For Big Daddy

This is a card I made for my boyfriend's father... I did NOT think of this message, and am a little worried he's going to get a bad, smartass first impression of me!  He had better tell him it wasn't my idea! :)  So, how funny are those little pics?  The washboard & tub, the potbelly stove?  How freakin' funny is it that I have a Cricut cartridge that makes that?  Yep, I'm a farmer.  I can hear chickens in the morning (on weekends, they don't get up as early as ME during the week), and I milk the cows, aren't you jealous?  Just kidding about the cows.  So, here's the inside:

I am quite pleased with this card, and I loved the idea.  I also made a Christmas card for him, and here it is:

I am in LOVE with this card... I like it more each time I look at it.  I made a border with the Sew Easy tool, and stitched the holes with a light brown & white string.  I used my Winter Frolic Cricut cartridge for the candy border and sentiment.  The tree came from an eBay purchase years ago.  See how long I hang onto little pieces of paper?  Sheesh.  The background paper came from this new scrapbook store I found in the Howard Hughes mall, The Bridge... it's a little store with cute stuff, if a bit overpriced. 

I have been working on our new website, and it should be up at the start of the New Year, I'm pretty excited to see how things will turn out!  If I am working in a sweatshop, I'll need help, and I have my eye on somebody now.... ;)

That's all for now.
XO

Happy Holidays!

Well, I finally began Mom's holiday cards... I have been SERIOUSLY putting that off.  And why?  I'll tell you: I've had a block.  A card-maker's-block... it's been diagnosed as "treatable", or so they say.  We'll see.  Honestly, though, I used to have a surplus of ideas, I'd have two or three notebooks with sketches in them, ideas for sentiments, color combination ideas and layout plans... I don't know what happened!  I think it may be that I've just slowed down on it altogether, and so it's all slowed down.  I've gotta remedy that, and quick because we are getting my website going soon and I will be selling these puppies.  That's right, after I've thought about it for years, T has taken the initiative to get the ball rolling... wish us luck!

So, for the cards you see above, I began with the die cut.  I decided I wanted something colorful and festive, so the darn partridge in a pear tree is what you have.  I cut out the phrase that went with another die cut set and made it 2'... those babies weren't easy to take off my sticky Cricut mat, let me tell you!  I had to toss about three of them because they ripped.  It may be time for me to get one of those spatulas they sell that I always thought were a pointless ripoff.  Anyway, I used four different green patterned papers for the background, and did you notice that I didn't mat it over solid cardstock?!  For a 20 card order, this is what you get.  I used some dimension dots to raise the sun shape a bit and stapled the heart over it for some extra color.  I'll have used many different border on the bottoms of each card, all in non-traditional Christmas colors, what the heck do you THINK?!  I'm liking it...

As for my own holiday cards, I don't know what I'll do... I will probably just buy some, I don't have the time to make my own!  I am looking forward to my monthly Studio Calico kits to start coming... that will be inspiration for me, I'm sure. 

I will have cable tv tonight... I will have cable tv tonight... I will have cable tv tonight... (if I keep saying it, I might believe it, it might actually happen!)  Wish us luck, that the cable guy doesn't piss T off.  ;)

 

Inspired!!!

Not my design, I found this after I Googled "stitched cards", how beautiful is that?  I have been thinking about how I can incorporate something like this into my cards, after I did a border with my Sew Easy thing on that last snowman card, and I have SO many ideas.  I would love a sewing machine, both for my cards and so I can make little clothes, but I think I can do this with a pencil and needle!  Still, I think I'll get one soon.  Those cards above have inspired me and I want to try something different...  I like how adding stitching brings texture to the card, but what worries me is the weight, will it be too heavy to send?  I guess that's secondary when you have such a pretty card.  Must get Mom's card order done THIS weekend.

I have no new work to share, but feel like I have neglected my blog lately... I had my head in the clouds for a minute, but I am back. ;)  I hope to have some pretty stuff to share on Monday... HAPPY FRIDAY, woohoo!

