{kerianne}

For kramomma

2011-02-20T18:37:00.005-06:00

So I have at least one person who checks my blog regularly. And, well, I don't post regularly, so my friend kramomma (that's her screen name not her real name :)) has been giving me a gentle push to post something...so here goes.

I am in love with Cake Pops, which can be found here! They are fun to make, and totally delicious. I thought I would share some of my cake pop and cake ball creations from the holidays. These are not hard to make...just time consuming!

And a whole bunch of holiday candies!!

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes 2010

2010-09-21T20:39:00.002-05:00

It's that time of year when my family and I participate in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes. My gorgeous 9 year old niece has now been living with diabetes for 5 1/2 years. She amazes me...she is so smart and sweet and knows how to control her diabetes, use her pump, and calm me down when I freak out about a high or a low and she can tell me exactly what I need to do to get her levels back on track.

It is time...time for a CURE! I shared this poem years ago...and I will reshare it here because I pray so desperately for a cure for precious lil Sierra and all the other children who have to deal with finger pricks and shots and eating when you don't feel like it, and lows that make your body hurt, and counting every carb that goes into their body, and having their insulin pump mistaken for a cell phone.

Please go here and donate as generously as you can. Any amount, big or small is greatly appreciated.

There is some great research bringing us closer to a cure...help support that research so we can give Sierra her cure...

Really?!?!?!

2010-07-05T21:51:00.004-05:00

I haven't blogged since November 2009...what...that is unacceptable. I need to get back to updating at least semi regularly!! Life has been super busy but I will get back to it...someday ;)

How bout a few pics of what I have been doing lately...

Celebrating birthdays!!
Seeing Lady Liberty with my niece!!
Vacation in NYC!
Seeing my fave guys in NYC at Radio City Music Hall!!

So, this week my nephew is staying with me and one of my goals during down time is to get my house cleaned up, including my craft room...I need to scrap and stamp my NYC trip!!! Hopefully I will get that accomplished so I can share!!

Gina K Release Party Fun!!

2009-11-03T18:09:00.002-06:00

If you haven't attended a Gina K release party over at Splitcoaststampers...I would highly recommend it. They are totally fun, inspirational, and, well, hard on your bank account :)

This release, my friend Lee who is on Gina K's Senior DT was nice enough to let me play with her on one of her challenges. It was a color challenge using Cranberry Tart, Good As Gold, Black Onyx, and Ivory. I used the adorable snowman from Gina K Design Warm Winter Wishes by Carolyn King for this card. Hope you like it!!

Happy Halloween

2009-10-23T15:07:00.002-05:00

This card was made for another fun challenge over on stamptv! It was to make a kickstand card, which I had never done before. These are super fun to do!!

Supplies:
Paper: SU Basic Black, SU patterned paper (sorry I don't know the name :() PTI Summer Sunrise
Ink: Versafine Black, PTI Summer Sunrise
Stamps: Gina K.'s Happy Haunting

stamptv challenge...sparkles!!

2009-10-11T21:47:00.003-05:00

Gina K posts all of these fabulous tutorials on how to make cards, do techniques, use things in new and different ways. She is pretty much brilliant ;) Last week, she posted a tutorial on making your own sparkly background. Head over to stamptv and check it out for yourself. Here is the card I made. It is very difficult to get a good photo of the sparkly background, but you can see a bit of the shimmer! Hope you like it!!

Supplies:
Stamps: The Magic of Christmas by Rupa Shevde for GKD
Paper: GKD All Spruced Up, GKD Rocket Red, SU Whisper White (I am so not wasting GKD's white on a layer ;))
Ink: Colorbox Silver
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Christmas Ornaments CB folder

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes 2009

2009-10-09T10:24:00.002-05:00

Hi friends,

My annual JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes is tomorrow. I am $150 from my goal...so if you can help out, in any amount, small or large, I would greatly appreciate it.

For those of you who haven't heard me talk about my niece, Sierra, she is 8 and was diagnose with Type 1 diabetes in 2005. She uses an insulin pump which reduces the number of pokes she gets, but she still has to endure 8-10 finger pokes a day. In just the short 4 years since she was diagnosed, she is already showing signs of kidney damage. She will now take a pill every night for the rest of her life as a result. We need a cure now. No one should have to go through this, much less an 8 year old who knows more about diabetes and taking care of herself than any 8 year old should. She is such a great kid, she even grew out her hair for over a year to donate to Locks of Love.

So, if you are interested, and can make a donation (I know times are tough) then I would greatly appreciate it, as will Sierra and her family. You can click here to make a donation. If you aren't able to make a donation, please if you could say some prayers for a cure being found, for Sierra's health, and for all the walkers tomorrow as it is supposed to be really cold and rainy while we walk...but unless its dangerous weather, we walk.

To see and read more about Sierra see these a post here and here

Thanks!!

stamptv challenge...gold gold gold

2009-10-05T15:42:00.000-05:00

I do not usually use gold in my card making. I am more of a silver girl. But this challenge was to use gold, and I gotta say, I am going to be using gold in my cards more often!!

I was the lucky winner of the Pure Luxury Holiday Assortment companion set from the wonderfully generous Gina K. Tonight was the first time I used it, and holy cow this paper is THE best paper I think I have EVER used. I pulled out the ivory, and checked three times to make sure I had just gotten one piece because it is so thick and sturdy!! Needless to say, I will need more of this!!

So, here is my card...

Supplies:
Stamps: GKD's The Magic of Christmas
Paper: SU Night of Navy, GKD Ivory, GKD Rocket Red
Accessories: Gold embossing powder, gold Hallmark ribbon, gold self adhesive dots

stamptv challenge...lil piggies :)

2009-10-04T13:54:00.004-05:00

Hi there!!

I am continuing to love doing the challenges over a stamptv. And if you haven't checked out Gina K.'s most recent release of yummy delicious stamps, paper, ribbons and buttons you should check it out here!

At the rate that I am going, I may, someday, ink up all of the stamps I own!! :)

This was a color challenge, pink, navy and white or cream. I actually had several dreams about this card, lol. And, I will say that I felt like the card was much cuter in my dream...would love to hear what you think of it!!

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Gina K.'s Down on the Farm, How sweet it is!, Inspiration Mosaic
Ink: SU Craft Whisper White, SU Marker Pretty in Pink, Versafine Black
Paper: SU Whisper White, Night of Navy, Pretty In Pink

stamptv challenges are addicting!!

2009-09-27T13:12:00.000-05:00

I am in love with the challenges over at stamptv.com. They are amazing, inspiring, and easy enough that I can do them ;) I am having so much fun creating with them!! And I am inking up stamps that have never seen the glory of ink!!

I very rarely finish a card that I am in love with. But when I finished this card, I was in love!! Hope you like it too!!

This next card combined a challenge with making something for our families upcoming JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes. I am only 21% to my goal, so if you would like to donate please click here! For more information about why we walk go to this post.

Melanie Muenchinger is brilliant!!

2009-09-25T22:45:00.003-05:00

She creates amazing stamp sets, make incredible cards, AND shares her brilliance so that I can try and be as cool as her. Well, I certainly can't be as cool as her, but I sure did try...and here is what I came up with using her super cool Inspiration Mosaic stamp!!

I still need lots of practice with copics, and well, I need lots more copics too!! But for a first try...not too shabby ;)

Stamptv challenge

2009-09-24T17:41:00.002-05:00

I participated in my first stamptv challenge. It was bundles of fun and I am hoping to do more of these on a regular basis!! The challenge was to pick one color and one neutral and that's it for your card. I actually love how this turned out!!

Meant to post these a long time ago!!

2009-09-23T18:15:00.003-05:00

I made about 55 of these notebooks for all of the people I work with for our first day of our new program year. They were super simple to do, just time consuming in that quantity because each persons name is on them too above the first letter of their first name...that's a whole lot of letters :0 You might not be able to see that in this pic (forgot to bring my camera home again). I will eventually stop posting bad pics, I am just so excited to be back creating again. I have a scrapbook in the works for my sister and will post that when I get it done.

I made a card!!!

2009-09-20T16:30:00.003-05:00

Last night, I was in the mood to color. So I got out some of my new Ketto gals from Stamping Bella, my prismacolors and gamsol and had some fun! Today, I took one of my colored images and made a card!!

The pic is not very good and every time I rotate it, it ends up back in the sideways positon, grr. It's also a lil blurry, I took it with my phone as I left my camera at work, so use your imagination to make it more in focus!! ;)

ETA: Here are some better pics!!!

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes 2009

2009-09-12T18:42:00.004-05:00

It's that time of year again when my family and I participate in JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes. My 8 year old niece, Sierra, was diagnosed in April of 2005. She has been forced to grow up way too fast, to know things she shouldn't have to worry about and to have to pay attention to everything she eats and how she feels. I am brokenhearted to report that in just the time since she was diagnosed, she has already had damage done to her kidneys. Now, on top of finger pricks and using her pump, she has to take a pill, every day for the rest of her life until there is a cure.

Sierra never ceases to amaze me. This year, she grew her hair out so that she could donate it to Locks of Love. How cool is she?!?!

I was watching Dr. Oz on Oprah just last week, and he was talking about all the gains that have been made in research in the last few years. He said that he believes that we are within single digit years of finding a cure for diabetes. I sat on the couch after he said that and cried and prayed.

