Well its Wednesday! We are half way through the week-WHEW!

Today JustRite Stampers is the  product focus on SCS. You can see that HERE!

They are reviewing-

 Merry Little Christmas Borders & Centers Round 1-5/8”

Holiday Demi Phrases Round 2”

and Wood Stamper 2″ with Bonus 15pt Font & Center

There is a video on how to use the 2″ stamper–>HERE!

So, I thought I’d share a sample with you too 😀

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas……

I ended up singing that Christmas song to myself the entire time I was making this! LOL!

This was made to look like a hanging holly wreath.

I embossed my mistletoe with gold, then colored it in using my copic markers

I then embossed the sentiment, in gold, on gold cardstock, and punched with a 1 3/8 circle.

That was then layered onto a scallop circle from Marvy (pink punch). I added some red adhesive rhinestones for my “berries”

This was actually a quick and simple card. I think you could definitely mass produce this version for the holidays, or use it for a gift set 😀

My paper and ribbon are all from Papertrey Ink.

Now you can see what some of the other girls did

Now for all you with a little  Princess in your life…..you may enjoy this post!

Amber and her invitation

Amber is an August birthday, so we always celebrate with a party Mid-September, since people are usually away on vacation and whatnot in August.

This year she wants a  Pretty Princess Costume Party! These are her invites from LAST YEAR—>HERE! You can also see the Disney Stamp set there too (used for flowers on invite this year)

We will use a My Timeless Template for the Princess party favors (not sure which one yet! Thinking something like —> THIS! <— BUT, she hasn’t decided-and I’m waiting for a head count-Ill share once they are done!). We have a Castle pinata, and I ma having a Castle cake made, with matching Lollipops.

We are making crowns, frames, and necklaces too for the party activities. I may also let them decorate their template box favors too!

She has a STUNNING Sleeping Beauty costume, complete with glittery shoes, crown, and light up wand.

She picked out everything for her party.

For the invites, they totally had to meet her approval, and she made many helpful suggestions 😀

I blurred out the personal info-just so you know the invites are defective!

This is the invite in its entirely.

I used her fave color-Hibiscus Burst (Sleeping Beauty wears pink too!) She was totally into telling me what she HAD to have! She is quite the little paper crafter! I’ll share some stuff she made after this.

I cut the main layer using the Labels 8 nestability. What a pretty way to layer a girly invite 😀

I printed the info on my computer, ensuring it would fit when die cut with the smaller layering Labels 8.

Amber chose this carriage byImaginisce as her focus. Really cute choice, and it was only $1!!

I colored it with Copic markers.

Amber said “It needs lots of glitter!” So I added the glitter. A definite nice touch!

She then said it needed “grass”, so I added the green layer.

She then said it needed jewels-so I put some on the wheels.

Lastly she wanted a fancy border-so we matted it with the black scallop layer.

Smart girl!

Then it was all layered.

Well, the thought the bottom was plain and wanted me to put flowers!

So I used the Disney Princess set from last year  (linked above) masked each one, since it was already adhered with dimensionals, and added the flowers.

She was right! A real WOW!

If THAT wasn’t enough, she wanted a REAL flower on them too!

SO I got out my Prima’s and called it a day!

Finally!!!

Amber was SOOOOO happy. She kept telling me how beautiful they were, and she knows how hard I worked on them. It was REALLY sweet. Her teacher said that each one she handed out, she would say “My mom made these special for the party, and worked really hard, so you can never throw it in the trash” She said it was HILARIOUS!! Can you tell she listens to my EVERY word 🙂

I was then asked my 3 teachers to do party planning for them. Um, NO thank you! I have all I can do to get my own kids party stuff done! LOL!

The last week of September Alexa will be 10!!

I was going to have a party, but 10 is HUGE! I REALLY want to get her tickets to the Miley Cyrus concert instead, that comes Nov. 9th to Boston MA but tickets are STARTING at over $200, for BALCONY and most are sold out :C So I’m crossing my fingers I can find something before her b-day. It would be a dream come true for her, and a GREAT way to celebrate 10! Wish me luck on that! I don’t have $500 for 2 tickets!!

