Congratulations BABY!

This card was made last night for one of the therapist interns at work, who is an awesome person, and I'm so happy for her and her husband on their new addition.  Her baby shower will be on Monday, so the rest of the interns and some of us staff are trying to get things together for a little surprise party.  I LOVE our interns, the ones who've been with us the last year.  They are so awesome, and so when they leave soon (after they accrue enough hours, they are outro) we'll get a whole new crop and we do it all over.  They, and their take no shit attitudes will be sorely missed.  Anyway, I regress... the baby carriage was super simple to make: I used my circle cutter at 3 1/2'', I think, and made a circle, then just cut out a piece and added some scallops.  Easy peasy?  The hardest part (an HOUR) was deciding what paper to make the background.  I had almost settled on a black and white houndstooth, but at the last moment used this glittery paper.  I think it's okay... not sure.  Anyway, like with the "Orange you glad we're friends" card, I used the clothesline idea and little pins.  I have lots of those suckers and they've just been sitting in jars.  That's the trouble with cute-as-hell embellishments.  Your instinct is to collect them, but shoot, what's the use of having them in jars?  I have begun to use the stuff I buy, and I think it makes for extra special cards.  Here's a closeup of this card:

The pins are, in my opinion, too large for the scale of the card and in comparison to everything else, but what the F can ya do?  I could have used a bigger greeting placard, but whatevs.  I must stop by Michael's for more cards, as I'm down to two.  TWO, I tell ya!  I have some others that have stuff on the front, and that may be used, but I like my 5" x 6.5" jobs.  I also have those tags that I wanted to work on as short projects.  I have been devouring the Hero Arts blog, Flickr page and YouTube channel the last few days, and they are AWESOME people over there.  Their stamps are off the fckn hook, and I plan on getting the bike series and maybe the typewriter clear stamp, it's just too cute for words.  (Pun right there, did you catch that?)  Their tutorials are good also, have given me about a zillion ideas and I'm in dire need of a few more things from the damn craft store.  Have they succeeded in making an already frantic consumer a bit more frantic?  Maybe... but, it's getting more interesting.  I also LOVE Cards Magazine's blog, it's called "Create", it's one of those whose giveaways are amazing, so I'll keep trying.

That's all for today, as if it weren't enough.
xo

Graduation time already?!

'Ello then!  This darn card was pure fun last night, I just LOVED this little crafting session, I can't say why.  I had ideas, things worked out, I don't know.  Anyhow, this card was made for a co-worker and friend, Tim, who will give it to someone on Thursday for a Drug Court graduation.  I guess the paper part doesn't really make sense, since Drug Court isn't all about paperwork, but hey, graduation - paper, you get it.  So, I guess graduation season is right around the corner, so I'll make a few more of this particular card; I think it's worthy of a few copies.  I love making these little button embellishments now (on the bottom), I can't seem to stop.  I have this other idea for an embellishment (gotten from the Hero Arts website and YouTube page) that consists of twine, flowers and a straight pin.  Doesn't take much imagination to picture that one.  But, it's simple and cute, I'll give 'er a go tonight on a card.  BY THE WAY: I am RUNNING out of cards, dammit and need to take my raggedy ass to Michael's and get me some more!  I just HATE to keep spending more and more on something that is seeming like a money pit.  But, everything (to me) besides rent, bills or food seems like a damn waste.  That's the state of affairs here now, but I have to realize that a hobby is what keeps me from ripping people's heads off in passing.  Or, from writing nasty emails just for fun.  :)  Anyway, it's what I'm thinking about during the day, and after Summer term begins, I have a feeling my cards will be placed on the backburner, so I won't feel too guilty. 

So, I may go see Anabella today, not sure yet.  I sure do miss her little self, and dreamt of her last night, so I think it's time.  :)

XO

PS: It's an AWESOME day here today, should get up to about 80 degrees, Summer's right around the corner!

Successful Evening!

