Christmas is over....time for New Year's...

Well, the hectic Christmas time is over and I believe I won't recover until next weekend...  Hubby and I visited both his and my families, spending Christmas morning with his family and Christmas afternoon with mine....I got to watch all the nephews and nieces open their presents...And I have to say that there is nothing better than seeing the 4 year old come down and look at what Santa left for him!! 

So we're closing out 2011 and entering into 2012....I usually have a hard time keeping resolutions....I did cut back on scrappy supply spending this year, which was one of my resolutions.  For 2012, hubby and I talked and decided to make a joint resolution....We're going to try a new recipe once a week....I think this came from my upgrade of cooking utensils this year.  After receiving new Paula Deen cookware and a Paula Deen knife set this year, I am going to put them to good use.  So every week, we are going to scour both cookbooks and the internet for a somewhat-easy recipe and make it together.  Not only will this prevent us from eating fast food one night a week, but we will also get to spend time together...

Another one of my resolutions is to scrapbook more.  I have tons of supplies and it never seems like I have time to do anything with them.  So I am setting a goal of at least one project a week.....whether it's a layout, card, or other project.  Maybe I will be able to get some crafty time in this weekend....

This weekend, I think hubby and I will go out for New Year's Eve....we usually stay in, but I think we're just going to go to the local American Legion, which is about a minute drive from our house.  We'll spend the night with the family at the Legion....

Look for more projects in the New Year!  I hope to get more followers (another one of my 2012 goals). 

Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas Eve....

Well, all the presents are wrapped, the food is made (just needs to be baked), and I can relax...phew....We kind of procrastinated....getting all the gifts way late and not wrapping until last night... We definitely pulled a late-nighter getting them all finished up at 2am....(yawn)

This year, hubby's family is making gifts for everyone....so I made everyone some glittered ornaments as shown in a previous post here: Glittered Ornaments.  I was also looking for another project and came across an idea in the November/December 2011 of Paper Crafts....On the cover they had a mason jar candle holder.  Using that basic set up, I tweaked it a little.

Starting with a mason jar, I found a votive holder that would sit in the mouth of the jar.  Then, I made bands to wrap around the jar out of paper.  I cut a vintage Christmas greeting out of Graphic 45 paper.   I finished the jar up by wrapping twine around the lip, tying a bow, and adhering a poinsettia on top of the bow.  I made 4 of these and filled them with different treats for the family....

 Supplies used:

• mason jars
• votive holder
• super tape
• glue dots
• May Arts Twine
• Martha Stewart Punch: Infinite Double Loops
• gold metallic cardstock
• Graphic 45 Christmas Past Collection
• Petaloo Red Velvet Poinsettias

Thanks for looking!  Merry Christmas!

A new card....

Had the work Christmas party tonight!  I always have such a great time at these parties.... I am really fortunate to work with such a great group of people!!   :)

I have been pretty inspired this week so I've made a few cards......

This first one is a Happy Anniversary card.  I'm just making a few cards here and there to have 'just in case'. 

Using Tim Holtz' Natures Moments (CMS001), I stamped the 'weed' in both Wild Honey and Crushed Olive Distress Ink on white card stock measuring 3-1/4" x 5-1/2".  Then, the sentiment from Hero Arts Everyday Sayings (cl342) was stamped in Forest Moss Distress Ink.  Then, I tied May Arts twine around the bottom of the white cardstock and adhered it to the metallic green background.

I'll post another one (maybe two)  this weekend.  Thanks for stopping!

A Design Team entry....

I had recently applied for the Spellbinders Design Team and I found out today that I didn't make it to the next round.    Since I didn't make it, I am now permitted to show the entry so here it is:

Supplies:

• Bo Bunny Snowfall: (Wintertime, Blizzard, Drift)
• Bo Bunny Snowfall Trinkets
• Hero Arts Earth & Sea Dots
• Pink Paislee Snow Day Wood Shapes
• Kaisercraft Pearl Strips
• Distress Stain: Faded Jeans & Picket Fence
• Spellbinders dies: Create a Flake 2 & 3
• White Pearl Cardstock
• Kraft Glassine
• Alcohol Ink: Denim
• May Arts Ribbon

And just because I didn't make this design team, doesn't mean I'm giving up.  I do have a few more that I have applied for and am waiting on responses.  Well, back to the craft room to finish gifts....We're getting closer and closer to being done!  Yay!!

