Just For You Card ~ PageMaps Blog Contest

BARELY got this one done in the nick of time... I hope. Oh well, had fun doing it anyway!!

This card is for the current PageMaps Blog Contest. For my stamped image I used a Studio G Sentiment Stamp and also a ScrapWorks Cupcake stamp that I then cut out and used as an embellishment. Thanks for looking!!

Happy Holidays Layout ~ Black Magic Sketches

FINALLY, some scrap time!! It seems like it's been forever!!

I dove right into this layout using the December 16th Sketch from the Black Magic Sketches Blog... just love their challenges. LOVE that they give you COLORS to stick to as well. Fun stuff!!


I've also had some card fun today, so stay tuned!!

OMG... Over a Week??

I can't believe it's been over a week since I've blogged. What a SLACKER I am!!!

Christmas was CRAZY, but LOADS of fun. We've had some great family time the past few days!! I came down with a nasty cold a few days ago, ACKKK, still trying to kick it. Gotta love meds!!

I have lots to blog about, a few projects, a FAB new gig, lots of stuff, so read on.


My FUN news is that I was chosen for the January thru March 2009 Design Team on the Christmas Cards All Year Round Blog... how cool is that?!?! So excited to get started on my first challenge!! You should all check out this fun blog and what a great way to get a jump start on next year's cards!!

I wanted to share this card I made recently. This is for Challenge #8 over at the Card-a-Licious Blog... to use a "Christmas Icon" on your card. I also used Recipe Challenge #28 from the Sketches! {by Tamara} Blog... to use the colors red & white, use a household item to stamp, and use a heart anywhere on your project. For the stamping, I used the rim of a medicine bottle rim and ink. :D


This layout was made for Layout Sketch #76 from the Sketches! {by Tamara} Blog and our last one for this year!! Can't wait to see what she has in store for 2009!!

And just HAVE to point out that these OH SO FUN American Crafts Teen products were a Christmas gift from my FABULOUSLY cool friend Wendi, LOVE ya girl and thanks so much!!


Ok, gonna end this long post for now... will be back to blogging regularly now that Christmas is over. And I can't wait to get back to scrapping, going through some serious withdrawals!! Chat soon!!!

Guest Designer Challenge #2 @ the Pretty
Committee Challenge Blog

Just saw that they posted the second (and final) challenge for the month over at the Pretty Committee Challenge Blog. This one was way fun!!

This challenge was to create a project that was related in some way to one of our Holiday Traditions. Oh, and be sure to check out the rest of the FABULOUS creations from the Design Team!!

For several years now, three of my closest friends and I (we call ourselves the FAB 4), get together at Christmas time to exchange gifts, hang out with each other, cook dinner or eat out somewhere we love, have a few drinks and just have a good time. I have always made them each a handmade Christmas card, and this year was not going to be any different. Here are my three cards I made for the girls this year.


I would like to thank the ladies over at the Pretty Committee Blog for having me as their first ever Guest Designer. It's been a WAY fun month!!!

Deck the Halls Layout

Another layout made recently. This one using Sketch #67 from the Stuck?! Sketches Blog. Fun stuff!! I just love using sketches, they really do help you to crank out the pages!!

Gift Giving Layout

Here's another layout from the weekend. This one was made using Sketch #5 from the Inspired Blueprints Blog. Just love their fun sketches!!

Give Thanks Layout ~ Page Maps December Contest

Made this layout over the past weekend for the latest Page Maps December Blog Contest. Becky posted a super fun sketch for us to play with.

This is what I came up with, and I managed to get a few Thanksgiving pics scrapped in the process. Thanks for looking!!

Scrappy Fun Friday :o)

Had lots of scrappy fun on my Friday off. LOVE the 4-day work week, too bad it's only every other week. Anyway... I dug deeper into my December Kits from Two Spotted Dogs. The "Christmas Whimsy" Kit and the "Count Your Blessings" Kit both ROCKED this month, so I had to have them both!!

