her. She is such a cutie pie, although I think that Jason has a new admirer. I brought both girls inside this afternoon and Tuxy and Jason went out back for a short walk and you would have thought they were leaving forever. Both girls were banging on the glass crying their eyes out. Neither one of them acted like that when I went out back. Hmmmmmm!

Well they both had a good time and I was able to get some stamping in today. I am feeling much better and feel my mojo is slowly coming back to me.

The first card I want to share today is a get well card that I made for a family friend. She had surgery on her back yesterday and everything seems to be going well. She has been in a lot of pain since June and is unable to actually sleep in her bed at night. She is expecting a new grandson in December and wanted to be fully recovered so she could help out. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her.

This idea for this card actually started last week. I was looking over the MFT Who's that Girl Monday Challenge, which was to use the set Bunny Slippers and purple and pink paper. I intended to get started last week but ran out of time. Two days ago, (I know I am a little late) I went ahead and went through my stack of purple DP and found this really pretty striped paper. I knew I had to use it. I then saw the aquamarine stripe that ran though it and new what accent color I was going to use. Here it is.

I started off by stamping the girl from Bunny Slippers on a piece of whisper white and DP. I cut out the DP and adhered it to the stamped image. I then finished coloring in the image with my stampin' write markers and my copics. Next I flocked the collars, cuffs, belt, pockets and bunny slippers with aquamarine flocking to give it a cozy feel. I mounted it on DP and green card stock. Next I stamped the soup image from the same set on a piece of whisper white and a piece of DP. I paper pieced the two together, colored them in with my markers and cut it out. I mounted it on some green card stock, DP and purple card stock and turned it into a diamond. I then stamped the sentiment in a swirl pattern and added it to the "steam" coming out of the soup. I popped the images off some DP that I placed in the background and finished the card off with three turquoise brads. It just seems to have a warm and cozy feel. I really hope she enjoys it.

My second card for today is a card that I created using the SCS color challenge from yesterday and today's sketch challenge. Jason asked me this morning if I could create a card for his grandparents that we could send a picture of Izzy in. Well of course I immediately thought of my Dress Up Lilly set by Pink Cat Studio. While I was going through the images in the set I began to think of how green, pink and orange would work together. That's when I saw the ice cream cones and lollipops and I knew I had my theme for the card.

Isn't it cute. I decided to use Lily's head as the main image and create a "DP" out of the sweet treats. For this card the first thing I did was stamp Lily's head on a piece of white card stock and color it in using my makers and copics. I then stamped the two ice cream cones and the lollipop on two pieces of white card stock to create a pattern and colored them in. I then mounted them on several pieces of DP to create little "snapshots" and popped them off some DP I used for the background. Next I added a piece of funky ribbon and added faux stitching around all the boxes and polka dots in the DP. I really like the color combination. I think it has a fun and youthful appearance.

Well I am signing off for today with a cute picture of Izzy and Melaina. They had such a great time. I am really glad that they get to spend so much time together. I really think it helps Izzy.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great rest of the evening!!!

MFTapalooza and Where is my Mojo?

Happy Tuesday everybody!!

It is just beautiful here today! Although it was only thirty degrees when I woke up this morning, it is now around fifty and not a cloud in the sky. Izzy and I are going to try to get out a little this afternoon. I am feeling a little under the weather with a tickle in my throat. I just can't seem to get enough energy up to really do anything. I am excited about stamping, but I can't seem to actually get started on anything or motivated enough to really get my projects the way I want them to. I am hoping I will feel better tomorrow and my mojo will return.

Well I went to Curves last night and used my smart tag for the first time. Usually I just go and do the circle twice and I am done. Well I haven't been happy lately with how much weight I have been losing, namely none, so I went ahead and signed up for the smart tag last week, which acts as a personal trainer. Can you say almost died!!!! My friend Beth was there with me and I told her she was no longer my friend since she did not accurately prepare me for the torture that is the smart tag. I did feel better after I finished but I am going to continue to play the victim card so I can get some sympathy.

Last week I was so busy that I didn't get to really play in any of the challenges I wanted to so this week I am doing my darndest to stay on target. It just so happens that all the cards I have made so far this week have used my MFT sets. I don't know why, I guess I am just in an MFT mood. I am actually going to share two of them today.

The first card is a card for Monday's Who's that Girl Challenge. This week the challenge was to use the set Falling for You along with something you found outside in nature. Here is what I came up with.

This is actually an ATC shaker card. It didn't start out this way. I did have the idea at first to make a shaker card, but I actually stamped the main image in the set. I colored it in and was working on the background when I decided that it just wasn't right. I couldn't get the colors the way I wanted them and I just didn't have the heart to restamp it and try again, so I grabbed the tree from the set and colored it in. I then folded a piece of acetate in half glued around the outside edges and slipped the colored image inside. I then got out my $1 leaf punch that I found at Target (last time I was there they still had a few; I use mine all the time), and punched out several leaves out of red, orange and yellow card stock. I then slipped them inside my acetate pouch to make them appear as though they are falling from the tree. I then took a piece of card stock and cut out an opening to make a frame around my shaker. I attached the whole thing to a piece of brown card stock and added the photo corners I made out of brown and plaid card stock. I then went out into the freezing cold last night and picked up a few sticks and glued them to the side to make them look like a tree. I finished the card off by adding a few more punched leaves and three pumpkins I stamped and colored from the Falling for You set. I do like how it turned out. There was a few minutes there where I was sweating, but overall I am pleased.

The second card I made for today is a sketch challenge card for the website I {heart} 2 Stamp. I really like this sketch. It is unusual. Below is the sketch.

