Burp Cloths

Just wanted to share a little bit of what I've been up to lately. (I know it's not stamping.....but bear with me!)  I've been making these burp cloths for a while now, mostly for people I know who are having babies, for shower gifts and such.

I just love making these burp cloths, and LOVE picking out and playing with the fabric and all the wonderful colors and patterns, just like I love paper!  I also tried to make little "drool" bibs in matching fabrics, and am backing them in minky. They are super cute.

I have seen similar products for sale in little boutiques, and I cannot believe what they are asking/getting for these!  It's amazing!I thought that I might sell the ones I make at way more reasonable prices, and see what happens!   I've sold a few sets to some people that I know, and decided to just put up a little site to show what I have available for purchase.  If you would like to take a peek, you can check it out here.

I am still getting things set up, so pictures of everything I have are not up yet, but hopefully in the next couple of days it will be!

I'm always excited to see where new adventures take me.  If nothing else, I will continue to keep making these for family members and friends and their new additions!
Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Divine Twine Pom-Poms

Wow.  I didn't actually think I would have another post this soon!
I have to say I am a bit pleased with myself!
But I got Kellan down for a nap, took a shower, which was much needed after almost 3 days, and since the other 3 boys are still at school, I wanted to try to get this card posted that I made last night.

When I went to Impress the other night, they had a sample of these little pom-poms which are made out of Divine Twine.  Since I absolutely love twine, what could be better than making little embellishments out of it?

I thought it would be perfect for the top of a party hat for this birthday card.  The chevron striped card is also something I picked up the other night....usually I am not one to buy already made cards, mainly because I have a ton of card stock, but I just couldn't pass these guys up!

Gonna keep this short, two posts in two days, is a little much after 4 months of nothing!
Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

So Many Things

When I logged onto blogger tonight, a part of me wondered if my blog was still here.....

And, yes, even though it is here, I am wondering if there is anyone who still visits.....

I can't believe that it has been over 4 months since I have posted. I have also not stamped in about as long.....well, I have done a few little things here and there, mostly out of necessity, but really, for a reason that I am just about to divulge, I have not been stamping.

In early September, I found out I was pregnant with my 5th child. Although we knew we wanted another, it was a bit of a shock that it happened when it did. As with all my other pregnancies, I became quite sick, and basically everything in my life with the exception of keeping my family fed and in clean clothes, was put on hold. Even one of the greatest joys in my life: stamping.

A few other road blocks came up in November, and then the Holiday and Christmas season hit and I became wrapped up in that.

Now it is January, a time to begin fresh, and start anew. I am happy to say that I had a chance to visit one of my favorite little stamping stores last night for the first time since this past summer. It inspired me to stamp again, although I know that I will not be producing as much as I have in past years. Hopefully it will be enough to share some fun things here, if there's anyone out there that still checks in...... I actually stamped tonight, and made a couple of cards....one just for fun, and the other for the current Paper Crafts call. It would be fun to be published again this year! Hopefully the weather will permit me to get outside tomorrow to snap some pics of the cards and I can get one posted here.

Hope you all are having a great start to 2012.

I am very excited for what this year will bring, mostly because we found out a few weeks ago, that after having 4 boys, BABY #5 is going to be a GIRL!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

When things are hard.....

....or when life gives you lemons.........you make a card for it! I sent this card to someone very close to me who is going through a heartbreaking situation in life. I wanted to send her a card with an uplifting message. And no, it does not say 'make lemonade' on the inside, because, although I do try to look at the positive angles to any situation, and I do believe that everything that happens in our lives happens for a reason, and believe that we become stronger from our trials in life, sometimes you just have to be sad for a while and let the hurt out before you are able to move on. I know God has a plan and a purpose for each of us in this life and that plan involes joy and sorrow. This is how we grow and learn to love, and learn to lean on Him for peace, comfort and the healing of our hearts.

I hope that time will heal her sadness, and that she will be happy and joyful again shortly.

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

A Party Elephant!

I mean who doesn't love an elephant in a party hat!

It feels like forever since I have taken part in a challenge over at the CAS-ual Fridays blog! This weeks' challenge was to use stickers!

I found these little party hat stickers a few months ago, and thought they were just so cute! I think they will work well to make birthday cards for kiddos, which is what this card is for.

The last time I went to my favorite stamp store, my oldest son, Cody, asked me if I would get a stamp of an elephant. I saw this stamp and thought it was super cute, so Cody got his wish!

t feels good to take part in a challenge once again, and I am hoping that as of Wednesday when the three big boys go back to school, that I will be able to put the baby down for a nap and ignore all the other things I have to do, and make some cards!!!! Yay for fall, yay for school and yay for getting to once again do the things I love on a more regular basis!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Yes, I am still here!

