Keeping up with...

...my New Year's Resolutions from this year. Here is the post on my 2014 resolutions.

Here are the resolutions and how I fared on keeping them...

*Make-A-Card Monday post, every Monday  -Not every Monday, maybe every three? 
*Run at least 3 times, and attend 1 strength class, a week -Did well for awhile but need to keep it up more consistently  
*Join a design team (hopefully, one will want me :)) -Currently on 3 design teams and LOVE it!! 
*Take every opportunity to be a guest designer whenever it arises -I participated as a guest designer 9 TIMES!! So fun!
*Attend a monthly girls' night out -Fail
*Kill the Simon Says Stamp Monthly Card Kit by the last day of the month -Fail
*Send the cards I make to the people I make them for -Made improvement on this, it helps to state in my post who it's going to. 
*Focus and work on not getting overwhelmed (How do you eat a whale? One bite at a time.) -Still thinking this one over, I struggle with this
*Volunteer at the kids' school as often as possible but know when to say "no" too -Got pretty d@nm good at this. :) 
*Complete the Dallas Half Marathon (hopefully, with some family and friends there too) -Unfortunately, my daughters' New York Nutcracker Ballet was scheduled for the exact same day. Couldn't be helped...maybe next year. 

So, there you go. How did you do on keeping your resolutions? I would love to hear or get a link to yours. 

See you tomorrow for 2015's Resolutions! Be safe tonight. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Thanks for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy. 

merry and bright

Pile It On is hosting a month long, Anything Goes Christmas/Holiday challenge, so come over and join us.

I made this card for my grandfather, Papa Bill. I'm pretty sure it will make him smile. :)

My card features a Newton's Nook set called 'Newton's Holiday Mischief'. I stamped him with Memento's Tuxedo Black ink and colored him with my Copic markers. I used a Spica pen for the base of the lights. The sentiment is from one of favorites that is unknown. I used VersaFine ink.

I love the little bit of red and green but mostly white. :)

On the inside, I used a stamp from the same set as on the outside of the card.

Thanks for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Oddball Art Stamps - Any Winter Holiday
Crafty Boots - Merry Christmas
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes Christmas
Craftin' Desert Divas - Christmas
Loves Rubberstamps #130 - Winter/Christmas
Cardz 4 Guyz #48 - Winter Critters
Crafty Sentiments - Christmas
Craft-Alnica #123 - Festive Greetings
Fab N Funky #241 - Christmas
Word Art Wednesday #162 - Anything Goes
The Crafter's Cafe #94 - Christmas/Holiday
Scrapbooker PHD #18 - Christmas Critters
4 Crafty Chicks #224 - One Layer Card
Brown Sugar #124 - Red, White, and Green
Crafty Catz #259 - Last Minute Christmas
Creative Fingers #60 - Anything Goes
Colouring Crazy Challenge #50 - Festive Wishes
Crafts 4 Eternity #206 - Christmas
Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards #80 - Christmas
Wags N Whiskers #144 - Merry Christmas
Red Carpet Studio #84 - 'Elf'
Fantasy Stampers #25 - CAS Christmas
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #207 - Urgently Needed Christmas
AllSorts Challenge Blog #289 - White Christmas
Creative Moments #57 - Anything Goes/Winter
Hambo Hoedown - Winter
Jingle Belles - Anything Goes
Come and Get It Challenge - Merry Christmas
Crafts for the Craic : December - Favorite Christmas Colors (traditional red and green w/ lots of white)
Sentimental Sundays #237 - Anything Goes

The reason I'm MIA...

Hey crafty friends!

I am still here but I thought I should tell you why I've been missing.

I don't know how much, if anything, that I have shared with you about our house situation so I'll start from the beginning, sort of.

We live(d - we have since relocated to a rental around the corner) in a 1950's Ranch-sytle home, in a neighborhood of the same style. We are the second owners of our home and the original owners added on to the house in the 70's, making it one of the largest original homes in the neighborhood. The house flooded in Hurricane Allison in 2001 and was completely remodeled shortly after that. We love this house because it was an old house with a new house feel and in one of the best neighborhoods EVER (our opinion, of course).

