Did you join theMFT party last night? I thought this was well suited.

WOW! It got HOT in there for sure. I can never keep up.

Speaking of HOT! Did you read Nichole’s Blog? Im sure you did. Can you say WOW!!

I can’t say anymore than that 😀 Except you know that feeling of anticipation you get, waiting for the 15th? Well even in the “know”, its the same! Maybe even worse. I am DYING to share my creations for that with you. Its so exciting. Prepare your checkbooks people. Remember to say its a Valentine’s gift for yourself 😀

Well I have a BUSY day today.

Its that time AGAIN! Dentist appointments for the kids :C

Noah is having his dirty work done, and Alexa will have her cleaning and x-rays. Her counts were done yesterday and we have the green-light to go forward.

Also we got several inches of snow-so that should be a fun travel.

Im NOT going in with Noah-I am letting Jason deal with that. I do the Alexa thing-the dentist is NOT for me. So it’s his time to do the “dirty” work.

Despite the BLAH’s of today I have a fun cheery card for you-

It uses Let’s Go for a Walk.

I loved the colors in the paper slide mount (a $1 Target find years ago). It was the kick off for my inspiration.

The dots are in the set, and the colored pieces were punched.

Sorry no time to chat-Im on the run, and haven’t even had any coffee yet!

Ill check in with you later 😀

OK I was going to wait but decided to post 2 more cards-both using the NEW RELEASE tonight by MFT Eggstra Special Easter, and the same papers by K & co.

Hope you likey.

The chick is flocked too BTW!

Im off to shop! See ya later on the SCS forums-

PS Sorry these are SO BRIGHT! YIKES!

OK I planned this post differently till I realized WHAT today is. 

I just have to shout that it is Alexa’s 2 years into Chemo today!!! She was diagnoised/started treatment Feb 6th of 2006!!! WOW!!!

We now have offically 6 months left.

Feels like just a few months ago, and almost like a dream-OK a nightmare, that I was sitting there listening to the most frightening news I had ever heard in my life.

 But God has been good, and she has been Cancer FREE!!! I know there has been a purpose for all of this.

I promise when you go through something like that EVERYTHING in your life changes.

I know “I” have changed immensely. I view the world, life and people so differently. I take NOTHING for granted.

I am so much more thankful and driven. I realize the need to enjoy every day, and see no guarantee’s of tomorrow. You need to do what you can TODAY! Don’t wait. You may not get that chance.

I just pray endlessly that she will continue to be strong and beat this.

I appreciate everyone’s support through the past 2 years.

It really has past so quickly, as the worst is behind us.

OK now onto the post I had planned-sorry for getting side tracked, but this is a huge day for us.

When I made this card, the idea, for an egg shape, came by looking at the egg in the set. It’s a REALLY cute egg.

It is called Eggstra-Special Easter.

I thought it would be fun to use other MFT stamps to make my pattern on my egg.

So I inked up Behind the Scenes, and away I went.

 I used my coluzzle oval to create the egg card. Fold at the side. I think alot of us think egg shaped greetings when we think Easter.

As a kid my mom made the BEST Easter baskets. My FAVORITE thing to get was Cadbury Creme Eggs! OMG!

They are always a diet killer for me. I even LOVE the new Caramel filled ones. Every-time I see one I think if being a kid. One year my mom put JUST a basket of those yummies for me. It was awesome. My dad would sometimes go to the candy shop, and get us really cool Easter candy-like the eggs you peek into, and there is a bunny scene. They are made of pure sugar. So pretty. I would keep mine for years. Then finally have to toss it.

My brother loved the Reese peanut butter eggs-so we would often trade candy. He wasn’t a big Candy person, and would keep his forever!

I would sneak into his room and “borrow” some of his neglected candy. He never noticed, till it was almost gone, and realized HE didn’t really eat it! LOL! What good is getting an Easter Basket of candy if its JUNE and its still full? That is candy abuse.

