Hilary Kanwischer

Little bear hugs...

Ever had one of those kinds of hugs?  One of those hugs where you're grabbed and squeezed so hard you feel like all the air is gonna get sucked right out of you?  Well...I didn't get one of those today, in fact, I can't remember the last time I got one of those, so I think that after I'm finished with this post, I'm gonna go find my little ones and get one out of 'em.  :)  For now though, I had to scrap this photo of Connor giving one big hug to his new little bear.  This photo is a couple years old, but it is so sweet to me, it shows how much he loves and adores all things fuzzy and soft and I HAD to use these papers and embellishments from Cosmo Cricket.  This is from their, "Jack's World" collection and isn't that little bear paper just the sweetest ever???  Truth is, when Julie sent us our questionaire, she had asked us what collection we love the most and this is the one I truly adore.  Funny thing though, is that I've had this collection since it first came out...scooped it right up, and then it sat, I was too afraid to even cut into it.  Today I made myself do it.  Here's a little "Bear Hug" layout for you.  :)

  

 

 

And while I was having fun with these papers, I made a little card for the same collection...

 

 

I hope you enjoyed those and when your finished here, go chase down those little ones' of yours and grab a big "Bear Hug"...I know I will.  :)

Have a wonderful evening everyone!!  :)

Late nights, layouts and swim school...

 ****Oh I'm just updating this a little because I'm about to bust at the seams...I am sooooooo excited to have made the finalist list for Cosmo Cricket's, new Design Team...Seriously, it would be my dream to be on their team, but there is soooo much talent presented and for me to think that little ol me might make it to the finals is almost too much to even think about.  Just seeing that list makes me wish I could spend ALL night again in my craft room and dig out every inch of Cosmo I've got laying around and crank out project after project, sadly...I cannot.  I have to work in the morning, and that means getting up at 4:30am.  So Julie, Eric and Lindsay...I cannot even begin to thankyou enough for even the chance.  It's more than I could've imagined!!  :)  And to all the other girls on the list...Congratulations to each and every one of you.  You all have such amazing talent and I enjoyed each one of your blogs and I'm am humbled and honored to even be in your presence, (even if it may be short lived).  ;)  Hugs to each of you!!  :)

Is there something about a quiet night, when everyone is fast asleep, (including the dogs), that suddenly finds myself brewing a pot of coffee and retreating to my sanctuary?  Well it happened last night.  I was awake when everyone else was tucked away and I found myself sipping coffee from my favorite teal polka-dot coffee cup, and before I knew it...the sun was slowly breaking over the horizon.  Haven't done that in a long time and it felt really nice to have that time to myself.  To create...a layout???  Wow...haven't done one of those in a really long time, but I had this photo of my beautiful little girl just kinda laying there on top of some books and it was begging to be scrapped.  :) 

I used some "Vintage Moon" papers from  Pink Paislee, the chipboard frame is from Chatterbox and those fun swirly rub-on's are from Basic Grey.  Hope you enjoy...

    

here are some close ups..

 

(not sure why there is a little white streak going thru that little die cut, but it's really not there in real life)...camera's...geesh!

 

 

 

Then decided to make a quick little card using my scraps...

 

 

And finally, as the sun was peeking and the temperatures once again rising...I found myself at Swim School with Connor.  Can I just say first how PROUD I am of him?  Seriously folks, we've been trying to get him to put his face in the water for years now.  And I am not joking in any sense of the word.  It has been a HUGE struggle for him to just gain the confidence I always knew my little man had and I am just BURSTING with pride.  So...I have to show you some photos of him that I took just this morning. 

And I had a little fun with Photoshop today and decided to really play up these photos...hope you enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

he's soooo serious isn't he???  ;)

 

 

Way to go little buddy...I'm so PROUD of you!  Love, Momma!!  "_

Thankyou all so much for checking in today and I hope you all have a wonderful week...(PS..I'm going to take a little nap now).  :)

As sweet as Cherry Pie!

Happy, Happy 4th of July!!  I love this holiday.  It reminds me that Freedom doesn't come easy, it doesn't come without a pricetag.  Our home is complete with our American Flag flying proudly outside.  It's one thing we hold dear and I wish I would see American Flags on every home in America today.  But we'll celebrate it the way we like to, with a big barbecue, being around family, and my husbands unbelievable fireworks show tonight.  It's the one day that he really gets to call his own...it's HIS tradition, he takes the kids to the Fireworks store and cleans 'em out.  "Only the biggest and best" he says, and he loves getting the kids' to participate.  This year, he's been teaching Connor about Fireworks safety, hoping to instill that in him, so he can pass it on to his little ones, one day. 

The 4th of July...I'm so proud to live in a country that celebrates its Freedom!  But at the same recognizes the sacrifices it takes to have that Freedom, so as you enjoy today with family, barbecues and fireworks, say a quiet prayer to ones who had to pay the ultimate price, so that we could celebrate this very day. 

I made just one little card today, but I couldn't resist using these new papers from Webster's Pages, aptly titled, "Sweet as Cherry Pie", and also papers from Cosmo Cricket.  Enjoy...

 

 

And before I forget....Didn't I promise you all a CONTEST WINNER???  I believe I did...thankyou all so much for entering and I hope you had fun answering my "Summertime" question, and YES...I do have a winner for you...

 

And the WINNER of the "Scrapbook Trends Mini-Albums 2009" special issue is......

Jill Tracy

Yeah!!!  So Jill, if you'll just email me with your address, I'll get this copy out to you right away!!  Thank you so much to everyone for playing my game. 

And I hope you and your family have a very blessed 4th of July!  :)

 

 

I'm stuck on you...

Well, it was another rainy day here in South Florida, and while I do love it when it rains, I like to stay inside and luckily today, I got to play.  My son had 2 friends come over so they kept him occupied while my daughter and I retreated into my craft room.  I don't really know why I sat down to make this project, but I just wanted to.  I decided that since I'm on a "card" kick right now, (I really don't want to tell you all the last layout I did), I wanted to step it down and create some mini's for you.  I know Valentines Day is quite a few months away but one can never be ready enough huh?  (wink)...and hopefully this little guy may be picked up for a pub...we'll see.  I like how it turned out though, so either way I'm very pleased with it. 

I made a small card kit from papers from Cosmo Cricket, I used the "Hey Sugar" papers & stickers which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!  The little carrying case holds 3, 3x3 embellished cards and 3 envelopes.  It stays closed with a little piece of velcro and they'll be perfect to give to my family on February 14th.  :)   The twill, which is a perfect match is from Martha Stewart, and the buttons are from Papertrey Ink.  I really enjoyed making this today and I hope you enjoy it as well. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

here's a pic of the matching envelopes...

 

thanks so very much for looking...

AND... we had a little visitor today...actually, this little guy has been around our home for the past couple of weeks and today while sitting here at the computer, my kids came running in saying that the bunny was right outside.  So this time I grabbed my camera and between the raindrops, finally took a few photos of the little rabbit that has stolen my children's hearts.  Seriously, they love this little guy so much and have sort of "adopted" him as their own.  He is really sweet and really small, could probably fit in your hands alone.  Anyway, thought you might like to see him. 

 

 He's really sweet isn't he?  :)  Hey...don't forget to leave me a comment on the post below, titled, "Sweet Treats", remember...I'm holding a contest right now and you could win a copy of "Scrapbook Trends Mini Albums 2009"!!  It's all listed on the post from last night!!  I'll be picking a winner tomorrow night.  Have a great weekend everyone and Happy 4th of July!!  :)

Sweet Treats....

Careful though...this kit might just give you a toothache!  It's here...it's live...and it's ready to go!  The new July kit from Cupcards {to go} is ready for your tasting!  Dubbed "Sweet Treats", and it really packs a punch.  It's loaded to the brim of the sweetest papers and embellishments and believe me, you'll use every last little square inch of this one to satisfy your sweet tooth.  The designs are up and ready, so grab some coffee, (or a tall glass of ice cold milk), and sit back and enjoy all the designs from the design team in the gallery, they are sure to make your mouth water.   Here are my designs and I hope you enjoy!  And be sure to pick your kit up fast...they won't last!!  (hey...that rhymes)!

   

 

 

This next card is my sketch, so click on the link if you'd like to take a peek of the sketch as well as all the other sketch cards.  :)

  

and would you like to make this next card?  Simply click here

 

And how about a sweet little project to make with your extra scraps.  This is actually a magnet, (or you can leave it as a hanger), but it's the perfect little gift to give to your friend who is celebrating something special.  All I did was cover a wooden tag with papers, ribbon, a rub-on and some scrappers floss and I used heavy gauge wire for the hanger part.  On the back is a simple little magnet that will allow it to stick to almost anything.  Have fun!!!

 

here is the magnet on the back...