Isn't it fun and different? Well when I saw it I new I needed some sort of small square or rectangular image. Well I just picked up the new Christmas Owls set over at MFT and hadn't inked it up yet. It was perfect!

I am so happy I picked up this Christmas paper at Archiver's, it has a little bit different twist on traditional Christmas. Well I first started by stamping the main image from Christmas Owls and colored it in using my stampin' write markers and copics. I then added diamond stickles to the wire to make it look like icicles and liquid applique to the hats to give them some poofy texture. I mounted the image on a piece of green card stock and then a piece of red card stock. Following the above sketch, I layered different pieces of Christmas DP and card stock. For the main background I used my swiss dots embossing folder to create the texture. I then stamped the sentiment three times on some circles of card stock I cut out with my nesties and popped it off the page. For a finishing touch I added an ornament charm I had left over from last year. I am pretty pleased with the way this came out. I think I might do a few things differently coloring wise next time though.

Well that is it for me today. I am going to go rest for awhile if Izzy lets me. I get to watch Melaina again tomorrow so I should have some new pictures to share. As always thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughtful comments. Thanks!

The Promised Tutorial Finally!

Happy Monday everyone!

Oh it feels so good to be blogging and stamping again. I haven't been able to all weekend!!

So I was finally able to assemble another box today so I could post the tutorial. I really am sorry this has taken me so long to post, it has just been insane around here. I am also a little embarrassed since this is such an easy box to create that it has taken me so long to get it together.

Well here it is! I went ahead and scanned a template for everyone so they can just print it off. I am also posting step by step instructions for those people like me who need more than just a drawing to follow.

This is the template:

Step 1: You are first going to need a sturdy piece of card stock cut to 7" X 11.5". Layout the piece of card stock lengthwise (landscape style). Score at 1/2",4", 6" and 9 1/2". See below.

Step 2: Turn your piece of card stock width wise (portrait style) and score at 1 1/2" and 5 1/2". You now have the folds for your box. See, easy peasy!

Step 3: To create the door, choose one of the 3 1/2 by 4" panels. Make sure your paper is lengthwise again (landscape style), and score vertically at 1" and 3". Score horizontally at 3/4" and 3 1/2". Now cut out your door. NOTE: Do Not cut out all four sides. Only three sides. Otherwise you have to figure out how to reattach it with some single sided tape that you have buried in the bottom of some random drawer and then you have to figure out how to cover up where you tried to fix it with more card stock and then you have to make a separate door, while it takes you twenty extra minutes and your daughter is pulling on your pant leg because she wants lunch and you are telling her to wait just one more minute because Mommy is almost done. Not that I would know anything about this, since I of course did not cut out all four sides. lol.

Step 4: Now your door is cut out and you need to attach your acetate. Cut a piece of acetate 2 1/2" by 3 3/4" and attach to the inside of the box to cover the window created by the door.

Step 5: Cut out the tabs for your box. I like to cut mine at a slight angle so that I don't have any overlap but you can cut them straight if you prefer. See below for guidance.

Step 6: Assemble your box. I like to prefold all the score lines so that the box assembles easier. I attach the 1/2" flap to the opposite 2" flap. I then adhere the bottom of the box.

Here is a picture of the assembled box.

The last step is to decorate however you see fit.

For this version of the box, I used the stamp set Kooky Kostumes by SUInk and More again but used the candy corn girl and the dog. I colored her in with my stampin' write markers and my copics. I then covered the box with siding I made out of Halloween DP and my Martha Stewart edge punch. I then added some trim and a door with green card stock that I went over with a green marker to age it. I added to different sizes of orange brads to create a door knob and hook. I punched out a bat using my Martha Stewart punch and added it to the door with some black thread. I then stamped the light pole from The Witching Hour by SUInk and more and popped it along with the little girl and dog off the front of the box. I finished the box by filling it with chocolate and tied it close with a Halloween bow.

I hope this tutorial was helpful. If anybody has any questions please feel free to e-mail me and I will be happy to answer them!

So this weekend was our party. I think it was a smashing success! Everybody had a really great time and the food was really good. I am so glad we did it but I am really glad it is over. We also went to Boo at the Zoo this weekend. Kids get all dressed up and go Trick or Treating at the Zoo. I was so excited because I finished Izzy's costume and here is a picture!!!

Okay so there is no picture. Want to know why? The little stinker is scared of it. Every time I try to put it on her she turns and starts crying. What can possibly be scary about a candy corn? And she loves candy corn. Well then I had the brilliant idea of dressing her up in a hand me down bubble bee costume we have, because she absolutely loves anything bee. Here she is!!!

Again no picture because that scared her too. I even tried getting her to try it on today, but it was a no go. I thought it wouldn't be as scary since it is a jacket and pants. But no, she is particular. I did get her to try on Tuxy's Yoda costume and she seems content to wear that. Yeesh! This kid is killing me.

Well that is it for me today. Thanks as always for stopping by and I am sorry for the delay in posting! Have a great rest of the day!!

Quick Post on Tutorial

Happy Friday everyone!

I am so sorry and I have to postpone my box tutorial to Sunday possibly in the evening. I am still up to my eyeballs in preparation for tomorrow's party. I thought about throwing something quickly together, but I want to make sure I am giving clear precise directions and I am not sure if my brain is capable of that right now. I truly am sorry for the delay and will try to post it as early on Sunday as I can. Thanks for stopping by!!

Pink Presents and Knock Knock!

Happy Thursday everybody!

