Saturday, December 26, 2009

Better late than never!!! LOL













I have to admit that I am a huge procrastinator. It's one of my faults but at least I acknowledge it, right? HAHA I had made a bunch of Christmas cards at the retreat I went to in November and never posted any!!! Better late than never is what my mom always used to say so here are some of them! I think I ended up making 25-30 total and when I went to mail out my xmas cards, I was short and ended up using some boxed ones. Eek! I know but when you know a lot of people end up tossing them out, it's hard to justify putting in the time. Some of these were super fun to make and I was giddy at just how cute they came out. The snowglobe card was one I saw a lot of on SCS and just had to try it out. It was the first pattern I ever attempted. The snowball fight one was just adorable. I found these cute little white pompom things and attached them as snowballs. The "Ho!" card had to be one of my personal faves! She just cracks me up but was a PITA to color. I had to color in around those tiny polka dots. Now that was a chore!!! LOL I had found this awesome green garlandy looking ribbon that I wrapped around the tree. Well, onto the next holiday... Valentine's Day. MAYBE I'll post them before March ;)

Wow, it's been over a month since I've posted anything!

I am so sorry I haven't been updating my blog! I have been sick for over two months and just not feeling well. I am ok, it's just a nasty cough/cold that is lingering and I wish it would just leave already!!! I do also have some good news to share. I found out I was pregnant 2-3 weeks before Thanksgiving and had such a hard time keeping my mouth shut!!! LOL I wanted to surprise my family since we'd all be together (my mom, dad, brother, Nana, Auntie, cousin, and of course my 13 yo son, the baby and my hubby - he's the only one that knew before. Well, him and a few close friends who I knew wouldn't blow my cover! hehe). We always go around the table saying what we are thankful for and when it was my turn I said I was thankful to not have to cook the meal (yuck!), my family, husband, two great kids... and soon to be a third. It was a little too quiet for a second so then I blurted out that I was pregnant and everyone started screaming and crying and there were a lot of "no way, no sir, OMG's". My mom, among others, was instantly in tears and hugging me! I made sure I sat next to her! HAHA It was awesome!!! I'm so glad I waited to tell them. I just wish I had gotten their responses on video but I think it would've been obvious something was going on. Hopefully the memory will last forever :) I hope all has been well on your ends and that your holidays were all wonderful.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Gypsy Contest and Giveaway!!!

Hi, all. I'm not sure how many people have bought the Gypsy... or plan to but if you go to this website, they are having a contest and you have a chance to win a Gypsy!!! They also have some great ideas on there too. I haven't gotten to play with mine yet since it's an xmas gift but I can't wait to! Go sign up... or better yet don't so my chances to win are better ;) HAHA Just kidding!!!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Weight Watchers (Take Two) - Week 10 and My Scrapbooking Retreat Weekend





WHOA!!! So I know I said I expected to gain this week and boy did I... 4.5 pounds! LOL My friend and I went away to our scrapbooking retreat this past weekend put on by Savory Memories at the Mountain Top Inn in Chittenden, Vermont. It was FABULOUS and the food was AMAZING!!! We had cheese and crackers and desserts and soup (or chili) in a bread bowl with salad for dinner the first night we were there. The salad was INCREDIBLE!!! Dried cranberries, cherries, candied walnuts, goat cheese, balsamic vingarette... oh my head, so good! Breakfast was a buffet with lots of carbs and BACON... my fave!!! Burger and fries for lunch with a Coke. Buffet dinner with prime rib, chicken marsala, scalloped potatoes, root vegetables (so friggin' DELICIOUS!!!), more yummy salad, rolls. Repeat for breakfast in the AM and a tasty turkey club for lunch. I'm tellin' ya I didn't want to leave!!! Sorry if I made you salivate but trust me, I just did it to myself too!!! HAHA I will be celebrating my birthday at the end of the month so this weekend away was my "present". It was AWESOME! My friend also treated me to a massage as my gift from her. Thanks, MELAINE!!! LMAO We never did take a picture of that ;) Love you, girl. SO fun to get away with you... it always is!!! xoxo OH! I suppose I should've mentioned that I actually accomplished something in addition to eating and gaining a few pounds. I didn't bring anything to scrap since I wanted to work on Christmas cards. Plus, it's a lot easier for me to pack all one theme. I don't even know if you'd call what I do "packing". It's more like throwing all of my stuff in a bag... or 4 (good thing I won another one while I was there)! Try cramming that into 4 feet of crop space! LOL We had to take a little trip to Wally World to get some racks to put our stuff on! Anyhow!!! I set a goal of 12 cards to get done since I do make them all different and I actually did 13!!! WOOO HOOO!!! Go me! LOL Pictures of my cards to follow shortly.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Weight Watchers (Take Two) - Week 9

