I missed it!

I totally missed the PTI blog hop last night! I don't know what happened, but I vow to not miss it next month. The theme was using score lines to embellish your cards. This is the card I made after seeing what everyone else made. So many great ideas. Click here to check them out at the PTI forum. The trick with the scoring technique is to score the reverse side of the paper so that your lines are raised on the front. I love this technique because it was so easy and I already had what I needed. I love finding new uses for old toys.

Here is what my card looked like before I added the middle panel.

I mentioned yesterday that I was making cookies with the kids? Well, they were awsome! I pre-measured all the ingredients so the kids just had to dump and mix. I used this recipe except replaced the nuts with raisins and added a little cinnamon. Isn't my little guy a cutie?

I had to make some coffee to go with these heavenly cookies. Yum! Have a great day!



Stamps: Take Three (SU)
Card Stock: Pixie Pink, Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Pixie Pink
Accessories: Light Pink Grosgrain Ribbon (Offray), Silver Brads, Paper Trimmer w/ Scoring Blade (Fiskars), Dimensionals (SU)

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H is for...

I was watching Oprah the other day and they kept using a really cool "O" graphic. I thought I would try to make a card using just one big letter with some neat patterned paper. I think I failed here, but I do have an idea of what would make this better. I think a solid letter on patterned paper. If it works well, I'd like to make a pack of stationary. I did an H first for my daughter Halle. She loves personalized things so here brother can't take it from her. I'll try a similar card again tomorrow. Now I'm off to make some cookies with the kiddies using this recipe from my new favorite website.

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You've got to visit this website...

In my blog hopping yesterday, I stumbled upon this website. The recipes are amazing!!! Just click on "cooking". Oh my word! I have got to get to the grocery store ASAP. Here is the recipe archive so you can see all the recipes at once. Best of all, this lady is hilarious! I'll let you know how the spaghetti chicken tastes. That's high on my list to try. Bon Appetit!

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Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #49

Hey guys! We a had a beautiful day today and that means it was filled with doing yard work! We are almost done. We ran a few bags short of mulch. I'll have to post some pics. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. We are taking the kids to the Memorial Day Parade and then having dinner at my in-laws. Our kids are most excited about playing with their cousins all day.

This card is for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge. It's been a while since I've done one of her sketches. This one was coming together quickly until I got to the flower. Nothing I did looked right and I settled on this and then I went piercing crazy.

Stamps: So Many Scallops (SU), Mixed Messages (PTI)
Card Stock: Summer Sun, Yo Yo Yellow (SU)
Patterned Paper: both by Doodlebug Designs
Ink: Only Orange (SU)
Accessories: Orange Grosgrain Ribbon (Offray), White Button, Paper Piercer, Green Flower (Queen & Co)

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TECC17 For You!

I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful weekend! We've had a really busy week, as I'm sure you could tell due to my lack of keeping my blog updated. Things are starting to slow down and I should have some extra time to create tomorrow and Monday.

I made this card this afternoon for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge. I went a little off the sketch because my patterned paper was a bit busy to add a row of brads or flowers. I thought they would just get lost. All patterned paper is from Me & My Big Ideas. I just love that paper.

Stamps: For You, Cupcake (both Michaels $1)
Cardstock: Summer Sun, Whisper White, Buckaroo Blue (SU)
Patterned Paper: Modern Milan Paper Stack (Me & My Big Ideas)
Ink: Night of Navy (SU)
Accessories: Navy Blue Grosgrain Ribbon (Offray), White Mini Brad (Queen & Co), circle punch

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SC#177, Finally!

I finally managed to stamp something today. I've been in one of those rare organizational moods this week and I have to take full advantage. So far so good. On to the card...

This card goes with the sketch challenge shown here. Our friends Keith & Cindy had a baby boy last Friday, so this card with go with a gift for little Braden. This card uses the technique of masking. I cut out a circle, placed it over the stamped image and then sponged ink around the circle. Take off the circle and voila! The scallops on both sides of the card are made from 1/2 inch circles.

Stamps: All in the Family (SU), Mixed Messages (PTI)
Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, Buckaroo Blue, Whisper White (SU)
Patterned Paper: Light Blue Crosshatch (?)
Ink: Night of Navy (SU)
Accessories: Silver Brads, White Grosgrain Ribbon (Offray), Watercolor Pencils, Aqua Painter, 1/2 " circle punch, dimensionals

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TECC16!!!

It's the weekend and that means another Taylor's Cupcake Challenge. You can see the sketch here. I had a lot of fun with this one. The finished size of my card is 5" x 5".

I love my new haircut but I really don't feel like putting on makeup just to take my picture. But I'll post one soon, I promise. We've been working out in the yard a lot and I hope to post some pics of the finished product soon. It's going to look great. Have a good one!