My parents are coming in to visit today to see Isabella and to help get the party set up. I am really excited to see them. I haven't seen them since August so it will be nice to catch up in person. We talk almost everyday but it is not quite the same. Izzy will be glad to see them too, but it is actually Tuxy who will be the most excited. My parents have a wired haired dauchson who is getting older named Timber that Tuxy is nuts about. The poor thing, all Tuxy does is follow her around and torment her. But they are just like him and Izzy, Timber doesn't always walk away and sometimes actually seeks him out.

Well I have a quick and funny Izzy story to share. This morning while I was making breakfast she was pushing around her little stroller. (She loves it, she puts almost everything she owns in it.) Well all the sudden she starts "running" and pushing it at the same time yelling "Daddy! Daddy!" I have no idea why. I am usually the one who pushes her. But it makes me wonder what the two of them are doing on their walks alone that they take sometimes. Jason has already admitted to letting her have treats that I don't let her have when I am gone. I wonder what else daddy lets her do?

Well here is my first card for today. I actually made this card yesterday. It started off as the SCS sketch challenge until I cut the paper too small and I didn't want to waste it, so I decided to turn them into presents.

I think it looks so sweet. I just know that my niece Kelsey will love it. She is such a little girly girl and of course loves getting presents. My sister told me that she has started going to sleepover birthday parties now. I can't believe how old she is. She needs to stop getting older :(. Anywhoo, I started this card off by cutting nine squares of designer paper and mounting them on brown and pink card stock. I then tied 1/8 in. satin, brown ribbon around each one to make it resemble little presents. Next I stamped Lily - From the Heart by Rachelle Anne Miller on a piece of whisper white. I colored her in using my stampin' write markers and my copics (yeah!). I then mounted her on a piece of pink card stock and then a piece of brown card stock. I popped her off the background using some dimensionals and will be scenting it with "sugar cookies" before I send it out. I just know she will love it.

The second project is actually a simple box. I will be posting a tutorial tomorrow, mainly because I know that my other niece will want one once her sister gets this one. The story behind this is a long one but I am going to share it anyway. So it all started yesterday when I was looking through all the challenges. Wednesday seems to be a big challenge day and there are always a million I want to do, but I just don't have the time. There should just be more hours in the day. Anywhoo, I was out on SUInks and More's blog and was looking at the Watchadoin' Wednesday Challenge which was to make a treat holder. So I put that idea in the back of my mind because I needed to get done a few other things. Well this morning my best friend Tracy called me at 7:15!!! on her way to work. (Don't worry Tracy I still love you!) She had been listening to the radio on the way to work and I guess they were talking about Halloween Candy. She said she immediately thought of me and was wondering if I had the stamp set where the kids are all dressed up like candy. I said yes. She then said, wouldn't it be neat to have one of them coming up to a door. Well I immediately thought of the SUInk challenge and knew that I wanted to create a box where the door would open and there would be candy inside. Then I started thinking about how the pumpkin girl looks exactly like my niece Shelby and how there is a little weiner dog in the set who is dressed up like a hot dog! Well guess what, my niece has a weiner dog who is dressing up like a hot dog for Halloween!!! Can you believe it?! I am telling you it is fate. It is sometimes scary how much we think alike.

Well here it is!!

Here is a view with the door open.

Isn't it cute!! I can't wait to give it to her. I know she will love it mainly because there is candy inside, but you know beggars can't be choosers. I started off by making a simple box out of brown card stock. (As I stated earlier, I will be posting directions tomorrow. I then cut an opening for the door and added a piece of acetate behind it that I stamped with the sentiment from Kooky Kostumes by SUInk and More. I then stamped the little girl and dog from the set and colored them in with my markers and copics. Next I used my new Martha Stewart punch to create the siding and then outlined the door and top of the box with green card stock to create trim. I made a door out of strips of green card stock and cut a hole in the top to create a window. I went over all the green card stock with my markers to create weathering and dimension. I added two brown brads to the door to create a door knob and knocker. I then stamped the white ghost from Trick or Treat by Penny Black and hung it on the brad with some black thread. I added some stamped pumpkins from The Witching Hour by SUInk and More that I colored with my markers and popped them off. Lastly I made a light out of some black card stock and some scrap pieces of white that I colored in. I added my candy to the box and sealed it with my Halloween ribbon. I just know she is going to love it. I can hardly wait to give it to her!!!

Well the party is only two days away!!! I still don't have Izzy's costume done, but the sewing guru is coming in today, aka grandma!

So that is it for me today! Thank you so much for everyone's thoughtful and encouraging comments. It really brightens my day to hear that you like something that I love to do. Thank you!

There's No Cooking Like Home Cooking and Howdy Cowgirl!

Happy Wednesday!

I am posting a little later tonight. Izzy and I were busy and I didn't get around to posting earlier. It was so beautiful today but a little chilly so I didn't have Izzy outside too much but she did get to see the neighbor's dog and chase after him for awhile. He is a lab mix and has a long tail that she loves to play with. He is so gentle and sweet with her and doesn't seem to mind at all. I think it is something new and exciting for her because Tuxy doesn't really have a tail just a little screw tail. Beth, our next door neighbor, said that the little boy she babysits used to love to put poor Tanner's tail in his mouth. Good thing he is so good natured.

Well I have a little secret to share, I am not into cooking or even good at it. I guess if I absolutely had to cook something, I mean we are talking life or death situation here, I could probably whip something up, otherwise I have no desire to even try. Every Thursday Jason plays tennis which means I have to cook dinner. We usually wind up either having leftovers, sandwiches or pancakes if I feel especially adventurous. I guess I have just always been spoiled. My dad was an excellent cook and always made the meals and I married a man just like him. My best friend is also a great cook so I guess I never need to even try to cook. I just can't imagine anything worse than trying to figure out and actually prepare a meal. UGHHHHHHH!!!!!