Thanks for stopping!  :)

A new Christmas project...

Hubby's family agreed to make Christmas gifts this year and I have been struggling with what to make for everyone with the little time we have.  So I have been scouring the internet and magazines and found a few ideas....I stumbled upon another blog called  My Pink Mexico and found a tutorial on Glittered Christmas Ornaments. 

First of all, if you know me I love the look of glitter, but I hate messing with it.  I'm a Stickles gal....very little mess, no glittered critters, and easy clean-up.  So when I saw this tutorial, I first thought that it was going to be messy and I wouldn't want to fool with it.  I was way wrong!  The tutorial was easy to follow and the designer's instructions were phenomenal.  And the best thing about it is that it was fairly cheap!  All I needed were clear glass/plastic ornaments, glitter, and Pledge Floor Care!  The only expensive thing about this project was the glitter....I bought the whole Martha Stewart sample kit of 24 glitters....mainly because we live in the middle of nowhere and no one seemed to have glitter in colors....I just love the sparkle!!  Check them out!

On another note, our tree is up!  It finally feels like Christmas with the tree up.  It's a pre-lit color tree and I added a string of my favorite multi-function lights..My 10 year old strand of multi-function lights went to light strand heaven last year..I almost cried....But I found an LED strand at Wal-Mart this year and snatched them up!  Since I am a snowman nut, 98% of the ornaments on this tree are snowmen; the few exceptions being ornaments for the pups and cats....

Well, I'm off to bed...Nighty night...

A Christmas Tradition....

"It's that time...Christmas time is here..Everybody knows there's not a better time of year...Hear that sleigh, Santa's on his way.  Hip hip hooray, it's Christmas Vacation..."

Yep, it's that time....We've managed to watch our favorite Christmas movie, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, three times already this season... Both hubby and I had the same traditions in our families.  We'd always watch Christmas Vacation together with our parents at least once during the holiday season.  It seems now that we watch it every time it is on....(As I write this post, we are watching it on TV.  LOL)  It's nice to have Christmas traditions and this one always manages to bring the family together for at least two hours.  We drop everything and sit together, in our festive pajamas normally, and watch Clark W. Griswold, Cousin Eddie, and their Christmas hijinks..And this movie never gets old, even though we all manage to quote it throughout the year....


On a crafty note, I'm getting more and more anxious about hearing news about my Spellbinders entry...They are supposed to announce them on December 14....2 more days....I'm crossing my fingers that I make it to the next round...  :)  There are a few others accepting applications for Design Teams right now, so if I don't make it on to the next round at Spellbinders, I can always try again!!

Well, the movie is over, so I'm off to the sack....

I did it...

Yep...I took the plunge...I did it...I tried out for a design team...The Spellbinders Paper Arts Design Team to be exact...I sent in the application and the photo of the layout this afternoon....Got the confirmation of receipt...Now the waiting starts.....  Three rounds of competition before placement on the design team.  I'm happy just to have the chance to apply!  Won't be posting the project on the blog anytime in the near future, but I will tell you it features Bo Bunny and Spellbinders!  teehee...

On another note, a BIG Congrats to my darling hubby John for his pending graduation from Urbana University tomorrow....graduation with honors I might add!  (I might be a teensy bit proud...teehee)  Hubby has worked hard; having a full-time job, bowling for the university team, schoolwork, and putting up with the wifey and his efforts are paying off.  He will have a dual Bachelor's degree in Business Management and Criminal Justice.  Congrats to you hubby!!  Love you and so very proud of you!

Well, I am off to my warm toasty bed to catch up on the lost sleep that the cat thieved! Hoping to get some projects done on Sunday, as tomorrow will be spent celebrating my graduate hubby!  Have a good one!

Winter Tags....

This set is another pair from the vault....These tags were featured in two classes last year at the Scrapbook Outlet. 

Both have backgrounds created with my favorite Distress Inks. 

The tag on the left was first embossed with the Tall Pines Texture Fade.  I created the background using various Distress Inks, going lightly over the trees.  Then, using a marker nib, I colored the embossed trees using Forest Moss and Brushed Corduroy.  Then, I created a stamped tree using Forest Moss and a pine bough stamp.  Spray entire tag with Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls mist.  I finished with a wooden button and some hemp twine.

