YEAH! My favorite day of the week-Saturday is here! Time to celebrate with a Sketch 😀

 All about the presents

I just LOVE that sentiment from Its My Birthday! Isn’t that the truth? When you are a kid, that is just the BEST part about turning another year older. Lots of presents!! When you get older, all you want is to not have the age on your driver’s license go past a certain number.

I did this card last month, but failed to post it here. I wanted it to be a sketch, then I forgot about it, and well you know the story. No matter its here now!!

I hope you enjoy! I am sure NO ONE is even out there reading with the holiday weekend! I almost didn’t post! But I couldn’t let the sketch day pass. Its my OCD!

So celebrate! Please take the time to share something you should be celebrating or grateful for. I am thankful to all the men/women out there serving our country!! Fighting to keep us safe, and defend our freedom Then to the families who are sacrificing their time with them so they can do that for us. I also pray for each one’s SAFE return home-SOON!!!

I also know after this week I am just so thankful for the HEALTH of my family and children. I really don’t know what I would do without them. I am one blessed person.

I have a super full weekend, that I am looking forward to. Hope you all stay healthy, happy & safe!

Till tomorrow.

Well I am so sorry I didn’t post back yesterday :C I do have a great sketch for you below.

I ended up feeling so sick ALL day at CKC! I thought it was a “possible” hangover from the whopping ONE Raspberry Lemonade Martini I had at dinner on Friday, but it turns out it must be the awful virus Amber & Alexa have passed back and forth the last week.

I was getting WAVES of awful nausea. To the point where people could just look at me and say “Oh boy are you OK? You are green and your lips are white.” When Paulette and I started the trip is when it really hit. He stopped to get some anti-nausea medication-so I could make it through the day (talk about your die hard shopper right? LOL!). So ALL I could find were these Cherry Chewable tabs. Now THAT is the true test right there!! If you are nauseous and you don’t vomit while chewing down those 3 NASTY tabs you are good to go! LOL! Seriously WHY do you want to chew down soe nasty gritty cherry flavored horse tab-that I couldn’t have opted to swallow? Anyway after a 1/2 hour more awful waves of nausea hit. I looked on the back of the box and it said MAY REPEAT DOES IN 15 MINUTES. WHAT!!! What kind of drug did I take? Obviously not a very good one if I can repeat it in 15 minutes!!

Anyway I wasn’t very good company. So not myself.  I sort of shopped on my own so I wouldn’t be a downer, and complain all day. I felt really bad since Tracey, Kerrie and Mom (Tracey’s mom-who is just like the sweetest person ever,  we were all calling her mom) came from NY, and my friend Debbie from MA- who I haven’t seen since last year, and then Molly B (yes she is the WINNER of all the PTI stuff!! and she made me the sweetest card) who I met for the first time there at CKC met up with us from ME, all traveled a long way for me to not be very chipper.

We did make a pit stop at The Paper Tree! That was fun. And yes she takes phone orders and will ship to you. (can you say Scor-Pal and ATG gun! To name a few of the yummies-tell her I sent ya!)

Put it this way-I walked in the door with ALL my purchases and my husband said “THAT is all you bought?” me-“Yes, I told you I feel awful” him-“Do you have some of it hiding out in the car?” me-“No! This is really what I got” him-“Yeah! You ARE really sick! Whay don’t you go to bed, and I’ll put your stuff away for you.”

Don’t get me wrong I still got a lot of stuff. Just nothing compared to previous years. I never come back with money! LOL! I tried too, to not get WAY too much patterned paper.

OK blah, blah, blah!

Let me get to the card for today. Since I got a bunch of emails and requests for THIS CARD (scroll down-its the butterfly pop out), I figured I better share what I did! LOL!

So todays Sketch is a pop out card!

 Click to enlarge

The one I will share today was done for a b-day Party Amber was attending yesterday, where the theme was Curious George. The  invite had him holding a balloon. LIGHT-BULB moment here!

Side view

Here is what you do!

You make your A2 size card ( 4 1/4 X  5 1/2 FOLD AT TOP).

Then you make your pop out layer! You cut your card layer 4 X 11.

Stamp your image, where you wish, towards the BOTTOM of the card.