OK now time for some things Amber had made on her own

This was for her teachers at the end of the year in Pre-K. I’m not sure WHY the main layer is at the lower rigth-but it was HER project!

Mrs Slater

then Mrs Bartlett

She then wrote their names going around the heart! So cute

She even picked what she wanted to write inside herself!

Then when we had our friends daughter’s first birthday party, Amber wanted to make her own tag for the gift

She did the whole thing herself 😀

Yes, she LOVES the images from The Greeting Farm

She always likes to pick out her own images.

She colored it herself in colors of her choice, added her own glitter, and cut it out too! I helped her punch the flowers and tag, but that was it!

Then this past weekend we had a boy’s double birthday to go to. She totally took the pressure off me to have a card made, by making ot for me 😀  (WHEW! Off the hook! LOL!)

She stamped them and colored them herself-asking for help with the sentiment, so it was straight 😀

This stamp set is by Lizzie Anne-Gizmos and Gears

I think she will take my job some day! LOL!

I’m so happy to see how much she enjoys something I enjoy too. All my kids love crafts, but she loves the stamping. Alexa LOVE writing and just coloring, and Noah, well he prefers video games, but I’d say he mostly enjoys the cooking craft stuff we do most.

OK signing off now! I have my Papertrey Ink peeks to prepare for  TOMORROW! SO excited.

See you then!

OK I gotta make it quick today 😀 Lots to do on the last day of a LONG weekend

Tonight is the official release for C.C. Designs!! Stamps go LIVE 10pm EST!

Winner of the HOP to be announced SOON!

How did you all like the hop? Was it fun? Lots of eye candy to go around.

 Well now that you all got to hop along and see what the entire team created with the Fall Kit, and now I have 2 more samples to share with you 😀 (Boy I was a creating machine huh?! LOL!)

First up

Pretty Petal Pumkin Patch

How cute is this?!

The My Timeless Template: Pretty Petal Pocket © makes THE perfect pumpkin!!

I know many people have already discovered that 😀 How cute would this be for classmates to use as a Trick or Treat holder, OR give to the teacher?!

This image is Pixie Pippi (releasing tonight)

I have been sitting on this sample for about a month or so!!! Its so hard to have to wait to share stuff sometimes! I filled it up with a grab bag of candy! WOW! This template holds MORE than enough for all the “little” people to eat! They truly don’t need more than that!

I hand cut the stem and layered on some OLD SU! patterned paper. Made my pumpkin easy peasy.

The sentiment on the tag is AmyR’s Spooky Sentiments. Again perfect for the gift!

Now I have ONE more……

Witch Way to the Treat!

This one used the Witch from the Fall Kit 😀

I LOVED the sentiment from JustRite Stampers:Witch Way to the Treats Centers & Borders Round 1-3/16”

This template was the Pretty Petite version of the Fold n ‘Go! A great one for making a bunch of homemade treat holders 😀

OK that does it for me.

 Stay tuned because I have a month full of gift-giving inspiration to come!

Post #2 for today-

Well Its been a few days since I shared some creative eye candy!

I have lots of fun things I have made, just little time to share lately, because I have even MORE to make. It can be a crazy cycle! LOL! Posting can take FOREVER! Oh and photographing and editing-that takes me forever too! I often find myself creating so much that I forget what I made and if/when I shared it! LOL!

Case in point.

The card I have to share today I made over a month ago! I just got caught up on other things and it was in the forgotten archives of my projects!

Party Animals

This is the card I made for Amber’s 5th birthday. She was just in love with this image when she saw it, so I had to use it for her.

This image is by Tina Wenke-Mose-Bird-Ladybug-Cucpake from Stampavie.

Amber loved the little ladybug in this the most. I loved the Chickie 😀 So we picked out our paper, and got started. She also helped dictate what colors I should use for it, since it was for her. She cracks me up sometimes.

I think she has a good eye 😀 She basically chose the colors and I just colored it for her. The ONLY thing I didn’t color what she asked was she wanted the mouse purple. We compromised and did the SHIRT purple instead.