I am walking to show my support, honor Sierra in her fight and raise money for research. If you are able to give, please go here to donate!! If you are not able to give, if you could please pray and root our team on I would greatly appreciate that too!!! Thanks!!!

Prayers Please

2009-08-23T21:30:00.002-05:00

I would like to start out by saying definitively...I hate cancer. It sucks. Big time.

So even though my mom's results after her surgery were fantastic, the doc changed her tune, and mom starts chemo tomorrow. Once every three weeks for 16-18 weeks, then radiation, then hormone therapy. I wish I lived in St. Louis so I could go with her. I have to say I am highly annoyed with her doctor...don't freaking tell a person all you should need is surgery and maybe radiation...then change your tune.

I am asking for some serious prayers please!!! I would greatly appreciate it!

Amazing News!!!

2009-08-01T18:35:00.000-05:00

Hi all!! I wanted to share with you all the very overdue, but amazing news!! My mom's tests came back after her second surgery, and they got all the cancer this time!!! We are so happy, relieved and thankful!!! She will now do radiation and then I will be officially ready to say my mom kicked cancer's booty.

I have to tell you the journey to get these results seemed really really long even though from start to finish it hasn't been THAT long. But this past week was very very long. A week ago Tuesday she had her second surgery. They were supposed to have results by Friday or Monday of this week at the latest. On Tuesday evening, when they still hadn't gotten a call for results, they called the doctors office to find out that while they were testing my mom's tissue, the machine broke. They assured them they would get them the results by Wednesday at 5. At 6 on Wednesday, no call. My mom's was down and my dad was angry. He called the doctors office and told them it was cruel and unusual punishment to not call to let them know what was going on. When I called to check in that night, I didn't even recognize my dads voice because he was soooooo mad. Anyways, Thursday morning the results came in, thank you God!!

So, mom will have another appointment with the radiologist to see when they will do the radiation. I am hoping it's not for a few weeks so I can make it home to help out.

Thank you all for your cards and support. It has helped more than you will ever know!!

Thank you!!! from my mom and me

2009-07-20T13:38:00.002-05:00

My mom wanted me to post a thank you from her. She has absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVED getting all the cards.

She will be going back in for surgery this week and then once she is recovered from that will start a 5 day session of radiation. We are still hopeful that there will be no need for chemo. Please keep the positive thoughts and prayers coming please!!

If you are still interested in sending a card, or another card it would be great to keep them coming. Her address is Nancy Young, 15181 Isleview, Chesterfield, MO 63017. Based on her response (loving getting the cards) I decided I would just go ahead and post the address here to make it easier!

I have the week off to spend some time with my nephews. Nathan is here from St. Louis for the whole week. Luke, who lives here in KC is here for a few days. We are having lots of fun, and they are playing lots of video games :)

While they play video games I have been getting things done around the house...including some time in my stamp room, so I will have some creations to post soon!!

Going Pink Part 2...

2009-06-27T18:31:00.002-05:00

Hi there!! Just thought I would pop in and give you the latest update on my mom and the card campaign.

First of all, final results came back. Her lymph nodes are clear, thank you God!!! But the breast tissue was not, so they will be doing surgery again to remove more tissue. They are waiting on the doc to tell them when surgery will be. I am hoping it will be this Wednesday, as I will be in St. Louis and can help take care of her.

So I am still looking for prayers and cards to keep her spirits up as she continues her battle. She said the other night that she is tired of this, mostly because she has better things to do. And she does, so I hope this next surgery can be the last.

She said last night that she is getting cards every day now. THANK YOU to everyone who is sending cards. I would love to keep the mailbox full until her battle is officially over. So, if you are interested in sending her a card, please leave a comment on this post with your email and I will send you her address, or click on View My Profile in the sidebar, then click on email me.

Here are the stats on peeps signing up to send cards (Mom said yesterday she thinks she's gotten like 40, woohoo)
I have cards being sent as a result of posting on the following sites:
9 from SCS Stampin Flybabies friends
13 from SCS friends
16 from Facebook friends
15 blog friends
16 non computer connected friends
69 total

Some of the people listed about are sending multiple cards, so my numbers are a bit off...I cannot tell you how much I appreciate each and every one of you who has sent a card, said a prayer, thought positive thoughts, etc. It means the world to me!!

Going Pink!! UPDATED AGAIN 6/19/09 :)

2009-06-06T13:41:00.014-05:00

Hi there,

Long time no post.

Here's the short version of what has been going on in my life. I just ended week 8 of a continuous headache/migraine. Been to lots of docs, had lots of test. So far the diagnosis is labrynthitis and basal migraines. But it's not getting better, so I will be heading back to the docs. ** New meds for the headache. Steroids to try and get rid of it, migraine preventative meds, and new meds for when I have a migraine. Keeping my fingers crossed that this works!!**

I am going pink because my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer this week. She will have surgery this coming week or the week after. She has some more tests to do.

So needless to say, I haven't been stamping at all, though I think it might take my mind off of things. Might have to head to the stamp room this weekend.

For any of you who have not seen my request for cards for my mom...I am wanting to FLOOD her mailbox with love from anyone and everyone who is willing to send a card. If you would like to send a card, please reply to this post, include your email and I will email you her address.

**UPDATED NUMBERS AS OF 6/19/09**
So far I have cards being sent as a result of posting on the following sites:
9 from SCS Stampin Flybabies friends
9 from SCS friends
16 from Facebook friends
15 blog friends
16 non computer connected friends :)
65 total plus me **We're stalled in the 60's...come on now...we can do better**(We hit 50 NOW let's keep growing!!! Think it's possible to make 100?!?!?)

I want those numbers to grow, grow, grow so if you'd spread the word I would greatly appreciate it!!!

ETA: Thanks to Charlene and Christi and Lee who have linked to my blog to try and help me get more cards!!! Click on their names and go check their blogs out...they are AMAZING!!!

**My mom was in KC this weekend. She has started getting cards...and she is loving it. She even brought all the cards with her to KC to show me...so I KNOW it is helping her spirits. Thank you all and lets keep em coming!!
**My mom has been really happy to get so many cards. She continues to get them and has been amazed at the number of cards, and how many she is getting that are hand made. Thank you to all of you who have sent them, and to those who are wondering, yes, you can still send one!!

Mom had surgery Wednesday. It went very well. Initial test of the tissue around the lump and of the lymph nodes came back negative for cancer. YEAH!!! They still do an extended test with results back sometime next week, but it is looking like it was caught early enough to kick cancer's booty Her spirits were really high yesterday, I was surprised and happy about that! She is having some pain, but she says its not bad. She said that her pee was blue...and they didn't mention that the dye they inject her with to see where they need to cut would do that so that was quite a surprise for her.

Today, her spirits were a little down, she said she wasn't sure why but that she was a little tired of talking about it and explaining what's going on and such. I think part of it may be just an emotional release but she certainly could use more cards to lift her spirits

The relief I feel cannot even be explained. I am so thankful to God for taking care of my momma and answering my prayers!! The relief will be complete next week when we get the final test results.

Thank you again to all who have sent cards, prayed, or sent good thoughts my momma's way!!

JDRF Walk 2008 Scrapbook Thank you

2009-04-22T17:53:00.005-05:00

Finally...6 months later, the thank you scrapbook for the place where my niece takess Tae Kwan Do lessons is done. Scrapbooking on clear plastic is more difficult than I thought because of the need to plan the fronts and backs so you don't see the backs of pics and glue and such. I am fairly happy with how it turned out and think the clear effect is neat!! Love to hear what you think!!

This is how it all started...

2009-03-23T15:04:00.000-05:00

A few years ago I went to my first Stampin' Up party and fell in love/became obsessed/addicted. This is the first card I EVER made! Many many dollars, cards, stamps, punches and lots of other goodies later, I have found a hobby that I have stuck with.

Open for business ;)

2009-03-22T14:59:00.004-05:00

I finally finished it. The stampin space is how I want it and I love it. Here is how it looks. I have a project ready to finish all laid out on my desk and everything!!

Coming Soon...

2009-03-04T21:52:00.001-06:00

I need about another hour in my stampin space...and a good vacuuming and it will be FINISHED. I know, shock and awe....how long has this taken me? How bout we don't answer that?!?!?!

Anyways, I am super excited beyond belief!! I will get it done just in time to head off to Florida to see my parents and the NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!! And when I come back, I have every intention of using my stampin space and the many many supplies that I have which are mostly all organized!!!

Thanks for tagging along on my journey! Once the finishing touches are done I will get pics up!!

Hmmm

2009-03-02T19:31:00.004-06:00

Not sure if you will be able to see the difference in the stampin' space, but I totally can. I have gotten a ton done, mostly organizing inside drawers and baskets...guess I should take pics of that so I can prove that I AM making progress. Here are pics...see if you can tell the dif...

Pic One is the view from the hallway...there are less boxes...

Pic Two is of some of the labeling I have been doing so I can easily find things...much more labeling to be done!!

Pic Three...my love!! The fantasical cubes form Michaels, which I am thinking I need three more of, and I think my sewing machine will go on top.

Pic Four...the towering paper racks...love having all the paper right there ready to use.

