Metamorphosis Monday

The great Organize Heaven in '11 has started!  My plan is to start in one corner of my house and work my way to the other corner ... looks good on paper but probably won't happen that way.  I've been delayed with all the snow days so I've only been able to tackle my closet.  I did share with my daughter but she took her clothes back about a month ago.  Her clothes were hanging on the bottom rack where the pile is now.  I couldn't believe all the piles in there ... just impossible to find anything!  Since it's so big and I don't have too many clothes, it's also great storage, if used properly.  When I started it was also unpainted, still builders painter after 20+ years.  I had plenty of my Jicama left that I painted the hallway so I just used that.  It gives it a nice sunny feeling.  There was also an area on the wall were a shelf originally hung.  We took that down but left the exposed dry wall.  I moved my daughter's changing table in there as well since she's been potty trained for about 10 years now (she's 10).  There are still alot of storage tubs in there but it's a little neater now.  I actually  had enough room store some of my 'alterable' items that were in my scrap room.  My mind seems less cluttered when my closet is organized.  Great place to start!  I was also able to get two bags of stuff for consignment and a box for donation.  That's a good feeling!

Before - complete chaos!

After - still some work to be done but looks and feels better!

Sunday 'Site Review

So at my crop last weekend, my buddies got me hooked on bidding on carts on a 'popular' auction site.  I have been really good about not buying the latest one or the newest thing ... think I went almost a YEAR without buying any carts.  I am trying to use what I have on hand, that's my story and I'm sticking to it?!?!?  Thanks to Provo Craft, they are coming out with so many new carts that it's hard to keep up but hard to stay away at the same time!  I have been checking out some of the new ones and as most of know, you can't judge a cartridge by it's cover.  I did find this great link on the actual cricut website that lists ALL the cartridges, new and old with their sample, which is what you see in the packaging and their handbook!  This is so awesome!!!  They also have  a column for a larger handbook ... could this be a sign of the future??  Check out the site and bookmark it ... I like to check it out before I buy new cartridges.

Enjoy!

http://www.cricut.com/information/cartridge_library.aspx

Anniversay Card

This weekend, on the 30th, my hubby and I will be married for 18 years!!! I can't believe it! We've been together for over 20. We've been thru alot and looking forward to the next twenty!
Here is a card I made for him using my cricut. Again, at the last minute, had whip out something quick. I used the 'Just Because' cart. I used my Gypsy (don't do anything without it!) to create the 'love' it was actually from the 'love latte' image but hid the latte part. I typed in the EWE which was an image as well. The first time I cut it, the paper slid all over the place and messed up the first E so I just hid the WE and cut the E again! LOVE that hide function. Now if I could only use that same function on some piles in the basement!

Under the sink mystery

So, let me ask you a question ... how often do YOU clean under your bathroom sink?  Me, not so much.  The only reason I 'chose' to do it today was I discovered a little water, then a little more, then a lot.  Since I had my bladder lifted over the summer, I have very little tolerance for leaks.  I didn't know what I was going to do today but this was not on my list.  So I emptied the whole cabinet out and was disgusted ... not only with the mess of the water but what I have neglected to throw away or get rid of.  Who needs 3 blowdryers, velcro curlers, 8 curling irons, and electric wiggly curly things?  Okay, so it's good to have a spare dryer on hand but all the other torture treatments?  My hair isn't even long enough to fit into some of those curl-inators.  I will admit that one or two belong to my older daughter but she hasn't lived at home for years.  They aren't like their first blanky ... so why did I hold onto them?  Romantic visions of passing them onto my younger daughter, who straightens her hair every chance she gets?  I don't think so... Secretly hoping for an 80's revival?  Aren't we all!  But that will come and go and I will still have the ability to curl my coif in whatever style I choose.  Maybe I will decide to part with a few but I will keep a couple on hand just for nostalgia sake, and for when my kids are cleaning out my estate, they can give each other the "seriously, what was she into" look and they can toss them.

Sunday 'Site Review

Boy oh boy, a good day scrapping is just better than anything, isn't it!  I spent all day yesterday with some fabulous ladies and believe it or not, we actually got some good work done!  One of our many conversations was about storage and our work space.  I wanted to share this site with you, I hope it helps in organizing your space.  This WONDERFUL folks over at ContainYaCrafts had sent me a Scrap-N-Tote for our fundraiser crop last fall and we all fell in love with it!  Well, they did it again and created a magnetic easel that will help make your scrapping easier.  Check out the video and you will be sold.  It folds up nice and compact, it's a great work space, flat or titled.  You can see your finished product thru the eyes of someone that will be looking at your work instead of how it looks flat on the table.  Plus it's easy on the neck and back for long scrap sessions.
Right now they are running a special 20% discount on the tote (until midnight tonight) plus pre-selling the easel and an introductory price!
Check them out ....

Scrap'n Tote

Tablescape

 Over at Between Naps she does a Tablescape Thursday.  I thought I would share a recent 'scape' that I did.  This particular day I was definitely channeling June Clever and even had my apron on!  Picture it:  snow was gently coming down outside, the kids got out of school early, I had the roast in the oven and the table set by 2.   My BFF passed some advice to me from her mom - always have the table set, even when you don't know what's for dinner - they'll appreciate more thinking you'd been at it all day for them!  I knew with the snow, the roads would be a mess and hubby would have a rough ride home so I wanted to show some him some appreciation for all that he does.  I was quite proud of myself and he had his hungry on when he walked in the door.  We normally don't have wine with dinner but I had complete the scape!