The sentiment is from JustRite Stampers Celebrations Demi Phrases Set 2″  It was perfect to put atop my Animal Party cupcake! I had fun with the way the mail layer was cut, and normally finding a sentiment to accentuate that would have been difficult. I really LOVE the Demi Phrases they have. I find I often don’t need a full circle sentiment, so they are super.

The paper is by Making Memories. One of my FAVE stacks! On the ribbon I added a pretty flower brad. Easy peasy.

OK Sorry, I wasted all my chit chat for my family post! I have to get Amber ready for school and then have a million TO DO’s!

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Till tomorrow

Yes! You read it correctly! A Christmas Blog Hop!

We have a grand total of 35 players too 😀 So once you are done here, scroll on down for WHO else has eye candy!

JustRite Stampers is having an AMAZING Christmas Release! You can view ALL the NEW! Release items —>HERE<—!

I’m totally head over heels with the images/sentiment combos this release has. I totally love the turn this company has taken with the variety they are offering! Not only can I get FAB alphabets sets (for CHEAP $-excellent quaility :D) in various sizes with ONE purchase, I can now get great bordering sentiments WITH co-ordinating images too.

So let me get to my project so YOU can get hopping!

In case you didn’t know, another FAB NEW! item that JustRite Stampers carries (for a LIMITED TIME!) is Storage Box with Drawer . I love this new item, and found a way to make it a decorative, fun and functional item for your home during the holiday season!

Christmas Card Cardinal Box

My Holiday Idea: I designed this box so that it can be used to hold last year’s Christmas cards!

Each year we receive photos with updates from our families. I just can’t bare to throw away the cards after the season is over, but I also cannot leave them up all year! This box allows me to keep them, and display the decorative box during the holidays, so that we can open it up and reflect on how everyone has grown and changed from one year to the next! People love to go through the cards and compare 😀 Now I can cherish them, and keep each year organized.

OR it can just be a great box to give something in 😀

 I chose the Cardinal from the Christmas Treasures Borders & Centers Round 3-1/4”set as my main focus.

I thought it was so pretty, and perfect for the occasion. Stamped on a vintage cream cardstock, it was colored with Copic Markers.

I used some Poinsettia themed patterned paper by K& Co. to cover the top of my box. I then used some tree pattern from the same paper stack to cover the front drawer of this box. I used Zip Dry for ALL my projects that involve “covering” something. Its clear, quick to dry and easy to remove from areas you DON’T want it on, after it dries. For example-sometimes glue leaks out from under the paper and onto the “pretty” parts of the project where you DON’T want them! Just rub off-and you never knew it was there. It doesn’t even ruin your project 😀 I love that.

For my tag I used *just* the Cardinal center image.

I also used a Labels 3 Nestability for my tag

Some of the image was omitted when I cut the circle tag, but I love that the main focus is on the bird and holly berries.

I added the tag to the center of my Dual Sided Satin Ribbon from My Little Ribbon Shop, which was tied in a quad bow. I love the elegance the ribbon added to the project, and how it pulled out even more of the richness of the colors, out of my project!

Now in case you cannot tell-

My bird is 3 D

My holly berries are covered with a clear glaze pen for a 3D pop.

Then both of my tag edges are traced with a Gold marker!

This box was completed in UNDER a 1/2 hour!

My post took longer to type up 😀

OK Now it is time for you to hop along to anyone you may not have seen samples from yet!

Here is the list

*JustRite Stampers-Blog

*Becca Feeken

*Sankari Wegman

*Sharon Johnson

*Kazan Clark

*Sharon Harnist

*Laura Davis

*Debbie Olson

*Michelle Woerner

*Taylor Van Bruggen

*Jenn BalcerMichelle Wooderson

*Lori Craig

*Beate Johns

*Barb Schram

*Kimberly Crawford

*Michele Kovack

*Jami Bova

*Kellie Fortin

*Jennifer Buck

*Heidi Blankenship

*Angela Barkhouse

*Lisa Somerville

*Gerrie Johnnic

*Kathy Jones

*Debbie Seyer

*Kim Sonksen

*Terre Frye

*Sheryl Dickinson

*Bonnie Sharp

*Mary Pfaff

*Holly Simoni

*Angela Robledo

WHEW! That is an amazing list of crazy talented players! So I hope you hop along to see what each one has done for the HOP!!

