Monday Catch-up

Good Morning!  I had great plans to have all kinds of post ready for this week.  Um, yeah, that didn't happen.  I hope to have some big plans for this blog- not only my crafty things, but also more glimpses into my life.  However, for now, let's just catch up!

This past weekend, one of my husband's co-workers got married.  Since my husband is the manager, we, naturally, were invited and had to attend.  I had some reservations: I'm a good wall flower- especially when I don't know anyone.  I was worried it would be uncomfortable.  I ended up having a good time, so it all turned out well.  It was a beautiful wedding, and the reception was nice.  I'm glad I went looking back on it.  So, naturally, I had to make a wedding card.  I wanted something simple but nice since I didn't really know the couple.  I found a card on Pinterest I thought would be simple.  Ha!  I started working on it, and decided to watch Tangled while I was working.  Um, this was only my second time to see Tangled, so the card took me most of the movie to make because I kept getting caught up in the movie.  True Story!  Anyway, without further ado, here is the card:

I was happy with it.  I couldn't get the bow straight, but otherwise, it was very nice. 

Lately, I've been very inspired by Some Odd Girl.  Kristy Dalman is the artist and designer behind SOG.  She is amazing!  I love her work, and I stalk follow her instagram feed for her sketches and coloring.  They are amazing!  Aaaannnyhooo...I've been very inspired by her images and by the Some Odd World.  Most of these talented ladies on Some Odd World use Copics to color their images.  Er, well, honestly, I can't afford Copics.  I briefly looked into it a few years ago, and decided it wasn't for me.  I can't justify the cost.  However, I do experiment with other media!  Right now, my media of choice is Primsacolor pencils.  I've been in love with them since I was young.  My dad used to be a geophysicist.  He would survey land to see where was the best place to drill for oil.  He did a lot of maps, and I remember he gave me some colored pencils one time.  It was a mix of brands, and I was thrilled.  Mixed in with these colored pencils were some Prismacolors.  I was amazed at what they could do.  I started buying more and more.  Now, I'm obsessed.  They are so versatile.  I've been experimenting with them on the SOG images.  Ok, so they aren't Copics, but I get some nice shading and great coloring with them!

Here is my latest card with the SOG Winter Mae image:

I did this card for two challenges: one on Some Odd World where the challenge was to use our dies or cut files.  I made some snowflakes on my Cameo and used them on this card.  I also did the card for a challenge on the SOG blog.  They have a monthly challenge where they give you a sketch and ask you to use it as a springboard for a card.  This month's challenge was a very simple sketch, and I have seen all kinds of interpretations!  This is mine!

Thanks for catching up with me and my crafts! :)  Hopefully, soon, I will come up with many more ideas on how to liven this blog up!  Any ideas are welcomed!

Have a great day, and if you have any questions about my projects or supplies, just leave a comment!  (I love to read comments, anyway and would love to hear from you!!!)

Cards from the weekend

Good morning!  Please excuse my absence.  I usually blog on Mondays, but last Monday was Labor Day.  With my husband home, I wasn't able to blog.  Here I am; ready to go!

This weekend, I took some time to make some cards for Sublime Chocolate (where I work!)  My boss allows me to sell my cards there which go well with a gift of a box of chocolates!  My supply of cards at work is running very low.  This weekend, I had to make some more.  

I sat down on Saturday with a few cards in mind and went to work.  I decided having a plan and actually sticking to it gets me to make more cards for the time I'm working.  Great stuff.  I didn't get many designs done, but I did a few of each, so I have plenty to sell!  Here they are:

After posting the pictures, it doesn't seem like I got a lot accomplished, but I feel I did.  I guess as long as I felt good about what I accomplished, that is all that matters.

Hopefully, I will be back sooner rather than later with some other crafty things!  Have a good day!

Crafty Fun

This weekend was a blur of craftiness!  So many projects and so little time.  However, to my amazement, they all got done thanks to my lovely hubby who allowed me to much needed "play" time!

First of all, today is my mom's birthday!  Happy Birthday, Mom!!!  We decided to celebrate last night with dinner and some fun times together!  I made my mom a card (naturally!) and a necklace.  I also got her a box of chocolates from Sublime with her favorite pieces in it!  

The necklace was a big hit (as was the chocolate!)  My mom said she had a great birthday celebration!

