Anniversary time

On December 26th (yes I know, what were we thinking), Mike and I celebrated our 9 year anniversary. He surprised me with a leather jacket because apparently the gift for nine years is leather (no, I did not know that). I thought we'd agreed no gifts, so I felt a little bad. Especially since I planned on making a book for him, but my papers didn't arrive until the 27th. Anyway, here's the card. I used some other papers as I was waiting on my new CTMH Silhouette papers.

I had found this star album kit a while back at the LSS and knew it would be perfect for an anniversary album. Then when I got the new CTMH catalog, I knew I wanted to use the Silhouette papers. I included a picture from each year we've been married. Here's the front, top and a couple of the inside pages.

Holiday gifts

Ok, sorry I've been MIA--been hanging out as a family and I haven't been on much. Now that the holidays are over and (almost) everyone has opened their albums, I can post them for everyone to see. This last fall, we lost my grandmother. It was very hard on all of us and I wanted to do something special for my grandpa, uncles and mom, so these were the albums I made. THe first three pages were the same in everyone's book, then I personalized it for each individual family. THese pictures are a combination of my Uncle Gene's and my mom's.


My grandparents' wedding photo.






All the kids






all the grandkids and great-grandkids (and my aunt and uncle)






The rest of the pages--these are my mom's











And this is a picture we found of my Grandma--my favorite. Her greatest love besides her family was always chocolate. She just looks so happy here. I didn't know her then, but the spirit in this picture is what I will always remember about my grandma.












I just got my goodies from the new CTMH Spring Idea Book, so I'll be posting some more projects in the next few days. Armed with my new Friends DVD's I'm locking myself in my scrap room to create. That is after we get back from Build a Bear today.

Christmas Quiz

I saw this on another sister's site and had to take the quiz. Pretty fitting I guess--I LOVE Christmas!

Mmmm....cookies

I started my annual Christmas baking last night. I get this from my Aunt Bonnie. She is so amazing. Every year she takes two days off from work and bakes up a storm. EVERYONE gets buckets of baked goodies from her. The last few years, I've taken up the challenge. Now since she covers the family, my neighbors get the benefits of my baking. Last night we made gingerbread cookies, M&M Blondies, and Chocolate Spritz cookies. Today will be snickerdoodles, Kiss cookies, and lots of Chocolate Chip Banana bread and Pumpkin Bread. Oh and fudge and if I get to the store to get corn syrup, Caramels. Hungry yet? LOL.

And a couple pictures of my Christmas hams--LOL I lov ethese pictures--I actually got real smiles and not cheesy ones. And no, we are NOT Vandal fans, but my brother got the boys these hats last year for Christmas, so they love them since they are from Uncle Taylor. But it hurts my heart a little when they wear them--GO BOISE STATE! Notice he does have the right shirt on :)

And here's what I made for Austin's teacher. She also got a tin of chocolates and a Target gift card. These note cards are lifted from some I've seen on the CTMH boards, and the holder I got from Korin's blog. I used CTMH's Baroque Alphabet and Adorable Backgrounds stamps. Paper is Life Delights, Sweet Leaf, Blush and Spring Iris (I ran out of Lilac Mist cardstock).

Easter Already?!

I know, we haven't even made it through Christmas yet--LOL! However, CTMH's SOTM for January is this darling Easter set and I had to get my swap in, so I've been thinking spring for this one. As I was working on this last night, Austin, my 5 year old, said, "Mommy, I like your eggs--are they for Easter?" When I told him yes and showed him the card he looked at me perplexed and said, "Mommy, you do know that it's Christmas, right?" I had to laugh. Any who, here's my card. Not too many techniques--a little sponging and LOTS of stamping and cutting :) Colors are more vibrant in person (the scanner catches the buttons/brads and you lose some color)--Amethyst, Breeze, Sunny Yellow, Key Lime and Pink Carnation.

I WON!!!

I won Pammie's sketch contest! I can't believe it! Thanks to all who voted for my card (even if you weren't sure which one was mine--LOL). I am so excited. Here was the winning card.

I used CTMH's new Make It Count set and an old favorite--Simple Pleasures papers. For the clock, I used the paint resist technique I learned from Tresa Black's blog. I clear embossed my image on Cocoa paper, then painted it and wiped the paint off the embossed image. Love the look.