Whoopsie! I forgot to check in yesterday. I actually didn't lose or gain this week. I stayed exactly same. That's not bad considering I was off track since Saturday when I went to a crop for the day. I ate a ton of cheese and crackers (my fave) and couldn't resist the cheesecake either. YUMMM!!! I knew I was going away this coming weekend too so I kinda didn't give it the effort I should've. Oh well! There's always next week...

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Weight Watchers (Take Two) - Week 8

Good Morning and Happy Hump Day!!! :) Look at me reporting in on the day I'm supposed to! LOL I was late the last two weeks but I'm pretty much talking to myself on here anyway! HAHAHA Anyhow! I lost 1.5 pounds this week... not too bad considering I wasn't reaally good but I guess I wasn't horrible either!!! I had gained a pound last week so I'm happy to get that back off plus a little extra. It's been 8 weeks and I'm down 11 pounds total, weighing 170. TEN pounds to go!

Friday, October 30, 2009

Super bummed!!!

My card didn't win the Unity challenge this past week. I was sooo hoping it would and actually thought I had a real chance. POO!!! :( Only one week left to try and honestly, I'm not feelin' it. Wahhhhh!!! Just wanted to whine for a minute! :)

Weight Watchers (Take Two) - Week 7

I forgot (again!) to report my weight on Wednesday. I gained 1 pound. My week started off very well but come Saturday, I just wasn't into it. I also didn't feel well and didn't want to cook so we got Chinese one night and pizza the next... not so good on the diet!!! LOL I have been on track so far this week so hopefully I'll have a decent loss next week. I basically have that week and one more week after that to lose a few pounds. I am going to a scrapbooking retreat mid-November and the menu looks sooo good. I don't plan to count points at all that weekend. I'm going to eat, drink and be merry!!! HAHA

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

UBBRO6 Hey, Stud Muffin!!!


I made this card for week 6 of Unity's Bachelor Challenge. I participated for weeks 1-3 but skipped weeks 4 and 5 as I just had no clue. I am REALLY hoping this card will win this week as I am super happy with how it came out and there's only one week left after this if it doesn't!!! We had to use PINK and BROWN and it had to be SWEET and MANLY. "Stud"ly is the same as manly, right? hehe I really wasn't sure if I was gonna have time to get this done yesterday but when the baby went down for his nap, I went down to my room and something immediately came to mind when I saw this big cupcake! YUMMM!!! I used a piece of paper out of the Chocolate Box pad I have, embossed it with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder and sanded off the brown to see the pink underneath. I stamped the cupcake (or in this case, MUFFIN) twice and paper pieced the chocolate top with pop dots for some dimension. Since this was supposed to be for Bro, the Bachelor, I thought the sentiment Hey, Stud Muffin was cute! I used Liquid Pearls to make the "studs" on the chipboard letters and also studded the cupcake... *clearing throat* excuse me, MUFFIN... with brads. I also used Liquid Pearls to go over my letter stickers for the word muffin to make them pink. A piece of brown ribbon finished off my card perfectly!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Witching You... a Happy Halloween!!!


