Hi Friends!! Yesterday was my husband's birthday and I spent the day slaving away making a mini album to give to him as a gift. Oh gosh, it took me over 3 hours to create it. As much as I love mini albums, I don't like the fact that there's a lot of pages to work on. . .I finally was able to finish it in time to give it to him for his birthday. I still need to take photos of it so I'll post it tomorrow. I like how it turned out. I've never used so many Prima flowers on a project before! LOL! Because I was in a rush to finish it. . .the main design consisted of Primas. . .and I'm not kidding when I say I used a lot of them! LOL!
I was away from blog land all day. . .I barely looked at my computer. As a matter of fact, I avoided the computer because I knew if I went on, I wouldn't finish my mini album in time for my husband's Birthday dinner. I was finally able to get on the computer at 11:00 at night and did my typical blurfing.
Anyway, what does my mini album have to do with this Crayon Box and card I created? Absolutely nothing. It's just me off the subject of what this post suppose to be about. . .just me being me! LOL!!
I actually created this card over 2 weeks ago but I'm only posting it now. I had forgotten that I had uploaded it as a draft and never published it.
Okay, isn't Anya and Ian so adorable together? I love this image. The image is actually a digital image by The Greeting Farm!! They have such cute digital images as well as stamps so you have the best of both worlds!!
If you're interested in looking at another sample of the "Crayon Box" I created, CLICK HERE. The post has a link to the template so you can create the box yourself. The box can actually hold 3 non-bulky cards but in my case, because of the big flower, only one card can fit inside.
Oops, I didn't post the sketch for this card. I'm typing on my laptop right now and the sketch is on my desk top. I'll add it later.
Hey, don't forget to scroll down and check out the card I created for Christmas Stampin All Year Long . . .there's a new challenge this week!!
Paper: SU Parisian Summer designer paper, SU Cool Caribbean, So Saffron, K&Co designer paper
Ink: Copic Markers, Sakura gel pen
Accessories: Prima flowers, Making Memories Ribbon, Stickles, Martha Stewart Punch, CB embossing folder, JoAnn Heart brad, SU Corner rounder punch, Word Window Punch
Hey Friends!! It's Christms Stampin All Year Long Challenge time again!! We're on week 12!! Whoohoo! My post is going to be rather short today! I have a lot of things to catch up on! I think this is will be the shortest post I've done! LOL!
I would like to introduce a new blog member to the design team. . .Mackenzie of "Midnight Scramper". Mackenzie and I met online when we were both on a design team for Jen's store - another blog member - Little C's Stamp n' Things. Mackenzie and I once talked about starting a "sketch challenge" site but I decided that one challenge site is enough so the first person I thought of to replace Monica (who I'm sad to say had to step down) was Mackenzie. Welcome Mackenzie!! Can't wait to see your awesome Christmas cards!!
Be sure to scroll down to check out my Graduation Anya card below! I also added the compilations of December 2008 Sketches. I think I had posted it was November but I made a mistake . . .I was suppose to title it December. LOL! It's one of those days! Argggh!
Hope you all have a wonderful Monday! Hope you all will play along in this week's Christmas Stampin All Year Long challenge!! We would love to see your Christmas card!
Card Details:
Stamp set: Stampin Up Too Cool Dudes, Warm Words
Papers: Stampin Up Designer Series Paper, Not Quite Navy, Cool Caribbean
Ink: SU Not Quite Navy, Tempting Turquoise Craft Ink
Accessories: Marvy 2" circle punch, Fiskar scallop scissors, Organdy Ribbon
Happy Easter Friends!! Why no Easter card? I was behind on my Easter cards and I decided what's the point of starting! LOL! I hope you all are having a wonderful Easter. I miss Easter when the kids were little. It was more celebratory...I know Easter is more than about egg hunts and bunnies but regardless, it was still more fun. My daughter had a bit of Easter celebration yesterday volunteering for the community egg hunt. She helped set up the Easter Egg Hunt and watched the kids find their eggs. She said it was over in 5 minutes because the kids found all the eggs so quickly! It was over an hour set up for 5 minutes worth of egg hunting! Too funny!!
I created this Graduation Anya card. The image as you should know by now is by The Greeting Farm. I have a blast creating cards with TGF images because it's so large and it's so fun to color.
