rusty stars and dust bunnies

2009-03-27T20:14:00.001-04:00

i've decided to go back to typepad!
so you can now find me HERE.

2009-03-25T09:23:00.002-04:00

so, today is my birthday. yay! lol not really. well, atleast not so far. my daughter reagan has apparently contracted the stomach flu and started vomiting last night. so i spent most of the night laying on her floor, jumping at every sound. as soon as i'd start to drift off, she'd be sick again. it really was not pleasant. fortunately, i was able to laydown in my bed and catch a couple hours of sleep, when things slowed down.
soooo, hopefully the afternoon will be a bit better, my husband has agreed to wake up early (this afternoon....he's on the midnight shift this week) and let me slip out and meet up with my bestie bizz Jen for some scrappy shopping! woot! i am really looking forward to that.
i hope everyone has a great day!

sketch 82

2009-03-24T17:15:00.001-04:00

is up at Sketch This!

here's what i did with the sketch...

new and improved scrap space!

2009-03-20T16:55:00.004-04:00

my ever-so-lovely husband took me to IKEA yesterday and got me this fabulous Expedit bookshelf and desk. and i also snagged another desk for my typewriter and sewing machine. I am soo set! all my carts are tucked away under the desks. i feel so organized! heee!

i have lots of jars, this particular cubby has my buttons, my jar of vintage goodies, and my wood mounted alpha stamps.
my paper and cardstock are in these drawers...

i got these ITSO drawers from Target today, they fit just a bit snug, but they are perfect for my punches and i have another for all my tape and adhesives...

i snagged this little floral fabric covered box from target for $4 on clearance the other day! i have a few tools stashed away inside...

Thanks for stopping by! i do have some scrappy stuff to share with you. so stop back for more! have a great weekend!

Galblog...

2009-03-13T10:56:00.002-04:00

I posted a tutorial on the Galblog this morning!
See how I made this cute little card...

Inspired by Amelie Challenge #11!

2009-03-11T10:07:00.003-04:00

the Inspired by Amelie challenge blog has a new challenge posted, with a great prize! go check it out!!

i stepped out of my box on this layout for the challenge. i like the way it turned out though.
I cut the window and the word "morning" out of an Anthropologie catalog and used a ton of my Hambly scraps on it.
thanks for stopping by!

New sketch!!

2009-03-10T16:17:00.001-04:00

Sketch This! has a new sketch posted!!! i loved using it to make this layout....

Birthday Celebration!

2009-03-08T10:38:00.003-04:00

not mine...yet, thats later this month! BUT the Inspired by Amelie blog is celebrating its first birthday!! Join us! We have a great sponsor, with a VERY GENEROUS prize!! Check it out!

sketch #80

2009-03-05T17:16:00.003-05:00

has been posted at Sketch This!

here is my layout...

2009-02-25T17:12:00.002-05:00

okay, so i know i already blogged today, but i HAVE to share my new lovely with you! it came in the mail today!
its a (working) toy typewriter from the 1950's!
how freakin cool is that?!
i am IN LOVE! it's in near perfect condition! i can't want to get my big ikea expedit desk so i can display it!!

later gators!

lots to share!

2009-02-25T13:00:00.004-05:00

ok, i have been a bit of a blog slacker. BUT, I have been busy making pretty stuff!
This past weekend, there was a blow out crop at ScrapGal!

These are the layouts i did for some of the challenges...

and this is was for the Metamorphosis Challenge...

and this was posted on the GalBlog today...

and this is for the Sketch This! sketch #79...

phew! that was a marathon post...well, for me anyways. thanks for stopping by!

2009-02-24T10:55:00.002-05:00

my little girl is turning 6 today!
Happy Birthday Reagan!

new sketch and an upcoming crop!

2009-02-17T20:53:00.002-05:00

the latest sketch is posted at sketch this!!

here's my layout

and you really MUST head over to ScrapGal!! we are having a crop this weekend! there will be lots of great challenges, games and chats in the chatroom. and TONS of prizes!!! Check this thread for details and this forum for the prize peeks!!
OH! and lots and lots of new stuff has been uploaded to the store! and even more on its way! new stuff is being uploaded everyday!!!

thanks for stopping by! i hope to see you at the crop this weekend!

2009-02-17T11:50:00.003-05:00

the following is a conversation i had with this little monkey this morning...

me: Piper, what comes after 13?

Piper: mom! I am not counting a lot!
I will get all sweaty and then I can't watch Magic of Pegasus!

i hope you got a little giggle out of that. i sure did.
have a great day!

Inspired by Amelie

2009-02-12T10:42:00.002-05:00

I am now a part of the Inspired by Amelie blog team! I am so excited! There are lots of new faces on the team, and the new challenge has been posted. Check it out!!!

This layout was created at Scrapblog.com.

Thanks for stopping by!!

a few nibblets

2009-02-11T21:34:00.004-05:00

here is one i did for a impromptu crop at ScrapGal during CHA week...

it is a lift of a layout created by Tina Aszmus. i used my Cricut to cut out all the butterflies.

and these are my Feb. DT work for ScrapGal...

Teresa Collins pp, Jenni Bowlin bingo card, Amy Butler overlay, Cosmo Cricket rub-ons and some paper hearts from Target.

These cards were made with Amy Butler pps, fabric, die-cuts, and overlay.

there is no sketch this week, but next week... be ready!