Warm Holiday Wishes

I like this card, it is a simpleton. ;)  The most difficult part about it is the die cut, the owl... It probably took me about 15 minutes to make it, but when you think about it, that isn't that long... I've spent two hours on a card, you get me?  I can make a whole bunch of these babies and get some help (ahem, T) to put them together... that'll make things easier, maybe.  Anyway, I have to get my butt moving, I have a 20 Christmas card order that I need to get going, and that doesn't count the two (?) stores that I may be able to sell at.  I've GOT to stop sitting on my butt after work, and start working some more, on cards!  Once it becomes a second job, maybe I can go part time at the salt mine... we'll see. ;)

Oh, here's the table centerpiece I made for Thanksgiving, I actually made two, I think they are okay... could've been much nicer with more greens in there. 

I like the green berry things, whatever they are.  My parents brought a centerpiece, also, so we had three!  :)  How pretty are the roses?  Sigh...

That's all for now.

Three Card Long Weekend

This card is just a regular piece of cardstock, I used my score pal to make it a trifold and there you have it. I got this cute little snowman from a new Cricut cartridge and did the border with the Sew Easy thingy.  I keep trying to make a simple card, but I just can't do it!  The middle is just space for the greeting, and the last fold is where the gift card sits.  I like this one. :)

I made this card on Friday night... I was alone, so I took my time, and lots of it!  Took me two hours, now WHAT the heck is so complicated???  I guess it just isn't really coming so easy anymore... I'm not sure why. :(  Anyway, I stamped the greeting and used some real sheet music paper for the border, the bottom of the tag is stitched, as well.  Hmm, I like it, but it's not simple enough to mass produce -- rats!

Now, if you've followed Card Core from the beginning, you'll know that this is a throwback; yep, I made this card before, but this time I just used some different paper and threw on that snowflake.  I also stamped the To and From so that whoever gets this card (before Christmas) can actually USE the darn things on gifts.  Why not add utility to the things when you can?  Tonight I will attempt (again) to make a simple card... a simpleton, if you will. 

Happy Birthday x's 2

Happy birthday, right?!  Yes, this card is for a man, this is why it's so... dark.  I try to make them not girly, but jeez, it's tough.  I began this card a few times and just couldn't get it right; I'm even a little iffy about this.  Anyway, I finally got to use my new "Sew Easy" tool to stitch a bottom border.  I used some floss I already had -- it was a pack rat moment, I had that saved for a few years now!  I had some striped floss, but the black is better, don't you think?  I cut out the sentiment on a paint chip, I'm so sneaky! 

Now, this card I LOVE.  I have been really feeling lighter colors, a la Studio Calico, but felt the need to brighten it a bit with some red.  This card is also for a man, what are you gonna do?  I found that cute little placard from a Nantucket themed die cut set, LOVE it.  I should have distressed the edges of the alphabet paper, maybe ripped the sides a bit and inked the edges... next time.  These two cards took me about an hour for both! That isn't bad, I can take up an hour just planning a color scheme!  I have to get going on my holiday cards for the stores I may be selling at, plus, will we send out handmade cards this Christmas?  Many decisions to make.  I'm always nervous about showing my work to others; will they like it, will they think it's silly?  I guess what matters is that I'm having a lot of fun doing it, so hopefully that shows.

Thanksgiving coming up, I am planning on making two centerpieces for our table, and maybe some name cards for place settings, that's if I have time.  I have been combing the 'net looking for ideas, but I think hollowed out pumpkins with flowers in them is the way to go, for the centerpieces.  Plus, I think I have some fake cranberries that I can work with , as well... hmm.  We'll see what happens. ;)

XO

Soft colors, who knew?

Happy Birthday to Barb, my boyfriend's aunt... she's a cardmaker, so I felt like this one had to be good.  I am so pleased with it!  I looked around the Studio Calico blog for awhile before I even began, and got inspiration with all their soft colors and monochromatic themes... I don't usually favor pastels or soft colors, not that I don't like them, but I am loving them here.  I used all new paper for this card, and some of the colored baker's twine.  I have to say, the scraps I used for the top and bottom accents were from a project I did about a year ago, and can you believe I finally got to use some?!  I am such a pack rat, but I justify it with the fact that I'm saving money, how can you mess with that?  I went through my paper bin yesterday, also, and found that I have lots of stuff I just forgot about, their being buried under all the newer stuff.  I want to go through it this week and sort stuff out, maybe get over to a storage store and find a rack for paper.  My craft room/boyfriend's office is slowly changing, I hope I can keep it under control. ;)  BUT, the good thing about paper racks is that it'll keep my paper out of those bins and where I can see them, making them more accessible for projects.  I'll buy less paper!  (I should be a lawyer.)