 

I hope you all enjoyed my projects, this kit was just so much fun to work with...(if I can even call it "work").  :) 

And lastly....did I promise you all another little CONTEST???

Waaaaay back when, you might remember a little mini-album that I did for Lime Tart, and here it is:

and well, I'm tickled pink to have it published in Scrapbook Trends Mini-Albums 2009.  I'm soooo excited to receive this issue, because I just adore and LOVE mini-albums so much, so I thought...would YOU like a copy of this issue????  YOU will LOVE it!!  All you have to do is post a little comment here and tell me what you LOVE about Summertime!! 

That's it...and in a couple of days, I will randomly pick one winner and you will recieve this new Idea Book.  Have fun and good luck!!  :)

Buttons and Barn Stars...

Those very words put instant smiles on my face.  They make me happy in their own special way.  I just love buttons for their color, styles and unlimited possibilities.  And I love Barn Star Ornaments for the simple reason, they remind me of Christmas.  I found so many luscious new colors of buttons at Papertrey Ink and a little bamboo divider tray from Pottery Barn, and when I put the two together...it was instant yumminess.  LOVE it!    I also made a Christmas ornament from the 3-D star Sissix Die Cut from Stampin Up! and papers from My Mind's Eye  and I just love that 3-D look and sooooo easy to do.  This star is backed with painted and distressed chipboard too.  I have made so many ornaments over the last year for our tree and I just adore the each and every handmade one. 

Buttons and Stars....instant inspiration!  :)

  

 

 

 

Ooooh, and be sure to check back tonight...it's going to be reveal time for the new July kit at Cupcards {to go} and it's one of my all-time favs featuring "Girl Friday" papers from Cosmo Cricket 

AND...I may just be having another sweet little giveaway!!!  :)  So be sure to stop by tonight as I update my blog again!!  :)  

Happiness is....

Progress!!  We have been slowly renovating our living room / dining room / bedroom over the last few months and it's finally coming to an end.  Thankgod...no more sanding, painting, demolitions or fights.  So I thought I'd share a couple photo's of our new (and improved) rooms that we've been working on.  In our living room / dining room, we ripped up all the old NASTY carpet and tile and laid new flooring.  Keith painted the walls, added bigger baseboards and framed out the French doors.  I donated the old sofa and replaced it with a sectional and area rugs from Pottery Barn, we kept the dining room table and china cabinet 'cause I do like them.  And finally added the Farmhouse Hutch from Pink Hibiscus that I seriously looked for months upon months for.  (It was just delivered yesterday, so it's empty for now), but I LOVE it!!!  It's perfect for that back wall that for years had nothing on it but a little fish tank.   

And don't you just hate that beer tap by the china cabinet???  It's the one piece I just cannot get rid of no matter how hard I try).  :) 

 

Notice Roxy sitting in the corner of the pic, (lol)...she's so goofy.  And yes I know there's a missing coffee table in front of the sectional...that one is on order too from the sweetest shop called Cottage Chic and it'll be here in another few weeks, but here's a pic of it and don't you just LOVE the color???  It's called "Cotton Candy Blue" and it's another piece that I searched months and months for until I saw it and said "THIS IS IT"!!!  Here it is:

  

And finally here's what we did in our bedroom....we ripped up the old flooring, added new flooring, painted over the old ugly sage green paint, took down the hideous floral wallpaper border we had up, framed out the windows, (which still need to be caulked and painted), added new baseboards and crown molding.  New blinds are on order but I still want a panel of drapes in there but Keith is very hesitant, (I'm still working on that too).  I donated our very old, white iron bed and replaced it with the "Charlotte" headboard from Pottery Barn, and I'm loving it.  I just wanted something simple for a change.   (Guess I should've picked up Keith's clothing and the towel roll before taking the pic but you get the idea).  Also, we need to move our little shelf up a teeny bit, it's a little too low.  Anyway, I hope you like.

 

We love comfort and are sooooo not modern people and so far, I'm really liking what we've done and hope you do to..

And lastly what would new rooms be without new remote control cars???  Connor wanted me to show you all a couple of photos of his new car....So much easier to play with on the new floors!!

 

 

Have a wonderful week everyone and please continue to post comments for the Cupcards blog hop...you could be a winner!!!  ;) 

A sneaky peek blog hop...

Hi everyone, hope you're having a wonderful day!  Today is the second blog hop over at Cupcards {to go}.  How fun is this???  Start off at the main site and work your way around and be sure to ooh and ahhh over all the wonderful peeks celebrating the new July kit, which goes live on July 1st.  What a fun, fun kit this was, so many patterns and embellishments, it was hard to stop creating.  Sonda puts together the most amazing kits ever!!  :)  Here's how the blog works...start from the beginning, be sure to post a comment on each designers blog and hop from one to another.  When your finished here..simply click on over to my sweet dear friend Michele, and leave a little comment for her.  :)  Have a fabulous day and be sure to comment....did I forget to mention that Sonda picks winners from all the comments???  This could be your lucky, lucky day!!  :)

here is my one tiny peek...

   

have fun and good luck!!  ;)

Because you're never too early for Christmas...

Is it me?  No, I think I just love Christmas and could celebrate it all year long.  Especially now when our heat index's outside are well over the 100 degree mark.  Too hot, too sticky!  I long for Winter, I love it because it reminds me of Christmas and all the celebrations we have during that time.  You all may think I'm a little crazy, but if you really knew me, you'd know it IS me.  Here are a couple of Christmas cards to keep me hoping that summertime here in Florida, will pass by quickly.  Enjoy!!

"I believe in Christmas" card

 

"Christmas Greetings"  card

 

Hey there Misty, you are the winner of my blog hop contest!!  :)  Congratulations!  Email me with your address and I'll send out a little goody box for you.  :) 

And for those that feel bummed, (I know I do when I don't win), but don't worry, Sonda will be sending the name of the winner of the Cupcards blog hop out in Monday's newsletter and she's picking 4 names...so keep watching.

Thanks so much for playing and I appreciate each and every comment.  I wish I had something for all of you.  :)

Welcome to the Cupcards {to go} blog hop...

Hello everyone!!!  Thanks for stopping on by today and I hope you are having a wonderful week so far.  Welcome to the official Cupcards {to go} blog hop!!  How fun huh???  This new July kit is out of this world YUMMY!!!  Hope you enjoy some fun little peeks of my favorite things from the kit and be sure to leave a comment at the bottom and you'll be in the running for a sweet little surprise from Sonda herself!  :)  Then, when you are finished here, be sure to hop on over to my dear friend Melanie and leave a little comment for her, but remember...you need to leave a comment on ALL the girls' blogs, so feel free to start from the Cupcards "home" page and start from there.  Have fun and good luck!  :)

   

 

and if you are so kind to leave a little comment here, I think I may just pick a winner myself and send you a little something special just for you too.  ;)

So get in on the fun and post, post, post!!!  :)

Thanks for checking in!!  :)

A little Debonair, a bit of bliss and a really good feeling...

Hi everyone...well geesh, when it rains it pours, literally!  My computer caught a virus last week so I was without it and bummed for a couple of days, then the rain came....again and again so much so that we lost power here today for an hour,just when I was sitting down to upload some projects.   Well it has been a very busy week for me.  First, I went out to dinner to Macaroni Grill, (YUM, LOVE that place), for our monthly scrap-girls dinner, and it was at that time, I was able to give my friend Teddi a check for the amount of $1,685.00 and all that was donations from some amazing people and I hope you all know how truly thankful she is for everything that was done for her.  :)  Secondly, I got to see my daughter play in the spring concert at her school, and boy, can she rock!!  Seriously, want to know how proud I am of her?  She won the "Most Outstanding" award at school!! Go Courtney!! :) 

And now, drumroll please....is the time to reveal the newest kit from Cupcards {to go}.  I cannot possibly tell you how much I LOVED this kit.  So beautiful, I just gotta tell you.  And remember the kit is now ready to purchase over on the website, but they're limited and going fast so be sure to head over soon to pick yours up.  The June kit is named Debonair,  a great name for an elegant, masculine kit.  And, perfect for Father's Day. 

Here are my designs...

 

 

 

this next card is my sketch card, click here, and you can see all the other amazing cards plus the sketch itself.  :)

 

this next card is my step-by-step, if you'd like to make this next one, just click here, and I'll show you how.  :)

 

here's a little project for you as well...

 

I hope you enjoyed!  Thanks so much for peeking!  :) 

Oh, would you like to see a pic of my amazing Clarinet player???  Here she is right before the Spring Concert. 

 

and here is a pic of Teddi, on the night of our dinner and we're all out here in the parking lot and she opened the gift that my mom's quilt club had made for her.  Her quilting friends handmade her a huge, beautiful pink & green bed quilt just for her, it is soooo pretty and she just LOVED it so much.  So hopefully the money donations and her new quilt will help her and Chris start rebuilding what they've lost. 