2009-02-05T09:40:00.003-05:00

here are a couple layouts i've done recently...

the first one is from a photo swap at scrapgal. my swap partner was Heather Blanarik. these pics are of her nephew.

and this is for a round robin lift challenge at scrapgal. i had to lift Kelly Feldmans "mom time" lo.

i have been a bit of a slacker with my blogging, so i plan on updating often to catch up. so, please stop back soon!

sketch 77 is up!!!

2009-02-03T13:45:00.002-05:00

the latest sketch is up at Sketch This!

Here's my take on the sketch!

i love this pic of my daughter jammin out with her ipod.
thanks for stopping by, and come back soon, i have more to share with you this week.

sketch 76!

2009-01-26T17:17:00.002-05:00

sketch this! is up and running again! stop by and check out the new sketch!

here's what i came up with:

CHA fun!

2009-01-24T18:14:00.002-05:00

well, as you know this weekend kicks off CHA! we have some fun stuff going on at ScrapGal for the festivities.
and i posted on the GalBlog today too!

just a lil sumpthin'

2009-01-23T09:36:00.003-05:00

inspired by the fabulous Dina Wakely.
thanks for stopping by!

a lil diddy...

2009-01-19T20:06:00.001-05:00

about me an chez....

it's the only thing i accomplished while she was here on Saturday.

big fat mini

2009-01-16T08:29:00.005-05:00

last year i started this mini to record the year. i didn't want to wait til the end of the year and forget many of the things we did, so i started this with the intention that i would do a page a week in it..... that really didn't happen...LOL but i am thankful for that in a way. 52 pages in this thing would have been insane!! i finished it up last night, it totals 30 of those giant Heidi Swapp playing cards... oh.my.crap. it's HUGE!

here are a few of my favorite pages...

Thanks for stopping by!

check out....

2009-01-15T00:10:00.004-05:00

the new contest at ScrapGal!!

here are a few Valentine's Day cards I've made recently...

i just wanted to share

2009-01-14T12:40:00.006-05:00

some better pics of the house i made...

(copied and pasted from the GalBlog)
I used one of those super cute and tiny chipboard houses, bird, and a tree by Maya Road; patterned papers by Cloud 9, Heidi Grace, K & Co.; dimensional stickers by K & Co.; and some stickles.

I decorated the house, and then attached it to a base made of a scrap of cardboard and covered with paper(to look like grass). After altering the tree and bird to match, I punched holes in the base to allow them to pushed down into the base for stability. I also, punched a hole in the roof just big enough to slide the wired hearts down in and secured from the inside. The chimney is a rolled up scrap of pp(rolled around the wired hearts and stuffed with some poly-fil).

I had so much fun with all the details on this project... there are flowers, and fringed "grass" all around the house and tree... little bugs... a "sugary" coating of Stickles on the roof and windows...mini pom-pom trim around the roof...
It took a while to complete, but I think it was worth it!

take a look

2009-01-10T00:33:00.002-05:00

over at the Gal Blog! a little project i have been working on is posted over there! i think it's just adorable! heehee. but i guess i am a bit partial...

just some stuff

2009-01-07T20:43:00.004-05:00

i've made recently..

this one is based on a Page Maps sketch...

.
these two are my January DT work for ScrapGal.

you need to stop by ScrapGal.com!!! It has a brand new look!

i have some exciting news!!!

2009-01-03T17:00:00.002-05:00

you have to go HERE to see....
i am sooooooooooo excited!!!
woot!

2009-01-03T10:13:00.001-05:00

i am doing a lil shopping and scrapping with Chez today! i can't wait! woot!

happy weekend everyone!

some more faves from this year

2008-12-30T10:04:00.006-05:00

while looking for my fave layouts from the year i realized how many other projects i have made this year.
here are my fave projects of 2008....

okay, i don't know how i missed my VERY fave lo from this year, but here it is....

my fave los from 2008

2008-12-29T23:03:00.007-05:00

ok, so i was trying to pick my top 10 fave los from 2008.....

i ended up with 13....

oh well.
here they are in no particular order....

thanks for stopping by! Happy New Year!

merry merry

2008-12-24T09:46:00.002-05:00

the kids opened their Christmas jammies this morning, and we are getting ready to head off to my Grandfather's house for lots of food and gift exchange. Tomorrow is very busy with lots of paper flying... we make a big breakfast for the in-laws, and then me make a big dinner for my parents.... it's exhausting, but worth it.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

cuteness...

2008-12-22T14:57:00.002-05:00

A sketch was posted on the Pagemaps.com blog a week or so ago. When I saw it the other night, I was immediately inspired to make this....

and the card I made for the 12 Days of Christmas (pictured in the post below) was based on the same sketch. I will be making more of these in the future!

Supplies I used for this card are:
kraft paper-Bazzill
patterned paper-BasicGrey
ribbon-Offray
border punch-Fiskars
stamp-Purple Onion Designs
BasicGrey notch and die tool
pop dots-All Night Media

thanks for stopping by!

last day...

2008-12-22T08:55:00.002-05:00

of the 12 Days of Christmas at ScrapGal! I just posted the last project...

you can find all the details about the contest and instructions on how to make this project HERE.

