A Couple of Visitors....

No artwork today, but I just posted these pics to our family blog and thought someone might get a kick out of them here too. These girls have been visiting us on and off since early December. Actually, we think they are the same twins that used to visit last year with their mother as 2-year olds. We switched from a chemically based salt on our driveway (with our dog's safety in mind) to water softener salt some time last winter. The moose love the water softener salt! That's what they are busy licking up off the driveway...so weird!!! They did finish off our pumpkins earlier in the month, so I guess it's a sweet and salty snack they were looking for! ;O) They don't look very big in the pictures, but the hump on their front shoulders sticks up above our 6-foot fence!!

I've grown-up with moose in our yard, but it still takes my breath away to walk past a window and see a moose filling it! ;O) Something that big, standing so close to the window, definitely tends to take you off guard!!!

Anyway, hope you are having a great week!

Mojo Monday #123...Be Mine

I bought the Wild Card Cricut Cartridge during Michael's big sale on Thanksgiving Day with the intentions of attempting a circle card of some sort. But, I was a little intimidated and never really got around to it...until now! I'm not sure I did the Mojo Monday sketch justice, but it was fun to try! I don't want to try and mail this one because of the size (it burns my britches that they charge extra to mail smaller or unusual shaped cards), so I decided that this one would be for my husband. I tried to keep it manish and mix up the colors some for that reason!

Paper: Let's Get Together

Cardstock: Cranberry and Colonial White

Ink: Garden Green and Cranberry

Stamps: Key To My Heart, Soul Mates, Say It In Style, Heartthrob, Playful Flourishes, and a dollar stamp from Michaels "I Love You"

Other: Cranberry ribbon, sparkles, Wild Card and Designer's Calendar (circles) Cricut Cartridges

Creative Scrappers #87...First Snow

This sketch was so much fun and so fast!! I so seldom put a layout together in less than a week. This one was really simple and went together in just a few (interrupted) hours, but it left room for your own creativity...which clearly, I didn't pretend to attempt this time...just stuck to the sketch! ;O) I'm looking forward to doing more Creative Scrappers challenges in the future, including this week's super cute sketch...we'll see if I can get it done before the end of the week...I'm on a roll so far, although my house is beyond a total disaster and I have extra hours to put in at work in the coming days!!!

The title is kind of goofy on this one. My little man was literally born during a snow storm, so this is far from his first snow. But, this year was really strange for us up here in Alaska. Usually, we have snow, lots of snow, by Halloween. This year we had nothing until November 8th, I don't remember EVER having a first snow fall after October!! In fact, growing up, most of our first snows usually happened before the end of September, although, the snow never stuck! Winter stinks with cold temps and no snow, I don't hope for this ever again! ;O)

Paper: Cosmo Cricket-Li'l Man

Cardstock: Olive, Autumn Terracotta, and Colonial White

Ink: Desert Sand

Stamps: Large Chocolate Alpha

Other: When It's Cold Outside Cricut cartridge, Maya Road Mini Snowflake chipboards, Delta Ceramacoat Magnolia White paint, clear glitter from JoAnns, Martha Stewart Snowflake punch, Stickles, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, and a Zig pen.

Unscripted Sketches #39....Celebrate

I've had the last of this paper sitting on my desk waiting to be used since I made this card with it and was really glad to get it gone. It made me realize however, that this is the first set of paper that I really had scraps left to use. I've been debating whether that's because I am SO efficient or if its because I buy so much of every paper set, that I have tons left to use and therefore, don't really consider it scraps. Unfortunately, I think the second hypothesis is most likely the case. CTMH paper comes with two sheets of 6 different patterned paper!! By the time I create a couple layouts or cards with it, I'm over that particular set and put it back in the drawers and then I buy more!!! But, even when I buy from the LSS, I use the CTMH method and buy 2 sheets of every pattern in that set that I like...I have a serious illness!!

This sketch kind of left it open for you to do as you pleased and I seemed to take full advantage of that! This one looks pretty similar to my last card with this paper, including the same stamp sets. I'm just having a really tough time with "man" cards lately. What's a card without a flower? ;O)

Paper: We R Memory Keepers Grandma's Kitchen

Cardstock: Colonial White, Olive, and Barn Red

Ink: Olive and Barn Red

Stamp Sets: Shining Star, Star Power, Star Struck, A Birthday Wish, Say It In Style, and Wishes (Booking Set)

Other: CTMH Twill Ribbon and Robin's Nest Dew Drops

Inspired Blueprints #40...One Sick Boy

I loved this sketch and happened to have three pictures printed waiting to be scrapped. But, I couldn't quite get two circles out of them and ended up rearranging everything to make it all fit. I also tried to go out on a limb and be artsy-fartsy, as I like to call it,....but, I think the engineer in me just can't let go!! I was trying to do this page "randomly", but mostly it looks cluttered now. I was hoping it would grow on me...but, if its going to, it hasn't yet! ;O) I do love this Cosmic paper from The Paper Loft however, and have quite a bit more that I'm excited to use up in future layouts.