 

have a wonderful week everyone!!  :) 

Sweet little sneak peeks...

Hey everyone!!  Oh my gosh, I really cannot believe I let THIS much time go between posts.  Truth is, we're still very busy with renovating our living room / dining room / and bedroom, and I just have not had the time to get into my craft room to make anything happen.  This week, while home from work we had a couple of days of really bad thunderstorms and if you know me, you know I LOVE rain-storms, and it was just what I needed to get myself inspired...weird, I know.  So I dove in, cleaned up my room, purged about a couple of years of magazines, rearranged some things and then sat down to work on the June kit for Cupcards {to go}, and I gotta tell you...I just love the muted colors of this months kit.  Sonda did an amazing job, once again, in putting together a kit that you'll use every inch of.  Beautiful!!!  So...here are some fun, sweet little peeks and remember, the kit goes live on June 1st.  :)  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thankyou all so much for checking in...have a wonderful week, and I have a little exciting news to tell you about, but can't do it just yet.  :)  See you soon...hugs!!

Painted Lady...

A name given to beautiful butterflies, was the focus of May's kit over at Cupcards {to go}, and my-oh-my is it ever gorgeous.  The kit is beautiful in itself, but wait till you see the designs in the gallery, they are as amazing as ever.  Seriously, this is my favorite kit of all and when you see the gallery, you'll know why.  Here are my designs for the month.  

   

 

 

want to see all the cards made from the sketch this month?  Just click here, and my take is just below.

  

want to make this next card?  Just click here!

  

 

and how about a fun project for Mother's Day...I made this next little box out of chipboard and some scrap papers left over...Simply fill with whatever makes your heart happy, for me it was those yummy white chocolate lollypop's.  Adapt it to however you'd like to and "voila!" you have a simple handmade gift that would make any mother smile. 

 

 

 

I hope you all enjoy!  Thanks so much for checking in!  And a special little birthday wish goes out to my little girl, Courtney, who just turned 12 yesterday.  Happy Birthday baby girl, I love you!!  :)

Count your blessings...

Hello everyone!  I found the sweetest, shabby digital kit from The Shabby Shoppe, called Blossom's and I simply had to download this and make something of it.  I'm not much of a digital scrapper, meaning I can get by, but would love to understand more of it, so for this kit, I actually printed out the papers onto heavyweight cardstock from Papertrey Ink  and made a hybrid card from it.  All I added was a little felt flower border at the bottom, some pink buttons and a sweet little rub-on from Melissa Frances.  I just know that sometimes I take a lot of the things I have for granted, and after my friend had just lost everything in a fire, I really need to sit back and "Count my blessings".  I am so thankful for my family and my home.  And while material things may be replaced, it is those very personal items that we find are just lost without.  I don't want to take anything for granted anymore, so today and everyday, I am counting my blessings.  

    

 

 

have a wonderful day everyone.  :)  Thanks so much for checking in!  :)

A recovery in progress & some sneak peeks...

A devastating loss has occured for my dear friend Teddi and her boyfriend Chris.  On April 9th, while they were at work, their home caught fire and burned completely to the ground.  As if this isn't bad enough, the fire took the lives of their beloved rescue dogs, Buck and Harley.  Harley was just 9 months old.  Scrapbooks were also her passion.  She and I met while working together at a Scrapbook Store and I can not remember a single day where she didn't talk about her dog, Buck.  Just about every scrapbook page she would do was about Buck, and I seriously don't know if I will ever know another person who loves their dogs as much as Teddi loved hers.  I have always considered her to be like a little sister.  So as I sit here in my home, safe under my roof, she has lost everything including her scrapbook room, her hardrive, (which held all her precious photos) was incinerated.  They walked away from that fire with only the clothes on their backs.  While they will recover, it will take time and the hardest part is knowing she won't have her puppies with her.  My friend Kathy has set up a blog about them to tell their story and on that blog there's a link to the actual news story and information on how you can help them.  Won't you please stop on by, take a peek and if you can find it in your heart to donate even $1.00 to help her buy essentials that were lost that day, she would be beyond thankful.

Here are a few pics of them that I grabbed from Teddi's blog:

 

 

 

 

Here is their blog address:  For Teddi and Chris

And here is Teddi's personal blog:  Teddi's blog 

 

Happy Earth Day 

 

And finally.... here are some sneak peeks of the newest May kit from Cupcards {to go} and it is by far my most favorite to date.  Lot's of My Mind's Eye, Pink Paislee and Dream Street papers and tons of sweet, sweet little embellishments.  The kit goes live on May 1st.  So be sure to stop by on that date to grab yours quick, (these sell out on opening day), and check the gallery for all the new designs.  

Enjoy some peeks...

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

thankyou all so much for stopping by today.  Have a wonderful day and please think about my friend and pray for a quick recovery.  Thankyou so much!  :)

Easter baskets and tulips...

Is everyone getting ready for the Easter Bunny?  I love Easter and I'm trying desperately to get things finished by the time the "bunny" shows up and I hope I can get it all done.  This Sunday, we'll be driving up to Cocoa Beach, Fl, to spend Easter at my brother's house.  I'm excited, but fearful it'll get here before I can get all caught up.  :)  I did manage to do a few "little" projects before Sunday and I thought I'd share them with you.  These little baskets and goody bags are from The Shabby Shoppe and arent they simply irresistable?  Seriously, how easy can these be, I simply downloaded the projects to my computer, printed them out, assembled and "VOILA"!  The only thing I added was the white pipe cleaners around the rims of the baskets.  How easy and sooooo sweet!  Hope you enjoy.  :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd encourage you to try these if you haven't yet already.  They were really very easy to make and I just love how they turned out.  :) 

Oh and did I mention that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Tulips?  Well I do, they are my absolute FAVORITE flower in the whole world.  To me there is nothing more beautiful and if I could have a home full of Tulips everyday of the year, I'd never have a bad day.  :)  My hubs brought these home to me the other day and they were so stunning, I had to photograph them.  They weren't quite open yet and I just love how they "fall" over the vase.  :)  Hope you enjoy!

 

 

 

Have a wonderful Blessed Easter everyone, and thanks so much for checking in!  :)

Cherish...

That's the word of the month over at Cupcards {to go}.  The new gallery is as stunning as ever!  Every month I'm simply in awe of what the Design Team comes up with and this month, believe me...is no exception.  There are so many wonderful designs, I've gone back to look over and over and I keep finding new things I hadn't seen before.  Beautiful!  Be sure to check out the gallery, you will not be disappointed.  :) 

Here are my designs for the month, I hope you enjoy!

here is my card sketch...click here to see the sketch and the other cards that were made using it.

 

want to make this next card?  Simply click here for a step-by-step guide. 

 

and a few others...

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed!  Thanks so much for checking in...and I'm sorry for being a bad blogger right now.  I intend to post some more projects that I've been working on very soon.  Our home is still torn up, we're finishing up our living room floor and then we'll be painting and laying new baseboards.  Then after that it's tackling our room and re-painting Connors room.  Hopefully everything will settle down soon and I can get back to doing the things I love so much to do. 

Happy Scrapping everyone.  :)

Whimsical Spring...

Oh my, if you have not checked out the newest Spring kit from Shabby Miss Jenn, then you are missing out.  I fell head-over-heels in LOVE with this kit and just had to have it.  It is soooooo sweet and soooooo perfect and it just makes me smile when I look at it.  This layout is really fast and quick and pre-made, what could be easier???  The photo I used is of my oh-so adorable niece, Chloe and isn't she just the cutest thing ever?  I just love her so much and thought of her when I saw this kit.  I'm going to print out some of the papers and embellishments and make some hybrids and I can hardly wait.  This is my favorite kit to date.  :)  Enjoy!! 

Chloe...

 

Thanks so much for checking in.  Have a happy weekend!!  :)

L i f t o f f .....

Hey there...gosh, not much new going on in blogland as far as projects are concerned, we're busy laying flooring in our living room / dining room, etc, but I've been meaning to post this pic since the day the shuttle took to the skies.  How's this for a pretty cool pic...I was at work, and we were all standing on the 3rd story balcony overlooking the lake, looking north.  Kennedy Space Center is about 250 miles north of where I happened to be.  Anyway, the sun was just setting and the skies were crystal clear and I knew it was going to take off and then there it was...it was so cool and it was just awesome to see it light up the sky.  I took this photo on my IPhone, believe it or not and I think it came out pretty darn cool.  :)

Enjoy!

 

So a HUGE Congrats to my brother David and all the others at NASA for another successful lift-off!!

"Cupcards" peeks....

