"Encouraged" Award

I just received the "Encouraged" Award from sweet Dawne of Dawney Delights !!!
You must check out her scrappy stuff! It's all sooo adorable :)

Here's the deets to pass on the Award :)
Post a link of the person who gave you this award.
Nominate 5 other people and give a link to their sites.
Let your nominators know that they got an award from you.
(Put a logo of the award on your the blog.)

Here are my 5 bloggy picks:


1. Curt of Curt's World
2. Rebecca of Bella Carta
3. Jen of Pieces of Me
4. Tessa of Kraf*T*y Mama
5. Charlene of Willow & Paisley


Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!! ;)

New Products at MemoryWorks

Love is in the air...

Valentine's Day is just around the corner...

MemoryWorks is thrilled to announce new products just in time for the sweetest month of the year!

Fancy Pants "Splendid"

Cosmo Cricket "Chemistry"

BasicGrey "Bitter Sweet"

Pink Cat Studio's Lily the Fairy Contest and Our Creative Corner Sketch

Meet Lily the Fairy...

I decided to play along with Pink Cat Studio's "Lily the Fairy Contest".

Stop by the Pink Cat Studio blog for the details.

I must say - this is my first very 'girlie' card! lol! I don't think I ever made anything with sooo much color and spunk :) Lily was a pleasure to color and dress up!

<---I decided to use Our Creative Corner's Sketch... another first!!! I love their sketches, but haven't had the time to join in... until today!!! Yea!!!

Girlie card details: Pink Cat Studio 'Lily the Fairy' image colored with my Copics and Paper Crafts Spica sparkle markers; SU 'Short & Sweet' Sentiment and DP; Bazzil CS; Doodlebug Jewels and Prima ribbon and flowers - from MemoryWorks.

December ATC's

I feel like a doofus! I forgot to post my December ATC swaps!!!

Bona of Keep On Scrappin hosted an ATC swap over on SCS... you had to use Tim Holtz products! This was my first ATC swap :) Which gave me the idea to make Nicky's school Christmas ATC cards...

Here's my cards:

Here's what I used:
Jim Holtz Flutter Components Stampers anonymous stamp inked with SU Close to Cocoa; Tim Holtz Idea-ology Muse Tokens; BasicGrey Sultry Vogue DP and painted brads; Bazzil Diva CS; SU Very Vanilla CS and ribbon.

Here's what the group made:
Bona's card is the 2nd from the bottom left and my sisters card is the 2nd from the top right.

Pretty cool stuff :) THANKS BONA!!!

Unity Addicts Wednesday Challenge

Ok, I know it says Unity Addicts Wednesday Challenge... and it's technically Friday! Sooo, let's just make pretend it's still Wednesday... Ok???

Thanx!!!

This weeks Unity Challenge is:

Sometimes

Less

Is

More!

SLIM it down! Here's the rules: Card base can be layered, image or sentiment and only ONE embellishment!

Here's my lil 4x4 card:

Hmmm... I'm not sure if I qualify... does the flower count as one embellishment or two because of the jewel I put in the middle to make it prettier...???

Isn't that beautiful designer paper?!?! You cannot get that DP in any stores! One of a kind :)

Jami of Stamp Happy with Sgt. Stamper designed it!!! and if you love it as much as I dooooo - you can go visit her blog and download it too :) Jami is the most sweetest and talented scrapper I have ever met! You'll love her too ;) Browse around her blog and fall in love with her creations!

Here are the 4x4 details:

Jami of Stamp Happy DP; Unity December KOTM 'Little Reminders' sentiment stamp; Bazzil Chandler CS; Prima flower with K&Company Gem.

BasicGrey Challenge #16

<---BasicGrey Challenge #16 - First Sketch for 2009

I had to join in at BasicGrey challenges this week!

Isn't that a fab sketch!

Here's my card:Details:

BasicGrey Cupcake DP and CS; Unity 'slim candle' stamp colored with my Copics and Paper Crafts Spica sparkle markers; unknown ribbon (maybe SU!).