The tag on the right was inked with Distress Inks and a snowflake was stamped on the background using Chipped Sapphire.  Then, a piece of dotted grungeboard was die cut with the Winter Wonder die, making sure to have two snowflakes.  The snowman was then painted with Adirondack Paint Dabbers in white and black.  His arms were inked with Brushed Corduroy Distress ink.  The snowman's eyes were made with black enamel accents and his nose, with Spiced Marmalade Distress Stickles.  Out of grungepaper, I die cut a fence from the On the Fence die and painted it with Weathered Wood Crackle paint.  When using Crackle Paint, I made sure to paint a layer about as thick as peanut butter on there.  It takes a bit to dry, but once it starts cracking, you can slowly heat it to speed it up.  Then, out of the Seasonal Paper Stash, I cut out a little sign and made a post out of scrap grungepaper, inking it with Walnut Stain to color it. The snowflakes were painted white and then coated with a thin layer of Rock Candy Distress Stickles.  Distress Stickles can be dried with a heat gun, unlike all other Stickles..  :)  After all the pieces are dry, assemble tag, adhering pieces with glossy accents.

Hope you enjoy these tags!  I'm off to work on some Design Team submissions!  Thanks for looking!!


Supplies used:

Tag #1 (left)

• Sizzix Alterations Pine Trees
• Distress Inks: Stormy Sky, Wild Honey, Bundled Sage (bkgd); Forest Moss, Brushed Corduroy
• Perfect Pearls Mist: Heirloom Gold
• hemp twine
• wooden button
• marker nib
• Pine Bough Stamp from Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous CMS066

Tag #2 (right)

• Distress Inks: Tumbled Glass, Bundled Sage, Stormy Sky, Pumice Stone (bkgd); Brushed Corduroy (arms); Chipped Sapphire (snowflakes)
• Enamel Accents: black
• Distress Stickles: Rock Candy, Spiced Marmalade
• Distress Crackle Paint: Weathered Wood
• Adirondack Paint Dabbers: white, black
• Sizzix Alterations: Winter Wonder
• Grunge Snowflakes Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous CMS098

An experiment...

I made this project earlier this year.  We got some 5" x 5" canvases in at the store and I wanted to attempt a wall hanging.  I first sealed the canvas with gesso, which seals the canvas and prevents it from soaking up any color.  I then sprayed the canvas with color washes in Sailboat Blue and Sunset Orange and heat dried it with a heat gun.  These two colors will make a touch of green.  To make the flowers, I first adhered some 7 Gypsies paper to a piece of Grungepaper using glossy accents.  After it dries, I then die-cut flowers using the Tattered Florals die.  Each flower was inked with Mustard Seed, Fired Brick, Worn Lipstick, and Spiced Marmalade.

I die-cut vines using the Elegant Flourishes die and grungepaper.  The vines were colored with Forest Moss.  All the pieces were then glued to the canvas using glossy accents; gluing the vine down first and layering the flowers on top.  The wood button, which was colored with Sunset Orange Color wash, was threaded with hemp and adhered to the large flower.  I then took Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls and sprayed the whole canvas.  (I love this stuff!!)  Then, I took an adage ticket and attached it to the canvas using a memo pin....

I really enjoyed playing around with the different mediums while making this canvas....It proved to be a bit messy.. I looked like a smurf when I was done with the color washes!!  LOL

Supplies

• Distress Inks: Forest Moss, Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Worn Lipstick, Fired Brick
• Color Washes: Sailboat Blue, Sunset Orange
• Perfect Pearls Mist: Heirloom Gold
• paper: 7 Gypsies Conservatory Collection: Mesofauna
• 5" x 5" canvas
• Sizzix Alterations Dies: Tattered Florals and Elegant Flourishes
• hemp
• Tim Holtz Idea-ology: Memo Pins, Adage Tickets
• wooden button
• glossy accents
• heat gun

Thanks for stopping!!!

A Christmas Tag...

I found this oldie, but goodie and realized I hadn't posted this one yet.  This is one of my all-time favorites.