Okay, so last night after dinner (and a bit before) I started a "Bun in the Oven" card and an "Orange you glad we're friends" card that literally took me about an hour each.  That, for me, is pretty good, as I can get stuck on details like color and layout.  I think they came out damn good:

For the bun in oven card, I created this little embellishment (which I mentioned in yesterday's post?) with the button and string.  I put it on a star punch and it just seemed like it belonged there.  I also have begun to use my tags a bit more, since they are just sitting there STARING at me lately.  Plus, I think I may do more tags since they are smaller and less of a committment when I just want to do a short project.  They can always be placed on a card, anyway.  The orange friends card was done as an afterthought, right before bed.  I sort of mapped it out in my head, thinking that I could get it done quickly; I did.  The longest part, I think, was the orange wedge; that sucker had me swearing like a truck driver.  I had to use white paint (which I think looks kinda bad) to cover up eraser bits and dirty finger smudges.  I HATE dirty glue fingers, I can't seem to get around it. :(  Also, I used little clothes pins on the same string used on the first card, the string that comes in the tags, which I took out.  I have silver string, but it wouldn't have gone with the orange theme.  I used dimension dots under the sign that says, "Orange you glad we're friends" to secure it in place.  The string edges were secured under the orange cardstock with tape and then THAT was glued onto the card.  I'm RUNNING OUT of cards, I may have to stop by Michael's after work (with ALL my riches - NOT) and get some more.  I mean, what the heck will I do without cards, I ask you?  Anyhow, I think those two are pretty darn cute, and I already put them in packaging and will shop them around this week. 

Well folks, it's been fun, but I gotta run.  Monday: yay.  :P 

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, folks... there's the card I made for my parents, and that's ALL I made for Easter; no baskets this time since Elijah wasn't in town.  I think Sam may have sent something, but not sure... anyway, Anabella can't enjoy that stuff yet, so I'll do that next year.  Today was a relaxing Sunday (AFTER my top-to-bottom cleaning), and I am in the middle of making a "Bun in the oven" card.  Earlier this afternoon, also, I made a stamped card for my Mom to give her cousin, Lenny in Michigan.  Let me show that one:

So, that phrase was put together from that Martha Stewart stamp set I got a few weeks ago.  It's not easy, by any means, to find each letter in a pile of teeny weeny letters, but it's a cute effect, so whatever.  I made a little video of the embellishment on the bottom of this card, and I'll upload that to my YouTube channel tomorrow, probably.  It's funny, hearing my voice on it reminds me of my sister's... we must sound just alike.  Anyway, the card turned out pretty well, I think.  I can't WAIT to show the "Bun in the oven" card tomorrow, it's already very cute. 

Oh, here's a recent pic of my sweet baby Anabella Rose, she's finally SMILING!  Seeing her smiling face made me swoon... that child is the light of my life!  Here it is:

I guess she's growing up; my sister gave her her first real bath, and I got pics of her just LOVING it, and her after-bath massage.  I just love hearing about her, and how she's developing.  Can't wait to see her on Wednesday...

XO

SCORE!!

Top of the morning to ya!  It's actually almost noon around here, but still drinkin' my coffee, so it's still morning to me. :)  Those two cards above are what I made last night.  I figured out a way to make video of my card making process by placing my phone on the shelf above my desk, and since it's all metal (looking) bars, it worked perrrrrfectly.  I will put those on Youtube, but I must warn, it's not terribly interesting.  Mostly, I wanted to just see how it would look and get the hang of it.  I want to put together a project and do some video for my channel.  I got a few punches yesterday (one with a star, square,  at TJ Maxx!  Who knew they had this kind of stuff?  I found two paper pads (one is called Hippie Chic, the orange card above is from that pad) and another with a vintage theme.  I think I spent about 25% of what I would have spent at Michael's or even Jo-Ann.  Those paper pads cost about $20 regularly, so $3.99 and $4.99 is just a steal.  Same for the punches, I just about passed out!  I was very close to getting a chipboard book thingie, but I had to cool it, didn't want to go nuts, or anything.  Anyway, I love getting new material to work with, as it's VERY inspiring.  We'll see what turns out.... :)

(Honestly, the orange card isn't very nice, I think.... it was a rushed effort.)