Every year we would spend HOURS decorating Easter Eggs. We would color on them with crayons, then dye them. A tradition I try to carry on with my own children-who would rather THROW them into the dye :C Maybe this year. l

Last year we did 3 different egg hunts with the kids. The kids really all got the whole concept. I believe Noahfound the most.  He was VERY competitive about it. A True boy. Reminds meof my brother.

I was always the one to find the egg with the $1 on it. He would pitch a FIT over it, every year! I LOVED it.

 We actually went to Alexa’s Make a Wish trip to Disney ON Easter last year, and they got all kinds of cool Easter stuff there.

It is hard to believe that was almost a year ago. WOW! That FLEW by. Thank goodness!

OK sorry about trailing off down memory lane-you are here for the card-

The bunny is flocked. So its cute and fuzzy. It reminds me of the white bunny banks that were fuzzy, with red eyes. I would get one like every Easter! I loved to touch it, and always found the red eyes a bit creepy :C Anyway-this one is CUTE!

Thought I was going to go off again, didn’t you?

The butterfly is a acrylic embellishment from K & Co. Really cute.

I hope you will be up for the MFTeaser party tonight from9-11 p.m. Eastern time. Lots of fun is planned including finding out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer. Head over to the MFT forum on www.splitcoaststampers.com to find out all the details and join us there tonight.

I would love to hear of your Easter Traditions. I believe Greek people have some interesting ones. I also love to hear WHY you do certain things. So feel free to chime in here OK!

Till tomorrow-or tonight if you go to the MFT PARTY!!! 😀

Now I found this, when searching on ,Aimee’sBlog and would love to hear if you think. I thought is was cool. I am going to look up my children and see what I think. Most of this is VERY accurate for me.

Except the CHILL part! LOL! Oh and the irresponsible , get into trouble part. I am definitely NOT irresponsible. Never have been. Otherwise its pretty dead on.

What Lauren Means

You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don’t get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.You are usually the best at everything … you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic “Type A” personality.You are a very lucky person. Things just always seem to go your way. And because you’re so lucky, you don’t really have a lot of worries. You just hope for the best in life. You’re sometimes a little guilty of being greedy. Spread your luck around a little to people who need it.You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You’re always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can’t handle you. You’re very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you’re likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

What’s Your Name’s Hidden Meaning?

I also want to thank Julie for nominating me for the “You cheer me up award!”

I also want to thank Linda who nominated me for the You Make my Day award! 

How sweet to think anyone would feel that way about me! I appreciate it.

I was also nominated by Dawn to list 7 random things about myself

Boy if I keep listing this stuff I will have NO secrets! LOL!

1) I never break a promise.

2) My house is CLEAN, but my closets look like a bomb went off in them. I always re-organize them, but they end up the same in 2 weeks! I have NO IDEA why!

3) I won’t watch the same movie or TV show twice! Can’t do it.

4) I always end up spilling Ketchup on myself any time I go out! I’m not a messy eatter, it just finds my lap! Strange. Yes I do use a napkin too.

5) I LOATHE cooking. I can cook very well, I just do not enjoy it-at all. I am the take out queen (if I had my way)

6) I HATE feet-It may be because when I was a practicing nurse, I had alot of people with NASTY foot issue’s.

7) I NEVER forget a face! EVER! I am bad with names-really bad! But if I met someone I may not remember their name but do know where I met/seen them.

Speaking of names-Sheryl tagged me this unique tag. I would LOVE for you to try this as well. I am not a tagger-and like to learn from my reader’s!

Here are the rules-

You must list one fact about you that starts with the letters in your middle name! If you dont have a middle name use your Maiden name/last name.

D-Dolores is my middle name and I HATE it. It was my father’s sister’s name and she was murdered by her husband. Mom-what were you thinking??!!!