Using a #8 mailing tag, the background was created using Barn Door, Peeled Paint, and Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks.  I quickly heat set it with a heat gun.  Then, I took one of the Tim Holtz 'Bitty Grunge' stamps and using black archival ink, stamped across the bottom of the tag, creating a grass-like effect.  Using the pine bough stamp from the Tim Holtz 'Retro Holiday' and both sepia archival ink and Pine Needles Distress Ink, ink the stamp.  The image was stamped a few times toward the top of the tag, reinking between each stamp.  Then, because Distress Ink can act as an embossing ink, I added Pine Needles Distress embossing powder onto the image.  The powder will only stick to the Distress Ink.  Heat the embossing powder to set.  I then took a piece of harlequin grungeboard and die-cut the Sizzix Alterations Reindeer Flight.  Then, I inked the reindeer with Walnut Stain and immediately embossed with clear embossing powder.  I used black Enamel Accents for the eyes and Christmas Red Stickles for Rudolph's nose.  For the tag in the bottom left-hand corner, I took a Fragment and adhered a piece of Tim Holtz Seasonal Paper Stash to the back using Glossing Accents.  Then, all the pieces were adhered to the tag.  The tag was finished off with some fibers as an accent at the top.

Supplies Used:

• #8 Mailing tag
• Distress Inks: Barn Door, Spiced Marmalade, Peeled Paint, Pine Needles
• Archival Inks: Jet Black, Sepia
• Sizzix Alterations Reindeer Flight
• Grungeboard: Harlequin
• Glossy Accents
• Enamel Accents: Black
• Stickles: Christmas Red
• Distress Embossing Powders: Pine Needles
• Foam Applicator
• Seasonal Paper Stash
• Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Collection: Retro Holiday and Bitty Grunge
• fibers

Thanks for stopping!

An early 2012 goal...

It's snowing outside!!  And it's sticking!  Woohoo!  I'm a snow-lover, much to the disgust of many of my friends!  I have always loved snow..  And the first snow of the year (one that accumulates that is) always puts me in the mood for Christmas!!  Granted, we're only supposed to get 1"-3", it's still going to be amazing and gorgeous to me!!  (I really don't think we are going to get anywhere near the 3" mark...in fact, I'd be surprised if we hit the 1" mark!!)


One of my goals for 2012 is to become a member of a paper crafting design team.  I always see all of the Design Team calls and am never confident enough.  I've decided to put all my apprehensions aside and go for it.  There's a couple of calls coming up including Spellbinders (which I have just become addicted to) and SRM Press (which have some AWESOME stickers). 

I hope to have enough time this weekend to get working on the Spellbinders one as it is due 12/9.  I've got a lot of ideas going around in my head already for that one.  The first round only requires one project to submit and then there are two other rounds to get through if you make it.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed...

A big shout out to my girl Sherrie who just found out that she made a Design Team for a new paper crafting company in the US!  Congrats girl!! 

A trip to the theatre....

Tomorrow, I get to go and see Les Miserables!!  I am so excited!  I have never seen it on stage live, just on TV....Love this show!  Love the music and can't wait to hear all the songs live!!  There's something to be said about the live theatre!  The lights, costumes, sets, and orchestra....So cool.  This'll be the second show I have seen.  The first was Cabaret and that show was amazing too!  I guess you could say I love the theatre!!

Was messin' around on the internet tonight and found a new scrappy site that I love.  Mainly because of the tutorial videos!  I'm totally digging all of the tutorials on copics and stamping that are on here....(not to mention the awesome stamps like Impression Obsession that they have)...Definitely, a new favorite for me.  Check it out: http://www.ilovemementos.blogspot.com/

Well, I'm off to bed now....Still in a Twilight coma.  I don't think I will ever catch up on my sleep!!

Amazing....and a card, too....

The word that describes Breaking Dawn.....AMAZING!  It was everything I thought it would be and more...I have seen it twice now....and I'm anxiously waiting to go see it again....The special effects were spectacular....especially toward the end of the film...It's only 361 days until part 2 comes out and I can't wait!!!  Eek!!

Okay, now that my little Twihard moment is over...haha...I started the Christmas cards last night at the crop.  I decided I am only making 30 handmade cards..  I'm using techniques I learned during my Online Card Class the past few weeks...Used the following products:

• Ranger Distress Ink: Evergreen Bough, Stormy Sky
• Ranger Perfect Pearls Mists: Perfect Pearl
• Hero Arts Watercolor Paper
• Die-namics Snowflake Trio
• Kaisercraft Christmas Mini Stamps
• Memory Box Round Buttons Die
• Twine

And this is the result.....

Having issues with the camera so this was taken with the cell phone camera.  The colors are better on the card in person.