Paper: The Paper Loft-Cosmic

Cardstock: White Daisy and Outdoor Denim

Ink: Outdoor Denim and Chocolate

Stamp Sets: Charm Uppercase and Lowercase Alpha, Make It Count, True Friends, Shining Star, and On My Mind (Booking Set)

Other: Maya Road Rubons-Nature in Black (tree), Hambly StudiosKraft Cardstock Stickers (owl), CTMH Twinkle Brads, Stickles, JoAnn Essentials Black Brads (owl eyes), Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist-Suede, and Zig Pen

Mojo Monday #122...Happy Valentine's Day!

O.k., so I am REALLY getting tired of Valentine's cards as I am sure you are getting tired of seeing them! ;O) I still have quite a few more to go, but, I'm planning to take a break and get some scrapbooking time in this coming week. Although, I'm not sure my schedule will allow too much before next weekend rolls around...wish me luck!! ;O)

Sorry about this picture, it's a bit tippy...I have no idea what went wrong...I guess less drinking before taking pictures in the future! ;O) Just kidding...

Paper: Martha Stewart

Cardstock: White Daisy and Cranberry

Ink: Blush and Cranberry

Stamp Sets: Heartthrob, All My Love, and Michael's dollar bin

Other: White Daisy and Cranberry grosgrain ribbon, Bazzil Basics and CTMH flowers, Jingle Brads, Stickles, and Martha Stewart Looped Hearts punch.

Unscripted Sketches #38

I really loved this sketch, sweet and simple! Not to mention, fast! I'm putting such a dent in my V-day cards already and am looking forward to being done...let's see...only like 5 more to go!

Paper: Martha Stewart

Cardstock: Cranberry and White Daisy

Stamp Sets: Heartthrob and Michael's dollar bin rubber stamp (sentiment)

Ink: Blush and Cranberry

Other: Jingle Brads, CTMH and Bazzil Basics flowers, CTMH Cranberry and White Daisy grosgrain ribbon, Martha Stewart Looped Hearts punch, EK Success corner rounder, and Stickles.

Another Valentine....

I like to send the grandparents all a card for each holiday with a few pictures of our little man to help keep them up to date since all but one lives in the Lower 48. But, my son has 3 great-grandmothers (and one great-grandpa) and three sets of grandparents (my parents are divorced). Plus, I usually do something for a couple of my uncles and my brother and sister. It gets to be a little overwhelming!! So, I'm trying to knock these out early. I was trying to be good and use up some old paper I've had sitting around here instead of buying new stuff. But, the only pink paper I have came with stamp sets I wanted, and I didn't love the paper. So, it was making it difficult to get excited over making the cards! Last night we made a run to town and I got to stop into Michael's...$40 later, I have lots of inspiration! ;O) My husband was on the computer when I started this card, so instead of doing a sketch challenge, I picked a sketch from CTMH's Originals book called Center Squares (pg. 36). It's pretty simple, but exactly what I had in mind.

The colors are off again...someday we'll have some decent daylight, I swear!!!

Paper: Martha Stewart

Cardstock: Tulip and White Daisy

Ink: Tulip and Blush (On the squares for some depth)

Stamp Set: Dollar Bin at Michaels

Other: Hero Arts adhesive heart pearls, Martha Stewart Looped Hearts Punch, Fiskars Circle Punch (circle heart on the inside), and Offray ribbon (JoAnns)

Mojo Monday #121...You're A Star

I really wanted to do a more masculine card to have ready, but I just don't seem to be on that wave length. I used the leftover paper from my "Warm Winter Memories" layout, which I just love, especially the colors, and took it from there. Stars seem to be the only manly alternative to flowers and butterflies, don't they? I've got to start working on more manly, card appropriate stamps! ;O)

Paper: We R Memory Keeper's Grandma's Kitchen

Cardstock: Colonial White and Twighlight

Ink: New England Ivy, Twighlight, and Barn Red

Stamps: Star Power, Star Struck, Shining Star, Wishes, A Birthday Wish (Happy Birthday)

Other: Star Brads from Joann's, CTMH Twill Ribbon, EK Success Corner Rounder (scallops)

Unscripted Sketches #37...Your the Beary Best

This is my first Unscripted Sketches challenge and it just screamed valentine to me. It didn't turn out at all like I'd hoped, but its been a really rough week, so I'll take what I can get!! I had to use my lamp to take the photo and the colors look off, the Tulip Ink and cardstock match the paper much better in person....they even came together in the kit, I swear! ;O)

Papers: Key To My Heart

Cardstock: Tulip and White Daisy

Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black, Tulip, and Blush

Stamps: Polar Bear Cubs Digital Stamp from Angel's Landing, Key To My Heart, Soul Mates, Beary Best, Say It in Style, and With Love

Other: Her Arts heart pearls, CTMH White Daisy Grosgrain ribbon, Martha Stewart corner punch, EKSuccess corner rounder, Copic markers, and Cricut Designer Calendar cartridge.