O-is for OCD! I have just a touch of it when it comes to my house. I always clean daily. Things have to face a certain way, and I will notice immediately if they are moved. Just ask my husband. I think he plays with me sometime’s and moves them on purpose.

L-Liar. That word describes me after I have gone shopping and Jason asks me how much I spent. I always fudge the truth on that stuff! I will say there was a sale or something like that. Especially if its a stamp purchase or a Target trip! Otherwise I am honest-almost to a fault.

O-Over-protective. I am a bit over-protective when it comes to my kids. I will not let them play at other people’s house, if I dont know them REALLY well. I have thier friends come here. I watch too much 20/20! I fear something bad will happen to them. I know, it’s awful But it could be worse. I could NOT care.

R-Real Deal. What you see is what you get with me. I say what I mean, and mean what I say. I am not afraid to speak my mind. In case you haven’t noticed!

E-energy and excited. I am an excited person, with alot of energy. I love to share what I love, with everyone, and I talk like I type-non-stop! I can’t just NOT do anything. Like sitting around on the couch-unless Im dying, and really sick. I have to at least be cleaning or sketching or playing with the kids-anything, but do nothing.

S-SHOPPING! STAMPING!! My 2 favorite things-need I say more! LOL!

Well thanks for reading about me! I want to hear about you. Hope I wasn’t too boring!

WOW! Can I tell you that I am OVERWHELMED by the number of you requesting a tutorial for my onesie card found —->HERE. THANKS FOR LOVING IT!

This is an update: I removed the tutorial as I created files for this card which are available HERE!

The files are formated for EASY use and are available in PDF, SVG, GSD, DXF, WPC.

If you aren’t sure what file type is best for you, please view the ABOUT PAGE <—CLICK IT for details on each file.

You can see my latest samples HERE!

HERE COMES THE IMPORTANT NOTE: 

Please use this for your OWN personal use. Do not submit this template for publication. I was recently alerted by and editor-who reads my blog (INSERT SHOCKED FACE HERE), the the day after my idea was presented here, they got a submission for it-using my directions-copy/pasted from right here.

Had she not read my blog-it would have gotten picked up, and that person would be paid.

THAT is NOT cool.

Please don’t ruin the fun for everyone else. I share my items with you because “I” enjoy it. I do not care if you use sketches from here to create your own unique version for a publication, and whatnot, but please don’t use my words, templates, and CASE my ideas for profit.

Anything else-go for it!!!

You can add snaps or buttons-( I used Making Memories button brads)whatever you want. Embellish it as you please. It can be as simple or complex as YOU need it to be.

I stamped mine in this photo with the Limitless Labels. I used the sentiment, and tiny flower (stamped in white, then added dots with white gel pen) for this card.

I used colored cardstock for this one, whereas my first ones where white. Patterned cardstock is also a great option.

Makes a great announcement, or Welcome to the world card.

Thanks to everyone again for the love, encouragement and support. I appreciate each one of you, immensely. I am not going to let ONE person kill the joy I get from sharing with everyone.

I hope this helps you now that you can SEE it!

Till tomorrow-

Well we just got some MORE snow, and the kids are home. OH BOY!!!

After this post I may need to take my own advice for the gift I have to share with you today. It will help me deal with the winter fever, of child crazies. My kids are insane these days. Being cooped up in the house because of wet slushy snow does NOT help matter’s at all.

Im going to have a nice cup of CALMING tea for me. I wonder if its child approved? HMMMM, wouldn’t that be nice?

Anyway-

Tomorrow is the next MFT Release. So here is another MFTeaser. (If you are wondering what that means, its a cute new fancy word to present a sneak peek)

Kim created one of my favorite sets! It is called Serenity Now.

I love the images, and sentiments in it.

Most people may think YOGA when they see it. Not me. I think calm, and relaxing.  Images for gifts, along those ideas.

I think wrapped scented candles, get well packages-instead of soups, give herbal rubs, Spa gift certificate’s, facial’s, tea’s and other holistic kinds of gifts.

