Sophia Sneak Peek and H2H Challenge

Just a few more days until the new Close To My Heart catalog goes live! I am just loving each and every paper pack in there! I wish I could buy them all :) In the meantime, I've been playing with Sophia today. The fun pinks and green aren't my usual pallette with two boys, but with Valentine's Day coming up, I figure they work.

The card is one I created for the Heart 2 Heart Challenge blog. The challenge this week was to use an animal, bird, or insect. The stamps in this card come from the Sophia Workshop On The Go.

I am doing a scrapbook party for my friend Michelle this week. This layout is the project we'll be creating as the make n' take. I used the new Sophia papers again. I also used the new Bohemian Alphabet, which I am LOVING! This may well be my favorite alphabet set ever! I also used Affection, which features the adorable heart flowers, Mini Sparkles, and Blush buttons.

Halloween Fun

The challenge this week on Heart 2 Heart Challenges was o create something with a Halloween theme. I've had these letters for a couple years now. This seemed like a perfect opportunity to have some fun with them. I used Hooligans papers and the little felt monsters. The other stickers were some I'd had from SEI.

A couple close up shots.

Here's a few fun Halloween cards:

This one keeps coming up sideways--sorry. I used Hooligans papers and Little Spooks and Thriller stamps.

October Word Puzzle stamps and Grown With Love.

This one I made a while ago. The spiderwebs are from the Happy Haunting set, and are embossed in white. The witch is from Little Spooks.

Another older card. This used the Happy Haunting set.

I hope you have a fun, safe Halloween. The kids are looking forward to trick or treating tonight. None of us are looking forward to getting up for school tomorrow!

H2H Embossing Challenge

This week's Heart 2 Heart challenge was embossing, which I LOVE! I used clear embossing powder on glossy white paper. I sponged using Crystal Blue, Indian Corn Blue, and Outdoor Denim. Stamp sets I used were Twas the Night Before Christmas, Holiday Trinkets (snowflakes), and Magical Season. I wish I would have more time to play, I would have created even more cards using dry embossing and vellum embossing.

However, we've had a crazy weekend that included the pumpkin patch and shopping for Halloween costumes on top of cleaning and organizing. Plus Friday will be the end of the quarter, so I'm trying to catch up on grading this weekend. Darn crazy life!

Tomorrow I'll be posting some of the fun pictures from the pumpkin patch. I love fall and all the fun photo opportunities it brings!

H2H Challenge--Birthday Cards

I decided to work on some kids birthday cards for this week's Heart2Heart Challenge. I used Reach for the Stars stamp set, Stardust papers, and Prismacolor pencils. I'm hoping to make a few more birthday cards later, but we'll see how the day goes.



We took the boys roller skating yesterday. They had gone over the summer with their camp, and they've been begging us to go again. It was the first time I've been on skates in years. It was fun, but I'm definitely feeling it today :) Poor Brendan is even worse off. His elbows and knees are covered in bruises. He fell every few feet, but refused to take a break or stop. It paid off, though. By the end, he was going around a couple times without falling. I'm sure we'll be going back again soon. Next time, I'll remember the camera!

H2H Challenge Boy Card

The challenge over at Heart2 Heart Challenges this week was to 1) Use an alphabet, 2) Make a boy card/project, and 3) Use the color chocolate. I used Route 66 papers, Doodle Alphabet, and Family Ties Children stamps.

Hooligans Cards and H2h Sketch Challenge

I put together a few cards using Hooligans papers, Party Animal stamps and the sketch from Heart 2 Heart Challenges. I was having a little trouble with my new markers. I'm sure it's user error, but the ink kept pooling on me. Someday I'm going to have to jump on the Copic bandwagon. On the first card, I also used Hooligans assortment stickers.