I made this card a few weeks ago and totally slacked off about getting it up on here. Well, sorta!!! I have a good excuse ;) I have somehow managed to lose my memory card to my camera. UGH! I have another camera so I finally broke down and used that instead. I figured I should post this since Halloween is coming up this Saturday and I have already started making Christmas cards which will be posted here soon! I used Bazzill swiss dot paper which I love in this deep purple color. I stamped the witches feet across the bottom and adhered the ribbon just above. I made up this purple paper flower combo which I totally LOVE and used a gemstone brad for the center. I was stuck on what to do for a title but my dear friend, Melanie, always has the answer!!! Luckily, I was at her house and she said "Witching you..." and that was just perfect! I had to wait until I got home to do the lettering since I didn't have any with me but I thought the silver sparkly ones went very well. The inside says "a Happy Halloween". Wishing you all a Happy Halloween in which you eat many mini chocolate bars! YUMMM!!! hehe

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Weight Watchers (Take Two) - Week 6

YAHOOO!!! I lost 4.5 pounds this week. I was really hoping for a great number since I had gained 3 pounds last week. I only used flex points one day and I was really good about drinking my water. I am down to 170.5, having lost 10.5 pounds in 6 weeks and I'm exactly 10 pounds heavier than when I met my husband 5 years ago! I will be so happy if I can just get this last 10 pounds off. I know they say the last 10 are the hardest though so I'm not sure how long it will take. Really, I should lose another 20 to weigh 150 but I was really comfortable at my weight before. I was a size 8/10 and that's fine by me! It's so funny how the scale can say one thing but your clothes say something else. I mean, I see the number 170 and I'm like "I'm so fat!" but when I get dressed and am wearing a 12 jean, I really don't feel that way. I guess I'm just big boned ;) HAHA

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Weight Watchers (Take Two) - Week 5

Yup! As suspected, I gained this week... 3 pounds! YIKES!!! However, I cheated and weighed this morning (only 1 day after my official "weigh in" day and was back down 2.5 pounds from yesterday) SOOO with any luck, I'll lose a great number next week. Gotta love this up and down stuff! I take full responsibilty though because it really has been about a week and a half since I've really counted my points and I definitely ate a lot of stuff I shouldn't have. Well, not really what I ate but HOW MUCH!!! That's the main thing with WW... portion control. I was really good yesterday though and plan to have a great week!!!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Unity UBBRO3 Challenge


I'm late on posting this card from last weeks' Unity challenge. We were to use plaid and polka dots. I used the flower stamp from Confession : I {luv} Unity which I borrowed from a friend ;) It was quite the task to cut around all those flowers and get them glued down since it was actually 3 sets of stamped flowers. I embellished them with Kaiser Craft rhinestones and pearls, MM window charms and also a couple of buttons. I had gotten this new punch and used it as grass along the bottom and adhered the sentiment from the September KOTM. The polka dot ribbon and a paper flower finished the card off. Sadly, I did not win last week and didn't have time (or an idea) for this past weeks' challenge which was to make a recipe card. Hopefully this week I will be able to participate! I haven't stamped in a while and I'm getting the urge ;) I hope everyone else has been getting time to play!!!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Weight Watchers (Take Two) - Week 4

I forgot to check in yesterday with my loss! Well, I actually didn't have one! I didn't gain either so that's good. I binged for like 3 days and got my "thing" on Tuesday so that explained why. Honestly, I expected to gain so I'm pleased with staying the same weight. Next week I'll be celebrating my 3 year anniversary so me and my hubby will be going out this weekend. I'm not quite sure what our plans will be BUT I know it will involve dinner out at least one night. If we stay overnight somewhere, it will be more than that. I'm thinking a big breakfast :) Mmmm!!!! I usually give myself some freedom over holidays and special occasions so I'm not sure what will happen next week. I sure hope I won't gain but will be extremely satisfied with staying the same weight again. We shall see!!!

Friday, October 2, 2009

Unity UBBRO2 Challenge



This card was for the Unity Bachelor's second week challenge. We had to use one patterned paper, 2 buttons and make it shiny/sparkly/glittery and of course use Unity Stamps!!! I used a piece of paper from My Mind's Eye Laundry Line which was glittery. Then I chose So and So Loves for my image, wicked cute stamp! I stamped the trees on white shimmery paper and used Crystal Stickles to color in the skinny trees and used some on the other trees as well. The buttons were meant to look like knots in the wood. I tied metallic thread through the buttons and man was that a pain in the ass! The stuff frays at the end and it's nerly impossible to get it through. So annoying, I should've won for that alone! HAHA They chose the winners yesterday and sadly, mine was not chosen. There were some GREAT cards this week so it's hard to feel too badly about it :)