Inspired Blueprints #39...Christmas Photos 2008

Woohoo....done and even before the second sketch for December has been posted! This may be a first. I even managed to sneak in a picture during the last bits of daylight we had today (right around 4pm)...phew!

Does anyone else have glue issues? I had to print these pictures THREE times because I kept scratching them up and getting glue smeared all over them! I don't know how I'm still managing that now that I have the ATG gun. So frustrating, plus it makes me really mad at myself and added about 3 days of effort as I'd get upset and walk away only to have to peel the photos up and start all over later!! Aaaaah!!!

I'm glad to be done with these pictures for another reason. I took my little man to the doctor right after this photo shoot and found out he had a double ear infection! His first ear infections ever!! I felt so bad for putting him through this while he was truly sick!! These were the only good pictures we got that day and look what a mess his hair is...he was so uncooperative that day I didn't even notice his bad hair! ;O)

Paper: BoBunny Tis The Season

Cardstock: Cocoa, Clover Meadow, Cranberry, and White Daisy

Ink: Cranberry (title)

Stamp Sets: The Works Alpha

Other: Snow Friends (snowman) and Accent Essentials (journal block) Cricut cartridges, JoAnn's Craft Essentials Snowflake Stickers, Zig pen, and Stickles (snowman).

Inspired Blueprints #37...Warm Winter Memories

Now that I am all caught up on my posts, I will probably post a little less frequently. My plan is to keep up with the Mojo Monday and Inspired Blue Prints sketches and hopefully, add one more sketch challenge blog to the mix this year. So, I should have at least one new post a week. Past that, I don't want to make any promises! ;O)

My husband bought me an ATG gun for Christmas this year and I've had a blast using it. But, I'm learning that the adhesive that goes in it is less than forgiving. I'm a "repositioner" and never leave my paper where it lands the first time...SO not an option with this gun!!! This poor layout took the brunt of my learning curve, but I think it came together in the end.

Paper: We R Memory Keepers-Grandma's Kitchen

Cardstock: Barn Red and Twighlight (The green is the backside of one of the papers)

Other: Cricut Designer Calendars (Title and Mittens) and When It's Cold Outside cartridges (Snowflakes) and Silver Stickles.

Mojo Monday #120

So, I have sunk to a new low. I realized tonight that the best lighting in the house is in the bathroom....and since we have had no real daylight in the last few days...the bathroom it is! ;O)

For this week's Mojo Monday card, I used Julee Tilman's card (Design Team Member) as inspiration, I really love how she folded her ribbon and decided to try it myself.

I've had a baby boy card made and ready to go for quite some time. But, last month, when I went to give a gift to a friend having a little girl, I realized I had nothing for her!! I managed to scramble one together, but thought I'd be prepared in the future!

Paper: Key To My Heart and Tickled Pink

Cardstock: Blush, Sweet Leaf, and White Daisy

Stamp Sets: Beary Much and Now & Forever

Ink: Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa and CTMH Blush

Other: CTMH Watercolor pencils, chalk (cheeks and background), grosgrain ribbon, Just Pinks, and Bitty Sparkles. The Paper Studio Gemstones (pink sparkles), EKSuccess corner rounder, and Fiskars circle punch.

Mojo Monday #118

With the exception of this week's Mojo Monday card, I'm officially caught up on my posts! Phew!!! This one isn't my favorite, I decided the flower/gift combo was kind of weird. But, what can you do, it seemed like a good idea at the time anyway.

Paper: Tickled Pink and Jingle

Cardstock: White Daisy, Sweet Leaf, and Blush

Ink: Sweet Leaf, Blush, and Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black

Stamp Sets: Jingle and From Me To You

Other: White Grosgrain ribbon, Twinkle Brads, Martha Stewart Double Loop border punch, EKSuccess Corner Rounder, Stickles, and Cricut Accent Essentials Cartridge (Circles)

Mojo Monday #113

I made this card weeks ago when Sketch #113 was still current, but kept forgetting to take a picture of it on the few days with actual daylight we've had!! I really love how it turned out though! This bear always melts my heart! ;O) I just took a quick peek at Angels Landing's new stamps, OH MY GOSH!! The cutest penguins, bears, and even some adorable Christmas Cardinals. I haven't been over to their website in FAR too long obviously...hmm, don't tell my husband, Paypal may soon be getting a workout! ;O)

Please forgive the photos, you have no idea how much doctoring I'm having to do in Photoshop. I am starting to think its the photographer and not the lack of natural light that's causing some of the problems! I'll be glad when we get some actual sunshine here soon...

