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!

Fun News & a "MANLY" Valentines Card :)

SOOOOO, first things first: I'm very excited because today I get to go teach a group of winter visitors a Scrapbooking 101 class! It's today and the next two Mondays as well. It's a small group (not more than 5 or so) but I am excited about being asked - SUPER EXCITED!

Second, I thought I would share this "manly" card I made for my hubby (which I can post on here since he never reads these things) and maybe give some inspiration to you ladies before the big day is here. I find it so tough to have a Valentine's Card that isn't so full of pink and flowers, etc. David has a soft side so I could go all girly but I don't want to: Here I used some of the GCD Studios papers and pulled out the red for the big day! With the cricut, making memories ribbon and some bronze embellishments I think it has just the right touch of masculine while conveying how much I love him.

There's still time to make yours - share them with me when you're finished!

Stacey

Catching up!

I really am trying to be current with the pictures I'm scrapbooking - really, I am! Maintaining separate albums for all three children (as well as a "limited" album for David and I) does present some challenges in the current dept. Anyway, I did this two page layout for Abbi's album and considering I've been on a little hiatus (sp?) due to a little medical stuff - I am happy with it. It always seems like the first ones back aren't the best but I guess every page doesn't have to be, right?



I placed the letters over the pic just a bit so they didn't get lost on the lighter background - I think it worked. And, as a confessions, I messed up the cut on the round photo so I used the flowers to overlap the pic to cover my mistake. Can't tell can ya?

This was my favorite part - the "ticket" to the HUGE party!

Hope you enjoyed looking at these (maybe inspired even) and have a great day!
Stacey

Quickie Card & V-day Decor!

So clearly I've been out of the "loop" for a bit but I am beginning to get back in the swing of things - clearly visible by the fact that I'm on here and that I took the time to make a quick Birthday card for my sweet Olivia last week.

This card was just textured cardstock paired with some solid stuff and the pretty "lace" is paper and self adhesive but clearly wasn't sticking well when I took the photo. I later used my tape runner to "stick" it down. She enjoyed it and I did too!


So Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays and I like to decorate for it (only been doing that the last few years). I try to stay away from "tacky" and I just loved this GIANT flower (I think it's a peony) and then the feathers gave it a fun touch to disguise the stem.

Here is my new wreath -I love it! Didn't take very long and I was suprisingly happy with the heart shaped wreath. I loved it was a bit rustic (as rustic as pink can be.)

So, that's all for today - hope to be back for more stuff soon! Happy night-time :)

Taking the Plunge!

So, I did it! I decided to "re-think" my organization strategy. I am a thinker. I don't want to start anything without a plan, a very thought-out plan. And, since I'd been doing it the same way FOREVER, and it was relatively working well, why change? Well, first off, I'm not cropping quite as often outside of the house. Second, I got this great new furniture which makes organizing "fun" (if that's even possible, which for some of us is) Thirdly, it was just time to take a "risk" (of the milder version)



We all know chaos comes before organization - surely it does here!


Buttons of all sizes (and colors) Which one of my followers knows this dilema: sort by color, by size, by color and size? Too many choices!


And I discovered I don't like to remove items from their original package unless I'm ready to toss it - anyone else that way? So, in some ways I made changes and in some places I just couldn't do it yet. The baskets help me color code what's inside - white basket has black & white ribbon while the green one has greens, etc. The brightly colored box that I received a gift in has all the ones that currently don't fit clearly in a color scheme.

So, I apologize for my O.C.D. ranting but this was just my process and I'm sure some of you do it too!

And all the madness creates pretty, thoughtful cards to hopefully encourage someone and brighten their day, which in the end, is worth it ALL!

Hope you are having a happy day and know I am thinking of you today too!

p.s. - I am looking for layouts to inspire me for a layout about myself - if you see one or know of one you like please let me know! Thanks:)

Birthday Creative~

So let me start by saying the concept was good - execution could use work but not enough time for total perfection (which is of course what I aim for.)

It's the twins party and we are having it at Rocket Lanes (their choice) and so I wanted to make a Roller Skate. Of course, who can do a birthday invitation without a Cricut? No one I know! Anway, I used the boot of Ms. Clause cause it most "resembled" a skate. Then I cut out (with my Cricut of course) 1 " circles in black and placed the grommets/brads in the center. This was a bit tedious because I don't have any tool for this so I had to use my hands which needless to say are in need of a good manicure! I digress. I used my mini-double hole punch for the laces (which was too small and had to be punched a second time but very close to the first set of holes so it didn't look weird) I ran the "yarn" through and then tied the bow. The next morning the kids LOVED them (actually I believe the word AWESOME was used) so it makes all the sore fingers worth it!

Hopefully tomorrow I will get to some scrappin' and organization. Found some very cute things today at World Market that might assist in the organization so I'm pretty excited to get started. Happy Wednesday to you all!

A Beautiful Mess :)

This makes me smile! Really, you say? Yes it does. It makes me smile because sometimes we have to make a mess before we can make an organized, beautiful, creative, happy place.

Yesterday I received a "gift" for our home office and had to move everything out in order to put the new "gift" in. So, this is how my dining room looks currently.


More proof that I am willing to live in "brief" chaos in order to achieve long-term happiness.


This is the gnarly mess my husband gets to organize when he returns from his trip - I love you Honey!!! If I didn't, I would've tried to put it together myself - he he!


And without further delay, here is my "gift" Super happy, Pottery Barn inspired, wooden goodness that will one-day help me be a better crafter, scrapper and all-around happier while in this "work" space.


Can't wait to buy all the little pretties to make it mine! (and a little bit his!) Have a happy day everybody.