Part 2 of Miracle Layout #1

I had two more pictures to go with this page I made the other day from our 2008 Easter morning, but, Owen was wearing bright red jammies in these shots.  So, I converted them to black and white and tried to allow both pages to kind of stand alone since the pictures were so inconsistent.  This page in particular ended up being extremely simple, but I kind of like it.  I tried to pull elements in from my first page and incorporate them here while kind of adapting to the layout sketch provided in the kit.  The only parts of this page not already included in the kit are the Buttercup and Sunflower ink (used to color the butterfly chipboard die cut), the Recollections adhesive pearls (Michaels), the Martha Stewart daisy border punch, and the Zig pen for journaling.

Heart 2 Heart Challenge #3

I've already completed my entry for the Heart 2 Heart Challenge this week!!!  Woohoo for me!!  Well, I guess it isn't that impressive, considering I am home sick from work with no kiddo....if only I had every day off from work and my little busy bee....oh, the things I could accomplish! ;O)

This week's challenge was a sketch which is my favorite type of challenge.  They gave us a great sketch that was a good place to start, but then left a lot for your own interpretation.  I love it!

The only items used for my card that weren't from CTMH were the ribbon and buttons (their from JoAnns) and the corner rounder from EKSuccess to make the scalloped border.

I wanted to use up the last of my paper from my Miracle Kit (that's right the LAST of my kit-woohoo again, I never am this on top of things!!  I usually hoard it for months and then lose interest!!!) and it screamed baby boy to me.  I tried using a different "baby" stamp, but was drawn back to this bear from the retired Beary Much stamp set.  It's just the perfect size for a card.  I'd make smaller cards, but, they charge extra in postage for "non-standard" sizes and quite frankly, here in Alaska, we don't need to make up reasons to spend more on postage!!! ;O)

I have a couple layouts completed with the Miracle Kit that I will be posting over the next couple of days.  I love the colors in this kit and hope to see more like it in our future catalogs!

Paper: Miracle Kit and Sweet Pea
Cardstock:  Sweet Leaf and Colonial White
Stamp Sets: Beary Much, Baby Steps, and Now & Forever
Ink:  Tskuineko Memento Rich Cocoa and Tuxedo Black
Other:  CTMH Blush chalk (bear's cheeks) and watercolor pencils, CTMH Waxy Flax (Miracle Kit), EKSuccess corner rounder, Favorite Findings buttons and Casa Collection ribbon

Mother's Day

So, it's that time of year again!!  I'm desperately trying to get my Mother's Day cards out on time since I was so late with the Valentine's Cards and didn't even bother for Easter!!  I made up this really quick prototype...it's pretty rough, but I think I like where it's going....  How much do you love this Veranda paper, I just can't get enough of it lately.  I think it's the whole earth tone thing it's got going.

A fellow CTMH consultant, Tonya Sheridan, posted the cutest baby shower invites using this trifold card and I have been dying to try it.  You have to check out her card and blog, she does pretty awesome work!   She made it look so easy, but I struggled with it a bit and am not 100% thrilled with mine, but, this is just a prototype, right? ;O) I still have to find envelopes to fit on top of everything else...I may regret this choice by the time I'm done making 6 of them (one for each grandma and great grandma!!!).

Tonya got the instructions from Operation Write Home, a great organization that collects blank cards for the military deployed overseas to use to write their families.  However, I think there's a couple errors in their template, so I am going to try and come up with my own when I post my final product.

Happy Monday everyone, hope you are all enjoying your day.  My little one is at preschool and I don't have to work, so I have the whole day to myself, yay!!!  Hopefully, I'll get all of my card's done today as I have no intentions of cleaning!! ;O)

Paper:  Veranda

Cardstock: Cocoa, Juniper, Creme Brulee, and Colonial White

Stamps:  Love You  Forever and Simple Beauty

Ink: Cocoa and Tsukineko Memento Rich Cocoa

Other:  Just Blooms Spring Blossoms, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, Watercolor Pencils, Pewter Design Brads, and KandCompany Adhesive Rhinestones.