Which brings me to my first card. The idea for this card is kind of a convoluted one but here it goes. So a couple of days ago I was out blog hopping, which I try to do everyday, and came across this sketch challenge over at Jen Del Muro's blog I{heart}2Stamp. It looked like so much fun I wanted to give it a try. I knew I needed a skinny image for the stamped part and immediately thought of my new Hanna stamp set Kiss the Cook. She is so cute and feminine. I kept looking at her apron and puffy sleeves and then for some reason, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz popped into my head and I knew I had my theme! I just love it when that happens. All I could think about was, wouldn't it be perfect if I had some blue gingham paper. Guess what, I did! I knew I was a genius but I didn't realize just how much!!! So here it is.

I just love how she turned out. The red buttons are supposed to be apples, but they kind of look like tomatoes. Oh well either works. So I started the card by layering on white, blue and gingham card stock following the layout on the sketch challenge. Then I stamped Hanna on a piece of whisper white and colored and paper pieced her in with my stampin' write markers. I cut her out and popped her off a piece of blue and white card stock I rounded off the corners and popped it off. I then added wide white ribbon down the side and tied two bows. Next I added the red apple buttons in the center. I then wrote the sentiment in a swirl patterned and framed it with blue card stock and popped it off the bottom. The inside sentiment says, "As long as I don't have to make it!" I can't wait to give it to Tracy. I just know she will love it!

My second card is for this week's sketch challenge over at SCS. As a side challenge you were asked to incorporate pink into the card. Well my spirits fell a little when I saw this because I have absolutely been dying to use my Cowboy Billy from my Billy Plate 1 from Pink Cat Studio. I have been seeing so many adorable cards with this set, my hands have been itching to give it a try. Well you can see my dilemma here. Billy would either be a very fashion forward little boy or I couldn't use pink in my card. So I thought about it and thought about it and this is what I came up with.

See what I did? I made him into a her (I just drew in braided pigtails). I think she looks pretty cute. I started off by stamping her on a piece of white card stock and colored her in with my stampin' write markers. I then stamped her again on a piece of pink gingham (I don't know what my deal is with gingham today) and a piece of pink card stock. I paper pieced the rest. I then added a pink ribbon to make the lasso and mounted her on a piece of pink and brown card stock. Following the sketch, I layered and popped off pink card stock, brown card stock and DP. I stamped the sentiment and added it to the corner and faux stitched everything. I finished off the card by cutting out varying sizes of stars using my Cricut machine and added a sparkle brad to the center. She is such a cute cowgirl!

Well that is it for me today! Thanks for all the lovely comments! And as always thanks for stopping by!

Haunted House and Cupcake Delights!

Happy Tuesday everybody!

The house is officially sided now. They just delivered the new shutters and put them all up. They look so good! They are my favorite color, green. I really think they set the house off. I can hardly wait for Jason to get home and see them.

Yesterday and today have been crazy busy. I made 18 broom (brown bag) treat bags for the kids coming to our party on Saturday and 62 mini treat bags for the party. I also finished up the main body of Izzy's costume, don't worry I will get tons of pictures, and made two challenge cards for today. I am exhausted. I can't wait for the party to be over, but I am also dreading it because it has been so much fun to plan.

Izzy has discovered that feeding and/or watching Tuxy eat is the best thing in the whole world. Poor Tuxy can no longer eat without a little girl hovering anywhere from 1 to 3 inches away from his face. I wouldn't be able to eat, but Tuxy doesn't seem to mind. I also think that the two of them are scheming together. Today I put Tuxy in the bathroom while the guy was here to install the shutters and I look up ten minutes later and he is running around again. Izzy had let him out of the bathroom. She has figured out that all she has to do is push on the door and it will open. This of course means dogs escaping and no privacy in the bathroom for Mommy.

Now on to the stamping. It felt so good to be stamping again today. I really missed it yesterday! My first card is a Halloween card that was created for this week's Freaky Friday Challenge over at Sunflower Studios. You are supposed to create a card using black, dark orange, olive green and purple as the main colors. It was so much fun as those are the colors that are in my Halloween papers.

Isn't it creepy and cute all wrapped in one? The idea for this card actually came from a class at The Inkspot that I was unable to attend. :( I fell in love with the stamp and the pop up card and asked Julie there to hold back a stamp for me if there was any extras and there were. Yeah!!! I started this card off by stamping the House by Imaginations! on two pieces of Halloween DP and a piece of dark purple card stock. I then paper pieced the house together. I used my black marker to highlight different moldings on the house. I then attempted to make a pop up card. I have not perfected the construction yet, but when I do I will post the tutorial on my blog. I made the box part out of purple card stock and covered it with DP. I then added the tree buttons and the ghost button to the house and punched out a black bat with my Martha Stewart punch. I finished the card off by printing off the sentiment and adding it to the front with some metal hardware and brads. I added a punched out bat and pumpkin to either side. It really turned out well, and it was super fun to make!

The second card I made was for today's color challenge over at SCS to use pink, olive green and brown. I knew that I immediately wanted to create something that was yummy and dug out Mimi's Bake Shoppe by DeNami Designs. Can you believe I haven't inked it up yet?

I started off by stamping Mimi on a piece of whisper white and coloring her in with my prisma color pencils. I then adhered her to a piece of DP. I cut out a piece of brown card stock to resemble a window frame and adhered it to the top. I then cut out another rectangular piece of brown card stock and adhered a piece of pale blue card stock behind it. I added a brad and some steps (green card stock) to the left to make it look like a door to a shop. I stamped the sentiment "delish" from Merry Muffins by Eclectic Paperie. I then stamped the second sentiment from the same set on a piece of whisper white and mounted it on a piece of DP. I threaded through a piece of black ribbon and attached it to the brad/doorknob. I wanted it to look like a sign hanging from the door. I then cut out a fence from whisper white and popped it off the window. The finishing touch was to punch some DP with my scalloped edge punch, draw lines and pop it off the top to make it look like an awning. Don't you just want to go inside and get something to eat? Ohhh, I am hungry.