Pick what part you want to pop out. You then go to your Scor-Pal, and score UP TO (not through) your image, on either side. Anything ABOVE the score line, you use your Hobby Blade to cut out. NOTE: Use a Basic Grey File (or sanding block) to smoothen your edges if they are too funky from the blade! I went back and did mine on this one later when I realized it wasn’t perfect;y smooth looking

(FYI mine was scored about 2 1/2 inches from bottom)

Then you score it again, where ever your front flap folds down to. So when it is closed the ends lay flush together. From the second score-(when your bottom flap is folded against the card) you will cut the top of the cardstock to be 5 1/4 inches. This makes the layer for the front of the card.

DO THIS BEFORE YOU DECORATE THE TOP PORTION OF YOUR CARD!

Now the reason for this method is every set is different and where you stamp  things can affect the length you need for you card. This way ensures you will definitely get your card to look perfect every time-just by trimming any excess off the the top.

Once it is cut (so your fold out layer-when folded closed is 4 X 5 1/4) and decorated, adhere to card front.

I HOPE THAT MAKES SENSE!

NOW another tip for an EASY pop out-just score you card pop out layer-then on a separate piece of cardstock-stamp and layer your image, and place it on the scor-line. That is not nearly as fun though!

My card is layered onto black cardstock.

Here is the card from the top view

I used the airplane/banner (LOVE that image) from MFT Going Places, and sentiment is from Happiest Birthday Wishes. I used SU! Markers to color each letter in the colors I liked, and since its an acrylic stamp I just bent it to go inside my banner!

 Birthday Boy Wishes for Ben

Letters are by SEI Penelope’s Potpourri.

I used the monkey from It’s My Birthday (YOU MUST OWN THIS SET). I then created my own clouds using my circle punches, and a sponge dauber. The colors were taken from the American Crafts ribbon.

Inside this clear top nugget tin are Curious George stamps, a black ink pad, sticker book, and stickers. (We included a few other things, but this was the Curious George portion of the gift).

I just stuck the card under the ribbon band. I wasn’t at the party but Jay said he seemed to really love the stamps. YEAH! I ALMOST went the extra mile and decorated the tin, but then thought it would be more fun for him to use his stickers and stuff on it.

So there you have it!

I swear this is SUPER easy and SUPER fun!!! So I hope you give it a whirl. If you do send us a link here so we can check out your creation.

Also if you have ?’s let me know. I do ask that you print the directions out and TRY it, before you think it doesn’t make sense. A lot of times if you at least attempt it first you can figure it out, as oppose to just reading it.

Thanks again for checking in. I’m off to bed again. I need to rest up before the busy week.

Tomorrow I have a post for Pink Cat Studio Challenge!! I hope you will try and play along 😀

Later this week I have a post using some Gina K and who knows what else! LOL! Lot’s to do.

Enjoy the beautiful day (after to you try this)!

Lauren

OK you better answer YES to this question! LOL! I’m not that old yet!

Do you remember the movie Clash of the Titans? I so loved that movie when I was a kid.

Harry Hamlin was the HOT Greek God Perseus. Oh did I love him.

Here is a You Tube clip of when he met up with Medusa! There is a ton I found on Google. LOVE IT! I never knew they made Clash of the Titan’s figurines!!

By now you MAY be asking “What is my point?”

Well THAT is where my love of owl’s started! Remember the golden owl in the movie?

 This is Bubo!!

Bubo was the name of a mechanical owl in the 1981 film Clash of the Titans. It was a gift of Zeus made by Hephaestus for Perseus since Athena would not cede her companion bird.

The name is derived from the Bubo genus of owls. Bubo watched over Perseus. REMEMBER?????

Now, when I saw this owl (below)from C.C. Designs A Hootin Good Time, it brought back fond memories of watching that movie a million times. AND my love for Bubo. I’m sure if I watched it now I would die of laughter. So I’ll keep the memory as is!

 2008 version of Bubo.

I used some HOT colors, gaining inspiration from some Basic Grey paper. LOVE IT!!! I colored my bridal confetti flowers, with my copic markers, to look like the flowers in the paper, for a little something extra. Sentiment, and flourish are by Stampin Up!

I thought the phrase-so thoughtful was cute for the owl! LOL!

So after that super long explanation, I am leaving you with the sketch for today! I know a whole day early! Happy Mother’s Day! LOL!

Here is yet another sample!

Its the same layout! My focus became the panels, not the center circle image.

This sample uses In the Meadow my Lizzie Anne. This is going to be Jason’s mom’s Mother’s Day card. It doubles for my blogger’s challenge too! The blog challenge was to create a card for Mother’s Day! YAHOO!! Here is one of them.