My next project, after one last card for an order I have to fill, will be a small batch of holiday cards for a friend's parent's store.  I may try to sell my stuff again, and get my little side piece business going once more.  It's always good to have a little backup, don't you think?  It could very well be a second job, which I'm super okay with, being that the holidays are right around the corner.  I think it's a photo store, of some sort, so I'll play on that theme making cards with slots to slide Christmas photos in, or a window on the front for display.  I'll have to keep it simple so that I can make them in bulk; that's going to be my biggest challenge.  Good luck to me.

XO

21st Birthday

I can still remember my 21st birthday, matter of fact, I think I had about five of them. ;)  I wanted to stay 21, sue me.  I guess I'm glad that I'm not the same jerk I was then; maybe that's the only advantage to aging (besides eventually getting the senior specials at Denny's): not being foolish forever, that kind of recklessness shouldn't last.
Ah, but I digress... this card is for Stephanie's nephew, Bradford; he's going to be 21, bless his heart.  I got the cute paper at this new store on Brookhurst ("The" OC) called Scrapbook Heaven, or something, on Sunday.  The owner had a pretty nice setup, small but packed with cute stuff.  Prices were so-so, but she makes up for it in her taste.  I got paper, a new clear stamp, some colored baker's twine and a die cut packet with a Nantucket theme.  Very cute.  I inked the edges of the paper blue, and chalk inked the "B" so it'd stand out a bit.  I used my separate letter alphabet stamp set to do the "happy birthday" part; I think it looks nice.  Hopefully the ribbon doesn't give it a feminine feeling... I worry about that everytime I make a card for a man. 

Tonight I'll make the last card on my birthdays list and then begin a scrapbook page; I printed out a bunch of photos from my vacation and from T's blockparty show to do that... no more excuses!  I have lots of new stuff to use, so I'm antsy to get home and start.

That's all folks!  It's nice to be back.
XO

Black Swan Update

Well, our little Black Swan wore her costume very well!  Her tutu was a bit too big on her, but that's okay, she'll be able to wear it again.  Her toe shoes were too cute for words!  I'm so glad I got to be a part of her first costume ever, and am already thinking about next year... hmm, A Clockwork Orange, perhaps? ;)

Here's some more:

And here's Bella with her bestie, Isla:

I think they had a good time, even if they don't even know what Halloween is!  We passed out candy and watched Twilight Zone.  A kid dressed up as a juice box (or something) fell down on our doorstep... hil-fuckin'-larious.  I laugh at children falling EVERY TIME.

XO

Sweet Fifteen

This card is for Charnae, my friend Stephanie's daughter who will be 15 tomorrow.  Happy Birthday, Charnae!

Happy Halloween!

Well, it's Halloween... where has the year gone?!  It seems like Summer came and went super fast -- since the weather's been nice, I won't really complain.  Tonight we'll check out the neighborhood block party and pass out candy, will we dress up? :)

So, Bella is going to dress as the Black Swan for mall trick or treating tonight with her friend Isla.  I offered to make her a mask since I doubt Neets would be able to find something like that at the stores.  I was a bit worried that it wouldn't come out well, but I was wrong!  I think it looks great:

We went to JoAnn's on Satruday (after a toy shopping spree at TJ Max!) and bought some velvety paper, black feathers and sequins and I had some ribbon at home to work with.  I got the measurements from my sister yesteday morning and last night I banged it out.  Yeah!!!  You can't really see the sequins in the center, but they are sort of clustered over the feather ends, which hides them so it works out.  I was thinking about hot gluing a rhinestone star in the middle or on the side, but I think this way works.  I can't WAIT to see her put it on later!  I just hope it fits... crossing fingers.