I decided to create a holder, for those FAMOUS TAZO tea bags! Its a great, easy and unique way to package a gift for someone.

 Think NEW mom! Instead of a gift tag, add a tea bag holder to the top of the baby gift, when you present it to her at the hospital. Everyone always forgets the new mom. She is really the one who needs pampering.

So here is my Tea Bag

Created to look similar to an actual tea bag. You could also put in your own homemade tea.

 Tea Bag gift

The colors of the image were taken from the colors of my Zen TAZO tea bag.

This bag will nicely fit 4 tea bags. So you can make several per box of tea. You can add it to a mug, or as I said above as a tag for a larger gift, if you like.

I am sharing the instructions here. Click for larger image/directions listed ON the template.

Please remember ALL my templates and idea’s for 3D items belong to ME. You can certainly use them for personal use, but do not submit them for publication.

My sketches however-feel free to use them how you wish.

If you try it I’d LOVE to see what you do! So send me a link. It should be pretty easy to follow. Read as you go.

Enjoy!!!

Tomorrow I have a few more peeks for you 😀

AND due to OVERWHELMING demand-in the next few days I will post a tutorial for my Onesie baby cards. I gave up counting how many people asked for a real VISUAL!

Till tomorrow!

Don’t think my husband is celebrating by the title of this post. The Patriots losing last night nearly KILLED him. Please pray for me. I have to deal with his misery ALL this week! LOL!

He even had a hard time falling asleep last night.

“I” on the other hand AM celebrating-the END of football season 😀

I truly don’t care about any of it. What I care about is beautiful,  elegant, fun, cutesy andwhimsical images, that come in many forms- acrylic, rubber, ez-mount, un-mounted.Beautiful papers, and cardstock in every color of the rainbow with ink and ribbon to match. Throw in some buttons, brads, prima’s and glitter and I am in heaven.

So here is a card, that I think is so adorable. This set could also lend itself to baby. I see form my emails I am not the only one into baby stuff lately! LOL! Many of you are expecting or know someone else who is.

I LOVE versatility-so always try to see your images for use in many ways-

I ADORE Melanie’s set!

Its called Just so Hippy. Isn’t it just SOOOO cute.

She is having a contest—–>HERE, where you can enter to win her next stamp set. How cool is that?

So this is my entry!

It started with my ribbon-by Martha Stewart. Guava and chocolate. I needed a lighter neutral-blush blossom was perfect. I LOVE pink and brown, and this is a fun alternative to that combo.

My hippo was done by running blush card stock through my Fiskars heart plate. I stamped, then paper pieced my card stock over the stamped image (Yes, I did sponge the edges first). Punched a hole in the blush layer where the eye is, so the eye underneath can peek through. I stamped an oval under the image, and created grass.

The flowers are punches-also by Martha! The centers are just those vase beads, colored with Copic Markers.

In case you haven’t realized I LOVE my Martha anything, and use my Copic markers ENDLESSLY!!! An expensive, but oh so worthy purchase-I swear.

OK I am off to get the kids on the bus, and then I think Stamp Land is calling my name 😀

Till tomorrow-

OMW! Someone save me! Make the power go out! lol!

I am sitting here, watching the “game”. I HATE sports and am so tryingto get into it-just for Jay, but Id rather be in labor right now than watching the game. These feeling are leading to my post-read on.

In order to not be “rude” I am in the living room with our company-on my laptop. Best of both worlds right?

The things we do for love! LOL!

Speaking of which-here is a card I made, in honor of V-Day 😀

It was made with Gina K’s Stamps for a Cause-How Sweet it is

 2 love hearts

I love this love card.

I think the glitter on the hearts really makes it special and POP! Its a pretty clean and simple card. Maybe that is why I love it.

Speaking of pop-don’t you like the bottle cap? It is by Lil Davis. I got it about a year ago, and am JUST now finding a way to use them in  a cute way.