Mojo Monday #132

I'm SOOOO tired of snow!!!  On Wednesday, we got dumped on, I didn't look to see what the actual accumulation was, but it had to have been at least 6 inches in town.  It was right at 32 degrees, so most of it melted as it hit the ground, so it makes it tough to estimate the actual total.  Having been born and raised here, I enjoy the winter's more than the average dude.  But, we keep having warm days in the 40s and then the next day it is in the 20s and snowing!  I am so over it and ready for the yard work to begin!!! (I'll probably regret that statement in the next couple months!!!!)

Alright, so the point to my rant being I wanted to do something really sunny for my Aunt's birthday card.    The Smiles stamp set was one of my favorite out of the Spring CTMH catalog, but this is the first time I've put it to use!  I had so much fun coloring the flowers in...I love how the Copics can be blended and layerd.  I wish my stems stood out a little more, but, what can you do!  I used a Mojo sketch from a couple weeks back and tried out making a square card for the first time.  Despite the fact that I have no envelope to put it in, I thought it was lots of fun to do.  

Hope you are all enjoying your Sunday....today is the day for my husband's 29th birthday party....I may have to trade him in for a younger model next year!! ;O)

Paper: Paper Garden and Emporium

Cardstock:  Buttercup, Blush, and Colonial White

Stamp Sets:  Smiles, From Me to You, and With Love (vase)

Ink: Petal and Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black

Other:  Offray ribbon, Hero Arts Sparkle Gems, Stickles, Copics, and Fiskars circle punch

Mojo Monday #134

This was a second attempt at the Heart to Heart Challenge #2 and an attempt to keep with just CTMH products.   Unfortunately, I think anyway you look at it, I didn't stick to just 3 embellishments, oh, and I snuck in more Robin's Nest Dew Drops and a Martha Stewart Punch!  I absolutely love this Veranda Creative Basics paper and broke down and ordered the Level 2 version of Veranda as well today.  I didn't think I would love it this much!  Even the Juniper color is growing on me! ;O)

Paper: CTMH Veranda Creative Basics
Cardstock: Creme Brulee, Juniper, and Colonial White
Stamps:  Birthday Invitation (retired)
Ink:  Creme Brulee and Juniper
Other:  Martha Stewart Punch border and corner punches, EKSuccess Corner Rounder, CTMH Just Blooms Spring Blossoms, Juniper brads, Filigree Charm,  Creme Brulee ribbon, and Robin's Nest Dew Drops

Unscripted Sketches #50 and Heart to Heart Challenge #2

I'm so excited to be able to sit down and get some play time in again!!!  I've missed doing the Unscripted Sketches, their DT is so inspiring!  

Of course, the rest of this weekend will be spent prepping for my husband's birthday party.....booo!! ;O)  I swear everybody and their brother has had a birthday in the last two months and I am SO over it!!  My son can't figure out why if everyone else has had a birthday, why he doesn't get to have one too.  It's getting harder and harder to explain every time we go to a party that his is still over 8 months away!!

Anyway, enough whining, onto the card! ;O)  I was so excited to get to sit down and do my first Heart to Heart Challenge until I realized how tough it was!  The Unscripted Sketch this week was perfect for the rules though, 1 stamped image, 2 pieces of patterned paper, and 3 embellishments.  I just struggled to meet the requirements!!  I may get the boot anyway for using a digi stamp from Wink Wink Ink called Owlfie (how cute is he though-I couldn't resist!) instead of a CTMH image.  I have not been using my Copic markers much lately and thought Owlfie was the perfect excuse I needed to dig them back out.  I need lots of practice, but all in all, I thought it turned out o.k..  So, here's my qualifying components....Owlfie was the one stamped image, Veranda Creative Basics worked perfect for the two patterned papers, and for the three embellishments I used Robin's Nest Dew Drops, CTMH Creme Brulee ribbon, and clear Stickles on the branch for a little sparkle.

I also cheated and used two more stamps for the sentiment a third stamp set for fun on the insiden  Oops! ;O)  Hopefully, the next challenge will be easier for me...but, then what would be the point I suppose!!

