Spellbinders Layout

Supplies: S4-232 Blossoms Two (#5,) S4-233 Labels Nine (#1,) S5-004 Sunflower Garden Accent, S4-207 Kaleidoscope Pendant Accent, S4-222 Create A Flake One, S4-198 Flourish Accent,Clearsnap: Chestnut Roan and Pumpkin Spice Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink,
Tattered Angels Slate and Candlelight Glimmer Mist, Chatterbox: Fabulous Treasures Buttons,7Gypsies Brown Gaffer Tape Embellishment tape, Sassafras Lass: Sweet Marmalade (Preserve,)Making Memories: Alphabet Stickers, American Crafts Brown: Thickers (Nutmeg)Alphabet Stickers

This is a layout I created for Spellbinders™. It's so hard for me to believe that my Spellbinders™ Design Team Term is nearly up. Where did the year go? There's still a few months ahead of me but I wanted to spread the news with all my readers about the next Design Team call that they just posted on their blog. This is the most amazing, professional, fun, encouraging, kind and dedicated company that I have ever designed for and if you are considering trying out, I say definitely go for it! Here is the announcement:

2010 Spellbinders™ Paper Arts Design Team Contest
December 1st, 2009

Spellbinders™ is searching nationwide for talented paper crafters, scrapbookers, card makers and altered artists to become part of our creative family! Unique experiences and opportunities await you!

To be eligible you must:

* Submit three art pieces as assigned below.
* Be available to travel to Phoenix, AZ, expenses paid by Spellbinders™, Wednesday, April 14 through Sunday, April 18, 2010. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
* Be available to serve a term as a Designer from April 1, 2010, through March 30, 2011.
* Be capable of completing all requirements, on time, during the 12-month tenure period.
* If you make the finals round, you will need to complete an assigned project and deliver to Spellbinders™ by February 22, 2010.
* Be able to submit art electronically by scanning or digital photography.
* Be able to submit paper work through the Microsoft Word program.
* Employees of the Spellbinders™ Paper Arts, their affiliates, and members of their immediate families are not eligible.

If you would like more info, you find it on the Spellbinders Paper Arts Blog.

Have a fabulous day!

College Press and another chance to Win!

Supplies: Collage Press - Joyride (pattern paper, die cuts,chipboard,) Trim (misc.) Button (Autumn Leaves)

**Blink!!** It's December 1st. Wow! We had a fabulous Thanksgiving and I hope you did too! If you didn't get a chance to enter your name in for the Thanksgiving RAK I have going, there's still time. You can read about it here.

I have some exciting news! I was asked to return back for another year on the Collage Press Design Team! I can't even tell you how thrilled I was to find out about this opportunity. Over the last few days I've been waiting to share a layout that I made of a really good friend of mine holding my youngest daughter at our Christmas party last year. Just a few more days and then I can post it!

Designing with Joyride has been so much fun that I just couldn't help make a few cards while I was at. Have you seen this line yet? Oh my! This brown and check piece just makes me think of a warm kitchen on a cold winter's day! And the chipboard is fantastic. It is seriously the best quality and the cutest ever! It's really think and has excellent adhesive on the back.























Supplies: Collage Press - Joyride (Pattern Paper, diecuts, chipboard, stickers)Pink Paislee - alphabet stickers, Flower Soft - Polar White

I've always, always had a lot of fun while creating my Collage Press projects. That's super important to me and that's why it wasn't a difficult decision to stay on the team. Soon, I'll be able to share the layout I put together. But, for now, some card inspiration! And, if cards are your thing, you must check out the Collage Press blog for these amazing ones that Roree Rumph put together. This girl knows how to rock the cards!!

As matter of fact, the new design team has been coming up with some really fantastic projects. There has been some names drawn out of the comments already but it's not too late! If you are a Collage Press lover and would like to win some product of your own, just leave a comment on the company blog.