I thought doing the 2 hearts together was sweet because it says “together” and the pop cap is for the “life is sweet”, since the cap says “sweet-cola”.

OK too much thought into eh?

Anyway, after love often comes………….

BABY! Yes, ANOTHER baby card! Told you I have alot of friends having them, so I have baby on the brain.

I could NOT resist yet another stork card. I so love it. Again I feel storks are a great option for adoption or pregnancy.

Love this image as well.

I believe my paper is by Polar Bear Press. I just used some textured Bazzill cardstock, and my sewing machine on this.

The side sentiment is a Rub-On by Making Memories.

This reminds me of a soft lullaby.

OK i better get back to the “game” -BLECH.

The Patriots BETTER win!!! I would SO rather be stamping.

   click for larger view

Today’s sketch is a very simple one. You all seemed to really like the cleaner, less layered one’s.

It can be used with just about ANY image.

You know I LOVE my circles, but really any shape will do.

It can be solemn, cutesy and elegant.

When creating this card I used my new-yet to be released set by MFT  called Eggstra Special Easter. Sentiment is Essential Sentiments also by MFT.

REMEMBER! This week is what we are going to call an MFTeaser 😀 I have a super cool gift idea, using one of the new sets that you aren’t going to want to miss. I may just post it Wednesday. Not sure yet.

HINT: It is a template 😀 So I have to make sure I write up a nice detailed direction list. (WINK)

My Favorite Things (www.mftstamps.com) is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, February 6 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. Lots of fun is planned including finding out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer. Head over to the MFT forum on www.splitcoaststampers.com to find out all the details and join us there on Wednesday night.

I plan on being there to chat it up with all my girls.

That being said-back to my card.

I LOVE tulips! They are my favorite flower. No idea why, they just are.

So when creating this, it was going to be whimsical, but it then turned into asimple sympathy card (that God willing will never get used). I think sympathy cards should be kept clean, solemn, and maintain some elegance.

This, to me has all that.

I hope you like the sketch.

Great for a quick card, but it can also be dressed up!

So let see what YOU can do with it.

Don’t forget to send us the link in the comments section OK! We all want to see your take on it.

Till tomorrow.

WOW! What a CRAZY day it has been. I am going to wait till tomorrow for my sketch. Im so sorry if you are waiting. Im am just drained today. In a good way. So much to take in. While I have known about the DT position, FINALLY revealing it, feels so FREEING!

First let me say THANK YOU so very much for the amazing compliments given on my news for becoming part of the PTI Design Team, and my Baby Bouquet.

I put alot of time and effort into that gift, and the comments truly made my day!

As for the PTI Design Team-its also nice feeling accepted by all of you who visit. I was so worried about it.

I readevery comment (ALWAYS) and was so touched that each of you took the time to look, and say some of the nicest things, ever! Each one has made my day! You all mean so much to me. REALLY. Where would I be without other stamp addicts? LOL!

As for the baby bouquet-it was trial an error, and now that I have it figured out, I think it would be relatively easy to reproduce 😀 Its always hard the first time when you implement an idea. Sometimes its fast, other times-not so much.

As far as inquiries for me selling them-WOW! Don’t even know what to say. I wouldn’t know where to even begin pricing, and don’t know that I have all the time to create so many. I think if I did price them, they may be on the higher end for baby gifts. Think rich people and boutique’s! LOL!

I presented it to my friend, and she immediately poked and pulled it apart! LOL! (Insert shocked face). Oh well. I had fun making it. It was meant to use.

On to other things I guess…..

Now another thing you may not have seen-My article on Craft Critique —-> HERE! Its for the Making Memories tag maker/rims. I know several of you have asked for that-so there you go!

OK till tomorrow-

I have a bunch to do because we have people coming over for the Patriots game.

Im not into sports but hey 18-0 is pretty  impressive. So with that I say GO PATS!