Okay, so now that I look at them again I realize I must've had my channel on Rosanne instead but I had a feeling of success at the time ... I'll work on it and get back to you!

Sunday 'Site Review

Hi Guys!  I've got a website for you to check out!  Let me know what you think!  During one of my daily surf sessions I came across this site and was blown away!  This is what I've been looking for, and I'm sure you bug junkies will agree!  This site is easy to use and navigate.  They list almost every Cricut cartridge available with photos of their corresponding reference book.  All this information enables you to search by topic, explore the book and even do an advanced search.  I say almost every cartridge because they are missing Smiley Cards :(   but that's okay, it's not even on the Cricut website.  (I thought I remembered seeing it somewhere in my cyber travels but can't remember where)  This is going to be my go-to site when searching for images and phrases.  I find the search easier to use than the Gypsy because you can do more advanced searches plus it's easier to see, the images can be full screened and not limited to the tiny screen.  


Check it out and leave me a comment with your thoughts!

Cricut Search

I just loved the paper I used for the MPS challenge I entered (and didn't win, this time) ... it was staring at me just wanting to be used so it inspired me to alter this picture frame.  I used some Spellbinder dies for the Love label and rosette die-namic from My Favorite Things.  I had the frames forever!  Think the promo pic said '08!  I know I got them from Target, the price tag was like $2! I also used some Tattered Angels sprays to add a little color - they work great on metal!  You might notice the Love stamp from Unity as well.  I have it's twin to alter ... we'll have to see what paper inspires me for that one!!!

Love Bug

So who else has caught the love bug? I'm got my first v-day card done yesterday. My folks live in a retirement community and they do cute things like have secret pals and such. My mom asked me to make some cards for her sp ... this was my first so far. I hope to make tons more for her for all the holidays. I didn't have a 'secret pal' stamp so I typed the inside sentiment and printed it off. I used DoodleCharm cartridge with my copics and love the shadow effect. The paper was recycled from a previous project. The stamps are from Unity! Gotta love Unity Stamps!

Stink Bug Mystery - When will they go away?

The East Coast was infested with Stink Bugs this summer and they will not go away!  They 'don't breed indoors' but I don't believe it!  I hesitated sharing this with you, don't want you to get the wrong impression, but when I was cleaning the fish tank today and one crawled out of the flippin' filter ... well, enough is enough you stinkers!  A few weeks ago Ange was just looking into the door to the pellet stove and started counting the buggers in there ... she only got to eight or nine before I opened the door and I could'a lost my lunch right then.  They were mostly all dead or hibernating and faking me out but there were tons!  Granted, I'm no Hazel but my house isn't that dirty.  Had to take some pix ... I think I'm brave enough to share now ... anybody know where I can get some stink bug paper to scrap these on?  Hey Pink Stamper, maybe Provo is coming out with a Stink Bug cart? Let me know ....  these are NOT the kind of bugs I want to play with!

before ... inside the stove

inside the vacuum canister ... 

Gingerbread Badge Boy

My older daughter is the Girl Scout Troop leader of my younger daughter's troop so I usually wear the co-leader hat as well as the mom hat. For the holiday party this year I made these little gingerbread guys to hold their badges. I think it's fun to do something different to present their badges to them. I had seen this done eons ago as a December b-day party favor and was storing it in my creative cabinet for just the right event. I used the gingerbread guy from Everyday Paper Dolls and altered it a bit. I cut them out of heavy manila construction paper (the original was out of brown grocery store bags). I did a quicky pattern and put their names on the front, zig zagged around the edges. I could've done a little better, stamped their names, better faces but when you wait until the last minute ... I did instruct all the girls to wait until they got home to rip into it! Hope you like!

Pink Stamper Challenge


My New Years resolution is to challenge myself to do more challenges to keep my creative juices flowing. The first one I'm going to submit to is issued from My Pink Stamper.  Robyn is looking to fill a few open spots on her upcoming design team.   Her only request was to use pink, green and brown!    Thanks for making it so easy, Robyn!!!  I have had this little address book foreva it  seems just waiting to be altered.  I was using the pattern paper earlier today for card and thought it would work nicely.  I'm still playing with the Smiley Cards on my Gypsy so I wanted to use an image from that as well.   I made this cute little phone emoticon.  I hope to put my mail addresses, web addresses and maybe even some passwords in here since I can't remember a darn thing these days!!  I LOVED the bold pattern but it just wouldn't work on such a small space so I used the reverse side.  Always buy double sided pattern paper!!  The bold pattern is shimmery and shiny and just luscious and had to share.  It will go in my stash for future use.  I tried to use pink rub-ons for the 411 but of course, didn't have pink numbers so had to use an h and two exclamation marks.  The rub-ons didn't work out that well on the faux suede but they kinda have a distressed look.  Hope you likey!!! 

My recipe for success:  

Pattern Paper - K & Co

Solid Cardstock - Bazzill

Smiley Cards Cartridge (Gypsy Download)

Rub-ons - American Crafts

Like all my meals, I just rummaged for leftovers for the ribbon.