Here is a super quick digi-scrapped page of our evening. :) The papers and elements are from the Express Yourself collection at The Shabby Princess, and the font is Sketchy Times. Click on the page to enlarge it and read the photo details!
And here is a personal favorite, taken last weekend while we were trick-or-treating at a local grocery store. :)
Yesterday I received some happy mail in the form of my first package from i {heart} papers. Woot! It was hilarious, because we had just gotten home from the grocery store, and both of the boys were crazy cranky, and I actually said, "Just hold your horses, Mama has to look at her new papers!" Yeah. As if they care.... or listened!
I decided it was only fitting that my first card for i {heart} papers used a sketch from i {heart} 2 stamp. ;o) You can see the sketch here. This is the first time I've ever done one of Jen's sketches, and I have to say I love it! Here is my take on the sketch:
Ok, so, shortly after Henry was born, hubby and I invested in a new digital camera and a new video camera. We could never figure out how to upload the video's from the video camera to the computer, so we stopped using it about a year ago and just started doing short videos with the digi camera instead. I just happened to be looking at the video camera the other day and it hit me... (note that *I* am not the IT geek in the family *ahem*)... the dang thing has a port for a USB cable right on the front. How did I miss that? And I say I, because between you, me, and the fence post, I don't think hubby really gave it the old college try. ;o) You know how that goes. (Am I right, ladies? ;))
Anyhow, I'm happy to report that I now have access to all of these wonderful videos we took of Henry as a baby. I've been watching them on and off all day, getting all misty eyed at what a big boy he has become.
I thought I'd share this video with you since I haven't updated this blog lately. Darrin and I found out what the gender of our second baby would be, and decided to break it to my Mom and Grandma by signing their Thanksgiving (2007) card with both of the boy's names (this was also the first time they learned the name we had chosen). My Mom is sooo slow. LOL. It took her for.ever. to open the card (you'll notice Darrin trying to follow her with the camera... moving the dog gate, etc. lol!), and then even longer to notice. And my grandma is too funny. She is the other female voice you hear in the video.
Today is another CBC Challenge day, and this week's challenge is the following sketch. I drew this one up eons ago, long before circles were all the rage in sketches. I feel like such a trendsetter. ;o) lol.
Isn't this a fun card? I love all these bright colors! I have to thank my blogger friend Jacquie for sending me all of these fun Changito images, and she surprised me by throwing some school-related DP into the envie as well (what you see here, as well as some others). Thanks, Jacquie!
Believe it or not, this is actually a birthday card. Henry's godmother is a kindergarten teacher, and her birthday is tomorrow so I made this card for her, from him. I'll print something up for the inside... maybe, "...and you're my favorite one!" or something similar (suggestions welcome and appreciated!). In addition to being a teacher, she is also a HUGE advocate for books and reading with kids. I don't think I've ever known her to give ANY child a gift that didn't include a book, so these stamps really are just perfect for her! She does read my blog from time to time, but I'm hoping she won't stop in until after she gets this. If she does, well, SUPRISE! ;) lol!
I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday. Remember to take a little time for yourself - I'm sure you deserve it. :)
Through the wonder that is Facebook, I have reconnected with a number of friends that I haven't seen since High School, or in some cases, Middle School. It really is mind-blowing to see how these people have changed. One of the girls I went to high school with just had her first baby. It's a girl! Technically the card is for her and her husband, but I didn't have a "Daddy" stamp. I'm sure he'll get over it. ;o)
I bought this background paper at Hobby Lobby a few months ago. I just love it. The camera doesn't capture the sparkles in the paper, but it really is pretty. Speaking of things the camera doesn't capture, check out my brown moon. It's soooo not brown in real life! What's up with that? I even tried to fix it with Photoshop, but no luck. I added some stickles over the stars, so you can see a little of that shimmer in the picture. The main image and "Congratulations" sentiment are from an old (1994) Stampin' Up! set called Brides and Babies. The "Mommy" is a small part of a bigger sentiment (single stamp, sold at Hobby Lobby).
I've been trying to learn more about Photoshop when I have free time, and have been having fun playing around making different graphics. I made that Bellaholics Challenge Queen badge over there on my sidebar, and I also just finished a blog signature for my blogger friend Chrissy D. You can see it at the bottom of this post on her blog (ignore the black box around it - I believe you only see that because she uploaded it as a photo rather than as html). Chrissy also has some blog candy available, and you can check out this post for more details! Now I have to work on a new signature for myself. I've never been totally pleased with this one...
