Time flies when you are overwhelmed!

I can't believe it's been a month since I last posted. I've made a few cards since then, but I've been either too busy or tired to post them here. Alright and probably too lazy.

We just moved into our new house at the end of June. I still have tons of boxes to unpack, mostly just that junk that keeps following me around. Things I can't seem to get rid of for one sentimental reason or another. Well, my neighborhood is having a huge garage sale and I am going to get rid of ALOT of stuff. I just cannot concentrate in a cluttered home. Of course that also goes for my craft room, but once I get cutting and stamping, things are flying all over the place and I can't stop just to clean up and organize. My craft room is still a work in progress. I'm not sure where I want things to go or how I want it to be set up. It's definitely functional right now. Just not perfect.

So this morning I had a ton of housework that needed to get done. But I had a rough night last night with my 3 yr old waking me up every hour. So I decided that I was going to stamp instead. I made this card to send to my folks who sent us a wonderful housewarming gift. I love the Boards and Beams set by Papertrey. I wish I had more time to play with this set!























Stamp Set: Papertrey Ink Boards & Beams
Inks: Brilliance, Versafine Sepia
Paper: SU Pretty in Pink, PTI Vintage Cream, Basic Grey Sultry Patterned Paper
Misc: SU Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, SU Scallop Edge Punch, Dimensionals, Copics, Stickles


I plan on posting many more cards and projects on my blog in the coming weeks. I have a Silent Auction Gift Set that I am going to be making for our school. I also have tons of cards and alterable items that I will be making to be put in my new Etsy store. I'll post more about that when I get a chance.

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful weekend!

I am so WEAK

Well, I fell off the wagon. I bought something. I was lurking in BST forum like a crack ho looking for a fix. When suddenly I saw a great deal on a PTI set. I had to jump on it. I just couldn't contain myself.

And what a disappointment because today is day 20. Only had 10 days left. And it would have been so easy because we will be going on vacation in a few days.

I did refrain from buying ALOT of other times. There was PaperTrey Ink's July Release. And then SU! had stuff that I could have pre-ordered since I'm a demo. Ucut@Home and 7kidscollegefund kept emailing me with their sales flyers. Several times I fought the desire to go into my LSS, which is right next door to the Post Office. So all in all I think I did okay.

This challenge has taught me quite a few things. Well, besides that I am a loser and a failure and weak. LOL! Just joking. It taught me that yes, I can live with just the stamp sets and tools and embellishments and paper that I have already. And that just because there is a new Release I don't HAVE to jump right on it. I found other ways to deal with my stress and occasional depression. It also made me get up off my butt and do some cleaning of the craft room. I sold a few things on ebay and that money is going towards paying off my credit card.

So all in all, it was a very good challenge. And I am so glad that I tried it. I am going to try it again soon. But in the meantime, I think this has helped curb my spending habits. And for that I am very grateful.

I leave you with a card that my almost 6 yr old made for her cousin's Birthday. She was so proud of it. She did everything herself. And since we just moved and I am still SO unorganized I couldn't find her markers so I taught her the Blender pen dipped in the ink pad top technique. She caught on like a pro. I even let her use my Copics. *gasp*





I won't be back until after vacation. Have a great week everyone!!!

2 Cards today-a shock!

Right before I started the 30 day no spend challenge, I visited my beloved scrapbook store. I picked up some really cute patterned paper with the idea of using it on a scrapbook page. But I decided to use just a bit on a couple of cards. I took this layout from Emily Giovanni from her post here: http://emilygiovanni.com/?p=2170 (Sorry I don't know how to do the fancy linking on blogger yet!)



Stamp Sets: SU! Garden Silhouettes, SU! Best Blossom
Ink: SU! Purely Pomegranate, Pixie Pink, Green Galore
Paper: SU! Pretty in Pink, Purely Pomegranate
Misc: PTI Blush Ribbon, Nestabilities, Liquid Pearls

This next card I struggled with for a bit. I tried using the bashful blue craft ink to emboss the sentiment, but it just didn't show up too well on the pink. I like the certainly celery but now looking at it, it doesn't tie in too well. I might add anther ribbon in green. But really, I am just glad that I actually completed a card!



Stamp Sets: SU! Priceless, PTI Anniversary Set (sentiment)
Ink: SU! Certainly Celery Craft
Paper: SU! Pretty In Pink, Bashful Blue
Misc: PTI Blush Satin Ribbon, Hobby Lobby blue polka dot ribbon, SU! Irridescent Ice

I know I said I was going to get away from my "go to" color of Pink but it's soooo hard!!! I'm going to look on SCS for some Color Challenges and my next cards will incorporate those. Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Day 15-Half way there!!!

So the biggest challenge of this 30 day no spend challenge is to find the actual time to make something! My kids are getting so stir crazy. I barely have a moment to even post this today.

I had another friendly neighbor stop by with a welcome gift the other day. So I quickly whipped up another mailbox and stuffed it full of chocolates. I even used my Chatterbox paper that I have been hoarding forever. I know it's simple and boring, but I'm just glad that I was able to get something done and show my thanks to my new neighbor.



