Deer: Dawn & Dusk

Michelle Zindorf has some great tutorials, and I really enjoy following them. I changed a few things, but the layout is pretty much the same.

Happy Thanksgiving

I used watercolor paper for the pumpkins, and a corner punch for the corners on the inside panels. This set is Autumn Harvest, from Stampin' Up! The panel under the watercolor paper is Chocolate Chip and the card base is Dusty Durango.

Freehand Cut-Season's Greetings

I cut all of Santa's clothes out freehand, using felt I bought at WalMart. For the clothesline I used cream colored yarn and mini clothespins I bought at Hobby Lobby. I don't remember where I got the sentiment stamp from. The cardstock is also from WalMart.

Snowman Greetings

For this snowman, I used VersaMark to emboss the outline, then colored in the scarf with a Real Red SU marker. Then I embossed the whole snowman image again. I used PTI Aqua Mist to sponge around the snowman, and added Ivory Flower Soft for the snow. Stamped Season's Greetings in Real Red from the Snow Swirled SU stamp set.

Santa is Watching

Santa was stamped in Sepia, on recycled banana paper. The red and green panels were stamped in gold text, then all 3 edges were sponged with gold ink. I added a red ribbon and adhered to the card base. Very quick and easy card to make.

Tree card

Another Michelle Zindorf inspired card!

Care to Dance asked the Skeleton

I know this little skeleton makes my sister laugh, so it is only appropriate it is on her card. For the front panel I used the soot stamping technique on glossy white cardstock.

Mima and her Goblins

I don't normally write on my cards, but this one had to point out which Goblin was which (in this case, the 5 grandchildren). Mima (aka my mother) flying, watching over them.

I made this card following a tutorial by Michelle Zindorf.

Celebrate

A Superstar Surprise

About 2 weeks ago I went to one of my favorite scrapbooking stores, and waited patiently for the doors to open. You know how sometimes you see someone or something and they/it get your attention but you're not sure why? Well, this girl got my attention that morning. I thought maybe the door had just been unlocked or something. Anyway, I walked in and got what I was looking for. I hear her talking, trying to shop and not to stare- "Is she or isn't she?" She was! She- being Nichole Heady, one of the co-owners of Papertrey Ink!! Nichole is one of the many people in the PaperCraft/Stamping industry whose work I really admire. Her style is clean, simple & elegant. So, I walked up and asked her if she would mind taking a picture with me. (Of course, don't you know I am always prepared!! I always have my camera, anyone that knows me knows that.) Nichole was very nice, and we chatted for just a minute- but I have to admit I was nervous! Having lived in Las Vegas for 4 years, in Florida and even in Nashville, I have met more celebrities than I can remember so it kind of took me by surprise. I think I figured out the reason. Nichole is not a famous singer, or a superstar actress, but she is someone I look up to. As I mentioned before, it is because of her work style, I have read how the company began and because of the stamps she designs- the stamps are something I can see and use, thus creating my own style of cards. PTI also has a great design team, ladies whose work I enjoy and is at times inspiration when I have lost "it" and can't create. (I believe they call that "mojo"?? I am not sure if that makes sense, but to me, Nichole is a superstar in the papercrafting world. Take a look at her blog and see if you aren't inspired: http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/ Then follow the links (or their pictures) under the heading "Our Team- the best in the business" on the left hand side of the page to see the Design Teams' blogs.
Thanks Nichole, for being so nice, and down to earth!! Hopefully we'll run into each other again!

Birthday Card

This was for the wife of one our Navy buddies. The sentiment is Proverbs 31:28-29, that I typed in Word. Simple card to make, and I used colored pencils and baby oil to color in the cross. The front panel was sponged in 2 shades of green. The inside says Happy Birthday.

While I Am Working...

Marley usually lays under the desk, on top pf my feet, literally. This time she was next to my chair, making easier to take her picture. Now that it is getting colder, at least my little furry shadow keeps my feet warm!

Deer In the Woods

 


The card was made following a tutorial by Michelle Zindorf. I added the deer- and that was one of those shrink things. It's funny, that picture looks good- and I took it at night, in the front seat of Matt's truck right before giving it to the recipient. Maybe I should start taking my pictures at night??

15 Years Today...

Matt and I celebrated our 13 wedding anniversary this past March by having a wedding in church like we always said we'd do. However, we began dating 15 years ago today. He was 21 and I was 20, with no idea what the future held for us. We had no idea that we'd get married, have 2 beautiful boys, that we could love each other and agree and disagree and share so many special moments. We were both essentially kids, thinking we knew so much- man were we proven wrong!! I have watched Matthew go from being that handsome young man, to a father who "supervised" the first few diaper changes, teaching the boys things, taking care of his family, making mistakes and moving forward, etc., etc. I think I speak for both of us when I say we have both learned a lot from each other, and from our two beautiful boys. I see the pride on his face as he watches Sebastian and Alex's games and when we get great reports from school. I see the sly smile as he lets Marley sneak onto the couch when (they think) I'm not looking.

Most people don't remember the day they began dating someone, but I do. We were camping with friends and it was the first time he kissed me...under the moonlight, after we climbed a fence and I ripped my jeans- right in the shin. No lie!!! I couldn't possibly make that one up.

We couldn't be more opposite, I am Peruvian, raised by the beach in Florida. I had never met someone who spoke with that Southern accent, ate things like biscuits and gravy- and what in the world is Chicken and Dumplings?? He had a thing or two to learn about Peruvian everything- and I loooooooooove my culture, so he learned a lot about that too!! Yes, I make him listen to the music, or watch the soaps (beacuse of course, I need to listen to the Spanish you know?!), he loves the food (although I will never undersand why he still puts soy sauce on rice. Even yellow rice. Huh??). I love the ocean, he loves the country. Yup, total opposites.

Matt, I am proud to be your wife, I feel privileged to have watched you grow as a person, but also from a young man, to the man you are today. I am proud and feel privileged, to share my life with you, and that (even though I chose YOU) you chose me to share your life with. I am proud and feel privileged to be the mother of your children (thank goodness it wasn't 15!!). I cannot imagine anyone else knowing me the way you do.

Happy "dating" Anniversary, I love you!!

The picture of us was taken October 1995, 1 year after we met, and the day after we returned from a 6 month tour overseas (WestPac). We met while we were (both) in the Navy, stationed on the same ship.

Snowman in the Woods

These snowmen cards took a while to make- I hand cut everything. I did not use any die-cutting machines or stamps- only scissors, glue, paper, paint (for his face) and a toothpick. They took a while, but the end result was something I was very happy with. There will defnitely be more of these made this year!!