I also need to direct you to MORE blog candy. My blogger friend Rach has some available on her blog until the 28th of this month. If you've never visited her blog before, you are in for a treat. Her cards are gorgeous, and her coloring is phenominal. Go check it out, and enjoy your Saturday. We're doing some early trick-or-treating today at a grocery store and the zoo in town, so that should be fun (hopefully!). Henry will be thrilled to get back into the zoo one last time!
I made this card for the Bellaholics Anonymous weekly challenge. This week is a color challenge, given to us by Queen Christi. Christi based her color choices - purple, black, and cream - on some favorite colors of her grandma (called Mimi) who passed away recently. You can read more about Christi's inspiration for the challenge and see the adorable card she made on her blog here.
I used white instead of cream on my card, but only because it was a gifted image. Her apron looks more purple in person. For some reason it seems more blue in my picture. About that apron... note how she is not wearing any kind of shirt underneath it. lol. Let's just pretend she bakes in halter tops, mmmk? Because otherwise that would just be wrong. ;)
All of the dots on the card are punched and glued down. I got a little spot-happy. hee hee. I love dots. When I was in middle school, I remember filling out these little quiz things to show how much you knew about your best friend. My best friend was Pam, and Pam listed my favorite color as "polka dots". LOL. :) So true. My favorite color actually is purple, so this was a fun card for me.
In other news, I've been chatting it up a bit with my blogger friend Sue about how she has this cool little comment form on her blog, and how I can get it too. She was kind enough to send me some info she found tonight, and I thought I'd share it with you. If you like the way my comment form is set up (effective today) you can do the same on your (Blogger) blog by following these simple instructions:
To enable the embedded comment form for your blog, go to the Settings > Comments page and look for the Comment Form Placement setting. Change it to Embedded below post, save your settings, and go check out a post to see the new form in action.
Enjoy the day!
....Two babies!
I thought I had a better picture of Henry in this outfit (one of my favorites - I just love the bottoms of the feet... too bad it's in Colts colors though!), but regardless, it's still a fun comparison.
Henry:
Jack:
Well, the good news is that Henry is feeling better. The bad news is, I still haven't had time to stamp anything. BUT, I do have a new card to show you that I made last week and never got posted! I just love these Inkadinkado birds, and my blogger friend Denise was kind enough to send some to me. And by "some", I mean "about a hundred". LOL! I was so surprised when I got her envie! Holy man! It really was happy mail in its truest form. :)
The paper is more of Stampin' Up!'s Washington Apple line. I don't have a sentiment on this one, because I couldn't find one that fit right. I had one sentiment that said, "Friends come in all shapes and sizes."... at first I thought I'd use that, but then I decided against it because if I got that card, I'd be wondering what the sender was trying to tell me about my shape and size. LOL. So, for now it's a blank card. hee hee.
If you have a moment, click over to my family blog and check out the cute halloween goodies I made tonight!
And in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness month, I'll leave you with this fun piece of flair I found on Facebook today...
Enjoy the day!
I just thought I'd share a quick picture of some Halloween cookies I made tonight. I just took some Nutter Butter cookies, and dropped them in white chocolate, then added mini chocolate chips for eyes. I saw this idea somewhere and they suggested using licorice whips for eyes, but I don't care for licorice, so I went with these instead. When the chocolate dries, I'll break off the little pools around the edges and have some fun halloween treats for someone.
That's the funny part... I didn't even make them for anyone, I just saw the idea and thought I'd try it. I think they'd look super cute standing up in a halloween cake frosted with black frosting, don't you? Maybe I'll try that when my boys are old enough to appreciate it. Ooooo... or even in little black-frosted cupcakes! Man, could I rock a bake sale or what? lol.
Next time I'll put the points of the chocolate chips down instead of up. Some of the eyes look a little crazy on these, but you get the idea!
Well friends, today is Tuesday and you know what that means! Another CBC Challenge day! This week's challenge is to make a pocket card. Although I had the best intentions in the world to complete this challenge, life got in the way. Henry woke up from his nap on Sunday with a fever of 102, so the rest of the day was basically shot as we cleaned up after and cared for a one sick little boy. He felt better on Monday, but still wasn't 100%, so by Monday night I was just beat.
I didn't want to miss posting for the challenge today though, so I thought I'd share one of the many cards I've received over the years. This is a super adorable pocket card from the first secret sister I ever had on SCS (we're talking years ago - I think it was in the second round they ever did). Her name is Pat Limberg, she is SUPER talented, and I *just* found her blog while searching SCS for her gallery! How exciting... into the reader it goes! :) You totally have to click over and take a look. Not only are her cards adorable, but she also makes a coordinating envie to go with each and every one of them. I love it. I actually still have the envie that came with this card, but didn't think to photograph it until I was typing this, so you'll just have to take my word on that one!