Happy St. Patty's Day everyone.  For me...it's just another holiday that has come around waaaaaay too fast in order to actually do anything and yet another reminder of how fast this year seems to be flying by at record pace yet again...  But I do have some sneak-peeks for you from the April kit at Cupcards {to go}.  :)  I'm loving the April kit...it's gorgeous folks, and I can hardly wait for the designs to be posted on April Fools Day, but I thought I'd tease you all first with a teeny peek.  Enjoy!!  :)

 

 

 

Enjoy!  And thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a great week everyone. :)

The nephew I never knew I had...

Hi everyone...Does the title have you a little confused???  Well seriously, this is an amazing time for me in my life.  Last August, I found out who my birth mother is.  I wasn't even serisously looking when all of a sudden...it happened.  (that's a huge long story, but I'll get into it soon enough).  Then while we were vacationing in Chautauqua, NY, we drove up to a little town outside Rochester and met the family, my birth mother, 2 uncles, a half-sister, and a half-brother, plus lots of relatives I never knew I had, including this little guy.  His name is Brandon, he is 6 months older than my little Connor.  He belongs to Julie, (my half-sister).  He and Connor hit it off within the first 5 minutes of meeting each other, after Brandon dumped a backpack full of cars onto the floor, they were inseparable.  :) 

At the time this photo was taken, (last August on the first day of school), I did not know him, and now to know that he is a part of my life, is really amazing, and I think he looks alot like my Connor.  So, I asked Julie if I could scrapbook this adorable little one and it was a lot of fun to do.  The journaling was very hard to do, because at the time, I didn't know him.  But at any rate, I hope you enjoy!

Brandon...

 

 

Thanks so much for checking in...I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  :) 

As promised...

Oh what amazing cards the Design Team at Cupcards {to go} came up with this month.  This newest kit simply called, "Magic Moments" is one of my favorites to date.  Want to see the amazing cards in the gallery?  Just click here to be instantly inspired.   Here are my cards for the month, I hope you enjoy.  :)

 

 

This next one is my sketch-of-the-month card, and if you'd like to see the other sketches, just click here...

 

and would you like a step-by-step on how to make the next one???  Just click here...

 

Remember when I had mentioned that my kids came to play with me at the Fire Station because I had to work on Valentines Day?  Well, I finally uploaded and played with the photos that I took that day and because I had promised you some, here they are, I hope you enjoy.  They had a blast that day!!!

Here's Connor wearing my helmet and sitting in my seat, he loves pretending he's driving to a call..

 

Here's Courtney thinking it was pretty cool to sit in an Engine too...

 

and Connor didn't want to just spray water from the hose, he wanted to play with some foam.  So I hooked up our little portable "Pro-Pak" and let him douse the driveway.  

 

Connor was like really into this whole thing and he wanted me to show him which lever to push to shut the water off to the hose.  He had to push it off and it was just too cute to watch him do it. 

 

My two buddies...

The BEST Valentine's present ever!!!

 

thanks so much for stopping by, have a great week everyone!!  :)

Where did February go???

Am I the only one wondering where in the heck did February go???  I feel like just yesterday we were in New York and now it's almost March???  Goodness me...February really spun me for a loop, before I knew it, I was working overtime at work, so much so, that I had to cut back on my Pottery Barn job a little and still try to make things happen at home.  I ended up spending too much time dealing with my car and the Lexus shop, then ended up unexpectedly at the Dr's office, (everything is okay), just stress I think has taken it's toll.  So much so, that I went into my craft room last night for the first time since we've been back from our trip.  God I missed being in there...I really did, it's my little sanctuary and I was having some serious withdrawls.  :) 

Well, I spent a few hours in my room late last night to work on my designs for Cupcards {to go}.  The kits will be live in just a couple of days so be sure to check the Cupcards site often for all the yumminess this kit has to offer and for the designs the rest of the design team has come up with, I'm sure you will be in for a huge treat!!!  I love this kit, I love the colors and really had fun with it, so here are some sneak peeks which I hope you will enjoy!!  :) 

 

   

 

 

 

 

thanks so much for stopping by!!  I hope to upload some pics soon of my kids when they came to visit me at the Fire Station on Valentines Day, they're adorable and I'd love to share them with you.  Please check back soon.  Have a great day!!!  :)

Yummy Chautauqua photos....

Hey did I mention that we had the most FABULOUS vacation EVER???  Well we did, it ranked definately in the top 5, right up there with last years Chautauqua trip, our Colorado trip and a couple of others.  When I got home late Sunday night I had the arduous task of uploading almost 450 photos to my computer and when you have a camera that has 14 megapixels, well...it took over an hour to do just that.  I am about to post the longest post I've ever posted because I couldn't narrow the photos down to just a few so I think I'm going to post about 90 photos for you all to see.   We had the best time, we had so much snow and to recap just a little, we went to Chautauqua, New York.  Actually we stayed in the Chautauqua Institution, and no...it is NOT a mental hospital as one might've thought, but rather a place that blooms in the summer time and features, speakers, plays, lectures, weddings, concerts, regatta's and sooooo much more.  Click on the link if you've never before, it's a downright awesome place.  Most of the homes there are summer homes, and only a few people live there year round.  So every winter, we take over my mom's house since it's vacated and we have a blast.  :) 

Hope you enjoy our vacation pics...

This first photo is of my mom's home, just when we arrived, the sun was going down, and just look at the amount of snow...it practically buried my mom's house.  :)  Seriously, there was about 3 feet of snow in the driveway alone, and about 2 1/2 feet of snow sitting on top of my mom's hedges and more on the roof.   :) 

sunset...

 

my husband and son taking a walk at sunset...

the next morning, we took a long walk around the grounds, as well as a sleigh ride, which the kids said, was the best ever.  :)  Here are some photo's from the first day...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The famous Miller Bell Tower...

 

 

 

 

 

 

The famous outdoor concert hall, where such artists as The Beach Boys and Wynonna Judd among others have played...

 

 

 

 

 

 

our sleigh ride and some of the buildings on the grounds that we saw during our little tour.  The small white church with the red door, only holds 38 people and we were told that it's booked solid for weddings in the summertime.  I can see why too...it's about as charming as it gets. 

 

 

this is where Bill & Hillary Clinton stayed on their visit here...

other buildings around the grounds...

(Chautauqua Library)

 

this is the Library again, this time looking from the other end of Bestor Plaza...

 

back to some misc photos around the grounds, this is a photo of the President of Chautauqua's home, right on the frozen lake.  My Aunt Kay, and Uncle George and Aunt Helens are right next door to that house on the right...

My Aunt Kay's home, although she's since passed this home is still in our family, although I think it belongs now to another Aunt & Uncle, but I used to spend my summers in this home, right on the lake...awesome!  Beautiful isn't it?   I can still remember opening that door and running upstairs and having breakfast in the kitchen and cocktails on the porch, (well the adults anyways), my Aunt was a real "formal" women, you had to be dressed in your best and ready for cocktails at a certain time and you would'nt be late.  :)

 

this was my Uncle George and Aunt Helen's home, and I remember sitting on the front steps taking a huge family reunion photo there.  Notice the "C" at the top of the chimney?  Well that stands for "Cornell", oddly enough, my maiden name.  :)

my beautiful daughter Courtney...

 

taking a break from all that walking...

 

icicles hanging off the Chautauqua Police Station...(they were closed that day too...what in world??)

 

 

 

 

Tubing at Holiday Valley Tubing Company, this was such a blast and it's one of the funnest things you could ever do...Connor went 3 straight hours without quitting.

 

 

Tubing is tiring...

 

The little runs off to the left of Courtney are for the really little kids to tube on.  My kids didn't want to have any part of those little ones, especially once they found that you had to walk up them.  :)

my "No-Fear" little buddy, Connor...

 

isn't he cute here with his little nostrils flared???  :)

Skiing at Holiday Valley, was by far the highlight of our trip.  We went for 3 straight days.  I took my daughters pocket camera with me for photos, though most of them were actually videos of my kids skiing, I did take a few stills.  My kids just adore skiing and have the best time.  My daughter is a little more reserved, spending most of her time on the little "green" hills while my son, being the mad-man, went down the blues with me at full speed.  I wouldn't let him come down any of the Black Diamonds with me, thankfully, although I'm sure he could've done them.  :)  Enjoy..

 

 

 

 

 

here's Connor getting ready to go down "Cindy's Run" with me, it's a blue-rated hill and he beat me down to the bottom, everything's a race with him.  :)

 

 

Here is when I did some skiing by myself as my kids were off with my husband, here are some photos of one of the trails...

 

taking a break...

 

 

and some misc photos..

 

my boots, found em sitting here against the wall and thought this would make a really cool photo...

 

and the Holiday Valley sign at night...

 

and back to some more photos taken around the Chautauqua the day before we left. 

 

 

making "Fritz" our snowman...