I wanted a VERY SOFT look for this, so I brushed my Pebble’s chalks onto my cardstock. They are shimmery, so while the color is subtle it makes a huge impact.

I then took my quickie glue pen (yes you need one) and colored in parts of the flowers. I then added white flock, so they look just like the real deal!! You just want to make a wish, and make them blow away.

Here is a closer view-because they are worth it!

This is a sweet & funny card to me because Jay’s mom is a total nature person. If I ever got stranded somewhere, with anyone, I want it to be her! Me and my mom would cling to each other and just die! While, Jay’s mom knows all that naturey stuff, of what you can and can’t eat. If its poisonous to picking the dandelions out of her yard for salad! When the kids eat something weird she is the first person I call to identify what it was they ate so I can call poison control-I kid you not. Last year Alexa ate a Lily of the Valley berry-THAT is poisonous. Great right?

ME-so NOT naturey! I love the beach, and any place that has “amenities”. No reptiles, rodents, or a large assortment of bugs that could freak me out, and possibly kill me. Places with a bed, and HOT shower. Anyway, we got her a grow your own salad kit, since she does this in her own back yard, she can bring it indoors. I hope she likes it, because I really did think a lot about her card. Every-time I see a dandelion I think of her.

DID YOU KNOW-She is the one who introduced me to stamping! I loved all her hand-made cards she would make for me, that I decided to give it a whirl! I owe finding this passion to her, for sure. How can I possibly thank her for all that?

OK so that is it.

Today I am off the a field trip with the kids to the Space center. Amber has her dance recital this weekend. My mom is coming up for a visit, and things will be busy. I hope whatever you do, is enjoyable! I’m picking my mom up some of those YUMMY desserts from Jacques Pastries, like I got on my birthday! She was tickled pink, when she saw them here! I hope to get her a couple to go with her gift.

Have a great one.

If you try the sketch, send us a link here so we can all see it!

Till tomorrow-maybe!

 Happy 30!

Happy 30th Birthday to me! (and you, if it is your day too, but if it is I doubt you are reading this! LOL!)

Today I am celebrating with a BIG giveaway! In honor of my 30 years, Im doing THREE random.org winners!!! So THREE people have a chance to win. The winner will be drawn Monday morning, since Im celebrating ALL weekend!

Here are the GOODS!! SORRY for the yucky photos, it was to the point that if you wanted MYTIME MAIL- this was as good as it was getting.

Package 1-3 Lizzie Anne Designs sets-Samantha Alphabet, Dreaming of Dots, and In the Meadow. There are also 2 Paper Bouquet templates. (2) template sizes in each-one is a take-out box, the other a pillow box!

Package 2-Hero Arts Cupcakes (no birthday give-away is complete without them) and Bird-Day Designs

Package 3-Crafty Secrets Kitchen Classics and a Paper Salon mini tin with my favorite flower! A Tulip!

Just reply to this post with any of the following-your very best birthday memory, a gift you would love to receive, one thing you have learned from life, or words you live by!! You pick!

WOW! 30 years flew by fast! After 17, I don’t know what happened.

Thank you for the b-day wishes and those who sent me cards! WOW! So touched by that! Oh and lets not forget the emails! I had over 600 emails! OMG!! That is a gift in itself. I am slowly reading each and every one.

OK TODAY IS STILL SATURDAY SKETCH TIME!!!

So here is the reminder! Remember this will enter you TWICE!! So you should all try it.

I believe it was 2 years ago, I began the tradition of making MYSELF a birthday card! I found it to be so fun. This is the sentiment (from www.impressrubberstamps.com)  that will be used on every card, from here on out! It is the first anniversary of my 29th birthday! LOL!

Sine I LOVE purple, Bella’s and bling, this card was super fun for me to put together. I also love vellum, and the tag thingy’s. Lets not forget Copic markers! I am actually sending this to a fellow blogger, who is my “Birthday Twin”. Her name is Becky. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECKY!!

I’m all emotional and long winded today so get the fresh cup of coffee if you feel like reading! LOL! 

This part begins the REFLECTION section.

 Oh so 30!

This is Ohsoprettybella. Perfect. I am beginning to start this decade with self acceptance! What better Bella to use than this one? This is me! On the inside! LOL!

Did you notice the reflection in the mirror? Pretty cool huh? I was so happy that the “idea” translated to paper.

OK I am actually excited to be turning 30. My brain has clicked in, that it really isn’t the end of the world, but really a whole new start!  I have so many amazing things taking place in this new decade of my life!