After my mom's birthday crafts were completed, I worked on several other projects.  Some I will show now and some I will save for later!

First up, I discovered Some Odd Girl Digital Stamps back in 2011 when I saw a sample on Splitcoaststampers that used "Kiss a Prince Tia."  I was so smitten, I bought that digi right away and made a card for my hubby for our anniversary.  I have always called Hubby my Frog Prince, so this is perfect.  I didn't want it to be too girly, so I stuck with some simple, natural colors!

Well, I recently rediscovered Some Odd Girl on Instagram and fell in love again with the cute stamps.  I bought a few more digis!  I colored these new ones, but I experimented with just using Prismacolor Pencils and the colorless blending pencil.  Long ago, I decided Copics were too expensive for me to obtain.  I have experimented with other ways to get that awesome, real-life color look.  Here is what I came up with:

I "fussy cut" her out and layered her on some patterned paper and vellum snowflakes.  I knew I wanted to use the 'my world is brighter because of you' sentiment because of the lights she is holding!  I had everything laid out, but wasn't totally sold until I added a few sequins.  Then, my card came together easily!  What do you think?

My last and final crafty thing this weekend was a Project Life spread.  This was the week of April 28 through May 4.  It was my first time to try out the "A Day in the Life" project that Ali Edwards created.  I shot pictures throughout the day.  It was really cool!  I also used some of my Studio Calico kits again.  I love using these up and seeing how great they look!  Here is my spread and some close ups!  

Left side

A Day in the Life close up

Right side

Thank you for looking at my accomplishments.  I will have more up later in the week with the Social Media Butterflies Blog hop!  See you then!

Project Life Week 17

Last Saturday was supposed to be my catch-up with Project Life!  Haha!  What is the saying. . .something about when man makes plans, God laughs?  That's how I felt.  It was a such a big mess at work, I don't want to go into the details.  Ultimately, I got called in a few hours on Saturday.  Not a huge deal, however, I wanted to use those hours to catch up on Project Life.  Oh well.   I did get one week finished before I got called in.  

Yes, and that week was . . . .wait for it. . . . .WEEK 17!!!!!!!!!!!  (Trumpets fanfare!)  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am woefully behind and just finished Week 17 when we are WAAAY past that.  Oh well.  It really doesn't bother me too much because I'm proud of each week I finish!

Would you like to see?  Naturally!  I think all of you who come to see my blog do so from scrapbooking sites or because you follow me (thank you my three followers!).  Here is week 17!

Left side

Title card!  I was inspired by Jen on instagram (who, by the way, has the two cutest boys you ever saw!).  She posted a picture of her Title card (which can be seen on her blog!)  I decided to use it as a springboard!

Again, I used up some more of my Studio Calico Project Life kits.  I just can't get over how they manage to pull the pages together!!  I LOVE them!!!!  (Their current kit, Marks & Co is still available!)

If you don't already know, I work at a chocolate shop called Sublime Chocolate where I am Production Manager and Assistant Chocolatier!  Yes, that means I made chocolate!  Great job!  The chocolates in the upper left photo of this page were ones I created.  My boss gave us a time to experiment with making whatever we wanted.  I made a blackberry piece that was very well liked!!

Right Side

I will admit my journaling on this spread was sparse at best.  I had so many photos I wanted to include that journaling came second.  Is it sad- a little, but I did discover 'writing' on photos.  Before I print them, I add a caption or short description.  That helps the viewer to see and understand more of the photos.  It also helps me to remember more of what happened those weeks!

There you are!  Project Life Week 17.  I still love the project!  I love recording everything!  Even though I just have three dogs and my hubby, I still have my own stories to tell.  So for those of you who think you are too boring for Project Life- Guess again!

A little catching up!

Good morning! First of all, I am hoping to blog more often and either share my projects or inspiration! I hope to blog weekly and possibly twice a week. Anyone going to hold me to that? Anyone? Anyone? 

In my attempt to blog more, I shot some quick photos of my latest creations with my phone. They are the best photos, but it will allow me to share my creations now with the idea of doing better photography later! :) 
First off, I've been working on an initial for a friend of mine. Her last name starts with an M, so I wanted to create something she could hang in her house. I have other plans up my sleeve, but this is the only one that has gotten mostly finished in my last few crazy weeks! 