2008-12-20T09:39:00.002-05:00

don't forget to stop by Scrap Gal for the 12 Days of Christmas Contest!

the 4th annual cookie swap

2008-12-14T15:34:00.005-05:00

at the starner house was a hit! we had so much fun! Jen and that guy she's married to, i can't remember his name right now.... the Jones' and the Fisher's and friends came. we ate a TON of good food and baked goods, drank a lot of Southern Comfort punch and stuff, and played games, it was aweosme!

12 days of Christmas!

2008-12-10T11:12:00.003-05:00

The 12 Days of Christmas Contest @ ScrapGal.com starts today!!!
Come play along! There are tons of chances for points and a great prize!

some Christmas projects to share! FINALLY!

2008-12-09T09:36:00.003-05:00

okay, so i have been waiting like FOREVER to be able to share some of the stuff i have been working on. These are only a couple things, but don't worry! i have a ton more to share!

so, these two layouts some DT things i did for ScrapGal....

and this is for my last challenge at Category Stories... :( so sad, but i just need to scale back on my
scrappy responsibilities, it's just not working out well for me at the moment.
But, Category Stories is having a DT search! if you want to be part of a great team get over there and check it out!

my final submissions for the Project Catwalk contest were mailed out last week! WHEW! this has been a long, challenging contest! I have had so much fun with it. I made a lot of things that i love and probably wouldn't have ever made if not for the challenges JJ gave us. so, now it's just waiting to see who the winner is!!!!
the waiting is KILLER! for real.

now, i'm off to clean my house!
Have a great day!

CROP!!!

2008-12-05T18:39:00.002-05:00

Come join us at ScrapGal.com we are having a crop this weekend!!! lots of games, and challenges! there are even prizes!!

sorry for the lack of blogging as of late...

2008-12-04T14:05:00.005-05:00

yeah i have been a total blog slacker. sorry. Sketch this is taking a break until the holidays are over, and i have been busy getting ready for the crop this weekend at Scrapgal.com. lots of inspo and games! you should stop by! and we are also doing a 12 days of Christmas at Scrapgal. (the button is in the sidebar) AND i have been the most busy with the last challenge of the Project Catwalk contest at SIS. i mailed my projects off on Tuesday. i am a total mess over that too. ugh!

yesterday i spent a good part of the day making coffee sleeves! here are some of the ones i made yesterday. you can find them in my etsy store.

tomorrow night is the kick off of the crop at Scrapgal and i am spending it scrapping with my bizzos at Chez's house! woot! i can't wait!

thankful

2008-11-27T09:21:00.003-05:00

I am sooo very thankful for all that I have. very, very.
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving, safe travels and lots to be thankful for.
I am headed to my grandfather's house today with the kids for LOTS of grub! I can't wait!

2008-11-24T09:48:00.002-05:00

Gosh, I have been soo busy! And I am sad to say that I can't share any of the things I have been making! :( and I can tell you that I have been in overdrive for sure!
the final challenge for Project Catwalk is killer! 3 projects with tutorials! so i have been working on that, making more coffee sleeves, and this...

You have to stop by ScrapGal.com in December! We have sooo many great things planned! seriously! You will be in creative overload!

Happy Monday everyone!

new stuff in my etsy!

2008-11-20T11:30:00.001-05:00

i added a few coffee sleeves to my etsy store! i have some fun new fabric coming, so i will be posting more sleeves soon! and i am working on a couple other things too. fun, fun!

drumroll please...

2008-11-19T10:12:00.003-05:00

and the RAK winner is....

angelaspangela!! Congrats!!!
make sure i get your address!

thanks to everyone who stopped by and left some love!

coffee sleeves...and a RAK!

2008-11-17T08:55:00.005-05:00

i spent a good part of the day yesterday making these...

i made about a dozen of them. many have two patterns (one in the outside and one on the inside).
i am going to keep some for gifts but the rest will probably go in my etsy.
what do you think?
leave me a comment, telling me what you think (CC is welcome) and i will draw a winner on Wednesday.

feeling creative...

2008-11-16T12:55:00.003-05:00

lately, i have been working very hard on some Christmas projects for the festivities at ScrapGal.com next month. so, stay tuned for more info on that.

i have a couple things in the works for my etsy store (and gifts too, i can't wait to share those!

and i am very excited to say that my "collection" projects made it to the top 5 in the Project Catwalk contest at SISTV!!!!!! i am so stoked!!! and my girl Chez made it through too!!! woot!
i can't wait for the last challenge!

i hope everyone's weekend is going well!

peace out!

sketch #74

2008-11-12T12:13:00.004-05:00

its up at Sketch This!

here's my lo:

thanks for stopping by!
i have more to share. so please come back soon!

2008-11-08T18:41:00.005-05:00

so, when JJ posted the challenge for the top ten contestants last week, i nearly pooped myself.
for real. we were challenged to make 5 co-ordinating projects (a collection of sorts) and present to make sure they were presented well...

*insert poop here*

okay, so here is my "collection" for the Project Catwalk Top Ten Challenge

1. a 24x12" canvas. I painted layers of Gesso, grey, and brown on the backround, then covered chipboard cards and tree tops with various patterned papers, then the tree trunks were inked and embossed with a woodgrain pattern.

2. an owl I freehand cut/punched from various patterned papers, attached a dowel to the back of it and stood it up in a small tin, that i altered and filled with shredded scraps of patterned paper, a couple silk leaves and faux thistles.

3. a layout titled "Fall Harvest".

