Thinking of You...

I made this card today for my dear friend Katie in Texas. Katie and I went to school together. We met in Kindergarten and we were friends through all our school years. I moved away and I would try to see Katie when I would visit home but over the years we lost contact. Last year I had a dream about Katie three nights in a row and I tried to track her down. I was able to reach her and found out that she had been ill and while I was dreaming about her, she was in the hospital! We talk every now and then and try to keep in touch. So, in keeping with my goal to send my friends a card just because, I created this card for her. Her favorite color was always blue so I hope she likes the pink/black/white combo.



I made a simple card from black cardstock, trimmed the front edge and made scallops using my SU! corner rounder punch. Then I added a strip of my Queen & Co. felt fusion and topped it off with some rhinestones and some white paper flowers for effect. I used my SU! word window punch, stamped my sentiment on white cardstock and centered it in the window. Then to break up all the black I cut a white cardstock insert, inked the edges and stamped a flourish in the upper left and lower right corners. I will add a hand written note inside. Katie

A little fun today

My blogger friend, Jennie, had this on her blog so I took the test and thought I'd share.

Your IQ Is 105

Your Logical Intelligence is Average Your Verbal Intelligence is Exceptional Your Mathematical Intelligence is Exceptional Your General Knowledge is Above Average

A Quick and Dirty IQ Test

I have to admit that I would've thought my Logical Intelligence would be higher but after years of Honors English classes, I'm proud to see that my Verbal Intelligence is Exceptional. As for my Mathematical Intelligence, I'm not sure what to think about it. My Math and English scores were only 10 points apart from each other on my high school SAT...Math being the higher of the two. So, I guess I really shouldn't be surprised.

If you take the test, be sure to share your scores. And remember, it's all in fun! Katie

Oh Happy Day!

Well, last week was a little rough on me. I had lots going on in my personal life and it was a very long, tough week. I resolved to put it behind me and I feel much better. My dear friend Deb P. (PCMB 5treasures) sent me a pick-me-up package and it did just that. Let me tell you how I met Deb. I joined the Paper Crafts Message Board community in Oct. 2006. Deb had been a member there for sometime already. She was always encouraging about my projects and so fun to chat with. In Feb. 2007 we were paired together for a Valentine Sock Swap. We were to send a pair of Valentine socks and about $5 to $7 worth of scrapbooking goodies. Deb sent me the most adorable puppy ankle socks...which Cody and Shelby LOVE! We emailed back and forth on a daily basis then I got to meet Deb in person. Yup, in person. She came all the way from Schaumberg, IL to see me (and some others) at a retreat I hosted last Sept. Ever since then, we talk on the phone and IM each other daily. In keeping with the sock tradition Deb sent me the BEST PINK socks with hearts and a little penguin on them along with the cutest card with a little snail with wiggly eyes and a great stamp set from K&Company. Here's a pic:



Honestly, the pic doesn't to it justice!

I also received another package today from my PCMB friend Heidi (GiftsbyHeidi). Heidi does AMAZING dry embossed work...check out her blog here. It blows me away, really. I had sent Heidi some chipboard coasters and even though I told her not to worry about sending me anything back...she did. And I have to admit, I'm really glad she did! She made the cutest card that reads "have an ice day" with an adorable penguin on it and sent me some great dry embossed card candy she made. Here's a look at it:



And I already have plans for the pizza set. I have some really great pics of Cody eating pizza at Grandma Sandy's house. Those pizza slices will be a great addition to the page topper for his scrapbook page. Just look at how much he's enjoying this pizza...



Thank you, Deb and Heidi, for lifting my spirits! I love everything you sent! Katie

Perpetual Calendar

Every year I have the get organized resolution. You know the one...where you have all your stuff together, never forget an appointment or a birthday, and live happliy ever after. Yeah, well, it never works for me...hence the necessity to make the resolution every year! What's the difference this year? Well, this year I'm putting the effort into creating a system that I know even I can keep up with. I designed this perpetual calendar (with the help of the Karen Foster Design's 5x14 calendar base and the Calendar Kit Micro Bundle) to get me off to a good start. This 12 month calendar has a 4x4 decroated calendar topper and plenty of room for you to track those very special dates. The Micro Bundle comes with 24 patterned papers, 24 plain papers, and 12 sheets of coordinating stickers. Then, as I started designing I decided to add some extras like die cuts, flowers, ribbon and bling! Here's a peek at my favorite pages.

Februrary:


April:


August:


I love the simplicity of the designs and I've left room on every page to add a photo of a loved one. You'll have plenty of paper and stickers leftover to personalize the bottom portion of every month as well.