I cannot believe it has been a month since I have last posted! Yes, I am still alive, and yes I am still paper crafting and card making! August was just a crazy month for us. It was one vacation after another, with just a few days in between each one....just enough time for laundry!

Here is a card that is basically the same as the last card that was posted. The colors were just changed up a bit and the size was changed to a regular A2 sized card.

Gonna keep this super short.....the 3 big boys go back to school on Wednesday, and I have a TON of things to do!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Oh, What a Happy Summer It Is!

I should not be doing this right now. For any number of reasons. But I couldn't help myself! Again, what a super fun challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays.

Here is my card. The challenge was to create a 4 x 9 card (which I believe this card to be the first I have ever made) and leave the space open! So tough! But I just made mine super CAS. Almost too much, perhaps!

Here is a close up of the image and sentimnet.I received another check from publications the other week, and so I decided to purchase some new stamps and things. One of the things I got is this Sand by Flowersoft. Ooooh, I love it. And I wanted to try it out, so I came up with this card.

Gonna Keep this short......I have so much to do........and the baby is sleeping!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Crumb Cake CS by SU, Textured White CS by Bazzill, Whisper White CS by SU

Sentiment by Impress, Summer Splash by SU

Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black, STampin Write Markers in Poppy Parade, Crushed Curry, and Pacific Point

Flowersoft Sand and Adhesive, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter by SU

How's Your Day?

When I saw this sentiment stamp about a month ago, I just had to have it. I absolutely loved it. I envisioned using it to make a card with a stack of laundry....but I have yet to find a stamp of a stack of laundry. If ya happen to see one out there....let me know!

It has been a few weeks since I have been able to play along with all the fabulous talent at the CAS-ual Fridays blog! Life has just been crazy for me since summer began, but with teaching card class last night, I was forced to clean up my craft room, and so it's still looking pretty good, and it inspired me to make a card! I can't believe there have been 11 challenges so far....my how time flies! I decided to use this ice cream stamp for my 'sweets', since I thought a bunch of different scoops would work well with the sentiment.

I have been working really hard the past couple of weeks to clean up and clean out my house which has included my craft room. Plain and simple, I just have too much stuff and I have felt that it has been weighing me down. So I have been purging my house hard core! This week I sold over 70 stamp sets! Wow! And I still could probably purge some more. And a little over a week ago, Kerry filled up the truck and took a load of stuff to good will! And I have a few larger items that I'm going to try to get up on Craigs list this weekend as well.

Sorry, usually I don't go on like that (on my blog anyway)! If you are interested in stamps, please visit my for sale page here on my blog.....I am going to try to update it within this next week.....I will have more SU stamp sets, some brand new that have never seen ink, as well as PTI, Verve, and individual wood block stamps too! I so want them to be loved and used and go to good homes!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Crumb Cake and Whisper White Card Stock by SU.

Sweet Scoops Stamp Set by SU. Sentiment by Rosie's Roadshow Rubber Stamps

Chocolate Chip, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizazz Ink by SU

Jute Twine by PTI, Pearl by SU, Signo White Gel Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter by SU, Dimensionals.

Hello Flowers for a Friend

I have to admit, I am one of those card makers that produces and produces massive amounts of cards.....but it seems like I don't send too many of them out. I need to do that more. I mean, everyone loves to get mail right? I have gobs and gobs of cards sitting around in bins just waiting to make it out into the word! Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Well, this card, I did in fact send to a friend the other day. I felt that she needed a little sunshine in her life....she's havin' a tough time with one of her kiddos! I just wrote a simple message inside letting her know that I love her and that I'm thinking of her and keeping her in my prayers.

I think I'm going to try this....start small, like try to send one card a week to someone I know.....just because!

Gonna keep this short, I could go on for a while, I feel, but I'm teaching card class tonight and I have a few little odds and ends to finish up before everyone arrives!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Hello, Bicycle!

Here's a card for the challenge over at Moxie Fab World in celebration of the Stamp It! Cards publication that hit stands a couple of weeks ago. And boy am I celebrating this publication!

I don't know if you know....but I had 3 cards published in this sweet issue! So if you haven't picked up a copy, you definitely should.....and you can see some of my creations! This card was one of the ones published in there!

Gonna keep it short and sweet!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Textured White Card Stock by Bazzill.

Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black, Daffodil Delight Ink by SU

Bike Stamp by Hero Arts. Hello Stamp by Impress Rubber Stamps. Crosshatch stamp by Impress Rubber Stamps

Stampin Write Markers in Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizazz, Pink Pirouette, and Regal Rose by SU

Poppy Parade Ribbon by SU

Rhinestones by SU

Corner Chomper by We R Memory Keepers

Stamp It Cards Publication

My dream has finally come true. Well at least one of my dreams. I have 3 cards which were published in the latest issue of Stamp It! Cards, which is now available. This magazine is fabulous. I was so excited to have my work in here, and then when I got my copy of it, I was blown away at all the amazing card that are in here. So inspiring, and so humbling that my cards are in here amongst some super duper stamping talent! There have been a few (okay, perhaps more than a few) moments when I have thought that my cards are not up to the caliber of everything in here, but slowly, I am coming to the realization that they are in fact worthy. Its been a bit of a journey. Here is my favorite card that was published in the magazine, on the very last page, mind you! With everyone I have shared the magazine with, I have joked that I barely made it! Those birch trees are one of my favorite stamps I do believe! It was a super fun card to make!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Happy Birthday.....Little Birdie!

Hello All-
It has been quite some time since I have posted.....don't know if there's anyone out there who is still even stopping by my little place here......
School ended and we have been on a roller coaster of summer activity ever since. Sadly I have not had much time for stamping or crafting. Well, I have had time, but I have just chosen to do different things with it, like hanging out with my boys and enjoying the sun that has finally decided to join summer in my little corner of the world!This was a card that I made for the latest PC call, but just didn't get around to submitting it....it's not the greatest card anyway, and I'm pretty sure it would not have been picked up!
Gonna keep this short....the two older boys are at Scout Camp, and Sam is begging me to come upstairs because he's claiming Kellan won't stop hitting him!
Hope you all are having a fabulous start to the summer!
Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Color Blocking in My Own Way

I just finished a post a little bit ago, and was planning on trying to relax for a few brief moments before I have to go pick up my wrecking crew from school, but then this thought came to me as I was cleaning up my paper (now there's a first: me, cleaning up directly after making a card! HA!) from this card that I made this afternoon.

I thought that this paper from Cosmo Cricket would lend perfectly to making a card for this week's challenge over at the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog, which is Color Blocking.

Here's my card:

Now I must say that color blocking is totally not my forte, or one of my go-to styles for creating cards, but I gave it a try! I think it turned out okay! What do ya think? I know it's not solid colors, but I thought it was cool!

Last night I made a card for this challenge, and then the more I looked at it, the more I really didn't like the exact colors I chose, so I am re-doing it.....if I get it finished, I will try and post it to the challenge as well!

Gonna keep this short....I have to run and get the boys!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Summer Weddings

It is that time of year, my friends!

Wedding Season!

Usually I don't pay much mind to it, mainly due to the fact that everyone I know is married.

Needless to say, I don't receive too many wedding invites these days.

This year however is an exception.Next week, a good friend's daughter is getting married. I wanted to create a fabulous wedding card for her, that captured summer. Usually when making wedding cards, I don't tend to lean towards such bright colors, but I just love these bright swirls of colors in this Cosmo Cricket paper. It actually makes me think of a Hawaiian wedding, which by the way, some family friends of mine(they were like my second family growing up) youngest son is getting married tomorrow in Hawaii. And I so wish I was there! Weddings and bright tropical colors have been on the brain! I might have to make another card like this for them, as they are having a reception back here in our area in July!

I also have to admit that this card was also created with a dual purpose in mind. I have been hearing about the Paper Crafts Magazine Gallery Idol 2011 Competition, and although have toyed with the idea of entering, really wasn't planning on it. Even thought I have had multiple card picked up for publication this year, I just still don't feel like the cards I create even come close to matching up to the amazing talent out there.....especially for the Gallery Idol Competition.

Well, I'm going out on a limb here, and I am entering this card into the competition.

Just for fun!

Because that's why I create and stamp!

Hope you all have a most fabulous Friday!

I have a card that I made last night for the CAS-ual Fridays challenge, that I want to redo before I submit it....so check back, there might be another card posted today...

Or it might be tomorrow!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Rainbow Birds

Here is another card I whipped up super quick for this week's Tuesday Trigger over at the Moxie Fab world! This week's trigger is right up my alley. I have really been in love lately with cards using a rainbow effect. And I love birds too, so this was perfect for me!I bought this stamp some time ago, but this was the first time it has seen ink! What a fun challenge for it to make it's maiden voyage!

This trigger picture of these brightly colored spools is simply divine, or as Cath would put it...... absolutely Moxie Fab! Thanks Cath, for such great inspiration and a great challenge!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Bazzil Textured Card Stock

Birds on Wire Stamp by Penny Black

Cherry Cobbler, Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry, Pear Pizazz, Tempting Turquoise Ink by SU

Jute Twine by PTI

Blue Flowers

I was over at Karen Baker's blog, The Bald Dragonfly, the other day, and saw that she had played along with a challenge that Virgina Lu had over at her blog that combined inspiration photos and Hero Arts stamps! How fun! I just had to play along! So here's how I Stamped My Hero Heart Out! This was the card I came up with after seeing this sweet picture that Cath had posted over at the Moxie Fab World. The colors just jumped out at me, and I since I love blues, I decided this was the inspiration pic I would use!

