Seasons Greetings to all

Merry Christmas from my home to yours!!
Happy Holidays !!
Love, Lisa

Photo wallet/Gift card holder

This year for Christmas my family has decided to do a Dirty Santa gift card exchange. This is a first for us, so it should be lots of fun. (Not to mention so easy to buy for!!)
While surfing Youtube some time ago I happened to stumble upon this Photo Wallet and knew I would be making some. I think it will be perfect to hold gift cards as well as some pictures of the kids.
For some reason this picture posted side ways. LOL This is the completed wallet. Santa is on a belly band that can be easily slid off to get to the goodies inside.
This is the inside, once completed you end up with 6 pockets. I put a few pictures of the kids in a couple of the pockets. The other pockets hold a cardstock base for more pictures later.
Supplies:
1 12x12 sheet of double sided Designer paper
1 12x12 sheet of cardstock
1 scrap of coordinating cardstock
Bone folder
adhesive for the Belly band
Your choice of embellishments
Circle punch (to make the notches on the inner pockets)

Until later~

Christmas cards

I finally got my Christmas cards mailed this week!! Whew!! I started working on them at the scrapbook night at church on November 13, I finished them on Tuesday. And no, there are not something that should have taken that long!! LOL It is fun trying to get something of my own done with to crafty pre-schoolers!! Every time I start working on something they need help with their "projects". LOL
Here is my cards for this year. I used both the Cuttlebug Snowflake embossing folder and the one from Sizzix. (I think I prefer the Cuttlebug. It looks like it is embossed "deeper" and there are more snowflakes in various sizes.) The sentiment is from TAC's Trendy Greetings. Here is the verse on the inside-

The Meaning of the Snowflake

Every new snowflake comes to the earth
is a picture of our Saviour’s birth,
because they are sent from up above
and remind us of God’s care and love.

Each one is so intricate and small
because Christ sees the details of us all,
and just as two are never the same
the Lord knows and calls us each by name.

Snowflakes gently cover the world in white
and hide what’s unlovely from our sight,
showing us how He covers our sin
and gives us His grace when we come to Him.

So may every snowflake bring Christ to mind
and in every bit of white may you find
a reason to celebrate anew
and a reminder of His love for you

-Holly Gerth

I love that poem!! I discovered last night that I still have several more to make...... so maybe these will not take as long. LOL

I hope you are enjoying the Christmas season!!

Until later~

Storage tip-kits

Over the past month or so I have been putting together some kits- mini album kits mainly. I have gathered everything needed to complete a mini album except for pictures and adhesive. (Seriously, it has been fun "shopping" in my studio!!! Who knew I had so much stuff? LOL)
Each kit contains chipboard (for the covers and pages), designer paper, coordinating cardstock, ribbon, binder rings and lots of embellishments!! Once I had everything together for my kits, I was then faced with the problem of how to store them. That is when I came up with this idea-

I have storage bags in many sizes- even some large enough to hold 12x12 kits. I also have many clothes hangers-the kind you use for slacks or skirts. And a closet in my studio- how convenient!! And now I have mini album kits hanging in that closet. (If you try this at home, just make sure you clip the hanger so it closes UNDER the zip closure on the bag- or the hanger will slip off the bag. LOL)
So, when I am ready to scrapbook Halloween I just need to grab this bag and I am all set.
Until Later~

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Christmas planner 2009

I found this idea on a sister Angel's blog and knew I would have to make one. Heather also put the tutorial on Youtube---> HERE. (You will also need to go to her blog for the FREE Downloads.)

Here is a shot of the inside with a peek of the downloads. (How cute is the "Naughty/Nice" list??LOL) I love this Christmas planner- being a "list maker" this one is perfect!!
(Oh, and I used cardstock for my covers. I really need to get some Acetate!! LOL)
Thank you Heather for another Oz-some idea!!

Until later~

Last week's scrap night

Last Friday was scrapbook/craft night at the church. I took 3 things to work on. The first one I finished- but it doesn't look "polished", so I am re-doing it. LOL Then I started on Christmas cards. They are white and the front is embossed. I am not too thrilled with the embossing- so I bought another embossing folder to try. Once I try the new one I will do a product review of both embossing folders. Hopefully I will have a sample to share with you soon.