XO

Card Factory

Folks, it would seem that all I do is crank out the cards... I guess this is true.  I got an order from Anabella's mommy yesterday for one Easter card, a baby shower card and two thank-you's.  I had the Easter card already, and also a good thank-you from last weekend (remember the one with the bird?)  So, as soon as I got home yesterday, I got to work.  I had to make sure I was done with enough time to do the rest of the things I had to do, so it was a crunch!  Anyway,  I wanted to show the two new ones I made.  I wanted to post both pix of the baby shower card, one with flash and one without so you can see how the dimension dots really made the onesie pop:

And here it is without flash:

Since SOMEbody said that the onesie gets kind of lost in the background, I think this works. For the "ruffles" on the edges, I used my hole puncher on some white cardstock; I drew a light pencil line along the edge of the plaid part and then glued the circles on the middle of the line, trimming the edges.  I think it worked really nicely.  I have a girly version I'll work on tonight.  There are so many babies lately!  Baby boom 2011.  Also, I'll work on my sober birthday cards this weekend.  I have to keep in mind that we have those ALL year here at the office.  Anyway, here's the second card I made; it is for my sister to give to her in-law's family, I think, so I had to keep the cheeky-ness to a minimum:

I used a pin here, see it above the bow?  I like using straight pins on a card, but you have to be careful it won't come out and stab somebody.  I made sure it went into the dimension dot under the thank you placard.  This is from my FAVORITE doodles paper pad.  I went back to Jo-Ann to look for another paper pad, since they were on sale, but didn't find anything really good.  Their cardstock packets SUCK, by the way.  Their paper is so flimsy.  Michael's is the best for cardstock.  My next purchase(s) will be an embossing heat tool (with powder, and glue pad) or (and?) a large glitter set, with glue pad for stamping.  I've gotten more stamps, but don't  use them as much... I guess I am not as into the stamping, but that will most definitely change once I can emboss backgrounds and add glitter to my cards.  It really makes a difference.  I guess I'll hold out for a Silhouette until I can find it on sale, or for a good price on eBay. 

Okay, enough of my crafting addiction.  Sheesh!  So, yesterday I found out that budget has been approved for me to accompany our Director of Clinical Services to Baltimore, MD for a three-day conference on treatment for the homeless.  I'm SUPER excited, those things are always really interesting and fun, even.  You get to talk shop with lots of service providers, and always make connections.  It's held at a Marriot Waterfront, and I think that's where we're staying, too.  I hear it's a two-hour train to New York, so I'm thinking about that, maybe JUST to have a descent slice of pizza and a hot dog from Grey's Papaya.  Or a cheesesteak from this place near the Verrazano Bridge in Brooklyn, or a slice of Grandma's Pizza from Williamsburg, or or OR!  The food alone may lure my hungry ass there.  I'd LOVE to do some shopping, too... we'll see. :)

Sun is out, let's hope it stays!
xo

Pregnant Pat, lady of the hour!

I forgot to mention, Patty looked absolutely gorgeous and had that pregnant lady glow.  Although she wasn't feeling so great, I think she enjoyed her party and got lots of nice gifts.  I'm planning on making her a baby blanket after being totally enchanted by my last visit to Jo-Ann Fabric.  I think a quilt will be something she can use, no?  Something to bring to the hospital this time. 

Very nice shower, guys, it was nice that the guys and kids got to come! :)

A Summery Weekend!

Ah, this weekend was awesome!  First of all, our weather was in the 80's, and even though I worked through it for my weekly top to bottom clean-up and I was sweating like a pig, it was fckn amazing.  Seriously though, for next time, I'm going to begin cleaning earlier to avoid that kind of sweating... it's just gross.  On Friday night, though, I made this card:

I was inspired by these little cardstock squares my sister gave me when I went to visit Anabella (who, by the way, is doing great!!)  They were meant to fold in half, sort of place setting card shaped, and I cut it in half and saw a radio.  I worked for hours on that damn thing, even though it looks super simple.  I'm happy for how it turned out.  My new music paper seemed appropriate, even if the octopus doesn't make a lick of sense. :)  I'm still having fun with my scallop punch, as you can see.  It's the best $14 I've spent in awhile. 