Thank YOU for stopping by here. I hope I gave you a fun idea for how to store those Christmas cards year after year, in style!

I hope everyone is enjoying what is left of Summer! I know we are here.

We have been busy here, with all next week being FULL of appointments :C Between back to school check ups, Alexa’s bazillion appointments on Wednesday, Jay’s stuff and play dates, call me insane by weeks end! PLUS I’m wrapping up my newest My Timeless Template samples for ya!

Jay is recovering from his back surgery quite well 😀 He has a follow up on Monday.  He still can’t drive or sit upright. He has to either stand, or lay down. He is getting antsy, and I have to keep reminding him what NOT to do. At least he can COOK! LOL! That is all I care about for this stent of time, not being able to do much 😀 I loathe cooking.

On another personal note, so many asked to see my girls bedroom with the bedding from Target 😀 Its a REALLY cute set.

Here you go!

Girls beds with stick on wall decals (Amber and I placed each one in very specific areas! LOL!)

Amber’s Corner (sorry for dark icky photos)

Alexa’s Corner

I HAD to get the matching owl pillow! Its the perfect addition for their beds.

The lamp was like $10, and I stuck a decal on that so it matched the room! LOL! Cheap & easy, and it peels right off later 😀

This is another wall of their room

Another view-with animals peeking out from everywhere! LOL!

Then one more-

So basically 2 okgs of decals covered their room 😀

Once Jay’s back is healed we are getting new carpeting and stuff-so YEAH! That will be nice.

OK sorry for the detour! Back to the regular scheduled post-

Anyway-the weekend is here, and it is time for an Inspiration Challenge!

Seeing these little skirts (or aprons-no sure! LOL!) Hanging on a line really called out Summer to me!

 So this is the challenge today.

Link your creations HERE!

Next week I will pick the top 5 entries, and link their blog/gallery here 😀

Here is card #1 I did

I loved the stripes and colors in this inspiration piece, so I went with that! What a FAB color combo this is too 😀

Lately its been ALL work, no play, so I took advantage of the challenge, to pull out some fun stamps I have yet to get ink on 😀

This one is from The Greeting Farm! This is Miss Anya I so love all their stuff 😀 Really cutesy, which is SO me! I find I buy it all, but don’t USE it! So I’m trying to USE what I have. Then I can justify buying the latest & greatest! LOL!

I used my NEW! Labels 9 die cut for this one too, along with some OLD SU! rub on’s to complete the look

Then I had so much fun I had to do ONE more 😀

I want my Mummy

OMG! I have had this uber cute monster Argus with Teddy-from Paper Make Up, for an eternity! I thought the image was so cute, that I had to get it immediately. So, I did, then never got to using it. Don’t you hate that? Or you get to use something like ONCE then never again, or you forget about it! LOL! I hope I’m not alone on that one, or I have serious explaining to do to Jay! LOL! I’ve been getting better about impulse shopping when it comes to STAMPS, but accessories and paper/ribbon/embellishments/tools, and other stuff like that is my COMPLETE downfall! Can’t help it.

Anywho, the apron with the pink base and aqua polka dots REALLY caught my eye, so I used this lil monster, with dots, and them made my own paper to match! Now THAT is fun inspiration 😀 I colored the teddy all freaky-since its like a monster teddy. I also added Googley Eyes to Argus teh monster. I think its cute like that 😀

Since the monster LOOKED scared, I used the sentiment “I want my mummy” fromWitch Way to the Treats Centers & Borders Round 1-3/16” , mixed with the Spider BOO! image to give him/her something to LOOK scared about 😀 

I thought it was cute 😀

So now I will feature the TOP 5 choices, from last weeks Saturday Sketch, from those who joined in our challenge Check them out OK!