I decided a graduate needs an elegant card rather than too cutesy so I minimized the frills that I typically add to my cards. Anya is cute enough by herself!!
Doesn't she look happy graduating? She's probably relieved that she no longer have to stay up to study for exams. I would be smiling as big as she is too if that's the case!
As you can see I popped up Anya's hair again. I think that's the most fun part with the Greeting Farm images. . .you can get really creative.
I have 3 members for my book club so far. I'm hoping for a few more and I can start the blog. I'd love for you to join. . .Click Here for the Details!!
Don't forget to scroll down to check out the compilation of my November 2008 Sketches. I'm compiling each month and it'll be located at my left side bar if you ever need it.
With the document below, if you want to print it, click on the drop menu that is labeled "more". It'll give you the option to print as well as save the document. You may view a full page of the tutorial by clicking on the icon to the very top right corner. It'll open up a new window with the document on full screen . If you just want to enlarge directly on the blog, click on the + button or the magnifying glass! Scroll down the page by sliding the scroll bar located to the right of the document.
For those who receive my post updates via email, in order to see the tutorials and sketch compilations, you will need to visit my blog to access Scrbd documents. Sorry about that!
Hello Friends!! Hey, I'm sorry I haven't visited your blogs for the past few days. I try but I can't get to everyone that I normally say hello to. I've been busy. . . .doing what, Maria? Don't laugh. Well, I've been busy reading the last installment of the Twilight book series! LOL!
My husband thinks it's funny . . .he said "wow, I'm impressed, aren't you on your 4th book and you read all of them within 2 weeks? Yeah, so what. . .what is so shocking about that? He's like . . .and all it took was a teenage book about Vampires. Actually, it is shocking considering I think I've read more books in the past 2 weeks than I've had in the last year. LOL! Once I get started on something, I sort of go into this addictive state. . . .that is until I burn myself out. Yeah, it's the story of my life. But, I actually found that I enjoyed reading a "real" book.
Reading isn't what is abnormal for me. . . I typically read before I go to bed but not "real" books. . .normally, I read a craft book, craft magazine, camera/Photoshop book, or trash magazine. Yeah, I'm a trash/entertainment magazine reader. My husband got me subscriptions for Us, People, the Enquirer, Scrapbook Etc., and Star. He thinks it's hilarious but hey, why did he get me the subscription? Isn't he feeding my trash/gossip obsession? Hello!
Well. . .I decided to start a "Book Club" online/blog and I'm calling for members who would want to join my book club. Scroll down below and check out the details. I would love for you to join. . .I think it'll be fun to sort of discuss a good book. It would be nice if we all could get together in person but well, we can't so the next best thing is to do it online. Why not join. . .it can't hurt to read, right?
Okay now on to my card! This cool dude is InStyle Stamps "Jax". If you know me by now, masculine cards are not my forte. I almost forgot I was creating a boy card and started to add frilly stuff. It's a good thing I stopped myself in time! LOL!!
I colored Jax with my Copic Markers, cut the image out, and remounted the shirt and hair with foam tape. I just love doing that! I don't even mind all the cutting that I have to do. When I cut images, I sort of go into a trance while listening to music. It's sorta therapeutic. LOL!
Anyway, stop by InStyle stamps and check out all their cute stamps. They've got lots of them!!
Hope y'all have a wonderful Easter tomorrow!!
Card Details:
Stamps: InStyle Stamps Jax, Inkadinkado Paper: SU cool Caribbean, Basic Black, DCWV desginer paper Ink: Copic Markers, Sakura gel pen Accessories: Fiskar Scallop Scissors, Sticko stickers, SU Key Tag Punch, Coluzzle Oval template
With the tutorial below, if you want to print it, click on the drop menu that is labeled "more". It'll give you the option to print as well as save the document. You may view a full page of the tutorial by clicking on the icon to the very top right corner. It'll open up a new window with the tutorial. If you just want to enlarge directly on the blog, click on the + button or the magnifying glass! Scroll down the page by sliding the scroll bar to the right of the tutorial. Anyway, try the tutorial out when you have a chance
Hey Friends. . .about 6 months ago I had wanted to start a book club blog but scratched the idea but I think I'll start one now. Here is the platform of the book club.
It'll be a members only club but the blog will be open to the public to read. Anyone can join in the club.