Pic Five is the closet which I am really liking all the space to store stuff.

I feel like I'm tormenting my two blog readers, so this will be the last set of pics until it is done. Which will be a few more weeks now...mostly because I will be leaving for Florida to see my parents and New Kids On The Block next week...yipee!!

Elzybells Cute New Stamps!!

2009-02-25T19:33:00.004-06:00

Hi there!! Elzybells has some seriously cute stamps...and they just released some more!!! Head on over to see the cute new stuff and find out how to win ALL of the stamps released this time!!

Cute new stamps are here!!

Elzybells blog with contest info is right here!!

Progress in my Stampin Space

2009-02-21T23:10:00.003-06:00

It's coming along. You will learn as you come with me on this journey that I am an arrange and rearrange kinda gal til I find the flow that fits me. Who knows if this is how it will all end up, lol.

So, here are some more pics with the progress I've made this weekend. Two more cubes from Michael's via two 40% off coupons, and lots of stuff put away.

Pic One is the view from the hallway. The shelving under the window houses all of my Anne Geddes dolls and toys, books, games and other items for my nieces and nephews to play with when they come over. There are some candle holder on there that must be moved somewhere else now that I look at that pic ;)

Pic Two is the shelving unit moved into place...and my lil Justice checking things out!

Pic Three is the closet...again, lol. I have move some of my paper racks in there.

And Pic Four is the Cow Wall with the two new Michael's cubes and getting full use of the table top space!!

The finished product...late VD goodies!

2009-02-17T18:00:00.002-06:00

Here are the cupcakes that I made to take to work, decorated with a variety of things, including some of the chocolates I made.

Also, the cute lil baggies of chocolates that also go to work!!

My messy lil stampin space

2009-02-16T14:41:00.004-06:00

So this is definately a work in progress...but if you look past the mess I hope that you can see the potential of what amazing things will come out of this space once everythings put away where it should, and the furniture is arranged and I am sitting there creating away.

This will be installment one of the pics of my space. Thought I would bring you along on my creation journey. Umm, and if you could not think badly of me because of the disaster that it is now, that would be great ;) There are descriptions of each pic below!

Pic One is the view from the door. Frightening, huh?!?! The shelves straight in will go on the wall to the left of where it is currently planted :)

Pic Two is the view standing kinda in the closet. It shows my fabulous stampin desk (purchased from Target) and umm, well, a bunch of stuff that needs to be put away!!

Pic Three is the closet. It's the best looking place in the whole room. I bought some cheap plastic shelves on clearance at Target and started unloading and organizing all of the stuff that I have. Mostly what's in there now is stuff to be altered, but I am also putting other items in there too.

Pic Four is the Cow Corner. I have 4 of the Michael's craft cubes (which are the bomb I might add) with the table toppy thing you can also get a Michael's. On top of that, well is a bunch of crud, and my paper, umm, and there are a couple more paper holders still downstairs. Yes, I have a problem...well a lot of problems when it comes to this craft!

What have I been doing?

2009-02-15T16:38:00.004-06:00

Making chocolates to share with friends at work. It has been a long time since I whipped out my Wilton Candy Melts and Molds and made some pretty chocolates, and now that I am feeling motivated, back on track and happy with life, I decided no time like the present to make presents ;) Yup, cheezy, I know! Yes, these will be belated VD candies, but better late than never I say. So here is a pic of the chocolates I have been working on, there are teddy bears, roses, hearts, flowers and stars. Some of them will go into a lil clear baggie, some will top the cupcakes I am going to make tomorrow, and a few will just stay where they are and go to work to sit on the table for anyone to eat!

I have pics of my disastrous stampin space for you...so come back!! And then you'll have to keep coming back so you can see it when it's FINALLY finished. And I promise I will work hard to get it together in the next 1-1.5 months ;) and will post pics of my progress!!

Happy VD!!!!

2009-02-14T11:53:00.003-06:00

Long time, no post. So here's a quick update to what's been happening with me. I have been working hard on getting my stampin space organized. I am FINALLY making progress!! I will get some pictures up this weekend. I am also participating in a weight loss challenge and working very hard to be healthier!!

This weekend I am doing a 7 day total body cleanse. Took the first round of pills last night, round two this morning and so far, so good. I have also been diligent about taking multivitamins, vitamin C, fish oil, echinacea and glucosomin chondrontin (yeah, prolly spelled those wrong). Additionally, I became a Mone Vie distributor really for the purpose of purchasing their juice for me. It is an Acai berry blend juice and I am super excited about the health benefits!!

I have also been exercising regularly on my Wii Fit, which I LOVE!!!!! And eating healthy. I am not doing perfect but I am certainly making serious progress.

The other thing that I have been working on getting myself organized. I got a cool new Blackberry phone and I am putting everything in there. It is amazing and I am getting things done so much more efficiently. Once I get the stampin space organized and useable that is going on my calendar and I am getting serious about stampin play time.

So that's my life right now...I will be back later this weekend with some pics to make this a lil more interesting ;)

Check this out!!

2009-01-08T20:37:00.002-06:00

Melanie Muenchinger has always always always been such an inspiration to me. She is so creative, thoughtful, and just all around wonderful!!

But today I discovered that something I posted gave her an idea for a totally cool challenge that I personally challenge each of you to participate in. Click on her name above and check it out!

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-01T19:19:00.002-06:00

Welcome 2009!! I am super excited about the idea of starting fresh in a new year. So many things I would like to accomplish this year...one of them being creating more often and posting it on my blog for all my blog friends to see!!! We'll see how that goes!! I have started getting my new stampin space put together...still a work in progress, but it's getting there slowly but surely! I will post pics when it is done.

I was a bad girl and forgot to take pics of some of the projects I gave as Christmas presents. I will try and get some taken later to share...lots of scrapbooking stuff!

OK, I am rambling pointlessly...so off to eat some dinner and do some cleaning!!

More Christmas Prezzies

2008-12-16T19:52:00.003-06:00

I am super behind on lots of prezzies...but these are super easy and super quick, and I think look super fabulous when done. These will be a present for my Secret Snowman at work. I will work on finding the link to the tutorial I found on these, but here's the basic how to: get clear glass ornaments at Michael's for cheap :), fill with about 20-25 drops of reinker, swirl around ornament (don't shake or you get bubbles), let the excess drip out by allowing the ornament to hang upside down, then dab away excess around opening, put in a bunch of glitter, and shake shake shake. Empty out excess glitter. Easy peasy!!

Here is a much better, in depth tutorial with pictures from the super talented Amy Rysavy!!

MIA again...

2008-12-15T13:29:00.002-06:00

Apparently regular blogging is not my strong suit. LOL. Maybe in the new year I will try and work on that...once my stampin space is together I think that will help. I've been busy with work, Christmas prep, and being sick :( It's been a miserable week, but today I am starting to feel better and am coughing a bit less. I have a lot of Christmas presents still to work on, but thought I'd share these two Advent calendars I made for my sister and their families. Each box is filled with either goodies, a family activity, or a lil bit of money (there are several boxes with some money in it, the kids will have to pick whether to donate the money to their church or keep it, whatever decision they make, they have to choose the other option on the next money drawer). I am super excited with how these turned out!!

Head on over for some blog candy...really good blog candy :)

2008-11-23T12:00:00.001-06:00

Run, I say, run and get yourself entered for some yummy delicious blog candy...go HERE!

Stampin Space Redo

2008-11-22T20:53:00.001-06:00

I have had my stampin space in the basement since shortly after I started stampin. It just hasn't worked for me. So, I am moving everything upstairs into what I call the Yellow Room, because the walls are yellow. I got a great new desk and chairs, and now I need to do serious work moving everything upstairs, clean out the closet for stampin storage and decide on shelving in the room. But since I've been MIA so frequently, I thought I'd share pics of the new desk...I think I am gonna end up moving it, but I am so super excited to get it all perfect in there!!

YES WE CAN!

2008-11-04T23:13:00.003-06:00

Congratulations Mr. President Elect.

I am in tears. Today started with voting, then burying my dear friends 5 month old baby. And tonight, I rejoice in the power of change. We have just experienced a historical moment America. I am so honored and humbled to be a part of that history.

Baby Lukas ~ rest well in the arms of God. Your family and friends love and miss you and know you are in a wonderful and beautiful place and that you will patiently await the day when you can be with your mommy and daddy again. I love you!!!

GET OUT AND VOTE!!!

2008-11-03T21:08:00.001-06:00

I want to make sure to share a very important message with you. Tomorrow is November 4th. Tomorrow history will be made. Be a part of it and get out and vote.

Here Comes Halloween

2008-10-22T19:37:00.002-05:00

I love Halloween...everything about it. Dressing up, carving pumpkins, candy and so on and so forth. I also love making stuff for Halloween. Every year my friends Cyndi and Kendra having a pumpkin party where we all carve or create with pumpkins for prizes and glory ;0 Here is a pic of what I did with my pumpkin...I won most creative and got prizes that I have been asked to use in my creation next year.

The next pic are the super cute treats I am making for my niece and nephew's Halloween parties at school. I totally cased these from casegj over on SCS. These are so super fun and easy.

Blog Action Day 08

2008-10-16T20:53:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was blog action day...and I am a day late. I worked late, then came home to watch the presidential debate. So, better late than never...

