Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Welcome 2009!


It's time to put up the 2009 calendars. I don't make my own calendar since I have a few inspiring favorites I put up every year.
Well, I will definitely be glad 2008 is over. 2008 for me was the Bad News year. From the economy collapsing, gas prices soaring, and losing my job to political and corporate scandals, and some favorite stores/companies shutting down. These bad times sometimes overshadowed some of the highlights of the year including Obama winning the election (definitely a highlight during these grim times). So, this new year should mark a new chapter in all our lives. I will be focusing on following my dreams (as the calendar states) I will try to spend less on frivolities and enjoy my present moment.
I might try my hand at Project 365. This idea started with Becky Higgins's Kit of the Month concept and now others are trying it their own way. Check out Meredith's Blog for her digital concept and free digital templates and the Ikea Goddess blog for her free digital templates.
I would also like to give a shout out to my Mom who celebrated a birthday yesterday. Happy Birthday Mom! Wish I was there or you were here. Love you!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Sunday, December 14, 2008

I'm still alive!

Helloooo, I'm back! It's been a while since my last post and I have a lot to catch up on so please bear with me. I still have a slight lingering cough but I've been staying busy getting ready for the holidays and taking care of Greg after his surgery last week. I finally got my Christmas cards done and here's a few pictures of them.
The felt snowflake is from Hobby Lobby and the adorable penguin from Michael's. I added a little bit of stickles to give it some bling.

The scroll accent was cut with the Cricut and I inked it a bit. The floral accent is a Martha punch and I inked that for a bit of texture.

I also tried my hand at Valerie's project posted on Fiskar's website. I figured it would make a great gift. Well, to make a long story short, I had a bit of a hard time cutting the fleece to size and trying to keep the two pieces of fleece together while cutting the strips, but I was pleased with the results anyway. It only took me a couple of hours to finish. I have absolutely no sewing experience and I'm sure there are tricks to making this project a lot easier. However, I think I could make this project again and maybe faster. So what do you think?

Finally, I just wanted to give dog lovers a tip. I love, love, love Royal Treatment Products for dogs. Here is a picture of my Xena just after a bath. This stuff smells wonderful and is great for your dog's skin and coat. It makes Xena's coat so soft and shiny. People are always asking me how I get her coat so soft. I'm so glad I discovered this line when Xena was just a pup. Well, that's all I have for today. Drop me a line if you would like any more information on anything I posted. Just in case I don't get a chance to post anything else until after the holidays. I hope everyone has a peaceful and cozy holiday.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

I hate being sick!

I'm sick. Been sick since Thanksgiving and it's a bitch. I was going to put up my Christmas decorations and work on my Christmas cards and do this and that and the other.... but nooooooo....I had to get sick. I've got the krud (sinus and ear infection) and it's taking its time to go away. But I'm grateful. Grateful for great friends and neighbors that bring me soup and stuff to eat so I don't have to make it myself. Grateful for a warm bed and slippers and a warm puppy to comfort me.
Well, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and did some shopping over the weekend (I'm sad I missed the shopping frenzy).
Anyway, I'll get back to posting as soon as I feel better. Hopefully, I'll have some crafty things to post.

Monday, November 24, 2008

New Cell Phone


I don't have anything craft related to post because I've been busy getting acquainted with my new cell phone. The Palm Centro. Got if for free at Best Buy last week. Yaaay for Free stuff! So far I love this baby even though there is a learning curve and I've never used a phone with so many features before so, yes, I am catching up with new phone technology here.
I also found out that Pushing Daisies has been cancelled. So sad. It is such a beautiful story and if you loved Amelie you would've loved the Daisies. I am hoping a cable network will pick it up (like USA) because I don't think it should be completely removed from tv just because it did not reach the ratings the networks expect (lousy good for nothings).

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

New Layouts

Here are a couple of new layouts I created with sketches from Inspired Blueprints. I love sketches because they make it easy to just get creative without having to plan the layout first.