Working with a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of watercolor paper, I embossed the background with the Tim Holtz Sizzix.  Then, I inked the background with the Evergreen Bough and Stormy Sky Distress Inks.  After inking, I spritzed the card heavily with the perfect pearls mist.  The background was then dried with a heat gun.   The snowflake diecut was also spritzed with the pearls mist.  The button diecut was inked with the Stormy Sky ink and threaded with twine.  The banner was handcut out of white cardstock, edges were inked with the Stormy Sky, and 'Merry Christmas' sentiment stamped on it with black archival ink.  The button was layered on top of the snowflake and then adhered with a glue dot to the banner.  Then, the banner was adhered to the background which, in turn, was glued to the embossed background.  The whole assembly is glued to an a2 card using tacky tape.

I hope to keep posting projects on the blog as time allows...Got a busy week ahead....Les Miserables with Raine on Tuesday and then of course, Thanksgiving and a tryptophan nap (hehe) on Thursday....Hope to get a little crafty time in too between stuffing my face and putting up Christmas decorations....

Scrapbooking Addictions....and other addictions...

Ok, so as a scrapbooker, I have a lot of addictions....Paper, Tim Holtz products, Cricut cartridges, embossing folders...the list goes on and on....Now, there is a new addiction, courtesy of a couple of scrappy friends (who shall remain nameless)....I have an addiction to dies....Memory Box to be exact....

I can't believe how ornate the designs are....snowflakes, trees, grapevine wreaths, borders....You name it, they have it....So, I placed a 'controlled' order for 7 total dies and am itching for them to arrive...My personal favorite is to the right....the Bianca Snowflake...

So while I await the arrival of more dies....yay...I have something to keep me occupied at least for 9 hours or so....Tomorrow night is the night....Breaking Dawn comes out Friday morning!!!  So excited....A group of 4 of us are going to watch a Twilight marathon...I cannot wait!!!  I am such a total Twihard, it's not even funny!  And I've even got my new Twilight shirt to wear to theater...It's going to be such a long day (and night for that matter) but it will be totally worth the exhaustion just to see Breaking Dawn the first night... And to tell the truth, I'll probably go see it again this weekend....  :)

Until later....  :)

Less than three weeks....

As I was flipping through the channels tonight, I came across one of my favorite movies: Twilight.   So I am sitting here watching it for like the 50th time (seriously) and all of sudden, I got excited for Breaking Dawn....We are only 18 days out from the release and I can't wait...I've already got my marathon tickets for all of them.  Yep, that's right....I am seeing all of the Twilight Saga that night....(Call me crazy, right?)  This will be the third year that we have seen the previous movies the same night.  I love watching all of them the same night!  So I will be counting down now...rereading the books, watching the movies again....I can't wait!!

Still unknown....

Well, I was SUPPOSED to go to the dermatologist today to find out about the wonderful rash all over my face.  Just call me scarface...Well, they called and cancelled on me yesterday afternoon...BLAH!  But I called my brother, who works in a practice in Columbus, and he gave me a list of dermatologists in C-bus.  Called the first name on the list today and got in there on Tuesday.  I don't mind driving over an hour to go...I just need answers...I have had this for almost two months now and it's getting more uncomfortable and more embarrassing....

We have HOT water!!!  On the plus side, our water heater is fixed.  It was only a heating element and only cost $25 to fix.  I never knew how thankful I would be for hot water to return!!

Watching VH1 right now...The best songs of the 2000s....It just made me realize how many songs I need on my Ipod....Lots of good songs in the 2000s.....

Off to watch more TV....Have to work tomorrow and then hopefully I can get the scrap room back in shape so I can work on some things this weekend....

When it rains, it pours....

Metaphorically and literally....Last night we had quite the downpour in the middle of the night..

Metaphorically: #1) Two months ago, my face broke out in this killer rash.  Thought it was just something I ate.  After a month, I went to the doctor and he gave me a steroid (twice I might add) and it hasn't cleared up.  So I am headed to the dermatologist on Friday.  #2) The washer kicked the bucket right before vacation.  It pseudo works, but doesn't spin all the time and sometimes it overfills and floods the bathroom...Yay!  #3) Hubby e-mails me at work saying there's no hot water.  I didn't notice really because I don't take hot showers...Great!

So now we need to fork out mucho dollars for a doctor, a washer, and a water heater!  Yay!

Just needed to vent a little...Hoping to get some crafting time this week....

Back from vacation....