 

 

 

 

Oh by the way...my son lost a tooth while we were up there.  It came out on Wednesday of last week.  :)  He wanted to make sure I got a pic of "new" smile too.  :)  You should hear him speak...it's too cute.

 

Courtney and Connor making a snow "fort"...

 

 

their little forts were supposed to protect them from THIS...thanks dad!!!  :)

 

 

YIKES................

 

I don't know what kind of tree this is, but it photographs beautifully, and I love the colors.   Thanks Mother Nature!!  :)

 

Connor standing on frozen Lake Chautauqua..this made me nervous, but there were ice-fishers and snow mobilers out there all week, so it was safe I guess.  :)

 

This sign has been here since I was a kid...

 

Mom's street sign...

 

 

Connor LOVES icicles...even though this one broke he still wanted me to photograph it...

 

bummed that we had to go.  Oh and that's not lint on Connors head, it's little frozen raindrops. 

 

Thanks so much for checking in...we had a fabulous time and there's so much more I could upload, but these are my favorites I think.  :)  Have a great week everyone.  :)

Oh how I want to go back...

Oh how I want to go back to New York.  I want so much to feel the snow crunch beneath my feet.  I want to ski down the mountain again with my son and my daughter at my side.  I want to sit in front of a roaring fireplace and hear it crackling away as it's melting the snow on the roof.  I want to take another sleigh ride around Chautauqua, go tubing with my kids and husband and see snowmobilers and ice-fishers on the huge frozen lake.  I want to pick icicles off the roof and build another snowman before the warming temps melt him away.  I want to sip hot-chocolate and listen to the peaceful sounds of the world around me.  I want to feel the -14 degrees we had a couple days in a row.  I want to listen to the bell tower chime every hour when I'm sitting outside.  I want to feel that cold, frigid air as you breath in deep.  I want to go back to Chautuaqua.  I don't know if I can wait another 10 months.  I love it there.  I love my mom's home, it's so quaint and rustic and it's filled with all things comforting and homey.  Is that so much to ask???  Oh we had such an amazing time, we really did.  We just got home a little while ago and it's tough to be living in an area that we just can't stand anymore.  Oh well...{sigh}...I'll start planning our Christmas 2009 trip tomorrow and our summer Colorado trip as well.  :)

Hey...for now, would you like to see the finished Cupcards {to go} cards?  I've made you all look at peeks for the longest time and the finished designs have been posted for a while now, but here they are anyway.  This was such a sweet, sweet kit.  I love the way Sonda puts these together...they are so amazing.  :)  Hope you enjoy!

 

 

 

 

and this card was made for Baylee, she's Sonda's daughter and is turning at very big sweet 13 on Valentines day.  :)

 

oops...forgot to photograph this little guy in my white tray.  :) 

 

hey, have a wonderful week everyone, and as soon as I upload the almost 400 photos I took this past week, from my camera and my daughters as well, I'll upload some of them to show you what fun we had this past week.  :) 

take care!!  And thanks so much for checking in.  :)

A Cupcards sneak peek...

Hello everyone. This will be my last post for a week or so because we leave for New York around 4:30am tomorrow.  We're very excited and it's going to be a trip to remember for several reasons...which will come soon enough, (Melanie...you know what I'm talking about).  Anyway...I thought I'd leave you with a few little peeks from February's Cupcards {to go} card kit.  I hope you enjoy, and I will see you all when I get back.  Thanks so much for checking in.  :)

 

 

 

 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.  :)

Pink chocolate chip muffins and a little winner in the house...

Hey everyone!!  Oh goodness..I guess it's winner time huh, cuz I know that's why you all are checking in.  So...tonight, I must be the bad girl and only announce a single winner out of all of you that have so graciously left comments hoping to win.  Well, the way that I picked was I flipped a coin and had my kids pick heads or tails, and Connor won the flip.  So I asked him to pick a number between 1 and 54.  He picked............number 49!  So that means a huge CONGRATULATIONS to...

LISA J.  :)  You won girl, so I'll email you and get your mailing address and send you off the Copy of Simply Handmade.  Thank you though to everyone, seriously I just adored reading all the answers and I know there's going to be a lot of LOVE this Valentines Day. 

Well now hopefully you are all still here reading, cuz I have some fun photo's to share with you.  Today after my son came home from school, (he get's home an hour before Courtney), we made some chocolate chip muffins in little pink paper cups.  I couldn't resist taking a few photos seeing as though Connor was having a blast making these.  He loves to cook and help so much, and it's so cute the way he always has to put a little apron on. 

Hope you enjoy!

   

 

 

 

 

Have a great evening everyone...and I'm so sorry I don't have something for all of you, but I really appreciate all the comments, I enjoyed reading each and everyone of them.  Check back soon though, I may just have another contest here real soon.  :)

White chocolate lollypops and a sweet little Valentines contest...

Hi everyone!  I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.  I am finally done with work and I have the next 6 shifts off and next week we are off to New York, so this week I am going to lose myself in my craft room and do as much as possible till I'm sick of it...ha ha haa.  This morning I had to try my hand at white chocolate lollypops.  I so fell in love with them on Danielle's fabulous blog and I wanted badly to try them.  I can't believe they were that easy...and delicious!  After making them, I needed something to put them in, so I made a little popcorn box from my Cricut.  I had to put a base on the box becuase the lollypops are heavy and the little guy just kept falling over.  I used that sweet paper collection, "Hey Sugar" from Cosmo Cricket, some twine a couple of white pipe-cleaners...one is looped over the top to act as a handle and one is wrapped around the base.  I hope you enjoy...

chocolate lollypop gift box...

 

 

 

 

 

Oh goodness me...did I mention a CONTEST????

Well, I did....so here's a little Valentines contest for you...

I just so happen to have an extra brand new copy of Scrapbook Trends Magazine's new "Simply Handmade" Idea Book and boy-oh-boy is it filled with delicious goodies and projects for you to make and check out Roree's adorable handmade Valentines on the cover...Congrats girl!!  

here's the cover...

 

and remember my little "love" pillow...

 

Well I'm simply tickled that it's published in this very issue.  :)  SOOOO...here's the contest.  I'm dying to give this copy of "Simply Handmade" away...to YOU!  All you have to do is post a comment here and tell me what your favorite part of Valentines Day is.  Do you love getting flowers?  Chocolates?  A night out?  A movie?  Dinner?  I love it when my kids go into my craft room when I'm not there and surprise me with handmade "I love You" cards.  (Yes..I know, I must be crazy, letting them in there but they're good and they clean up).  SO that is all you have to do.  Leave me a post by Tuesday night, January 27th and I will draw a name and if you win...I'll send you this copy!!!  YOU will LOVE it!! 

Good Luck!!  :)

Home sweet home...

Oh my goodness....I think it maybe a taste of things to come.  Last night the mercury fell to 34 degrees with wind chills in the 20's, today it didn't get above 55 degrees and tonight it's supposed to be even colder.  I love it.  I was just outside, breathing into the air and watching my breath, then breathing in to feel the icy-chill of the air and grinning from ear-to-ear.  We leave for New York in just over a week and it can't come soon enough.  Though here is not where we want to live anymore, it really felt good today. 

This afternoon, I made another project for WorldWin.  I love these chipboard townhouses from Maya Road, and I've used them before, but this time I thought I'd try something different by covering it with cardstock instead of patterned papers.  I think it turned out pretty darn cute and I hope you all enjoy it too.  I also used a ton of glitter, some pipe-cleaners, acrylic paint, stamps from JustRite and those oh-so adorable flowers from Sassafras. 

 

 

 

 

thanks so much for checking in...have a wonderful week everyone!  ;)

Peace, love, hope...a little glitter and a miracle update!

Was it the glitter that got your attention or the miracle update?  Hi everyone!  I have the long awaited update that you have been asking me about, about the little boy that was found at the bottom of the swimming pool on Thanksgiving Day.   I happened to run into one of the Broward Sheriff Deputy's that was on that call with us, and he told me that yesterday, the mother & father and the little boy himself went by the police station to say a very heartfelt thankyou.  The little boy is nothing less than a "miracle" after they were given the devastating news that Thanksgiving Day that he probably wouldn't make it.  He was there, bouncing all around, happy, laughing an acting as if nothing ever happened.  He does have a slight limp in his walk, but he was learning to walk at the time of the accident, so the doctors believe this will go away with time.  It's believed that it was from being in the hospital for almost 2 months and being on his back.  I was soooooo excited to hear it, really, it just made me smile and feel so thankful!  I know you all wanted an update and I'm so sorry that I wasn't able to get one to you sooner, but now we all know that he is healthy, happy and alive!  ;) 

 On a side note, I have a quick project for you that I did for WorldWin...I used the "bird" chipboard from Maya Road for this project.  I also used The Paper Mill Store's Eames Natural White cardstock, WorldWin Papers ColorMates Medium Pretty Pink cardstock, a bunch of Rusty Pickle buttons, alphabet stamps from JustRite and tons of glitter.   I also used a piece of heavy gauged wire to work as a hanger.  So you can hang this little guy on a tree, on a wreath, on a cupboard, pretty much anywhere that suits your fancy.  I hope you enjoy!