I have many cards to make, so I'll try and get a few done this week.  Maybe if I make enough and actually SELL them I can afford that Martha Stewart sewing machine... there's some fire for the hiney. ;)

XO

HBD: Back to the Grind Pt. 1

Happy Birthday plus a bookmark, I think that's pretty legit (what am I, MC Hamma?)  I have been thinking about this card, planning it out in my brains for awhile now.  I had to force myself to sit down and make it, but when I did, things happened thank goodness.  I have been doing other things, and so cards have been pushed to the side.  Now that I have an order to fill, there's no more room for excuses... back to the business. 
I cut a hole in the actual card with my circle cutter since I couldn't control the placement of the circle on my Cricut, and then added some flowered paper behind it to make a window.  The "bookmark" that I made is just a paperclip (obviously) and about ten flower shaped die cuts glued on top of each other.  I had to use hot glue for securing the paper clip so that it can serve it's purpose and not fall apart right away.  We'll see if that works out.  I used glue transfers for the text on front of the card, and wasn't sure if the letters stood out enough, but seeing it in the photo reassures me... kind of. :)

XO

Many Many Moons

Happy Birthday, Grandaddy!  Thomas' grandfather has turned 94 on the 3rd, but we all had lunch to celebrate the Saturday before; we gave him this card.  I think he liked it. :)  I couldn't imagine all the things he must have witnessed, heard, felt since 1917.  Sweetest man ever!

So, the card was a late-nighter, and I think I was working on coffee energy alone.  It was the night before leaving for 9 days, so I think I left everything for the last minute... so not me.  I like to be prepared, but lately I think it's getting away from me!!  I cut the seal awhile ago from the Cricut, and did the letters that night; the "Grandaddy" part is my favorite, I love that font so much.  Anyway, I'm still going with that paper pack (the blue and the gray came from the Colorbok one from Target about a month and a half ago), and I feel it is high time for a new packet, what do you think?  It's hard to justify buying ANY supplies when I haven't sold one single card in I don't know HOW long.  And, I can't even begin to think about making any for selling right now, either.  Christmas is coming up, and I need to get moving on those, like, now.  I had an idea of doing some sort of card for Thanksgiving, as well, but only for the immediate families and close friends.  I couldn't see sending out very many of those.  I went to the Paper Source the other day (didn't buy a THING!) but got many ideas for some stuff. 

It's sunny today, so I hope it sticks... the rain wasn't any fun yesterday, my toes almost fell off, I swear.  I am happy for the sun in my office, for once. :)  I'm actually not upset about Fall/Winter this year.

XO

Hello Again!

It has been a minute since I've posted anything... I guess life happens, and what can you do? :)  The first card, "Bun in the Oven" was made in bulk for my cousin Jazmine, she's having a baby shower in October, so I had to get those out.  I simplified my original design, but also went to town a bit more with the bun, used my Cricut for that part.  I actually drew the oven and cut it out, manually did the oven outline and the inside... that was the most time consuming part.  On my original card, there was another button/star/ribbon embellishment, but I just didn't have the time.  I'm happy with it.

Second card is "Cool Chick".  I've had the opportunity to be up close and personal with some chickens lately, and I have to say, the one I made with my Cricut is WAY less scary.  Chickens move quick, and I just don't trust that... their door opens, and all of a sudden wings are flapping.  Not cool. :)  The card was simple, and fun to make... I used some of the square cards I got in that huge eBay score recently. 

Third card, "Let's Eat" also came about organically; I had eaten Ramen the night before, hence the noodles.  Who'd a thunk it, I'd actually have the means to make a bowl of noodles???  I'm excited to get back to my cards in the not too distant future, maybe get a few more Cricut cartridges, who knows?  I have very little free time these days, and when I do have some, I am usually tired tired tired.  The plan is to get back to one card per week, the one card per night thing just isn't happening anymore.  I can't let my ideas get too stale.  I have one on deck that was so kindly given to me... it involves a few more chickens and a spilled drink.  Not my own idea, but hey, I'll take it any way I can get it. :)

Until next time, don't hold your breath... Mama has thangs to do. ;)

XO

Happy Birthday, Alyssa & Tommy!