Cardstock: Summer Sun (SU)
Patterned Paper: all 4 pieces come from a Me & My Big Ideas paper stack (Modern Milan)
Accessories: Rub-on (Kelly Panacci), 1/2" circle punch, blue and green flowers (Queen & Co), red flower (Darice)

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LSC168

The limited supply challenge for today was to use alphabet stamps. I have a baggie of these that I bought a long time ago (maybe in high school) before I was a scrapper. The card I made is a CASE from Kristina Werner. I am a huge Kristina fan and I was stalking her gallery the other day and came across this card that she made years ago. I can see myself making this card over and over with different colors and sentiments. The words "you are fierce" are embossed. I'm not sure if that came out clear in the picture. I used one of my kids cereal bowls to get the perfect curve. Okay, have a great weekend! I'm off to get my hair cut!!! If I really like it, I'll post a picture later!

Stamps: Alphabet Stamps (?)

Cardstock: So Saffron, Really Rust (SU)

Patterned Paper: American Crafts (Play- Button Button) uses front and back

Ink: Close to Cocoa (SU)

Accessories: 1/4" circle punch, Ribbon (Dashes, Dots & Checks- Michaels), Embossing Powder

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WT#166

Good morning! Today I tried a technique called "Inchies". I've actually done this before but didn't know there was a term for it. Basically, you use 1 inch squares on your card. You can stamp a larger image and cut it into 1 inch squares (like I did) or stamp a small image on each square. If you have a free minute, check out the WT166 gallery for some cool ideas using this technique.

Stamps: Peaceful Wishes (SU), Mixed Messages (PTI)
Cardstock: Garden Green, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Mellow Moss, Close to Cocoa (SU)
Accessories: Green Gingham Ribbon (Offray), Paper Piercer

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SC#176

This card is for the sketch challenge on SCS. It's getting close to graduation season, so I thought I should start stocking up on some grad cards. I was able to get the rounded edges on the "Good Luck" sentiment by cutting a strip of 1/2" Tempting Turquoise and sliding it through a 3/4" circle punch. Have a great day!

Stamps: Butterfly Kisses, Mixed Messages (PTI)
Cardstock: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron, Whisper White (SU)
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Real Red (SU)
Accessories: Black Sharpie, Corner Rounder, Silver Brads, Red Grosgrain Ribbon (Offray), 3/4" circle punch

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All Natural Detergent & Softener

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you already know that I've recently gotten really interested in the environment and recycling. I came across this recipe for homemade laundry detergent that I just have to share. Not only is it environmentally friendly it is totally friendly to your wallet. You will still need to spot treat stains. I have included pictures because these items were hard for me to find the first time since I had no idea what I was looking for.

All Natural Laundry Detergent

1 Bar Fels Naptha Soap, grated

1 cup Washing Soda (made by Arm & Hammer)

1 cup Borax

I found all of these ingredients at Kroger for a total of $6.50!!! The Washing Soda and Borax are located in the laundry aisle at the top and the Fels Naptha is with regular bar soap (Ivory, Dove). Mix these ingredients and store in a ziploc bag. You will need 1 tbsp for a small load and 2 tbsps for a large load. Yes, that's all. I've been using this for about 3 weeks and am not even close to running out. You should only need to buy more Fels Naptha for your next batch, you will have plenty of Washing Soda and Borax for about 5 more mixes.

All Natural Laundry Softener

1/4 cup white distilled vinegar

I pour this into my downy ball so it is dispersed during the rinse cycle. I promise your clothes will not smell like vinegar, but will be soft. This is a ton cheaper than buying fabric softener and is just as effective.

Please let me know if you try this and what you think! Take care!

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Happy Monday!

This is a card I've been sorta working on all day. I started this morning and have been slowly adding elements and taking them away. I think I kinda like the way it turned out. Also, this is the first card I've made in a while that hasn't been for a challenge of some sort. I also included a close-up so you can see the white swirl on the blue paper. Enjoy your day!

Stamps: Warm Words (SU), Swirls (Autumn Leaves)

Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip (SU)

Patterned Paper: Back to Basics (Bo Bunny)

Ink: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip (SU)

Accessories: Paper Piercer, Mat Pack (SU), Silver Brads, Flower Punch (EK Success), Brown Satin Ribbon (Offray), White Pen (Gelly Roll)

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Halle's Preschool Graduation & TECC#15

Last night Halle had her preschool graduation. She was so cute (as you can see in the pictures!). She sang three songs with her class and recited a poem on her own about the letter H. We also viewed a video of what the preschoolers wanted to be when they grow up. Halle was the only one who said that she wanted to be a mommy {my heart melting here}. When asked why, she said "because they can turn on video games". (????) Not sure how to interpret that!!! Anywho, we had a great night with our little girl.I made this card this morning for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge (TECC15). You can click here to see Taylor's sketch. Have a happy Mother's Day tommorow!!!

Stamps: Butterfly Kisses (PTI)

Cardstock: Whisper White (SU)

Pattered Paper: PTI Everday Blessings

Ink: Night of Navy (SU)

Accessories: Flower (Darice), Yellow Satin Ribbon (Offray) Jumbo Brad (Making Memories), Corner Punch

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WT165 Mother's Day Card!