So we're back from the week in the Smokies....We kept busy all week...Stayed in a gorgeous cabin in Sevierville.  The cabin was on a mountain and the drive up was a little intimidating the first time.  Lots of winding roads and steep climbs..  We think our Jeep is completely ticked off at us now...LOL

We played a lot of putt putt (golf golf as our nephew called it) and rode quite a few go carts.   Also did a lot of eating....and I mean a LOT!  Made our regular stops to the Pancake Pantry, Flapjacks, and The Red Rooster.  And ...I got to go to Paula Deen's kitchen!!  I was so excited to eat there.....Words cannot describe how yummy the food was....Fried Chicken, mac & cheese, meatloaf, and as John said, the best brownies we have ever had.....OMG they were fabulous!!

It was absolutely gorgeous down there.  All the leaves had started to change and temps couldn't be any better.  One day, as we were driving to Cherokee through the park, we encountered snow in the higher elevations.  It definitely was strange to see the sun shining down in the lower elevations and see the snow higher up.

As soon as I get pics uploaded, I will post a few more here....This one was taken on my cell phone of the snow on the ground......

Tennesse Bound!

I am so looking forward to our annual trek tomorrow to Tennessee!!  I am definitely needing the break!!  It'll be nice to get away from the stresses of life for just a little bit....From what I hear, the colors are spectacular already down there!  I cannot wait...

One whole week of this:

See you later....after I am refreshed from my hiatus!

One more week....

I can't even put into words how excited I am that vacation is only one week away!  I cannot wait to be back in the mountains again!!  So much to do though before going....Laundry and cleaning and laundry and packing.....eek....But in one week I will be in the Smokies!!  YES!!

I got to go to a dinner theatre for the first time today.  Hubby's grandma got tickets to La Comedia for myself, his sis, niece, mom, and aunt! The show was good and the food was great and then after eating all the sweet potato souffle, we stopped at The Cheesecake Factory for some pumpkin cheesecake....Yum!

So I guess I should get back to the laundry so I can start packing...It's going to be a long week....I can feel it!

Missing...

Today is the 6th anniversary of my Mom's passing.  She battled cancer for almost 5 months and fought a very hard, tough battle.  Mom still managed to smile even when she was hooked up to chemo or had tubes coming out of her back. Watching her battle taught me to cherish every moment because you never know what the next moment will bring.

They say it gets easier as time marches on, but I don't think so.  I think you just learn to deal with it.  I still have moments where something gets me and I end up in tears.  I'm sad because I know my future kids will never know her, but I know she'll always be with me, watching over me. 

Miss and love you Mom!

Where did my weekend go?

I would like to know where my weekend went please....I feel like I haven't had a day off....

I just keep thinking of this place and being there for a week next month!  Yeah, I know....I'm excited!!!  Just have to get through a few more weeks!!

I need a vacation....

Our yearly excursion to Tennessee can't come soon enough!!  I love the Smokies in TN so much...I'd actually love to live down there someday in the mountains.....Maybe when we retire!!

Since we're less than a month out from vacation, I decided to post a recent layout from our trip last year!

This is part of a two page layout that I did for some of the many pictures from our October 2010 trip to the Smokies.  John and I went on a hike up at Clingman's dome and also near a creek just inside the park.  We were there over Halloween last year and the colors were phenomenal!  I could never take enough pictures of the foliage down there!  So many beautiful colors.....And it seems like we don't have those colors here in Ohio...

We're going back again next month, a little earlier than we went last year, but it will still be just as beautiful.  We're going with hubby's mom and step-dad, and his little nephew Will.  Will is 4 and an absolute riot so I am sure that we will have a blast down there with him.

We've rented a cabin with a spectacular view and I am so looking forward to time away from everything.  It'll be nice to relax after Oktoberfest and get a little breather from work...We're going to G-burg and Pigeon Forge and of course all of the touristy things: WonderWorks, Magiquest, Ripley's Aquarium.  And of course we're going to play lots of Putt-Putt....I can't wait to wake up in the morning and sit on the porch and see this view:

                                                                                                  
Off to finish watching the Bucks and then to the craft room to finish work on Oktoberfest.  Later! 

Been busy....real busy....

Ever get to a point in your life where you feel like you don't have a chance to breathe??  That's how the past couple of months have been!!  Between work, a garage sale, vacation planning, and Oktoberfest prep I haven't had a free second!  Good news is that after the first weekend of October, the stress should be gone and I should have more free time!!

Speaking of Oktoberfest, we (hubby included) are churning out alcohol inked altered dominoes.  We're making them into magnets, pins, and pendants.  There won't be so many pendants because they are such a pain in to make!  I'm not much of a jewelry maker....