Thanksgiving RAK

When my son and first born was 3 years old, we made a harvest color chain and wrote on each strip all the things we were thankful for. We making great memories while having grateful hearts. The reason I remember it so well, is because my mother-in-law, pulls it out every year and hangs it up with her decor. It's the cutest thing and it warms my heart!

I want to reflect on some things that I'm thankful for today as I write this post. First, a few scrappy things to share. These two cards, I'm extremely thankful to say, were picked up by Scrapbook Trends and are in the current November issue that came out last month.





















Have you had a chance to see this issue yet? I haven't seen it irl yet. Anxious to get my hands on a copy though! This first card is full of some of my favorite products and I just loved the way it turned out.























I love thanksgiving and I read the greatest quote about it today.

"Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action." - W.J. Cameron

I'm so thankful for my Pastor, husband and best friend who I trust, honor and love with all my heart.

I'm so thankful for my three precious babies who growing into independant thinkers that love the Jesus. That warms my heart.

I'm so thankful for the rich heritage on both sides of family. What a blessing to be raised by such Godly people.

I'm so thankful for my immediate and extended family who put up with all my shortcomings and love me anyway.

I'm truly, truly so thankful for a roof over my head and for the warmth I feel each night when I go to sleep.

Most of all, I'm thankful for my Lord and Savior who continues to amaze me with His unconditional love, grace and mercy.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 says "Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Ya know, when I reflect on my life, I realize I've had it pretty easy. I've never lost a best friend, child or immediate family member. I've never had a huge, life altering experience. Some times I wonder if an enormous trial came along my path, would I be able to handle it and give thanks in all things? Ah....but then I'm reminded. That is what is so cool about God. It is at that time in our weakness that He becomes our strength and gives us the grace to handle whatever it is that comes our way. Phew. Such wonderful reassurance and just one more thing to be grateful about.

My list could go and on and on. I'm sure yours could to. There's many things to be thankful about. Right now, I'm thankful for my blog readers and to thank you, I want to offer another give-away. I truly do appreciate each and every one of you. I love it when you post comments but even when you don't, I'm thankful that I've been able to be an inspiration to you.

Here is what I would like to offer for this Thanksgiving RAK. It will be open until next Friday, Dec. 4th, midnight PST.
















May the Lord richly bless you and yours this Thanksgiving Holiday.

Nutcracker excitement builds!!

Supplies: Spellbinders™S4-23 Labels Nine Nestabilities Die, S4-235 Fancy Tags, Pattern Paper: (Shocking Pink) Robin’s Nest, Girl Friday (Saturday) Cosmo Cricket, Pearls: Creative Impressions, Big Pink Brads: Creative Impressions, Robin’s Egg Mesh: Magic Mesh
Grunge Board flower: Tim Holtz, Color Box Yellow Cadmium Chalk Ink: Clearsnap, Stickers: Pink Paislee,American Crafts,

We are anticipating and gearing up for the Nutcracker once again this year. Those lil' 4 and 5 year olds are just too cute! Here is a layout I created for Spellbinders, of my sweetie getting ready last year. She loved every minute of it.

I'm off to work. Have a fabulous day! Thanks for stopping by.

Vintage Flower Tutorial

Supplies: Spellbinders™S7-014 Classic Lace Border Grand die and Spellbinders™ S4-230 Labels Six die, Webster's Pages Pattern Paper, Pink Paislee Alphabets, Prima flower and crystals, Clearsnap chalk Ink, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist, Zip Dry adhesive

Some of you asked for a tutorial on the flower that I made. Again, this is from another blog that I read and I apologize that I don't remember which blog it was. I'm assuming there are many out there.















1) Cut a 1/2 inch x 12 inch strip of paper (pattern or solid.) I used scraps so my paper wasn't quite 12 inches which just makes the flower a bit smaller.















2) Twist the strips of paper so they are all ready to lay down.















3) Using a hot glue gun or zip dry, place glue in a circular pattern creating the swirl for your flower on to a piece of scrap cardstock. Immediately begin pressing the twisted strips from the inside out. Once the first one is one, begin the second one. This can be a sticky mess and you may want some wax paper near by or something that will help you press it down without getting all sticky.