My daughter is finishing her Cancer treatment! That is number ONE amazing to me. By far the best thing I could ever ask for. EVER! As mother’s we all just want our children to be HEALTHY & HAPPY. I know that is my number 1. Then it is to know God and have faith. I want them to grow up and find a fulfilling job, that they love, someone to share it with, and become people in the world who are kind, respectful, thoughtful and give a little something back to the world.

I could not ask to be in a better place right now! I have the BEST husband in the world. He is my rock and my very best friend. He has been there for me every second, never, letting me fall. He treats me like we are still dating, and looks at me the same-kids later & all!

I am getting to do something that I LOVE and find fulfilling, and think it’s safe to say I found my niche in life! I cannot tell you what this crazy stamping life brings to mine! Then the ability to reach others doing so. I never would have thought I would be where I am today, and I have enjoyed that journey! I’m so excited to begin teaching these classes in this setting!

When I look back on my 20’s, they were quite full. Some good, some awesome, but also some of the worst things I could have gone through! All amazing in the aspect that it lead me HERE! To a fabulous place, that I wouldn’t change one step for, because I would not be who I am today. I can’t tell you how each step affected me in phenomenal ways. Making me stronger, more independent. Unafraid to go for what I want.

Here is a 20’s recap

-finish college to become a nurse,  got married at 20, at 21 had first born child with life long disabilities but an amazing blessing, becoming a single mom by 22 and getting divorced, eventually meeting my husband and moving forward in life, packing up and moving to a place where I know NO ONE, remodeling a home, having 2 more children-both healthy, getting re-married, getting into stamping, finding out someone you love has Cancer (and that its your baby!!), pushing through that, someone I love beating cancer, then somehwere in the midst of all that, finding myself, sharing it all, and working to do what I love. WHEW! What a decade.

I think I may even be glad to say good by to my 20’s! I think that some of what I did takes most a lifetime! LOL! CRAZY!

So this is going to be a Decade of Different! A Decade of Fabulous! A time to enjoy life!

I am happy to say I have absolutely NO REGRETS. Let’s hope I get through my next 30, and can say the same.

30 things I learned along the way-in no particular order.

1) FAITH! The single most important thing I could ever have. Without it I would not have gotten through some of the worst times in my life. Same goes for family & friends.

2) You NEVER want to talk to ANYONE who calls from an (800) number! TRUST ME! LOL!

3) Make time for yourself and the things/people you love. You never hear anyone say “I spent too much time with so and so”. Usually only regrets of not enough time.

4) Try to be positive. It can ALWAYS be worse, and when it is, then know it has to get better-right?

5) You miss 100% of the chances you DONT take.

6) NO! I am learning to say that word to things I dont really want to do, or just don’t have time to do.

7) Shopping really is therapeutic! For me anyway! LOL!

8) You will never love anything more than your own children! Who else in the world would you GLADLY give your life for?

9) Work to LIVE, not live to work.

10) Money cannot buy you happiness.  Memories are something that will long outlast any fortune.

11) If it comes easy, it goes away easy! Things that are earned with hard work, will last much longer, and be more valued and appreciated, than those handed to us.

12) There is a reason that the older I get, the more I become like my mother! The older, the wiser!

13) That brings me to the understanding of “Youth is wasted on the young” While Im not “old” I am older, and I now GET IT!!! I wish at 20, I knew what I know now!

14) It is much CHEAPER to go to the dentist every 6 months, rather than wait a decade! I know what I am talking about.

15) Make sure you Pee before leaving the house too! You never know when you may ge stuck in traffic! LOL!

16) You really can have too much of a good thing.

17) Say what you mean, and mean what you say! Words are never forgotten and can hurt forever.

18) I hate sports! ALL of them, unless my child is involved.

19) Don’t wait till you have over 20 mice, to make your husband buy DECON! If ther is ONE there is a BIG problem-period!

20) If your husband takes you shopping for something (like a dog) he better be ready to buy it-THEN AND THERE!!

21) Everything has a reason and a purpose. You have the ability to make the most of very situation.

22) Take out does taste better! LOL!

23) When a house project gets started, there is a 2 year period from start to finish, anything sooner is a bonus! LOL!

24) If you want something done a certain way, then do it yourself 😀

25) To Do lists really do work! They are essential to my life. OCD isn’t all bad, it can actually come in handy.

26) In only ONE second you life can change forever. Don’t waste one minute.

27) Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today! No one is guaranteed tomorrow.

28) Live life to the fullest.

29) Twenty Nine-Once you leave it, its not the end of the world!! And speaking of the world, stamping can make a difference in the world! It can relieve stress, make someone’s day, capture a memory in an amazing way, and some of the best people do it!

30)THIRTY Is just the beginning of many great thing for me and my family!

I am SO up for the journey.

If you are still reading WOW! You must really like me! LOL!

I can’t wait to finish reading my emails & your comments here! Best of luck!!! I am off to a fabulous day! Thank you for the support and well wishes!

MWAH!

Here is an early view of tomorrow’s sketch! Save your reply because I ahve a SWEET give-away tomorrow in honor of my day,

I’m on a real shopper high so be ready for a ramble! LOL!

First thanks for all the lovely emails! Im BLOWN away!

Second I hear my classes are filling up! YEAH! Can’t wait to meet you. We are chatting about the whole mail order classes tomorrow.

Third-my day:

I had THE BEST day today! I took the kids and went shopping! They were excellent!

 I got myself a new bedding set from Target, bought a bunch of new clothes that make me feel good about the way I look NOW- not how I want to look 10-20lbs lighter! LOL!

I got some black casual shoes! I have worn the same pair since I think I was pregnant with NOAH! I have shoe issue’s! I can’t walk on thin, and high heels. Makes NO sense to me.  I need style and comfort. While I lost the comfort  in my pair,I sorta had style. Anyway found the  PERFECT pair, and they were on sale for $12.99!!! From $40!!!! HELLO!!

I also bought a cutterbee system. Not sure if I like it YET.

Lindt chocolates, and body/spa stuff ! YEAH!

I went to an antique store and found some other cool items that aren’t post worthy, but fun to me.

OK deep breath!

I got lots of cards, and a frame from Sue!! Thank you so much! I was sad the glass was shattered into a billion pieces despite your big GLASS label!

 Oh boy.

OK I gotta run and finish posting for tomorrow.

SMOOCHES!!!!

Oh GOSH! This is officially the last week of me being in my 20’s. YIKES! I have SO much to share today. Shocker, I know, I am always so long winded. Sorry.

I did not do well accomplishing my goal to look HOT! Instead Im NOT! LOL! That is OK. I have a year right? ;D My birthday is next Saturday. Should be fun. We are going to Newick’s for dinner, with some of our friends. I will FINALLY get some Lobster. So NOT in season. We live near Maine which has THE BEST lobster-ever! We aren’t traveling there though, just to Concord NH. Since my darling hubby HATES seafood, I rarely get to have any. I told him this is my birthday, my choice! I don’t think I have had lobster since we have been together. That is a long time. It better be

 de-lic-ious :

1. Highly pleasing or agreeable to the senses, especially of taste or smell.
2. Very pleasant; delightful: a delicious revenge.

Speaking of Birthday’s………………

Who’s got Pink eye?

 That would be Pink (Cat Studio) Eye Candy (aka sneak peek), and Blog Candy too!! Stay here for the peek, go here for your chance at the blog candy-to win your FREE set!!

Don’t you just love Melissa’s interactive party icon? I so wish I could figure that stuff out. You should have seen me trying to figure out HOW to load this thing. In reality VERY easy, now I know. But it took me Eon’s.

I think I am going to be going back to school this summer. I looked into some things, and I am possibly taking a computer/graphic arts course. Cool huh? I won’t be so computer challenged after-all!! I may even get the knack, and knock your socks off! LOL! I’ll keep you posted.

Anyway-you aren’t going to want to miss her next release. WAY CUTE! If you like cutesy (which we all know I do) then you will LOVE this new set.

It was so sweet of Melissa to let me share a little peek at this new set, here with you today. Since I only used a snippet of one of the MANY images, and I so LOVED this sketch and felt I HAD to use it 😀 She said OK!

So here it is-with your sketch! (click to enlarge that if you like)

How cute huh? Now you get to see a part of why Im so excited.

NOTE: The candles and sentiment are from Lizzie Anne’s-Happy Birthday set. It just went SO WELL, that I had to use it. I was inspired by my American Crafts ribbon, with this design. Lovin the colors of this, let me tell you.

Aqua Mist, Navy, Pumpkin, Summer Sunset

This is the Sketch Take #2

You may recognize this sample from yesterday’s blog hop! That was fun! I did my best to “hop” and still be there for the family. I’m in awe of the amazing things you all created with the challenge! WOW!!