I pulled out the two most recent sketches from the Rough Draft Sketches Blog and went to town!!

This layout was made using the "Count Your Blessings" Kit and Rough Draft Sketch #9.


This layout was made using the "Christmas Whimsy" Kit and Rough Draft Sketch #10.


If you are interested in any of these kits from Two Spotted Dogs... RUN, don't walk. There MAY be a few of these kits left, but not sure on that... they are FLYING out the doors. They are SERIOUSLY that good!!

Card Sketch a Day News

Just wanted to let you ladies know that two cards I made for the Card Sketch a Day Blog Sketch #101 are posted there today, woo-hoo!!

Here are the cards I created using the sketch. Be sure to check the blog out for TONS more great sketch and card ideas!!

More Crop Weekend Projects

Hello everyone!! DANG it's cold in Houston, brrrrr... I think I even heard sleet hitting my windshield this morning, YIKES!!

Just wanted to post some more of my scrappy weekend projects. So much fun was had at the Two Spotted Dogs Christmas Crop. So many fun gals joined in and we all got so much done, just love that!!

All of these projects in this post were made using the Two Spotted Dogs December Christmas Whimsy Kit, OMG I'm in love with this kit!! I seriously think I will use EVERY little piece!!

Bling Challenge Card
Snowflakes Card Cardstock Only Card Snowman Mini Cards Mini Gift Cards

Together Layout

Here's a layout I made this weekend during the TSD Crop. The challenge was to create a layout using Red, Green & another color of your choice. I chose red, green and light blue. MAN, you should see some of the COOL color combos the ladies came up with!!

I made this layout using Sketch #7 from the Rough Draft Sketches Blog... just LOVE their sketches, and they are SO dang creative!!

Sketches! {by Tamara} Layout Sketch #74

This week's sketch from the Sketches! {by Tamara} blog was another really fun one!! Here is my layout made using Sketch #74.

Be sure to visit the blog to see all the Design Team's layouts, AMAZING work!!

Peace on Earth Card

Such a BAD blogger I am... the Holidays are taking over my life, hehe!! I did manage to get lots of scrapping done over the weekend though, so several more posts to come.

This card was made for the Rough Draft Blog Card Challenge posted last week. We had to make a Christmas card using ribbon, 3 brads and a stamped image. This is what I came up with.

Two Spotted Dogs
We Wish You a Merry Christmas Crop

We've been in the planning stages for a few weeks, and the weekend is finally here!!


The Two Spotted Dogs "We Wish You a Merry Christmas Crop" has officially kicked off today, and we will keep on going until Sunday, December 7 at 8:00 pm.

I hope you will all be able to join us for some cropping fun on the message board. This will be a great time to get those Christmas cards finished, make some beautiful holiday decorations and create some wonderful Christmas presents too! And you won't have to find a parking place, wait in long lines to check out and spend way more than you planned. PLUS, Diane gives some FUN prizes away... just a little more motivation, hehe!!

And check out the (non-blinking) blinkie above... my first one EVER to make. Had lots of fun with it, and think I'm finally "getting" the layers thing in PhotoShop, hehe. Whatcha think of it??

Design Team Toot for Me :o)

Just had to post about my newest endeavor. Jessica from the Sketches by Scrapiopath Blog has asked me to join her Layout Sketch Design Team. I have known her (online) for some time now, and she is just the coolest chick!!

I was THRILLED that she asked me, just love her sketches!! I will be creating a layout using one of her sketches every other week... so very excited!!

I had LOADS of fun with my first sketch, which was Sketch #31 on the blog. Be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team made using the same sketch, seriously great work.

Also, you should check out the forum that is connected to the blog. The site is called Scraps-N-Such, and the ladies there are just AWESOME... and what's even better, it's completely DRAMA and stress-free (gotta love that)!!

Here's the page I made, thanks for looking and letting me share my excitement!!