Paper: CTMH Veranda Creative Basics

Cardstock: Creme Brulee, Juniper, and Colonial White

Stamps:  Wink Wink Ink Owlfie, CTMH You're a Hoot, From Me to You, and Smiles

Ink:  CTMH Creme Brulee, Grey Wool and Juniper and Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black

Other:  Copic Markers, Stickles, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, EK Success Corner Rounder, and CTMH Creme Brulee Ribbon

Got Sketch? 105 Class Sketch #3...Hawaii 2008

O.k., so this layout has kind of been the down turn of my motivation.  It didn't turn out at all like I had envisioned and I don't think I love the colors at all.  But, I decided it was just one of those that had to be what it is and I had to move on....although, I'm noticing now that my journal strips are looking a little tippy.  I'll have to work on that at least!

I did have one moment of enlightenment...I always debate when buying the Martha Stewart border punches if it's worth buying the set that comes with the corner punch for $10-15 more.  Well, wonder no more! ;O)  This may be the only time I'm this creative, so listen closely, I used the double loop corner punch to create the border down the middle of the page!  How pretty is it!!!!  I love how it turned out.  It took some practice, but I was able to punch down one side of my paper strip in a way that looked consistent and then I turned the paper over and punched down the opposite side matching the pattern as exactly as I could.  I think it looks awesome and have tried it with a few others with a whole lot of success. For once, it was money well spent for me! 

Paper: Discovery (retired)
Cardstock: Olive, Dutch Blue, Buttercup, and Colonial White
Ink: Hollyhock, Blush, Buttercup, and Dutch Blue
Stamps:  Friendship Alpha Large, Small Chocolate Alpha, Extreme Happiness, and Adorable Backgrounds
Other: Stickles, Martha Stewart punch, Zig pen

Happy Easter, a Sneak Peek at the New Miracle Kit, and Inspired Blueprints #43!

Happy Easter everyone!!!  Hope you all had a great time celebrating with family.  It's just about half over here and we still have Easter dinner to do, which I am looking forward to.  Although, we're putting Easter on hold for a few hours while my husband is at a shooting competition...who schedules one of those for Easter????

I apologize for disappearing for so long.  I've had a tough time work and health wise these past couple months.  I'm hoping to focus more on both my health and my family's and get us all back on track this coming year.  Recently, we've been very worried that we'd have to have Owen's tonsils removed after they suddenly swelled up last fall and with a $6,000 deductible, it was a huge financial decision, not just a health issue.  We've worked with both our family physician and an alternative doctor trying to determine the cause and any other possible option.  Fortunately, after we finally gave up with the understanding that we'd done all we could and saw an ENT specialist, he agreed that we were doing the right thing by watching him closely and for now, he doesn't think it's necessary or productive to remove them.  I don't believe in surgery just for the heck of it and was thankful he wasn't one of those that force it on you.  Anyway, so between that and the fact that we are having some major issues at work which requires me to jump through hoops to meet new shorter deadlines, I'm just mentally and physically drained!!  Even scrapbooking isn't appealing at this point....that's how bad it's gotten! ;O)

Anyway, enough excuses and whining!  The new Miracle kit is going to be available to customers in just 11 more days and I thought I'd share what I've created so far with the kit.  I absolutely love the colors they chose (Sweet Leaf, Olive, Bamboo, Crystal Blue, and Colonial White) and thought it was perfect for Easter!  The only down side to me about this kit is that the die cut paper comes pre-cut.  I was kind of upset about that as I HATE to follow the pre-determined layouts they provide in the kits...I have an issue I know!!!  Anyway, this particular die cut worked out to be absolutely perfect for the Inspired Blue Print Sketch that I didn't finish in time!!  I love how it all went together!  Now, I just need to figure out what to do with the corresponding page...hmmm....

Paper: Miracle Kit
Cardstock: Colonial White
Ink: Crystal Blue, Buttercup, and Sunflower 
Stamps: Field Trip Alpha
Other:  Miracle kit chipboard die cuts and corresponding Stickease (butterflies), Martha Stewart Daisy Border Punch, Recollections adhesive pearls in white and green (Michael's), Sandylion Essentials Bunny Sticker.