Well this is the end for me today. Thanks as always for stopping by and leaving comments. I enjoy every one!

Ahhh to be Blogging Again!

Happy Monday!!!

I really intended to post last night, but I got home so late from party planning that I wasn't able to get it done. It feels so good to be blogging again.

It has been one crazy weekend. On Saturday I went to The Inkspot's ninth anniversary celebration. It was so much fun, there were free make and takes, demos, food and of course lots of stamps. I learned a whole lot and stalked up, as it was pick your own discount day. It was sooooo fun. Then that evening I went to my best friend's Trivia Night for her high school alma mater. Nothing like a little trivia to humble you, huh? What does it say about us that we were able to get nine out of ten questions right in the celebrity ex's catagory, but only four right in the literature catagory? I like to think it says that we are modern women of the world on the cutting edge of news, right? The food was fantastic also, and I always say it is more fun when you don't know the answers than when you do, it is my new life motto.

Yesterday was really fun and busy too. I was able to stamp. Izzy helped me a bunch. She loves to turn the handle on my Cuttlebug. She is actually almost able to feed the plates through on her own if I start them. Side note, she is now all about harassing Tuxy! Yesterday I had her sitting in the chair at the table while I stamped and she kept sticking her finger in her mouth and then trying to touch Tuxy's nose with it!!! EWWWWWWW! She wouldn't stop; she just kept giggling and repeating. Tuxy had this look on his face like, "Please save me Mommy, she has gone insane!" But what gets me is that he doesn't move away from her. I think he secretly likes it.

Last night, I was finally able to meet up with Tracy and get the menu and decorations set for our party on Saturday!!!! Yeah, I am so excited I can hardly wait. I just know though that it is going to be insane this week, so I need to be super organized to make sure that everything gets done and I am able to get lots of stamping in!

So here is my first card that I made yesterday.



This card was created for Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge. You were to create a card with a talking bubble. I wanted to stamp with a cupcake, so I immediately reached for by cupcake girl included in the set Kooky Kostumes by SUInk and More. I stamped her on white cardstock and colored her in with my NEW! copics and stampin' write markers. I then mounted her on a piece of pink paper and a piece of DP. Following the layout I popped her off some DP, green card stock and pink cardstock. I added faux stitching around all the pieces and sewed on three buttons. I threaded through a pink organdy ribbon and added the speech bubble that I had cut out with my nesties. It too was popped off the page. I think it is super cute. I think I am going to send it to my nieces.

The second card I created was for Friday's Hanna Challenge over at the Hanna Forum on SCS. This weeks challenge was to create an ATC. ATC's measure 2.5 in. by 3.5 in.


This was actually the first time I have made one and it was kind of difficult for me. I am a "more is more" person and it was hard making something that was small and didn't have a lot of room for extras. However, I am really proud of the way this one turned out. I started off by stamping Sleepy Time Riley (he is so cute!!!) by Hanna Stamps on a piece of white cardstock and colored him with my stampin' write markers and prisma color pencils. I then added flocking to the teddy bear, bunny slippers and pom pom on his night cap. I think it added the perfect touch. I mounted him on a piece of yellow card stock and a piece of DP that I popped off a piece of DP. I rounded all the corners and then added moon and stars brads. It was so fun and super quick to put together! I can't wait to try it again.

Here is an Izzy bonus. This is her and her friend in matching outfits on Friday. Aren't they cute!!!

Well that is it for me today! I am going to try to post everyday this week but party prep might get in the way. Thanks again as always for stopping by!

Christmas is in the Air!

Happy Friday!

Okay, I know that it is still a long way off, and I absolutely hate it when the stores start loading up the shelves with Christmas before Halloween is over, but today I just couldn't resist myself. I have some really great Christmas stamps and they just had to be inked up. I mean when they call to you and wake you up in the middle of the night saying, "Stamp me! Stamp me!", you have to answer.

So here is what I came up with today. The first card is a card using this weeks MFT sketch challenge over at SCS. It was actually a little difficult since it incorporated circles and as you know most of the MFT images are designed as a square or a rectangle. I am pretty happy though with what I accomplished.

I just love all the rich Christmas colors on this one. I started off by stamping the main image from Merry Christmas? by MFT on a piece of whisper white, a piece of dark green, and two pieces of DP. I then paper pieced the image and colored in the remaining images with my stampin write markers. I did use a silver glitter pen on the Christmas ornaments and present to add some sparkle. I then used my circle nesties to cut out the image. It worked out perfectly! After that I used my nesties to cut out a black circle and two scalloped circles out of DP. I popped it off the card following the design layout in the sketch challenge. I then stamped the sentiment and layered it on top of a piece of green card stock and DP. I added a metal charm I have had for almost nine months and then added three green diamond stickers down the right side of the card. I think it really looks festive. When I get ready to send it out, I am going to scent it with "winter cabin". I am so excited!

My second card I used a challenge over at the Spiral Whisper blog. Their latest challenge is a sketch challenge and I just had to play along since I just received my new Spiral Whisper stamps yesterday!!!

Here it is!

