Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you are having a fabulous time with your family during this Thanksgiving season.  I love spending down time with family during this time of the year. 

Supplies:  Spellbinders™ S3-026 Filmstrip; S4-194 Classic Inverted Scalloped Circles LG; S4-232 Blossom Two; S7-018 Big Scalloped Border Grand; I2-1004 Flowers Impressabilities™, Clearsnap, Colorbox Chestnut Roan Fluid Chalk Ink; Tattered Angels, Coffee Glimmer Mist; SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES BY 3L, 3D Foam Squares, E-Z Runne; Patterned Paper- Basic Grey; Cardstock - Bazzill; Alpha Stickers - American Crafts; Pearl Sticker - Prima Marketing; White, Hat Pin - Maya Road; Trim - Prima Marketing; White Paint; Clear Glaze; Pop Dots; Ruler

I can’t tell you how thankful I am for my family.  As I woke up this morning, after a bit of a crazy night, I am so very grateful for them and that God richly blessed me!  This is one layout that expresses my emotion.  This lil’ sweet pea of mine is growing up so fast but I’m loving watching all the stages.  She is such a tender and sensitive girl.  I love her so much. 

I created this page for my second round entry when trying out for the Spellbinders team last year. Our challenge was to use this die template:

S3-026 Filmstrip

and this one:

S4-194 Classic Inverted Scalloped Circles LG

I love thinking outside of the box and trying to come up with something different! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

My favorite day….

Wanna know what we were doing at 7 am in the morning?  Checking out the surprise we got from the Master Designer this morning!  We knew it would be cold because school was canceled.  Of course, I was thinking…sleep in day!!  Oh no, the kids where out in their PJ’s dancing in the snow!   In the past, school has been canceled due to icy roads and snow up river but not where we live here on the coast!  It has snowed one or two other times but has never stuck like this.  We were amazed to see the sky on fire as the sunrise grew.  Absolutely stunning against all the white we were seeing.

  The kids, who were barely dressed and definitely not properly dressed, hopped on their bikes right away because what would be more cool than riding your bike in snow??

Then it really started coming down and Ashley was jumping for joy!

Being Max’s first experience in the snow, he was showing just a tad and decided to try and catch the snowflakes that were higher than Ashley!

I knew it wouldn’t be too long before the snowball fights started!  (Remember…this is now maybe 8 am in the morning…I am clutching my coffee cup!)

Wasting no time at all, it was time to build their very first snowman in their own yard.  They’ve done it other places but they were so excited to be able to do it in front of our house. 

Kelsey says… “This is my best life ever!”  and then several minutes later, “it feels like we are in a dream!” 

I. am. soaking. it. up.

 

Truly, the ended up being more like ice sculptures as the snow began to melt and everything got quite icy.  He’s a bit sad looking but trust me…he’s happy and he is still standing!

Finally, in the house, cozy by the fire sipping hot chocolate.  We’ve had the fire going all day.  We’ve never done that before either!  It really feels like Christmas.  We played board games and created some art.  What a gift.  What memories. 

I do actually have some neat projects to share.  They will have to wait until tomorrow.  Having too much fun with our first ‘real snow day!’ 

Spellbinders Holiday Hoppin’ Day 2

 

Welcome to the first day of the Spellbinders™ Paper Arts Holiday Hoppin’ Blog Hop!  Spellbinders, along with some of their Cross Promotional Partners are showcasing their newest products just in time for your Holiday crafting and gift giving.  Lots of creative ideas are in store, as well as prizes galore!

* *Each participating company has generously donated towards the prize package listed on the Spellbinders Blog. **

A total of two identical prize packages, one for each day, November 18 and 19 will be given away!  To enter, just leave a comment on a participating blog!  Comments in the first 48 hours of the post are eligible.  One commenter each day will be randomly selected as the winner.  Winners will be announced on November 22, on the Spellbinders Blog!

Be sure to see all of yesterday’s Holiday Hoppin’ blogs for inspiring projects and another chance to win!

Visit all of today’s Holiday Hoppin’ blogs:

Mona Pendleton
Gina Hanson
Deborah Young
Becca Feeken
Julie Overby
Kimberly Crawford
AJ Otto
Margie Higuchi
Beth Pingry
Jennifer Holmes
Kerry Urbatch
Shona Erlenborn
Tammy Inman
Jessica Turner
Brenda Hurd
Julie Koerber
Rae Barthel
Rachel O’Crowley
Kellie Fortin
Kristen Cohen
Joy Dickson
Candy Rosenberg
Laura Craigie
Stephanie Hester
Leesa Crutcher
Nina Brackett