This one's for Alyssa, I want her to like it and I know if I were a baby, this would make me smile :)

And, this one's for my baby Tommy.  He's getting so big, and I really wish I were there to see him grow up.  Either way I play it, if I live here I miss out on Tommy & Alyssa.  If I live there, I'd miss Anabella.... can't win.  In a perfect world, I'd have Theresa and the kids move here, but lord knows we can't always have our way!

I'm really glad the weekend is here... it's been super hectic here at work and I'm watching the clock waiting to get the heck outta here and get my weekend started. :)

Yay for Friday even though it's overcast as hell, woohoo!

XO

Oy

Since work has been kicking my backside, I haven't had ANY time or energy for scrapping or cards.  I have my niece Alyssa and nephew Tommy's birthday coming, too.  I will have to get my buns moving on that stuff tonight, hopefully.  I hope to find some stability here at work soon, as we keep losing staff.  It has been interesting, and I've learned a lot here, so I won't complain.  I hope to get a vacation in soon, also... it's been almost six months, so I'm due for one... I'm really thinking about flying somewhere that I don't have to worry about moving around too much, honestly, a week at a spa would be optimal.  I could use some solitary relaxation time... like, immediately.  I'd read read read, eat and decompress.  Then, back to the salt mine to get the old blood pressure back up to it's high status. 

One can dream... and this one dreams a TON.

Hopefully, I'll have some photos tomorrow of all the creativness from tonight... I haven't been sleeping very well lately, either, I feel like I only get two to three solid hours, so I must catch up on that.  In spite of that fact, I feel strangely good... like, my body doesn't NEED all the sleep I've been getting.  I'm such a baby, I'd get pissy if someone woke me up too early on a day off, and be rigid about going to bed at a certain time.  I'm thinking it's time to sort of get used to later hours, I mean, I may need them in coming days, who knows WHAT'll happen. :)  I can't be the person out n' about who is yawning at 9pm, I mean, that's just sad.  I have a good feeling about things in general lately, and if work lets up on me in coming days, I can maybe take some time for little old me to soak in that a bit.

XO

Everyday I'm Hustlin'

(Insert the song by Rick Ross and you get the picture.)  Seriously, though, I have been making page layouts during my nights and weekends so I can get each member of my family a nice scrapbook by Christmas.  I figure any gift I give them will most likely be used up and forgotten; this is something they can keep for a long time, give away, etc.  I have been having the most fun with Anabella's pages... she's just so darn cute.  Here's her third page for Anita & Matt's book:

I used a postage stamp die for the photo mat, how cute is that?!  I also thought I'd better tie in the red with something extra, hence the large 1" dots.  I swear, I had to control myself with this page, I wanted to clutter it until the cows came home.  Here's a close up:

I had lots of fun with this portion of the page; I had to figure out a way to convey a feeling of the whole day so that she could understand it later... I hope it worked.  I should have dropped some water and a bonfire in there, but like I said: clutter.  I can't STAND it in my life, so...
Anyway, I love love LOVE how I did the O's on "Cool", let me show you a close up of that:

I found the shades in my Critter cartridge; they went with a giraffe, and I had to scale them up LOTS.  I used my Xacto knife to cut out the middles, just in case you notice how wonky that looks.  How freakin' cute is my niece?!  I love her, dammit!  She is getting her teeth, yelling all day long, and gets mad when she can't find milk when she sucks on whatever skin she finds available to her mouth.  Pretty cute.  So, I also made a page for my parents book, two really, and I held back there also.  I have to wonder what my pages would look like if I cluttered them up, not holding back?  Maybe I'll try that tonight.  I have two pics of my brothers, one of them super young, and one recent to work on next.  So, here's my parent's pages:

The top pic is from when they first met, I imagine from how young and dopey they look (kidding), and the second is at their wedding...