4. a mini book I made using scraps of patterned paper from the other projects, children and dogs die-cuts from BasicGrey, machine stitching, a few various tags,vintage wood grain DYMO tape, staples, and kraft paper as the base. Through out the book is pictures I have taken of the changing leaves and the lyrics to a song my daughter learned in pre-school this year, titled "Leaves are falling."
"leaves are falling, leaves are falling, one fell on my nose. leaves are falling, leaves are falling, one fell on my toes. leaves are falling, leaves are falling, one fell on my head. leaves are falling, leaves are falling, yellow, orange and red."

5. a card I made using kraft paper, a scrap of patterned paper, and a chipboard tree (using the same technique as the canvas), a little machine stitched frame to finish it off.

the top 5 haven't been announced yet. I think JJ is getting a kick out of watching us squirm.
wish me luck!

it's been awhile

2008-11-05T16:39:00.003-05:00

i am sorry for the lack of blogging lately. it's been a bit crazy around here. the whole lot of us have been sick with a nasty cold. ick! and last week was a busy one with my anniversary, halloween, and other fun stuff.

here's my card for the Category Stories challenge...

i have been very busy creating this week. The top ten challenge at SISTV for the Project Catwalk contest was a doozy! we had to create a collection of co-ordinating projects. i am done and my entry has been submitted. whew! i love how everything turned out, i can't wait to share my collection with you!

have a happy hump day!

sketch #73

2008-10-28T09:32:00.003-04:00

the new sketch is up at Sketch This!
here's my take on it....

thanks for stopping by!

2008-10-26T20:33:00.003-04:00

My Thank You card using the Purple Onion Designs noteblock stamp is posted on the Purple Onion Blog! The other cards, layouts, and projects are amazing!

i stitched the backround paper and a transparecy to the front of the card to make a pocket, so that the stamped "bookmark" can be slipped in. i added a sticker and paper clip, keeping it simple.

Thanks for stopping by!

more catch up!

2008-10-25T08:41:00.003-04:00

i hope everyone is having a great weekend! we're all sick here at the Starner house...ICK!
this is just a quick post with some scrappy stuff.

here's the monogram ATCs that i did for a swap at SISTV. ..(it's hard to see, but if you look closely you can see the image that i embossed on the cards)

some pics from my daughter's field trip. She had so much fun running through the straw maze.

My daughter Reagan getting on the bus the first day of school...

and this one is of pics from a hike my husband and i took a couple weeks ago. it was so beautiful out that day.
thanks for stopping by!

hella cards!

2008-10-22T08:38:00.002-04:00

i was in a card making mood last night....

halloween cards using: KI Memories papers, $1 stamps from Target, AC Moore, and Imaginice, CI spider web transparency, paper, and chipboard, and some scraps of cardstock i had on hand...

birthday card using: Stamped In Ink pennant stamp, cardstock, and a Thickers asterisk, and $1 studio G stamp from Michaels...

home card using: Inkadinkadoo, Studio G, and A muse stamps...

this birthday card was made using: CI, and KI Memories papers, Offray ribbon and some kraft paper...

thanks for stopping by!

sketch #72

2008-10-21T16:47:00.003-04:00

the latest sketch is up! Go to Sketch This! and check it out!
i hope you play along!!!

we were taking "the long way" back from my grandfather's house one afternoon and passed by these cows on the side of the road. i made mike turn around and go back so i could get some pictures. they were all lined up against the fence. so cute!

thanks for stopping by!

got some catchin' uppin' to do..

2008-10-19T19:35:00.004-04:00

okay, i really need to read more adult-like books. LOL! the title of this post is a Tigger quote from one of my daughters' Pooh books....

anyway, i thought instead of boring you with more pictures of my children, picking pumpkins and such i will catch you up on some of the projects i have been doing lately.

like these two los using Cosmo Cricket's Mr. Campy. it's the perfect collection for the pics from our hike...

and here's my week 11/ week 1 of the finals of the SISTV Project Catwalk contest:

and here's a couple pics of some shopping books i made for myself. each of the pages are covered with transparencies so that i can use write/erase markers on it. now, i don't have to keep using up paper to make lists for the store.

and this was for the Chezjack at Scrapjacked. i thought it was only fitting to use a pic of "The Chez"...

and one more lo of the pics i took on my daughter's field trip a week or so ago...

i hope everyone had a great weekend! and thanks for stopping by!

2008-10-15T08:56:00.003-04:00

well, i didn't make the cut for the Purple Onion Designs DT, but here are a few of the projects i submitted for the call...

Congrats to all the ladies chosen!!
now, i'm off to do some cleaning...ick!
thanks for stopping by!!
have a happy wednesday!

a new sketch and a hike

2008-10-14T16:47:00.003-04:00

the new sketch is up at Sketch This!

here's my take on it....

my husband had the day off again and we shuffled the kids off to school and headed for the mountains again! woohoo!
i took a bunch of pics! the colors and the weather are just beautiful. and the smell of the leaves....
i wish i could bottle that up! i love it!

thanks for stopping by! and i hope you have a great day!

fall field trip day!!

2008-10-09T18:14:00.005-04:00

Today, was Piper's first Preschool field trip. we went to a local farm for a little education about all the fun fall harvest by the super funny "Farmer Stan". we had a great time!
Here are a few pics from our morning:

sketch #70

2008-10-08T11:09:00.003-04:00

the new sketch is up at Sketch This!

here's my take on it:

i can't seem to get enough of the new Sassafras Lass lately!!! so super sweet and yummy!