This feature will be called My Time to Shine 😀

Here are a links to the My Time to Shine-Top 5 people featured!

Alicia

Georgia

Kathryn

Nicki

Jay_Bee

Thanks to all who played along 😀 I cannot wait to see what everyone does this week!

Now for samples of inspiration from the team, hop along ……..

So that is all for me today! I hope you’re inspired to get creative this week!

Thanks for stopping by 😀

Hi all!

Hope your week is going well. I have TONS to share over the next few weeks as there are MANY new releases to be shared, starting tomorrow 😀 We have All That Scraps, Pink Cat Studio, Papertrey Ink (and MORE My Timeless Templates! YEAH!) and JRS next release! So much going on. In between that I have our town Annual Balloon Rally and Amber’s 5th Birthday! That is a biggie.

So I hope you stop by each day over the next few weeks to see what I have been up too!

Thankful for the little things

Today I thought I’d share my take on another sketch. This is from the  2 Sketches 4 You blog!

Here is the sketch

JustRite Stampers is sponsoring that sketch, so check it out!!

This is my side view

I used a NEW! Release set from JustRite Stampers called Autumn Blessings Borders & Centers Oval 2-1/4” x 3-1/16”

I love the basket of fruit. I think its definitely “fall”.

I stamped the sentiment on a vellum cardstock layer.

I somehow manage to get the sketch a little “wrong”. The frame to me, was a card base, with a smaller card on the front! LOL!

Also  my panel trios should have been on the “little”card-not the base. Oh well! I like it anyway 😀

I think this is a fun look.

This is the first time I went for a more water-colored “look” using my copic markers!

I like it. Not sure WHY my camera is picking up a blue tinge! YIKES!! Trust me its not blue! Refer to top photo for color reference. The bkgd is pale yellow with white peeking through.

Well I have much to do, so I better run. Check out the sketch —> HERE!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Well by now its Saturday evening, and the day has just FLOWN past me, as has the week!

You can see my blog had taken a HUGE back seat, as my family needing my time more 😀

I can honestly say my life is ANYTHING but boring!

Its been an emotional roller coaster here this week, as Jay and I prepare for his Discectomy on Monday! EEK!

We weren’t even positive it was a go, until Thursday night!

The doctor repeated the MRI because he was convinced Jay’s disc got “better” and was most likely, then un-operable! So he had another MRI and it showed the herniation is twice as bad as it was previously, so definitely NEEDS the surgery. Good grief! We had then mentally prepared for a surgery that got cancelled due to office error, then we plan for surgery again, then mentally plan AGAIN for a possible  cancelled surgery, now we are back to yes, needs surgery. I have a headache just thinking about it all. AND its not even MY body! Poor Jay.

Anywho, when I get stressed I clean-a lot! Like for several days, I dust, organize, sort, purge…..you name it. No inch untouched. I am not sure WHY this helps. Granted my house is pretty clean in general but it gets a real bleaching! LOL! These are times for me, when creativity becomes hard and stressful, and the ideas DON’T flow. So I clean and clear my house, and my head.

So, I spent the week cleaning my entire house top to bottom. Then took it upon myself to re-decorate the girls room! They got this UBER CUTE comforter set—> HERE! With all the fixins! Then I moved into their huge walk in closets, and did tons of re-org. on them too. Oh and I did the clean out of Noah’s room too. He got new bedding but kept everything else the “same” decor, but more organized! He didn’t want to change anything really. I got him a huge art board for his pictures and stuff too! YEAH!

Took the kids to the mall, and did some fun stuff with them. Planning Amber’s Dress Up Princess party too, so that has me BUSY! Boy you’d be shocked at the party this lil, to be 5 year old, has planned! LOL! Im in BIG trouble the older she gets! But I love every second of it.

We got her a GORGEOUS, insanely pretty, Sleeping Beauty “Gown”, for her party! No joke this thing is AMAZING! It was on sale too! WAHOO!! Wait till you see it 😀 Oh yeah and ALL the fixins for that too.

