We are headed...

to this gorgeous place for a few days!!

The girls have an extra day off from school, so we thought we would head out of town and have some fun.

I found out that the Scrapbook Expo is being held in Orlando this weekend also (beginning Friday), so we thought we would make it a family affair. My hubby will keep the girls busy while I am checking out the convention.

I can't wait to see what's new and what's going on down in Mickey Mouse land. I'll keep you updated!!

Where do I begin? A bunch o' stuff...

You know, once in a while I get a little down...I start thinking about this blog and I wonder, "Does anyone really care if I post or not?" I think we all have "visions" when we start a blog, and sometimes the visions become a reality and sometimes they do not. I don't know where I'm going with all of this, I usually don't get this "philosphical" on my blog, and I don't mean to sound like a downer....just letting you know what my thoughts have been. Anyways, I understand and totally get that to become a famous blogger it requires a lot of time, a lot of skill (great photos are a huge bonus) and a lot of dedication. Some days I have it and some days I don't. Some days I want to focus on the fun stuff and some days I want to focus on the required stuff....chores, paying bills, grocery shopping, homework -- you get it. So, that is basically my "excuse" for where I have been and what I've been up to. But, in a positive light, a few weeks ago I got the sweetest e-mail from someone I admire and have admired for a long time....I've never met her, but I think she's super talented, super sweet and I deeply appreciate the fact that she reached out to me during a time when I was thinking, "does it matter?" If you've never been to Laura Craigie's blog, you MUST check it out....she's been on a roll lately and has many accomplishments attached to her sweet name. I would love to be half as talented...

Here's some of what I've been busy with lately:

This is a card I made for a friend using some scraps, SU cardstock, the Teeny Tags stamp set, scallop border punch, Fiskars edge punch, the Outlines alphabet stamp set from Papertrey Ink and a Martha Stewart butterfly punch. Can you tell that punches are my favorite tools to use?

Next up a little card I made for my sister:

This was a quick card I made using a Hero Arts bicycle stamp. (My sister gave my daughter a bike and I wanted to send a thank-you card.) The patterned paper was from my stash, but I think it's from Hobby Lobby's brand. I also used the Apron Lace border punch and the Teeny Tags stamp set.

I've also been working on a few Easter treat samples. I'm not sure what I'm going to go with yet so I just make one or two of something and then I decide.

This is a fun egg-shaped tote that is just small enough to make with one piece of 8x11 paper but big enough to fill with some fun treats. (I actually made these last year.)

This was an easy craft using a piece of cardstock and a piece of vinyl. I punched the holes using my Crop-a-Dile and then cinched it together using purple organza ribbon. I also made another version using clear vinyl on both sides and stitched it together using pink thread and my sewing machine. (Sorry the photo isn't the best quality.)

I think both of these would work much better using flat M&M's (the plain version) but for Easter, the plain version is made in an egg shape. Who would have thunk such a thing? (is thunk a word???)

And, one of my favorite Easter treats is a non-sweet treat....I shared these last year but thought I would re-post a picture:

Easter "carrots" made using Cheetos (or you could use Goldfish crackers) and piping bags from Wilton. These were a huge hit in my 2nd grade class.

And, just in case you're interested, here are a few things I've done in the last few days (things that I've actually managed to take pictures of):

I've long admired a turquoise and red necklace worn by another blogger (that I visit daily) and I've never been able to find one like it....so, yesterday I gathered the supplies and made one all by myself!! I was shocked that it took less than 15 minutes and turned out just the right length and exactly how I envisioned it.  Yahoo!!

Next up, I thought I would share a fabulous bread that we've been making lately. I got the recipe from another blog (what we would do without blogs?) and it's fantastic! In my quest to get my family on a healthier eating path this Oatmeal Bread will be making an appearance quite often at my dinner table.

That's it for now...I promise to be a better blogger, but thanks in advance for your patience and understanding! Bloggers and blog readers are the best!!