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Baja Breeze, Soft Sky, Whisper White Card Stock by SU

Flower Medley Stamp by Hero Arts

Soft Swirls embossing folder by cuttlebug

Baja Breeze Ink by sU

Certainly Celery 5/8 Grosgrain ribbon by SU

Dazzling Diamonds Glitter by SU

A Rainbow of Butterflies

This weeks Tuesday Trigger: Rainbow Bright, over at the Moxie Fab World inspired me to make the following card!

I have really love the Modern Basics stamp set from PTI, and have wanted a chance to play around with it more, but really haven't had the time. These butterflies were perfect, I thought to lend to the rainbow effect! The sentiment is also from PTI: Think Big Favorites #2, I believe! The inks and paper are all Stampin' UP!

Gonna keep it short today, as I have lots I want to accomplish!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Dies and Flowers and Gems.......

....and a little embossing too! Oops! There are actually 4 elements here on this card which is my second attempt at the CAS-ual Fridays Tic Tac Toe challenge! Last night as I was posting my first card for the challenge, I was just messing around and had the beginnings for this card here!

With all the fun elements to choose from in this weeks challenge, I found myself last night, going through a bunch of my crafting supplies looking for all the fun things that I could play around with to create cards for this challenge!

This sure has gotten my creative juices flowing!!! Thank you, ladies over there at CAS-ual Fridays for coming up with such an inspiring challenge! It was just what I needed to get my stamping mojo back in gear. I have been so extremely busy lately with everything else in life, that crafting has had to take a back seat (like the third row, back seat......)!

Now I just want to stamp and be creative! And it couldn't have come at a better time. Kerry is taking the three older boys on a father/son camp out tonight, so if I can get the baby to go to sleep early, I can have the whole night to myself!!! I might even have to bop down to my favorite little stamp store, and get myself something new since my FIRST CHECK from having some cards published arrived yesterday! I have told myself for the past few months since getting things picked up for publication, that I wouldn't spend any money on supplies until I actually saw the money! And it came! And now I can go spend it! Yay!

And I just have to say (again) that I have really enjoyed these challenges! They are so much fun for me, they have caused me to step out of my comfort zone a bit, which is great, and all the cards from the Girl Fridays, as well as all the cards made by all the wonderfully talented gals who play along each week are truly inspiring. It makes me want to try harder, craft more, and be the best that I can be, so thanks to all who participate as well as leave such encouraging, sweet comments for me, I truly appreciate it all!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Buttons & Ribbon & Chipboard!

Yup, those were the three items I chose for this weeks CAS-ual Fridays challenge! The challenge was to play a tic-tac-toe of sorts and pick three items in a row that you see displayed below and create a card with them!I know that I have used this Medallion stamp on the last three cards I have made and posted here on the blog.....but I am just in love with it. On this card, I stamped it on some Inchies, which are 1 inch squares of cut mat board......that counts as chipboard, right? I then added some ribbon at the top with a button, and there ya have it, folks!

Sorry the picture is so poor, but I wanted to snap a picture tonight, and its dark out, so I had to settle for inside. Because, if I left it for tomorrow, who knows if it would get done. Life has been so incredibly busy with the end of the school year upon me, and all the kids' sports and activities coming to an end. It seems like I just don't have any spare time at all.....so I had to quickly take these few minutes tonight, and make this card and get it posted so I could be a part of this weeks challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays. I so missed playing along last week...

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!
Supplies:
Medallion Stamp by Impress
Baja Breeze card stock by SU,
Chocolate Chip Ink by SU,
Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta ribbon by SU
White Inchies
Buttons by PTI
Corner Chomper

Tuesday Trigger: Take Two!

I made a second card yesterday for this weeks Tuesday Trigger over at Moxie Fab World. I made it while I was writing the post for the first card I made.

I was going to add it to the original post, but wanted to get a decent photo of it and it was kind of a gloomy rainy day, and I ended up running out of day......where does the time go?I used the same stamp as my first card,(love this stamp) but changed up how I used the colors and switched the sentiment and added a few different embellishments. I think I like this card better than the first one.

Today was the first day since the beginning of April that we have not had something going on. No soccer practice. No games. No Cub Scouts. No Track. No activities of any kind. So I'm going to keep this really short so I can go and enjoy the evening with all my boys!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Chocolate Chip Card Stock by SU, Whisper White Ink by SU,

Doily Stamp by Impress, Sentiment by Savvy Stamps.

Ric Rac by May Arts, Pearls by K& Company