Today's blog post will be about poverty and what it means to me...and what I would ask of each of you to do to help support individuals living in poverty.

I found my passion in life when I first starting babysitting when I was 13. And when I was a teenager, my mom and I started volunteering at St. Louis Crisis Nursery, when I think I found what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. St. Louis Crisis Nursery provided child care to families who were experiencing a crisis and needed some time to take care of "life." I knew I wanted to work with young children, and I believe it was there that I saw that working with children and families living in poverty or crisis, or just in need was where life would lead me, and what would fulfill me and make me happy.

I now work at a Early Head Start/Head Start grantee. For those of you who don't know about Early Head Start (EHS) and/or Head Start (HS), is a federally funded program that provides comprehensive services to children and families living in poverty. What does comprehensive services mean? It means children and families receive education and support in the areas of: health, nutrition, mental health, social services, parent involvement, child development, disabilities, parenting skills, and accessing resources and services in the area in which they live. We believe that children will be more successful if they not only receive high quality early childhood services, but when the whole family is supported.

I want to clarify something about when I say that EHS/HS is a federally funded program. While we get significant funding from the federal government to run our program, we are required to raise additional funds, in the amount of 25% of our federal grant, to support our program. We can get these additional funds through other grants, donations, special events, volunteer work, etc. So, I want to be clear, while we get money from the feds, it's not enough. Over the past 3 years, the only increase we have received from the federal government has been in the form of Cost of Living Increases. You want to know what percentage of an increase we've gotten in the past three years...from 1 to 2% Go ahead, laugh...cuz it's funny. Really, it's not, it's horrible and unacceptable. And we haven't gotten a dime of an increase in order to keep up with the rising cost of doing business...so we are forced to use the same amount of dollars to serve the same amount of children when the costs of everything just keeps going up. And to add to the atrocity that is EHS/HS funding, we get money to serve a certain number of children. But they won't give us more, even though for the last 2 years we have maintained a waitlist of over 200 children. We like to be creative where I work, and find ways to increase funding so that we can start to serve more children. One of those ways is through community child care spots, where we charge a fee, just like other child care centers, but at a significantly reduced rate so that families living in poverty who are trying to maintain employment, can have a place to take their child. For a family of four, federal poverty guidelines say they can't be making more than $21,200. I cannot even imagine surviving on that...yet families do it every day.

I could go on and on about this topic, but I want to get to the things we can each do to help out. Here are my suggestions: *Support politicians (Barack Obama would be one!) who support early childhood education and EHS/HS specifically...and who want to support it with funding *Volunteer at a EHS/HS agency, soup kitchen, or other agency that provides services to families living in poverty *Donate gently used or new items, non-perishable food, etc. to local agencies who can pass them on to families who need them *Organize a fundraiser for a EHS/HS agency or other agency that supports families living in poverty *Give what you can, whether it be money, time, or specific skills to an EHS/HS agency or other agency that supports families living in poverty *Adopt a family for the holidays (I hate to imagine families going without especially during the holidays...imagine explaining to a 3 or 4 year old why you can't have presents like everyone else, just one present can make a big difference for a child)

I believe we can each make an impact...but the only way to do that is to do something. I know times are tough for many, many more Americans these days, but I would encourage you do pick something to do to make a difference. I promise you one thing, you will feel amazing afterwards!!

To find more information about poverty and blog action day, go to http://blogactionday.org! And go out their and make an impact!!

Stamp Club Part Deux

2008-10-10T19:00:00.000-05:00

Here is the other card we made. I love pink and brown together!!! I need to get this set...super versatile!! So many stamps to buy...so little time!!!

I am anxiously awaiting my Gina K order. I am getting tons of stuff...one because I bought 3 sets, so I got one free, but I also WON Melanie's new stamp sets. So I am getting a total of 6 stamp sets for the price of 3...how's that for a deal. Have a great day!

Stamp Club!

2008-10-09T19:00:00.002-05:00

I love stamp club! It's so much fun to hang out with the girls, eat, chit chat and stamp!! We made two cards this time, and I learned how to use Shrinky Dink, which you should have noticed I've been using a lot of. Our first card was an ADORABLE Christmas card. This is one of those cards with lots of lil details, and you wouldn't really want to mass produce this baby!! But it is beautiful!!

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes Update

2008-10-08T19:36:00.003-05:00

Hi all!! I am done with the jewelry for our Walk to Cure Diabetes. The boys get pins, the girls with pierced ears get earrings and Sierra gets a necklace. I am pretty happy with how they turned out, though Shrinky Dink sure is finicky.

Also, I wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all of you who have donated...I am only $15 away from my goal. With a bit of time left, I am confident I can meet that goal.

Saturday should be perfect weather for our Walk!! I am super excited!!

Love Shrinky Dink and Melanie M's stamps

2008-09-28T15:10:00.003-05:00

Here is my first try at making earrings for my Walk to Cure Diabetes. I used the frosted Shrinky Dink, which is a little harder to color as the colors seem to run a bit and then when you do two colors side by side there's a lil mixing going on...which does not satisfy my anal retentiveness ;) So I have some clear and I have been working on it. I have learned a very important lesson about Shrinky Dink that took me a while to figure out. At first I thought I had a bad sheet of Shrinky Dink, it kept not shrinking up quite right, warping a bit. Then I went back to try something on the sheet of frosted that I knew had worked just fine, and I made a mistake, like I had repetitively on the clear sheets and I used my Staz On cleaner to wipe it off...when I had the AHA moment of I bet the Staz On cleaner is what is causing the Shrinky Dink to warp when I heat it up. Low and behold, my AHA moment was exactly right...I'll take a pic later or what the warped ones look like, it warped the frosted on the worst. Each person on our Walk team picked what they wanted for the center of their shirt. The girls are getting earrings, the boys pins, and lil Miss Sierra will get a necklace, as her ears are not pierced yet. Will post my final products when they are all done!!

WE HAVE BLOG CANDY WINNERS!!!

2008-09-26T20:39:00.001-05:00

Whew, names were all written out, then cut out. Put in a Pampered Chef bowl, stirred appropriately and here are the WINNERS!!!

They are...drumroll please...

JenMarie

and

Lee (aka luvlee on SCS)

Thank you all so much for playing along!! And a HUGE thank you to each of you who have donated for my JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes!! There is still time for you to donate!!

Jen and Lee ~ email me your addy's and your preference for which stamp set you want. If it doesn't work out that you each want a different one then I'll just draw for it ;)

BLOG CANDY!!!!

2008-09-19T19:57:00.003-05:00

Hi all...life got in the way...so I am very sorry for the blog candy delay...but here we go.

What am I giving away? TWO...yes, I said TWO Gina K stamp sets!! That means two winners. Now, I don't have pics of the sets I will be giving away...but head on over to these links to check them out (and do a lil shopping if you so desire :))

http://www.shop.ginakdesigns.com/product.sc?categoryId=16&productId=226
and
http://www.shop.ginakdesigns.com/product.sc?categoryId=10&productId=148

Now, to find out the best way to win...you must read back some posts for extra ways to enter. AND, in an effort to up the dollar amount I have collected for my Walk to Cure Diabetes, I will give you one entry per dollar you donate...the link is above. Please make sure to let me know in a comment if you donated so I can give you the extra entries.

SO, I am not the most popular blog out there...not even slightly popular quite frankly...so please spread the word...and I will pick a winner one week from today. So come back to see if you won on September 26!!

I have some card pics to share with you...so see you soon...oh, and THANK YOU for being patient while I didn't post the blog candy ;)

The last of the acetate cards

2008-09-04T20:16:00.003-05:00

Here is the last acetate card we made. I totally love this one, from the way it opens, to the colors to the layout and so on and so forth!!

Blog cand will have to happen next week...I am heading to St. Louis tomorrow to hang with my family and most especially my niece and nephew and my "adoptive" niece.

So, you still have time to get your comments in for more chances to win.

Acetate Cards Part Three

2008-09-02T19:05:00.003-05:00

Wasn't sure if I liked this card as we started making it. But it grew on me. I love the tree image, and the whole layout of the card. The sentiment is way cute, but the squirrel creeps me out a bit...it's too life like...it needs more cutesyness :) So, this is the 3rd of 4 acetate cards. Once the 4th one is posted (I'm thinking tomorrow) then the blog candy is a coming!!!

And here's a hint...there will be more than one prize...and it's something from a super amazing lady. WAIT...just had an idea...if you can answer who the blog candy comes from AND you comment on one of my posts about her (there's your first hint)(and yep, I'm making ya work :) but I am also creating work for me too!) then you will be entered twice into the drawing before it even starts. OK, here's your hint...I am going to give away some stamp sets from a wonderfully talented, super sweet, amazing mom and rockin business woman.

So here's what you need to do for your first entry...guess where the stamp sets came from (who really) on this post. To get an additional entry ~ post a comment on any post I have made about her or any post with her stamps on the items in any post. Then sit back and wait for the official BLOG CANDY post for your last chance to enter to win.

Oooh, this is gonna be fun!! I hope you think it sounds fun...and will enter to win!!