Sooooo that all helped me get ready for Monday, which we are having quite the time getting people to take the kids. Its insane.

Anyway-all this is my excuse as to WHY Im so late posting My Timeless Template Challenge for this week!

If you are new to my blog, every Sat. I post a challenge, that HOPEFULLY inspires you to get creating 😀 Each week is something new!

Soooo, the challenge is to use ANY My Timeless Template © —–> Found Here! and I decided this would be a great source of inspiration

Keyword MTTC04

Use the pattern, colors, whatever!

ADDITONAL CHALLENGE!! Use HARDWARE on your template 😀

Basically ANYTHING metal 😀 So dig out those embellishments girls.

Pam is hostessing for me this week, since Im running like a chicken with her head cut off! Thanks Pam!!

Go to her blog  —->HERE, to link your creation to Mr. Linky 😀

I decided I would use on “oldie”  but goodie My Timeless Template called Music Makeover.

This template is designed to hold a CD, but it can do so much more —-> Music Makeover Ideas. That is some alternative ideas I posted on my blog, utilizing that template. You also get 5 exclusive ideas in the template Idea Book, when you purchase the printable template for only $5! Template has unlimited uses, and you can print as many times as you like 😀 Forever!

Now MY template this time, holds a Gift Card that is in a CD case (that I forgot to get a photo of-DUH!)

Going with the “hardware” challenge, I designed this to look like a belt buckle! Its a belly band, that goes around the top flap seam of the template, and you “un-buckle” it to open it up!

Just attached some silver eyelets, to my “buckle”. Easy peasy.

I think its so pretty, and subtle!

The Shopping anyone is from JustRite Stampers Girl Time Borders & Centers Set 2″ . The image in the set that has the shoes!  I cut out the sign 😀 Its was PERFECT for my gift card holder.

I used some Gray patterned paper by Stampin Up! and used my Copic markers to colored it match the challenge!! Good stuff!!

Trust me, the paper took longer to color, than the template took to print, cut and assemble! LOL!

Now (if you haven’t already!) check out the designers blogs for MORE templates and the designers inspiration 😀

OK your turn!

Im off to the food store to stock up on EASY meals to make for the family! CRAZY!

Tomorrow I hope to post the card I made for Jay for his surgery. Its really cute

Thanks for stopping by.

than saying goodbye to someone you love”

This is what the sentiment on this Pretty Petite version of the Pretty Petal Pocket box says.

What do you put on a gift for someone who loses a child? I struggled with this for several weeks, before I saw that particular sentiment, and felt, in my heart it was right.

This box was part of a gift for my dear friend Alicia, who lost her 4 year old son, Ethan, in June.

I wanted to make a special box to hold the engraved bracelet I got, with her son’s name on it. I didn’t want to just throw it together. I put much heart, time and thought into this, and in the end I was happy with the result.

This the close up of the silver bracelet I got engraved with Ethan’s name.

Ethan was such a little cowboy, and I thought the the two “O” that loop the bracelet were SIMILAR to horseshoes, like a little cowboy. I know that sounds like a stretch, but I truly did think that! LOL! There were so many different bracelets to choose from, so this one stood out to me.

I know Ethan will always be in Alicia’s heart, and in some way “with her” everyday, but I figured it would be nice to have something with his name on it. I guess I got that for her because that is something “I” would want. Weather she wears it, or keeps it with some of Ethan’s special things, is up to her.

Now here is how I decided upon my design elements. Often when there is a particular feel, or message I want conveyed I will GOOGLE meaning for the things I am considering using. It helps guide me.

I chose the Pretty Petite version of the Pretty Petal Pocket box, because it was perfect size for the bracelet.

I chose the pansy flower on the petal front because:

The name pansyis from the French word pensée, meaning thought or remembrance. The pansy is a delicate looking flower often with a “face.” The pansy is quite durable and a “flower for all seasons.”