Thanks for stopping by!

daytime date!

2008-10-07T15:53:00.003-04:00

after the kids all went to school this morning, my husband and i packed our lunches and headed to the mountains! we took a 1 mile hike to wolf rock in the Catoctin Mountain Park. after we came back down, we had lunch and headed back home. it was really nice to have some "us" time. the weather was perfect, and even the drive there was beautiful.

here are a few pics...

the last one cracks me up!!! i couldn't resist that Kodak moment! LOL!!

happy tuesday!!

fun weekend!

2008-10-06T21:58:00.003-04:00

friday night, i took the trek to Jen's house and scrapped for a few hours. i was able to get 3 layouts done!! woot!! we had so much fun!

i spent saturday, running errands and doing yard work with my hubs. (we have been working on the front yard for about a week now.) we dug up all the plants in the front of the house. the flowers, we transplanted and the shrubs were trashed. then we mulched everything. we now have to buy some plants to fill the beds back in. it's pretty bare, but it makes me so happy that this project is finally underway. we have been living in this house for 4 years now, and the landscaping has been terribly neglected. but, you can't tell now! woohoo!!

and sunday, we packed a picnic lunch and took the kids to the local center for lunch and some time wandering in the woods. so much fun! i took the camera, but the battery died after just one pic!!! can you believe it?!

tomorrow, the kids are all off to school and the hubs and i are off to the mountains for a picnic and a hike (hopefully). the camera has a fresh battery. i just have to remember to take it.
i am hoping to have a ton of beautiful pics to share!

have a great day! and thanks for stopping by!

New challenge up!

2008-10-01T09:31:00.002-04:00

There's a new (and exciting) challenge posted at Category Stories!! We teamed up with the Gutter Girlz! You will have to stop by them both for all the details. But, here is what I did with the Gutter Girlz challenge:

thanks for stopping by!

new sketch!!

2008-09-29T18:09:00.005-04:00

sketch #69 is up at Sketch This!

here's my take on it:

thanks for stopping by!!

2008-09-29T17:46:00.001-04:00

new season, new ventures, new blog.

8 of 50

2008-09-26T19:57:00.002-04:00

lo number 8 of 50 for my stash diet!

thanks for stopping by!
have a great weekend!

scrapping just for fun??

2008-09-24T09:06:00.003-04:00

who would have thunk?
here are a couple los i've done the last few days...

these two make 7/50 for the stash diet. ( i actually have quite a few other projects that would raise my total, but i won't count them until i can share them)

thanks for stopping by! have a happy hump day!

its tuesday!

2008-09-23T15:05:00.003-04:00

that means its time for another sketch at Sketch This!

sketch #68 is up!

here's what i made with it...

thanks for stopping by!!
see you soon!

scrappy catch up

2008-09-22T08:47:00.002-04:00

i really hate waiting to share. but, it looks like i will be waiting awhile before i can share my Purple Onion stuff.
but, in the meantime, i can share some other things i have been working on lately...

a cute lil teacher's card using some sassafras lass, scenic route and CI stuff

my week 9 project for Project Catwalk.
i sewed a piece of t-shirt fabric to a piece of chipboard, and pinned one of my husband's race bibs to it for the backround...

journaling:

and my week 10 project for Project Catwalk. we had to lift a previous project by another contestant. i chose to lift one by SallyHanna...

thanks for stopping by!! tomorrow is tuesday, so i will be sharing a layout for the new sketch (to be posted)!!
have a great day!

just some pics...

2008-09-17T22:57:00.004-04:00

i have been working hard on my projects for the Purple Onion Design call, so i don't have anything to share just yet...

but, i wanted to share some cool sky pics i have taken in the last week or so...

thanks for stopping by!!

new sketch!!

2008-09-16T09:48:00.004-04:00

sketch #67 is up!!!

Sketch This!

i hope you stop by and play along!

here's what i did with the sketch!

i used:
new BasicGrey and SassafrasLass pps
Purple Onion Designs and Inkadinkadoo stamps
heidi swapp
queen & co
making memories
tag from Etsy shop MayThird
and some Martha Stewart!

thanks for stopping by!!

stash diet!!!!

2008-09-14T22:11:00.004-04:00

*gasp!* can you believe that i have agreed to NOT shop for scrapbook supplies until i have completed 50 projects??? i can't! what the hell was i thinking???!!!!
but i did. and i am already at 3 of 50!! woot!!!

if you want to play along, or just check out what i am talking about, you can find it here.

a few quick birthday cards:

a lo i made with Mr. Campy and the new SassafrasLass!
i love these pics of my kids in a photo booth, while we were on vacation this summer.

and an old pic of my daughter at my niece's birthday party and some more of the new Sass..

i hope everyone had a great weekend!! i have more to share, so stop back tomorrow.
peace out!

2008-09-12T08:56:00.003-04:00

Scrapmojo has a fun challenge posted. you have to use plastic and a bumper sticker slogan on it. here's what i came up with...

this is my BFF Kelly, when she and her family came to visit this summer. i couldn't resist scrapping these pics and the challenge was the perfect opportunity.
i used SISTV, Imagination Project, and BasicGrey papers, vintage ledger paper, Jenni Bowlin labels, 7 gypsies rubons, American Crafts Thickers, a file folder clip thingy, and Making Memories brackets.

thanks for stopping by!

just a quick post!