What do you think?  I still need to add a hanger of some sort to it, but otherwise, it is done!  I am pleased with it!  I hope she will be, too!

Second, I've been dabbling in jewelry making!  Yes, me!  I'm usually more of a paper person- it is cheaper and easily fixable should something go wrong.  Well, I decided to jump into jewelry making.  The idea was to get into Christmas craft fairs this year to earn some extra money, however, I soon discovered craft fairs are expensive AND most of the deadlines have past!  WHAAAT??  Yeah, so no craft fairs. . .THIS year.  Watch out for me next year!  Here is a sample of a necklace I made.  Yes, it is plain, but I like it.  I might play around with the design some more.  The edges may need something. . .hmm...

Finally, yes, I am kinda keeping up with Project Life!  I am several months behind, but I'm still doing the best I can!  I had a whole bunch of pictures printed, so I am ready to get going.  Here are the last two week spreads I've recently finished:

April 7-April 13 Left side:

Right Side:

April 14-April 20 Left side:

Right Side:

Sorry about the bad photos.  I'm going to work on that!  However, like I said, I just wanted to share!

I've been using up months and months of my project life kits.  I have been very free in allowing myself to use whatever I want from the kits.  Usually, I'm very timid to use things out of the kit for fear that I might need them later.  I decided that was the dumbest reason to not use things.  So, I used whatever I wanted.  The cards go so well together, it really brings my pages together.  Considering they are just a mass of random life photos.  I LOVE using the kits.  Duh!  I wish I'd used them sooner!  Oh well!

Enjoy your week.  I'm off to work shortly!

Social [Media] Butterflies and Paislee Press

 

 

 

Welcome to the Social [Media] Butterflies blog hop!  This month, we are honored to feature Liz Tamanaha of Pasilee Press.  You can find her work on her site as well as at The Lilypad! We were asked to feature just one of her sets.  It was so hard to choose; her minimalist style is so captivating and awesome!!!  I eventually settled on her Dayplanner Jounral Cards!

 

Aren't they fun???  I was so excited to get started using these great products!  I was ecstatic that these cards were a perfect fit for my Project Life.  With all the crazy things going on in my life, my Project Life has taken a back seat.  I'm so far behind!  I printed them up immediately and got to work.

 

Left side and insert side 1

 

Right side and insert side 2

(please excuse the funny shaded pictures.  it was so cloudy when I shot these and I had trouble editing them.)

 

Do you see what week this is?  Yep, March 24- 30.  I'm THAT behind!  Oh well. 

 

For those of you who don't already know, I work at a gourmet Chocolate shop!  I make chocolates as well as sell espresso and chocolate!  Fun job!  I never thought I'd be a chocolatier!  This week of PL was the week just before Easter.  That is a major chocolate-holiday!  (Did you know that some holidays are 'chocolate-holidays'?  I didn't until I started working at Sublime Chocolate!)  We were very busy preparing chocolate for the weekend!

 

So not to bore you with all the details, I'll let the photos do the talking!  I used Liz's cards on both pages in the center as well as using one along with a picture of my husband on the top left of the left page!

 

Left Page

 

  
 

 

 

 

Insert Side 1

 

Insert Side 2 (yes, that IS my husband!)

 

Right Page

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

To continue with the hop, please visit Suz's Blog.  Also, if you follow my blog, start the blog hop at the Social [Media] Butterflies blog!  Thank you so much for visiting my page!  I'd love to hear from you! 

 

Bad Blogger! Bad!!

Oh, this blog has been calling me for weeks, but I just couldn't find the time!  It has been crazy!  So, just like all my previous posts, I will be catching you up!  Hahaha!!  Be ready for picture heavy craziness.  Are you ready to go?? :)
 
First of all, I DID finish the 30 Days of Lists challenge!  I also finished it. . . . .drum roll, please. . . .in SEPTEMBER!  Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (Think Kermit dancing!)  If you know me, you'll realize that me finishing something on time (well, something crafty) is a strange thing!  I was determined to finish in September.  I got behind, but I also got caught up!  It just makes me happy! 
 
** No worries if you missed the September edition of 30 days of lists.  If I understand correctly, it should be back in March! 
 