Look at the sponging on the edges. She is solely responsible for every bit of sponging I've ever done. I was so new to the stamping scene when I "met" Pat, and kept asking her what she was doing to her card edges. Even after she told me, I still didn't get it (DOH!). It finally dawned on me, and I've never been the same. I lovvvve me some sponging! :) Thanks, Pat... for the cards, the gifts (seriously, the gifts were AMAZING you guys! She totally spoiled me), and the mini-tutorial on sponging. :)
Don't forget to click the links in my sidebar to see what the other Challenge Chicks came up with, and if you play along be sure to link you creation back to Courtney's blog for a chance to win a little something!
This is another one of the images I received from my blogger friend Michelle (the same gal who sent the image of the bucket full of leaves). The sentiment is from the Sweet n' Sassy Stamps set called Autumn Blessings.
I made this card for one of my toddler mom friends on SCS, and after I made it, it fell over onto a stamp that hadn't been cleaned yet. I was so ticked. Thanks to photoshop, I'm still able to use it for my blog but I can't figure out how to fix the damage well enough to send it. I was telling my husband about it and he was so sweet. He said, "It's not garbage, you just have to send it to someone who loves you." Awwww. If only it were that easy. ;) lol. So anyhow, Val, if you're reading this, know that the thought was there. :(
I found some fun how-to's online for making frames for your photos in Photoshop Elements. I had to play a little. :) This is a picture taken of Lake Winnebago last weekend when we were out walking on Ames Point. I love the trail of the sun on the water. Not bad for a point and click, eh?
In case anyone is wondering, I did go to the podiatrist and didn't leave with any magic answers. She was convinced the swelling on my right foot was due to thyroid problems and promptly sent me to the lab to have blood drawn to prove it. Yeah, well, she was wrong. My thyroid is fine. So, back to the drawing board.... or in this case, physical therapy. It just never seems to end! Thankfully I don't have any pain with the swelling.
I hope you're enjoying the nice fall weather!
Here are links to all of the gals who participated in my sketch challenge (well, the ones who linked back here anyhow!):
1. Katie (Just Me)
2. Danni
3. Kim
4. Scrappin' Java
5. Katie (Paper Make Up)
6. Laurel
7. Cheri
8. Lorie
9. Scrap Mum
And the random winner for this challenge is:
Congratulations, Katie (Just Me)! Email your address to me (sairabee at yahoo dot com) and I'll get your gifty out to you!
Thanks to everyone who played along. Look for another fun sketch the second Friday in November!
I think I've mentioned a time or two how much I enjoy participating in the various challenges that are always being issued out there in blog land. Of all the challenges, I think the sketch challenges are my favorite, and of all the sketch artists, I seem to gravitate to Julee Tilman and Taylor VanBruggen the most. I just love their ideas, and I love to play along with their sketches because they are very unique. It has been some time since I've done a Mojo Monday sketch... well, let me rephrase that.... It has been some time since I've SHARED a Mojo Monday sketch! I've done a few of them that I didn't think were blog-worthy, but I'm happy to report that my mojo *seems* to be creeping back out of the shadows. Here is the sketch for this week:
As soon as I saw the sketch, I thought of Cowboy Billy, and this fun bandana paper I have been hoarding for just the right moment (purchased at Hobby Lobby, by The Paper Studio). Here is what I came up with:
Check out the edges of the Billy image. I thought it would be cool to burn the edges, to make it look like those old wanted posters. I held my image over the kitchen sink and started to bring my lighter thingy toward it when it occurred to me that the image had been colored with alcohol based ink.... A LOT of alcohol based ink. All of a sudden visions of the whole image going up in a puff of smoke and me being left eyebrowless filled my head. LOL. I decided to take my operation outside. At least then the house would be saved if the whole thing went up in blaze of glory. (Tangent.... how many of you are singing Bon Jovi in your head now that I said that?) In the end, it was fine. The flame didn't get away from me, and I think it made for a cool little edge on my cowboy. :o) Here's a close-up: 
Isn't Billy adorable? He is by Pink Cat Studio, but I bought him from Mandy over at Limelight Papercrafts. Be sure to take a look at her stuff - she always seems to have some kind of sale going, which is part of why I love her so much. ;o) hee hee.
I was recently surprised with a HUGE envie full of images from my blogger friend Michelle. She had won some images on my blog awhile back, and said she had been meaning to get an envie out to thank me (totally unnecessary, by the way!), and what a nice surprise it was! Thanks so much, Michelle! I really appreciate your thoughtfulness.