Today I am using Spellbinders LF-124 Grand Scalloped Circles die template to create a strong, visual backdrop on my layout.  This set comes with 6 different size templates which makes them so very versatile.  I like to use all of the sizes on my layouts but the largest one is what I use most.  For my style layout, it’s the perfect size to frame my photo, title and journaling all in one.  LOVE that!  There are many wonderful manufacturers represented on this layout and I’ve listed those bellow.   Supplies: Spellbinders™ GC-001 Grand Calibur, LF-124 Grand Scalloped Circles, S4-290 Labels Fourteen, S7-018 Big Scalloped Border Grand, S4-28 Fanciful Holiday, Pattern Paper: Fancy Pants Designs – Road Show (Vintage Stripes), Graphic 45: Renaissance Faire Collection (Romatique,) Fashionista Collection (Haute Couture), Donna Salazar – Grandma’s Garden (Tickled Peach,) Trunk in the Attic (Sage Swirls, Nutmeg Nostalgia), Melissa Frances, Crate Paper; Stamp: Sparkle N Sprinkle; Glitter: Sparkle N Sprinkle – Sparkling Snow, Shimmering Sea; Pearls: Creative Impressions; Burlap Buttons – Nikki Sivils; Stickers – American Crafts, October Afternoon; Ink: Clearsnap (Colorbox – Chestnut Roan); Foam Squares and Adhesive Sheets –SCRAPBOOK ADHESIVES by 3L

********************************************* Leave a comment on my blog to be eligible to win the Spellbinders Holiday Hoppin’ Prize Package.

 

**** One winner will be chosen from all the comments on all the blogs participating today.***  Comments made in the first 48 hours of this post will be eligible to win.  Winner’s names will be published on the Spellbinders Blog on November 22, and they will have 48 hours to reply to Spellbinders to claim the prizes.

While I was playing with my Grand Scalloped Circles I was trying to come up with some fun ways I could create elements to go on my layout.  Although this didn’t quite make it on to my page as intended, I still wanted to use it because I loved the look.

In order to create this, I cut/embossed two of the smallest (#1) Grand Scalloped Circles and used my score pal to score between each scallop. After making a slit to the middle on on of the the lines, I folded each scallop.  I taped the two of them together to get this full.   I then Stamped a Christmas Sentiment from my Gina K. Stamps Heirloom Ornament stamp set by Nina Brackett.  I then cut it out using S4-116 Standard Circles SM.

I love making quick fun projects with my left overs!  It’s a great way to use up scraps!

Thank you so much for checking out my creations! 

Fabulous Fall

Happy Friday everyone!!  I had a bit of time *gasp* to do a bit of blog hopping and I’m loving all the daily gratitude reads.  I’m a bit behind and can’t promise that I will be blogging daily but I’d love to share 12 things that I am grateful for!  That catches me up to Nov. 12th…..counting down to Thanksgiving day.  ; )

I am grateful for:

1)  The majestic sounds and beauty of the ocean.
2)  My amazing husband who loves me unconditionally.
3)  Four day weekends that slow us down so we can spend time together as a family.
4)  All the brave men and women who serve this nation.
5)  The mystery guest who gave my yard a make over.  ; )
6)  The word of God that brings life to my thirsty soul!
7)  All things chocolate.
8)  Music and all the different ways it is an inspiration in my family.
9)  My three precious gifts who are truly the best kids ever.
10) The paper crafting community that has given so much to me in the form of friendships and inspiration.
11) Our fabulous church and friends who have graciously accepted us and taken us as their own over the past six years.
12) Sunshine!!

Both of these photos are unedited and were taken five minutes from my house.  We are so blessed! 

I wanted to share something else without shocking too many of my local readers.  I’m loving all things fall and even though we don’t get the change of color in trees, we find other ways to feel like fall.  GUESS what I made…..hold on to your hats……this!

I promise you, I did!!  The kids even helped me.  Please don’t ask me how it tastes but ya know, not bad for not having made one in …..I won’t say how long.  My poor deprived hubby.  Not anymore!  I’m a kick!  I even tried to sew a purse with my daughter today.  For real.  Notice I’m not posting a photo of it.  One thing I am certain of, if I put all my paper crafting aside, creativity would still try and ooze out in some other form.  I just know it!  And trust me, you don’t want it to be in sewing fabric!  LOL 

So, for now, I’m sticking to the paper.  Here is a fallish card full of Melissa Frances yummy paper. 

I used the Spellbinders™ Labels Fourteen die template to cut out the sentiment and then the largest one to cut out the label stamp.  The stamp came to me from Laura of Layers of Color.  She has several stamps made to fit in Spellbinders die templates.  So fun!

On more thing that I have to say I am especially grateful for right now (just in case I don’t post tomorrow…the 13th; ) . )  I am so grateful for a very exciting happy email that I was holding my breath for!  Totally made my day! 

Have a fabulous weekend my friends!

All My Love **and a wee bit of a secret!**

Hi friends!  I have a little card that I put together a while back.  the die template is Spellbinders Labels Fourteen and that gorgeous heart is a Waltzing Mouse stamp.  I have just fell in love with the stamps from this company!  The sentiment inside is also Waltzing Mouse. 

I can’t let this post go on without telling you over the top excited I am about the happy mail I got yesterday!!  It was an envelop from Spellbinders….a very heavy envelope!  It was my new Spellbinders die templates that will be in the new release collection at CHA this winter.  I kept reaching in and finding more.  I couldn’t believe how many sets there were and EVERY single one of them were so awesome and something that I would and will definitely use.  Can’t. wait. to. tell!!!  You are going to love them!  Secrets are SO hard to keep.  Trust me when I say…start saving your money.  For real!