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Weight Watchers (Take Two) - Week 3

I lost 3.5 pounds this week. YEAHHH!!! My goal was 3 since I only lost.5 last week and was really disappointed. Needless to say, I am very happy!!! I have lost 9 pounds in 3 weeks and back down to 172. I'm hoping for another 3 pound loss next week BUT I would be ok with just 1. 3 would put me at 12 pounds lost in 4 weeks and back into the 160's, even if it's the high end :) 1 would put me at 10 pounds lost in 4 weeks and that's really good too! We'll see what happens but I feel better already!!!

Monday, September 28, 2009

Boo!!!


I loved the little Maya Road chipboard house so much I had to do another one!!! I painted this one purple and stamped the web black then stickled the window and parts of the web in lime green. I embossed the tree from the CTMH Spellbound set black on black. I wasn't sure how it would look but I decided the answer is AWESOME!!! I used an exacto knife to cut along the bottom of each side of the tree so I could slide the piece of patterned paper underneath. The ghost is from Making Memories and they're just the cutest ever!!! I have to say I just kept giggling as I was making this. It came out exactly how I wanted and that doesn't happen to me often. See my post below! ;)

Ding, Dong! The witch is dead!!! HAHA


Hard to believe that October 1st is only a few days away!!! I've been seeing lots of Christmas cards posted lately on SCS and on everyone's blogs. I just can't go there yet so I thought I'd make some Halloween cards. My friend, Melanie, came over last Friday for a few hours and we got to play. I had already half made this the day before. I had gotten this little Spook Alley stamp set with the witches feet and I just had to do a Halloweeny Wizard of Oz card. I used to watch that movie on TV every year when I was little. I had these little chipboard houses by Maya Road and I was like "OMG, perfect!!!" I painted it black and stamped the web from the CTMH Creepy Cobwebs set in white. The little spider is from the same set and he's embossed with a black velvet marker and has rhinestone eyes (of course!). The web border punch was something I picked up at Michael's and the paper is from Basic Grey's Eerie collection. I have to admit that I messed up the bottom and I'm still not happy about it! I had punched the border out on front of the card and sponged it black so you could see the purple coming out behind it. Well, I adhered the patterned paper over part of the punched border and could not get it unstuck!!! I got pissed and cut off the border and then punched the back instead. I lost that extra effect and it looks kinda funny with the paper being all the way to the bottom but having a border on the top. UGH!!! The only thing I was completely happy with was my layered flower... but how could I screw that up? LOL I was having fun thinking of different sayings to go with this card like "You killed her..." on the front and "with your kindness" inside. I ended up with HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Original, huh? LOL

Unity UBBRO1 Challenge



Last week (well, now closer to two weeks ago), Unity announced their Unity Bachelor 7 week long challenge. Click on the link to see what it's all about!!! If you are chosen as the winner or runner up, you get 25 stamps. The grand prize is very generous, as Unity always is! Unfortunately, my card was not chosen last week BUT I'm hoping one will be sometime throughout the challenge. This first week's challenge was to make a date invitation for "Bro" (the Bachelor) or your significant other. You were also supposed to use the colors green, red and black. At first I was having trouble thinking Christmas but eventually got off it and came up with this card. Everyone's gotta little trailer trash in them ;) HAHA j/k The inside was simple... just a bunch of Thickers!

Sunday, September 27, 2009

I fibbed. My apologies :)

Well, it appears I told a little lie to you all last week by saying I had not created any cards. I have a small group of three ladies that come to my house once a month for my Close to My Heart business to make a couple of cards. They had come over and I actually had made two cards for them to recreate! How could I forget? Probably because they're nothing too exciting but I like to keep it simple for them. Ok, and for me too!!!



For the first card, I used paper from the Emporium paper pack. I stamped the apple, flower, leafy flower and the word friend from the September Word Puzzle. I simply punched the stamped images out with a 3/4 inch circle punch and adhered them to a piece of dark brown cardstock. The monthly Word Puzzle sets are being discontinued so now's the time to get them! They will no longer be available to purchase after December 31st. Please contact me directly if you'd like to purchase any (or all) of them! hehe They're very versatile and have lots of good stuff on them!!! Of course, I have them all :) The layered flower is from Cottage Floral. I really like this set! You can make almost endless flower combinations with it.