I have fallen in love with these images! They are just so cute and sweet! I started this card off by stamping Snowball Max on a piece of white card stock. (I know what you are saying, but he is a girl in the card, I will get to that in a minute). I also stamped him on a piece of turquoise glitter paper and a piece of white glitter paper. I paper pieced him together and colored him in with my stampin' write markers. Then I added some liquid applique to the cuffs and the snow at his feet. I also added a little silver glitter pen to the snowflakes. It was as this point that I realized that I had colored him with girl colors, so I added two ponytails with my black marker and made him a her. (Problem fixed!). I then layered her on a piece of turquoise card stock and rounded the corners. I followed the sketch challenge and popped the image off the page. I added the sentiment from Holliday Greetings II Set by A Muse stamps and cut it out with my nesties. I then used my circut to cut a snowflake and added it to the corner. Isn't it just beautiful! I just love the icy colors.

So enough stamping talk. Today was such a fun day. I had the privilege of babysitting Melaina!!! Yeah!!! It was so much fun. Her and Izzy even had the same outfit on today! They are so cute together and it was really good for Izzy. Izzy had to share her toys, bed and highchair. Overall she did very well. It was a pretty relaxing day. They both want to eat out of the same dish though. And Melaina even growled a little at Izzy when she tried to dig in her bowl. Iz wasn't sure what to do! Usually Tuxy is the only one that does that to her!

Oh and on more exciting thing, the siding is finally finished! No more banging. It looks so good, I hardly even recognize our house.

Well that is it for me today! I hope you have a wonderful rest of the day and thanks for stopping by!!

Who is up for a Challenge?

Happy Thursday!

It was a perfect fall day here today. The sky was clear, the air was crisp and it just smelled like fall. I still can't believe that it is already October! It feels like it should still be June, where does the time go?

Well today was pretty busy for me. I did three challenges today, one for SCS, one for MFT and one for Simply Sista's. It is so much fun to stretch your imagination to fit the requirements. Izzy even helped me today. She colored on all my cards with markers (the caps were still on) and helped me throw all my scraps away. It is her new favorite thing to put stuff in the trash. I sometimes have to dig through the cans when I am missing something because she has thrown it away.

This evening we went over to Tracy's for dinner. Izzy of course did not want to leave. She just has such a good time with her. I am glad, it is nice to have such a good friend who is close to your children. Izzy of course loves it too because she is constantly spoiled by Aunt Tracy. In fact she will only eat Craisins at Aunt Tracy's if Aunt Tracy hand feeds her. On the tray isn't good enough for my girl. Can you believe it!!!!!

Well here is my first challenge. It was this weeks What's Up Wednesday Challenge for MFT. The challenge this week was to create a box using an MFT stamp set. Well since I missed the pizza box challenge last week over at SCS I decided I wanted to give it a try. I think we might use this as one of our door prizes for our Halloween party.

Isn't it cute. I just love my goo punch. I started this box off by scoring, cutting and folding my box using the directions for last weeks SCS challenge. I then stamped the main image from How Sweet It Is by MFT on a piece of whisper white, two pieces of Halloween DP and a piece of dark purple. I then colored in the witch's body, candy and background with my stampin' write markers and paper pieced the rest. I then mounted it on a piece of black DP. I cut a square piece of DP and used my goo punch around all four edges. I adhered it to a piece of Halloween DP at an angle and popped off the stamped image. I next added a brad to each of the four corners, tied a Halloween ribbon around the lid, added a witch's hat button and filled the box with candy. For a final touch, I printed off the sentiment on my computer, added Halloween DP and black card stock behind it and drew in some cobwebs. It really turned out great! I am sure everyone will be fighting over it!

For my next challenge card I used the Ways to Use it Challenge over at SCS which was to use plaid in your card. Well I knew that I had the absolute most beautiful, fall piece of card stock (it came from a pet themed pack), and I couldn't wait to use it. I have also been dying to use a new digi stamp from Simply Sista's and Card Scents that will soon be released, so it worked out perfect for me.

Doesn't it just make you want to go driving through the park? I started by printing off Girl on a Scooter on a piece of white card stock and colored her in using my markers and silver gel pen. I then drew in the sidewalk, grass and sky and punched out little leaves from colored card stock with my dollar punch I found at Target!! Next I placed my gorgeous piece of plaid DP as the background, off set two pieces of rectangular card stock in the left corner (one brown and one turquoise), added faux stitching and popped off the stamped image. I added a skinny rectangular piece of brown card stock to the bottom, punched out some more leaves on a piece of orange and tied a piece of brown organdy ribbon across them. I finished the card off by adding three yellow brads and scenting it with "Autumn". I just love all the rich colors and texture!

My final card is a card for the Simply Sista's and Card Scents Wednesday Design Team Challenge. This week's challenge was to create a project using the colors pink and black. Love the pink. I immediately thought of my digi bubblegum machine stamp from Simply Sista's.

This was kind of a difficult card for me. I printed off the image, colored it in with my marker's and then got stuck on the paper. I played around a lot with different DP and finally settled on some really cool fuchsia and pink vellum that I have. I cut out a bunch of different size circles using my nesties and then adhered them so that they looked like they were coming out of the bubblegum machine. I then printed off the sentiment, added a piece of black card stock behind it and threaded through some fuchsia organdy ribbon. To finish the card off I added crystal effects to the globe on the bubblegum machine and scented it with "sugar cookies". (I need to get some more scents, this was the only sweet one I had!) I love this card. It is just so fun and whimsical!

Well that is it for me! I am signing off! Thank you as always for stopping by! Your support is appreciated!!

What Girls are Made of and an Izzy Sighting!

Happy Wednesday!

It was cold, dreary and wet here all day! ICK!!!!! I really had a hard time getting my stamping mojo going. I did manage to get a couple of challenges completed, but I was only able to get one photographed, so I only have one project to share today.

