Mini Card Monday!

Here's a little something Fallish that I whipped up to send to a friend today.  I used some pretty apple-themed EK Success stickers, ric rac, an apple green button and some paper I had around in my stash.

I don't think I'll start a linky party since I haven't heard much from anyone and I cannot find one for free at this time.

Enjoy your weekend!

Feelin Chipper

T.G.I.F everyone!  Oh it's so hard to work an entire week after having a Monday off here and a Friday off there.  I made it, though!

I'm gearing up for some Christmas crafts soon and found this cute mix of K Company (Susan Wright) holiday chipboard at Joann's.  They had some great coupons in their ads recently and I couldn't resist getting this.

Fun stuff.  I have no idea what I'll do with them yet but I am certain I'll find something!  Hoping to get in on a holiday swap but I haven't heard about any of them yet.  I'm part of the Bloggerette Sorority and there's been talk of some upcoming holiday swaps with more details coming soon.  Can't wait! Have a great weekend!

Mini Card Monday!

I have loved making mini cards so much I decided to start a blog party on Mondays called "mini card Monday"!  Won't you come and join in on the fun? 
Right now I'm enjoying making some Autumn inspired cards with owls, squirrels, and probably some pumpkins and candy corn.  The change in seasons and the cooler nights makes me feel like staying home, lighting a yummy pumpkin or cranberry candle and hunker down making stuff! 
If you'd like to join in on making mini cards and it's something you think I should make a linky for let me know!  I've never done a linky party of my own yet so show me the ropes and let me know how it works (and if it's free too!).  Just leave me a comment.  Thanks! 

"Oh so nutty" and inside it says "Nuts for you"!  Cute!  Found the stamps at Wal-mart if you're looking for some inexpensive clear stamps.  I did have a hard time with the ink not adhering very well to the stamp.  That's my only complaint about the stamps.  I was using black Ranger ink.



What's Been Up?

Yesterday I was home relaxing and watching TV - gearing down from the long holiday weekend.  I tried to get a few things done on Saturday but it ended up being procrastinated until Sunday.  What can I say?  A little peer pressure to extend a lunch with a friend.  We needed a little more chat time together and we were kicked out of a restaurant called "Chatty Squirrel"!  Ironic?  I think so! 
But in the restaurant's defense they close early after lunch and we arrived around closing time. 
Sometimes we are just too rushed here in America!  My friend from Germany would definitely concur! 

On monday my family and I had a late lunch of grilled Italian sausages with peppers, potato salad, coleslaw, etc. I brought a jalapeno hummus WW recipe and some red and yellow pepper strips.  Yum!

Here's a little show and tell from the last couple of weeks.  I bought a great new lampshade for only $15 at Tuesday Morning.   Just love that store!

                                     all photos from this post by me

A nice view from my comfy leather chair...  

Here's a lil card I made with some adorable G Series $1 stamps from Michael's.  Um ... a little addicted to these!   I'm so glad they have them at a bargain price!

I have a few more mini cards I plan on making with these and some additional stamps I've found in the bargain bins!  Wal-mart has some now, too.  Fun!

Last but not least - a beautiful card from my auntie Gloria!  She's a whiz with these pretty embellishments!  I was so blessed to receive this card in the mail recently.  Thank you, sweetie!   Love truly is in the details ... darling darling details!! 

Chocolately Delish

I just came off of a long glorious weekend and enjoyed some time with family and friends.   Went to go see "The Help" and loved it!  I think it may be one of my favorite summer movies and hope that they had out a few Oscars to the cast.
THAT'S how much I loved it!  I'm telling everyone I know to go see it. I seriously need to read the book, too.
Seems like when I became an adult I can't stay still to read a book unless it's story is super alluring.  Sometime's that bothers me but I figure I spend my time doing things that are still considered worthwhile and that's all that matters.
Lately I've been doing some card crafting after being inspired by Archiver's 40% rubber stamp blowout sale and their "make and take" weeks. 
Needless to say, I've been stamping away here and there the last couple weeks. I tend to keep my cards pretty simple when I'm trying to get them out the door and in the mail.  Do you have family and friends that are disappointed when they get a store bought card from you once you send them a hand-crafted one?  Doh!
I'll share a couple of chocolately mini cards and a cute monkey card I whipped up recently:

This one I did add a bow to before I sent it out in the mail

I have quite a few more to make and I'm also going to be trying my hand at more mixed media on canvases.  I'm determined to continue to try new techniques and just have fun with it! 
What have you been up to this summer?  Leave me a comment and let me know :)

Last Days of Summer

photo by me

"Summer is a promissory note signed in June, its long days spent and gone before you know it, and due to be repaid next January."--Hal Borland

Crazy Busy Summer... continued

Hi all!  Thought I'd better stop in and tell ya what I've been up to!  First off, trying to stay COOL!  We've been stuck in a sizzling heatwave for what seems like an entire month.  I'm catching a little grief over saying that I was looking forward to Autumn.  I can't help it!  I do love that season but I also love long summer days with lots of fun that can be packed in!
Weather has been a tough one in 2011 don't you think?
So Saturday was my birthday and I spent it with my family at a cousin's wedding.
It was a great time!  I did the Electric Slide and danced the night away!  I haven't done that in so very long!
I've been able to squeeze in a little time inside working on my first altered art canvas and it's so addicting that I went out and bought a few more supplies to make some more.  Maybe for Christmas gifts this year?