For the second card, I used paper from the Silhouette paper pack. I used the Top Note die from SU (sorry!) to use as a background. I stamped the word SMILE in Autumn Terracotta and the matching sentiment in Outdoor Denim. Both of these stamps are also from the September Word Puzzle stamp set. I used one of our clear buttons, tied jute through the center and adhered it to a paper flower. I used 3 tiny little rhinestones to balance out the left side and a piece of twill ribbon finished the card!

100th post!!!

WOOO HOOO!!! I realized the other day when I was "weighing in" that it was my 100th post! I should've done something fun but was in a rush and just wanted to report my weight loss. So happy 100 posts to me!!! Actually, 101! LOL

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Weight Watchers (Take Two) - Week 2

So I only lost HALF A POUND this week :( I'm really disappointed since I was on track, drank most of my water (yes, this part is still hard for me) and didn't use all my flex points. I was really hoping for a 3 pounds loss but would've been happy with 2... but HALF, .5... NO!!! I am not giving up though! I think I can, I think I can! hehe Better luck next week!!!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Weight Watchers (Take Two) - Week 1

Just a quick update with my weekly weigh in. I lost a sack of potatoes this week! HAHAHA FIVE pounds and I am back down to 176. Off to a great start, now to keep it up!!!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Starting over!!!

Ok, so a couple/few weeks ago (excuse me but my conception of time is warped) I had posted about my 20-something-or-another week on Weight Watchers. Well, I have been off track for months now and after many gains and several weeks of not even weighing in, I have decided to just start over. I was going to start last week but was going away for part of Labor Day weekend so figured that wouldn't be the best idea. Sooo today was DAY ONE of my official third time starting my program. I had a good day and even drank more than eight glasses of water. Phew! So my new starting weight is 181. YUCK!!! That means I gained 16.5 pounds back of what I had lost. I'm so disappointed and disgusted with myself. It just happened so fast and you don't even realize it's happening. Here's an end of summer tip - NEVER buy shorts with an all elastic waist ;) LOL

Back to my time warp! I can't believe a whole week has passed since I posted on my blog. I just don't know where the time goes, I really don't!!! I have not made a single thing since the last card I posted for that challenge. In fact, I haven't played at all... perhaps tomorrow. I always say that! HAHA I hope you've all had more time (or should I say energy and motivation) to play than me :) I've been checking out a lot of blogs and there really is some fantastic artwork out there. Keep up the good work, ladies. I enjoy seeing what you all create and have even made a few new friends! xoxo

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Happy Harvest - MTSC37


Hello! Look at me posting two days in a row!!! Whoot, whoot. Go me!!! HAHA I made this card this morning for a challenge I saw over on my new friend Jessica's blog. She designed this adorable set called Butterfly Wishes for The Greeting Farm and I've had no moula to buy it so I decided to participate in this challenge in hopes to win it. WISH ME LUCK!!! The challenge is actually hosted by Mercy and you can view everyone else's submissions through her blog. This is the second ever challenge I've participated in so I'm no pro BUT I am happy with how the card turned out. I decided to use this Hampton Art - Autumn is in the Air stamp set I picked up A.C. Moore last weekend while I was down "south". It felt fall-like just like the weather we've been having here in NH.... which I love by the way!!! This little squirrel is so cute! The background paper is called Autumn Plaid in the Shades of Autumn Collection by Reminisce and the solid colors are Bazzill. I stamped the sentiment on some twill ribbon and added the extra little acorn with an orange brad. I'm glad I used this set before it went into my box of stamps that have never been inked! LOL My friend, Melissa, had given me a gift card for hosting a scrapbooking weekend last month so I was able to pick up a few things. Wasn't that so sweet and thoughtful of her? Thanks, Mellie!!!

Here's the sketch we had to use for the challenge...

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

How does the time go by so fast???