I will host the first book just to get started. If you've read the book, that's fine but don't discuss the book until the end of the first book session.
Members will have 2 weeks to read the book. If 2 weeks is too short of a time, when I have the members in place, we can decide what length of time is reasonable.
Each member will suggest a book they "want" to read (not already read). Members will vote which book will be chosen for the next session. When choosing a book, please do your research online first. Don't just choose a random book.
The member who suggest the "chosen' book will host the next book club meeting.
This book club will be a non-specific genre book club meaning it can be any type of subject and not specific to one subject area. Book suggestion will include non-fiction books. It can be spiritual, self-improvement, healthy lifestyle, biography, auto-biography, history, etc. Non-fiction books will be once every 3 months. I ask that non-fiction books don't include diet books, specific self-help books, exercise books, or instructional type of books. The "subject theme" of non-fiction books will be voted by the members. For example, each member will suggest a specific subject (spiritual, self-improvement, history, etc.) . We will vote on the subject theme then each member will suggest a book and we'll vote on which book to read. Got it?
If you want to join the club, you need to be able to have the time to read a standard novel within two weeks or a length of time voted by the members. If you don't have the time to read then you may visit the blog and comment but you won't have the privilege to choose a book, host or vote on the next book.
You will need to be an active participant by answering the posted questions.
Hosting:
As a host you will post 5 to 10 questions on the blog after the 2 week reading period. Each member will answer the questions and discuss it by commenting. We could do a forum based discussion if you prefer on a Yahoo group site or something like that. We can decide what is the best way to discuss the book once I gather enough book club members.
Questions can be thought provoking, clarifications, depth of understanding, etc. Here are a few general question suggestions but the host will post questions specific to the book.
Of the questions posted by the host, you have a choice of 3 questions to answer or you can answer all of them. The questions are just to get us started on a discussion about the book, gather a better understanding and differing perspective of the book. It's amazing how different we sometimes interpret a book.
The book club is meant to be fun not at all feel like we need to write an essay on the book.
Discussion Questions for Any Book for fiction/novels:
Did the actions of the characters seem plausible? Why? Why not?
If one (or more) of the characters made a choice that had moral implications, would you have made the same decision? Why? Why not?
How does the setting figure into the book? Is the setting a character? Does it come to life?
Did you feel you were experiencing the time and place in which the book was set?
How would the book have been different if it had taken place in a different time or place?
What are some of the book's themes? How important were they?
How are the book's images symbolically significant? Do the images help to develop the plot, or help to define characters?
Did the book end the way you expected?
Would you recommend this book to other readers? To your close friend?
These are just suggestions.. . you can post any questions that you want.
For non-fiction books, the questions will be different. I'll get more into it later.
Anyway, I'll start the blog in the next few days. For now, I just need to know who may be interested in joining.
Comment if you would be interested in joining. We can work out the details later.
Hi Friends!! It's Friday! Yipee! I love Fridays. . .I don't know, I just do. Way back when I was younger (pre-mother days), I worked at a travel company and my co-workers were party people. After work, we'd head out to a restaurant/club during happy hours and eat appetizers (pupus in Hawaiian) and just hang out. At 9:00, the restaurant would turn into a dance club. We would head there at 4:00 and not leave until 2 in the morning! Oh, gosh. . .it was so fun. I really miss hanging out like that. Now, I'm old and my husband only 2 years older than me is much older (mentally). He sometimes act like an 80 year old. I think he was born old. LOL!
My husband's idea of hanging out and partying is hanging out a winery, eating dinner, drinking wine, and listening to piano music. First of all, I don't drink wine or alcohol but I like flashing lights and loud banging music. My idea of fun is watching an alternative rock band play live loud music, with lots of laughing people, and lots of noise that you need to yell to hear one another. It's really weird but quiet places makes me want to sleep. . .boriiiiiiiiinnnngggg! If I wanted to hang out in a quiet place, I would rather hang out at home or at a library! LOL!
Are you and your husband or partner on the same wavelength when it comes to "fun"? Remember the book "City Mouse, Country Mouse". . .well, I'm most definitely the city mouse .
Luckily, my husband and I have many other things in common or we'd be divorced by now! LOL!
