Sunday, July 10, 2011

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!







Friday, July 8, 2011

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.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

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!!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

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!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

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.....


 





Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Fourth of July everyone!!! 

Okay, where did my 3 Day weekend go?  How come it always seems that when you have days off they fly by but when you work, they drag by???  Oh well...Such is life.

I've been on a roll with getting projects done this weekend.  It's amazing what relocating your craft room does for the creative mojo!!  I think what helps is the fact that the room is not 100 degrees and my TV is right in front of my craft table!!  So I can sit here and work on projects and watch TV....As I'm writing this post, I am watching John Adams on HBO, a suitable show for Independence Day...


Worked on an Easter layout last night....Got TONS of pictures on it....Couldn't believe how much I fit on this two-pager!!  I've got to say that I just LOVE the Happy Easter title!  The bunny on it is fuzzy!!  I got it from Paper Wizard and let me tell you, they have some of the best diecuts!  And they are so easy to put together!!

paper, cardstock: We R Memory Keepers 'Peep'
diecut: Paper Wizard
And...while I was working on this post this morning, Simba kitty decided to come claim his spot on my table again!  How I get things done I don't know!!  However, it does prove to produce some great photo opportunities!
Have a great day!!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Busy, busy, busy...

We had a great time at our friend's cookout yesterday.  Lots of good food and friends we hadn't seen in awhile.  Hubby and his partner won the cornhole tournement and $26 along with it!  Pretty cool, huh?

I have been organizing my finished layouts...I have a problem with putting finished ones in albums.  Instead, I put them in 12x12 storage cases for later.   Because I don't scrapbook in order or on a set theme every time, I have tons of subjects that need albums.  I figure when I have enough done of one subject (20 layout pages) I will buy an album for that subject.

Here's a sample of some of my latest.  The lettering is done on the Cricut, but I can't remember the cartridges on some.  Sorry!

Sweet 16 Layout
sticker: Jolee's
paper: Hot Off the Press
pearls: Kaisercraft

Spongebob Birthday Party
paper: Sandylion
SpongeBob diecuts: Laser Cut Designs
number 4: Birthday Bash Cricut Cartridge


Dude Looks Like a Lady
paper: Jillibean Soup
lettering: Cricut

Knight's Tale
paper: BoBunny
punches: EK Success
lettering: Cricut Blackletter

A Jousting Good Time
paper: Bo Bunny
lettering: Cricut

Revenge of the Nerds
paper: Jillibean
lettering: Cricut



Window Licker
paper: Basicgrey Marjolaine
brads: Basicgrey
flowers: Bazzill
Ribbon: May Arts
lettering: Cricut
Fourth of July Tag (inspired by Tim Holtz)
paper: Tim Holtz Seasonal Stack
ribbon: May Arts, Michaels
stamps: Tim Holtz
ink: Ranger Ink Fired Brick, Faded Jeans
embossing powder: Ranger
tag: Cupboard Distributing

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Yay! A three day weekend!!

I have needed a 3-day weekend for quite some time now.  It seems for the past 5 or 6 weeks, we've had so much to do on the weekend!  Working, weddings, parties, and cookouts....I guess summertime is here!!  This weekend we actually don't have anything we HAVE to do.  I think we're going to go to a cookout today and maybe play some cornhole, a summertime favorite in this household...We watched Red, White, and Boom, Columbus, Ohio's fireworks, on TV last night.  And on Monday, the 4th, we will be climbing out on our roof in the evening and watch Urbana's fireworks...  It's great that we live close to the airport so we don't have to deal with crowds!!  I LOVE fireworks and I love setting them off.  However, it's not so LEGAL here in Ohio so we can't do it....Big Bummer!!  :(

I'm completely thrilled that True Blood is back on for Season 4!  YES!!  Bill (swoon) and Sookie will get me through the summer!!  Not too sure about the introduction of witches into this season though...Starting to go along the same lines as another one of my favorite shows, The Vampire Diaries.  Vampires, werewolves, and witches...Oh My!!  ;)  I do love my vampire movies and shows though!  These shows help ease the pain of waiting for the next Twilight movie....And Breaking Dawn doesn't come out until November!  Eek!! 

The final Harry Potter comes out in less than 2 weeks!  I'm so sad and I told the hubby that I will probably cry at the end.  Having read the books, I know what happens, however, I have to keep it a secret from hubby as he refuses to read anything....I can't believe that the Harry Potter series is going to be over in a few weeks!!  I really hope J.K. Rowling changes her mind and continues the Harry Potter series.  I'd love to see the story continued past where it ends now....Well, I can always keep wishing!!  Maybe in 20 years she'll change her mind and write another book to give all us fans what we want!  I know I'm not the only one wishing for another novel in the series....

As for my card making adventure, I'm proud to say I'm not doing too bad.  I've got 45 cards finished and wrapped for sale!  Not too shabby, especially considering that I did the 45 in less than a week's time..  I haven't done any for a few days so I can give myself a break for a bit.  I'm still debating on how much to sell these cards for.  I was thinking $1.25 each as they are only note card size.  I did vary my designs so there are all pretty much unique and are for various occasions.  I know that before Oktoberfest I will need to make a ton of holiday cards as that is what people will be looking for.  I have some images already colored and ready for mounting.  I just need to get some A2 size card blanks to do so...I'm also using quite a lot of copic coloring on the images.  I just love how bright they are turning out!


bling, canvas: Kaisercraft, flowers: Prima, papers: Basicgrey

Worked on a little Kaisercraft wooden canvas last night.  It's almost done....I just need some letters to spell out the name of the subject....Yes, the subject is our cat, Kiara....Sigh....what do you take photos of when you don't have kids?  Hehe....Kiara looks a little spoiled in this picture....Her paws are stretched and she is perched on a pillow.  I'm going to add lettering above the swirl on the bottom left.  It'll probably say 'Kiara' or 'Kiki', which is her nickname...   
 
And just for giggles....Mr. Simba was trying to be in the picture of the above canvas.  Since switching my craft room downstairs, Simba has been a fixture on my craft table. 


Hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th!!  Off to get ready for a cookout and cornhole!!