Blog Candy & Project 365

Now, y'all know that I have a beautiful lil' sis that scraps and blogs too!!! She is my very best friend, my inspiration in sooo many ways - and I adore her to death!

But, don't tell her - it might go to her head ;) hee, hee!

Sara of Everlasting Scraps, my sissy, just reached her thousand mark on her blog!!!! YEA!!!

To celebrate, she is offering up some yummy blog candy!!! (... and I get to put her pic on my blog! lol!)
Just go visit, leave a comment telling her how you found her site (but don't get me into trouble!) and you will be entered to win!

You have 'til midnight, January 11th to enter and the winner will be announced Monday evening :)

Good luck!

BTW! While you're there - take a look at the amazing swaps she has going on and sign up for one!

January Card Swap

Book of Love Swap

They are just too fun to pass up ;)

Project 365: 7 of 365

Today was the first day that I almost forgot to take a pic - so y'all got stuck with me... Seriously, that's ME!!! I'm always the pic taker! Therefore, I am never in any pics! This may be the only pic that you will ever see of me throughout the whole entire year! LOL!... and, well, since I know that my sis is probably going to kill me for posting her pic... I hope that posting myself makes up for it! LOL!

... and yes, I {heart} my cool glasses!!! :)

I've also decided that my Project 365 pics will be shared/posted on Saturdays... I'm going to keep up with my pics! I know that I can do it!!!, but I don't want to stress on trying to post them everyday too ;)

Thanx!!!

Project 365, Before/After Pics & Swap Alert!!!

This is my "Ketchup" post! lol! I'm catching up! Soooo bear with me :)

Here are the last 3 Project 365 pics:

4 of 365: 1/4/09 My Books!
I cannot live without my books!!! These are all my faves! Even the books hidden behind and under the ones you see are my fave!!! I re-read them constantly too! I have a ton of more books in storage (boxes in the closet and under the bed!). I may be inheriting a bookcase this weekend - Yea! I cannot stand that all of my books are still boxed up :(
BTW - I know!, my Twilight books are not in the pic... you will see them in another pic :) I need them handy for reference ;)

5 of 365: 1/5/09 My poor lil Matt!
Matt has hit a growth spurt in more ways than one! He has definitely grown, but has also had a few personality 'growths' too. He's now afraid of the dark, awww... I heard him crying last night - and I know, bad mommy, but I had to take a pic! So cute! Trying to hide... I asked what was wrong, and in a very tiny voice he whispered, "Me scared"... awww, my lil Matt ;)

6 of 365: 1/6/09 "Look Mommy! We have Toy-light guy's hair!!!"
Hmmm... I kinda knew that Nicky caught on that I like Twilight... but when Matt said it - it really SHOCKED the poops out of me!!! LOL! My lil Edward/Rob look-a-likes?! This is what happens when I blow-dry their hair without a brush, lol, it just goes crazy! Nicky doesn't mind - he wants to be a "hairy" skate-boarder! LOL! and Matt wants whatever big brother wants ;)

Y'all be happy to know that I finally finished cleaning up my stuff ;) It wasn't easy, lol, but I had to get it done...
Before:
After:Before:
After:
I don't know why I was stressing so much on stamp storage - I really don't have much... all of my wood stamps are in the tan basket to the far right and all of my clear stamps are in original packaging inside the top lil clear box on the left... Lookie where my Twilight books are hiding!, lol!

OK... moving along - I hope I haven't lost ya yet!

Little sister, Sara of Everlasting Scraps, is hosting 2 fab swaps!!! I love the ideas that she comes up with:

1st swap: January Card Swap
Here is the deal:
We will each make 10 cards. The theme is Valentines Day and you MUST use a quote, poem or lyric that has to do with Love.
The inside of the cards should be left blank so they can be passed on forward, but be sure to sign the back to be sure you get the credit!!!
There will be a maximum of 15 swappers.