Izzy kind of had a lazy day also. She pretty much just wondered around and slept. Which is what I felt like doing. She had a blast with Tuxy though. Last night, Izzy, Jason and Tuxy went to the pet store to buy a new bone for Tuxy since he lost his. Of course it is all that both Tuxy and Izzy want to play with. Izzy just loves chasing Tuxy around with it. I don't think he quite knows what to make of it. I found him hiding under the dining room table earlier today with Izzy trying to shove the bone in his face and laughing hysterically. Oh those two!

Quick, funny story. The three of us went out to dinner this evening. Right before we left I asked Jason to put Izzy's shoes on. We got to the restaurant, ate, walked around the mall for awhile and were almost home when I turned around to look at Izzy. I kept staring at her feet trying to figure out how she had managed to cross her legs in the car seat, when it finally dawned on me that her shoes were on backwards! Poor Jason, dressing little girls is a pretty hard thing to do, but they are worth it!

Which brings me to my card. Today I wanted to use the sketch challenge over at SCS for the layout of my card, and I also wanted to use the color pink and saw that yesterday's color challenge was pink and black. Perfect!!! (I usually don't even attempt the color challenges, but this was my week). This is a card for a friend who just found out she is having a little girl. She is actually the mother of Matthew who's birthday card I made yesterday. She is so excited to be having a girl and has already gone shopping for all things pink! This is exactly how I was when I found out that I was having a girl! Except, I am super paranoid and just knew the sonogram tech had gotten it wrong so every time I went to the doctor I made them confirm that it was a girl!. (There's nothing wrong with that, right?) So here it is.

I think it turned out really cute! I first stamped the image Lily - Springtime by Rachelle Ann Miller on a piece of whisper white and colored her in with my stampin' write markers. I then added some detailing with my black marker, stamped the butterfly again and popped it off the page. I then cut her out with my nesties along with a piece of DP and added some bling. I then followed the sketch, layering on DP and black card stock. For the background I embossed swirls my cuttlebug folder and curved the corners. I then added some more bling in the corners and popped off the central image. The last thing I did was create a flower out of DP circles and added black bling to the center. The sentiment on the inside says, "Sugar and spice and everything nice, that's what little girls are made of! Congratulations!" I really hope Rebecca likes it, because I certainly enjoyed making it.

Well here she is, Miss America.

She is the biggest hambone you have ever seen. Everytime I turn the camera on she either poses, comes up as close to the lens as she can, or smiles from ear to ear. She is just so funny. I love her to pieces.

Well that's all for now! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great rest of the evening!

Happy Birthday Dani, I love you!!!!

Fireman Birthday and Dinner to Die For!

Happy Tuesday!!

Well Izzy is averaging about one temper tantrum per day. I know that this was going to start, but I wasn't ready for it. I was hoping it would start when she was thirty or forty, you know, when she would be out of the house and I wouldn't have to deal with it. All this time I was thinking that she would just naturally be wonderful and thoughtful and understanding. That's not too much to ask, is it!

She has been pretty fun for the rest of the day. We just got back from the park. She went down the slide all by herself! Can you believe it! I was sitting beside her at the top and she wouldn't hold my hand. So I let her go. She loved it! I can't believe how big my baby is getting. She is a little girl now. Don't tell Daddy!

Well today was another birthday. The little boy my neighbor babysits turned four today. He is so adorable, he is like a little cherub, all curly blond hair and pink cheeks. Izzy just loves him! She follows him everywhere! Today she was following him up the steps to the slide. I asked Beth the other day what he might like for his birthday, and she said he seemed to really be into the toy ambulance they have and Little People. Well of course I immediately thought of my Dress Up Billy set by Pink Cat Studio. Billy with blond hair looks exactly like Matthew. So I glanced through all his clothes and saw the fireman outfit and knew that it would be perfect. Here he is.

Isn't he adorable! I actually gave Matthew the card and the toy already. Take a wild guess which one he couldn't put down. You guessed wrong! It was the toy. Yeah, he didn't really even notice the card, but that is okay, I know his mom will enjoy it. I started off my stamping the fireman's hat on a piece of whisper white and then masking it off and stamping Billy. Then I stamped the fireman's boots and coat on a separate piece and colored everything in with my stampin' write markers. I cut out the coat and boots and placed them over the top and layered the image over a piece of yellow card stock and then a piece of black card stock. I then repeated this layering with DP and black card stock. I stamped "Happy Birthday" from Stampin' Up's Birthday Balloons and placed it down in the corner. I finished off the card by cutting out three black circles with my nesties and placing a red, yellow and green brad through the center. I am really proud of how this one turned out.

The second card I made today is a thank you card for a dinner party we went to the other evening. I wanted to use the Freaky Friday Challenge over at Sunflower Studios and knew this would be the perfect card for it. The challenge this week calls for using a Halloween stamp in a non-Halloween card. I decided to make the witch and cauldron slightly less "witchy" by using a more lavender purple and a lime green. I think this really fits the bill.

I started off by stamping the witch and cauldron from The Witching Hour by SUInk and More on a piece of whisper white and then coloring them in with my markers. I went ahead and stamped them on some DP and paper pieced the rest together. I added gold glitter with my glitter pen to the cauldron, the design on the dress and the broom to give it some sparkle. I then cut out the cauldron and popped if off the background. Next I sewed a button into the corner to make it look like a moon and added a tiny black bat. I then layered the image on a piece of DP and a piece of lime green card stock. Using an old MFT sketch challenge, I layered on DP and lime green card stock. I then printed off the sentiment on my computer, used my nesties to cut it out, layered on an oval piece of DP and threaded through a piece of ribbon. I added three square, black brads to the bottom and finished the card off by writing the sentiment, "It was to die for!" on the inside of the card. I just know Melissa will love it.