Acetate Cards Part Deux :)

2008-09-01T13:08:00.003-05:00

Note to teachers of card making classes. End with the glitter card. When you start with it, you end up with the glitter on everything...which is not such a bad thing, but I am a lil on the anal retentive side, and if the card design doesn't have glitter, it prolly shouldn't have random glitter. I am thinking about some blog candy soon...I was getting close to 4000 visits the last time I looked (watch, I make this statement and I will have passed 4000 or something ;)) SO, keep coming by to see when and what the prezzie will be!!

Acetate Cards

2008-08-31T18:55:00.002-05:00

I have been scared to make an acetate card, but this weekend friends were in town and we took a class at Archiver's and made some super cute cards that quite frankly were not that hard. So now I am ready to use acetate on a regular basis. Acetate cards are super easy, very pretty and hard to take pics of ;) Come back this week to see more of the cards I made!

PayPal follow up

2008-08-29T11:11:00.006-05:00

To the posters who were supportive, positive, and gave me great solutions to my problem ~ THANK YOU! I appreciate them!

Let me start the "meat" of this post by stating that the thoughts and opinions stated in this post and this entire blog are mine and I am allowed to have them and post them. If you don't like them, well, that's life and we don't all think the same way, and I don't expect you to all agree with me, but I do expect comments/responses on my blog to be respectful and not insulting . My first reaction to the comments on my PayPal SUCKS post was to just delete them, but then I felt compelled to share my reactions to them, because, well this is my blog and I can do that. And if you are going to make statements like were made, and not share your identity then I have to respond publicly, which quite frankly I am good with, because a good ole debate on your beliefs vs. my beliefs is not a bad thing.

If you want to understand where all of this is coming from, head on over to the comments section of my PayPal SUCKS post and read what Anonymous and Penny had to say!

First of all, please show me where I called PayPal evil. I stated that they suck, their tag line states they are a secure way to send money. Having over $1000 stolen out of my account isn't secure. If being 16 days out from the first disputes being resolved and still not having my money back when they say it will take 7 to 10 days is them taking my claim seriously, then I obviously have a different definition of serious. I don't do business with companies who behave like this. You can if you choose, but I wouldn't recommnend it, and that's exactly what my original post stated. I made no claim of being the all knowing PayPal Queen, but I think people deserve to know what PayPal is doing to people, and yes, more importantly hackers, but PayPal has known for a while that their site security is a problem and haven't made the changes that have stopped this from happening. So if you took my original post as preaching then that's your interpretation.

Second, I will be closing my accounts with both PayPal and my current bank and taking my business elsewhere. Might this happen with my credit cards and my new bank, yes, but I will not do business with companies who do not take the security of my money as seriously as I do. Maybe I just hold companies to a higher standard and expect them to be at least as smart or smarter than your average hacker (do I get flamed for insulting hackers now too?). Suggesting I put my money in my mattress, well, right now that's just silly, but if every account I have is hacked into then absolutely that's where my money is going. There are way too many businesses that I can still do business with if it comes to that. I hope it won't. I also don't believe it will come to that because I do believe that there are companies out there that will take care of my money appropriately. When I put my money into someone else's care, it is THEIR job to take care of it. I did MY job by being on top of my account activity, and called the bank before the PayPal charges even hit my bank, then called PayPal within 15 mintues of getting the notification, so on that note I did do everything I could do to protect my money, and I will continue to do that...and I will continue to expect the banks and other financial institutions I do business with to do THEIR jobs protecting my money or they won't have my business.

Edited to add: Oh, and I forgot to add the spectacular news that PayPal tried to withdraw all four amounts a second time last weekend. So, umm, while I will give them a lil leeway on the first four withdrawals, the second time it happened was COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY PayPals fault. Not evil, just MORONS.

I am in love with the JustRIte Monogram Stamper!!

2008-08-24T19:11:00.004-05:00

Can you tell? All I've made lately are beauties with this amazing tool!! It is so simple, takes very little effort and makes wonderful cards!! This is the last of 4 sets, sorry, I didn't take pics of set 3 :(

I would have had all sorts of new fun cards to post as yesterday was supposed to be Stamp Club, but my friends son is very sick, so say some prayers for a speedy recovery for him!!

JDRF Walk 2008

2008-08-17T20:08:00.005-05:00

It's that time of year again. On October 11, my family and I will participate in the Walk to Cure Diabetes here in Kansas City. My beautiful, smart, funny, sassy, stubborn and amazing 7 year old niece Sierra (she's the one front and center in the above pic!) was diagnosed with this awful disease in April 2005...it seems like longer. Sierra uses an insulin pump, which reduces the number of sticks she gets, but she still has to endure 10-12 finger sticks a day. I am in awe and amazement of her each time she explains to me in grown up terms about her disease, how to use her pump, how to count carbs, and which snacks she needs when her blood sugar is low. Please help support my family and I, and even more importantly the crucial research that will find a cure for this disease. Click here to make a donation! Anything you can give would be greatly appreciated!!

I will leave you with this poem that I cannot honestly tell you where I found it...but I love it...and it speaks to the HOPE we have to find a cure in Sierra's lifetime!

Do you know what hope is? It's magic and it's free.
It's not in a prescription. It's not in an IV.
It punctuates our laughter. It sparkles in our tears.
It simmers under sorrows. It dissipates our fears.
Do you know what hope is? It's reaching past today.
It's dreaming of tomorrow. It's trying a new way.
It's pushing past impossible. It's pounding on the door.
It's questioning the answer. It's always seeking more.
It's rumours of a break. It's whispers of a cure.
A roller coaster ride. Of remedies, unsure.
Do you know what hope is? It's candy for the soul.
It's perfume for the spirit. To share it makes you whole.
Take my hand...come... Let's share this hope...together...

PayPal SUCKS!!!

2008-08-14T21:35:00.003-05:00

I would like to recommend to anyone who uses PayPal to cancel their account. They have completely lost control of the security of their information and so many people are losing money to hackers. Those people now include me. I am hoping and praying that this will all get resolved and be fine, but right now it is not at all fine. Here's my story...

At about 4:40 on Thursday I check my email. I get an email anytime a charge happens through PayPal and I have two emails from them that money was being "transferred" to two different people. One for $200 and one for $130. I immediately call my bank. They are less than helpful because the charges haven't posted to my account. I say, well, duh, I'm being proactive and I am telling you they are fraud and not to pay them. They tell me they can stop payment but that will cost me...so I say, so basically I get screwed out of money in all of this even though I didn't do anything wrong. The dumb bank lady recommends I just wait to see if they even post to my account and I apparently have a stroke and agree. I then call PayPal and while they are quite friendly, they tell me to submit disputes online which I do. As I am doing this, two more charges hit my PayPal account each to the tune of $400. Now I am pooping my pants because the first two are bad...but now I've just passed the $1000 mark...what the heck am I gonna do. So I now dispute 4 charges. Within an hour, the last two charges are resolved and I get notice that I will be refunded, which until today I didn't figure out that it sucks just as much that way, because what stupid PayPal is doing is taking the money out and someday...who knows when, I'll get my money back. Total scam in my opinion. So today I check my checking account...crap, there the charges sit in pending transactions...all $1130 worth of them. So I call the bank again and say don't pay em. Well, we can't do that now, you'll have to file a dispute. OK, fine. I cry like a baby. I call the bank back later, explain the situation again and say I need to talk to a manager or someone because how this has been handled is NOT OK. This lady is delightful, apoligizes for what has happened, tells me exactly what I need to do, and let's me know that the lady I talked to last night was (not her words) an idiot and she should have pushed me to stop payment even with the charges I would incur because those could go away if the fraud case is found to be true...well heck the lady last night certainly didn't help in any way shape or form. So, tomorrow morning I go to the bank to fill out the dispute paperwork and I will ask for "provisional credit" to cover the $1130 dollars til PayPal refunds my money. I gotta say, if they don't kiss my behind in every way tomorrow morning, me and my money are heading elsewhere. Also today I had to stop payment to Discover Card cuz now I don't have money to pay them. Now Discover Card was delightful, I called them, explained my situation and that I couldn't pay them right now but could I have some sort of extension for my due date without incurring charges. Sure, they can do that...how long do I have...it's indefinate, just pay when I can. Thank GOD for small amounts of good customer service.

My message to you after my long winded post is PAYPAL SUCKS and don't do business with them. Cancel your accounts with them. They are idiots with crappy security who are putting millions of dollars at risk (no not millions of my dollars, lol) I will be cancelling my account as soon as this is resolved...that's another piece of crap from PayPal...I can't cancel my account while the fraudulent charges are pending. Oh boy am I unhappy.

More Monogram Stamper Creations

2008-08-10T11:48:00.005-05:00

If you didn't feel my love for the JustRite Monogram Stamper in my last post, let me just tell you again. This puppy is da bomb!! I love it! It is super easy to use, and the elegance and personalization it allows is just perfect for gifts. So here is set 2 out of 4. Set 3 should be completed today, and if I can figure out the middle name of the 4th person, I can get their's done too.

JustRite Monogram Stamper

2008-08-09T17:42:00.002-05:00

Oh my goodness is this new tool the most wonderful thing ever!! I am in love! I see lots and lots of gifts in peoples futures with this baby. Today I created a set of 8 cards for someone at work. I intend to make them for all 4 of my direct reports, and 1 of 3 sets is done. I used SU paper as the card bases, all solid paper is also SU. PP is from a stack I got at either HL or Joann's. Black ribbon is SU, pink ribbon is PTI. I used my Marvy Uchida punches for the first time in a while (haven't traded up to the circle Nesties yet ;)) The set was put in one of those great clear boxes from PTI!