Ok, so I'm sitting here in amazement that it's been over 2 weeks that I've posted on my blog. Really? The last month went by super quickly and I can't believe summer is over. My oldest went back to school yesterday, 8th grade!!! I forgot to take a picture of him and I meant to this morning BUT guess what? I forgot again! I'm seeing a layout titled "1st Day of School" with the 1st crossed out and replaced with 3rd. I'm such a slacker sometimes! LOL

Well, the good news is that September is here and we are already getting the Fall weather which I love! It's my absolute favorite season of the year!!! I love everything about it... wearing pants and a sweatshirt, the colors of the changing leaves, the smell of the air, apple picking. Oh yeah!!!

You know what else happens today? The new Close to My Heart catalog is effective :) WHOOT WHOOT! We have some great new fall and winter stamp sets along with the cutest house set called "Neighborhood" and matching set with a couch, lamp, coat rack, fireplace and accessories called "Welcome Home". Those are definitely the two sets I'm ordering first! Do you know what's better? We are having a promotion where if you spend $60 in STAMPS, you get a card kit, Delight in the Everyday, valued at $39.95 for FREE!!! How cool is that? Also, with a $60 purchase, you'd qualify for our Stamp of the Month, Treasures, for half price. I just love when my customers can get a bit more for their money so take advantage while you can :) I know I will be!!! Please contact me directly to place your order as I do not have a personal shopping website.




Here's what's included in the card kit:

1 – My Acrylix® Everyday Celebration Stamp Set
(D-size) (Only available with this kit!)
16 – 4 W" * 5 V" Colonial White Card Bases
16 – 4 W” x 5 V” Colonial White Envelopes
1 – 12" * 12" Dutch Blue Cardstock
1 – 12" * 12" Colonial White Cardstock
4 – 12" * 12" B&T Duos® Paper
1 – Chocolate Distressing Ink
1 – Dutch Blue Distressing Ink
1 – Mini-Medley Accents Shades of Chocolate Collection
5' – Chocolate Ribbon with Colonial White Stitch
50 – 3-D Foam Squares
Sponge
1 – Full Color Step-by-Step Instructional Brochure
Featured Colors: Chocolate, Colonial White,
Dutch Blue, Sweet Leaf

Thursday, August 13, 2009

I've got the best hubby!



I think I might've already told you that once before and posted one of these pics but allow me to tell you again... I've got the best hubby! :) Last May he came with me to the Creating Keepsakes Convention so I didn't have to miss it. I was nursing our 5 week old baby boy and wasn't sure I could go since it was an hour and a half away. I can't tell you how many of the women commented to him (or to me) about being there and how sweet it was of him. They didn't even make him pay to get in! LOL The flower on the right-hand side pulls out and is journaled. I believe this is the first scrapbook layout I've posted on my blog. I had gotten into this "rut" if you will and it was just easier for me to make cards. Scrapbooking (to me) takes so much more time and effort!!! I did this layout when my girlfriends were over a couple of weekends ago. I'm not sure why but I had it saved as a draft and never posted it. Whoopsie! I am really please with how it turned out. The Bazzill scalloped circle paper went PERFECTLY with the shape of the flowers on my background paper and even though it is floral, it's still masculine... I hope? HAHA

You're a Hoot!


Here's the other card worthy of posting ;) HAHA I used SU Kraft and a piece of some Basic Grey paper for the background. I stamped the branch directly on the paper but stamped the owl seperately just in case I goofed. I Stickled the heck out of the little guy but just look at him now! I added some brads to the center of the flowers and some more Stickles for the leaves. I just love that stuff!!! The sentiment "You're a hoot!" is from the CTMH set titled the same... which by the way, is adorable!!! I'll have to make another card with that set and put it up. BTW, all my guests over the weekend WERE a hoot! We had such a blast :)

Just my Type


Well, my weekend was successful but my productivity... not so much! LOL I only made 3 cards (one's not even worth posting) and a one page layout over the entire weekend. I thought it'd be easier and I'd get more done since I had all my stuff here at my house but when you're the hostess, I think your mind is preoccupied. I made this card using Stamping Bella's Just my Type. I thought the background paper by American Crafts (Baby Collection - Ring around the Rosie) was perfect with the alphabet printed on it. I had the pink Top Note die cut laying around which matched well so I just outlined and colored in the edge for a little something extra. I built my own flower with some felt ones from Maya Road and used a brad for the center.