I am SO glad the Fall tv has started....Been busy watching X Factor, Survivor, Vampire Diaries, Secret Circle (a new fave), ANTM, Glee, and a few others....The TV relieves some stress!!

Well, back to making some dominoes.   I'll post more when Oktoberfest is done on 10/1.  Fingers crossed for a good showing at my first craft show!!

Missing for the past month...

Well, I have been 'missing' from the blog world for the last month.  I have been a very busy gal lately....

First off, Alicia came down from Chi-town for the weekend of July 22 for two concerts.  We had 6th row for our boys, Rascal Flatts, at Riverbend in Cinci...Justin Moore, Easton Corbin, and Sara Evans also were on the Flatts Fest tour!  Awesome show, but boy was it HOT!!!  And of course it was an outdoor concert, so there was no escaping the heat!  Thank goodness for the bottled water the venue provided.  I don't think I have ever been as sweaty as that night.  (I know, gross!) But it was an awesome show as usual and I'm looking forward to my 8th concert!!

Then on the Sunday we finally got to see New Kids On the Block in concert.  Alicia and I were both fans when we were kids.  (I was in the fourth grade when I discovered them!  LOL)  So when we heard they were touring with the Backstreet Boys, who we had already seen in Milwaukee a few years ago.  On Facebook, I also heard that Jordan Knight, my favorite New Kid, was doing a Meet and Greet at the Best Buy in Columbus so we both got to meet him and get an autograph as well!!  The concert literally was the best concert I have EVER been to!  Hopin' they go back on tour again next year!

I also had the wonderful enjoyment of turning the BIG 3-0 on August 6.  I just can't believe that I am 30!  It doesn't seem possible.  The Thursday before my birthday, Dad and Jean took John and I out to Red Lobster for dinner.  Then Friday was the start of the county fair so it was Fair Food time!  Yum!  Saturday, my birthday, I thought I was just going out to dinner with my in-laws and John, but I was wrong!  They took me to Der Dutchman and my whole family and John's was there to surprise me!  They got me!!  Then after spending the time with the family, the in-laws, my sis-in-law, John, and I went to La Palma for margaritas....and a sombrero too.  LOL  Then it was off to the pub for a little dancing and some beers.....What a night!!

And this past week was a LONG work week with the HOOT convention in Columbus!   I love the conventions because they are fast paced but we're always wiped out afterwards....

So now I think I'm all updated on the past month.  After I recover from the past week, I've got to start on more for Oktoberfest.  Lots of ideas of things to make to sell at that show!! 

A successful party...

My aunt's 80th party was yesterday and it was a success!  We had 27 people there, not including her.  She had no idea!  Walked in and she didn't realize it was a party for her...  And then when she finally realized it, her jaw dropped.

Saw lots of family I haven't seen in a few years..And a distant relative I have never met drove up for the celebration!  It was really nice to see everyone and that all these people were able to attend.

And the cake...where do I begin?  I went to Bobby D's here in Urbana and Bob made these delicious and tasty cake for me.  Since my Aunt is rather fond of UK basketball, I decided to incorporate that into her cake...As much as it pained me to have a UK cake, it turned out beautiful!!  My aunt and everyone at the party loved it!!

I'm pooped now and I think I am just going to take it easy and watch movies at home. Can't believe the weekend is almost over already!  I vote for Mondays to be included in the weekend!

A Birthday Card...

My aunt turned 80 the end of June and I have organized a surprise party for her tomorrow at a local restaurant.  She still thinks it is a family reunion....Boy am I a good fibber!!  Anyways....I had to make her a birthday card.  This was the first birthday card that I have made that was square!  Yep...believe it or not, I have never made a square card!  Here it is:

Happy Birthday
paper: Crate Paper 'Portrait Collection'
pearls: Kaisercraft
punch: EK Success
stamp: Hero Arts
corner rounder: We R Corner chomper

To be honest, it felt like the square card was easier to do for some reason...Hmm...Well, off to eat one of my favorite summer treats, a Bomb Pop (cherry, lemon, blue raspberry popsicle)

Fair entries....