Here's a card I made today for my Mother-In-Law for Mother's Day. It is a CASE (copy and share with everyone) from Kristina Werner. You can see her card here. I changed it just a bit because I didn't have all the goodies she used. I also wanted to use my new acrylic stamps from Autumn Leaves (Swirls), on sale for $8 at Target!! This card uses a chipboard letter "o" in MOM sticking with today's Ways to Use it challenge at SCS. The "o" also uses a rub-on that says "love u".

Here are my kids at Colin's end of the year preschool party. Snack was their favorite part. Colin has a grape in his cheek. I can't believe summer break has already started!

Stamps: Swirls (Autumn Leaves)
Cardstock: Mellow Moss, Whisper White (SU)
Pattered Paper: Paisley (Making Memories)
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Chipboard "O" (Queen & Co), Pink Felt Letters (K&C Company), Rub-ons (Making Memories), Pink Grosgrain Ribbon (Making Memories), Corner Punch, Dimensionals

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Bread, bread, and more bread!

I can't believe I haven't posted anything since Sunday! I have been BUSY! This week is Halle and Colin's last days of preschool. This week we have a picnic, a classroom party, a graduation and a quarter auction. Between the two kids, they have seven teachers! I decided to bake them all some bread. 7 loaves!!! I guess you know what I've been doing! Hopefully I can post some actual cards tomorrow. The card tags on the bread are just some scraps I had laying around. Only 4 loaves are pictured because I already gave 3 to Halle's teachers this morning.

Also, I wanted to share a picture of my niece, Lexus, on her First Communion day. We had a really great day on Sunday. Doesn't she look so grown up?

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SFYTT!

Here's a quick card I made this morning for my niece's first communion. I know I'm going crazy using my new butterfly kisses stamps, but what little girl doesn't like butterflies? I really like the "Enjoy the moment" sentiment for a first communion card. For the layout, I used Jen del Muro's SFYTT sketch shown to the left. I hope my niece (and you) like it! Have a great day! I'm off to a first communion mass and party!

Stamps: Butterfly Kisses & Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink)
Card Stock: Basic Gray & Whisper White (SU)
Patterned Paper: 6x6 Paper Collection (Papertrey Ink- Everyday Blessings)
Accessories: Versamark, SU Pastels, Yellow Satin Ribbon (Offray)

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TECC#14

Happy Saturday! We've had a dreary weekend, so I thought I would get an early start on this weekend's challenges. I'm starting off with Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #14. You can see Taylor's site by clicking here and you can also see her card and sketch. Taylor always uses cupcakes (hence the title of the challenge) but they are completely optional. On my card, I used the butterfly outline stamp from my Butterfly Kisses stamp set from Papertrey. I included a close-up (below) so you can see how the butterflies are 3-D. Hopefully the weather will clear up and I can get some flowers planted this afternoon. I'll keep you updated! Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Butterfly Kisses & Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink)
Card Stock: Buckaroo Blue & Tempting Turquoise (SU)
Designer Paper: Back to Basics (Bo Bunny) uses both sides
Ink: Real Red & Tempting Turquoise (SU)
Accessories: Navy Blue Grosgrain Ribbon (Offray), Silver Brads, Oval Tag (?), Foam Tape

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LSC166

Here's a card I made for today's Limited Supply Challenge (LSC166) at SCS. The challenge was to use circle punches as your only tool. I don't have any circle punches, so I thought I would just use a bunch of circle stamps. They look like they could be punches, right? I think this card looks just okay. I love the circles on the bottom, but I think the overall look is a little too busy. Live and learn I guess. Anyway, have a great weekend!

Stamps: Butterfly Kisses & Mixed Messages (Papertrey)
Cardstock: Whisper White (SU)
Designer Paper: Modern Milan Paper Stack (Me & My Big Ideas)
Ink: Green Galore, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise (SU)
Accessories: Blue Sheer Ribbon (Offray), Silver Brad, Thank You Charm (Modern Romance)

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My new stamps are here!!!!

Yeah! My Papertrey Ink order came in the mail today. I logged on this morning to see what the SCS challenge was and just couldn't get motivated to do it (even though it was a fun one). Then, my mail came and included my 2 new Papertrey Ink stamp sets and a 6x6 pack of paper. I have got to tell you that Papertrey Ink is awesome in every way. They have thought of everything! From the packaging to instructions to storage. The packaging was so pretty, I almost didn't want to open it (almost!). Oh, another thing! My order came super fast and then I realized that the company is based in Cincinnati! I feel great supporting a local company, especially one as great as this.

On to my card! This card uses my new Butterfly Kisses stamp set from Papertrey. The WT164 challenge was to use ruffles or pleats on your card. I pulled the thread on one end of my ribbon to create the ruffled, pleated effect. It is glued down with snail adhesive. Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Butterfly Kisses (Papertrey Ink)
Cardstock: More Mustard (SU), Old Olive (SU)
Designer Paper: American Crafts (Play series)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU)
Accessories: Light Brown Stitched Ribbon (Dashes, Dots, and Checks), dimensionals

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