The pansy image is from Wood Stamper Oval 1-3/4” x 2-5/16” with Bonus Pansy Center & 15 pt Special Occasions Font

I stamped just the Pansy onto some Lavender Moon cardstock, then colored it, adding some adhesive pearls

The sentiment is from Thinking of You Borders & Centers Oval 2-1/4” x 3-1/16” I said already why I chose it. I just felt, in my heart, it was perfect for the gift and conveyed the message I wanted to send. I don’t think there are any real perfect words for something like that, but this was as close as I could get.

I cried the entire time I made this! LOL! My eyes were little slants for 2 days.

I stamped the sentiment onto clearly creative cardstock, in white stazon, then layered over my oval frame-which was on dimensionals for a “3D window” effect.I used clear mini glue dots to adhere it to the frame so you couldn’t SEE how it was attached.

I chose the color purple because:

Nature of Purple:

Purple has a special, almost sacred place in nature: lavender, orchid, lilac, and violet flowers are often delicate and considered precious. Because purple is derived from the mixing of a strong warm and strong cool color it has both warm and cool properties. A purple room can boost a child’s imagination or an artist’s creativity. Too much purple, like blue, could result in moodiness.

Culture of Purple:

The color of mourning for widows in Thailand, purple was the favorite color of Egypt’s Cleopatra. It has been traditionally associated with royalty in many cultures. Purple robes were worn by royalty and people of authority or high rank. The Purple Heart is a U.S. Military decoration given to soldiers wounded in battle.

————————————————————————

I personally have a silver bangle that reads “The journey of a 1,000 miles” on the front, then on the inside reads “Begins with a single step” I saw it the LAST day of Alexa’s chemo, and it just spoke to me about our long journey, and to remember we can and will get through ANYTHING, but it is ONE STEP at a time. This bracelet brings me much comfort. My friend Paulette got it for me 😀 I never take it off.

I also have a purple rubber bracelet for Cancer Awareness that  reads Courage, Strength, Hope , Faith. I had special made right when Alexa got diagnosed. Inside the band reads”Faith in healing Alexa”. Purple is also the color of Cancer Survival. I never take it off! Even when I’m all dressed up! That also reminds me to appreciate EVERY moment with my family, and not take ANYTHING for granted.

I need more wrists! LOL!

Also my friend Sonia sent me a necklace (by Jennifer Cassady-who is currently expecting, and is on a short medical leave)with my 3 children’s name on it! That is another personalized gift I cherish. I get LOTS of compliments on it too 😀

Dave and Alicia are so strong. I know God blessed their lives with Ethan because no one else could have been better parents to him. While his time on earth was brief, he impacted so many. He had a big purpose. The Weimans were blessed to have an angel amongst them. To have had the love of Ethan and many wonderful memories that they will forever cherish.

If you didn’t know of Ethan, this is his story—>Ethan’s Caring Bridge site

Also in honor of Ethan we had a Digi Stamp set called the –> Weiman Wranglers  <—made in honor of his precious life! All proceeds were to benefit the Make A Wish foundation of IL, in honor of Ethan. We have raised over $ 2,000 so far!!

The Weiman family asked if ANY of you purchased the images, and created anything you are willing to part with, his mom Alicia would love to include it into a special memory album she is working on, to preserve Ethan’s memories!

Please email me for their address if that is something you can or would like to do.

On a lighter note I have to say I got so much enjoyment from the kid stories you all shared on THIS POST!!

I am going to be redecorating my children’s rooms AGAIN. We are getting new carpeting put in, so since I have to move everything out of their rooms anyway, it is the perfect time! I am going to get a big bulletin board for him to put his artwork on, thanks to the MANY suggestions 😀 I will do this for the girls room too. Oh and the play room! LOL!

Make sure you check out the JRS blog! Lots if ideas.

Well thank you for stopping by! I have a TON of emails to go over from like the past 2 weeks or so! Sorry! If you emailed me Ill be in touch soon.