 

 

 

I'll be posting more soon...I'll have another ornament to show you.  I'm so into these now it seems...so check back soon and have a wonderful week.  :)

Lime green snow boots...

Well I just fell in love with Connor's lime green snow boots from Land's End that I bought for him last year, and luckily they still fit him for this year's trip to New York.  They kept his little toes toasty warm in the frigid air and they are just as cute as can be.  I have wanted to scrap them for the longest time, but was blocked on what to do.  Luckily, I found the Eames Tivoli Green cardstock from The Paper Mill Store, green gingham ribbon, green dotted felt from Creative Cafe, green buttons from Rusty Pickle and some citrus lime ink from Close to My Heart and I think I managed to pull it all together.  This layout is a project for WorldWin Papers and I really like how it all turned out, I hope you do to...

Snow boots...

 

 

   

thanks so much for checking in...I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  :)

And baby makes 3...

Hi everyone...hope you are having a wonderful week.  Last night, after cleaning up my craft room, I wanted to just make some cards...just make cards for myself, for no other reason than to just have a little fun.  I realized I hadn't made any baby cards in quite awhile, so I dug out some old stuff and put a few together...these are using papers from Foofala, embellishments from K&Company, rub-ons from Melissa Frances and some misc other items.  Hope you enjoy the following 3 cards...

 

 

 

 

 

 

have a great week everyone...I'll be posting more design team stuff soon.  :)

Let it snow!!!....

Well, I know it's January and chances are your Christmas decorations have all been put away,  (my second tree is still up, but whose counting huh?) and you are heading into the New Year fast & furious and since it's 80 degrees here and snowing in the rest of the country, I needed to make myself a snowflake card to remind myself what I would give to see snow.  Hey...did I just say that?  I have to remember that we are headed to Chautauqua, New York in 3 short weeks for some chilly weather and lot's of snow!!  I can't wait. 

Anyway, this card was designed after the sketch of the month at WorldWin.  Stamps are from Just Right Stamps, cardstock is from The Paper Mill Store and the Vellum and pink cardstocks are from WorldWin.  Hope you enjoy!

Let it Snow

 

 

 

and now for something really kinda fun!  I just happened to be browsing over at Alice Golden's blog and found this cute questionaire.  The idea is to copy & paste it into your blog, then highlight the things you have done. 

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland, (Disney World)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child, (no but I was adopted, does that count?)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked, (when my car broke down with 2 flat tires in the middle of the night on a deserted road in North Carolina, I took a ride with a dude in an 18 wheeler, and was hoping and praying the whole time that he wouldn't kill me).
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb, (I did this when I visited Scotland and they were everywhere!)
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (just didn't realize it at the time LOL)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant, I did this when an older lady didn't have enough).
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance, (I've transported patients in an ambulance, does that count?)
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie 
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching, (I did this one in Alaska)
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving, (November 13, 2004)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check (oh I was a lot younger though)
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt 

73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades, (I live here, it's kinda hard not to have done this one)
75. Been fired from a job 
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book 
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had Chickenpox

89. Saved someone's life, (actually a few and it's tremendously rewarding).
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (I met David Copperfield and got his autograph). 
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Thanks so much for looking!  Have a wonderful day and I'll be back soon! :)

A "Citrus" kinda day...

That's right...the new designs, along with the newest January Kit from Cupcards {to go}, happily titled, "Citrus Love", is full of wonderfully, happy patterned papers and embellishments that are sure to quench your thirst.  :)  Be sure to check out all of the amazing card creations from the Design Team in the gallery and you can find those here.

Here are my designs for the month...

 

 

this one is my card sketch, and to see all the other cards using the sketch of the month just click here...

want a step-by-step on how to make this next card?  Just click here...

and my challenge for the month is to make cards that are not the standard 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.  This is a tag card that I made and be sure to check out the message board on Friday, for a step-by-step on how I turned a standard pre-scored card into this:

 

and here is the inside:

 

have a wonderful week and thanks so much for checking in!  :)

Felt, flowers and lollypops...

Hi everyone, I hope you are having a wonderful first week of 2009.  Yesterday all of us went to see Marley & Me.  Has anyone seen it yet?  Oh my goodness, if not and you are planning on going all I can say is bring lot's and lot's of tissues...maybe even a whole box.  I think 95% of the audience burst into tears.  My son was okay until we walked out of the theater and were standing there for a second, then I looked down at him, face all red and that unmistakable look of...hug me now I'm going to lose it...and boy did he ever.  But all in all a great movie, just not what I expected in the end.  Then after the movies we all went out to dinner at Brewzzi's, which is just a cool, awesome place to eat.  So last night, after we shed our fair amount of tears, I wanted to make something to cheer us up.  And I think they may have done it.  This would be perfect as a gift, a birthday party favor or for anyone that needs a little pick-me-up...

Lollypop pot...

 

 

 

 

 

And here are a few peeks from the January kit at Cupcards {to go}.  The kit will go live on the 5th so be sure to check the site for all the designs from the designers.  

 

 

 

 

 

thanks so much for checking in...Have a great weekend.   :)

A very Happy New Year! :)

Oh goodness me, I'm so sorry if I've disappeared for a week.  Hope you all had an amazing Christmas and I only wish the best for you all in 2009.  :)

I have been so busy this past week, but now back in the groove and working on some projects and cards for Cupcards and I'll post a little sneak for you on Saturday.  :)  Thanks so much for stopping by...I really hate to be gone for this long, but all is well...just super busy!

Happy New Year everyone!!  :)

Welcome Christmas Eve...

Can you believe that Christmas is finally here???  My oh my how fast this month went.  How fast this year went.  My kids are counting down the minutes, and the torture is killing them!  Was I really like that as a kid?  Not being able to wait just one more day to see if Santa came?  Now that the role is reversed, I'm taking in all the pleasure of being able to make them wait.  :)  Well I have had an amazing time having these last couple of days off...I've been lost in my craft room and thought I'd make just a few more Christmas things before it's all over. 

The first is a candy-cane gift box.  I made this out of really heavy chipboard, papers from Melissa Frances, (just some old ones laying around), ribbon checked gingham from Offray, a felt snowflake from World Market, berry sprigs, cinnamon sticks from Williams Sonoma and those off-the-chart candy canes from Harry & David.  I also used some silver and white pipe cleaners and the white one on the top acts as a carrier.  :)  Enjoy!

Candy Cane gift box...

 

 

 

 

 

and because I simply do not have enough ornaments on my tree, I made these two last night using a pattern from the multi-talented Sara Tolliver, her designs are amazing and by next year I want to make everything in her book, but for now, I did these two snowflake ornaments.  :)  

Snowflake ornament...

 

   

silver ornament

 

Well I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year...thanks so much for checking in with me all month.  I have had so much fun creating all of these fun Christmas projects for you.  Please check in soon, I won't be gone long....  :)  Merry Christmas everyone!!

Vintage barn star ornament...

I had a fab time making this little guy.  I love barn stars, I got 'em all over my house, so I decided to make one into an ornament.  This one was made for WorldWin Papers, and I used  80lb Eames Natural White cardstock from The Paper Mill Store, WorldWin Papers Crafty board, the awesome scoring tool from Crafter's Companion, lot's of glitter, misc buttons, wire, berry sprigs, silver pipe cleaners, distressing ink and a rusty tin snowflake.  Here's how I made it:

Start by tracing the negative of a star, or die cut one of your own, then cut out the star.  Using the Crafter's Companion scoring tool, score at every point.  (Just FYI...I cut two stars out, scored both, then machine stitched them together for more thickness). 

Fold at all the points so that your star will pop out.  Using your distressing ink, distress the star.  Coat the star with glitter glue and sprinkle glitter on it, shake off excess.  Trace the star negative once more, this time using the crafty-board and cut out.  Distress all the sides.  After you have folded your star and it's in 3-D, glue it down onto the crafty board star you just cut out.  Adhere silver pipe cleaners around the star using a hot glue gun.  For the center of the star, use a rusty tin snowflake a berry sprig and a silver pipe cleaner turned into a bow.  Using beacon glue, glue it all down.  For the hanger, use very thin 26 gauge wire and some misc buttons, simply thread the buttons onto the wire and adhere to the sides of the star using Beacon glue once again. 

Barn Star ornament:

 

 

 

 

here's a really close, close up of the button wire hanger...

Hope you are all set and ready for Christmas...thanks so much for checking in!  Have a blessed Holiday.  :)

Glittered snowmen topiaries...