Ok, here are a few of my favorite lists from the second half of the month:

List 19: Events I'd like to attend:

List 23: My Current Favorites:

List 27: The Bravest things I've done:

 
List 28: Little Joys in my Life:

 The 30 Days of Lists was a lot of fun!  It was neat to record a snippet of my life in lists! Plus, it will be a fun way to look back!  Next time, I think I will make it a little easier to complete.  I plan to just do a little journal or Moleskine notebook with maybe a picture and a simple hand written list.  Nothing fancy and no pages to make.  However, in doing this challenge and mini-album, I allowed myself to use whatever supplies I had in my stash.  It helped me to see great uses for the items I had in my scrapbooking stash.  I think it safe to say that I know have a new-found love for letter stickers and their versatility!  LOVE them!  Hee hee.

In addition to the 30 days of lists, the end of September held other exciting things including the DallasChocolate.org's Chocolate Conference and Festival!  My boss at Sublime Chocolate allowed me to help with our booth.  It was so much fun, but it was so crazy!  There were an enormous amount of people there.  By the end of the day, my throat was sore, and I was exhausted.  It was a great experience, though!

 
We made so many chocolates for this event.  We brought three truffles, and we made around 700 of each kind.  Plus, we brought a traditional Aztec-style hot chocolate (made with cocoa, water, lavender, chili peppers, and honey- spicy, but tasty!!), chocolate covered dates stuffed with an almond and a pistachio, and our Melange which is a layer or dark chocolate and toasted coconut, a layer of milk chocolate with pistachios and a white chocolate lattice on top!  People streamed by our tables all day!  When we had a few minutes, each of us got to walk around and see the other chocolatiers and chocolate makers and try their products!  It was fun, but by the end of the day, I was completely chocolated-out!  Yep, me! 

October came, and I can hardly believe it is nearly half over. Can you? Where has this year gone???  With the new month, came my awesome loot from the Studio Calico Swap Your Stash swap!  I was paired with Nicole (gothamgirl).  (Ironically, Nicole and I knew each other from 2Peas!)  She was so very generous!!!  Look at what I got!!!

 
This picture is just cute.  One of my dogs, Emma, is my Parrot-Dog because she likes to sit on my shoulder.  I finally got a good picture of her and I with my phone!

The Texas State Fair is one of the things that Hubby and I do together every year!  It is just something we love to do.  Eat and enjoy the sites and sounds plus spending the day together.  This year, we tried Fried Somoas!  Yeah, you know, the Girl Scout Cookie??  They were fantastic!  Look: 

 While we were at the Fair, we looked at all the people selling their products.  While we were walking through a tent, we saw a lady demonstrating this little guy.

She drug the stick (in his mouth) across the scales on his back and them tapped his forehead.  It made the sound of a frog.  It was so awesome.  I had to stop.  I tried all the different ones she had out.  I decided I had to take one home.  Hey, he's an instrument!  (For those of you who don't know, I'm a musician.  I have always loved instruments.  I always buy fun ones along with traditional ones.  I hate to see neglected instruments, and I always take them home.)  Naturally, this guy had to come home with me!  Love him!

October 6 was World Cardmaking Day!  Studio Calico had challenges on their blog (which you can still participate in until October 15!)  I created two cards.  I hope to get a couple more done, but I don't know when I'll have time.  Here are my first attempts!
 

 

The next picture is just one I had to share.   Hubby and I were playing bowling on the Wii.  I was laughing at his posture.  He would roll the ball and then hold the pose.  Funny, huh?

 
Here is a quick look at the Washi tape I got from Rosalie in the Studio Calico Washi Tape swap!  Aren't they the coolest!  I LOVE washi!

 

One last thing that happened at work yesterday. Troy and Sublime Chocolate were filmed for an episode of Storage Wars Texas. Apparently, a spray rig with a little chocolate in it was found in a storage locker.  They contacted Troy to have him talk about it.  They came to the shop yesterday to film.  They were there for about 3 hours for what will be a 3 minute clip!  Crazy, huh??  Oh, to quench your excitement, I will not be in the episode.  They asked us workers to stay as much out of sight as we could.  However, it was still very exciting.  The episode will air in January, so keep and eye out!

 

 This is Troy, Bubba, and Ricky in front of our store (and the store next door!)!

 

 

Thanks for sticking with me. . .even though I'm a bad blogger! ;)