I have a bunch of cards that I am simultaneously working on right now. My desk is a mess! Unfortunately the girls have been super high maintence lately so by the time they are in bed, I am ready myself. It's so depressing to see all of my stuff sitting there for days without me being able to really get some time to play. I see blogs where people make at least one thing a day. And they have kids! How on earth do they do it? Anyone have any tips??

Thank You Gift

We just moved into a new home this month. Our next door neighbors brought us over a Welcome basket full of soda, candy, popcorn and a gift card to Blockbuster. How nice is that?! So instead of just a thank you card, I also made a mailbox and stuffed it with Ghiradelli chocolates. I tried to keep it all neutral in colors. So hard to stay away from my "go to colors". But I think this looks okay. I hope they like it!



I used the same layout I've been using lately for the card. It's just much quicker that way. My biggest hurdles in card making (and scrapbooking) is the layout. But again, I just wanted this to be quick and simple and not frilly.





Stamp Sets: Papertrey Ink Boards & Beams, SU! Sincere Salutations
Inks: Brilliance, Old Olive, Versafine Sepia
Papers: Papertrey White, SU! Old Olive, Apple Cider DSP, Groovy Guava, Chocolate Chip
Misc: SU! Scallop Punch and Rub On, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Folder, Felt Flower, Prima Flowers, Walmart Brown Ribbon, Rhinestone, Copics, Spica Pen, Pop Dots

KWerner Color Challenge

This is my first attempt at Kristina Werner's color challenge. I have been a big fan of hers for a while but just now got the courage (and time!) to join in the fun.



Stamp Set: Papertrey Ink Little Lady, Studio G $1 stamp (flower stems)
Papers: SU! Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, PTI Cream cardstock, Chatterbox Designer Paper
Inks: SU! Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Palette Umber
Misc: Diamond Stickles, American Crafts Ribbon, unknown pop dots

What? What is that you say?

You thought I forgot about you, my poor neglected sad little blog. Nope. Just been busy. We are house hunting and boy does that take up a lot of time. We also had a visit from the Chicken Pox, kidney infection/stone for me and then a tornado scare last night. I have managed to get some card making done, but nothing too terribly exciting.





You know what's really sad though, I own over 30 wood mounted SU sets now. Do I ever get time to use them. RARELY!!! It gets depressing seeing them sitting there being unused. Some days I am so tempted to just get rid of them all. But I perservere and remind myself that I am a SAHM first, crafter second. Or third, or fourth...

My almost 3 yr old dd must know what I am feeling. The other day she picked up a bunch of ribbon and put it on my craft table. "Mom, I want you to sit here and make a card." LOL!!

I actually got some cards completed!!

It did, however, take about 2 full days. Pathetic, no? But I'm happy with them just the same. I never can seem to find the energy to be creative after a full day of chasing a 2-1/2 yr old around. But miraculously today, I got an hour to myself. I was able to finish off the 3x3 cards and begin planning a layout for my next swap that is due. Well, actually I have a confession. I don't seem to work/create very well under severe pressure. You know, when you realize a swap is due in a week. Then time passes and you are down to the wire. I used to do that in college. But just can't do that anymore. Way too many distractions as a mother. Anyway, I thought I would start working on my swaps from the bottom up. So, I went through all my March swaps, took the one due latest and created my cards for it. At a nice leisurely pace. Well, 2 days is not quite the pace I had intended, but it's a start.

The feeling of accomplishment is wonderful! Being a stay at home Mom, I often feel like I am running in circles, never fully finishing anything. But I actually finished some cards for a swap. I hope my hostess likes them.



I received the Bella image from a fellow SCS'er. I saw her in the ISO forum looking for Bellas, so I was able to trade with her. She sent them on Shimmering Cardstock. I had never seen this before and it is so pretty! I will be ordering (and then hoarding) some of that soon.

I got to use my new Define Life set which came free from SU when I joined as a demo last month. I love that set!! I put some liquid applilque on the cupcake as frosting. Of course used some stickles and crystal effects on the cherry.



This cute 3x3 card was whipped up in no time. I love the wish saying and matched it with a Studio G set that I picked up (and never used until now) at Michael's. Popped up the middle cupcap and added some more stickles on the candle and some liquid applique. Fun stuff!

It's Here!! It's Here!!

My Starter Kit arrived this morning. I have never been so excited to see a box at my front door. Ever!



I ripped that sucker open in 2 seconds flat.



It literally took my breath away. LOOK AT ALL THIS STUFF!!!



And who doesn't love some new Rubbah?!!



So, if I go MIA for a while....you'll know what I'm doing!

Brand New Blog!

So excited to be sharing my new blog! I just signed up to be a Stampin' Up Demonstrator. I am very excited! I cannot wait to get my starter kit. At first I didn't tell the dh. But he found out (saw it on the credit card statment. Duh me!) and he is being extrememly supportive. I told him that I would like to find ways to support my habit, whether I sell cards or scrapbook pages or altered items. What a great way to indulge in my passion!

I hope you will stick around to see what I have to share.