2nd swap: Book of Love
We will be creating a mini-album of love notes to display on our coffee tables... or shelf. We will each create 10, 5" wide x 8" long layouts. Each layout will include a love letter, song, poem, photo, drawing of your choice and all 10 should be the same or relatively similar. You will be responsible for creating your own cover/binding to complete your set of Love Notes.
Maximum 10 scrappers.
Theme: Love Notes
RSVP by January 9th (scrap4ubysb@yahoo.com)
Submit by January 29th

For both swaps:
You will be mailing your Cards and LO's plus a self-addressed envelope and the same amount of postage that it cost you to send it with an additional 3 or 4 extra stamps for mailing the items back to you. Please do not put the postage on the package, just enclose it inside. Any unused postage will be returned to you. I will disperse them so we can keep everyone's 4-1-1 confidential.

Don't hesitate to jump on over to Sara's blog and sign up! Don't hesitate to email with any questions either :)

Happy Hump Day y'all! See you tomorrow with a few challenges I've been working on!!! ;)

Twilight Tuesday Inspiration Challenge #13

WoW! It's finally here!!! ---> Twilight Tuesday!!!!!
... and it also happens to be my 150th post too! Yea!!! :)

Ok - I know y'all have waited long enough...

Twilight Tuesday Inspiration Challenge #13 - the theme was chosen by our very own Jen of {Deconstructing Jen}... Supporting Characters!

For the comment part of the challenge: Who is your favorite (non-Cullen) supporting character? Why? and Who is your least favorite (non-Cullen) supporting character? Why?
Design challenge: Design an item that represents your favorite (non-Cullen) supporting character.
*All crafters of any type are welcome - cards, scrapbook layouts, jewelry, drawings, etc... we'd love to see it! Please leave a comment here at our new site:
Twilight Tuesday

with a link to where we can see your creation, and if posting to SCS, please use keyword TTIC13.

The second I learned about this challenge - I knew that I wanted to have a lot of fun with it - especially since on the last challenge I got all mushy and serious ;)

*** Spoiler Alert to those who have not read Midnight Sun!!! ***

(Sorry Eve!!!)

This one character just kept popping into my head... she's not a 'major' supporting character... she is briefly mentioned in Twilight page 102 and in Midnight Sun on pages 18-19 and again on 131-132.
Do you remember Ms. Cope??? Before I even knew that Midnight Sun existed, I knew exactly what Ms. Cope, Forks High School's secretary, was going through in Twilight! lol! 'cause that would sooo be me!!!
And when Edward reveals her thoughts in Midnight Sun - I almost passed out!!! I KNEW IT!!! I soooo knew what she was thinking... Poor Ms. Cope, lol! I'm not afraid to admit it!, I can sympathize with her, and that is why she is my fave!

Twilight page 102:
"Ms. Cope?"
"Yes?" I (Bella) hadn't heard her return to her desk.
"Bella has Gym next hour, and I don't think she feels well enough. Actually, I was thinking I should take her home now. Do you think you could excuse her from class?"
His (Edward's) voice was like melting honey. I could imagine how much more overwhelming his eyes would be.
"Do you need to be excused, too, Edward?" Ms. Cope fluttered.

Midnight Sun page 131-132 (same scene as Twilight page 102):
"Ms. Cope?" I asked, using my persuasive voice again.
Her eyelashes fluttered, and her heart sped up. Too young, get a hold of yourself!
"Yes?"
That was interesting. When Shelly Cope's pulse quickened, it was because she found me physically attractive, not because she was frightened. I was used to that around human females... yet I hadn't considered that explanation for Bella's racing heart.
I rather liked that. Too much, in fact. I smiled, and Ms. Cope's breathing got louder.
"Bella has gym next hour, and I don't think she feels well enough. Actually, I was thinking I should take her home now. Do you think that you could excuse her from class?" I stared into her depthless eyes, enjoying the havoc that this wreaked on her thought processes. Was it possible that Bella...?
Ms. Cope had to swallow loudly before she answered. "Do you need to be excused, too, Edward?"