A Sentiment Challenge and a Creative Journey

The challenge on the Heart 2 Heart Challenge blog this week was to use sentiment stamps. My first two attempts didn't turn out how I thought, but I'll get to that in a moment. This card is a simple one. I used a variety of thank you stamps to create a background. One of the things I love about CTMH stamps is that I can put multiple stamps on one block to create a background stamp. Besides thank you stamps, I used Shining Star stamps and Ocean ink/cardstock. This color is on the retired list, so I'm trying to use it up.

My other attempt started with this flower:

I've seen lots of flowers lately with the border punches and decided to give it a try. I stamped it with the type stamp from Noted Backgrounds. I loved the flower, but it was too big for this card:

I substituted a smaller stamped flower, but then it looked bare. I added a little Cocoa ribbon, and it's a little better.

I still hadn't used my other flower, so back to the drawing board. I created a similar 6 x 6 cards, but I still feel like something is missing or the flower is too overwhelming or the color is off. I don't know. I got frustrated and gave up. Maybe I'll have better inspiration after it has sat for a couple days.

The sentiment is from Follow Your Dreams. The paper is from the Unforgettable paper pack.

Life has been pretty busy. I had a conference for school the last two days, so I don't feel like I've had much of a weekend. We did get to watch Boise State put a whoopin' on Wyoming, so that was good. I will be posting my pictures from our Rock Star day tomorrow, so be sure to come back :)

H2H Challenge--Fall Colors

This color combination screamed fall to me. The color challenge was New England Ivy, Autumn Terracotta, and Honey. When I was looking for paper, I came across a sheet I had random stamped ages ago. I was excited that it matched perfectly. It does have a little Barn Red, too. I stamped a few more leaves, a saying, and viola--this card :)

Stamps: Because of You and Autumn Splendor.

This card makes me excited for fall and all the fun that accompanies it: Halloween, pumpkins, scarecrows, the corn maze, Thanksgiving, and of course, the changing leaves. Bring it on!

School is plugging along. I'm loving my classes this year. The two 7th grade classes are only 19 kids each, so that is a nice change. We had Back to School Night last Thursday. This week is dress up day for our upcoming school auction. The theme this year is "School of Rock." I've been busy today putting the finishing touches on the costumes, and I'll be posting pics later this week of the boys and I in all our rock star glory. Can't wait!

Stitched Up--H2H Challenge

The challenge this week for Heart 2 Heart Challenges was to use stitching on your project. I do not own a sewing machine, nor would I know how to use one if I did, so all my stitching has to be done by hand. I chose to use stitching as corner accents on my cards.

I have had the Grown With Love stamp set from CTMH since last fall, and I have yet to ink it up. Today I decided to finally give it a go.

The first card uses Cherry-O papers, Grown With Love, and Thank You Card Chatter.

The second card uses some scraps of an old CTMH promotion, Cocoa Cafe. I also used Grown With Love and July SOTM stamps.

This weekend, we FINALLY put sod in our backyard. We had to wait most of the summer for a concrete company that was willing to put in the sidewalk for us. Friday, we had the sod delivered, and our fabulous neighbors came over to help us get it hauled to the back and rolled out--all 2,000 sq. feet! It was like a good old fashioned barn raising :) I don't know who is happier the kiddos or the dogs.

This week also marked the beginning of the school year. I can't believe my oldest is in third grade and my BABY is in kindergarten. Life moves too fast!! Though I will be happy to have a routine again, I am very sad summer is over. I love being at home with the boys and traveling. From here on out, we'll be crazy busy, and I'm sure it will be Christmas before we know it.

H2H Challenge--Sketch

I think I might be too late to actually get this card in for the sketch challenge. I finished the card this afternoon, but didn't have time to post it. My guys decided to head to the lake for some swimming, then to dinner. We just got home.

I love this card. It's a nice farewell to summer. I officially head back to work on Wednesday (although I'll be over in my room the next couple days), and school starts next Monday. I'm having mixed feelings. It's hard to give up the relaxing summer spent with the family, but it will be nice to have a routine again. Plus I'm looking forward to small 7th grade classes this year. A nice change from the class of 32 I had last year. Although, I will still have last year's class for Literature, so that will be fun, too.