2008-09-11T13:22:00.002-04:00

i applied a couple weeks ago for the Purple Onion Designs Creative Team. And today, Michelle announced that I am one of the early finalists!!! I am sooooooooooo excited!! If you are interested in submitting for this, you still have time! Follow the link to the blog and there, you will find the link to the call.

CONGRATS to the other ladies!!!!
and GOOD LUCK to everyone else who submitted!!!

thanks for stopping by!!

new do!!

2008-09-10T20:38:00.004-04:00

yesterday i treated myself to a new haircut!!!

whatcha think??

my sweet husband says its a bit "molly ringwald" heehee
thanks for stopping by!

Project Catwalk Catch up!

2008-09-09T09:00:00.006-04:00

okay, so it's been pretty busy around here since school started, and i got a bit behind on my blogging. I wanted to take a moment and catch up on my Project Catwalk entries.

this first one is my submission for week 7 and it was picked as a winner!!!! I am still in shock!!
the challenge was to use texture in a unique way. I took a die cut piece of chipboard and painted and embossed the heck out of it over and over again. using the heat gun on the paint causes it to bubble and crack, giving it a rough texture. the opposite of the smooth texture you get when you use ink to emboss. i also used other textures such as felt, and corrugated cardboard in different spots through the page.

and this is my entry for week 8 in the Project Catwalk contest. JJ challenged us to make something that would fit into the aesthetic of the website as well as appeal to her taste.
and this is what i came up with...

his is an 11x14" flat panel canvas. I first covered the canvas with Gesso, and a mix of embossing powders, then heated it with a heat gun until the paint bubbled in spots (creating a rough texture, and a little bit of sparkle to the base) I then painted the teal on (masking with a piece of punchinella), covering the whole canvas. I then stamped (using a paper towel tube) circles and dry brushed all around the edge of the canvas in black paint. Adding the Hambly rubons on top.
the rest I will go by layer... cardboard, Bazzill Bling "Diamond", SISTV stars gaffer tape, Bazzill border, Imagination Project pp, Hambly teal circles and black frame transparencies, Jenni Bowlin die cut pp, Imagination Project silhouette, and a SISTV sticker from one of my orders.

and part of our challenge was to write to JJ the inspiration and the reasons behind the project. and this is what i wrote to her:

I put quite a lot of thought to this through out the day. While I was on my 3 mile trek through the Brazilian Rainforest.... ok... my neighborhood. (I wanted it to sound a bit more adventurous). I thought heavily about the community that you have established. I cannot fully express how much I appreciate being able to connect to so many talented, supportive, and caring people, and how much I am inspired by SISTV and it's members. I am inspired on a daily basis, not just artistically, but spiritually as well. This strong supportive group of women never ceases to amaze me with their kindness, sincerity and generosity. I chose to make a mixed media painting to represent SISTV because the members come from all walks of life, races, religions, and creeds and they all express their art in different ways. Yet, they all seem to compliment each other so well. I tried to represent that in all the different layers and textures in this painting.

My design inspiration came from the design of the website... the colors, the use of circles, and silhouettes.

i am amazed by all the entries for this challenge! We all did something completely different from the next person.

if you made it through all that blabbering... thanks!!! and if you didn't..... i don't blame you! lol
Have a great day!!!

sketch #66!!!

2008-09-09T08:52:00.006-04:00

the latest sketch is up!!! check it out at Sketch This!

this is my take on it! i hope you play along!

can i just say that I LOVE MR. CAMPY!!!! it is the cutest woodsey/camping collection i have ever seen!

i used Mr. Campy by Cosmo Cricket papers, KI Memories and American Crafts Thickers alphas, and some vintage DYMO tape (woodgrainn).
the pic is of my friend's daughter, i aged the photo in Photo Scape.

Thanks for stopping by!!!

first day of school layouts!

2008-09-09T08:23:00.004-04:00

i used some of the new Scenic Route for these back to school layouts.....

Thanks for stopping by!!! A new sketch and some Project Catwalk stuff coming soon!

my baby started school!!!

2008-09-03T16:46:00.004-04:00

Piper's first day of Preschool was yesterday! :( She goes twice a week for a few hours in the morning. I didn't cry, but it was hard sending off my youngest to school. Next year, all my kids will be gone all day...

She was so excited! When we got there, and she saw all the parents and kids, she was a little apprehensive, but she warmed up fairly quickly. And I fully expected an all out fit when I left, but she was fine. And when I came to pick her up, she was happy and said she had a great time.

Although, the house is eerily quiet for those few hours, I am thankful for the break.

Thanks for stopping by!
See you soon!

sketch up!!!!

2008-09-02T16:51:00.003-04:00

check out the new sketch!!

Sketch This!

i love these pics of me and Da Chez!!

thanks for stopping by!!!

check ya later!

happy birthday Category Stories!!!

2008-09-01T22:05:00.002-04:00

it's the one year anniversary of Category Stories!!!!

big challenge!!
4 GREAT sponsors!!!
that means 4 winners!!!
check it out and play along!!!!

i am scrappin ALL day today!!

2008-08-30T09:24:00.004-04:00

woohoo!!!