Anyway, Sunday was Patty and Jay's baby shower, which was at her parent's house.  It was really nice to see everyone, to see Jay who I never see anymore, and her parents.  Toni cooked up a storm, Italian food, and it was to die for, obviously!  There were tons of kids:

Here's Mateo:

And  here's Baily, Mateo's cousin:

I tried to take photos of all the kids while they were watching Blues Clues, but my efforts were futile... I mean, they were like "Get the fuck out of my way, lady!", hahahah!  They were sweet, and by sweet I mean sugared up by the cupcakes that Pat ordered from somebody amazing, and once they started to crash, I went home.  I admit, I was crashing also, after three Cokes and two cupcakes.  :)

The nicest part of the weekend is that it's over, and our weather has cooled down enough to make it so that I will appreciate a warm up next weekend, as scheduled.  I love weekends, but lately they've been busier than normal, but I'll take it.  Back to the grind.............. xo

Jerky Card

Well... here's the fruit card I was talking about in my last post.  I sat there on my chair for about half an hour just trying to come up with something for these guys to say.  Well, I was making the awning for the top, and sorta watching "Honey, I Shrunk The Kids", but you know.  And, I guess this is the best I could come up with.  I inked the edges of both guys, but I wish I did it a bit more so they would've popped some.  I could have done dimension dots, but the awning seemed like enough.  Next time, and I plan on going a bit more with the fruit theme, I think I'll do a sort of produce section look.  Maybe some wooden fruit crates or something... I wish I could craft in the morning when I have all my ideas and energy.  It sucks that I can only do this shit in the evening after work, making dinner and cleaning up, etc.  Oh well, I usually have Sunday also, so I shouldn't complain.  Friday evenings are for Anabella, and I'm going to see her after work today.  I hope she can come out on Sunday for Pat and Jay's baby shower, I think it will be fun to see everyone again.  Plus, Toni's cooking???  Yes, I'm excited! :)

I tried to post a little video of this card showing all sides of it on my YouTube channel, but I think the download failed.  I think I have to email it there to get it there for sure.  I'm going to try to keep up with that as well, uploading videos I take and just have sitting on my phone.  What's the point of all the pics and vids if they just sit there??? 

TGIF, I'm so happy!  We are going to Hometown Buffet again for Steph's birthday, so I'm just counting time until noon.  I'll bet we leave at 11:30 with the way these men eat, they are practically jumping out of their skin. 

XO

My Big Girl!

Here's a pic of the love of my life, Anabella.  She is three weeks old today, and I just didn't think she could get any cuter.  Cuter by the day!  What an angel... stop me, I will go on forEVER! :)  Anyway, I want to be sure to share stories about her so that I can remember them later.  I'll have to take more photos today so I have choices for her scrapbook.  My sister says she's going to give me some feet and hand prints soon, so maybe I'll convince her to do that today if my love bug is awake long enough.  It's going to be in the high 70's today, so maybe a walk.

Last night, I began a little fruit card.  I wish I took a pic of the peach and plum I made, they turned out really nice.  I began to think about a series of cards with cheeky sentiments on them, and will develop on that more this weekend.  I also thought about some sober birthday cards, for my co-workers and their circles.  I'm betting I'd sell those like hotcakes here and it's certainly worth a shot.  People buy birthday, get well and thank you cards for the most part.  I need to stay along those lines and not stray if I want to sell them. 

That's all for today, I think....
xoxo

Happy Birthday, Steph!!

This card was made last night for my friend Stephanie, her birthday is Monday, but we're celebrating it this Friday at work.  I think we're going to some buffet for lunch to pig out.  This paper came from my new doodles pad; you can't see the grid pattern on it, really, but I love it.  I cut out the top border and used some dimension dots to make it pop.  Ticket die cuts are something that I've been seeing a lot of lately on blogs and challenges.  I like it, and have been cooking up a little design to make it a bit more unique... I'll work on that tonight.  I know that the pre-made dies aren't so unique, but they are easy and when I am having lots of trouble with layout, it's nice to have something already done.  I have been going to Jo-Ann whenever I have time and checking out their dollar bin.  It's awesome.  They have ink pads, clear stamps, big glitter (sorta like confetti), and even pretty flower embellishments (like the one on the card above)... for a DOLLAR.  I'm thinking about getting my eBay store back up and making some money off those damn things.  I buy them for a dollar, along with the scrapbooking stuff I've been finding at the 99 cent store, and jack up the price 400%.  Everyone wins, especially me.  Plus I get to shop on eBay without using Mr. Mastercard and Mama needs some new boots among other things. :) 

I made a little curtain for the space under the kitchen sink where I have the garbage can, I think I mentioned it in an earlier post, this is what it looks like:

I wanted to cover that space, which has gotten crowded, with something that wasn't corny... I think this works.  I used dark brown thread until I ran out, and then I had to use black.  I'm glad you can't really see the stitches, because they look like a cavelady did them.  I'm not really a domestic person, but I'm trying these things.  Anyway, a hem at the top and one at the bottom, I got a curtain.  I'm going to make one for the living room, so let's see how that goes. 

xo

Sunday Blues

Even though today was my grandmother's 81st birthday, and we had an awesome party for her complete with mariachis (which she LOVED), I still have a case of the Sunday Blues.  I haven't experienced blues this bad since highschool, I promise you.  Yesterday was spent in bed, so I cannot complain that I haven't had enough rest!  Friday I got some material for a little curtain for the kitchen and I'll hem those during the Borgias tonight.  I made two cards last night:

I know that isn't the greatest pic... but, I'm happy with them.  The one on the right was given to my grandmother today, and the one on the left was really done while I was watching T2, so it didn't really get the amount of attention the second one did (at that time, Ferris Bueller's Day Off was on, and I can recite that damn movie verbatim, so I didn't need to really watch). 
Anyway, the food at the party today was off the hook; we had grilled meat with all kinds of side dishes and these KILLER enchiladas.  I may have to alter my own enchilada recipe to get to that caliber.  They were spicy, which I don't usually do, but it worked.  Big time.  She also used low fat cheese, or whatever, and turkey meat to kind of make it a bit more health conscious.  Whatevs, I just liked them. 

Tomorrow's Monday.  Yay.

Hi, Weekend, I LOVE you!

So, these are the two cards I made last night.  I have been crankin' those suckers out like a freakin' card factory.  I guess my comfortable workspace has me excited to play, and I'm back into my favorite thing in the world.  The first card, the Donut card is a remake of one of my older cards.  I sold that one to Kat, so I missed seeing it's cute little face.  I know it's irresistible, so hopefully it sells soon also.  The second card was done while I watched a John Waters documentary last night.  I was paying more attention to his perverted ass than my card, so it is kind of boring.  I fell in LOVE with this paper pack that has doodled drawing prints and accents.  They were on sale at Jo-Ann for $9.99, and I'm really thinking that I should go back at lunchtime.  I could use a nice walk, anyway.  It's a beautiful day out! :)

Today I go to see my niece, Anabella after work.  I miss her like crazy and I guess I can tell where I'll be every weekend until her butt is old enough to come and spend the night.  I've already told her that whenever her Mama says no, she should come to me and I'll say YES!  She's getting SO pretty, and I can see more of my sister in her.  Here's a recent pic:

She has her Daddy's lips, I swear she was born with this same pout!  What an angel... sigh.  Anyhow, I hope that she is awake this afternoon when I cover her with kisses.  Here's a recent pic of my nephew Mateo, my bestfriend Patty's son:

Isn't he just the cutest thing ever???  Look at those dimples!!  Ah, well what can you expect, he has Pat's face.  They are going to have another son in May, so I'm excited for her and Jay. 

It's almost lunchtime, I'm off for a walk. 
XO

Almost a Century!

This is a bad photo, but it's the only one I took... oh well.  I made it for my friend Stephanie's grandfather, "Other Daddy" she calls him, and it's his 99th birthday.  In fact, we just called him and sang him "Happy Birthday" over speakerphone... it's hard to imagine being here 79 years from now.  What will the world be like?  Will we finally have hover boards? :)  I can only hope that I would have had a long, healthy life filled with family, friends and good times.  I hope to have peace when facing my last years. 

Today the sun came out!  I was expecting rain, and lots of it from the looks of all those dark clouds.  Yay! 

XO

Too Cute Series

This is the third in the series I spoke of recently.  Last night I spent way too much time on debating on whether or not these guys should have faces.  Yep, it's the tough decisions in life like these that keep me up at night.  :)

I decided no, simply because it was getting late and I knew I'd be DOG tired this morning, which I was.  I felt absolutely SICK this morning just being upright, and would have given anything to stay in bed. 

Anyway, this card shows the new punch I got last night at Jo-Ann; I made sure to read the packaging and was happy to see that this particular company guarantees that if the damn thing breaks or isn't working, they'll repair or replace it.  It's more than I can say for the other brand of punch I have that stopped working recently.  Anyway, I found a bargain bin of clear punches that I raided, and you'll be seeing the fruits of those impulse buys very soon.  I tested them all out last night, and they are VERY cute. 

