Finally...

a crafty post! I haven't taken much time lately to do anything crafty but the closer Christmas gets there are a few cards necessary - so I get to make them and this one was inspired by a very simple card but I like the geometric nature of it none-the-less.

Two version:
This is just cardstock and jewels. Don't worry - these are the kind that come in a strip so I didn't sit and put each one on individually - HA!


Version 2:
I can't decide which I like best - this one is going to Braden's teacher who LOVES some bling - hope she likes it (of course she'll probably enjoy the handwritten note by him on the inside saying she is a cool teacher the most)


And to finish off this post - a rare shot with all 3 looking the same direction, at the same time, with a version of a smile - a true Christmas miracle!


If I don't get to blog again before then, MERRY CHRISTMAS and enjoy all your blessings - thre greatest being our Savior Jesus Christ!

Father's Day Card to Inspire

I know it's a few days early but maybe this will jumpstart your creative processes. We, however, are celebrating tonight since we will be out of town on the weekend of Father's Day. I never want to take my "fathers" for granted, especially my Heavenly Father! I am so blessed to have such great men in my life - it wasn't always that way - and I want them to know it!

Here is the card I made for my Dad, David's is still in processing.

I love it when two hobbies merge into one - I sewed the tie on (and saved on adhesive at the same time.) Hope you enjoy this.

Blogging may be a bit slim over the next 10 days - probably nothing crafty but a bunch of fun stuff from our vacation (if the computer will work right?!?)

Happy Tuesday!

Cards & Flowers

So what could be better than a card with some flowers? Today I'm sharing two card ideas that are relatively quick and can use some of the supplies you have on hand - cause we know you got 'em!

First up is one for sweet Tori (who turned TWO this month - unbelievable!) I used a solid cardstock and did a version of a bi-fold for her. The hello cutie is from K&Co as well as the hearts. The cardstock is standard. I just mounted the chipboard sticker to a solid white then double matted with pink. Then I cut a strip of white approx .5 to .75 thick and adhered the ribbon to it. Basically making a sleeve for the bi-fold card.



This is what the the sleeve looks like from the back. The white/ribbon strip was adhered to the back of the chipboard mounting so the back had a smooth look. I added cardstock to the inside along with our Birthday message and then slid the sleeve on.


Another perspective. Here you can see how the strip is adhered.


Here is a quick "standard" card for my hair-dresser who recently got married. She got married on the beach so I thought the teal/blue was fitting. A little bling never hurts either!

Now to the flowers - I know you think the pic is messed up but really, it is that orange/flourescent almost. Really pretty!

Here is a bouquet for my mantle - at some point the thorns become worth it and the first clipping of the year is surely that time. Love fresh flowers in the house!

Here is the Spartan Iris that we just planted last week but is blooming already - the kids think it's cool how fast that happens (and actually, I do too.)

We've been kinda busy but I do have more activity shots for ya but thought you might like something creative today. Hope to be back tomorrow - until then, enjoy every minute!

Valentine Card - Version #1 (sorta)

I just LOVE Valentines but am beginning to feel like the northerners right now - instead of snow, I'm covered up with Valentines! These are our "family" valentines. I didn't do Christmas cards on purpose because they usually get lost in the shuffle (at least that's my opinion.) So, for the last few years I've sent Valentines to all the people on our "Christmas Card List" There are several different color palattes but this is the one I photographed (since the others had already lovingly been put in envelopes by my mother.) I tried to get several shots so you could see the whole thing.

Of course, my three sweet loves!

Here is the side view - it's kinda like a bi-fold turned sideways. I was inspired by a card on the
http://ellesstudio.blogspot.com blog for cardmaking day.

These cards were sent to those who aren't "involved in our day to day lives" so I included the photos on the front and a family letter on the inside.

Hope you're having fun with Valentines Day - I sure am!

A Card a Day. . . Makes us Crazy!

Ha ha! Just wanted to throw a little fun in the midst of life's unending drama. I've been making at least one card a day for various occasions and these two were for an anniversary and a birthday. Both make great use of my Cricut which I'm falling in love with all over again (especially since I have a place to keep it out "permanently") Anyhow, I again scraplifted the second card from Creating Keepsakes (they did butterflies but I don't have a butterfly punch). Using the tone on tone paper (someone thought it was embossed at a glance) gave it a really neat look and then I "lightened" it up a bit with the polka-dot ribbon. Overall - I was really pleased with both of them. Hope they inspire you to take a moment and use some of your scraps to brighten someones day.

Finally, all these cards are making us crazy! J/K, it was crazy hair day at school (something to do with Red Ribbon week) and this is how my kids left the house - not the normal but they were PLEASED!!!

Have a great weekend everyone if I don't see you before Monday :)

I finally caught him! (or her?)

So this guy (I think the males are red) has been everywhere except when I have had my camera, so this morning while waiting on the dog I took my camera out with me and he showed up. I know it's a big grainy but it was pretty good distance away. With my love for red and birds combined - how could you not think this guy/gal is stunning!

For a little creative inspiration (my list of cards to make is a MILE long) I thought I would share a card I did that I scraplifted from the card section in my Creating Keepsakes Magazine. I purchased this ribbon a while back and it wasn't really fitting into my current stuff so I thought it would work great for this "Thinking of You" card. The flowers were my Spare Parts and I'm pretty certain the button was American Crafts (and I know the ribbon is). Enjoy your day and take the time to tell someone you are thinking of them - it'll surely make them smile:)

Elle's Studio Late Nite Card Challenge!

I have a friend who is having a Birthday real soon and thought this might work out well for her Birthday - kinda modern with a touch of bling (the white dots are sparkly) Enjoy and the Blog Hop all day has been fun - hope I win something!

Cool Card . . .

So I've been meaning to make this card for a while and now that I've done it ~ I just LOVE the way it turned out. This is for my friend Shellie's mom who has cancer and she is going to Houston again this weekend for another treatment (please say a prayer!)

If you notice, the top left corner is kinda cut out and the clouds are covering a portion of the "SON"..... (I used the cricut (zooballoo) to cut out the clouds and then edged them with black ink for the stormy look)

but when you open it up, there is the whole "Son" shining! I just loved that little idea & am always proud of myself when something like this comes from my own brain! (as opposed to copying it from someone else)

Maybe you could do this for someone when they need to be reminded no matter how difficult the storm, Jesus is always there!

Happy Weekend!

Starting from Scratch~

Sometimes I think It's easier to start something from scratch rather than work within the "kit" provided. Here are two cards I did for my parents whose birthdays happen to be within a week of each other. I used a card pack from Creative Memories and the only add'l thing was the polka-dot ribbon from Heidi Swapp. Enjoy and be Inspired!

4th of July (& a neat card)

So the 4th of July is a favorite holiday (might have something to do with the color red) for alot of reasons! As I age I realize the significance of freedom and certainly now, how quickly it could fade. On a lighter note, I enjoy the time in the sun, the pool, the food, and the festivities. Here are a few of this year's highlights. Also, scroll to the bottom to the a graduation card I made one of the lovely ladies at church - I hardly wanted to get rid of it:(


Braden LOVES watermelon~

I enjoy being Martha in the kitchen

The twins playing chicken~

Up-close: Basic Grey paper/Making Memories flowers & button/Bo Bunny ribbon.

I used a gel-writer in white to write her message - different for me but

I liked it alot~

Hope you enjoyed your 4th and check back soon for some new layouts!