ScrapGal.com is having an online crop today!! Come play along!

here's a funny lil card i made for the Random Chaos challenge this week!

front

inside
thanks for stopping by!! i hope you have a great Labor Day weekend!!

catchin up

2008-08-28T15:46:00.004-04:00

on a couple layouts i forgot to share.....

this is a 2 pager i did with the pics i took of my husbands new bike...

and this one i made for the week 6 challenge in the Project Runway contest at SISTV

i am so excited that i was picked as one of the 4 winners!!!

P.S. i don't know why the above text is underlined and i can't get it to go away! LOL!

i hope you have a great day!

first day of school and a new sketch!

2008-08-27T13:35:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, was Reagan's first day of Kindergarten. It broke my heart sending her off on the bus for a full day of school this year. She did well though, she came home happy. Her teacher even called and said she had a good day.
Piper is not happy being separated from her all day, and quite frankly, neither am I. I miss her. :(
But, Piper starts Pre-K next Tuesday, so she will be gone for two mornings a week too. What am I going to do with myself?! Its exciting and makes me sad all at the same time.

ok, enough of my pity party!
the new sketch is up at Sketch This!
here's how i used it...

i have some other things to catch you up on here, so i will be back tomorrow!
peace out!

Purple Onion Designs stamps ROCK!!!

2008-08-26T10:30:00.007-04:00

Michelle at Purple Onion Designs is having a Design Team call and I couldn't even express how happy I would be given the opportunity to work for her.
She is asking to see some stamped work. Here are some things I did recently...

a teacher card using K&Co. pp, SassafrasLass alpha stickers, Stamped in Ink stamp(school paper), and a Purple Onion Designs "thanks" stamp

a birthday card using American Crafts Thickers, Purple Onion Designs stamp(numbers), Scenic Route pp(hat), and Stamped in Ink stamp (pennant)

"hang in there" card using Cosmo Cricket and SassafrasLass pps, and Purple Onion Designs stamps

"i love you" layout using Cosmo Cricket, SassafrasLass, and Making Memories pps, masking tape, Making Memories brads, and Maya Road chipboard people, and Purple Onion Designs "i love ____" stamp

close up of the sparkly people

"happiness is" layout using Scenic Route and SassafrasLass pps, Creative Cafe stamp(journaling flower) and Purple Onion Designs "happiness is____" stamp

it reads: happiness is sharing a quiet moment with your best friend.

close up of the popped out flower centers

and lastly an ATC set i made using Purple Onion Designs stamps, wood grain contact paper, and Bo Bunny and Basic Grey pps.
i embossed all the trees, leaves and flowers.
(you can find these in the Purple Onion Designs gallery)
Thanks for stopping by!

this one's for my homie...

2008-08-23T01:41:00.003-04:00

ETA: i just wanted to explain my demented blinkie here.
Jen came over last night and we talked A LOT and scrapped a little (LOL), drank a few Mike's and (sort of) watched Juno. it was soooo much fun.
after she left, i reviewed the pics we took. when i saw these two pics i spent a good 15minutes flipping back and forth laughing til i cried. my husband was looking at me as if i had lost my mind LOL!
so, anyways, in my half lit mind, this would make a HILARIOUS blinkie....
a few minutes in photoshop... and voila!
i am still laughing about it this morning!

have a great weekend!

awards???

2008-08-20T19:52:00.004-04:00

you like me! you really, really like me!

okay, yeah. i am sooo cheesy. but, it's fun to hamm it up once in awhile....okay....i {always} hamm it up.

recently, i have received some praise from a couple of super hot, super awesome bloggers...

Da Chez awarded me this one a few weeks ago (sorry, Jen!)...

and the fabulous Renee Lamb awarded me this one this morning.....

so, here are a few blogs that i find inspiring and i think you would too...

Amy Tan
Heather Fuentes
Stacey Fike
Shelly Brewer
Michelle Alynn
Martha Bonneau
Linda Phinner
Deah
Judean
Kristina K

another sketch!

2008-08-19T09:45:00.004-04:00

the new sketch is up at Sketch This!

here's my take on it...

i mixed a couple crazy patterns together, thrown in some American Crafts Thickers and flowers,
some fabric and velvet, a Cat's Life Press stamp, Queen and Co. stars, and the pebbles are from SISTV.

thanks for stopping by and having a gander!

Happy Birthday Pete!

2008-08-17T23:57:00.004-04:00

My youngest daughter Piper turned 4 today! happy birthday sweetie!

we had a little BBQ with family and a friend or two, lots of cupcakes and ice cream. YUM!
she made out like a bandit (as always) we are swimming in Barbies and Tinker Bells LOL!
it was a great day!

on a scrappy note, here is my week 5 entry for the Project Catwalk contest. we had to make a wall hanging using denim. i really like how this turned out and is hanging by my front door.

thanks for stopping by!

posting like crazy! i know!

2008-08-12T13:38:00.004-04:00

i just so happened to check my counter this morning to see where my readers are coming from, and one of them stopped by and left a comment from somebody from Crazy about mini albums .
i have never seen this site before, but it's very cool, and she blogged about my red, white, and blue mini book that i made for Project Catwalk. THANK YOU!

this brought a new reader my way and she asked me...