After I publish this post I am off to see what other letter sets and such I need to go with my Monogram Stamper!!

08|08|08

2008-08-08T19:09:00.002-05:00

What a cool date!! And the perfect day to get my rear back over to my blog and post something. I have been on a creative hiatus. Life has been super busy with work and school that something had to give and sadly it was stamping. In the future I will be finding a better balance because even with craziness the creative release that is stamping is very therapeutic and this weekend I am doing some therapy!!!

So how about a PMS check since I haven't done one in way too long...

P(hysical) ~ I must say I am pretty exhausted. This week has been hard on my body, we are getting new window and ac at work and with 100 degree temps it makes for not the most fun I've ever had. But on the other hand my asthma and allergies are pretty decent and I feel pretty good!!

M(ental) As tired as I am my head is in such a good place these days. Even with the whining and groaning that has gone on at work with all the construction and how frustrating that has been, I have been doing well at being angry for a bit about it, then getting over it because one of my fave quotes I learned from a Flybaby friend is "Your attitude is contagious, is yours worth catching?" and I know I want to spread happiness and positivity!!

S(piritual) AWESOME...that's what I can say about this one. God is good, and when you trust that he's got a plan it makes life much easier. Having faith has meant the world to me lately!!

So, as busy crazy as things have been, I can roll with the punches, be flexible, plan as best I can and adjust as needed! Hope to have some crafty posts soon for you!!

How cute does my blog look?

2008-07-20T17:50:00.002-05:00

I can hardly stand how adorable this background is. I have to recommend that everyone RUN to The Cutest Blog on the Block and get yourself one of their many adorable backgrounds...and best of all...they are FREE!

RUN I say RUN!!

Unstuck

2008-07-17T13:14:00.001-05:00

Just a quick post since I realized I never let y'all know that I made it back to KC. It was 2:30 AM before I got home, but I made it. This week has been jam packed because my nephew Nathan is here spending the week with me...so more later :)

Stuck

2008-07-11T18:33:00.004-05:00

I am sitting in the airport in Las Vegas after a week of training...and our flight is delayed. It was supposed to get us home at 10:47 PM now, we're looking at 12:01 AM. Hmmph, frustration. So, I will share some pics from 4th of July, yeah, random since they are not of Vegas, but those pics are in my camera and they are in my bags that lord only knows when or where they will end up. So, two fireworks pics and a pic of me and my baby Justice. So sorry that this post is so boring, but, well, I got nothing crafty sitting here on the floor of the airport.

Pretty Lil Princess

2008-06-25T13:19:00.003-05:00

I just love this set...it's by DoodleFactory and you can find it here They have a bunch of totally cool sets!

I used Papertrey's Sweet Blush and Spring Moss paper, except for the Very Vanilla SU cardstock that was used to stamp the images on. The images were stamped with Black Staz On, and colored with Prisma pencils and blended with Gamsol, except for the princesses face which was colored with a Copic. The pretty lil princess was cut out and popped up on dots...her head is actually also cut out and attached with a SU dimensional...that wasn't planned but I had a lil Copic marker problem. Any of you have a problem with you Copic Sketches leaking a big blob of color out sometimes when coloring? I have had this happen to me several times and it does not make for pretty coloring when it happens. The castle was cut out and embossed using the Stampin Kub's square nestability. I used Gina K's Metallic Rub On Paste around the edges. The pink strips were punched out using SU's word window punch and then I ran the edges on my PTI Sweet Blush Palette Ink Pad. Once it was put together I felt it was missing something, so added a lil Stickles to the princesses hat and dress.

Hope you like it.

Stampin Weekend

2008-06-23T20:48:00.004-05:00

This weekend I hosted a group of SCS Flybabies in the Kansas City area for a weekend of stampin and fun. We had a blast, talking, sharing, doing tutorials, learning new stuff, shopping and lots and lots of giggling!! Oh, and THE Stampin Kub joined the group...he is so awesome! Super smart, talented, nice and patient in a room full of crazy women!!

Here is a card I made this weekend. I am not very happy with either photo, as neither seems to truly capture just how nice it turned out! I wasn't too sure I liked this card until the Kub said he liked it...and then I thought it must be good ;)

I used the Scor Pal on the card base, a new ink called Opalite (I think...I will run and check in a bit) and my oval nestabiities to cut out the ovals. I popped up the black oval on 3M foam mounting squares...I am loving them, they are a lil thicker than what I usually use and I like the extra oomph ;) it gives! The stamp set is from PTI, and if you look closely as the bottom right corner you will see that I stamped a flower and happy birthday there.

P.S. I am going to work on a tutorial for the popsicle cards this weekend, I had a request on here, and the ladies this weekend wanted one and we didn't get it done!!

Yummy stamp club cards!!

2008-06-17T15:52:00.000-05:00

Look at these delicious popsicle cards!! Love the gorgeous vibrant colors, the use of a set I own (imagine that ;)) and a creative/different card. The "bite" was made using the scalloped punch...when you do this, make sure to make the "bite" on the front of the card a bit bigger than the one on the back of the card so you get the creamsicle effect :)

Froggie cards

2008-06-16T14:47:00.000-05:00

3 Stamp Clubs ago, we started this new thing where one person would stamp off images, and everyone would take them home and create a card. We then bring them to the next Stamp Club, in this case we only had two weeks...aaaaaggggghhhh (you will understand when you see the detail on the image :)) Anyways, everyone who brings back a completed card puts their name in and we draw names for who gets whose card. The first three pics are of the card I made. The second card is Beth's adorable froggy card that I picked!! Love it!

Another super cute Stamp Club creation!

2008-06-15T17:44:00.000-05:00

Keri taught us how to mask at Stamp Club this time...masking was the first technique I ever learned and used after I first got introduced to SU...but not everyone is the group had seen it done so she shared. I love the bright cheery color combo and the use of the scalloped punch! I am also such a big fan of stamping color on color for backgrounds...I must do this more often!!

So glad I bought this set off ebay!

2008-06-14T21:41:00.000-05:00

We have made several super cute cards with this set and after the first one I bought this set off ebay and I am glad I did! The possibilities are endless with this set!! I love the color combo Keri (SU demo and fearless Stamp Club leader, and yes, her name is the same as mine ;)) chose. Totally cute!

Actually Paying Attention, I've Been Tagged

2008-06-14T21:10:00.002-05:00

I was tagged by a super good friend and all around good person, who also happens to be hysterical. Her name is...well it depends on the day..but you can find her crazy funny blog here. She is the daughter of the also amazingly talented luvlee on SCS...and her blog can be reached by clicking right here! So really this post should be titled a family affair or summin' but alas, I ain't changin' nuttin'. OK, so on to the tagging...I am cutting and pasting the rules from Erynn's blog, cuz they are so much more fun the way she puts them!!

Rules--to be posted and followed down to the last letter within the time span of one week. Consequences for disobeying these rules even slightly or for putting them aside for longer than one week will not be mentioned for fear of queasy readers:

1. Post these rules. This rule was really already implied above, but it's worth repeating.

2. Each person tagged must post 8 random facts about themselves. They have to be random. Random, of course, can be defined in any way the poster feels like, unless it's a really boring definition. I recommend including ducks in it somewhere. Ducks are never boring.

4. At the end tag and name a few (at least two) other people. Well, tag at least. You don't have to name them, but it would be helpful. Mostly helpful to the people wondering who got tagged, and if it was them.

5. Go to the people tagged (and possibly named) and leave a comment telling them they're tagged (and named, unless you're keeping that bit a secret from them, which is always fun).

6. No matter what else you do--if all else fails--DO NOT FORGET TO OBEY RULE 3.

So my random facts:
1. Growing up, I had two ducks as pets, Daffy and Tweety. (What are the chances I'd have a true random duck fact??? Obviously pretty high!)
2. Hmm, I seem to have run out of random facts....{thinking}...reframing randomness to stuff my blogging friends don't know...which is ALOT :) I am totally counting this as a fact, hee hee.
3. I was my parents last attempt to have a boy...oops, sorry Dad!!
4. I played on a racquetball team in highschool..yup, say it, DORK!
5. I did not go to my prom...or anyone elses for that matter...see #4.
6. I never ate cottage cheese til I was 30, now I love it.
7. I am the very proud godmother to my niece Tori and my nephew Luke!! And of course the very proud aunt of my nephew Nathan and my niece Sierra!!
8. I can clasp my hands behind my back and flip them over my head without letting go...if you try this...DO NOT go farther than your comfort or you'll pop your arms out of your shoulder socket...yep, that's what mine do...if you listen carefully you can hear it :)

Now, I generally don't do this tagging schtuff, but cuz I was SO honored to be tagged by Erynn I just had to post, but alas, I am disobeying rule #4, and probably rule #3 too ;) But if you want to imagine that I tagged you...insert your name here :)

Have a great day!!

Stamp Club at my house!!!