Monday, August 10, 2009

What a super fun weekend!!!







Well, my weekend was a success (except for my attempt at coconut jasmine rice! LOL). Melanie was the first to arrive and get leid on Friday! hehe Melissa and Jo Jo came shortly after and we mixed up some drinks. Didn't want to waste any time! HAHA It was just the 4 of us that night but Shell came by for a couple of hours before she had to work on Saturday and then Shannon came later and spent Saturday night. Unfortunately, one of my friends wasn't feeling well and couldn't make it (missed you, Peggy!). I did have a no show too which kinda irritated me BUT I still had fun and am so glad that the girls that came, did. Thank you so much for coming and all your help and yummy food you brought. I had a blast and hope to make it a yearly tradition!!! xoxoxo P.S. Aren't I FAB at self-portraits? LOL

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

I'mmm soooooo exxxcited.....

... and I just can't hideeee it! hehe I am having my girls over for the weekend to scrapbook!!! It's a LUAU themed weekend and by the time they leave, they won't want to see another pineapple or coconut in their lives! LOL It's BYOB (Bring Your Own *coconut* Bra), girls. I'll provide the grass skirt and prepare to get LEID! HAHAHA I bought all sorts of stuff for drinks like Pina Coladas, Strawberry Daquiris, Mojitos, Malibu and Pineapple. Oh yeah!!! Hmmm, we'll have to eat as much as we drink so we don't get sick so there will be lots of food too :) Only 3 more days to wait. I'll be driving my boys down to my mom Friday AM and they're staying with Gramma for the weekend. SWEEET, freedom! HAHA Hey, everyone needs a break once in a while, right? WHOOT WHOOOT, PAR-TAY!!!

Monday, August 3, 2009

I must confess!!!

I went down to my parents' house for the weekend. I was being really good until Saturday night when we went out for Mexican food. I can't resist the chips and salsa then my meal was so good, I ate like... A LOT! haha Sunday my mom had a party for my aunts' 50th birthday. It was a cookout which meant hamburgers and hot dogs and of course cake and ice cream. Not good! I was really hoping for a good week this week but I have a feeling it's just not gonna happen!!! I guess it doesn't matter much because I'm having a girls weekend this coming weekend and I know I'll be bad, real bad. It's all good though! I'll still weigh in on Wednesday and see what the scale has to say but for now, I'm fat and happy :)

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Weight Watchers - Week 29 (or more like week 1...)

Well, I officially restarted WW last week so I'm not sure if I should call it week 29 or week 1. I was never completely off I guess since it was on my mind and I still weighed in each week sooo I'll just stick with 29 (with several bad weeks in between). Whatever it is, I had a successful week and lost 4.5 pounds so I'm back down to 171.5. I was hoping for a 4-5 pound loss so I'm very happy. Now let's see if next week cooperates and I can get below 170. That would be GREAT! I'm back on track, baby! Yeahhh!!!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Guess who's backkk???




MEEEEE!!! hehe My hubby and the kids took a road trip to North Carolina to visit his family then on the way back we stayed in DC for two nights. We squeezed a lot in... the Washington Monument, the zoo, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Lincoln Memorial. The only thing we didn't get to see that I wish we did was the White House. We tried to go before heading home but the roads were blocked off and there was a large crowd hanging around. I'm not sure what was going on but we just couldn't get in there. Next time! I hope everyone's been well and I hope to make a card or two here in the near furture!!!

Weight Watchers - Week 28

I had posted back on 7/1 that I was off track with my diet and would be on vacation for two weeks so I'd report my loss (ok, gain) then. YES, GAIN! LOL I never diet while on vacation, that's just silly! :) I did gain over the last 3 weeks as expected but 6.5 pounds? YIKES!!! It SUCKS but what can you do??? Get back on program, that's what! I restarted WW today weighing back in at 176. UGH! How does the weight come back on so much fater than it comes off? No fair!!! I need to make sure I start drinking enough water. I think that has a large part to do with it this time around. I usually don't drink a lot of soda and I did over the last couple of weeks and barely any water at all. BAD, BAD! On a seperate note, 3 zits have mysteriously appeared on my face. Where the heck did they come from? I haven't had one in YEARS! Needless to say, I feel like a hideous, fat cow. Just thought I'd share!!! hehe

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Roll out!!!