Not my best work but I know I can get better with more play time.  The bicycle is a Tim Holtz stamp that I had to jazz up since stamping on canvas is hard!! 
I do like the papers that were Mod Podge'd on and will probably try that more and freehand something of my own...

The photo above is a weird yellowish sunset we had a few days ago.  It was weird but neat!
Tomorrow night I'm going to take some pictures of some grandkids for a friend.  I am a bit nervous ... I always want to do a great job and give them the best!

What else have I been up to?  Well I'm also looking into becoming a Big Sister and being a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands program.  I know it'll be a rewarding relationship and can't wait to get started!

Beauty in Nature

Well it's another weekend that has flown by so quickly...  Are you all surviving the hot summer temps?  It is hotter here than last week.  Man oh man!  If we didn't have 50% humidity it could probably be more bearable.  A lot of us try not to complain too much after such a cold winter, though!  Thank the Lord for A/C!  Seriously!!

Last week when I mentioned I was making that salad for another party - I was getting ready to go to my aunt's house in the farm country in the outskirts of the city. We were celebrating my other aunt Gloria's retirement (yay Glo!).  So anyway her place is surrounded by fields of corn on one side and lovely wildflowers on the other.  The sun was low in the sky and I brought my camera to see if I could capture some shots of nature (and family, too).

                                 All photos in this post by me

I was attempting to capture a sun flare in some of my shots...

Ahhh isn't the countryside lovely?  I really wanted to capture the sunset but I was little too late.  I was gabbing with my family indoors in the cool house.  Maybe another time...

Next weekend I'll be going to an informational meeting to check into becoming a Big Sister!  I have a feeling that this will be a program I will enjoy being a part of.  A friend of mine thought so, too.  So I'm diving in and truly hope to be matched up with a sweet girl looking for a big sis just like me! 

Have a great week - thanks for stopping by!  Don't forget to say hello!

Pretty Posies

Happy weekend everyone!  I'm just taking a breather to stop in and say hello and share a couple things before I'm back out the door for another celebration.
I must say that this is the busiest July that I remember in a long time.  God has truly blessed me with several celebrations to be a part of!

I have a lot of friends born in July.  I am also born the end of this month.  So I kind of feel like it's an interesting coincidence that I'm drawn to people born in the same month! I'll have to stop and take the time and count how many one of these days...

I've been a bit of a posey enthusiast lately.   They make the sweetest little gifts or just look great on a window ledge, desktop, and bedside table. 

photo by me

You saw from my last post that I had a bit of fun with red white and blue flowers, which I gave to my good friends Michele and Betsey to enjoy on the 4th.   I appreciated being able to hang out with them on the holiday.  We went to go see "Larry Crowne", which I loved!  Tom and Julia were great in it!

photo  by me

The birthday girl pin with ribbons flowing was a gift for another friend celebrating her 60th birthday.  We somehow were able to truly surprise her at her son's house today!  She jumped when we yelled surprise and sang her happy birthday.  It was such fun!  I got a little teared up.

I've always wanted a surprise birthday party...  it's such a nice gesture of love to do such a thing for a friend or family member.  To me, birthdays are worth celebrating!  Can I get a whoot woot?! 

I wish that I brought my camera to share some pics but I will say that we enjoyed yummy catered food, homemade ice cream (made in the coolest way - John Deere generator and a wood barrel container - I hope I'm explaining it properly).   We had the birthday girl release tons of balloons only AFTER we counted down from 60!  We're a funny bunch.

                                              photo by me

I better get going - off to make some more of the corn avocado salad that I cannot get enough of!   Nothing says summer like delicious sweet corn.  Delish!

I'll be using my new Oxo corn stripper, too.  Beats picking up corn kernels from all over the kitchen counter and floor.

 Have a great day!

Happy Independence Day!

Photo by me

Chop chop!

Hi what's new with all of you?  I've been a busy gal but it's all good stuff!  I have a lot of showers and weddings coming up in the next few months all the way til September! 
I took a couple days off to clean and organize my place.  I'm sick of looking at so much stuff but I'm not at the point where I can purge out the old yet.  I MUST do this as all the clutter and stuff is taking over.  I know many can relate to this dilemma.  Especially my fellow crafters and paper addicts!
Pinterest has provided a little organizational inspiration - lots of great ideas out there!  But at this time let me share what I've been "chopping" (besides coupons!) ...