2008-06-13T23:37:00.003-05:00

Tonight was stamp club at my house! We had lots of fun, and this time we made a total of 6 cards, with 4 different designs...come back in the coming week so that it will all make sense ;)

I will tell you that my pics are not that great...but I am exhausted, so until I get better pics taken, here you go...sorry :(

The first card I will share with you is the most adorable lil' beach card. Doesn't that look just like a real flip flop? So much fun!

Stamp Pad Storage

2008-06-06T10:50:00.000-05:00

I have been searching for the perfect storage solution for my stamp pads. Something that was not only functional, but attractive and most important, didn't break the bank. I looked and looked and looked, and then miraculously, one day on that fabulous site SCS, someone posted to a company called Organize More. I had found what I wanted and needed and let me just say I am in love with this stamp pad organizer!!!! It is exactly what I had in my head, and one of the things that I wanted was something where the stamp pads didn't stick out too much, something about them sticking out was not pleasing to me ;). I got what I wanted!! I couldn't be happier with this! The price was right, the shipping was reasonable and FAST! I would HIGHLY recommend you RUN to this site and check out what they've got. Look at how awesome this baby is...

Long Card

2008-06-05T13:55:00.000-05:00

I love making cards that are not the "normal" size...although the whole issue of envelopes sometimes can be an issue. This card fits perfectly into a legal sized envelope so it won't cost anymore to mail!! The purses were made with the SU Round Tab Punch. The lil triangles were made by punching out the SU Round Tab Punch in the solid color and then cutting a triangle out of the top so that you have the perfect size triangle for the flap!! We stamped cute lil purses onto the envelope...it's such an extra special touch to decorate the envelope!

Stamp Room Fun

2008-06-04T19:40:00.000-05:00

I have been busy cleaning and organizing in my stamp room. This has been quite the process as I have struggled with how I wanted it to look, room setup, etc. I think I have finally settled on a setup for now, which includes not buying too much new furniture, as my basement has a built in bar which I have been using as my crafting "desk," and while I was strongly drawn to convert that back into a workable bar and buy a new desk and such, I decided at this time, I am not going to use a workable bar and I need to try and stop spending so much money on this obsession of mine (and yours too I am betting ;)) So, I thought I'd give you installments of what I have been doing...hope you enjoy!!

First thing I tackled was organizing the gazillion pieces of beautiful paper I own. I have really struggled with how to do this, cause every way I tried just didn't work for me. So this is my latest attempt. On these shelves are all whole pieces of paper, sorted by color, and if there is a coordinating colored patterned paper it goes on the shelf right below the shelf with the solid colored cardstock. I also sorted striped, polka dotted and geometric paper onto their own shelf. Not sure I will like that, but we shall see. In addition, on these shelves are sheets of stickers, chipboard, SU double sided patterned paper on it's own shelf and paper families like Basic Grey on their own shelves. I have small scraps in a photo box, larger scraps in a Cropper Hopper storage sleeve sorted by patterned paper and solid cardstock and then further by color. I am hoping this will be the way that works for me as it was a lot of work.

Fun Lil Card

2008-06-03T17:00:00.001-05:00

Here is another card I made at stamp club. Love the bright colors and the lil suprise pocket inside for a special note!!

RSVP Pens

2008-06-02T14:30:00.000-05:00

I have wanted to make one of these pens for a long time...and at Stamp Club I learned how. Amazingly simple as long as you are careful and pay attention th what you're doing ;) I think I will be making more of these for friends and family!!

More Stamp Club fun!!

2008-06-01T13:37:00.002-05:00

Hi there!! Yesterday was stamp club! We have so much fun making cards, and yesterday we had lots of stories to share and we were all having lots of great laughs. I laughed so hard a couple of times I thought I was gonna wet myself! Anyway, we made lots of fun stuff so I have pics to share. The pic I will share with you today is a gorgeous shades of brown card that is really out of my comfort area. It's not really my style but I really like this card!! The butterfly was stamped with SU Chocolate Chip and then we used a blender pen to give it a watercolor effect with the green!!

What have I been up to??

2008-05-28T21:35:00.002-05:00

Well, quite a lot lately, although most of it has to DO with stamping, not much creating has been going on. I have been working hard cleaning, organizing, and throwing away stuff in my stamp room!! I am slowly but surely getting there, and part of my biggest slow down is my inability to officially decide how I want to set up the space. Geesh. Anyway, I have done some stamping :) A couple of friends wanted some Bella images and since I have one or two ;) I stamped some images...take a look see...

Mother's Day Gift!!

2008-05-08T19:11:00.003-05:00

I made this for my wonderful mom for Mother's Day!! It was fun going through pics to choose which ones to use!! I took these pics, then decided to add pics on the back of each letter, so it's perfect now...but I didn't retake the pics...sorry...holler if you want me to retake them ;)

I have more pics of this to share...but will have to do a second post, cuz they won't all fit in one post...more to come

Two more pics!!

2008-05-08T19:10:00.002-05:00

Babies

2008-05-05T14:55:00.002-05:00

This card is another card from Stamp Club! And it seems to fit perfectly with my mood lately...the need to be around tiny children. Luckily, I would at a place with 15o children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, so I can get my kid fix easily. As the weather turns warmer, it has been so nice to take a break and go outside and play, or go next door to my office and snuggle a baby. This card is just the perfect lil girl card I think!

Another Stamp Club Card

2008-05-04T14:52:00.002-05:00

The good thing about stamp club...friends, fun, food, stamping, learning new things. The bad thing about stamp club...the need to buy EVERYTHING when you fall in love with it using it at Stamp Club!! This card is just adorable, I think...and the stamp set is not one I would normally purchase...but now I feel the NEED to own it. I am currently restraining myself, but who know how long I will hold out!!

Stamping Mojo

2008-04-28T20:10:00.002-05:00

It's back! I love stamping...it makes me happy! It also made it very hard to concentrate at work today because I had a vision in my head and I was ready to play it out and see if what was in my head turned out as cute in real life. And I have to say I am pleased with the results. This card was made with PTI's new yummy paper, lemon tart as the base which I ran through with my brand new Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder. I then used some SU patterened paper...hmm, have to look up the name. I also used PTI's new and wonderful ribbon, spring moss grosgrain. The image is Tier of Treats from Stampendous, stamped with black Staz-On, then colored using SU's watercolor crayons. I love watercoloring! I then glitterized the image by covering the image in Versa Mark, then SU heat and stick powder, then SU glitter!!! The lil blue ribbon is something I picked up at Michael's.

Hello blogging friends!!

2008-04-27T18:15:00.002-05:00

I am here!!! I have been battling bronchitis again...and I think I am on the mend, although my lungs are not feeling so great today. Anyways, enough about my boring health issues...more important things are a brewin'...

I have been working on cleaning and organizing my stampin' space. I have come to the realization that how it is now is not working for me, hence the lack of sustained creativity...so I am madly working on a system that will work for me and just the act of this reorganization has got my creative juices flowing. I love this art...stamping, creating, making schtuff!!

So, stay tuned and I will share pics of things I'm working on and once the space is how I want it, I'll share that with you too!!

Happy Sunday!!

Heartfelt

2008-04-19T21:46:00.004-05:00

This card was a lil challenging for me. Why you ask? Well, for anyone who has stamped with me, I tend to be a bit anal retentive. I like things to be precise. I have been working on getting over that, and have really let go of a lot. This card has a two step image, and I wanted the second image to be stamped precisely and perfectly on the first image. It took me two tries, boy was the first one off, but I got it pretty well on the second time, and forced myself to say it looked good even if it wasn't perfect. Stamp Club has helped me a lot with letting go of insisting on everything being perfect, because I don't have all my own supplies to just do it over and over and over and over and over again :) The green piece of paper was crumpled up like a piece of trash and then flattened back out for a great aged effect. With the torn white piece on top of it...I just love how this turned out!! The ribbon was a white piece of SU grosgain ribbon that was colored with a SU ribbon. I love that you can color SU ribbon to make whatever color you might need!!!

Color Combos

2008-04-19T21:42:00.004-05:00

I love this cards color combos, bold and bright and luscious!! The lil butterfly charm is such the perfect effect too!!

Fun with Punches

2008-04-19T21:35:00.003-05:00

It's amazing what one can create with punches. It's all about thinking outside the box. This card is an example of that. I love the color combo of pink and brown!!

Stamp Club!!

2008-04-19T21:21:00.003-05:00

Hi all!! I go to a totally fun Stamp Club once a month, and tonight we made some super cute cards!! The one I am most excited about is the gel card we made...I have been wanting to make one of these cards since shortly after being introduced to SU! Here is one of the super dee duper cute cards we made tonight. Hope you like!!

One last card pic before I have to create something new ;)

2008-04-10T19:17:00.001-05:00

This is the last card in my collection of pics that I can post before I need to create some more...or scrounge out some I haven't taken a pic of ;-)

I made this card about a year ago for another girl who was going through a hard time. Looking back at this card I think, wow, that's kinda cute...I need to use all my fun toys more often!!!

Love to hear what you think!!!

Fun Fish!!

2008-04-09T16:41:00.002-05:00

I am working very hard to post on a more regular basis...so far so good. And I am REALLY trying to have more craft related posts, as that was why I started the blog, to share craftiness.