Those are more recent... the bottom one was when I was a teenager, so they must have been in their middle or late 30's.  I have to wonder how two people could stand each other for so long???  How do they do it?  I get tired of my shoes at the end of the day!  I think they'll like their books, and I plan on keeping the rest of the pages secret from here out... shhhhh! :)

I look forward to Christmas, actually -- I may have lots of b.s. behind me, onto other things.  One can hope.

XO

Tings a Gwan

Bella playing with her new ball, sitting at her new Bumbo tray... I'm not sure if I posted this pic yet, but I couldn't resist.  She's so awesome, I can't get over her! :)

Anyways, I made a birthday card for a co-worker's niece who is turning 17.  I had to think about that one -- like, "Where was I at at that age?  What did I like?"  And, I think it's still safe to be cutsey at that age, I mean you're still a kid!  I figured a teenage girl would like something like this:

I used the middle of a bunch of leaf die cuts that I got off eBay awhile ago; I saved them in a little container, shaking my head wondering at the lengths I go to to save.  Pow!  That's why!  Haha, I got to use them finally, and don't feel like a total spaz.  Well... I won't go there.  I used brown colored pencil to softly outline the lines on the beehive, I hope it looks okay.  I used some K&Company hearts to jazz it up and to get some pink in there.  I guess it turned out okay.

I plan on really trying out some embossing this weekend, and also gotta re-try the acrylic spray bottle idea.  It just didn't work out last week, but I haven't given up.  I also think it's time to go ahead and grab those bicycle stamps from Hero Arts. I've had my eye on them for a good month, and right now is a good time to do something nice for me. 

If Bella gets tired of anything, it'll be of Auntie's photo shoots, I tellya.  Whenever I get a moment, and she's in a good mood (which is all the time), I just snap snap snap and usually I get some really good ones.  I think I will also visit that Kodak printing kiosk again and print out a good number of my photos of Bella for her scrapbook.  She's getting her teeth, the doctor said at her last appointment, so I'm going to have to find my tooth die cut... OH!  One more thing: at that doctor's appointment, my sister said that Bella got an immunization and she DIDN'T CRY at all.  I think she said she flinched a little, but my little toughie held it together!  She is truly a Rodriguez girl.  I can't wait to tell her that someday. :)

XO

Blog makeover

I like this better... sometimes it feels good to make a big change, do things differently, even though the 'old way' may feel more comfortable and you know what you're getting.  I like this.  It feels just fine.

XO, what a beautiful, sunny day! :)

August already??

Since I have no USB cord today at the office, I'll post weekend pics tomorrow.  Saturday, my sister, Anabella and I went shopping at the mall, and it was quite an experience.  She's in a very talkative mode lately, all she does is use her voice, and it's loud!  I LOVE it, though... she is so smart, everything she sees is cause for a comment. :)  By the time we were through in Target (where I discovered the magic of a Kodak photo printing kiosk), she was pooped, literally and figuratively.  We made it to H&M (that mall has a really good one, Fox Hills Mall) and Bella knocked the f out.  I realized how tough it is for my sister to get anything done with her little tiger, so I vow to help her whenever it's possible.  I love squeezing my beautiful niece, anyway, so it's a win-win. 

As for my crafts this weekend, I made THREE scrapbook page layouts for a project I'm working on.  I have decided that I'll just scrap the heck out of the next few months until Christmas and then put together scrapbooks for my sister & Matt, my parents and my brothers.  I should also keep one for myself, so I've got lots to do.  It's nice, because a whole page gives me more room to clutter up.  On a card, I usually only have 5 1/2" x 6", and it does get cluttered.  What else... oh, I made two acrylic paint spray bottles.  THAT was funny... I dumped some hairspray and a vanilla body mist, and made an off-white, cream color and gray.  I have to figure out the right consistency because I drenched the damn paper, and it's all warped now.  I did try, though!  (Friday nights are WILD, I tell you)  I also made a little discovery that I'm a little hesitant to elaborate on.  Oh well, who cares.  I went to Home Depot and basically helped myself to about a hundred paint chip sheets!  They are PERFECT for my projects!  I have a ton of them, and one company even uses sticker paper for theirs, I'll be getting more of those!  I tried them out on my Cricut, and I was right: amazing colors, thick paper, beautiful shapes and lettering for whatever.  I don't recommend abusing this little tip, but hey, I'm all about recycling, and I bet Benjamin Moore would LOVE that I'm doing some good with those things that just sit there! 