My friend Melanie has made some of these cards and I really liked the look so I wanted to try one myself. I didn't see one of her cards using this technique on her blog so I've linked you to her Etsy shop instead. As for the technique itself, you simply draw a frame maybe about an inch or so in around the backside of your paper. You then use a ruler and exacto knife to cut from corner to corner of your drawn frame. Lastly, you flip the paper back over, mat it to your paper that will be in the background (only gluing along the outer edges) and tight roll each triangular piece outward kinda like the bottom of your pants in the early 90's! LOL As for my card, the bird cage and sentiment stamp is from Unity's May KOTM. Other than that, I just tied some jute through a clear button and adhered it to a paper flower in the upper corner. I have to add something here... a plug if you will :) I just signed up for Unity's KOTM program in May so I've received two so far and I just love them... so much so in fact that I've even purchased a couple of the past kits as well. They're just so cute and fun and best of all, high quality and affordable (not to mention they have great sales on top of it)! You must check them out if you haven't already though I'm sure you have!!!

Hey, Sugar!!!


I made this card using the Pink Paislee Sweet Cakes stamp set and matching background paper. I used the Labels 4 dies to layer and stamp on then I popped the popsicle up and added some orange Stickles to make it extra "Sugar"y! The light blue and orange/white gingham ribbon worked really well but I wanted to add the word "hey" on there somewhere and I just couldn't get it so you could read it. It was blending into the background... and really ticking me off if I must admit it! I hate that!!! Perhaps I'll try again as I do feel it's "unfinished". For now, what you see is what you get :)

Happy Birthday card


Ok, so this has to be the most uncreative card that anyone has ever made with Unity stamps!!! LOL I still think it's pretty though and sometimes it's just nice to come up with something so quick and have another card under your belt! The flowers, happy and birthday word stamps are from the May KOTM. I stamped the dragonfly and the "enjoy your day" sentiment from the same kit on the inside. I colored the word HAPPY in pink to match the little bit of pink on the yellow paper which I really like. It's so bright and "sunny"... unlike the weather that we've been having here in NH! It's all good though :)

Sweet Summer Strawberries



I have had this SU Tart & Tangy set since last summer and had yet to use it. There's a surprise!!! I cut the bottom corner out with the scalloped circle die but it was kind of an accident. Originally, I was going to use the green to mount the strawberry images but I liked them on red better so the green became my background (which I ran through the Cuttlebug using the Swiss Dots folder) and the red circle popped right into the hole in my card :) Since my card was 6x6, I had a seam so I placed the ribbon over it to cover it up. I freehanded the "You're so Sweet" which actually didn't come out too horribly. It isn't my favorite card but hey, they can't all be!

One size fits all...


Okay so maybe that's not true for a bra :) I actually really hate bra shopping! I can never seem to find out that's just right and what a pain in the a$$ to try them on and how come you can be one size in one brand and something totally different in another? Also, uniboobs are not good!!! I don't know what's worse... that OR muffin tops! Or even worse... camel toe! LMAO Ok, back to my card because I'm getting out of control. I made this little card using the Nestablities Blossom dies. I haven't yet ordered this set but a friend of mine bought it at CKC and I'm so glad she did because I got to use it :) hehe This stamp set is by Skipping Stones Designs and is so fun. I got it a while ago on ebay but she still sells it. The inside says "Bras are like FRIENDS they don't care if you're a boob". Again, quick and easy but cute!!!

Make a Wish


This was a pretty easy card but I like how it came out so I thought I'd share. I used some background paper with dandelions on it to go with the "Make a Wish" sentiment that I cut out using the Cricut. I matted it on dark gray which matched perfectly and I was pretty pysched since I almost didn't buy that color at Joann's when I had went shopping the day before. Don't you love when that happens? Other than that, I just added a few black gems to add a little something to it. DONE!