This first page is going to be the title page for my new album of a decade of Christmas memories from 2001 - 2010. Products include: KI Memories, Fancy Pants, Cricut Cart. Christmas Cheer (I'm having fun with my Cricut) and Home Essentials, Brenda Pinnick and misc embellies.




I just had to create a page for these cute pictures of my nephew.
Products used here are: Cosmo Cricut, DCWV, and Core'dinations, 7 Gypsies and misc embellies. The new Core'dinations paper is pretty cool. I tore the paper with a tearing ruler and I like how the orange middle came through.



Thursday, November 13, 2008

Oprah & Dr. Oz Strike Out on Beauty Tips

This week's Oprah Show with Dr. Oz was a huge disappointment for me. For a week the commercials led me to believe that we would learn about new and wonderful tips for looking young, and having clearer skin. Well, I was so excited to see this episode that I made sure I would have uninterrupted time to watch it. However that excitement ended after about 15 minutes into the show.
Most of the hour was spent looking at audience members skin through a Visia Skin Analysis System. Not only was that boring, but showing the Visia did not accomplish anything other than show us the damage that was already there and supposedly is going to surface in the future. That was all well and good to demonstrate once, but over and over....booooring! They were so busy analyzing the ladies' skin for 10 minutes or so and not telling us the solutions or tips needed to correct the problem. So he gave some tips on using vitamins and antioxidants and niacin, so what! That's nothing new. His last tip was to see a dermatologist for other treatments. Whatever! Do you know how much it costs just to have the analysis done with that stupid machine?! Let alone the office appointment and the prescription meds. And most of it is not even covered by insurance! In this economy, not very practical.

Another loser part of the show was the lady with acne. My word, has that lady been living under a rock or something? Did you see her beauty routine?! She is 40 years old and uses hand soap to wash her face with a body puff and uses neosporin and ponds heavy cream to moisturize her skin! I was, as the English say, gobsmacked! Why in the world would you use that stuff on your face with all the acne products and information in the marketplace today? She was causing her own acne! As a lifelong acne sufferer myself, I was totally insulted by her ignorance and the fact that they would show her as an example to the millions of acne suffers out there. Being a skin care specialist I would not insult my clients in that manner. I would assume they were intelligent and knowledgeable about most of the options out there today. Needless to say Dr. Oz did not offer any advice on how to treat it. Another let down.

The only applause I give the show is Paula Begoun. I have her book and check out her website Beautypedia and suggest you do the same. There is more useful information there.

A final note: I love Dr. Oz and love watching him on Oprah. I have learned so much about health and our bodies from him. I just hope he doesn't disappoint us like this again.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Crafty Creations

Well, I finally finished my holiday wall hanging. One side is all about Christmas and the other side is winter. This way I can turn it around after Christmas is over and have something up during January. As you can see I played with my Cricut on the winter side. These are some of my first cuts. I embellished the cuts with puff paint, Magic Scraps Ice (remember that? I still have a bunch of it), glitter and embossing.


















I used the Christmas Cheer cartridge, Brenda Pinnick paper and embellishments, Making Memories embellishments and Colorbok embellishments and other misc supplies.



















I also altered this composition notebook for my sister. I used My Mind's Eye paper, 7 Gypsies gaffer tape, 3 Birds embellisments, vellum quote from DCWV and Imaginisce flowers (brad is unknown and so is paper under quote). Since I've been unemployed it's been fun rummaging through my supply stash and actually using it. I've been mixing the old with the new to make it all more contemporary.




Since I've been unemployed it's been fun rummaging through my supply stash and actually using it. I've been mixing the old with the new to make it a little more contemporary and not outdated. Let me know if I'm accomplishing that. Anyway, stay tuned because I may be having my first giveaway soon. I just have to figure out what it will be. Also, I've discovered a couple of cool blogs you should visit if you get a chance http://everythingcricut.blogspot.com/ and http://inspiredbyamelie.blogspot.com/ ( I love everything Amelie). And Angie, I'm sorry I missed your giveaway, I love your blog too! Thanks for commenting!



























Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Surprise! I got a Cricut!


I received a surprise last Thursday and I'm so excited! It was a Cricut Expression! It came with all these cartridges and the ink pens! I've been pondering getting an electronic cutter for a while. My sights were set on the Pazzle first but then I saw the Cricut Expression and was very impressed by the ease and all the things you can do with it. I didn't expect to get one for a while but Greg surprised me with an early Christmas present. He's the best - I love him. I made a couple of sample cuts but haven't had a chance to play with it yet. I'll be posting projects soon, I hope.

In the meantime, here's a project I'm currently working on. It's a Christmas wall hanging. I want to make it a double sided project where one side is Christmas and the other side is winter. I plan to use the cricut for the winter side. I'll post it whenever it's all done.






















Thursday, October 30, 2008

Trick or Treat

I went to a kid's Halloween Party last Friday and had Greg take this stupid picture of me looking silly. I didn't really wear a costume but I dressed silly and had a little fun with my makeup even though the picture doesn't do it justice.



These are the moments to remember. Everyday stuff. I love how cool Xena looked in the rear view mirror of our truck while we waited for Greg to get out of the video store so I had to snap a few pics.





And, on that note... In the Nov/Dec issue of Simple Scrapbooks was a great idea for a gratitude journal. You can download the journaling cards here www.simplescrapbooksmag.com . Anyway, you take a picture everyday for a month of something your grateful for , then you write about it on the journaling card. Put in a small 4x6 album with the photo on one side and the journaling card on the other and boom instant album and gratitude journal. I'm going to try to do this for November and December.

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Save Pushing Daisies


Oh No! One of my favorite tv shows Pushing Daisies is in trouble. This is one of the most creative, ingenious and lovable stories on tv today but no one is watching. I don't understand why people prefer to watch trash but won't give something that is truly entertaining and total eye candy a second look. If you are a fan check out this blog to help save it. If you've never seen PD then tune in on Wednesdays at 8:00 pm EST or 7:00 pm CST and be prepared to fall in love.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

See what I did at Scrapblog!

Click on the "View Full Screen" to be redirected to my Scrapblog.
This is only my second attempt and I used a couple of their templates. I'm not a big digital scrapper but I'm trying.


Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Organizing scrap stuff

I've been busy organizing my supplies. I started with my flowers. They were all over the place and I couldn't remember what I had. So, I sorted them by color and put them in baggies. This was a huge task because all the colors were combined and there are so many. . I'm still trying to figure out where to put the baggies, though - maybe an accordian file?


Organizing is time consuming but as all scrappers know, needs to be done regularly.


I also completed a couple more pages for my niece's book and did the cover. I just need one more page for this book and I'll be done. These two pages were done following a couple of Page Maps by Becky Fleck.



Sisi, I need some journaling info for these school pictures.


This was a layout from the Hall of Fame Kit I purchased from QVC. I created the collage on Foto Fusion and attached it to the right side. I like the way the colors of the layout and the pictures all coordinated quite nicely.

And finally, here is the album cover.





Well, I'm off to watch some tv. I need to watch My Own Worst Enemy from last night and Two and 1/2 Men.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Pictures as promised

Here are the pics I promised of the Slice apron and the make & takes from the Michael's event on Saturday.






And finally here are some pics of Xena modelling her new outfits I got her from my neighbor's garage sale.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Garage Sales & Michael's Event

I'm sooo tired.

I decided (along with my neighbor) to have a garage sale this weekend. Haven't had one in years so I was overdue. But, is it just me or do garage sales seem to be more trouble than they are worth? Don't get me wrong...I love the extra cash a garage sale can bring, but sometimes I feel like I'm just giving things away so why not just donate it?

People seem to want things for next to nothing. You think you're giving them a great deal because you know the value of most of these things in the retail market and even though it's never been used or is hardly used and you've already lost your ass on it, it's still not enough of a discount for some. I tell you, you cannot wear your heart on your sleeve when you have a garage sale. Garage salers are strictly out for the bargain. Okay, I'm off my soapbox.