Anyway-the above sample was inspired by my Sketch above! I think it adds a fun twist. It’s a layout that you can make as simple or complex as you want. I love the options this invites. I am a simpler kind of girl most often. Feel free to try one, or both! Send us a link here so we can all see your take on it. I can’t wait to see what you do!!

I am off to enjoy the day! My bestest shopping enabler friend Paulette and I are off to what sounds like an AMAZING new stamp store in Manchester called The Paper Tree!! Can’t wait to see what yummies they have in store for us!! I love finding new places to shop. WE are not a good pair. We just make each other buy everything. She isn’t the one who will tell you that you DONT need it, and put it back. She is the devil on your shoulder saying YES! Buy it! You deserve it! You will make wonderful things with it! -SERIOUSLY!

Be back tomorrow-with a full report! (Jason skips the reading of my blog on the weekends LOL!) Plus my birthday is next week and I don’t have any obvious must have’s (shocking I know), so he is all for letting me just shop. Fun stuff. 

Speaking of shopping………………

ENABLER ALERT!!

Punch Bunch Punches & the Paper Garden book are HERE! Don’t miss them! You have seen that I {heart} them. I even have an article on each, to be published on Craft Critique this May!!

If you have something you want, just email Christine and she will add it to the next order. I just ordered the Lily petals, balloon, oak leaf, sun punch AND the tool kit to add to my slowly growing collection. Didn’t have the tool kit yet!!

Oh and FANTASY FILM is here too in 10 colors. I got a few more of those too.

LASTLY, I went to Michaels and Martha Stewart had so many new amazing punches. Yes, you will see them all on my creations soon I am sure. Just and FYI, that she has some MUST have’s.

OK I’m out of energy. SOOOOOOO, your “homework” for today-try the sketch, link it, and I’ll be back tomorrow.

Lauren

Well peep’s this week you will get 2 sketch’s to play with from me 😀 

I forgot all about being asked to do a sketch for the Sisterhood of Scrap! I did this sketch month’s ago. I was excited to be invited to play along, but I had NO idea what to do since Im am NOT a scrapper. So I made a square card 5 1/2 around, and did a sketch that I thought may also be doubled as a scrapbook page! So if you scrap and have been waiting for me to do a page this is as close as you are going to get from me! LOL!

I hope you check it out HERE!!

I had to use Alexa’s set. I am not sure what is going on but I don’t think she isn’t resuming order’s till June :C. She is expecting a new baby, and is on bed-rest. I hope all is well with her. I did email her since there is an article in June Craft’s n’Things, and have not heard back. I will keep you posted.

Those who have read Alexa’s story and shared comments and well wishes/stories-thank you!! So sweet of you all to be concerned. Many asked how this last round went, and Alexa did fabulous! She is at her father’s this weekend.

Its the spinal chemo (last one next month) that gets me worried. I have had some bad dreams over it since treatment began! I think its just my underlying anxiety playing out. I wont say what the dreams entail, just know it feels so real, and upsets me for days afterwards.

UGH! Shakin it off.

Anyway here is the sample for the sketch.

 Feelin Groovy

The circle bkgd, and sentiment is by Stamping Bella (and no my over 50 count did not include bkgds, and sentiments. So many of you are SO BAD!! I got emails asking just how many I REALLY had! That is confidential info! LOL!). I used my SU! markers to color the circles various colors. I then added these little sequins I got from Queen & Co. Love the funky colors.

I had this acetate tag, so I stamped the butterfly from Alexa’s set on there, and cut, color, and pasted it on the top.

This is definitely a groovy card! I love it. Alexa has a friend who seriously dresses just like a Groovy Girl. Its so cute. She’s a modern day Punky Brewster!

Anyway, hope you enjoy this gorgeous weather! I have a feeling NO ONE will be doing this weekend’s sketches anytime soon! With weather like this, who can blame you?

Also if you have emailed me with something in the past and I didn’t get back to you, there is a great chance it got lost in the shuffle!! I feel like I was suppose to do something and I forgot! LOL! I get back to every single email I receive, I just often may forget, of have it get lost in the shuffle. So in the future-if you email me and don’t hear back in 2 days (unless you read something is up) then feel free to re-send it. I’m not ignoring you! LOL!

 Have a supah day!

Lauren

Happy EARLY Saturday! I know its Friday, but I wanted to post this now 😀

The weather has been GORGEOUS here in New Hampshire.