My card for the sketch challenge used Moon Doggie papers with Surf's Up, Beach Party (bucket) and Relax stamp sets. I paper pieced the umbrella to match and tore the Desert Sand paper for the beach sand look.

Here's the sketch:

Here's the original card I made for the sketch a few days ago. It just didn't turn out how I pictured it in my head, no matter how I tweaked it and turned it. I hate it when that happens. I think maybe it was overkill on the scalloped circles or the colors, or the stamped stitching on the ruffle. I don't know. I used Unforgettable papers with Treasures, Simple Stitches, and Piece of Cake. I used glitter on the flowers and made the paper ruffle with patterned paper.

H2H Tag Challenge--MacGyver Style

My card for the Heart 2 Heart Challenge this week was quite the challenge. I had brought a few scrapbook supplies with me on the trip, and I knew I'd never get one made and posted after getting home tomorrow night. While the guys were all in the pool this evening, I decided to try my hand at a tag card. No easy task at a little table in a hotel room, but I was having scrapping withdrawals.

I used Splendor papers and the Hot Diggity stamp set. I love this little owl. I didn't have any ribbon with me, so I had to fake it with some background paper :)

Last night I got to meet one of my stamping idols, Sparkle Smith. I've been blogging/facebook friends with Sparkle for gosh, I don't know, four years or so. When she heard we were going to be in Seattle, she suggested we meet up. While I would have loved a stamping play date, that wouldn't have been fair to my family, so we went to dinner instead. I must say, she is a sweetheart in person :)

If you haven't seen her blog or her new line of stamps, be sure to check them out!!

H2H Challenge--Color

The challenge this week on Heart 2 Heart Challenges was to use Vineyard Berry, Blush and Creme Brulee. My card is a simple one using a sketch from Clean and Simple Scrapbooking. I don't love the card, but time was tight this week. In fact, I took the photo in a hotel room in Seattle :)

Speaking of Seattle, we drove here yesterday. Last night we took the ferry out to Bainbridge Island from Seattle. It was the first time on a ferry for the boys and I. My mom drove with me, since Mike was already here for work. Today we're going to go over to Pike;s Place Market, and then take my mom back to the airport. The boys and I are going to spend the week exploring Seattle, while Mike works. Then next Saturday, we're planning to go whale watching before heading home on Sunday.

H2H Challenge--Get Scrappy

The challenge this week on the H2H Challenge Blog was to use scraps to make Father's Day projects. I have lots of scraps left over from the scrapbook project I did with my students. I have bags of strips and small pieces to put to use.



The first card used Back Country scraps. I used Backwoods and Say It in Style stamps.


The rest of the cards use papers from the Passages paper pack. Ironically, I've never created any other projects with these papers. I really love the colors. I'm going to have to order a pack for my own projects. I used my Cricut (Opposites Attract), Vintage Father's Day stamps, and various accessories.


That takes care of the cards I need to mail out. I still have a few more to make. Right now, we need to get out and go shopping and to the post office.

H2H Challenge

One of the things I'm hoping to do during this summer break is actually get to spend some quality time in my scrap room. I was so happy to have time to play in this week's Heart 2 Heart Challenge. I've been wanting to for the last couple weeks, but no time. This week, I got to make not one, but two cards.



This week was a card sketch:



My first card used Cherry O papers and the stamp set that came with the WOTG. I used Tulip buttons for the cherries and the velvet ribbon from the Creative Basics set. Hard to tell in the picture, but I used Liquid Glass on the buttons to give them a shine.





For the next card I flipped the sketch on it's side. The second card used You Rock papers, Shining Star stamps, and the stamps that came with the WOTG set. I also used Sparkles to give it a little shine.