Peace, Love, Joy Card

Made this card last night for one of the Weekly Challenges over at Paper Popsicles. They gave us a fun recipe that we had to use to create a Christmas Card. I dug out some scraps that I've been saving and went to town. Thanks for looking!!

Guest Designer Toot...
The Pretty Committee Challenge Blog

So excited that I can finally share this bit of news!! I was asked to be the first ever Guest Designer for the Pretty Committee Challenges Blog. SO FUN!!!

I get to play along with the Design Team this month and complete their two December Challenges. The December 1st Challenge was just posted yesterday, so you ought to check it out. The layout had to be based on the following..."All I want for Christmas is...". The Design Team ROCKED the socks off of this challenge!!

Here's my layout, thanks so much for looking and letting me share!!

Our First Family Photo Shoot

We gathered this year with hubby's whole family for a photo shoot, so we decided while we were there to get our immediate family photos taken. We have never done this before, and I'm so glad we did!!

We took two poses, not sure which I like better. The photo shoot took almost 2 hours with such a large family, so by the time we got to our pics, our smiles were so rehearsed. Either way, I'm so glad we did this and that we have these photos now. So, tell me whatcha think... :o)

Sketches! {by Tamara} Layout Sketch #73

HOW FUN!!! This week's Sketches! {by Tamara} Sketch is a 6 x 12, LOVE this size!! This one came together pretty quickly once I got going... such a cool size!!

The rest of the Design Team did some amazing layouts too, some even adapted the sketch to a different size!! You should check them all out, so much inspiration!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone :o)

Just wanted to post and wish everyone and VERY safe and Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you all get some good grub and lots of fabulous family time!!!

I'm so looking forward to the 4-day weekend. Luckily, we are staying in town too, so I should get lots of scrappy time. That's my plan anyway!!

Kreativ Blogger Award

I am so flattered to have received the Kreativ Blogger Award this past week from not one, not two, but FOUR of my online scrappy, bloggin' friends!!

HUGE THANKS going out to Pam, Jess, Linda and Monica!!

You girls are the very best, you've made my week, and what a CUTE award!!!


The rules of the Kreativ Blogger award:

1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Then put a link to the person who sent you the award.
3. Nominate 5 blogs.
4. Provide links to those 5 blogs.
5. Then, leave a message for your nominees.

My award nominees are... Wendi, Andie, Nathalia, Jenn and Ellen. Love ya girls!!

Sketches! {by Tamara} Layout Sketch #72

Sorry I'm late in posting this, crazy Thanksgiving week going on everywhere I'm sure.

This week's sketch from the Sketches! {by Tamara} Blog was another fun one!! Had a great time posting these new pics I got of us recently.

Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Team's layouts too, some SUPER cute stuff!!

Card-a-Licious #7 Challenge ~Mini Cards

Totally fun challenge over at the Card-a-Licious Blog this week... mini cards!! Love making these quick, little cards. Mine measures 2-1/2" x 4". Thanks for looking!!

Fun Christmas Gift Idea

I came across this idea on several blogs and sites out there and thought it would be fun to make them as cute little gifts for friends, coworkers and family.

You can use either gift bags or a cute coffee mug. I lucked out at my local 99 cent Only Store and found these WAY cute snowman mugs... perfect!!

Snowman Soup Recipe

1 packet of Hot Chocolate Mix
3 Hershey's Kisses
10 miniature marshmallows
1 mini peppermint candy cane

Snowman Soup Poem
(I printed the poem with a cute snowman graphic on cardstock and made tags.)

Was told you've been real good this year
Always glad to hear it.
With freezing weather drawing near
You'll need to warm the spirit.
So here's a little Snowman Soup
Complete with stirring stick.
Add hot water, sip it slow
It's sure to do the trick!

Here's my mugs, had lots of fun making them!!

Weekend Scrapping Fun :o)

I can't believe I haven't blogged in a few days, you can tell the Holidays are coming, yikes!!

Had some fun with several of the 12 Days of Christmas Crop challenges from over at Scrapbook Heaven. All projects were made using the OH SO FUN November mid-month kit from Two Spotted Dogs. Scenic Route Garland just ROCKS, such fun stuff!!