Anyway... I spent my whole Sunday cleaning my house, so I can relax this week and just craft during the evening.  BBQ Chicken for dinner tonight, and I may attempt scalloped potatoes.  I never even tried them until, like, a year ago, and I love them!  I have an Excel 2 class tomorrow in Culver City, so I'll have the day off from work for that.  I'll pack a nice lunch and bring a SK book to read during lunch hour.

Ah, but now... back to work. ;)

XO

Happy Birthday Card

Happy 14th Birthday to Jae's nephew! :)  Jae called me yesterday before I left the office and told me he needed a card asap -- I guess I got it done, but is it masculine enough?!  I worried about that last night after I finished...


I used the "Country Living" Cricut cartridge for the numbers; I used my heaviest cardstock and used it as a stencil on top of the purple grid paper with an off-white chalk inkpad and I think it came out really nice.  I have SO many ideas now that I've gone there.  I got the blue tag from a tag set from the Paper Source (I think I called it the Paper Place in an earlier post, that was wrong).  I used lavendar chalk ink on the photo corner thingies, and gave them a bit of pop with dimension dots.  Under it all lies a cute cupcake patterned paper, but you can't really see it... I hope he likes it. 


I visit all my favorite blogs on my way to work, and this morning I got a few tips and tricks that I need to try asap.  First, I have been wanting to try out the misting technique, but am SO hesitant to pay $6 on a little bottle -- it just kills me when I know there has to be a better, more economical way... well, I was RIGHT!  Somebody mentioned that she just gets little spray bottles (think trial sized hairspray in a pump bottle) and dilutes acrylic paint!!  EUREKA!  I'm going to go to the Sally Beauty Supply on my way home and see about some little bottles and steal some paint from Sam (heehee).  


Second tip I would like to try is cleaning up my paper hoard.  It's OUT OF CONTROL.  I use 12" x 12" sheets, usually, and when I use pieces, the left overs just go into a large, plastic storage bin where it's forgotten and buried under the next project's scraps.  Another blog buddy suggested that you go through all the old scraps, cut a uniform size and file them by color, season, etc.  GENIUS.  I'm going to do that, as well.  She said I'd be left with lots of strips, but there's an answer for that too: glue them onto cardstock and make your own patterned paper.  I think I may try this.  I HAVE to get things organized, because I have so much stuff that doesn't get used.  


I have my work cutout for me today!  Let's see how the spray paint stuff turns out... I have to make some pages for my scrapbook anyway.  I found some great photos that I'd like to scrap...


Things are busy, busy, busy... I must go. ;)


XO

What a week I'm having, and it's only MONDAY!

I made this card for my brother; since he had a beach party, I thought this was appropriate, if a bit hokey.  Who cares, I love it!  The fox, fire, phrase and waves were from my Cricut, but I just tore the paper at the bottom to look like sand.  Very simple, to the point and not at all complicated... that's how everything should be, huh? ;)  He liked it quite a bit, I think.

I made this little bee card last night; it began with the envelope which I saw on Scrapbooks, Etc. August issue.  I wanted to use paper that didn't really match, and see how that felt... result: good.  :)  I think so , anyway.  I love my critters, they just make everything more cheerful, and the cardstock pack I got at Michael's the other day (huuuuge pack) had so many colors, I don't even know what to do.  I LOVE this navy blue, it makes me think of sailboats, or water themed cards and page layouts.  The pack also had the blue that I used on the water of the fox card above, I love that also... it's funny how a new color will spark all kinds of new ideas.  