I am suffering from NO motivation the last few days. Since the weather has been fabulous I have been out and about with my kids. They are really enjoying the weather. We walked Daisy for so long the other day, that she passed out for 6 hours! I had to check and make sure she was still alive! I let Noah take the leash and he RAN the entire way around 3 large blocks of our neighborhood, while Amber and I pushed our “dolls” in the carriage. Alexa was at school.

Point to my blabbering is, this week’s sketch is being kept very simple. I like simple.

 click to enalrge. Feel free to mix it up. Put something fun in that upper corner!

The first card is done using an Elvis Profile stamp. Um,YEAH! I actually went “there”. I just had too. I was placing an order and was haunted by the new line. This was the ONLY one I bought though. I did want a few other’s but know I won’t really use them. I will say that CHF ROCKED my shipping! I ordered Fri night and it was on my door Mon morning! WOW! AND it was a new release day. That deserves a round of applause.

The only reason I went all on the “KING” is because Elvis reminds me of my dad. Now I have to fill you in on this for you to appreciate my vision’s of Elvis. My dad was “the guy” who if we were at a restaurant, and someone popped an Elvis song on the Jukebox (remember those-they use to have them at like every restaurant when I was a kid), he would get up ON THE TABLE-yes ON the table-yes AT the restaurant, and start singing along (loudly)and dancing. He would get the entire place going-no lie. Talk about wanting to die right there!

This is only the tip of some of my most embarrassing times as a kid. You think YOUR parents were embarrassing! I’m am certain I have you beat. Those times are funny now, but back then, not so much. Anyway, I haven’t seen my dad in over 2 years. We have talked here and there, very briefly, but I thought I should send this his way. Let him know Im thinking of him.

So here is my card for my dad

 Blue Suede Shoes

5 1/2 square

I will say Elvis had some great songs!! I don’t care who you are, you can’t not love some of his classic songs.

Speaking of music-I love that music bkgd. I just stamped it at an angle, then added some Elvis stickers I had to buy after getting the stamp! LOL! You can’t tell, but the card is layered onto black cardstock as well.

Now to help you really “visualize” the possibilities I made another sample! Let me be honest-these cards took like under 10 minutes TOPS!!!! That is how rockin fast and easy this layout is! Plus it may get you using those neglected backgrounders!! You can of course substitute with paper or whatever-but TRY to use some sort of stamp if you can-its a challenge 😀

Here is the next one-same colors and layout.

 This is 4 1/4 square.

This was like a 2 minute card! I just stamped the lined paper image from Green Grass-Noteworthy set. I popped a sticker by Autumn Leaves Mod collection. Added a Velvet and clear flower from Maya Road, and punched the edges-DONE!!! I like it. Its sorta fun and funky. You could write a little something on the lines. Not me. I have the WORST handwriting-awful! I hate writing. I envy people with nice penmanship.

So that is it for today

We have a weekend full of errands, and kids parties. Fun stuff. Im HOPING my new stamps arrive today! YEAH!!

Stay tuned!!! If you get a chance to play send me a link here in the comments section, so we can all see your take on the sketch!

Oh yeah-I forgot to tell you to check this out—->HERE! YEAH!! I did have to cut back on some other obligations. I’m very excited to be part of that though. Should be fun.

Till tomorrow.

Lauren

Lauren

 Saturday Sketch Time! Click to enlarge.

IMPORTANT NOTE: MY SPELL CHECK IS STILL BROKEN!!! GRRR!!!

 Well I hope you are all having a SUPER Saturday!

Sorry this is late-Alexa is battling a stomach bug :C Poor Kid. So I have spent the morning as the designated BUCKET HOLDER-Oh and she has conjunctivitis! Just thinking about it makes me ITCH!

Anyway…………..on a happy note, are you loving the peeks from the PTI Release? The 15th can’t come soon enough eh?

Make sure you check out Nichole’s blog (like you haven’t already), as she has the details of the release set to go for the 15th. Also check the links to the daily Design Team member’s who also have peek’s for you! I know I can’t wait to share my projects here with you.

So for today’s Saturday Sketch Sketch I feel will appeal to many of you because you can keep it VERY Simple-OR you can step it up! Its a great starting point. I have 2 samples to share, for a visual.

Little Ballet Slippers

  Isn’t this so cute!

I so love this Ballerina from LAD. I stamped her in the frame from Borders & Corner’s square set. I layered her on a scallop square.