Well that is it for me. I hope you have a wonderful rest of the day! Thanks for stopping by!!

Purple People Eater!

Happy Monday!!!

It is super gray and dreary here today. It is so hard to get used to after the beautiful weekend we had. Our siding is finally going up, and I am so excited. I can already tell that it is going to look like a new house when they are finished. I think I might have to wait awhile though because it is supposed to rain tomorrow and Wednesday.

Well I am super excited, my best friend is coming over tonight! Yeah!!!! I haven't seen her for over a week. I am having serious withdrawal. She has been super busy with work, fundraising and house sitting, but things are starting to wind down. Izzy is really excited to see her "Aunt" Tracy. "Aunt" Tracy is her favorite living creature in the whole world! Even above Tuxy, and that is really saying something.

Well Wednesday is my sister's birthday. Her absolute favorite color is purple. I think if her husband would allow her to, she would have every room in her house purple. When we were in high school she painted her room purple with dark purple ooze coming down from the ceiling. Not quite my thing, but to each his own. Since it is her birthday and I, I repeat I am my parents' favorite daughter (must be hard huh Dani?), I decided to take pity on her and make her a purple themed card.

Isn't it cute. I really like how it turned out! I started off by printing Sydney from Simply Sista's and Card Scents, love my digis, on a piece of white card stock. I colored her in with my stampin' write makers and paper pieced her chair with some DP. I then layered her on a piece of scalloped green card stock and then a piece of DP. I popped her off the background to give the card some dimension. Next I added three brown ribbons to the side of the card with bows at three different levels. I added a hand made paper flower to the corner with a fake flower in the center. To finish it off, I added "hot cocoa" scent to the card, my sister's favorite drink. I just know she is going to love it! Love ya Dani!!!!

My second card was created for today's technique challenge over at SCS. I received the new Halloween digi stamps over at Simply Sista's and Card Scents a couple of weeks ago, (If you haven't seen them yet, check them out they are fantastic) and have been searching for the perfect layout ever since. I finally found it!

Here is a side view.

The challenge was to create an accordion card. The digi's were fantastic for this because I could make them any size I wanted!!! I started off my printing off the lollipop, two pieces of hard candy, candy corn, a cauldron and a cat on white card stock. I then paper pieced all the candy and the cauldron with Halloween DP and flocked the cat to give him some "fur". Next I added a stick to the lollipop and covered the lollipop, and two pieces of hard candy with cellophane to make them look like real candy. I added them to the back fold. Then I cut out a ghost using my sizzix die and added the ghost, cat and cauldron to the middle fold. I stamped the "trick or treat" sentiment from The Witching Hour by SUInk and More to a white tag and layered it with Halloween DP and old olive card stock. I then threaded through a piece of orange ribbon and added a miniature version of the cat and the lollipop to the sides. I finished the card off by scenting it with "Hard Candy", one of the limited Halloween scents over at Simply Sista's. I love this card. It is so fun!!!

Well that is it for me today! I am off to keep Izzy entertained and hopefully to squeeze in a little bit more stamping! As always thanks for stopping by and all the great comments! I read them all! Have a great rest of the day!

Quick Post on Friendship

Happy Sunday!

Today has been so incredibly busy, I have been staining all day (still not finished on the decks) and did manage to do a little bit of stamping, but not a lot. Boo Hoo. Tomorrow I am dedicating all my free time to stamping. That might sound ambitious, but with an eighteen month old, that isn't a whole lot of time.

Last night we went to a really fun Halloween Party at a friend of Jason's house. They have a little girl, Lucy, who is a month and a half older than Izzy. There were four little girls total ranging from twenty months to twelve months. They all had a really good time, playing and reading. We hit a milestone though, Izzy's first full blown temper tantrum. I swear it is like they know you are in public around unfamiliar people. I could have just throttled her. Why can't she do that at home? So I have decided our mission is to now have as many playdates as possible so that she will learn to share. It is going to be a long, hard road for both her and I.

Well she wore her Rams jersey today to help support the home team and they won!! Jason says they didn't lose last week (they had a bye week) and they won this week (first time all season) so now they are on a winning streak. Talk about a die hard fan. I really think it was Izzy's good luck that made them win. I'm choosing to ignore the fact that she has worn her jersey every day they have played since the season started.

Well today I only have one card to share. This card is about friendship. I am so blessed to have two really great friends in my life. My best friend and I have known each other for the past six years and a lot of people call us twins. We have so much in common and have the same goofy sense of humor. My other wonderful friend is my next door neighbor Beth. It is so great to have a friend so close by. I can't tell you how often I go over there and visit and how often I lean on her for support. I truly admire both of these women and could never express how much they mean to me. This card is a card I made for Beth. (Tracy's card will be posted tomorrow, I haven't been able to give it to her yet)

The inside of the card reads, "Since I told you how much I value our friendship." Which I trully do. I started off by stamping the main image from Call Me by MFT stamps on whisper white. I then colored her in using my stampin' write markers, adding patterns to both the chair and background. I then layered the image on a piece of brown card stock, a piece of DP and then a piece of white card stock. I did the same layering effect on the two miniture squares. I added the DP for the background and popped off the sentiment that I stamped on whisper white. I added a brown organdy ribbon to the corner and finished the card off by printing off the sentiment inside. I think it is such a small gesture of thanks for such a huge and important friendship.

Well, that is it for me today! I think I am headed for bed. I hope your weekend was as fun and wonderful as mine. Thank you to all of those who leave comments on my blog it really brightens my day to see them all! Thanks for stopping by!