Hi Mandy,

I came across your blog (via crazy about mini-albums). It is fabulous and it is now on my RSS feed. I was looking through it and saw this gorgeous nature trail book. I would have loved to have seen more. I especially liked the 'grids' that appeared on the pages, can I ask, is this a stamp? Many thanks. Susy

and the answer to Suzy's question is.... no, that was a grid rub-on made by Creative Cafe. It comes in one of those swatch books of rub-ons. I rubbed it on messy, overlapping spots and breaking it up throughout the book.
Thanks so much for your kind words and for stopping by!

you can see the book she is referring to here.

okay, hopefully this will be my last post today! LOL!

new sketch!

2008-08-12T10:23:00.002-04:00

is up at Sketch This!

here's my lo for it...

it's very simple and and flat for me, but i like how it turned out.

oh! and don't forget to share your sunshine projects with us at Category Stories! you have til the end of the month.

thanks for stopping by!

2008-08-11T23:18:00.003-04:00

i forgot to share my week 3 entry for Project Catwalk. we had to scrap about our style as a scrapbooker, use a photo of us, and use a dress from that weeks episode of Project Runway. I used the dress by blayne. It was a black dress with bright rainbow ruffles going down one side of it.

here's what i came up with...

2008-08-10T17:25:00.005-04:00

my week 4 project catwalk mini book.
we had to use the colors red white and blue and choose words from a list. and this is what i came up with...

i painted clear plastic playing cards with Gesso, and then embossed them with clear powder for texture. then i piled on the buttons, rhinestones, rubons, stickers, foam alphas, dymo tape, vintage trims, and staples.

thanks for stopping by! i hope everyone had a great weekend!

ramblings

2008-08-06T10:37:00.004-04:00

"Aunt Jen" came to visit yesterday !! i am sooo glad she came, (despit the fact that Reagan was pretty sick)we had soooooooo much fun. my kids and even the dog love her! we worked on some swap stuff and ran our mouths and laughed at my old scrap pages....
of course i forgot to get a picture of the both of us together! i always do. but, i did snap a couple shots of her with the girls.

AND she was picked yesterday for one of the winners of Project Catwalk!! YAY congrats girl!

the new sketch is up at Sketch This!
here's my take on it...

Lady Antebellum!!!

2008-08-01T23:11:00.003-04:00

we spent the evening at our local 4-H/FFA fair tonight and we got to watch Lady Antebellum in concert!! i was sooo stoked all week! and so was Reagan! lol every morning at breakfast she would remind me how many days we had left. she is so cute! the whole concert she kept saying "mom! i have this on my ipod!" i love that.
we had sooo soooo much fun! they are coming back in Sept. i can't wait!

off to bed now, tomrrow is the big warehouse sale!(details in the post below) i have to be up early.... yuck!
i hope you have a great weekend!

new challenge....

2008-08-01T09:55:00.004-04:00

is up at Category Stories!!
we changed a few things about the challenges. so, stop by and check it out! i hope you will play along!

here's my card for the challenge...

speaking of challenges..
i have been participating in the Project Catwalk contest at SISTV
here is what i have done for the first two challenges..

you can jump in at anytime, and you still have time to do the week 3 challenge!

on another note!! tomorrow i will be up early and helping my friend KT with her warehouse sale!! if you are in the Maryland area, it would totally be worth your time to check it out!!
(click the KT link for more info!)

Happy Birthday MOM!!!

2008-07-30T10:32:00.002-04:00

i hope its a great one!!

new sketch!!

2008-07-29T22:21:00.003-04:00

is up at Sketch This!

this is a pic of my daughter Reagan and my bff's daughter Adriana. they are the same age and dispite the fact that my bff moved all the way across the country last year, these two are just as close as ever. i love that.

i tried to channel my inner Martha Bonneau on this one. i love how she matches up different colors and patterns so well.

october afternoon, SassafrasLass, Scenic Route andm Hambly papers.
thickers
vintage trim(white) i weaved a plain brown gros-grain ribbon through the trim
i used my threading water punch on some Kraft scraps for the scallops
and a Heidi Swapp clock for good measure =)

thanks for stopping by!!

Happy Birthday Kaity!!

2008-07-29T18:49:00.004-04:00

this beautiful girl turned 15 today!! can somebody get me a walker?? lol!!!

MIA

2008-07-27T20:27:00.002-04:00

i have been missing from the net a bit lately.
i started reading the Twilight books...
nuff said, right?

i am a slow reader, but i read all of Twilight in just over 8 hours. its all i have been thinking about...

as i was reading Twilight, this song came to mind, and now i can't get it out of my head

i think its the perfect theme song.

New Moon is calling my name, and has been for a few days. i just haven't had the time sit down and get started with it. Knowing that it's' there on the shelf...waiting for me.... is soooo distracting!!!

i hope everyone had a great weekend!!!

oh and Congrats Jen!!!

the wierdest part...

2008-07-24T10:12:00.004-04:00

i totally forgot to tell you the wierdest part about our "3 month" story!!
it involves the kids. if you were to look at a calendar year, each kid is 3 months apart from oldest to youngest! Reagan is the oldest and her birthday is in Feb., then Adriana is in May, then Piper is in August and Gemma (the youngest) is in November.
eerie huh?

here are a few pics from the crazy visit...

the kids:

Kelly and I:

we drank lots and lots of this:

and this:

crazy Ed:

we spent our nights playing games:
the little rascals:

we had an awesome time!

thanks for stopping by!

have a good one!