Papertrey - Color Challenge

Today's challenge on the Papertrey blog was to pick a color combo from a favorite designer and create your own project using those combinations. I loved the colors chosen by Lisa Johnson, and I had the same cardstock and ribbon to match.

The colors I chose were Pure Poppy, Kraft, Spring Rain and Vintage Cream.

I also went to my Bitty Boxes paper pad and used a Spring Rain paper from that selection.

Stamp sets I used include the Make a Wish sentiment set along with Heather's Library Ledger set which I used to create a background design.

The focal point for my card is a "Wish" bingo card from a Jenni Bowlin pack I've had in my stash for quite a while. I loved how the colors popped on the main background. I hope you liked it!!

My Favorite from 2010

One of my favorite cards from 2010 was this card made for one of Betsy Veldman's color challenges:

It uses some of my most favorite Papertrey products, including the Woodgrain impression plate and Say it with Style stamp set. It was an "out of the box" color combination for me, but I was so glad Betsy issued it. This was one of the cards that just fell together. And, I love it when that happens!

Be sure to check out Papertrey's site today....there is an amazing giveaway going on in celebration of their anniversary!! Happy Anniversary Papertrey Ink!! I can only imagine what they have in store for us this month! Whatever it is you know it's going to be awesome!

Adding a Little Chicken Wire

From the moment I saw this photo I knew I had to have one. It literally yelled out at me...."Make one just like me!!!" So last weekend, with my hubby's help, I did!! Don't know what I'm talking about?

Here's my take on Marcy Penner's fabulous wire frame:

I used what I had on hand, an old frame, chicken wire and staples. 

The first step was to remove the picture, glass and wire prongs. I found that using an old spoon worked the best for this.

Next up was to cut and staple in the chicken wire. My hubby was kind enough to tackle this and did it so quickly I didn't get any pictures. But, I'm sure you get the idea.

Here's what it looked like with the wire installed:

I wanted to use this board as a way to display the many cards I receive from friends and relatives, and I was thinking I would use small clothespins to hang up everything, until I spotted these at JoAnn's:

They were perfect and at a great price, $1.99 with 40% off!

Next up is to get the frame hung in a convenient spot. Right now it is sitting on the back of my sewing desk.

I love Marcy's studio and encourage you to check it out. It makes my heart smile everytime I look at it. Thanks Marcy!

Make a Wish - Birthday Wishes

I'm sending out some special "pre-birthday" wishes to a great friend today!! Her birthday is tomorrow....Happy Birthday Jennifer!! I hope you have a fun and fantastic day!!

The inside of the card reads: "Don't despair about the number of candles on your cake. The more candles, the bigger the wish that you can make." I love the Make a Wish stamp set from Papertrey.

By the way....your card (which is up above) will be a teensy tiny bit late.

**I forgot to mention that the layout for this card design was borrowed from Lisa Johnson's feature in this month's CARDS magazine. I loved her card on page 129.

Cutie Pie Keychain Clutch

This has to be the cutest sewing project I've ever completed....and better yet, I finished it in one afternoon, in a few hours to be exact. It's called a "Keychain Clutch" and the pattern can be purchased here.

This was my first pattern purchased through Keyka Lou Patterns and I'll have to say that I will be purchasing many more! Her patterns are very detailed and take you through a step-by-step process complete with pictures of each step. I am a visual person so the pictures help tremendously.

Here's a shot of the inside of my clutch:

The clutch is lined and also supported with a layer of interfacing. I need to do a little bit of ironing, but it's finished and I can't wait to use it.

I grabbed my organic lip balm and took this shot:

Wouldn't these make great girlfriend gifts? teacher gifts? thinking of you gifts? and what a great little treat to stick in the mailbox for someone special!

Think about making one today. Before I began, I e-mailed Michelle and told her I was a semi-newbie at the sewing machine, but honesly, I didn't have one single problem with this pattern. I also learned how to make and sew darts - a first for me.

I'm off to check out her other patterns.  Take care!