This is my space. I took this picture because I was giving Desiree a hard time about using her space and more. WELL, she was on the other end of my table. See who took up all the space this time?? LOL
Casey made the cutest little skirts. She used tulle and ribbon. Just look how cute!! She zip through 2 of these in a very short time. She also made something else I will share later- they were gifts, so I will wait to post pictures.
Desiree worked on Journals and gift bags for a Prayer retreat. They were all very cute. I can not believe I didn't get a picture.
Tsarina worked on several things. She is in charge of out ACTEENS at church. They are doing a cookie "sale" this week to raise money for the shoebox Christmas gifts, so she finished stamping the bags for that. She also did some stamping for her Christmas cards. Then she helped Jennie. Jennie is making a scrapbook for her mom. She is using old photos of her mom, friends and family. She is journaling everything. She is doing such an amazing job!! The thing is her mother is blind and will never see any of it- but Jennie is not cutting any corners. I love her dedication!!
Ina finished a book for a Mentally Challenged gentleman. She also put much time and love into this album. I am sure he will love it!!

Until later~

Tag

Do you want to see a tag I made last night? Seriously, it took less than 5 minutes. I see so many options with this one. I only need 3 more for our gifts this year. Speaking of gifts- I am pleased to say it is going to be an easy year. My family is doing a gift card exchange. We each buy one card, then we each pick one. (Oh yea, and then the fun starts- you can swap with someone else, but then someone can swaps yours too. LOL)
The kids picked names of children off the Snowflake tree at church to buy for. We should finish up our shopping this week. Our kids get to ask for 3 things each (3 gifts represents the gifts of the Magi) well, Hunter has 2 on his list- he always holds out on the 3rd one until he finds something he really wants. Hailey on the other hand just wants everything. LOL

Until later~

A Fall Birthday Card...

This is a Fall themed Birthday card. ( I very seldom send season related birthday cards, but since I love Fall I gave it a go.) I distressed the edge of the stamped layer with 4 colors of ink- I really wish the photo looked like real life. LOL The image was stamped with Versamark and Stickles was added to the tops. The sentiment was stamped using Burnt Umber. The image was double layered before adding to the card base. Oh, and the chocolate ribbon really matched the brown later. The inside Birthday greeting was stamped, then cut with a circle punch, and layered on a punched scalloped circle before being adhered to the card base.
Until later~

Happy Halloween!!

This is just a small glimpse of our week. As you can see we have been very busy!! Oh, but we had fun! A trip to a local Metro Park for some fall fun and pictures.
In the pumpkin patch. This is just a small section of the pumpkin field.
Huge pumpkins at the local produce market. Not only did the kids pick their own pumpkins, we also bought some potatoes, apples and fresh Apple Cider.
Decorating pumpkin cookies.
Yummmmm............................
Working on is cookies.
Hailey wanted to be Abby Cadabby this year. (Remember last year? Hailey was told by brother that she would be Odie to go along with his Garfield costume. LOL) She was very excited to get to pick her own costume.

Hunter had a harder time this year picking who/what he wanted to be. But in the end he chose what he loves BEST- Cars.
This pile of candy is very deceiving!! There is A LOT of candy there- and this is only Hunter's pile!


This is my pumpkin. (The kids painted theirs.) He is a spooky little monster.

We finish up our Halloween tonight at church. We are having all kinds of fun things for the family- food, pumpkins, ponies and Trunk or Treat. We are also having a community Chili Cook off, so if you are in the area bring a pot of your favorite chili.

Until later~

Owl hello

Back before owls were all the rage I use to collect them. I had all sizes and shapes, and made from all different materials. You see, once people find out you collect something- well, they think of you whenever they see that particular thing. (And you end up with a million of them. LOL) So, a few years ago I went out of the owl collecting business, but I am still drawn to them. So, when I spotted this stamp last week I knew I had to have it- that very minute. I like that it can be used to make cards for either males or females. (And yes, this is another assembly line card. I need to send out several this week- we have many friends who are battling illnesses this week.)
I hope you are enjoying October. I am amazed that in a couple of days October 2009 will be history! I feel as if the calendar has been on Fast Forward. LOL
Until later~

Checking in

I am checking in real quick, just so you know I have not fallen off the face of the Earth. Hubby is out of town this week, so I have not had a chance to sneak in any studio time. LOL (I have a HUGE amount of respect for single parents!! It is hard work.)
Hunter's surgery was last Friday. (He needed some dental work done.) It did not go as I thought it would, but I do believe it went well. He had no problems at all. He is such a trooper. God was with him and helped him to be brave.