Midnight Sun page 18:
"Ms. Cope?"...
The woman with unnaturally red hair looked up and her eyes widened....
"Oh", she gasped, a little flustered. She smoothed her shirt. Silly, she thought to herself. He's almost young enough to be my son. Too young to think that way... "Hello, Edward. What can I do for you?" Her eyelashes fluttered behind her thick glasses. ...
I leaned forward, meeting her gaze as if I was staring deeply into her depthless, small brown eyes. Her thoughts were already in a flutter. This should be simple.
"I was wondering if you could help me with my schedule?,"...
I heard the tempo of her heart increase.
"Of course, Edward. How can I help?" Too young, too young she chanted to herself. ...

Ms. Cope likes to daydream... A LOT!!!
Now, don't let Edward 'dazzle' you into forgetting to go and check out what the other Twilight DT members created this week ;)

Beth, Stamp Insanity
Danielle, Count Your Beautiful Blessings
Eve, This is Bliss
Jen, Deconstructing Jen
Julie, When the Stars Fall From the Sky
Rebecca, Bella Carta
Tonya, Stamp Happens

BTW - My least fave character would have to be... one sec... he's so annoying that I always forget his name... I have to go and look it up... Tyler!!! Oh, he sooo annoyed me! He was just... annoying! LOL!!!

8x8 Layout Details:

Paper: DCWV The High School foiled stack DP, unknown CS

Stencils: Creative Memories Storylines and The Crafters Workshop Clouds

Stickers: Sandylion Essentials

Stamps: StudioG Alphabet Stamp Set

Ink: Colorbox

Die-cuts: EK Success

Misc: Making Memories staples and star eyelets; American Crafts Poolside Thickers

Boys!!! and Project 365: #3

Yea, I know, I'm not suppose to be here... I'm suppose to be cleaning my scrap stuff, BUT I had to show you what happened...Remember my 'lizard decorations'...

It was about 12:20am... I was walking by heading to bed when those lizards caught my eye... they were still stuck to my living room wall...

I took them down...
... and this is what happened!!! Here's pic 3 of 365 for my Project 365!!! I just had to show y'all!!! YES! THOSE DARN LIZARDS LEFT A SLIMY STAIN ON MY WALL!!!

I'm living with boys! Icky boys! They woke up this morning and all 3 boys (DH too) started pointing and laughing like it was the coolest thing in the world!

Yea, I'm not upset anymore - it was funny to see them thinking that it was so funny to have 'lizard prints' on the wall :)


Boys WILL be Boys!... and I love my boys :)


Now... where's the touch-up paint...

I'm NOT Ready!!!... Project 365: #2

Oh man... to be totally honest... I am so not ready!
Here's why:

Look at my desk!!! It's total chaos! and it just keeps on getting worse! I was hoping to finish some much last minute cards and start on new ones by now +plus a challenge or two! Help! You can see stuff hanging off the shelf! Oh my, how embarrassing... but look at all the fab ribbon!!!

This is underneath my desk... my chair... and underneath the chair!!! Can you see my lil' Slice playing peek-a-boo down there! lol! I know, I know! I'm cringing too! How could I do that to Miss. Slice!?! I really need a new way to store everything! Especially those unmounted stamps! How do you remember what you have?!? Rebecca of Bella Carta sent me a few fab ideas - I'm going to have to look into them... so far this ONE looks like the best idea for me!
...thanks Rebecca!!!

This is my boys ol' diaper table - used for scrap storage now... it's not too bad since it's not storing much at the moment, lol! and yes, that's Matt's diapers and wipes in there too! lol!

I REALLY need to organize all of my stuff - I hope to definitely start tonight and finish sometime tomorrow... I'm hoping {crossing fingers}...
DH is off the entire weekend (very rare), I'm hoping for his help to keep the boys busy and out of the room until I'm done :)
Speaking of 'our boys', lol! Here is Project 365 pic #2! Look what I found stuck to my living room wall! Yes, those are sticky, gooey lizard type thingys that my gorgeous lil sis Sara bought for them today! These things are sooo gross to touch - I bet touching a real lizard is nothing compared to these things! I cannot wait for the boys to go to bed so I can take them down and hide them permanently! lol!