This image and sentiment were both in the envie she sent me. I have no idea what company makes either one, but I think they are both awesome. I love fall, and I love random sentiments (especially quotes) more. These two work so well together. Speaking of quotes, THIS is my favorite website for them. Dr. Robins and I have emailed back and forth a few times - nice guy. Check it out if you have a minute. I've been referencing it for years, and have found many a signature quote on that page!
OK, back to the card. Take a lookie at my weathered bucket! I am so pleased with the way it turned out. I was originally planning on doing a grey bucket, but then decided to think outside of the box...err, bucket, and go with brown. Don't even ask me how I got the shading to work, because I couldn't even tell you. I just did, and that makes me happy. :o)
The patterned paper is new, from Stampin' Up! and it's called Washington Apple. Don't you just love it? I think it is a beautiful color combination with the Riding Hood Red, So Saffron, and Pumpkin Pie. The ribbon is SU! as well, in Riding Hood Red. When I first saw my spool, I was a little disappointed at the white edges, but now that I see it on a card I really like it. I think it all works so well together. I cut a few leaves out of a scrap of the same paper to make the little embellishment. After cutting them out, I sponged the edges with Pumpkin Pie ink, and then added the amber dew drop for a little dimension.
It kind of looks like a little flower, doesn't it? That totally wasn't my intent, but it works well with the quote, so it's all good!
So what do you think? Comments are always welcomed and appreciated!
Because really, where else can you turn this:
Into this:
Isn't that a cute picture? Much better than the original, if I do say so myself! I used the "Shazam" technique I learned from Jessica Sprague's blog (mentioned it a number of posts ago). I can't wait to learn more tricks, and get a new camera. Just think of the possibilities! :)
This photo was taken last weekend when we were walking out on Ames Point. It was such a beautiful day, and the fall colors were gorgeous. I have more pictures to share, but it will have to wait for another day since the boys are up from their naps!
Today is another CBC Challenge day! This week's challenge is a sketch challenge, and I actually drew this one. Did I mention I love drawing up these sketches? I think it's fun. Weird, I know. Anyhow, here is the sketch for this week:
The sketch is actually taken from the Witchybella card I made and posted a month or so back. I thought it was a fun layout, and wanted to see what other people could do with it.
For this card, I decided to use one of the Magnolia images my blogger friend Kimmie sent me. I have been contemplating the purchase of Ms. Magnolia for some time, and was on the fence. In all honesty I really wanted some in the worst way until another blogger friend who shall remain nameless pointed out to me that they are faceless little girls. You know me and my drawbacks with stamps. As if I need one more thing to be bothered by. lol!
But now that I've played with one image, I think I'm ready to buy... faces or not. ;o) And can I just say how much I love the coloring job on this little chica? I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I really thing it's my best blending to date. This paper is AMAZING for blending. The best ever - hands down. I emailed Kimmie right away to find out what it was, and she couldn't remember (grrr! hee hee... just kidding, Kimmie... sort of). All she knows is that she bought it at Michael's. I'm still investigating that one.
Anyhow, I ended up flipping the sketch a little bit, but here is my card for today:
The blue is Soft Sky with white clouds sponged on using my Craft White pad. I couldn't get a good picture of the clouds but you can see them a little bit. The "grass" is embossed with a Cuttlebug folder, and then snipped at the top. I cut some of the main image out with my exacto knife so her arms could go over the grass. And in my head, the wide brown ribbon is kinda like a tree.
So, there you have it! Be sure to click on the other CBC Chick's links in my sidebar to see more fun cards. And if you play along, link your card to Courtney's post for this week and maybe you'll win a little prize!
We took the boys to The Little Farmer last weekend. Grandma likes to go every year to buy apples for her pies, and we get our pumpkins while we're there, too. They have hayrides and some animals, and a playground, but Jack isn't too keen on patience at this age, so we didn't take too much time enjoying those things. We just did our pumpkin search and found our apples and squash and called it a day. The bees were crazy that day anyhow, so no one was too upset. Well, except Henry... who thought the whole day should be spent with the goats. Go figure.
This is one of the first things I saw when I walked into the pumpkin patch. I thought it was hilarious, and had to share it with you!
Here is Henry with Grandma, near the animal area. It just occurred to me that I didn't get any pictures of the goats! *gasp* And in case you haven't noticed on previous posts, this is Henry's cheesy grin of the year.
Choosing the right pumpkin is a tricky ordeal. Some people test produce by smelling it. Some try to squeeze it, some roll it, some sit on it...
Another big draw for Henry is a water feature. ANY water feature!
Me with my little pumpkin. :o)
Henry with the Grandmas...
And where was Jack through all of this? Why, in his stroller of course! And as always, his Kammi doll was near by!
I hope you enjoyed your tour through the pumpkin patch! :)