Supplies:

My Timeless Template: Pretty Petal Pocket (petite version)

Stamps:Thinking of You Borders & Centers Oval 2-1/4” x 3-1/16” , Thinking of You Borders & Centers Oval 2-1/4” x 3-1/16”

Cardstock:Lavender Moon, Plum Pudding, Clearly Creative Cardstock

Patterned paper: Guide Lines

Ink: White Stazon, Black, Copic Markers

Ribbon: Stitched Plum Pudding

Oval Nestabilities, adhesive rose, adhesive pearls

This week I did a quickie card for the CPS card sketch 125

If you get to play, link your creation  –>HERE

It is being sponsored by JustRite Stampers, so I figured I’d give it a go!

I used my JustRite Stampers Girl Time Borders & Centers Set 2″

Stamped on lemon tart cardstock, colored, then glitterized! Easy peasy.

I let the paper by K& Co. be my color guide. I thought it was PERFECT for a “happy hour” mixed drink 😀

Seriously, I think this shows just how easy and quick a card can be! These would make perfect invites for a cocktail hour, or girls nigh out!!

Now looking I didn’t follow the sketch to the “T” but I’m happy with the outcome.

Well now its your turn to try out the sketch!

The COOL thing……

CPS will be announcing later this week what our prize is for one lucky participant.

Good luck

OH boy!

Im sorry this is SO late (again) life has been crazy and challenging here! Summer is always busy at my house.

Here is a photo of my kids at Story Land from the other day.

The kids had a great time! They are at perfect ages to do stuff with.

I have a photo of Alexa and Noah in this same pumpkin YEARS ago, long before Amber was even a thought. Cool to see how much they have grown.

I always have lots of things I want to do with my children and have just been busy. I love taking advantage of the nice weather.

JASON UPDATE:

The GOOD news is I went “off”, tactfully I believe, on the OR scheduler and Jay’s surgery will be Monday July 27th! Not too far away. Jay wouldn’t let me talk to them before (for fear of what I may say! LOL!), but since he was at work I took it upon myself to call! LOL! I am the “fighter” in the family. Jay is very easy going and passive, so I always take on that role! LOL!

I am authorized to all his medical stuff, so I took full advantage of that! I think because I have been fighting for Alexa since pregnancy, that I’m just used to having to fight for what my family needs.  I make no apologies for it, and make sure that I’m realistic when it comes to what I am asking or expecting. I feel like I am kind of like a mama bear protecting her cubs.

 I am so glad I did because we were looking into late Sept. He wouldn’t make it that much longer.

Many of you mentioned we would have had a call for all the preliminary blood-work and procedures, and we did have all that done already. When I had my gallbladder surgery they called the NIGHT before to set everything up for that next day, so when we didn’t get a call sooner, we weren’t curious about WHY.

On another note, Jay had tried every avenue possible for his condition to avoid the surgery. This have gotten progressively worse, and this was his only option. His test results showed that there were no other safe options without risking permanent nerve damage. There is no guarantee it will even work! Poor guy.

I threw my back out yesterday, and have been in so much pain since! I can only imagine how he feels daily. I know, usually by day’s end today that I will feel better. I don’t think I could do this every day!

Today we have what is called Old Home Day! It is when our town has a parade and crafts and stuff for the kids. I LOVE living in a small town! Its so great for “family”

So I am going to make this QUICK so I can go.

Anway……today is Saturday, so that means it is time for a My Time To Create challenge.

This is the inspiration challenge. Get inspored by the pattern, or colors…….whatever!

If you play link your creations here:

Keyword MTTI 03

I used variation of the colors.

Here is my card—>Using paler versions of the inspiration colors! LOL!

I adore The Greeting Farm images! I have bought many, but sadly forget or don’t have time to use them! I decided if it killed me, I would use one this week 😀

This is Dahlia! She is just the CUTEST! So I decided this sentiment “Cutie Pie” from JustRite Tiny Words Borders & Centers Set 1-3/16″ would be PERFECT!!

Close up-

The paper is by Basic Grey! I love the colors and they really made my image POP!!!

I *just* got the nestability Pinking Circles. They are so cute too.

Well I’m off and running!
Be sure to pop over to the Design Team blogs for more inspiration from the challenge! They are really Rockin out the samples!

Thanks for poppin by!

Till tomorrow.