Today, I am sharing with you a fun card I made for a lil girl shortly after I was introduced to SCS. It didn't start out and finish the way I thought it would, but I love this card anyway...looks kinda like a lil diorama to me :) Is it just me?? LOL

Recipe Swap

2008-04-08T19:59:00.002-05:00

I joined a recipe swap (which I forgot about and was late sending my swaps in to...thanks to all those understanding swappers) and had so much fun making these. I have been talking with my mom about taking all her recipes and making a book or something for my and my sisters to have...and this gave me just the inspiration to have the vision ready!! Let me know what you think of this!!

NCAA Champions!!!!

2008-04-07T23:02:00.004-05:00

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK KU

Late Lil Easter Bunnies

2008-04-07T20:20:00.003-05:00

Hi all,

I found these cute lil bunny cards I made for Easter last year, and thought I would bring them back out to share with you. I love the fresh fun colors of Spring!!

Willing Spring to REALLY start!

2008-04-06T13:50:00.004-05:00

It is officially spring...but it sure doesn't feel, look, sound or smell like it around here. Today it's in the 50's, dreary, thundery and just generally yucky. So in an effort to will the beauty of spring to poke its head out...here is a bright springy card!!

An Album and a tour...

2008-04-04T18:18:00.002-05:00

need I say more...

PMS Check In

2008-03-17T19:57:00.003-05:00

Hi all!! Spent the last week relaxing in Florida with my parents and now I am back and feeling refreshed and ready to go!!

So, I thought I would do a PMS check...

Physical Wellness ~ Let's focus on the positive...I feel pretty good and am ready to work on feeling better. My back is all out of whack, but I will get a chiropractor appointment and take care of that! I also need to make an appointment with my allergist and I need to find a dentist.

Mental Wellness ~ I continue to come out of my funk. I am feeling more positive by the day!! I am ready to get back on my Flybaby routines, work is amazingly awesome, even though there is SO much to do and I have re-established some relationships and am working at several others!!

Spiritual Wellness ~ Again...things are going well on this front too!! Lent has been a great period of reflection and restraint! I gave up fast food and chocolate, which has been really hard for me...but I am hoping it's a habit that sticks...not total denial of those things, but a serious decrease in the consumption.

PMS

2008-03-03T20:42:00.005-06:00

I found this cool info about PMS on Denise's blog I bet you all think PMS has something to do with being grumpy, crampy, bloated and whatnot. And yes, it could, but Denise lays it out like this...

Physical Wellness
Mental Wellness
Spiritual Wellness

And then she checks in on each of them! I think this is brilliant, and ties in perfectly with my quest for JOY!!!

So, periodically I will do a PMS check!!

But instead of jumping straight into the PMS check, how about a lil chat about JOY?!?!
Well, this year started out not so joyful for me in many ways, although in other ways it was good.
J - My relationship with God is at a totally different place than it was 4 months ago. I am going to church regularly, praying more, and just living my life in a much different way than I had been. Some things were minor changes, some were big and all have made me a much happier person and I am much happier with me!
O - My relationships with others is improving. I went through a bit of a funk the last month which wasn't real helpful to building relationships with others, as I wanted to be by myself a lot, but I still made some changes. One thing I have done is reached out to someone I used to be very good friends with, and for one reason or another we stopped talking. We have been playing phone tag for weeks now, but we are both trying to set aside some time together to re-establish out friendship. Another big thing in the way of relationships with others is work related. A VERY bad and unhealthy relationship has now ended (insert happy dance) and I now have a fantastic new boss that I am so excited about. I have also gotten a promotion and am looking forward to the opportunities these things open up for my job.
Y - Last but not least is my relationship with me (or you as the y stands for, yes, confusing when typing about it on a blog, lol) Anyways, with J and O looking up, it could only in turn help Y!! Now, Y was a struggle this last month. The funk got me down, I was unmotivated, tired and kinda cranky. What was weird was that at work I was pretty much fine, then I'd come home and it was like the life blood was sucked out of me. I just became a vegetable, lifeless, and limp. OK, so I wasn't even a crisp, right off the shelf veggie, I was an old, past it's time veggie. Anyways, I am coming out of the fog and feeling better. I get to go to Florida for all of next week, and that, I fully intend to use as me time, to refocus and relax and be ready to come back as the JOYFUL me that Jesus, Others and You should, can and will be!!!

I love this set but...

2008-03-01T21:16:00.003-06:00

I am not sure I love this card! I feel like I squished too much onto the front...like maybe the sentiment should be on the inside...or not mounted like it is...something is just not right. But alas, here it is for you to scrutinize!!

Stamp set is Papertrey's Piece of Cake!!

Papertrey's Out on a Limb

2008-03-01T20:23:00.007-06:00

set is so gorgeous!! I love it's versatility and the sayings are just amazing! I made this simple card with Papertrey's pre-scored white cards, which I also love!! And might I add a lil plug for their awesome, best in the whole wide world and best price white cardstock...well, head over there and get some...NOW ;)

Come back tomorrow to check out a card I am not so sure I like...and I would love your opinion on!!

Edited: The saying on this card says, The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.

I love stamping!!

2008-03-01T19:59:00.003-06:00

I have not done a lot of stamping lately, and today, I went to a friends and while she scrapped I made some cards and started a project. And can I just say, I LOVE TO STAMP!! Being crafty is like therapy! So, I thought I would share my creations with you...one today, then you will see more in the coming days...I don't want to post them all at once and then disappear like I tend to do all too often. My first card is made with stamps from Gina K's Way to Go set!! This set just cracks me up!!

Hope you like it...and come back this week as I will actually be posting more than once this week!!

Go win some blog candy and learn about autism

2008-02-18T10:45:00.006-06:00

Erika Martin is a super talented card maker and scrapbooker, and her son Zach, has autism. Erika is a great advocate for autism awareness and her son is an amazing kid with tons of talent.

Erika is giving away some great blog candy and you should head over to her blog and check it out
~HERE~

And then read up on the rest of her blog, you can learn lots about autism, and see all of Erika's amazing creations to boot!!

Gina K Question

2008-02-06T20:44:00.000-06:00

Someone asked if Gina K makes one stamp set at a time. No, it's two, and yes, it's a ton of work for her to make them. Makes each and every stamp set even more special, huh?! Now, when she has a big release, they have a ton of them made off site, but they still mount them to the cushy sticky backing, (I have a way with words, huh, lol)and they do the packaging. I am awed and amazed at how hard Gina K and her staff work to bring all of us stampin addicts high quality stamps!!

More deets about the process:
~it takes about 6 minutes for the stamps to cook
~you have to hand pump the vulcanizer to about 500 pounds of pressure for the
cookin, Gina's gotta have some serious biceps!!
~the vulcanizer heats up super hot to cook the stamps, so Gina has to wear oven
mitts to pull them out
~The rubber is placed on a magnesium die plate, this gives the hightest quality
stamp, deeply etched

The pic below is a side by side comparison of the improvements Gina has made to her stamps...you can't see it too well in the pic, but her stamps now (on the left) are much more deeply etched!

{kerianne}

For kramomma

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes 2010

Really?!?!?!

Gina K Release Party Fun!!

Happy Halloween

stamptv challenge...sparkles!!

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes 2009

stamptv challenge...gold gold gold

stamptv challenge...lil piggies :)

stamptv challenges are addicting!!

Melanie Muenchinger is brilliant!!

Stamptv challenge

Meant to post these a long time ago!!

I made a card!!!

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes 2009

Prayers Please

Amazing News!!!

Thank you!!! from my mom and me

Going Pink Part 2...

Going Pink!! **UPDATED AGAIN 6/19/09 :)**

JDRF Walk 2008 Scrapbook Thank you

This is how it all started...

Open for business ;)

Coming Soon...

Hmmm

Elzybells Cute New Stamps!!

Progress in my Stampin Space

The finished product...late VD goodies!

My messy lil stampin space

What have I been doing?

Happy VD!!!!

Check this out!!

Happy New Year!!

More Christmas Prezzies

MIA again...

Head on over for some blog candy...really good blog candy :)

Stampin Space Redo

YES WE CAN!

GET OUT AND VOTE!!!

Here Comes Halloween

Blog Action Day 08

Stamp Club Part Deux

Stamp Club!

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes Update

Love Shrinky Dink and Melanie M's stamps

WE HAVE BLOG CANDY WINNERS!!!

BLOG CANDY!!!!

The last of the acetate cards

Acetate Cards Part Three

Acetate Cards Part Deux :)

Acetate Cards

PayPal follow up

I am in love with the JustRIte Monogram Stamper!!

JDRF Walk 2008

PayPal SUCKS!!!

More Monogram Stamper Creations

JustRite Monogram Stamper

08|08|08

How cute does my blog look?

Unstuck

Stuck

Pretty Lil Princess

Stampin Weekend

Yummy stamp club cards!!

Froggie cards

Another super cute Stamp Club creation!

So glad I bought this set off ebay!

Actually Paying Attention, I've Been Tagged

Stamp Club at my house!!!

Stamp Pad Storage

Long Card

Stamp Room Fun

Fun Lil Card

RSVP Pens

More Stamp Club fun!!

What have I been up to??

Mother's Day Gift!!

Two more pics!!

Babies

Going Pink!! UPDATED AGAIN 6/19/09 :)