Anyway, let's talk about my card. Isn't that why you're here? I don't think you're here to read my chit-chat. LOL! Well this card is a "hidden message/pull card".
I created the tutorial some time last year and if you've been reading my blog for a while now, you'll know that I'm trying to transfer my tutorials from a website that I pay for to store my tutorials to a "free" service site.
With the first photo, the "sentiment or message" is hidden under the oval panel but when you pull the ribbon to the left, the message is revealed.
Now isn't that fun? Scroll down and check out the tutorial! It's so easy to create this card, you can do a few in an hour. The cupcake is from the SU "Crazy for Cupcakes" stamp set and I colored it with my Copic Markers and added a bit of Stickles. The designer paper is from the retired SU "Berry Bliss" designer series paper. I decided to stop hoarding all of my designer papers. It's really hard to let go sometimes.
Anyway. . hope y'all have a fantastic Friday! Don't party too hard!!
Card Details:
Stamp set: SU "Crazy for Cupcakes" Paper: SU Berry Bliss designer paper, SU Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa Ink: Copic Markers, Sakura Gel Pen
Accessories: SU ribbon, Prima flowers, Making Memories Daisy brads, Stickles, Fiskar scallop scissors, Coluzzle Oval Template, SU 1 1/4" circle punch
With the tutorial below, if you want to print it, click on the drop menu that is labeled "more". It'll give you the option to print as well as save the document. You may view a full page of the tutorial by clicking on the icon to the very top right corner. It'll open up a new window with the tutorial. If you just want to enlarge directly on the blog, click on the + button or the magnifying glass! Scroll down the page by sliding the scroll bar to the right of the tutorial. Anyway, try the tutorial out when you have a chance
Hi Friends! Wow, it's Thursday already. It's unbelievable how it seems that the days are just flying so quickly. Last night I was complaining to my husband that I wish I needed only 2 to 3 hours of sleep so I can get more things done. The truth is if I didn't waste my time and was a bit more organized, I probably could get more things done and still have a full 8 hours of sleep.
Before I went to bed last night, I worked on this card. This cutie is an image by The Greeting Farm and the set name is Susie Surprise This stamp set is one of April's release so stop by TGF and check out the new releases!!
I paper pieced the flower thing on her head and colored the rest of the image with Copic markers. This card sort of "evolved". . I initially had a different plan for this card but things didn't work out so I "improvised". You must think I "improvise" a lot with my cards. I actually do. Many times what I start off with, usually ends up as something else! LOL!
Hey, I'm almost done with the 3rd Twilight book "Eclipse". Before I went to bed last night, the plan was to finish it but at 2 in the morning, well I could no longer keep my eyes open to finish the book. I'll finish the book today and will start on the 4th book "Breaking Dawn".
You know, I was once an avid reader but stopped reading for one reason or another. You sorta need to get into the groove similar to needing your mojo when you craft. Well, the nice thing about Twilight. . .it gave me back my reading mojo and I cannot wait to find another book to read after I'm done with Twilight.
Anyway, don't forget to scroll down and check out the other card I made last night. I also posted the compilation of "February Sketches 2009" below.
Hope you all have a wonderful day!!
Card Details:
Stamps: The Greeting Farm Susie Surprise
Paper: K&CO designer paper, SU Pink Passion, Green Galore, Ballet Blue
Ink: Copic Markers, Sakura gel pen
Accessories: Darice craft wood, Fiskar "Victorian" and "scallop" scissors, Making Memories ribbon, Coluzzle Oval template, SU Word Window punch, Office Depot swirl clip
With the tutorial below, if you want to print it, click on the drop menu that is labeled "more". It'll give you the option to print as well as save the document. You may view a full page of the tutorial by clicking on the icon to the very top right corner. It'll open up a new window with the tutorial. If you just want to enlarge directly on the blog, click on the + button or the magnifying glass! Scroll down the page by sliding the scroll bar to the right of the tutorial. Anyway, try the tutorial out when you have a chance
Hey Friends!! Jodi at Inked Inspirations is celebrating her 20K hits and is offering a SUPAH generous blog candy! Go check it out and congratulate her!! You may win the sweet prize!! Good luck!
Okay, isn't Anya and Ian so adorable together? I love this image. The image is actually a digital image by The Greeting Farm!! They have such cute digital images as well as stamps so you have the best of both worlds!! 
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