Bella Cards

No, my Bella stamps didn't come lightening fast--still waiting for them to arrive. However, my SBS4 and CTMH sister, Sparkle, sent me a bunch of stamped images for me to play with. Is she a sweetie or what?! THANKS SPARKLE! One of these will be coming you way :)

These were made with SEI Such a Girl papers

This one uses the SEI Holiday Lane papers. The Joy is from CTMH Christmas Scripts

This last one I used My Mind's Eye Bohemia papers. The other stamps are from various CTMH sets.

Whew what a weekend!

My mom flew in this weekend from Idaho and we tried to pack too much in. Friday I picked Austin up from school, drove to Ontario to pick up my mom, took her to Long Beach. Friday night we went to dinner with my grandpa, brother and mom then went over to Naples to look at all the Christmas lights along the water (our favorite activity every year--cold and lots of walking, but so worth it!).



Saturday went to lunch with my brother, then took my Grandpa shopping all over town to get everyone's Christmas presents (this is his first year without my grandma and he's having a tough time). Saturday night we stayed up until 11 wrapping presents. Yesterday, more shopping, lunch with my aunt, helped my grandpa with his Christmas cards and drove back here. We got here about 8:30 and stayed up until 1 wrapping my mom's presents since she couldn't bring them on the plane wrapped. Then we got up at 4 this morning because my mom's plane left Ontario at 6. Luckily Mike took her to the airport, but I never did go back to sleep.



Today I have to go mail all mine and my grandpa's cards and packages--then I may just collapse. The kids didn't go to bed until 1 am either, so I just know they're going to be crabby later. However, we got everything done for my grandpa and I feel really good about that. Now I just have to decide if I'm going to take the boys to my sister's house in Vegas on Thursday for her Christmas party Friday. I want to, but right now I'm so sick of being in the car that I can hardly see straight! At least almost all my shopping is done and everything I've bought is wrapped. All that's left to do is the baking and maybe I can get in a little stamping.

I didn't take a lot of pictures, but here's a few:
My mom with the boys
My brother and Brendan looking at the house with the ferris wheel and roller coaster
One of our favorites--the happy face house!

Please Vote for Me

I participated in Pammie's sketch challenge and I would love to win the fabulous stamp set she's giving away. The cards are anonymous, so I can't tell you which one is mine--you'll have to guess. I'm just glad I got the card to her in the nick of TIME ;-) Vote here

I'm hoping to have a chance to play with my new stamps today and post some creations, but I don't know. My mom flies in from Idaho this afternoon and I'm sure we'll be running around all weekend. We're going to take the kids down to Naples tonight to look at all the lights on the houses and boats--hopefully we won't get rained on like last year.

In the meantime, here are a couple oldie, but goodie cards to enjoy.

I finally caved--I'm going Bella

I did it. I said I wasn't going to, I certainly don't need to with Christmas and the new CTMH book, but I couldn't take it any more. Korin and Sparkle keep posting such fabulous Bella cards, I couldn't be left out anymore! I just placed an order for 4 beautiful Bellas: StampingBella, Javabellas, shopabellas, and Cosmobella! Now I'm excited and I don't know how I'll ever wait the 2-3 weeks they might take to get here. All I can say is--Merry Christmas to me! Don't know what I'm talking about? Check them out here

Finally had a chance to scrap

It feels like it's been forever! I belong to SEI's KOTM Club and when these fabulous papers and embellishments arrived, I knew they were perfect for our Christmas photo shoot pictures! this may be one of my favorite layouts! I used CTMH's Imagine book for the concept, but changed it up to fit my pics. It's hard to tell in the pictures, but the patterned paper has gold foil in it and it so beautiful and shimmery in person.

An up close look at one of the accordion albums

Ok, since so many of you have asked to see them, I'll post one of the albums. This one is my dad's. Since his is different than the other 8 and he doesn't get on the computer (therefore never seeing the blog), it's safe to show. It isn't as embellished as the others I did (since I wanted it to be a bit more masculine), but cute.

Front cover and 1st page

2nd page and back cover:

Inside pages 3&4

Inside pages 5 & 6

Elf name

After browsing a bunch of my sister-sites, I kept seeing this and had to try mine. I laughed out loud when I saw my name. After making so many glitter cards this season, you could definitely say that my bum (and everything else in our house) is blinking--LOL

Your Elf Name Is...

Flakey Blinking Bum

What's Your Elf Name?

Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers

After reading about this group on Marjorie's Blog, I had to check it out and join. What a fun idea. I'm always on the lookout for other scrappers and stampers who blog. I am loving looking at everyone's blogs and seeing all the fantastic artwork. And what a coincidence, I ended up in a group with Marjorie and another CTMH sister, Sparkle . I look forward to a sisterhood with the other girls in our group too.

A little about me for those just checking out my blog. I am mom to two very active little boys who keep me very busy, as you'll see from reading my blog. When I'm not chasing them around, I love to stamp and scrapbook. I have been scrapping "properly" for 9 years and stamping for the last 5 (although in high school I used to go to stamping parties all the time with my mom). I am a CTMH Consultant and I love teaching stamping to others. Plus, it allows me to feed my paper and ink addiction. I also love to read and usually have at least two books in progress. I enjoy writing, photography and hanging out with my family too.

I had better go to bed now. I have a card class tomorrow morning and I have to get up early to clean house. Thanks for all the fabulous comments I've been receiving lately. I'm hoping to get a chance to play this weekend and post some new artwork.

A card using Erin's sketch

Here was a card a made for Erin's Sketch Challenge. I didn't get it done in time to get in on the actual contest, but I like the way it turned out nonetheless. I used the Coffee Shop and Vintage Christmas stamp sets. And the basket weave on the sweet leaf paper, is from the new January SOTM Easter set. I used Liquid Glass, Liquid Applique and Glitter on the mug--it's hard to tell in the picture.

Yep, I got my new stamp of the months and catalogs this week. That's why I've been MIA. I've been drooling over the catalog and planning my open house for January--exciting stuff!

A masterpiece by Austin

Austin had a homework project this week to decorate his tree. Last night he painted it with watercolors and then we jazzed it up. He did a fine job stamping ornaments on the tree and presents underneath. Then he wanted glitter and ribbon. This was a joint effort. He put glue down where he wanted the glitter and Mommy put the glitter on. Then I helped him tie knots in the ribbon and he glued them on. The only thing that gave us touble was the star, but I showed him how to use my Cricut to make it. Mike's not sure showing him how to use that was a great idea--LOL! Austin's very proud of his tree, so I thought I would share.

1 camera + 2 boys=The need for lots of patience

I want to get the Christmas cards mailed, so yesterday we decided to take Christmas pictures. First, we had to find the Tri-pod--no small feat. After tearing apart every closet in the house--and leaving quite a mess in our wake--we found it. Then got everything set up in front of the Christmas tree. Here's how it went:

Settle the boys in one is looking, one is not, snap..Brendan gets up wnats to see th picture. Get them settled again. Brendan gets up before the picture because he wants to take it. Austin gets up and chases him. Ugh--fine, we'll move on to family picture. Mike with Brendan in lap (upset because he still wants to take the picture himself). Ok, set timer, run to the tree, sit down pull Austin into my lap. Repeat 5 more times. Oh and I must add that Webkins had to be included in an attmpt to get Brendan to hold onto Panda with both hands so fingers were not in mouth.

Got a family picture and repeated the process a couple dozen more times to try to get a shot of the two boys together. FINALLY got a great one and sent the photos over to have cards made. Sometimes I think it's worth the big bucks for someone else to do it. Anyway, here's our pictures.

A sneak peek at my labor of love

Ok, I said I wasn't going to show these since family reads this blog, but I had to share. I just finished (well almost) NINE 9x9 accordion albums. I am so happy with the way these turned out. I know you can't see much of each one here (kind of the point, don't want to spoil it for anyone). After Christmas, I'll share a couple. The front two don't have much in the way of embellishments yet--waiting on a CTMH order.





Oh, and if you're counting, the picture is missing one. I already gave my aunt and uncle theirs. They live in Utah, so I won't see them again before Christmas.

An old Technique I haven't used in a while...

Since I don't have a lot of new artwork lately, I thought I'd share an oldie, but goodie. Have you ever tried stamping with your acrylic stamps using the whole sheet? You leave the stamps on their sheet, ink the whole thing up and stamp. Makes for fun background paper. It is a little messy though.

Here's a layout I did a while back (pre-Cricut, hence the computer title). Sorry about the glare. Apparently, I was too lazy to take the page out of the protector when I took the picture. I used the whole Baseball set to stamp the green.

Yes, this is what Brendan and I do all day

People always ask how I get things done--well I just find something to keep Brendan busy--LOL

Here he is sitting on my counter watching Friends. Yes, the tv show Friends. He really believes that's what's supposed to be on that DVD player. Every time he comes in my scrap room, he tells me "Want to watch Friends". Today we upgraded to Nemo and that kept him busy for a good solid stretch.