So, then, what do you do with the extra cash? Why go to Michael's, of course! I mostly went because the Michael's in Hurst, TX had a grand re-opening event. They completely remodelled the store and had lots of scrapbooking events. They had the cutest make and takes and Tim Holtz was there. I hadn't had the priviledge to see him in person until now and it was a blast. Too bad I forgot my camera (ugh!). He presented his grungeboard and distressing inks and stuff. There were so many ladies around him it was a little irritating (just a little). Anyway, at the Ranger make & take table was the cutest Brit (I forgot his name -- goes to show where my mind was) showing us ladies how to make a cute grungeboard butterfly broach. (I'll post pics later).

Then, we also got a cute Slice apron for participating in the Slice make & take. That was a nice surprise and that Slice machine is pretty cool. The new Michael's redo is awesome since it's got tons more scrapbooking than ever before and it's too bad that store is about 20 to 30 minutes from me. But an employee told me all Michael's stores where going to get the same redo (hurray!) this was just one of the first stores to get redesigned. So look for it in your neighborhood soon. Well, I've said enough for one post. I'll post pics tomorrow if I get a chance.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Un Cafecito

The other morning I decided to make some of my Mom's "cafecito". I'm not a coffee drinker, but I was so sleepy and I saw the can of Bustelo and thought I would give it a shot. Wow, what a flashback! As I put the coffee and water into the "greca", the sounds, smells and the actions took me back to my childhood when my Mom would ask me to make her or her company "un cafecito". This overwhelming desire to see her and share this "cafecito" with her came over me.

This one is for you Mom. I love you. Hope I get to see you soon.


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Friday, October 3, 2008

Now, this is charity!

Week in Entertainment Photos: Week of September 15, 2008 - MSN Entertainment

I found this picture online today. It is Matt Damon and Wyclef Jean serving meals to hurricane victims in Haiti. This is the real deal. First, they went to country that no one ever remembers when it comes to charities. And then, they were hands on about it. They didn't sit in their comfy studio or home telling others to help out. They actually got out there and did it themselves. What a wonderful example! Other celebrities should take a lesson. Just look at how Matt Damon's shirt is covered in sweat. Good job guys!

Monday, September 29, 2008

Scary Times

The state of the economy today terrifies me. Turning on the tv to watch what is going on with Wallstreet reminds me of 9/11 and how I felt when I turned on the tv just before the 2nd tower collapsed. It's gut wrenching.

How did the country let the economy get so out of control? My theory is and has been - GREED! Everyone got too greedy. Everyone wanted to have it all at the expense of others. How could people do this to others and their country?

We are supposed to be the ones that take care of others...that come to the aid of those in need...that help their neighbors during times of crisis. But something went horribly wrong....

So, now who helps us if we can't help ourselves? And, where do we go from here?

I'm truly disappointed in my country and ashamed of our government.

Check out other comments on this crisis at this link.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

More Got Sketch Layouts

Here are some more layouts I created.


Sketch 3 - This is my nephew Adrian and he has such a cute sincere smile.

Sketch 5 - I had fun with this one. My layouts are usually pretty simple and plain. I loved adding all the embellishments on this one. ( I skipped sketch 4 because it's a two page spread and I still have to choose pictures for it.)

Sketch 6 - Turned out cuter than I originally thought it would.



Anyway, forgive the distortions, I'm still trying to figure out the best way to photograph the layouts.

By the way, Heroes was fantastic! It was action packed and intriguing. I used to hate Sylar but now I think he's an awesome character. Such a dark and mysterious villian. They really can't get rid of him. One thing I do think the writers need to research though... last season they showed the twins leaving the Dominican Republic. However, during the premier she mentioned she came from South America. The Dominican Republic is in the Carribean not South America. Will she be eating tacos and enchiladas next?


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