Until later~

Another layout 10-14-09

How about another page for Sock's album? (If you are new, Sock was hubby's dad. He passed away in 1983, and sad to say, neither the kiddos or I ever got to meet him. I am doing this album so my kids will not think of "grandpa" just as someone who died along time ago, but "know" him as a very important member of our family.)

I love this layout. It is a little different for me, just it when together so fast. I KNOW I will be using this idea again. (AND I will be doodling again!! This was the first time, and wow, it adds so much to the over all look. Very pleased. [and thrilled that I did not ruin my whole layout!!] LOL)
Ready to "I Spy"?
6 designer papers
3 dew drops
2 stamps (the swirl under the edge of the picture and a "weathered wood"one stamped along the right edge. Who says you have to use the whole stamp? LOL
2 different doodle strokes
Chipboard
Cricut cut (Plantin Schoolbook for the Monogram)
Distressed edges

Grandma, do you know how old he was in this picture?

Until later~

Hope

My layout today is in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I am sure that each of you have been touched in some way by cancer. Honestly, I can hardly wait for the day that ALL cancer will be curable!!


This Layout is in honor of my mom. She was diagnosed with Breast Cancer May 2008. She has had a long journey to become a Survivor. She went through chemo and radiation and then had the surrounding tissue and some lymph nodes removed.
This picture was taken last Christmas with her husband. (Sorry about the covered faces- 2 reasons- 1- for their protection [remember, once on the 'net always on the 'net] 2- Mom would KILL me for posting a picture of her with her peach fuzz, just as her hair starting growing back.) I left a spot to journal her story.

The Poem reads:

What Cancer Can Not Do
Cancer is so limited...
It can not cripple Love
It can not shatter Hope
It can not corrode Faith
It can not destroy Peace
It can not kill Friendship
It can not suppress Memories
It can not silence Courage
It can not invade the Soul
It can not steal Eternal Life
It can not capture the Spirit

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month- Ladies, PLEASE get your Mammograms!!
Until later~

This house...

This is a 6x12 layout for Sock's Memorial Album. (Sock was my husband's father. He passed away in 1983, and I am doing a Memorial album so my children can learn about the life of their grandpa.)
Sock and Grandma were newlyweds trying to adjust to the married life when they bought this house in 1962. Grandma still lives in this house.

The title is taken from the poem hidden under the photo. You pull the ribbon tab to lift the photo to see the hidden journaling. (This will include the amount paid, etc.)
Here is the poem I found on 2peas:

Bless this home, Lord, And all who are within, Whether it be the love of a family Or the closeness of friends. Watch over this home, Lord, Come sunshine or rain, With the sounds of laughter To always remain. For within these walls Is a love so dear, That grows in strength From year to year, This home. . .Your blessing.

I hope you enjoy!!

I am going to be very busy the next couple of weeks. Hunter has a DR appointment tomorrow- his pre-surgery check-up and then surgery on the 16th. Please remember him in prayer that all goes well.


Until later~

Easter 2009

My son LOVES the I Spy type books. He is so good at finding the hidden pictures. Many times when I look at something I do not see those little hidden gems. This is especially true with scrapbook layouts. So, I have made a habit of counting all the different elements I can spy while looking through my scrapbook magazines. Can you believe I have seen LOs with over 20 elements?
So, in honor of Hunter, here is an I Spy layout for you:

Here are a few things to look for-
3 pictures
2 different designer papers
7 different colors of cardstock
8 buttons
lace
1 pink rhinestone brad and 1 pink velvet brad
3 sizes of flowers (made using punches)
2 LE Stamps sets from TAC
1 word strip (it says "moments you'll never forget")
Glimmer mist (on the flowers)
Hand stitched circle

Some other things used- countless pop dots/glue dots, floss, corner rounder, cloud scissors, the Cricut, paper piercr and ink

