Going green

Some days I'm feeling the open and airy pages, other times I'm all about the layered and cluttered look. Today I'm feeling the open spaces.

Which is why the sketch at Sketchabilities this week was perfect. It had great potential for white space.

I also was inspired by The Paper Variety's challenge to work with the color green. I instantly remembered these pictures of Nate's jammies. I really, really love these pictures. Don't be surprised if they show up again somewhere else. :)

You have plenty of time to play along with both of these challenges, so give these crafty blogs some love!!

Yellow vibes for sunshine

I love yellow. The color is inspiring and hopeful, and I think most people can't help but smile when they see it. It's such a happy color.

This yellow paper is from American Crafts and can be found in the March Sampler kit from Scrapbooking Supplies R Us. I just got mine in the mail, and I tore into it within hours. Everything on this card except for the doilie, twine and pin are in The Sampler's March kit.


I was inspired by this week's Tuesday Trigger at Moxie Fab World when I made this card.


I used the white and yellow, but I was also inspired by the doors. They reminded me of Sketch 104 at the Card Patterns blog this week, too. It seemed to all fit so well together.

Thanks for stopping by to see my card today. There is also a DT call posted at Sketchy Thursdays today! We'd love to have you try out for our DT!!

He's my favorite and a cup o' joe

Hello! And it's a Sketchy Thursdays kind of day. Remember to stop by and check out the blog today to see the sketch Heidi made and the amazing prize from WeScrap Kits up for grabs. You won't be sorry!!

Today's page is made using what was a very cool surprise happy mail for me. I got an e-mail from Kim J. at Creating Keepsakes telling me that I was one of a handful of people about to receive a box of the latest & greatest. Yippee!!

Inside the box was a great stash of papers and stickers from American Crafts and Bella Blvd. I hadn't previously worked with any of these papers, so I was quite excited. So, a big thank you to the Creating Keepsakes people for sending this out my way.


And that "You are my Favorite" sticker from Bella Blvd—I just had to use it. I say that to Nate every morning when I hug him goodbye at school before I head to work. Brad thinks it's silly, but I know Nate hears me and knows that he means the world to me when I say that to him.


The pictures and story on the page are about Nate's Valentine's Day experience this year. His handwriting was good enough that he was able to write out his own valentines for his class. All 18 of them—plus teachers. It took him 2 days, but he did do it. All by himself! I was so proud.

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While I was working with those papers, I also whipped up this card. I used the sketch challenge at Skipping Stones, as well as the stamp set Funny Coffee.


I was also inspired by the Paper Piecing Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. I used patterned papers to make the to-go coffee mug look designed and with a matching recycled materials sleeve. I actually wish this was a real mug! I would totally buy it! :)


Thanks for stopping by to see my page and card today.

I hope you'll play along with us at Sketchy Thursdays. (And just a hint about ST, you may want to swing by tomorrow, too. There may be a certain kind of "call" to action there for you all on Friday. Hint, hint...)

Oh, how I love bird cages

These lovely little cages were for sale over the holidays at Michael's. I scooped up quite a few and am down to the last of my stash. I only have a red one and a yellow one left after these two. Then I'll be on the look out again for more wherever I can find them.


Every little pink birdie needs a yellow birdie friend, right?


So, I have a question for those of you familiar with Reindeer Moss. How long does it stay green? Does it ever fade? Dry out? This stuff is amazing for the bottom of the cages, but I've never used it before and was curious if it needs any kind of tending to or replaced after a certain period of time.


I used distressing ink with the Bazzill Dotted Swiss paper to make the tags from a Papertrey Ink die and stamp set that I have. Just love the extra little touches!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! I hope you like my little birdies. I just adore them!!

Basket full of goodness

I'm focusing on the springtime and Easter cards right now. It's all I can do to keep myself from shaking my fist at the sky and demanding that winter leave right now. I am so sick of the cold and snow. Usually it isn't this bad, but this year has been ridiculous!


I made quite a few cards and projects this past weekend just for me. There were no challenges or sketches involved—just me, my brain and some fun ideas. I like that. Of course, now I have nowhere to link you all too and no fun challenge to point you in the direction of. Sorry about that!

Maybe my challenge to you is to see what you can make WITHOUT any guidance, direction or plan. Mmmm... that might be interesting!!

Have a nice day everyone!

Favorite Feature

The These Are a Few of My Favorite Things challenge blog has a great new challenge for you. We want to see your favorite feature. It can be your feature, a family member's or a friend's.

I chose my hair. The journaling on the page talks a bit about how I didn't always appreciate my hair, but that now I love it. I've figured out how to wear my hairy curly or straight, and that has made me appreciate it's versatility.

So, what do you like best about yourself or someone else? We can't wait to see your pages! Link up on the TAAFOMFT blog. You've got 2 weeks to play along!!

Know what ... I'm going to throw in a second prize! In addition to what Julie is giving away at TAAFOMFT, I will also send some goodies along to second winner. Link here to let me know you played along with us and I'll choose a winner at the end of the challenge.

Thanks for stopping in today!!

Springtime on my mind

I am all about springtime! We had a few 40-50 degree days last week before we catapulted back into the teens and 20's. I got excited for the thaw and am now preparing my spring cards.

I used the sketch here at Scrapbooks Etc. I really liked the idea of the big ribbon, but on top of the jar it didn't work very well. I think it's because it was a jar. I may give the sketch another go, just because I love the look of it and I want to do that ribbon.


I hope everyone has a great weekend planned. I'm sure I'll be creating at some point. Will you? Thanks for stopping in today!!

Footies! (and finally ... a layout!)

Happily sharing a layout with you today. And it's Thursday, which means it's a new Sketchy Thursdays' sketch. This week we have a wonderful sketch from Heidi to play along with.


Our sponsor this week is the awesome BlueMoon Scrapbooking store. Do you get their e-mails or follow their blog? They take great pictures of their product as it comes in. I just love that!

Can you see the puffy and shiny dimension on the circles? I'm at it again with the Glossy Accents. I go through stages with that stuff. I either use it all the time or forget about it.


This page was made with my February kit from Scrapbook Circle. Again... LOVE it!! I have loved working with the pieces from this kit. From the papers to the stickers to the little extras. Just love it.

And on a side note—how cute is my little man here?! He's been so good about posing for pictures for me. This was when I was taking pictures of him in the jammies from my mom. He was acting like a child model ... propping his foot up and looking at me with far away eyes. LOL! I was loving it though. It won't be long before he tells me to take a hike when he sees the camera come out.

Thanks for stopping by and reading today. I hope you'll all join us for the Sketchy Thursdays challenge and have a chance at the BlueMoon prize.

Floral and lace and Leah!

When the Clean & Simple challenge site asked us to make cards using our label dies, I was over-the-moon excited about that. I find it tough NOT to use them! I am way addicted to my Big Shot and Nesties.


No real big explanation for this card, which I guess is the appeal and allure to the Clean & Simple premise, right?!

And I gotta share what was the highlight of my week. The fabulous Miss Leah was driving though my area, and she was nice enough to stop in her travels and have lunch with me on Monday. It was such a neat feeling to meet someone you feel you already know. KWIM? I really wish I'd had more than an hour to sit and chat with her.

Thanks again, Leah, for stopping during your trip. It was so nice to meet you in person!!


Have a great day today! And thanks so much for stopping by to read my blog.