Delicious pineapple mango salsa! Mmm fruity and refreshing for summer.   It's good on chips, too!

Corn avocado salad.  Ohhhhh man! So delicious I think I may never go back to regular guacamole again.  Serious!  I will say don't go as easy as I did on the jalapeno.  I can be a bit wimpy with the hot stuff sometimes but go for it since the vinegar and the bit of sugar is in it.   It was a hit with my gal pals over the weekend.   Cutting off the corn was quite an experience.  I was smiling to myself when I was taking off the husks as us Nebraskans are called "Cornhuskers". 
Both recipes can be found on Pioneer Woman's website.  Enjoy!

Father's Day Card

He had one request... a handmade Father's Day card.  I was in a pinch on what theme to use.  I have a cool dad.  He drag races, rocks out on the bass guitar, rides motorcycles, into classic cars, a smidge of golf and a little side of wood-working.   He does not fit into the usual retirement-age mold, you see.
I call him a "Renaissance Man" because he can fix and do most anything.  

I've done the rocker-themed card before.  Used a lot of great flashy silver and black paper and guitar embellishments.   I've done the ol' tool-theme, too.

Well, I decided after checking out the grungy distressed look of the Tim Holtz line that I would give it a go.

I'd put away the pastel shabby chic frills for a day and get realllly dirty and try something new!

I worked on this card really late after having a busy weekend and I had to get up early on Father's Day to go to church with the folks.  So please forgive the bad lighting.  I was happy with the results and trying LOTS of new techniques in making this grungy antiqued card.   Dad loves old cars!   Tim has lots of great stamps in the set I bought.  Something I can use for the next masculine card I'll be making for my brother who loves bicycles!

I used masking with Tim' paint dabbers, his embellishments, distress ink and stamps.   I like his tools and may have to take a lil trip to Archiver's to see what kinds of goodies they have in their store. 

I certainly cherish my daddy.  He's been so good to me.  It blesses me when he tells me I'm beautiful and that I can accomplish my dreams.  I have great parents who taught me how to be a good person and I thank God for them every day!

Sweet Summer Day

        

                                all photos for this post by me

Oh the joys of a summer morn!  Isn't my friend so adorable?  I asked her mama if she could be my model and she happily agreed!   So last Saturday I met up at a local park for a photo shoot to sharpen my tools for the upcoming wedding I'll be a photographer for.   I'm getting a little nervous about it!

This sweet & perky 6 yr old goes to my church and her energy and enthusiasm brings a smile to my face!  
Having her as a model was great fun for me.  She was working the camera and I must say she's a natural!

Doesn't this photo scream summer?  The weather was perfect and not too hot.
There were several families enjoying a picnic, some folks were fishing, and some were taking walks with their pups.  After the shoot was over I treated mom and daughter to some DQ!  Yum!

The pretty park and pond ...

I must end with this shot of the huge lollipop (the best prop ever the kid was in sugar heaven)... notice the little bug coming in for a taste? 





June Flowers

It's a hot one in the Midwest today!  Whew! Sooo glad for having working A/C!  I definitely like having the A/C on.  It has always been a non-negotiable when renting an apartment with any of my roomies.
My last roomie (like um ... 11 years ago) said her non negotiable was cable.  I've actually lived without cable and have seriously been thinking about dropping it way down to the lowest tier.

all photos on this post by me

I know it's inevitable for me to ditch the fancy cable.  I also have been trying a little couponing... is that a word?  My cousin is pretty fantastic as being frugal and finding deals and has started a coupon exchange club.

We met up for the first time on Sunday.  There were a few tips shared, how to organize the coupons, and mass amounts of coupons that were exchanged! Wow!  It was overwhelming to go through all of them.  We are definitely meeting again.  At least we know what to expect and can streamline what everybody wants to stock up on.

 

I have a cute binder to put my teensy amounts of coupons inside... I don't plan on being a totally extreme coupon lady.   I don't plan on stockpiling large amounts of food (however if I was that gifted to get tons of stuff for $1 I'd be joyously sharing the wealth) but I would like to stockpile nonfood items... to an extent.  

 

The pics I've shared are some of my flowers.  A couple I need to plant and get going on the mini slab of dirt I have in front of my town home apt.  It's in deep neglect and I'm hoping the salvia will continue to spread, and a few of these perennials will do well and come back.   All I want is low maintenance!

I'll stop talking about boring coupons (but they do give you great bargains if you put forth some effort) and leave you with a sweet baby bunny I found when moving my planter the other day.  So much for getting my gardening on.

I guess I'd much rather be taking pics of baby bunnies!

Have a great week!  I plan on having more interesting stuff to blog about soon!  Hop hop hopping outta here for now!

Quote

                                     photo by me

"Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal"   - Thomas More

I have been thinking a lot about the devastation in Joplin.   Praying for a quick restoration, healing and finding those that are missing.