Re-cap

Yes, it has been some time since I have last posted an entry. Let's just say that working, holiday's and the aftermath are enough to make anybody's head spin. Although, I have not made anything with my scrap supplies, that does not mean I have not done anything crafty during this time. I have some pics of what things I have done over the last month and I do have some projects in the works for the very near future.

Last year we made a gingerbread house from a kit. It didn't turn out so great so I thought the cookies would be easier and you can eat them too. Although, the cookies were a bit hard and don't even look at the nutritional info!

I didn't know frosting came in a squeeze bottle! Genius!

Before:After:

I did make this card for my neice who turned 18. I used Stickles over foam Thickers and the transparency is Heidi Swapp. Other misc.: Scallop punch, rhinestones, Doodle bug paper frills and gingham ribon.

Check out the Brownie torte I made for our Christmas dessert. It was incredible!

Yes, that is Reese's peanut butter cups cut up on top and drizzled with melted peanut butter chips. In the middle, miniature marsmallows mixed with the same melted peanut butter chips that are on top and sandwiched between two brownie layers!This was so bad (good) that we had to destroy (eat) the evidence so that we would not be arrested! I will post the recipe that I received from Pampered Chef on another post.

Happy 2010!!!

Changes

Change is good, but we'll see! My favorite scrapbooking magazine that I have subscribed to for years and years now is loosing some of my favorite contributors and the founding editor. First to announce their departure was Becky Higgins. Then came Ali Edwards and immediately after, the one who started it all, Lisa Bearnson. I have put aside my subscription renewal until I preview the new format and new contributors to decide if this is the magazine that I want to continue to receive. I only subscribe to one magazine because that is all I have the time for. So I will be keeping a close eye out as to which one I will be choosing in 2010. Who knows, maybe this will inspire me to change as well and try something new....whether it be a new magazine or embarking on a new adventure. I do believe that change is good sometimes because it helps you to see things outside the box. This is coming from someone who is used to (and likes) a daily routine to keep me on task. However, I did get a part time job recently after being a SAHM for 19 years. Although, this is a seasonal position, it has definitely broken up my routine and brought about a lot of change in my household and it also has me thinking about the next road I will choose to take. So change not only breaks routine, but gets you thinking differently too. With the New Year a month away, why not make a resolution to change SOMETHING?!

The finished product

This is the finished product of my Krafty bag school mini album. I am so pleased with how this turned out that I want to make one to keep for myself! It has 10 pages with places to put 8 photos! Plus, it has three pockets on the side of the pages with pull-out's for more photos, journaling and places to put school papers. More details of photo sizes for the album are included at my store, Krafty Cards. Come and take a peek!
album cover:

Pages 1 and 2

Pages 3 and 4

Pages 5 and 6

Pages 7 and 8:

Pages 9 and 10

Back cover:
Pull-outs:

This -n- that

I have been doing a little of this and a little of that lately. I am trying to get a few more products added to my store and then I want to do a little "kick off" to get more traffic over there.

The above pictures show items that I will be adding. The card is a stamp and I used Stickles for the garland, ornaments and star on top. I like how this turned out so much that I plan on using this design for my Christmas cards this year!

The lunch bag mini school album I will be adding to my store as well as soon as I get it completed. The goal is by next Monday. This is really going to be a great album with many places to put photos and memoribilia! I will be sure to share the final result here, of course.

On top of my projects in-the-works, I have been job hunting! I recently went for an interview at Michael's Craft & Hobby store. I should be hearing back any day now. The only problem with working there is that I will end up spending all my paycheck before I get it! :-)

I have my daughter home today from school. She missed last week two days also and now again this week! I sure hope we can get rid of these germs and keep the rest of the family healthy. That is why I will be doing a deep clean today to try and isolate the illness!

As always, I appreciate you coming by and seeing what I have been up to. Please don't be shy and leave me a comment or question, I love to hear from you! Have a great weekend!

"Thinking of you" card

I made this card for an Aunt on my hubby's side who is turning 85! God bless her, she still drives and gets around like nobody's business. She was laid up for a few months last year with a hip replacement surgery due to a fall she took on the ice last winter. I give her credit because she lives alone and does not want anybody's help either. She's a tough cookie, I tell ya!

So the card is made with yellow Bazzill cardstock; Creative Imaginations die cut cardstock; Stampin' UP! stamp and basic black ink; The Paper Company - Celebration rhinestones; black cardstock and black gingham ribbon. I also used EK Success 3D dots for a raised effect on the sentiment. Of course the picture is not true to life color, which bothers me, but I guess you get the idea!

Live life to the fullest

This is the layout I previewed here before everything was stuck down. I only changed one thing and that is the flower at the bottom. I decided that the flower in it's entirety added too much "weight" to the lower part of the layout. So I just mirrored the top flower by cutting the scallop in half and folded the Heidi Swapp flower in half. I think it gives a path for the eye to follow of where to start and stop.

I used my Fancy Pants glitter cut frame that I have had for a while for the main design. I thought it was a good compliment to this photo of my oldest daughter with her green tank top.

The "live" at the top is from Thickers Daquiri line and I traced the letters with silver Stickles to coordinate with the glitter frame and to tone down the overpowering black. The words "life" and "fullest" were cut with my Cricut using the opposites attract cartridge.

The sun chipboard is from Making Memories chipboard flowers. I traced the chipboard on the new Basic Grey Indian Summer paper, which the scallop under the flowers and 15th birthday frame are from this line as well. While I was using a marker to outline the "sun" on the inside, my pen slipped and made a mark. Instead of starting over tracing and cutting the shape, I made a few circles around the inside to disguise my mistake. I thought it ended up looking even better.

Other supplies I used were: Creative Imaginations price tag (priceless); SRM '09 sticker; Creative Memories - "Live Laugh Love" vellum quotes and Creative Imaginations word bits - "enjoy the ride"; Heidi Swapp ghost clocks; Basic Grey journal flourish stamps; misc. heart mini brad.

Again, I am taking what I have on hand and using it up because when these layouts are years old, nobody (not even me) will know that these products were not just recently released. All products "age" whether they are on layouts or in your stash. So use what you have and you will surprise yourself that the items can still work and look good too! Not to mention, make you feel good about using them up!

What I have been up to...

Just for the record, I have been working on some creative things recently; along with the usual running around and household duties! The card is for my mother-in-law's birthday and the layout is not complete, but thought I would share that as well. Still trying to get some ideas made into reality for my store too. Stay tuned!