This is what he was doing while I was cleaning up from my class. Apparently the cupboard is THE place to play cars. He was in there with the doors closed until I opened them to take a picture. He's a funny little guy.

Joy--Altered letters

After getting *most* of the glitter cleaned up after my class last night (we had lots of fun, but boy were we sparkly!), I actually had a little while to sit down and create something new. I've had these letters for a couple years now. I bought them to do our Christmas picture 2 years ago. Before--in their original function

After as a fun decoration

I used CTMH's Everlasting paper, the chipboard flourishes are TLC (thanks Kim), the other embellishments are ones my friend Cyndie put together while making "paper candy" for a craft fair we did. I'm happy with hey way they turned out. I thought about adding more, but thought they might then look too busy. Now to figure out where to put them...

Sorry for the lack of artwork

I actually have been working on a lot, but they're multiples of things I've already posted for gifts (coasters, drink charms, mini albums and of course, cards). Hopefully soon I'll have some time for new fun artwork. In the meantime, I've added some of my holiday favorites to my playlist and a Christmas tree at the bottom of my page. Be sure to leave me a gift and let me know you stopped by :) Enjoy your holiday season. I'm off to finish my holiday shopping (hopefully) today.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Weird, I signed in to my blog and was visitor 2222--don't know why, but it struck me as a little eerie--LOL. Anyway, I say BEGINNING to look like Christmas because I just didn't get very far in my Christmas decorating yesterday. We got home from shopping (yes I joined Mike at 9) around 2. Wait, I should re-phrase that. I got home at 2. We were at Kohl's and the line was wrapped clear around the store, so Mike gave up and brought the boys home. I waited in line for just under an hour and a half. The really sad part? I got a couple gifts, but most of it was for me--hee hee!

Then, when I got home, I had good intentions. We set up 2 of our 3 trees (haven't figured out where the third one is going to go yet). Yes, I am a Christmas freak. We probably have over a dozen big Rubbermaid containers of Christmas decorations. They take up one whole side of our garage. Anyway, I brought in half the boxes because the rest are too high for me to reach. Unfortunately, the boxes I brought in were all the gift wrap and kitchen goodies, a few ornaments and the angels for the tree tops. The boxes still out there have the rest of the ornaments and the majority of decorations.

So what happened? Why didn't we finish? Well...yesterday while at Costco, we purchased our family CHRISTMAS GIFT--a Nintendo Wii. Mike couldn't wait to set it up, so needless to say, we spent the rest of the evening playing. Sadly, the kids bowled with us for a while then got bored. Mike said maybe we should take it back since they didn't care and buy something more responsible, like the new bed we really NEED. I said, "No way! We'll just get a few more games that are kid-oriented!" Like I'm going to give it up now--LOL!

Hopefully, we'll finish decorating today. I also want to finish up all the handmade gifts, so I don't have to stress about those closer to Christmas. It's safe to say, I should get a lot done today--my shoulder hurts too bad from playing baseball last night, that I don't think I'm going to go near the darn Wii today. Man, I must be out of shape.

I have the best husband

in the whole world! Right now, as I type, he is out hitting the Black Friday sales. We were a little disappointed in the ads, and decided not to start at 4am (nothing we wanted that bad!). Currently he is at Best Buy (no surprise for a man), but he also hit Jo-Ann's at 6 this morning. I sent him out to get a tree they had on sale, because yes we NEED 3 Christmas trees--LOL! He said the store was a little scary with so many crazed women. Next stop is Costco, but the boys and I are going to try to get ready and meet him there. Before kids, he used to join my mom and I for our crazed shopping adventures, but now it's not so much fun to wake up sleeping children and deal with their grumpiness all day.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We went to Knott's Berry Farm on Wednesday and then to my aunt's house yesterday. She put together such a nice meal and it was so wonderful to get to spend the day with that side of the family. I am missing my mom and sister like crazy. At least I should get to see my sis for Christmas, but not my mom. I'm sad because this is the first year of my life that I haven't spent Thanksgiving or Christmas with her. But airline tickets are just not in the budget this year. She is coming down in a couple weeks though, so we'll have to celebrate early. Well, I'd better get ready--there is shopping yet to do :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

We'll be away from the computer for the next couple days, so I wanted to wish everyone a great Thanksgiving. I hope you all get to spend it with those you love.