So, did you spy everything? LOL
Until later~

All things of Nature

Have you ever gone to your closet and said, "I don't have a thing to wear!" We know that is not true, the closet is filled with clothes- it's just nothing we want to wear. Well, last night I stood in front of my stamps and mentally said, "I don't have a thing to stamp." Well, that is soo not true!! And then in a split second something caught my eye- All things of Nature. It has been awhile since I showed these lovely birds some loving AND, I didn't even reach for my Prismacolor pencils and OMS this time!! (I know you all are in total shock!! LOL)
I created the background with Curls and swirls and clear embossing powder. The image was sprayed with Pearl Glimmer Mist after it was stamped. (Lesson learned- Palette Ink works much better than the ink I used!!!! This ink wanted to run.) And the ribbon is a very close match IRL. This was another "assembly line" card. Now I just have to make my way to the mail box in the rain to send them on there merry way.
Thanks for stopping by!!
Until later~

Flap card

I love the look of the double flap card. I love it because it looks impressive (but it is oh so easy to make!!) LOL This is 4.25"x 5.50" so the whole thing fits into a standard A2 envelope, AND no extra postage!! :-)

Today's blessings-
*Kids are feeling better, I think they are getting over the crud*
*Kids are sleeping better this week*
*Hot homemade soup on a chilly day*
*A Good Mammogram*
*Knowing God really is closer than we think*

Until later~

Fall...

Temperatures still say summer, but the calendar says Fall. (The weather is about to change so maybe it will feel like Fall soon.) I love Fall. I don't know why, I have just always loved it. :-)
I am so excited to get some Fall cards done. This one is my prototype- I only need about a dozen of them now. LOL I guess it is time to set up my assembly line. LOL

All stamps are from The Angel Company- Give Thanks (acorn), Trendy Greetings ("hello") and Curls and Swirls (swirl.) The card base is Kraft (very rustic and reminds me of Fall) and the other papers are from my stash. Scrappers Floss (again rustic= Fall) and rounded corners finish my card. (Oh and Prismacolor pencils and OMS were used for coloring.)
One down, eleven more to go..........

Until later~

Hailey from A-Z

This is Hailey- beautiful, caring, LOUD, and adorable!! (Did I mention LOUD? Who knew one little girl could be so loud?!?!?!) There was a reason she is our second child- God has a sense of humor. She could not be any more different than her big Brother!! She is 100% Diva. LOL Hunter has asked on more than one occasion if we could please sell her on E-Bay. LOL They really are two peas in a pod- two very different peas. At only 3 years old she thinks she has it all figured out. LOL Hailey is an amazing gift from God!!

I used a Limited Edition The Angel Company stamp set from last year for all my a-z words.

Today's blessings-
*Fall is in the air.
*I got to see my mom again this week. She is looking much better. (And getting out of the house a little bit. She came here- for the second Monday in a row.)
*Time spent with good friends
*Seeing God work not only in our lives, but in those around us!!

Until later~

Monday Madness 9-14

It has been awhile since I have done a Monday Madness. so here goes.....

Before-

These are the containers from flowers and Dew Drops.

After-

Now there are neatly hanging from the shelf above my work surface.
(Also hanging from the shelf are my Cricut Solutions cartridges and My Versa Magic Dew Drop ink packs.)

Until later~

Heat embossed flower

Have you ever tried something new and when it worked you got so excited you just had to share it with someone? Well, you gotta see this!! I am so excited it turned out!! Do you see what I am so excited about, huh, huh, do ya? LOL
It is my flower- the brown flower on the bottom. It is a Bitty Blossom- you know a PAPER flower. See the shine? I inked it up with Versamark and then used clear embossing powder on it. Carefully heated {Ireally need to find my tweezers. LOL} I love the way it looks. (And it feels really cool too, almost like plastic- sort of.) You really should try it- if you haven't already. LOL
Until later~

Gerbera daisy

I would like to thank each of you for stopping by!! You will never know how much I appreciate you, it really means so much to me that you not only stop by- but leave the most encouraging comments. Love and Blessings to each of you!!


Here is today's card-this one is going to a friend that is going through some very tough trials right now.

