Bird Nest Necklace

After seeing this idea on Pinterest, I decided that I could make my own. It proved to be easy and inexpensive so I made one for each of my best friends for Christmas. I used different colored beads in the center for the eggs and wrapped silver wire around the outside for a pretty and simple accessory.

Christmas Card

I wanted to create something special this year for our Christmas card. I used the Seasons of Friendship tree and white craft ink on Crumb Cake cardstock for our winter tree. I used Indigo Island as my background color. A new favorite for sure. I added a small strip of silver glimmer paper for a touch of glitz and boom our cards were done. I really love them.

Big Surprise

After months of headaches and feeling really tired, I finally took a pregnancy test and it came out positive. I showed my sister and told her that it couldn't be positive because the line was going the wrong direction. She laughed. I said I couldn't believe it until I took a digital test and it actually said pregnant. Well I did and here was the result...

November Card Class

In my mind for this month's class I was thinking about doing home decor for the upcoming holidays, but changed my mind when thinking about time we would actually have create these beauties. I decided instead to create holiday cards with a bit of sparkle. Each card we created had a bit of shimmer, sparkle, or shine to it. As you may already know, I love the look of glitter, but hate when it gets all over everything. I used a few other tricks and techniques to get the bling without the mess.

First, I decided to use the silver glimmer cardstock...which is so easy to use and has a pinch of glamour to it.

The next card used silver shimmer paint for a bit of shine. We sponged on the silver paint before stamping the ornaments. I think this touch gave the card a little something special.

The last card we created used Vanilla Shimmer Smooch spray to add a touch of glimmer to the White cardstock. It almost appears as though it is lightly snowing on the trees.

Message Monday

I've struggled with my weight for a long time. I love food and I hate exercise...a bad combination. I don't love my body and I'm sometimes ashamed of the way I look. I found this quote inspirational. I still plan to lose weight, but if I never did...there's a lot worse things I could be.



Boy Oh Boy...Masculine Cards are Difficult

My dad's birthday was yesterday. We ended up celebrating on Sunday when we could all get together. I love my dad more than anything. I have heard almost all my life how similar my dad and I are...personality, looks, attitude...and as I get older I realize how right people have been. My dad is a very special person to me and I cherish the time I've been able to spend with him. One of the best times I've ever had was spending almost 3 weeks in Europe with my last a few summer's ago. He was the best travel buddy. There's no one I would have rather spent the time with. That's why it is always really important to me to make a nice birthday card for him.

I am terrible at masculine cards though. I got a little of inspiration from Mary Fish though and broke out my Well Worn DSP. This card was very simple, but very nice indeed. I hope my dad had a great birthday!

Message Monday

I feel like this message has been particularly true since school started. Although I love my new group of middle school students, I feel like not only do the days attack me, but the kids.

No Orange for Halloween

I stumbled upon a really great blog a month or so ago called CAS-ual Fridays. Each Friday they post a challenge that needs to be incorporated into a clean and simple card. This weeks challenge was to create a Halloween inspired card WITHOUT using the color orange.

I automatically turned to Jack of All Trades, my new favorite fall/pumpkin set, to set the stage. I have been seeing pictures all over the internet of white and tan pumpkins, so I used Crumb Cake ink instead of orange. I used Lucky Limeade and Concord Crush for a pop of color. I added a bit of dazzle by including a small 1/2" strip of silver glimmer paper. Love that sparkle!

October Card Class

For our October class, I decided to take the opportunity to try a OSW or One Sheet Wonder. I think OSW cards are a great way to maximize your designer paper, which lets face it is expensive, as well as make a bunch of cards. I used the Spice Cake DSP from Stampin' Up and Crumb Cake cardstock, my go-to color.

At this class we scaled back from a 12 x 12 OSW class to a 6 x 6 OSW class which allowed us to make 4 cards out of one 6 x 6 sheet of designer paper. I decided to make them all thank you cards so that we could give them as a card set for a gift.

Pumpkin Time

My new guilty pleasure...the Jack of all Trades stamp set from Stampin' Up. Not only is this set adorable, but a perfect pumpkin and fall set, which just happens to be my favorite season. I am looking forward to pumpkin picking soon.

I used a wild color combo provided by Paper Pal Arts and their PPA Challenge #114.

I also played along with Karen Giron, at The Sweetest Thing blog, who always has the most fabulous sketches. This week's Sweet Sunday Sketch # 138 was just amazing.

So here's what I came up with. I used the Lucky Limeade and Rich Razzleberry in the background, which I embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper folder, and used the Pumpkin Pie in the foreground with my spectacular pumpkins.

Happy Fall everyone!