By June of 2013, this house needed a lot of crucial updating; we are talking about full electrical and plumbing replacement, not fun stuff like cabinets, tile, or paint color. I started talking to contractors about remodeling our master bathroom (which is where we decided to start) and it became clear that once we started putting the money into this house, it wasn't going to end. So then we started talking about moving, and I met with a realtor to check out some houses. It quickly became obvious that we couldn't afford to move into a home that was what we wanted, where we were wanting it. So then I started talking to builders because, by this point, we decided that we wanted to stay on our lot. We have a gorgeous, super old tree on our over-sized lot and we love our neighbors and street/neighborhood.

So, after interviewing 5-6 builders, we chose one. This two man team has a talent for designing homes themselves. Kevin and I sat down with them for about 4 hours (2 meetings) and we have a house!! Kevin and I got to design the whole thing ourselves and we LOVE it. It's very mid-century modern, with clean lines and lots of different materials. You can see the picture below.

As for crafting, most of my stuff had to move into boxes because our rental house is 300 sq. ft. smaller than our house. So, along with downsizing by a solid room, goodwilling at least 35 bags of goodies, and giving away at least half that amount, there is still no room for me to keep out my crafting goodies so I have managed to condense my stuff down to a plastic bin.

Getting to the point, I will be crafting I just haven't quite figured out the frequency with which it will happen. There also won't be many (any) 'special effects' as I don't have many tools at my disposal.

I also plan to try and create some junk (or not so 'junk') journals because there were some supplies packed in with my kids' toys. Someone wanted me to create with those goodies, so I won't let Him down. :)

This is what we are starting with...

This is a computer mock up of the design...

I would like to thank you for your support and patience. This is an exciting time and I look forward to sharing it with you. 

Thanks of looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy. 

Christmas Post

It's time for another ANYTHING GOES challenge over at Sister Act Card Challenge. 

Come on over and join us. :) 

All Dressed Up is our sponsor this week.

Thanks, All Dressed Up!

(They also have a challenge blog that you can check out HERE.)

I used 'Christmas Post'. I colored the image with Prismacolor pencils. I used my Shapeabilities Label 8 dies to cut my image and mat. The green card stock was from my scrap stash but I think it might be Green Galore from Stampin' Up. I loved how bright it was next to the red and black. Even though the card has both red and green, I don't see this as a 'traditional' Christmas card. A little more updated and modern version of traditional. :) 

The designer paper are from Cosmo Cricket's Jolly by Golly mini deck (red snowflake paper) and Doodlebug's Halloween Parade pad (black polka dot paper). You can't rely tell, and I only succeeded in tearing the paper but I embossed the Doodlebug paper with my Cuttlebug Snowflake embossing folder. The card base is Neenah Desert Storm card stock. 

The bling-y brads are from my stash and probably one of the first embellishments I have ever bought,  about 10 years ago. :) I added Diamond Stickles to the snowflakes on the image. 

I haven't found the holiday sentiment I wast to use yet, so I will add that later. 

Thanks for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Loads of Happiness

 

It's time for another challenge over at Cupcake Inspirations!! 

I hope you'll come over and join us. 

Each challenge, we give you an inspiration cupcake and you make a card or other craft project that is inspired by the cupcake.  

Here is this week's cupcake.

Autumn Wedding Cupcakes by Claras Cupcakes

We are sponsored this week by Newton's Nook!

Newton's Nook is generously providing a $20 gift certificate to our randomly chosen winner.

Thanks so much for sponsoring our challenge, Newton's Nook!

I used Newton's Nook stamp set 'Wagon of Wishes'. I love sets like this because they are good for so many different occasions. I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Simon Says Stamp 120lb card stock and colored it with my Copic markers. That's it. :)

Thank you for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

It's fall, y'all!! FINALLY!

It's time for another challenge over at Cupcake Inspirations!! 

I hope you'll come over and join us. 

We are sponsored this week by Craft Classes Online!

Craft Classes Online is generously providing a prize of one seat in a class worth $25 or less to our randomly chosen winner.

Thanks so much for sponsoring our challenge, Craft Classes Online!

Each challenge, we give you an inspiration cupcake and you make a card or other craft project that is inspired by the cupcake.  

Here is this week's cupcake.