It's that time of the year again....Time for the county fair....I didn't enter anything in the scrapbooking category last year because I had taught scrapbooking the past year.  I haven't taught actual scrapbooking at the store in over a year so I think I am eligible to enter the category this year.  I must say though that the categories available kind of stink.  Three of them are 4H, FFA, and Fair, which are very limited.  I am going to be entering Cover page, Birthday, Vacation, and Sports.  I might do Wedding, but I have to see what I have done.  I guess I could enter one from my best friend's wedding from two years ago.  The best thing about this year is I am not stressin' out about it!  Usually, I freak out about the fair entries the month before, but I've done so much scrappin' this year that I have enough to go through for entries!  YAY!

My boss sent me the following at work.  Have a good laugh!!

*** Adult Truths  ***

1. I  think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're  wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know  how to get out of my neighborhood.

8.  Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want  to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and  hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say  "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front.  Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey  - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

Halloween...

I absolutely LOVE doing Halloween layouts....and I think this one is my fave so far!!!

Creepy, Cooky, Spooky
paper: Creative Imaginations, Bo Bunny
cardstock words: Rusty Pickle
ribbon: May Arts
brads, witch sticker: Making Memories
cardstock: The Paper Company
ink: Pumice Stone

The kraft colored background was traced from a Clear Scraps bracket element, but I wanted to do it on the Cricut.  (The fact is that the Cricut is buried under folded laundry right now.)  I went around the edge of the bracket with the Tim Holtz Paper Distresser and inked it with the Pumice Stone ink to give it an aged look.  Then, it was just a matter of layering of elements how I wanted.

I'm think about trying to get this one submitted somewhere.  I've never been published in a magazine, but it would be awesome!!

A new day, another layout....

It's been a busy week so far at work....And a strange one too...Not going into heavy detail on that! 

Finally finished a layout that I have been working on for a few days.  I couldn't find the perfect letters, but found them at work.

Little Drummer Boy

paper, stickers: Echo Park

letters: American Crafts

I just love these pics of my nephew this past Christmas!  He was SO excited when he got his drum set from Santa.  I'm just glad that those drums aren't at my house!!  ;)


I also got a few tags done over the weekend...  I'm thinking of doing a class at work in September of fall themed tags...  I just love making an inky mess!!

Autumn Distress Tags
Distress Inks: Dusty Concord, Peeled Paint, Spiced Marmalade, Black Soot, Crushed Olive, Antique Linen, Wild Honey, Fired Brick
Stamps: CMS001, CMS050, CMS068, CMS097, CMS100 Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz line
Ribbon: May Arts, hemp cord
embossing powder and archival ink: Ranger

On the above tags, the main images on the tags were stamped in Distress Ink and then immediately embossed with clear embossing powder from Ranger.  I love how you can get colored embossed images without having to buy the embossing powder!! Super simple!!



And for all you animal lovers out there....Here is a pic of our dog Grissom....asleep (what else is new?) under my craft table....snoring loudly I might add!

Skeeters and fireworks...

We had our 2nd Annual Rooftop viewing of the Urbana fireworks last night and the Urbana mosquitoes had a feast on me....I am covered in mosquito bites....and they itch.....Oh well, I have always been a buffet for those darn bugs!

The Urbana fireworks were probably the best ever.  Our only complaint was that they didn't seem as high in the sky as they should be.  But we got some great pics of them from our rooftop.  We discovered that the ol' camera had a fireworks setting....It takes pretty good pictures as long as you have a steady hand, so hubby had to take the pictures.

These are probably the best photos we have ever had of fireworks!  Will make an AWESOME scrapbook page!!  (I haven't quite figured out how to get pictures to line up properly on here...)

I can't believe the three day weekend is over already!  I love my job, but I wish I had one more day off!!  It's always hard to go back to work after any extended time off..  At least it's only a 4 day work week.

Working on the finishing touches of my aunt's party.  It's Saturday and she still thinks it's a family reunion.  hehe...She's going to be so surprised!!  Just got to get the decorations, which are coming in the mail and pick up the cake Saturday and that's it!  With RSVPs and everything, we should have 25 people, which makes us not have to pay for the room!!  I tell you that lady is one hard person to shop for.  What do you get an 80 year old woman who has just about everything?  I emailed her friend and asked her for ideas and she had very few ideas except for some hand soap from Bath and Body Works that has been discontinued.  BUT I got on Ebay and found 6 bottles and I was reassured by the seller that it would be here in time for her party on Saturday...My poor brother is having the same problems trying to find her a gift as well.  We both hate buying gift cards for people so I don't know what he is going to do.

Well, I guess I have to get ready for work..  Ugh.....