I'm sorry if it seems like I've disappeared from here, but honestly, last week we were in Tallahassee at my sister's house (and it was a very chilly and awesome 30 degrees there), spending our big family Christmas with everyone and it was a lot of fun.  And this week I'm in the middle of two back-to-back 48 hour shifts.  Ever wonder what it's like working 96 hours in 5 days???  It's tough, but that's why when I got home today I wanted to get lost in my craft room for a little while and just make something.  It's been a while, and I've haven't even caught up on my shopping yet, but I needed some "me" time today.  Today I made some snowmen topiaries.  I've always wanted to try these...and since I'm all about glitter now I had to keep it going into this project too.  The tree in the background was made for WorldWin Papers this month and it was a patterned I used from Martha Stewart, only I changed it up a bit.  And before you say like "hey...aren't snowmen white?"...I couldn't resist doing a little something different.  I took an ornament pick and clipped off 3 ornaments, glued them together and inserted them in a teeny terra-cotta pot that I painted white.  I made the hats from polymer clay and the eyes and nose are just dots from acrylic paint.  I added reindeer moss and a small wreath of berries and gave them a swag of glitter to hold.  And of course because I couldn't finish without a little glitter, I randomly glued then srinkled with sugar glitter.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

and here is a picture of the glittered tree that I made for WorldWin, I used Eames natural white, 80 lb cardstock for this and I heavily glittered it when it was finished.  I used the new Crafter's Companion tool for all of my scoring which made it a breeze to make.  I then used a wax-filled terra cotta pot after I painted it brown.  This makes it really sturdy when standing.  Hope you enjoy!  :)

 

Well, I had better get packed for another 48 hour shift tomorrow and Saturday...thanks so much for checking in...have a wonderful week before Christmas.  :)

Little glitter houses...

Anyone notice it's been Christmas here all month long so far?  :)  I'm gonna keep it that way with a little, tiny glitter house I made.  This is the first time I have ever attempted one of these little guys and I gotta tell you, it was a lot of fun to make.  It took me about 2 hours and I started at about midnight last night, so after I had finished it, I was definately ready for bed.  :)  But anyway...I made this from crafty-board from WorldWin Papers and I found it to be the perfect thickness chipboard.  I painted the roof with Magnolia White Acrylic  paint from Delta then added sugar glitter from Jo-Ann's.  The windows are a transparency and I just used a white gel pen for the panes.  The house itself uses tourquise glitter from Doodlebug and it took an entire little jar to coat that thing.  The glue I used is from Beacon and I will never use anything different, that glue is awesome!!!  The house was set on a chipboard base, painted white and I coated that with white sugar glitter too.  The tree is just an old bottle-brush tree that I took from my village, I got a ton of em, so I'm not going to miss it and just glued it lightly to the house.  For the final touch, I added a silver pipe cleaner around the roof and a little wreath to the front.  :)   Thanks for peeking, I hope you enjoy!

 

and here are some fun close ups...

 

 

 

 

 

I think I see more of these fun little houses in my future.  :)  Have a great week and thanks so much for checking in.  :)

Congratulations to the snowflakes :)

Well...the time has come to pick some winners and I think that the "snowflakes" out-witted the "snowballs", but in any event...I seriously enjoyed reading each and every response and there were some really great comments.  If you want to know what I would've picked, well, I have to say that I too love snowflakes, but nothing beats a good snowball fight with your kids.  :)  So...I was originally going to pick one winner, but you all know me too well.  :)  I simply could not in good conscious, pick only 1 winner from the contest.  Thankyou all sooooooo much for playing, I seriously wish I had one of these for everyone, but unfortunately, I don't.  But I did decide to give both of these goody bags away.  I had random generator pick my numbers this time, (my kids are in bed), so here are the winners....

Random Sequence Generator

Here is your sequence:

• 5
• 40

that means that Marnie, you have won first, please email me and let me know which goody bag you would like and send me your mailing addy as well.   :)

And second place is Ashley Harris, please email me and send me your addy, I'll be happy to send along the other goody bag for you.   :)

Congratulations everyone, thankyou all so much for playing, again I'm sorry I don't have one for each of you, I feel terribly at that, but I hope you will check back often, Christmas is coming and I think there will be more giveaways in the near future.  :) 

Snowflakes and snowball fights...and a little birthday wish...

Oh my goodness, can I tell you just how much I have enjoyed the "Winter Joy" card kit from Beatriz Jennings?  Sooooooo full of everything yummy from Melissa Frances.  I think I used every square inch of this kit and then some!  I loved the color combos and the fun embellishments.  And if you know me, you know I love everything about snowflakes and snowballs, so you know this was just perfect for me.  Here are the cards and projects I made with this and I'm not done yet....How about a little contest? 

That's right....who doesn't love a contest and who wouldn't want a little "Blog candy?"  Here's all you have to do.  Post a comment and tell me whether or not you prefer "Snowflakes" or "Snowball fights", and I will randomly pick a winner and you can choose your prize.  I have posted some yummy goody bags below and if you are the winner, you can pick either the white chocolate pretzels, which are heavenly or you may pick the powdered malt balls from Harry & David, which are my absolute favorite.  So have fun and feel free to post a comment, I will draw a winner on Wednesday night, (December 10th). 

Good luck and enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I lifted this cute little idea from Beatriz, I just love how she added a wing to her pink heart!  Thanks so much for the great idea.  :)

 

 

 

 

and here are the yummy goody-bags...

 

 

 

good luck!  Thanks for playing and I'd like to leave one more little post here...My baby boy turned 7 years old on the 6th.  Yesterday we had a little party for him and he finally had his Spongebob cake.  He loved his presents and he's been playing with them non-stop...(oh I love the peace & quiet). :)

 

 

 

Have a great week! :)

On a winter WorldWin...

I sooooooo love creating with just cardstock, and wasn't sure I'd actually love it this much, but there really are beautiful things out there to be made with just cardstock!  (Oh and my Cuttlebug).  What in the world did we ever do before embossing folders???  I made this layout for WorldWin and used a ton of different cardstocks from The Paper Mill Store and my newest love, their 40lb vellum which just makes the most awsome diecuts, (in this case that's the snowflake, I just used my Cricut and then distressed it).   This is a layout of my kids when we were up in Chautauqua, NY,  standing right in the middle of Bestor Plaza, and it's surrounded with all sorts of "Norman Rockwell" homes & shoppes.  Hey see that "St. Elmo Hotel" in the background?  Anyone know the story of that?  Well just in case, here's a little trivia for you.  Back in the 80's remember the movie St. Elmo's Fire?  Well, as it turns out, the writer of that movie used to be a bellboy at St. Elmo's Hotel and he named the movie after the hotel.  Pretty cool huh?  Anyway...I hope you enjoy my layout. 

Bestor Plaza...

 

 

 

 

thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful weekend!  :)

All I need is some snow...

That's right, my home is just about finished for Christmas.  All I really need is some snow falling outside and I'd be in heaven.  :)  I went a little crazy this year, even put up my village that my kids were naggin me to do but I had a lot of fun with it.  Our Christmas tree this year is flocked!  I LOVE it!  I don't think I'll ever go back to the natural way.  My daughter picked it out at the tree lot among 5 or so that were flocked and HAD to have it.  So as beautiful as our tree is this year, Courtney gets ALL the credit.  Connor helped with a lot of the ornaments and I gave him a little lesson on how to put them on and he did really, really good.  So, I hope you enjoy some of the photos I took of our christmas decorations this year. 

 

here's our tree, of course it's always hard getting great photos of something so big in your living room.  ;)  Our Frasier Fir stands just under 9 feet even though it looks so tiny.  :)  Enjoy!

 

 

 

some of my favorites this year...

 

 

 

 

 

our dining room table, (I knew I should've closed that door).  :)

 

 

random images..

 

 

 

Here are some photo's of my village.  I have like 13, Dept. 56 homes, but unfortunately my sofa table can only fit 7, so it's tough, I had to pick and choose which ones to use.  I've been collecting these things for years but haven't put it up in that last couple of years.  This year I caved and I'm really glad I did...my kids just love it and it's the first thing they run and see after school everyday.  That makes it truly a labor of love....enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

and finally here is our tree in the family room.  This is a fake tree and it's 7 1/2 feet tall, but since we spend most of our time in this room, I just have to have a tree.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you all enjoyed some photo's of my home during the holidays.  And I'll leave you with one more...here is our tree at night. 

 

Have a great day and check back soon!  ;)

A heartfelt thankyou...