Got Sketch? 105 Class....1st Haircut By Dad

Alright, rolling right along!  I started my third layout for this class on Monday and hope to wrap-up a few more this week so that I'm not so far behind.

This one was kind of tough, just because embellishments are my week spot and they were kind of the focus for this layout.  I always go with stars when all else fails and I thought it worked out pretty good here.

I truly am in love with the Got Sketch? sketches, they are so different and Valerie Salmon's work is so inspiring.  I love that she incorporated three vertical photos in such a cute way.  It's hard to use more than 2 of any one style of photo typically!  It's not too late to sign up for the Got Sketch? 105 Class, the classroom will be available online through April 30th.

Paper: Felicity and Caprice (retired)
Cardstock: Autumn Terracotta
Ink:  Autumn Terracotta andTsukineko Memento Ink in Rich Cocoa (so the Stickles wouldn't make the ink run)
Stamps: Journaling Jots, The Works Alpha, Wishing Star, and Star Power
Other: Stickles, 1.5" Fiskars Circle Punch, and a Zig Pen

Creative Scrappers #91....Best Friends

I totally blew my goal of keeping up with the February Creative Scrappers sketches.  I'll try again after my Got Sketch? 105 class is done...maybe start fresh in April.  Anyway, this one just seemed perfect incorporated in with the Felicity papers.  I absolutely love the Felicity kit and hope that it inspires some of the paper packs in upcoming catalogs!!  These die cuts were honestly some of the prettiest I've ever seen and they really aren't my thing in all reality.  But, I think these have changed me!  This is probably one of the most simple layouts I've ever done, but I really love how it looks.

Paper: Felicity

Cardstock: Bamboo and Cocoa

Ink: Bamboo and Cocoa

Stamps: Felicity (swirls and alpha)

Other: Zig Pen and When It's Cold Outside Cricut Cartridge

Got Sketch? 105 Class Sketch #1...Mad Face

O.k., so we are in week 3 and Valerie Salmon just posted Sketch 7....I just wrapped up Sketch #2!!!  I've enjoyed the class, but life and work keep interfering.  I'm suffering from a loss of creativity and when I finally find time to myself, I end up just going to bed instead.  So sad!

Valerie asked that we don't share the actual sketch that she provided to those of us that subscribed to her class, but she does allow us to share our work.  If you like what you see, its not too late to join the Got Sketch? 105 Class.  We have one week left still, but the virtual classroom itself will be available until April 30th!  I love her sketches and look forward to completing all 8 (hopefully, by the end of April!!!).

My husband was shocked to see I had taken pictures of my son while he was crying.  But, he was so cute when he was mad!!!  He has a pouty lip thing that he has done since he was even smaller than this and continues to do to this day, that almost makes me look forward to a temper tantrum...almost!  I'm not sure I love the hearts, I had to cut them by hand, but it was really fun to try something different.

Paper:  Let's Get Together (retired)
Cardstock: Colonial White, Outdoor Denim, and Cranberry
Ink: Breeze (retired), Outdoor Denim, and Cranberry
Stamps: Small Chocolate Alpha
Other:  Martha Stewart heart punch, Basic Grey Brads Lime Rickey collection, Zig pen, and felt from Michael's

Hope you are all enjoying the start to your week...we're in the midst of white-out conditions here and I'm checking in on the Iditarod mushers as frequently as possible!!  The official start to the race was yesterday and I think we're all looking forward to seeing if Lance Mackey can become a 4-time consecutive winner.  I'm not sure that anyone has ever done that, although, I do know that with a fourth win, he will be in the same league as the greats like Susan Butcher, Martin Buser, Doug Swingley and Jeff King (Jeff has a record 5 wins under his belt).  Probably not well known names to Lower 48ers, but superstars in Alaska!  If you haven't paid any attention, you should check out some of the stories coming out of this race.  There are some amazingly inspirational people on the trail this year...in my opinion, these competitors are what real athletes are truly all about.  Of course, the dogs deserve most of the credit! ;O)