MPS Father's Day Challenge & Expressions Giveaway!

Over at My Pink Stamper, there is a challenge going on, with a give-a-away for a Cricut Expressions! I don't really need another machine, since I have two already. I have my original Christmas 2009 gift- a Cricut Create, and my January 2010 Gift to Self, my Expressions. I am in love with them both, and really love having two. Anyone who wants to play with me when they come over, CAN! :-) But, I have a few beautiful (and crafty!) 'almost' sister-in-laws, both of whom I'm sure would LOVE an Expressions as a wedding gift instead of a toaster or towels!

Anywhoo! Onto my entry!

This is the interior view, it reads 'i luv you a TON!'

For the MPS Father's Day Challenge, I went ahead and made a card for my Dad. He is the best father in the world, and always gives me answers that surprise me! He is the most loving, kind hearted and generous person on this earth, and never fails to surprise how well he knows me. (for example: he insisted on a shower radio as a christmas present. My step mom thought it was a little 'silly' as did everyone else when I opened it, BUT that was my most prized and favorite christmas present that year! I use it every single shower and laugh when I think about the things he just sort of 'knows')

Recipe:

Tanzanite Gemstones Core'dinations Cardstock

Sapphire Gemstones Core'dinations Cardstock

Striped Cardstock from my 'stash'

Plain Black, Brown, White & Cream Cardstock

Fibers from my 'stash'

D'vine Swirl Embossing Folder

Zooballoo Cartridge

Sakura Gelly Roll Pens - white & black

Pumice Stone Distress Ink & Inkssentials Blending Tool

Pop Dot Scraps, cut to fit behind the letters.

Enjoy!

Dawn

Peachy Keen Stamps- Challenge #29

Over at Peachy Keen Stamp's Challenge Blog, their next challenge is to show off your favorite summertime recipe, and highlight the use of some Peachy Keen Stamps!

I wandered across Peachy Keen for my first time over on Emma's My Creative Time - and have been in love ever since! Being as frugal as I must to continue my hobby/passion I saved my pennies for their Everyday Character Face Assortment PK-490.

I just got them, my first set of face stamps about a week ago, and feel like I'm making up for lost time now, I use them so often! Everything needs a face, and now I can give them their faces back!

My printer is out of ink, and has been for the last month or so because I just keep spacing whenever I leave the house to take it with me and get a new one, or at least this one refilled. Anywhoo, my handwriting isn't gorgeous or anything, but you can read the recipe okay, so it'll do!

I used:

Peachy Keen Stamps, Everyday Character Face Assortment, PK-490
Cricut Expressions
Indie Art Cartridge, the strawberry cut, in various sizes
Once Upon A Princess, for the whipped blob- actually the top of 'cupcake 2' just cut off.
Red Dye based ink (for inking the pink paper I cut the strawberries on)
Black Pigment ink (for the faces)
Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folder (for the strawberry bodies)
D'vine Swirls Cuttlebug Folder (for the Whip Blob body)

For the stitching around the edges and whites of the eyes I used my White Jelly Roll Pen, also ordered from Peachy Keen Stamps.

Enjoy!

Dawn

Goodness Gracious, Batman!

I have so not been around this weekend! I was sooooo stinkin' busy all weekend, and this month and next are going to be insane around these parts. My bridal shower was the weekend before last, then I threw one for my soon to be sister-in-law at her house about an hour and a half from mine last weekend. Sunday, we were trying to make it to the Seattle Mariner's baseball game, but it wasn't flying with the schedule so my little brother got the tickets instead. 5 (yes, FIVE) rows off of first base. Am I jealous, yes- but am I a happy camper to not hear complaint about how boring baseball is? yes.

This weekend for my sister in law's shower, I've been working on a little something something for them, that I'm not ready to show yet, because I know she reads this on occasion. But- I did make her a set of her own thank you cards, all ready to go for her shower gifts, so she could be prompt and easily get them out!

I used the Sweet Treats Cartridge for the cupcake, Old West for the brown layer, and my Peachy Keen Stamps and Purple Cow Freestyle Papercutter along ith some basic cardstocks.

I knew for the shower, since they are having a wedding in Maui (Gettin' Maui'd, how cute??! right?) and a reception here with an 80's theme I wanted to make favors with candy, mostly candy thats been around. So they ended up looking like this:

I used my wedding solutions cartridge for the pillow boxes, which are cut at 10.25". I then used the little end pieces of the patterned papers for wraps, and then tied some ribbon on them to help keep them closed.

The adorable little white favor boxes Jessica provided, and filled with bubbles and chocolate! Yum!

