Quick Card

The other night I took my "scraps" from a kit to the dinning room table and as my family watched T.V. I made cards. I made about 7 cards in 2 hours. It was nice being with them but still doing "my thing."



These scraps belonged to another TSD kit - A day at the Park July 2007. I had fun and I'm completely done with this kit. I think. I might still have enough to make a few gift cards. I still need to add the sentiment to the other cards - after I do that I'll share the rest.

Quick Story

When I travel, I have always taken along with me a Rusty Pickle Folder album that I made in a class. I never travel without it! Never. So when I was packing a few weeks ago to go on vacation, the night before we left, I realized I did not pack my little album. I searched high and low for it. I even recruited the help of my family. I just cannot imagine where that thing might be stashed away. Well, gosh darn it, it might be bad luck to travel with out my families pictures close by, right? So, four hours before we packed up the car I was in a mad dash rush pulling pictures of my family. I came across this little album. I've had it for a long time but I don't know who makes it. I attached a large hanging decoration I purchased at the dollar store and I pulled my favorite Two Spotted Dogs Kit - Romance Novel. It has everything in there I needed to complete this little book in no time at all. My husband thought I was nuts - creating a mini-album right before we have to leave - LOL. I assured him it be done in not time.
So I took a few pictures - the layouts are simple but I really loved having it with me on vacation. There are alot more pages in there.

Please note the "Owl" on the first page. Is he not the cutest? I got that last month from The Embellishment Studio
I received two - I'm working on something really special for the other one.

Card for Challenge

Rub on is from Colorbok, cardstock - Club Scrap, pp - Two Spotted dog, Chip board is HS, lace - TES, the rest is from my stash and the sketch for the card was from Page Maps September 2007.

First Christmas layout

woo who! I Received my "The Embellishment Studio" kit for November. Talk about eye candy go take a peek. I loved this months kit. I combined it with my recent favorite kit from Two Spotted Dogs Romance Novel Kit. I love the papers in that kit from the Paper Trunk.
The large Chipboard circle I inked with Adirondack Raisin ink and then covered it with platinum stickles. The metal embellishments are from Making Memories and the pin from my stash.

Still working on Ms. Isabella's one year album and these were her first Christmas photos.

I had to use a flash because the winter months have set in - and the dark days are up on. It's dark when I leave for work in the morning and dark when I get home in the evening.

A Special Gift

Alinda made these gorgeous cards and matching envelops. We used them to decorate the tables and windowsills. They were a great hit! Her grandmother(paternal) took off with 4 envelops! These pictures don't do them justice but the envelops include Isabella's pictures with the fairies and the cards colors are rich and deep and have a very personalized message on each of them.




Thank you so much Alinda. We loved these! Isabella (and everyone else) says thank you!

Papa Dave & Bella

Mad dash rush to finish Isabella's first year album. Here a picture of Papa Dave and Bella at the Chicago Botanical 2007




Most of the supplies are from a The Elsie Collection - which I won from a contest at Two Spotted Dogs. The black lace is from The Embelishment Studio.

Birthday Card

My friend Nathalia always makes the most fabulous cards - even when she's using a sketch. She used Becky Fleck page maps to make this card




I like it so much I decided to lift it. Here it is:



I still like Nathalia's better.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MS. ISABELLA

Today the Lovely Ms. Isabella turns ONE! What a wonderful year it has been. It has been a year of milestones and bonding. She's gone from an infant to trying to establish some independence. She walks, runs and gives orders. She is a princess of few words but she gets her point across. She loves music - she head bangs and dances everytime she hears music. She loves cars and other children. Especially her cousins. I got to spend her fist "birthday" baby sitting her. We've had a fun day. I'm exhaused!

Heather took her birthday pictures. I wanted to share just a few (of many) Isabella had a ball with her cake.

Rub on card

Sometimes you just need a little push. I have several rub-ons and don't use them too much. Caardvarks (see here) has a challenge and it's to make a card using Rub-ons. Here's mine. I used Chatterbox Rub-ons, cardstock from Bazzil, pattern paper is My minds eye, and best of all is the lace and ribbon from The Embelishment Studio - take a peek here for some great vintage lace and other extras.

Triangle Trifold Card

These two cute little cards are going to my mom and mother in law for thanksgiving day.
The paper is from Two Spotted Dogs - Romance Novel kit. See here for a great deal on paper kits I love the Paper Trunk papers.







You can find the tutorial for making these cards at Splitcoaststampers Splitcoast Stampers is a free e-newsletter. They always have wonderful ideas and great projects.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Usually during this time of the year I am forced to STOP and think. Yeah, traditionally we think of food, and yes this year is no different. My family and Dave's family will get together at my In-Laws house where we will have way to much delicious food. This year we will be a few members short - some by choice and others by no control of their own.



I used to try and get everyone to share what they were grateful for but that tradition just fell to the way side. So here is my list:

I am grateful for:
The Creator because after so many years of "wrong" teaching I've finally learned that the Creator is Love and true peace.
the protection the Creator has extended to my son who is in Iraq
My husband - because he's the best!
My children - because they have made me stronger
The Lovely Ms Isabella - because she makes me smile and warms my heart
My health - no comment needed there
the ability to enjoy sunrises and sunsets - because I see beauty in nature and I get to see the work of a true artist
my extended family - personalities! but they make me accountable
numerous friends - who share my joys and my disappointments
my BFF - because I know you are there for me and you inspire me (thanks Nathalia)
my partner Heather because you see my strengths even when I don't
my friend Jennifer who is more like family
my job (oh yeah I said it!)because it pays the bills - lol and also I've gotten to know and to share with my 2 co-workers (who fall under the friend catagory now) Terry and Brandon - hey you guys make work not so much "work."
my art - because I feel my best when I create or when I take that perfect picture (which by the way I'm still working on)
my home - it offers comfort and security
my car - it takes me places I would otherwise would not be able to get to

the list could go on and on and I don't want to be a bore - but I would love to see your list. So please do share.

Have a great day!

I'm Back

We had a wonderful time! The weather was perfect, the beaches were beautiful and the people were amazing. We explored, swam, snorkeled, hiked, learned and ate (a lot!). I started to get a little home sick - more like I missed the family that was still at home. I'm glad to be back.

I'm sharing 2 photos taken in the Northern area of the Yucatan - where part of the Mayan Civilization developed. It is now called the city of Chichen Itza. It's what we called the ruins - but I guess the appropriate name is the archaeological site.

This first picture is of the Piramid of Kukulcan -



This second picture is the Astronomical Observatory. Here they studied the stars and the plantes. The Mayan people developed 3 calendars - one of which we currently use today and this is the building where it came from.





I'll be sharing more photos later - or maybe I'll actually get a chance to scrapbook then!

On Vacation

Yay! We are off to a tropical paradise for a much needed rest. Personally, I have some issues to sort out. I feel like I've come to a cross road in my life again and I have some serious decisions to make.

I leave you with some of my recent work. Pictures of some of my children and of coarse the lovely Ms. Isabella- that picture was taken by my friend Heather. I'm loving and learning my camera. Nikkon D-80 with kit lenses and Dave recently got me a new lens. The Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4D. It arrived just in time to pack it and take it with us. I cannot wait to see the kinds of portraits we'll be able to take with this lens. All photos were taken in manual mode f-stop 4.5, ss100 - 125, ISO 200.

Thanks for checking on my blog I'll have an update in about 8 days! See ya!