Paper: Baisic Grey Wisteria

Cardstock: Smokey Plum, Sweet Leaf, and Colonial White

Ink: Smokey Plum and Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black

Stamp Set: Western Flourishes and Angels Landing Mini Bears and Birds Digital Stamps

Other: Robin's Nest Dew Drops, Martha Stewart Double Loop Corner Punch, Cricut Cartridge Accent Essentials (circle and scalloped circle)

Inspired Blueprints #38...3 Years Old!

I intend on getting these sketch challenges completed and posted on time in the coming year. But, I didn't quite manage it for December, I'm still working on Sketch #37, hopefully I can post it later this week!!

I can't believe how old my little man looks in these photos. Definitely not my baby any more!
Hope everyone's Monday started out on a high note, I'm on pins and needles to see the Bachelor Premiere! Plus, in the next couple weeks, lots of new season premiers for old favorites that haven't been on in a few months. Yay!! Not much else to do up here when its still dark by 4pm and too cold to play outside anyway! ;O)

Paper: Felicity Collection

Cardstock: Colonial White, Autumn Terracotta, Desert Sand and Cocoa

Ink: Cocoa and Autumn Terracotta

Stamp Sets: Large and Small Chocolate Alpha

Other: Martha Stewart Double Loop border punch, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, Cricut "When It's Cold Outside" cartridge, Zig Pen, and Heidi Swapp Chipboard Number.

Mojo Monday #119

On time and everything! ;O) I had a blast with this one, I think its probably one of my favorite stamp sets and definitely my favorite paper ever, I just love the color combos!! Hope everyone has a great week, we've had an awesome weekend spent with all my family. Couldn't ask for more! (Well, maybe temps above zero!)

Paper: Emporium Creative Basics with included Vineyard Berry Ribbon

Cardstock: Twighlight and Vineyard Berry

Ink: Twighlight, Vineyard Berry, Sweet Leaf, Creme Brulee, Cocoa, and Chocolate

Stamp Sets: Whoo Loves You, You're a Hoot, Treasure Life, Twitterpated, and Say It In Style

Other: Twinkle Brads, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, and Copic Markers (Y32 Cashmere for owl beaks)

Inspired Blueprints #36...You Make Me Smile

This went together so fast! I swear that never happens. I didn't do a whole lot with this one, but even then, I usually take forever to decide on how to put the whole thing together! ;O)

I felt like this one was missing something, but instead of coming up with something creative, I just kept adding more and more pearls! ;O) I'm not sure that's what the layout needed...but that's what it got!
I thought I'd throw these pictures in...can you see why it takes me forever to do a layout! This is my little man jumping on the exercise ball I sit on while I scrapbook. You'd be amazed how long this is entertaining to him!! Check out how far off the ball his feet go! My little daredevil....

Patterned Paper: CTMH-Emporium and Rustic Trail (Blue-retired)

Cardstock: CTMH-White Daisy, Vineyard Berry, and Cocoa

Ink: CTMH White Daisy Pigment Ink, Dutch Blue and Vineyard Berry

Stamp Sets: Felicity (swirls), Field Trip Alpha, Dream Wishes (journal spot)

Other: Cricut ("You" and "Smile", journal spot circle), Adhesive Pearls from CTMH and Recollections, Zig pen

Mojo Monday #117

Very last Christmas card for this year! This one is going to my cousin Jenna, she spent Christmas in Florida taking care of her grandfather. He's not doing well and her and her mom wanted to spend every last minute with him. I'm really glad he made it through Christmas for their sake. It would have been horrible to lose him during the holidays. He seems to be hanging in there, but Hospice has been called in and nobody thinks he has much time left. I've only met him a few times, but he is such a warm caring person with a contagious sense of humor, he will be a great loss to all of us.

This is a really old and retired stamp set from CTMH called Frosty Friends. It's another one I've had forever, but never used and now I can't imagine why. It's so cute and SO fun to color!! Hope you all have a very Happy New Year!!!

Patterned Paper: CTMH Jingle

Cardstock: CTMH Juniper and Tulip

Stamp Sets: CTMH Frosty Friends and Peace on Earth

Ink: Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black

Other: Copic markers, Single Loop Edge punch and Double Loop Corner punch from Martha Stewart, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, Stickles, Liquid Applique, and Offray Ribbon.