We had a good ole' time! I will be totally catching up on my crafting in the next day or two, since I'll be home and will post some more updates. I did a layout last night using all My Mind's Eye Products, and have a review for that along with some photos. I can say- I am in love.

Enjoy!

Dawn

Wedding Update & Bridal Shower Card for my SIL

I FINALLY decided what those stinkin' boys or groomsmen if you will, are going to wear! My beautiful bridesmaids have had their dresses ($19.50 @ Old Navy) picked out for weeks! The boys tops are from Old Navy as well, they get their choice of Khakis, and the shoes are Target (so are the girls!).
Of course, you can see the bigger photo if you click it.

I think those will be perfect for our summertime country/barn wedding.

My intentions for the floral arrangements I'm hoping will look something like this, I'm actually going to just buy a butt load of flowers from a local roadside shop, and have a good friend assemble them for me. I'm also growing some massive sunflowers at the moment, so I'm hoping they will wait until June 9th or so to mature, so I can add them also!

A while back my brother's girlfriend sent me a clip of her trying it all on, and although her boots are a little different than the target boots, I like them a lot more, but apparently they were a little bit of a splurge for her also! Well, apparently I erased it from my phone, so I'll add it later! So cute though!

Anywhoo--- this weekend, is my soon to be Sister in Law's bridal shower that I am throwing for her. I wanted to make her a different card than the one I made to give them in Hawaii during the wedding. You can see that card here.

The recipe for this card is: 1 12X12 sheet of any patterned paper you'd like. (I used a heavier stock, that had a circular green pattern on it, and then cut it to 5.5"X 12". Scored it at 2" & 4".

With the other half of the card stock, I made one piece 5.5" X 6". I also 'sponged' or distressed the paper with brown ink which sort of hides the pattern, at least in the photo. I used my Once Upon A Princess Cartridge to cut the phrase 'if the crown fits' and the princess. I used my Peachy Keen Stamps for the face. The princess is cut at 4", along with all her accessories and the phrase is cut at 1.25".

There are much better directions over at Canadian Nickle Scrap'n

Enjoy!

Our First Blog Candy Give-a-way!

As I try and think of more ways to share my blog, I thought I'd get some help... that is by bribing my currents readers into sharing my blog by offering up some blog candy!


There are actually quite a few goodies, and I MAY add more towards the ending of the drawing period. 1) 8X8 Album9) sheets of stickers, words, letters, horses, flowers and epoxy buttons. Of course, some ribbon too- I like the color, and thought it would work for layouts or cards, whichever you specialize in making!

There are a few rules to entering into the drawing for this blog candy.

1. You need to 'follow' my blog.

2. Add my Blog Candy or Normal Blinkie to your blog. (you can find these over on the right hand side bar!)

2. You need to post a comment and tell me which items you guys would like to see as future blog candies, with a link to your blog!

Since all of this stuff was paid for out of my own pocket, it is ALL brand new, and from my stash, I know that the actual monetary value is not sky high, but I'm hoping with more viewers, I can get to the point of buying cool stuff (Peachy Keen Stamps, Cricut Cartridges and accessories)

This will end May 30th, 2010- and the winner will be drawn through Random.org.

Knox's Garden

Finally, I've gotten Knox's Memorial Garden into good shape. I've been keeping my eye open for a tree that won't get too large (since we rent) I can take with us if we ever move (although, I LOVE our house and where we live!) and my mom recently found a magnolia she loves, and although I adore them, and love how they bloom, it would grow too quickly for the tiny little garden.

The neighbor was over with her grandson, and during our chitchatting over the kids, I ended up telling her how her grandson, is roughly Knox's age. Which for her, kind of explained why we have a (sort-of) creepy little angel in the front garden as well as a pretty stone with some wording on it. She generously offered up a Japanese Maple that has been living in a pretty ceramic pot over at her house, but she mentioned she never found anywhere she fell in love with putting it. She has a gorgeous yard, and beautiful plants, so I don't know how she didn't find a place, but I ended up with a pretty Japanese Maple, and it looks amazing in the garden. After looking around online tonight, I think it might be some sort of an 'Orange Dream' Maple. Not sure though!