Apple Cupcakes from Woman's Day

In honor of the first fall-like day here in Houston, a fall card. 

I used Newton's Nook stamp set "Newton's Holiday Mischief" .  I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Simon Says Stamp 120lb card stock and colored it with my Copic markers. I added red baker's twine from Martha Stewart and popped it up on a Stapmin' Up Close to Cocoa card base. The sentiment and leaf stamp are from one of my favorite sets by Stampendous called 'Everything Happy'. 

Thank you for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Loads of Wishes

It's time for another ANYTHING GOES challenge over at Sister Act Card Challenge. 

Come on over and join us. :) 

This week we are being sponsored by Digital Delights. Thanks so much! 

I used Newton's Nook stamp set 'Wagon of Wishes'. I love sets like this because they are good for so many different occasions. I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Simon Says Stamp 120lb card stock and colored it with my Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol (OMS - odorless mineral spirits). Done. :)

Thanks so much for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

Happy Halloween!! Be safe out there.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Celebrate You!!

It's time for another challenge over at Cupcake Inspirations!! 

I hope you'll come over and join us. 

We are sponsored this week by 2 Cute Ink !

2 Cute Ink is generously providing a prize of 2 digis to our randomly chosen winner.

Thanks so much for sponsoring our challenge, 2 Cute Ink!

Each challenge, we give you an inspiration cupcake and you make a card or other craft project that is inspired by the cupcake.  

Here is this week's cupcake.

I used this cute image that was a freebie when 2 Cute Ink was celebrating their 500 FB likes, I think. :) I don't remember exactly what we were celebrating but we were celebrating all the same! 

I used my Nestabilities circle and scalloped circles dies for my main image. 

The card stock is an unknown green from my stash (Green Galore, maybe?) and Real Red. I embossed the green panel with my Cuttlebug Happy Birthday folder. The card base is Basic Black. Added some twine around the panels and then dicided it needed a little bling. The rhinestones are from the Target dollar spot.  

On the inside, I layered more of the card stock and used my Stampin' Up 'Celebrate' set in Real Red ink. This will probably end up a birthday card but it doesn't have to be. 

Thank you for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Pretty Purple Pleats

It's time for another ANYTHING GOES challenge over at Sister Act Card Challenge. 

Come on over and join us. :) 

All Dressed Up is our sponsor this week.

Thanks, All Dressed Up!

(They also have a challenge blog that you can check out HERE.)

I used 'All Cuddle Make It All Better'. I colored the image with Prismacolor pencils. Check out those pleats!! This is the first time I have been truly happy with the way my pleats turned out. Now to get them to look like that with Copics. :) 

I die cut my image and mats with my Nestabilitities circle and scalloped circle dies. The mat and card base are Stampin' Up's Wild Wasabi. The designer papers are actually Doodlebug's Halloween Parade. Looks good even on a non-Halloween card! The rhinestones are from the Target dollar spot. 

Thanks for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Art by MiRan #17 - Anything Goes

Cut It Up #56 - Purple, Orange, Green, Black

Scraping 4 Fun #28 - Anything Goes

4 Krafty Girls #30 - Anything Goes

Crafty Creations #271 - Thinking of You

Digi Stamps 4 Joy #102 - Animals

Ruby's Rainbow #90 - Use Your Freebies/Prizes (the All Dressed Up image)

Top Tip Tuesday - Favorite Color Combo (I love the modern Halloween color combos; some much better than just orange and black!)

Fitztown #57 - Anything Goes

The Cutie Pie Challenge #80 - Perfectly Purple 

D.L. Art : October - Anything Goes

You're Fangtastic!! (GD Gig #9)

I have a Halloween project for you today. I was asked to join Craftin' Desert Divas as a guest designer for this week. I am so excited!

Here's all the info!

Welcome to a new Craftin Desert Divas linky party!!!

We would love for you to join us and share your Halloween creations.

Every other Monday will mark the beginning of a new semi-weekly linky party here. I will designate a theme and invite you to share projects you've made!!

And don't forget about the prizes! Every linky party will have a sponsor and a winner, plus a top 3! The winner will be announced on a semi-weekly basis. The more times you link up, the more chances you have to win!! Sponsors will be announced at the beginning of every linky party.