I used a a quick coloring technique- you use an ink foam applicator and color the entire image using a circular motion. Then you shade the edges with a darker color, or two. LOL The center of the daisy was stippled using a 1/2" circle punch negative. Very quick because only the spot you want to color is left open.



A closer look at the daisy. Oh how I wish you could see the shimmer!! I used Pearl Glimmer Mist on the flower once it was all cut out. Oh so pretty!! This is the first time I had used the Glimmer Mist- and after one use I am HOOKED!!
I hadn't used my dew drops for a couple of weeks, I needed to give them some lovin'. LOL

This is the inside- I wonder why it posted sideways? I think finishing the inside of the card makes it look more "polished"- don't you?

Details- All available from The Angel Company
Stamps- Gerbera Daisy, Trendy greetings & Curls and Swirls
Ink- Raw Sienna, Cognac, Orangerie, Burnt Umber and Noir Palette inks and Versamark
Cardstock- Black, and Orange and Yellow Orange
Misc- Clear embossing powder, Mega Scalloped Circle punch, pop dots

Items from my stash-
Gingham ribbon, Pearl Glimmer Mist, Dew Drop, sentiment stamp

Until later~

I am still here...

Another busy week. (Seems to be the story of my life right now. LOL)

Yep, that is my baby boy!! Yep, he is 5 now!! Yep, I love that kid!!
He has been looking forward to September "ferd" all year.

I will have something creative to share soon- (as soon as I get the pics uploaded to my laptop I will share. )

Until later~

And another Masculine card.....

I am determined to master Masculine cards!! LOL So, here I am in need of about a dozen masculine cards. And no, not one is for a birthday- I *think* those are easier to make. Several gentlemen in our church are fighting some very serious health issues, and they are in need of not only healing but encouragement as well. I hope my simple cards are received with all the love and prayers that are being sent.




This ends up being a 5"x4.25" card. I am loving the folds- something a little different. The first picture shows the card laying down- you can see the folds a little better this way. (I am pleased with the tearing on the top layers too- allows a little peek of the inside.) The stamped image is Ship Collage from The Angel Company. (Who knew that having the right stamps could make masculine cards easier? Well, a little easier. And why has it taken me 3 years to add this stamp to my collection?? LOL)

Thanks for stopping by!!

Until later~

Watercolor

So, when will things slow down? LOL We have had the most hectic summer ever, and it is not little things, it is BIG things. Maybe- hopefully- we will slow down once the weather starts to cool...........
Here is the latest card created during a stolen moment in the studio. I used the watercolor technique- color directly on the rubber with watercolor crayons and spritz lightly before stamping. The stamp is Watercolor plants from TAC. (The area around the image was masked and then ink was applied with felt pads.) Gotta run, lots to do today.

Until later~

Daily prayer mini

Remember the sneak peek from a couple of weeks ago? I have finally finished it- well almost. I still need to take a couple of pictures to include AND my newest Cricut cartridge should be here today so I can add a die cut. =)
I made this mini using envelopes- YES, ENVELOPES. You know the business kind, return envelopes that are included with junk mail and bills (if you still get those in the mail. LOL) I seal each one up and then cut in half. The closed ends were then bound together (with the handy little Bind It All) to make pocket pages. Cardstock tags were added to each pocket- after the pages were bound! LOL I then clipped all of the edges to make a tag shape. The top layer on the pages were then folded back to let a little of the tag show. Lots of fun embellishments and ribbon complete my album. (Yeah, stamping and ink too.)
Mine is a little prayer journal. Each layout includes the day of the week, something specific to pray for that day and most include scripture. (I will go back and add more scripture verses)

Here is a glimpse of the pages and tags.

This is Monday- the same page from the sneak peek. when I pull out the tag it reminds who to pray for that day.

Wednesday is the day to pray for our friends. (I need a couple of pics of our friends.)

Friday- pray for our local Church- again, I need pics of our church/ members.

Saturday- Our Relatives. I included family photos here. The flap on this ones lifts up to reveal the day of the week.

Sunday- I sealed to end of the last envelope on this one to make a sturdier back cover for my album. I used a circle punch and scalloped circle punch to make a small pocket for a tag.

Next project- getting my studio visitor ready!! LOL

I hope you enjoy!!
Until later~