I do hope you are enjoying your week and that you are able to take some time out tomorrow to remember the heroes of this great country!  We have another four day weekend so I’m looking forward to some down time with my kiddos.  My fave!    This past weekend was full of some fun shopping time and an Ensemble Festival.  Although they were quite nervous, A.J. and Ashley did a fabulous job!  It’s always so hard to get good photos in the Performing Arts theater but I did my best and also had some parents send me theirs. 

I just think she is beaming in this photo and I’m so glad that she enjoys what she is doing. 

Since Kelsey didn’t get to perform, I just have to share a few photos I took of her recently.  She loves the camera…that girl!  

 

Now….if we can just figure out what to do with that hair!  LOL

Mint Motif 2Sketches4You Card

Supplies:  Stamps – Mint Motif (Beyond Borders, Very Merry Sentiments available exlusively at ii{heart}papers.com); Die Template - Spellbinders™2010 Heirloom Ornaments; Pattern Paper – Crate Paper (Snowy Day), Cardstock - WorldWin, PaperTrey Ink; Ink - Ranger Distress Ink; Trim – misc.

Happy Monday everyone!  I decided to participate in the sketch challenge at 2sketches4you this week.  It’s Laura’s Sketch 65 and it looks like this:

I used my Mint Motif stamps to create a background on the top and stamped a sentiment from the Very Merry Sentiments set inside the ornament.  The bit of green pattern paper is from a Crate Paper pad that I got from iheartpapers.com .

Hope you had a fabulous weekend.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Love you

Hello friends!  Hope this Friday finds you doing well!  Today, I thought I’d share a card with you that hit the stands in September.  You can find it in the October issue of CARDS magazine.  I used a Gina K. Designs stamp on that fits right in side the Spellbinders™ Labels Nine die template.  Gotta love that!  I can’t wait to get my hands on this issue of CARDS magazine.  Thank you so much Northridge Media!!  I also had an email request yesterday for another recent card that will be pub’d in April.  So grateful.

Supplies: Pattern Paper – My Mind’s Eye; Stamp – Gina K Desings (Nina Bracket-Lovely Labels,) Waltzing Mouse; Ink – Ranger Distress Ink; Cardstock – Papertrey Ink; Spellbinders (Labels Nine Die,  Big Scalloped Borderabilitites Petite)

I’m excited about this weekend.  This will be our first Saturday in forever not spending the entire day on the soccer field.  Don’t get me wrong….we love every minute of it.  But, sometimes a day with kids at home with no agenda is just so rewarding.  Then, on Sunday they have a Ensemble Concert with their piano.  And I just found out that Ashley is on the front of the county Newspaper playing the piano where it has an article about the upcoming event.  How fun!  I haven’t actually seen it yet but I’m sure she will be thrilled!

Thank you for the visit!

Tea, doilies and Banana Bread…Scrumptious!

This past Sunday, Arte and I were asked to come to the front of the church for Pastor’s Appreciation.  As one of the council members expressed his words of encouragement over us, I was so humbled at where God has brought us.  Words cannot express how extremely proud of my husband I am.  I know that as he continues to submit, it’s God’s working through him that’s making a difference.  I simply can’t believe it’s been nearly six years and that the Lord has blessed us with such an amazing congregation.  I mean, truly amazing.  I’ve never seen a group of people care so much about the people around them. 

As I was creating this card last night, I thought about who I was going to give it to.  I feel blessed to have so many lovely friends that my mind kept skipping from one to the other.  I just want to say a thank you to all my friends who surround me and love me for who I am.  I am so very blessed and my heart is so very full.

I love, love, love tea cups.  So, when I saw this chipboard teacup by Crate Paper (Restoration) I knew right away that I’d placing it on my dainty new fave doily stamp.  Anyone up for a tea party?

I have another card to share.  This one I stamped the background musical notes with a Pink Paislee House of Three stamp.  The rest of the pattern paper is from the Graphic 45 Romantic collection.  I’m sure you recognize the sentiment stamp to be Mint Motif’s Very Square Sentiments. 

The fabulous cream ribbon here is from LilyBean Paperie Etsy shop and so is the button and tea died trim.   Yum!  The die shape in the back is from Spellbinders Grand Labels Four set and the one in the front is Labels Fifteen.  Thanks for taking a peek!

Yesterday I made banana bread.  I’ve wanting to do that for such a very long time but have not had a second to do it. 

For some reason banana bread gives me that ‘fall’ feeling.  Next will be pumpkin muffins! 

Before I sign off today, I wanted to shout out some super exciting news!  Collage Press has made their big announcement on their blog……you can’t even imagine how thrilled I am that.  I knew there was going to be changes but I didn’t know which company they were going to be teaming up with.  PINK PAISLEE!!  **Swoon**  A match made in heaven.  Seriously two of my favorites ever.  Together.  Like peanut butter and chocolate.  This girl is doing the happy dance!  You can read about on their blog here.

Bundle up and stay warm my friends!  The cold weather is on it’s way!