I love her glitterfied tutu. Done with the prettiest stickles. I normally think PINK when I think Ballet, so I am happy I went with purple instead. A little something different. I’m loving the Bazzill Textured cardstock. It was a perfect match to the Sprout collection by Memory Box. Ribbon is by Martha Stewart 😀

My trio of slippers is from this same image, just punched out with the 1/2 circle punch, and page pebbles were applied over them! So sweet. Like she was dancing from one end of the card, to the other. OK I’m lame! LOL!

Crap! I wish I realized my ribbon moved on me, while I photographed this! It is suppose to be “just under” the little scallop edge. I made that edge with the NEW!! Fiskars scallop border punch! YEAH!! No more using my corner rounder. Sorry this photo was taken PRE-COFFEE!! It should not be legal to do ANYTHING till at least finishing ONE cup!

So now we will move on to a VERY simple version.

This hardly has any stamping at all.

I used Epoxy Mod Stickers by Autumn leaves. I think this card too like 3 minutes-seriously! It was the FIRST card done using the sketch, and it inspired me to step it up with the ballerina. Using the stickers also make me think of using page pebbles on the ballet slippers! Who would have thought such a simple card would spark that one above?

What do you think?

I really loved it! Talk about whipping up a card! LOL! The sentiment is from For the Record. This is a super cool card for a teen too. That is really ALL the details on this-white base, stickers, a square of black cardstock, and a stamped sentiment. 3 minutes-DONE.

There you have it! A simple version, or a little stepped up version. The POINT is to be inspired. Use this as a jumping point.

I hope you have time to play along! Send us a link if you get to try it out. It is never too late to do my sketch challenges OK! Oh and dont stress! Keep it fun.

I’ll be back with another sample!! And some “info” you won’t want to miss!

Saturday Sketch time!

Well thanks for waiting. My camera batteries are all charged now! It always seems when I’m behind they DIE ON ME! I can’t believe we dont own another camera battery.

Sorry for my YUCK-O photos, I told you before my photo lightbulb broke and I cant find a new one. SO bummed.

C.C. Designs has 5 new sets coming out! They are being released on the 4th-with a new set previewing each day, starting on the 30th!

I got SPECIAL permission to use this card sample EARLY, for my sketch challenge today-THANKS Christine!

This is THE CUTEST Itzy Inkies birthday set  called : It’s My Birthday! I am in LOVE with this set. I think its my most favorite of her’s thus far-that is how much YOU NEED IT! If you love cutesy you’ll LOVE this set. I also like that it is gender neutral! I can do boy/girl, depending on the colors I choose.

I actually whipped out 5 boy themed cards using it-with the color combo’s you all suggested in a previous post!

Many suggest red, and choc chip with a green or yellow! I found this ribbon in my stash of American Craft’s ribbon, and thought PERFECT!!

Laura Albertson suggested THIS SITE for inspiration of color combo’s! OMG! I think I spent an HOUR just in awe of it! You can bet Im going to visit regularly!

Here is the card sample

 Birthday Celebration!

Well MANY of you said that mixing colors and patterned paper was hard for you to do! Well I figured this sketch *may* help! Color blocking is a great way to add colors and patterns to your design.

Feel free to omit the circles if you like. I felt it added to the PARTY theme! I used different sizes, of punched circles for this one. I love how they were layered behind the image.

I also think MANY of us have sentiment’s that may go IN cards, that we rarely see or use! So take them out! That is the biggest challenge today!

This sentiment is from Papertrey’s Birthday Basic’s and It’s a Celebration

So I hope you like the sketch! Feel free to alter it to suit your needs.

If you do get the chance to play, send us a link in the comment’s section.

ONE MORE PEEK!!!!!

Here is the card Noah chose to give to his friend today, who will be 6! I gave him the choice between 5 different ones.

Is this not so ADOARBLE? He LOVED this monkey.

Another color combo suggestion from my very bestest blog readers-ever!!!

The card base is white, with a vellum layer that is embossed with the NEW! Number Collage folder. The sentiment was PERFECT!!! It is from Lizzie Anne’s —>High Hellos.

I got this paper from Paper Salon. How cute is that-with clouds and airplanes! I forgot I even had it!

Anyway-Im off to shop with Amber 😀 Yes, its a Saturday ritual for her and I. Gotta love a girl who likes to shop. This could be bad when she gets older.

Thanks for reading.

I’ll fill you in on any yummies I find OK!

Till tomorrow 😀