Gloomy in L.A., rain is coming :(

Last Night's Stuff

Those are last night's efforts... I haven't glued down the heart on the "Get Whale Soon" card; I can't decide if it should be above the water spout, or on the whale's body. 

Tonight I'll do something with the little loaf and donut, although the donut isn't a new design, but I did sell that card that I made with one just like it and miss seeing it in my stuff.  I think I may ask the stationary store next door to my apartment if they'd like to sell my cards.  They need homes!  I'm going to stop by there after work to look over their used books (the owner said I could check out the stock in back for stuff not on shelves yet) and also to maybe get some good, heavy paper.  He also has a few boxes of random old photographs that I've been thinking about.  I'd love to make something with some of those....

Also, this week I'm going to begin a new scrapbook for my niece.  I have a small one that I had started on, but I feel I need something with bigger pages so that the design isn't ALL photo, and can actually be some of my own stuff on it.  Like little die cuts, etc.  I'm flush with ideas, and I had better roll with it before it dries up, like it always does. 

How does baked chicken sound for dinner? :)  Also, gotta make a couple Key Lime pies for work... I have to repay all the kindness I've been given here at work lately, they are SUCH good friends.
Later!

The Week in a Nutshell

So, I had to post this pic of my niece, Anabella, looking way too cute with her little face!  I love love LOVE her grey eyes, and can't stop looking at her.  She has been doing very well at home getting used to her Mommy and their routine.  She sleeps in her crib sometimes, nurses very well, and I've only seen her use her pacie a few times lately.  My love bug is just so happy and healthy, I can't be more pleased.  She has grown quite a bit in the last week, and now she's fitting into her little pants better.  I love her!!

As for the cards, I made a dozen Easter cards for a card exchange (my first), and am excited to see what the other people have made.  I know that I wasn't entirely pleased with my cards... hey, win some lose some.  Here's what I did:

I had a very bad block that lasted a few weeks, where I couldn't produce anything good.  Even though I have my new little craft area all set up!  I got a cute desk from Ikea, and Sam mounted a shelf on the wall in front of it for me that holds my ribbon and diecuts, stamps and ink pads, etc.  It's just SO cute, here's a pic:

It actually works as far as being faced AWAY from the TV so I can concentrate on my crafting instead of watching whatever garbage is on at the moment.  I need a stool that fits under the desk, so for now I'm sitting on my flowered trunk (found in trash!) that holds NOTHING at the moment.  In addition to the workspace, I got into the stamping stuff a bit more.  I needed some lettering, so I got this set from Martha Stewart's collection (her craft stuff is really nice) and it's already been used quite a bit.  I'm hoping to get an embossing kit soon, now that I've got such a great workspace and storage.  Ebay is good for this stuff, and a great incentive for getting back on the selling jag.  Anyway, I had a block, and now... it's GONE!  I worked my tookis off last night watching the Borgias (guess it doesn't matter which direction my seat is, my eyeballs find the telly!) and made a little series of characters; the ideas flowed and just kept coming.  Thank GOODNESS the draught is over!!  I got scared there for a second.  Anyway, here's the card I made last night and the little characters that will be developed on in the coming nights:

Each character has it's own cheeky greeting ("I loaf you", and other corny sentiments) and I need to get going on making these things before the mojo goes away again.  It's sad when that happens, because it's often during a time when I have lots of free time.  Oh well.

The Borgias was awesome; I'm glad to have something to replace The Tudors, and it's gonna do just fine.  The first episode had: murder, bribery, hinting at incest, and the Pope doin' the wild thang with someone other than his wife (gasp!); yep, I guess back then the Pope could have a Boo, who knew?  The regular show time for this juicy nugget is at 10pm, I think, and so that could be a problem for a Sunday night.  But, I have a feeling I'll squeeze it in... :)

That's all for now, but I think I should mention that L.A. has been absolutely tropical lately!  It's awesome!  I love it when we have tons of sun, so that's great; maybe the Rosato's will have a pool party soon.  Anabella has to show off the swimsuit I got her anyway.

Bye bye!