Ok, now speaking of lil sissy, go check out Sara's blog! She's got a fab idea that she is doing for the New Year too :) I bow to her for doing what she is doing - I'm so proud of her! I am sooo rusty, it's taking me forever to read her blog, lol! But it's definitely not stopping me!

I am going to take the next couple of days to clear off my desk, organize myself and start my creations ;) I may pop back for a quick Project 365 post, but just in case... I will see y'all in time for Twilight Tuesday!!!

Have a fab weekend!!!

The Start of Project 365 (1 of 365)

Happy New Year!!!

Let's get this party started!!!

It's sooo exciting to start fresh! Especially with fresh new things and ideas to get you going!

I'm going to tell you about Project 365 :)

First, here's pic 1 of 365:

Pic details: This is what I wake up to almost every single morning - my 2 munchkins jumping into bed with me, telling me that they are either a) "we're hungry" or b) "need to watch Nick Jr.!" It was sooo wonderful and such a blessing to start the new year the same way as any other morning :)

Ok... onto the project's deets:

I was blog-hopping (like I always do!), and landed on The Art of Choosing Joy's new blog post 2 days ago... see post here!

Remember Kolette? She designs $1 stamps for Hampton Arts/Michael Stores :) amongst other great things... Kolette and her husband are a wonderful, very inspiring couple, who after 16 years of marriage are expecting their 1st baby boy in February!
In her post, she says that she wants to 'embrace the experience' of all the changes that her family will be going through this year by 'recording it effectively' by 'capturing this year in a way that she never had before' ... and then mentioned Project 365.

Now hear me out friends! I know that some of you die-hard scrapbookers are going to start rolling their eyes at me and not finish reading my absurdly long post, but I really think that this is a fab idea for both the beginner and novice scrapbooker :)

Project 365 is a modified concept of 'scrapbooking'... it's concept is to totally focus on photos and journaling! While the end result is a "scrapbook", it is not about decorating and designing pages. It's all about photos and journaling only! This is a great idea for those of you who are like me - a beginner still learning the ropes of scrapbooking, too afraid to use her 'good papers' and 'cut pics', lol! It is also a great idea for those, like me again, who are pressed for time.

I plan to do this - a pic a day for every day of the year! To document the big moments of my family and also, all the lil' 'unimportant' moments that gets us to those 'biggies'! I feel that by scrapping in this new way, I will become more aware of my priorities and all the blessings in my life. I truly believe that it's the little things that get you to where you are going in life... Why not scrap them all in some way too!

This idea really hit home! but, how would I store 365 pics and 365 journaling cards? I'm sure that I could come up with something - some sort of album or book...

There are many different ideas out there! Some have chosen to blog their pics and journaling. After the year is done, you can have your blog printed out into a book! This is totally amazing - I've never seen this before... you can see details here at Bloggled

Others prefer an actual album... Becky Higgins of Creating Keepsakes is famous for her Baby and Family 'Kit of the Month' kits... she designed an amazing album with everything needed to create an album for Project 365. The album has a pocket for each and every pic and a pocket for each pics journaling block. You just slip the items in and never need to use any adhesive. You can find out all of the details of the kit on her blog or on the Creating Keepsakes blog to support this amazing project... Kit of the Month: Project 365.

I really love the kit and had to pre-order it - they sold out already!

I definitely plan on using this concept and kit to help me break out of my 'scrapping insecurities' by creating 2 page summary layouts for each month :) Did you think that I was going to continue to horde all of my special DP forever? lol! This is going to be so inspiring and fun :)

So, every now and then expect a Project 365 update from me! Join me if you'd like to - the more the merrier and better ;) You can start any day you want to and go about it any way that fits you best... it doesn't have to be daily - some have chosen to do odd or even days or weekly - whatever is right for you, as long as you can commit to it for the whole year :) and if you cheat a little, it's OK, things happen - you can take an extra pic the next time!

Please let me know what you think! I am really interested in hearing what you all have to say :)

Wish me luck!

BTW! Did y'all know that there is no such word as "journaling"?!?! LOL!