On the right side of the envelope, I used my score tool to make that end sort of like the bottom of a very skinny box; can you tell?  It began as a mistake, but afterwards, I felt it gave the envelope more dimension... do you see it at all?  This card is WAY better in person, the photo does it no justice.  I really want to give this card away! :)

Oh, and one more card:

I got this rubber stamp from this awesome store near the Promenade called Paper Place.  It was on sale, so I got it for like $3, or something... I couldn't resist!  When I checked out, the cashier said it could be for a forgotten birthday or something, I hadn't even thought of that.  :)  I'm sure I'll get lots of use out of this one, I was even thinking of making desk note sets for co-workers with it.  It would be fitting here, lord knows.  I used my glue ink pad and glitter, doesn't the word look better all shiny?  Haaaaaa... love it.

That's about it for now.  I'll have lots of stuff soon because I'm helping my cousin Jazmine with her baby shower, which is in October.  She asked me this weekend, after I offered, of course!  And I'm excited, because putting my sister's together was lots of fun.  I will begin trial runs of invites for her to look at.

I'm swamped at work, I'd better go.  This post literally took me all day, ten seconds here, twenty there... :)

XO

Cool Bella

My little angel behaved herself so well last week (Friday) when I babysat.  Her Daddy gave her to me as soon as I arrived in time for her late morning bottle and nap.  After an hour, she woke and we took a walk around the marina and talked -- she copied me when I said "Ahhhhh!"  She's so smart, only four months and she's trying to talk!  I don't know if this is normal, but I think it's pretty cool. 

On Saturday, we went to Uncle Chris' birthday party at Dockweiler Beach (below Playa Del Rey) where they are allowed bonfires; she behaved herself there too.  :)  Her cousin Mario III had these cute little shades, so we took some photos, she didn't try to take them off, so I went and got her some of her own yesterday. 

What a doll, words just can't describe how much I love that kid!

XO

Loving Support

I have to say, during the past few years, and the last year in particular, I have been so lucky to have so much loving support from my family and friends.  I would be LOST without my parents steps away, and it's so comforting just knowing they're there.  How did I make it in New York for so many years alone???  I am lucky... very lucky, and grateful indeed. 

This card is the product of a new paper packet I got from Target the other day; it's Colorbok, and came with a dozen sheets -- ALL super cute.  I needed gray to make the seal, and this color/design I think fit perfectly.  I didn't want to have all three pieces popping off the card, so I just chose to have the seal highlighted... I think it works.  After it all, I sort of wished I would have inked the edges of the baby blue paper (also from the paper packet), like distressing it, ageing it... but, next time.  I have discovered a few more blogs that have me BUZZING with inspiration, ideas up the waz.  I need to take my butt to get some cardstock, and figure out some handmade embellishments.

We'll see what happens. ;)  Oh, and happy birthday to me!  I have received SO many sweet birthday wishes from so many people -- I feel so blessed.  Tonight I'm having dinner with my family, and I'm taking Friday off to babysit my niece, which I can't WAIT for!  I never get to just sit and be with her, we have lots to talk about. :)  On Saturday I'll go to a club in Hollywood with the girls to celebrate, hopefully I will have some silly pics to post next week.

XO

Just look at this face!!

I believe she's going to get teeth very soon the way she's leaking from the mouth!! :)  I love her, how cute is she??? 

XO

Things

The other day I ordered a "Huge box of card making supplies" on eBay.  I thought, for $24 it wouldn't hurt to see what it was all about and possibly get some extra supplies.  I was shocked yesterday when I received a box (about 15lbs.) of hundreds of pre-scored cardstock cards in assorted sizes, colors, shapes, papers and some even embossed!  Score.  Score.  I will not have a need to buy actual cards OR envelopes for a very long time.  Anywway, I got many ideas, which inspired me to do a page for Anabella's scrapbook:

Doesn't she look cute?

I also cut out some cute dies out:

I originally cut this stuff out thinking I had a cute pic of Bella sleeping, but no such luck... I'll have to get some more, she's growing so fast.

Also, I have this pic of me and my sister from the other night... I forgot about it!

I will now leave this office and see how many hours of traffic I encounter on Wilshire Bl.  Yesterday it took an hour and a half to get about two miles... no joke... three hours home.  WTF?!  With "Carmegeddon" coming on Saturday (closing of two major freeways for construction of a toll lane) I expect things will be absolute mayhem on the streets with traffic.  I'll be inside all weekend, I suspect...

That's all folks!