I can be honest here; I'm not religious much at all, I'm pretty open to what happens when we die. Don't get me wrong, I judge no one regarding religion, I have no reason to believe that anyone or anything is wrong. I know there is SOMETHING bigger, and SOMETHING great to look forward too and I will be with my little boy (daughter and soon to be husband) somewhere after I die- but until then, I'll keep my eyes, ears and heart open for something I feel 100% confident in. I've read a lot of books since Knox died, one being The Blue Poppy & the Mustard Seed: A Mother's Story of Loss and Hope by Kathleen Willis Morton and the Dharma she talks about really makes sense to me, I'm a very organic/naturalist type person. I also think that I've read some good Christian based books that were beneficial but a little too religious/preachy for my tastes. One of those books is 'I'll Hold You in Heaven' by Jack Hayford. I really am all about the saying- 'To Each Their Own' and the whole 'Live and Let Live' thing. People really need to just do and believe in what makes them happy. After such a large tragedy, I am a total beliver in something bigger, but I'm open to learn and talk, but not be preached to.

The stone reads:

'A gift for such a little while,

your loss just seems so wrong,

you should not have left before us,

it's with loved ones you belong.'

There are three Hydrangeas, that aren't in bloom right now in the garden (I know, they'll get bigger each year!) I planted LOTS of bulbs, that I'm just waiting to see what they are because I've since forgotten. The crocus came and went, and were adorable popping out over all the weeds that had taken over in the winter.

My favorite poem to end with:

'Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy.'

Bridal Shower Easel Thank You Cards!

I know, I know... my shower was only last night, but of course I need my 'fix' of paper slinging once I got home, and was snooping around on Lauren's Creative and saw this adorable little easel card she made for the My Pink Stamper Challenge. I made this card for the same challenge.

So, back to the story. I wanted to get the Thank You cards made for all the beautiful and amazing gifts I was given at my shower. After seeing Lauren's Creation, I knew I wanted to do something similar. They all are the same pattern, so I could crank 12 out at once, instead of making them one at a time, because Lord knows if (or when) people would get thank you cards!

I made the card, using the dimensions from Nicole, over at Canadian Nickle Scrap'ns video. She has got an awesome video that totally simplifies what looks like a tough card to make, but it's actually pretty simple!

I hope you enjoy! Also, we will be doing some blog candy here in the next few days, so get ready to pass the link around to enter and win!

My Bridal Shower!

Yesterday was my bridal shower. I got so many goodies! I loved spending time with my friends and family, and can't wait for my soon to be SIL's next weekend, since there won't be ANY attention on me!

I got Scrapbooking goodies from Rachel!! :-) I'm not actually sure what I am opening right here...

*blush* a little treat for Hawaii!

All the gifts!

The cake!

I actually made all the thank you cards last night, and just need to write them out and mail them. I made eisle cards but will have a whole other post on that later!

Saturday's Projects

Generally, Saturdays are our family days. We usually eat waffles for breakfast, lounge around the house and watch kid movies or TV most of the day if it's yucky out, or play in the front yard when it's nice out. Yesterday was especially nice!

First thing, Adam washed the cars and Zoe wanted to help so once she got her shoes on, off she went!
She felt the need to find every toy that 'Sophers' or our little dog, Sophie had drug outside and throw it back into the house.

We played in the front yard, with the neighbor's grandson, Jackson who is just adorable, it's funny for me to see since he's just a little older than Knox would be, the kind of things that my little boy would be doing if he were here.







Of course, they are both adorable, and had a blast in the 'playground' of our big front lawn that was set up with a maze of tunnels, tubes and forts as well as a pop up car.

They had LOTS of fun playing together!

I got the chance to swing by Joanne's on my way home from the RC Track, since we also spent the afternoon there, and got the DCWV Flower Shower Spring Pack (which I already have, but paid just about full price for) on clearance for $8.97!! Now I have two packs of this paper, but a total score! Plus, I love it and have already used all three sheets of many patterns in it. Also.... (drumroll, please) my Peachy Keen Stamps showed up! They have lightning shipping, because I just ordered them Wednesday I believe.

So, I got to spend my evening, once bedtime came (which was a little early thanks to her lack of napping most days now). I did a few things with my new stamps.

I love how the full layouts ended up! I had the 'cloud' layout (if you could call it that, since it was at a lighthouse) already made up, but added the stamping to give the clouds their faces.

Also for the balloon layout, it was her second birthday and her blowing out the candles, I used their faces as well.


Of course, I also did a layout, without and Peachy Keen Faces, but it was cute too! Also a birthday layout but her licking the spatula of frosting, the day I made her cake. I love how it turned out.



My Bridal Shower is today, since we're getting married June 12th, so I have got to get my butt in gear, to get my extra nap in(heehee) before I need to do my hair, get dressed and head out to my moms. I hope to have some photos to share of that too later!

Have an AWESOME Sunday!

Cheers!

Dawn

My Pink Stamper Challenge, green, brown and yellow!

Enjoy!

Dawn