4) Place some wax paper or the back of an adhesive sheet over the flower and place something heavy on it to let it dry for awhile (30 min. or so.) Then you are ready to make it sparkle with your favorite glimmer mist or Maya Mist. Place the flower in your sink or in a shallow cardboard box and spray a mix of glimmer mist or Maya Mist to coordinate with the color of your project.
















5) Once that is dry, cut around the flower on the cardstock that you used so that just the flower is showing.
















6) Add a flower center (bling, pearl, button ect.) and ahdhere some lacy trim to the back. My example here has too much trim in my opinion. Now, you are ready to add it to your project!
















This flower was created for this layout and you can see this post to see what it looks like on a card.

Ya, kind of a lot of work for a flower. But, if you love that ol' vintage, distressed look and don't want to constantly be purchasing them, then it's definitely worth it!

I've always loved the look of real simple, clean layouts but I've never been able to pull them off real well. This weekend, I took a part in a challenge to complete a layout in 30 min. I couldn't believe I did it! So, although this is not my most favorite layout ever, I wanted to share it because I think the photos make up for its cuteness!





















Speaking of cuteness and Max. Time for an update. Now that he is done with his vaccines, we were able to take him to the beach yesterday.





































In the morning while the kids were at school, just A and I went. You can imagine how well that went over with the kids! So, we caved...and took him for a second time later that day, with the kids! It started out a gorgeous sunny day with no wind. Perfect. You know that I have 300+ photos. I'll try not to go photo crazy on ya here! LOL

Twice to the beach in one day. Now, that's one spoiled dog!








I think we wore him out!

Thanks so much for stopping by. I'll be posting a Thanksgiving Day Rak on Thursday (it will be time released of coures....Thursday will be purely family time for me! LOL) Hope you enjoyed the tutorial. Have a fabulous week!

So Thankful

Supplies: Spellbinders™ Label Three Die, Pattern Paper - Webster's Pages, Stickers - Pink Paislee.

Today is our dedication Sunday our new building. I'm so thankful for all the people who worked so hard to make that happen. Bless you!! And of course, thankful to God for His goodness to us.

It's handmade!

Handmade gifts can be so special and appreciated. I think I'll be putting together a few of those this year. I created an ornament yesterday from some Webster's Pages paper and chipboard.


















The next holiday crafted item I wanted to share was created using my Spellbinders™ supplies and Melissa Frances Papers.

Recognize this lil' guy? I have to say, this place card idea using the clip is a direct 'lift' from my fellow Spellbinders™ Design Team member, Christy Farneth Kerr She had created the most adorable ones when we went on or Design Retreat back in April. I decided to apply the same concept for a Thanksgiving setting and created my own napkin ring to go with it.


















Supplies: Dies – Spellbinders™ Paper Arts: Standard Circles LG (S4-114), Classic Scalloped Circles LG (S4-124), Flower Creations (S4-072)Pattern Paper – Melissa Francis, Cardstock – American Crafts, Stickers – Pink Paislee, Clip – Staples, Bling – Creative Impressions

If you want some serious table setting inspiration you should check out this video that is on the Teri O. show. Karen Taylor, another friend and fellow Spellbinder™ DT member created this design. Unbelievable!!!!!!!

http://www.terriocraftprojects.com/download_archive1.php?aid=167

Okay, now I have to share a bit of sweet, family happenings. It's the cutest thing. Last night when I was tucking in the girls, they asked if they could wake up in the morning and take a shower. Then they wanted to get all dressed up 'lovely,' do their hair and get some jewelry on. Then they wanted to go on a date to someone special. I said with 'who?' LOL So, they are off on a special date right now with their Daddy. I tried to explain to them that this is the first day in...FOREVER that we didn't have to rush off to school, soccer, church...ect. And they could just relax in the morning and maybe go at...lunch time?? Nope. They were showered, dolled up and ready to go before 7:45!!! My girls are growin' up. YIKES!

Blessings on your weekend!