From the bottom of my heart everyone...thankyou, thankyou, thankyou for praying for that little 14 month old baby boy.  The last update that we got was that he's making a recovery.  He's still at Joe DiMaggio's Children's Hospital, but since his transfer we are having difficulties getting a full report because of "HIPPA" laws.  HIPPA laws protect patients' privacy, but we're trying to get any information we can.  One of the Sheriff's deputies that was there that afternoon actually knows the father because several years ago he coached him at football.  He will be able to share with us how he's doing, but in the meantime, all of your prayers and support went a long, long way to help little TW and they are soooooo appreciated.  :) 

Now that I can breathe a little easier how about some more Christmas projects?  I made these for the WorldWin blog, and I used The Paper Mill Store's Eames Natural White cardstock, WorldWin Papers 40lb vellum, inks from Ranger and Stampin Up! and that cute little basket was made with one of Stampin Up!'s newest exclusive Sissix basket dies.  Don't you just love it?  Okay, okay, the ribbon and the stamps and rub-on's are all from Stampin Up!  The giant snowflake was cut from Vellum using my Cricut and then distressed with Vintage Photo ink from Ranger.  I also ran the vellum through my Cuttlebug using an embossing folder for the background on the card.  The big felt snowflake on the basket was purchased from World Market, it was an ornament and I simply cut off the "hanger" then punched a hole and used it as a tag instead. 

Do not open till Dec. 25th...

 

 

 

A little Christmas basket...

 

By the way, did you all know that I am a Stampin Up! demonstrator?  All the materials I used for the cards and basket you can now order online at my website right here.  (just kinda threw that in here for you).  Nice little hint huh?  :) 

I have also been extremely fortunate to have been nominated once again by my ultra-creative friends Jane, Jackie, Alice and Lisa,  for the Kreative Blogger award.

Now I need to nominate 5 other bloggers who seriously inspire me...

Roree:  She makes cards like it's no-one's business.  Awesome, Awesome, Awesome!!! 

Molly Peckham:  Just beautiful work all the way around, she's the complete package and I just love, love, love her work!

Danielle Flanders:  Oh my goodness...what more can you even say about Danielle's work that hasn't been said already?  But seriously just jaw-dropping at every visit.  Her work is above and beyond. 

Kathleen Paneitz:  Want to see some of the most gorgeous, I mean gorgeous photos of flowers?  This is your one-stop shopping.  Amazingly talented is she!

Kim Hughes:  Creator of the most adorable stamps from Cornish Heritage Farms, and I'm not just saying that becuase I recently won some blog candy...I've been stalking her blog for some time now.  I just love her style, she's right up my alley!  :)

So there you have it, I'm passing the torch onto these incredibly creative women, who are so gifted in their own special way.  Congratulations ladies.  :) 

Have a wonderful day and thanks again so much for all your prayers and well wishes for baby TW.  I'll keep you all posted, I promise.  :)

A true Thanksgiving Day miracle...

Yesterday, my crew and myself experienced a true Thanksgiving miracle.  We saved a baby's life.  Even just writing that little sentence still brings tears to my eyes.  But yes, yesterday was a day in my career I'll never forget because the outcome could've been so different.  We responded to a drowning.  The reference of our call was a 14 month old baby found in a pool, unconcious.  The update that we got as we were enroute was that Sheriff's deputies were on scene and had begun CPR.  We arrived within minutes and though we don't normally run into a home, this time it was different and we ran.  I passed by several family members who were outside crying and hugging each other and the whole time I was saying to myself, "Oh God, I don't want to see this today, I really don't want to see this today".  But we did.  He was lying on the floor as deputies were compressing his little chest.  We scooped him up, laid him on the stretcher and hauled out to the Rescue truck.  I took over CPR, using the heel of my hand,  while our lead medic dropped a tube into his trachea, and the other medic inserted an intraosceous needle into his leg, this so we could administer medications right into the bone marrow.  We gave him several drugs, Epinephrine, Atropine and Sodium Bicarbonate.  He was asystolic on the monitor, meaning he had absolutely no electrical activity to his heart.  He was basically dead.  He was cold, really cold and wet and he had a diaper on.  We received a police escort to the hospital meaning they close every intersection enroute to the hospital.  Halfway to the hospital I stopped CPR to see what was on the monitor and we found a heart beat.  We found several actually but not enough to sustain himself, so once again I began compressing his heart with the heal of my hand.  When we arrived at the hospital, our lead medic actually "felt" a pulse.  The ER was buzzing with Dr's, Respiratory Therapists, Pediatric nurses.  They worked on him tirelessly and when they came out and said he has a blood pressure and a pulse, one of the officers turned to me and gave me the biggest, strongest hug I think I've ever had and we both lost it.  Actually everyone did that was there on scene.  It was amazing.  The Dr's had said that since it's been so cold here over the last 2 weeks, his core temperature was 84 degrees and that probably increased his survival chances.  Late last night we received notice from the hospital, that the little baby boy had begun breathing on his own, and he was wiggling his little fingers. 

If that poor baby died, I couldn't imagine worse news for a family on Thanksgiving and I think that's what made this so memorable, the fact that he's now alive.  I'll never forget it.  I will never, ever forget it, because it really could've turned out so differently. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday, I know mine was complete when I finished the call and called home to talk to my children and to tell them how much I love them.  Life is soooooo fragile and I know that.   But even after 15 years with the Fire Department these calls always pull at my heart strings. 

If you've read this far, please say a little prayer that that little boy will fully recover.  Thankyou!

Okay, okay, no more teasing...

Don't you just hate suspense?  :)  Well I shall make you wait no longer, the newest designs from the design team are up at Cupcards {to go}, and I will post my designs for you below.  Be sure to check out the newest gallery "Holly Tree", and you'll be instantly inspired to get started on the staple of the Holiday Season...the Christmas card.   Seriously, the girls came up with some amazing designs just for you, just to add a little sparkle to your Holiday Season.  Enjoy!

 

 

Would you like step-by-step instructions on how to make the card below?  Click here...

 

and this is my "sketch" card...be sure to click on the "sketch" gallery here, to see all the other cards... Don't be fooled by how dark the card is, I know it looks black but the edges and rusty tin tag are actually are dark brown...

 

 

and I simply couldn't have a card without a cute Santa Claus on it...

 

Thanks so much for peeking in and I hope you all have a wonderful blessed Thanksgiving.  I'll be back soon.  :)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Hey everyone!  Hope you are having a wonderful week so far.  Here in South Florida, it's beginning to "feel' a lot like Christmas because we've been enjoying a full week of below normal temperatures.  I'm talking like highs not even reaching 70 and lows in the 40's.  That's not typical for Florida this time of year and I'm loving it!  I hope it lasts.  ;) Around town, local radio stations have begun their annual non-stop play of Christmas music, tree lots are ready for trees and homes in the neighborhood have begun decorating their yards.   And at Cupcards {to go}, the November card kit was filled with ALL things Christmas.  :)  I love this time of year so much and it was so fun to get started on some Christmas cards.  The designs will be posted on the site on the 24th, but for the time being, enjoy some peeks.  :)

 

 

 

 

thanks so much for checking in, I'll be back soon!  ;)

I adore this Bell Tower...

Seriously...I just love it.  This is the Miller Bell Tower located right on the edge of Lake Chautauqua in Chautauqua, New York.  The bell tower chimes every hour on the hour even in the dead of winter, (which is their off season).  I love how it's covered in snow and sitting on a frozen lake.  I took this picture last February and am just now getting round to scrapping it.  I made this for the WorldWin blog and I used cardstock from The Paper Mill Store and WorldWin, the vellum snowflakes were die cut using Sissix and I distressed them.  I also used felt trim from Martha Stewart, velvet trim from Fancy Pants a rusty old snowflake and some buttons.  I also altered the photo on my CS3 using some textures and actions.  I think I made it look a little like an old postcard.  Enjoy!

Miller Bell Tower...

 

and of course some close ups...

 

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thanks so much for peeking in.  :)

Yeah...new designs are revealed at Lime Tart...

Hey there everyone!  Hope you are having a fabulous week so far.  I love posting day, however this is a little bittersweet for me, this is my last month with Lime Tart and though I have sooooo enjoyed being on such an amazing team with a great company, unfortunately I must give it up to persue others.  With that being said, here are my designs for the month.  I had the Half-Tart kit which was filled with papers and embellishments and even an overlay all from Fancy Pants, and how did Phillipa know I'd fall in love with those felt alphabets?  ;)  Be sure to check out the amazing gallery, I posted the links below. 

Full Tart

Half Tart

A-la Tarte

At the Patch layout...

 

some close ups...

 

***

 

Mini Fall tag or wall hanging...

 

a little close up...

 

Fall, the season to share, card...

a close up...

 

getting into Christmas now, here's a little tree ornament and I used the negative of a felt flower for this then just stitched around it with floss...

 

close up..

 

and my layout sketch...

 

with another little close up...

 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and be sure to check back soon, I have other projects I need to post soon...  Thanks for stopping by!