This first challenge was to alter a notebook. I made mine Christmas themed to use for my gift lists, recipes, and other stuff I will need during the Holidays.


This next card was made for a fun Origami Christmas Tree challenge. Haven't done origami in ages, but had lots of fun with it!!


This next challenge was to make a set of at least 3 cards, all using basically the same supplies.


The last challenge I did was to create a Christmas Tree Ornament. I made mine from a plain chipboard flourish, and heat-embossed and embellished it. Quick and fun!!

Blog Candy Winner ~ Kraft Girl Kits

WOO-HOO for me... just found out I was the Blog Candy winner from over at the Kraft Girl Kits blog. Just found them recently... CUTE STUFF and so much talent!! You should check them out!!

I won one of THESE fun goodie packs!!

Thanks so much Kraft Girls!!!

True Beauty Layout

Finished this layout up last night while watching some TV. Made this one using Sketch #64 from the Stuck?! Sketches Blog. Also used more products from my November Two Spotted Dogs Gazebo kit... I can't get over the coolness of these Crate Paper Prudence goodies!!

Blog Candy Giveaway ~ WINNER!!!

Ok ladies, I didn't forget about this, hehe. Been feeling kinda icky lately and have had lots of family things going on. I used the Random Integer Generator to pull the winner.... and that lucky person is.....

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers: 23

Timestamp: 2008-11-18 15:07:27 UTC

Mary Patterson-Ezzell said...

this is totally awesome - i'm so lovin these color combos girl! :)

CONGRATS MARY!!! Please email me your address so I can get thes fun goodies out to you!!!

Love Always Layout

I made this layout last night using the Pink Sketches Blog Sketch #14... also combined this with Jaz's November 17th Weekly Challenge from over at Scrapbook Heaven. The challenge was to create an irregular-shaped layout, no squares or rectangles.

I also dove into my OTHER Two Spotted Dogs November Kit, the Gazebo Kit... these Crate Paper Prudence products are just GORGEOUS!!!

Card-a-Licious #6 Challenge ~ Using Circles

This week's Card-a-Licious Blog Challenge is to make a card using at LEAST three circles. Not a problem as I've been using LOTS of circles lately!!

BANNED... have you ever???

So, I've been stewing on this for a couple of weeks now, and just can't seem to get over how SOME people are...

So, tell me, have you ever been BANNED from a site, group, forum??

I can honestly say I have NEVER been until recently. Can you imagine my surprise when I go to visit "this site" one day to post yet ANOTHER challenge I have completed... and then the magic words appear...

I'm like, WHAT?!?!?! I was given NO explanation why, or even a warning of what was to come... just found out while on one of my DAILY visits to the board. And BELIEVE ME, I am NOT the drama type, and choose to just stay away from this kind of non-sense, so it came as a HUGE surprise.

After MUCH anger and sadness and just NO understanding at all why it was done... I'm over it and have moved on. This blog post is my final say about the WRONG that was done to me.

Makes me VERY sad though, to think about all the time in the past year and a half I have devoted to "this site", posting challenges, designing layouts & other items, helping with Cyber Crops, having over 16,000 message boards posts, among other things... makes a person feel used!!

Not to mention that NOTHING has been said on the board about my disappearance, or the fact that I was REMOVED and didn't leave on my own... kinda carrying on like I just disappeared... which is NOT the case... but oh well, right?!?!

Makes you wonder about people, doesn't it?!?!

Okay, I'm done, carry on with the scrappiness, hehe!!

Sketches! {by Tamara} Layout Sketch #71

This week's sketch from the Sketches! {by Tamara} Blog really threw me for a loop... a TWO-PAGER, ACCKKK!!! I haven't created a 2-pager in a very long time. After thinking for a bit on an idea, it all came together. This layout was made using my November Two Spotted Dogs kit, totally loving these products!!

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team created, such fun layouts and they are all so different!!