This party sponsors are...

CDD- One stamp set

The Cutting Cafe' - Any 2 files winners choice

Digital Delights by Louby Lou - $5 gift card

I got to use this 'You're Fangtastic!' clear stamp set. It's adorable and small enough to use on just about any project. (I am currently working on some teacher gifts that are embellished with this stamp.) 

The designer paper is from Doodlebug's Halloween Parade. I love this paper! It's perfectly Halloween without being scary. My kids (and most of the ones that I am crafting for) aren't into the scary part of Halloween yet. I used my Tim Holtz tag die to create the tag, cutting the DP just a bit smaller with my paper trimmer. The spider was die cut with my Shapabilities dies and coordinating scalloped circle dies.

I embossed my spider with white embossing powder and the sentiment with black, both from Stampin' Up. I tried to emboss my spider twice but the second time I added the powder, it stuck everywhere! I used my Embossing Buddy the first time, should I use it between every layer? Any help would be appreciated. :)

The ribbon is from the Target dollar spot and the twine is from their 'craft' section. I also found the rhinestones in the dollar section as well. You can't really tell in the pictures, but the rhinestones are orange, purple, and black, very bright and glittery.

The back is just black card stock so I will use a white gel pen to write my note.

I haven't decided yet who this bookmark/tag is going to; one of the kids or the librarian at their school who I volunteer for on a weekly basis. Either way, I think someone will be happy to have it. :)

Thanks for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this project into the following challenges:
D.L. Art : October - Anything Goes
One Crazy Stamper : October - Halloween or Christmas
One Sweet Challenge : October - Halloween
Paula Holifield Crafts : October - Boo!
Eclectic Ellapu : October : Purple - Texture Paste or Embossing
Crafty Hazelnut's Pattern Paper Challenge : October
Crafting by Design : October - Anything Goes
Stamplorations : October - Stamps and Embossing
Die Basteltanten #42 - Fall or Halloween
3 Girl Jam : October - Halloween
Craft for the Craic #9 - Suitable for a Child
The Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge - Halloween
As You Like It - Favorite Fiber and Why (I enjoy using twine because it is thin and doesn't have to create a lot of bulk. It's also a 'worker bee' fiber, like here, keeping my ribbon in place.)
Aud Sentiments #117 - Anything Goes
Simply Create Too #72 - Halloween
CAS on Sunday #44 - Emboss It
The Corrosive Challenge #210 - Halloween
Crafty Boots - Autumn or Halloween
Stampavie and More #222 - Halloween
Creative Moments #53 - Anything Goes

It's Time to Clown Around!

It's time for another challenge over at Cupcake Inspirations!! 

I hope you'll come over and join us. 

We are sponsored this week by Paper Pretties !

Paper Pretties is generously providing a prize of SIX digi stamps to our randomly chosen winner.

Thanks so much for sponsoring our challenge, Paper Pretties!

Each challenge, we give you an inspiration cupcake and you make a card or other craft project that is inspired by the cupcake.  

Here is this week's cupcake.

Ruby Slipper Cupcakes by The Alison Show

I used the Cirque image and sentiments on this happy birthday card. And isn't it happy?!?!

I colored the image up using my Prismacolor pencils and added Glossy Accents to the first balloon, nose, shoes, and glittery parts. The glitter is from Turquoise Stickles. The rhinestones are from the Target dollar section.

The papers are from the Birthday Wishes stack by DCWV. I matted my image and card with Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Up card stock.  

On the inside, I added another sentiment and some scraps from the same paper collection. 

Thank you for looking! I hope this finds you happy and healthy.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:
Crafts Galore #10 - Anything Goes in Disguise
D.L. Art : October - Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Pattern Paper Challenge : October
Crafts for the Craic #9 - Suitable for a Child
Stamping w/ Dragon : October - Anything Goes
Seize the Birthday - Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments #117 - Anything Goes
MilkCoffee - Lots of Layers
Scribble and Scrap #29 - Anything Goes
Melonheadz - Lots of Layers
Crafting From the Heart #40 - Anything Goes
Party Time Tuesdays #185 - Anything Goes
4 Crafty Chicks #216 - Happy Birthday