Class kits are now avaialable for purcahse for those who cannot attend the actual class. You will received written instructions along with emailed photos of the original sample. If you're interested in this kit it is $25 plus s&h (an estimated $3.50). If you have any questions or would like to order one you can email me at sethdsmom@yahoo.com

One Crafty Day

Pam, owner of Dreams & Memories Scrapbook Store, was out of town this weekend. She traveled with a friend to Houston, TX to attend CKC-Houston. So, I got to play at the store! YEAH! I was sick Friday and didn't make it much past lunchtime but fortunatley for me I was all well Saturday. I had the entire store and crop room all to myself. Plus, a new shipment of goodies came in so I got to see first! So, what did I do with my time? Well, I made a one page 12x12 layout, a birthday card for my cousin, and 20 yes 20 2x2 Valentine cards for my 8 year old. I feel very accomplished!

I really love how the layout turned out. When I first saw this paper online I knew I HAD to have it! So, I searched and searched and finally I got my hands on it at CKC-Tulsa last August. It is Scenic Route's Metropolis line. I just love the color combos. The chipboard and credit card frame are Heidi Swapp. I used my Stampin' Up! edge distressing tool to distress the edges of the paper for some added detail. This layout was super simple and used minimal supplies.



The card is a criss cross card. I just LOVE these cards. They are simple to make but I think they make a big statement. Don't you? And of course, I couldn't send her a card that didn't have flowers and bling on it, could I?! wink, wink





And Seth's Valentine's. They are a very simple design. After all, they are going to a very rowdy bunch of 2nd graders. No doubt they will be signed, added to the cute hand-decoreated boxes, read once, scoured for candy then tossed away. But, lots of love went into them. I used SU! Taken with Teal cardstock and the patterned paper is from Reminisce. I thought the teal would be a nice touch since they're from a boy. Anyway, my sweet and so very thoughtful Seth will be very appreciative...no matter how simple the design.




Well, that's all for me today. I'm off to see what else I can drum up! Have a great week! Katie

Today's Project

Suddenly, around 10 pm this evening, I became inspired! I wanted to make a card...one I could send to a friend. With the new year in full swing and the holidays behind us I've had some time to think about my dear friends. I have two friends back in Texas that I still keep in touch with...one of which is actually my cousin, Heather, and the other a life-long friend, Katie. Then, there's my very good friend, Deb, in IL. Deb has a very special place in my heart and I'm fortunate enough to communicate with her almost daily. And I cannot forget about my new 'cyber' friend, Rae. Rae is a very talented lady (check out her blog to the right!) and I consider myself lucky to have "met" her. I have decided that each of my friends will receive a just because card from me at some point this year. Their birthdays are all spread throughout the year and my goal is to send them all a birthday card also. Most of the crafting I've done lately has been either working on class samples, putting together class kits, or working on a challenge piece. So, I'm glad to have made something because I felt like it!



Thank you to all my friends, near and far. And, thank you to all of you who read my blog! I appreciate your interest in my work and I read EVERY comment. Katie

Three Hobby Lobby's and Two 40% off coupons later...

Whew! Last week I had the opportunity to do a little "guilt free" shopping! I received a gift card to Hobby Lobby for Christmas and I've used a little here and a little there. Well, I went on a shopping spree!!! There are 3 stores in my general area and I hit every one of them. I used the 40% off coupons to buy two of the larger items I've been eyeing for some time. The first one was the Fastenater Stapler by EK Success...and of course, I HAD to buy the pink one! (wink, wink) Next up was the Grommet Setter by Making Memories. I LOVE MM's products...and I have many of their tools. Notice all the yellow clearance stickers? I perused the aisles until I found deals on accessories for my new goodies. I got 2 packs of staples, a matching pink staple remover, an extra set of grommets, some corduroy flower brads, and a pack of Inspirables woven labels...oh, and the flat back rhinestones were 1/2 off so I grabbed a bag of blue ones. $48 later, my gift card is empty! LOL! But, I have a craft table full of new goodies screaming my name.




Next up, my friend, Rae has 'tagged' me! This is the first time I've been tagged so I'm excited.

1. Name your two favorite scrapbook topics. Hmm, my family and events.

2. What are the two best places you've been to? Well, I really enjoyed Chicago and I LOVE Texas...being a TX native. Okay, I know I'm boring...but I've never been out of the country.

3. Name two things you do every day? Laundry and play with my babies

4. Tell us two things that everyone pretty much knows about you? I'm sooo totally addicted to paper crafting and I have 4 kids.

5. Two places you wish to visit? Puerto Rico...see, my Grandpa was a government employee and back in Dec. 1941 he was in what is now Puerto Rico. My Grandma was within days of delivering my mom when Pearl Harbor was bombed. My Grandpa was called back to the States buy my Grandma had to stay behind until my mom was born. Thankfully, my mom arrived healthy on Dec. 9, 1941 and shortly after Grandma and the rest of the kids got to come home. I've always wanted to visit and hopefully it's something my mom and I can do together. And the second place is Provo Utah!! (wink, wink)

6. Two things you may not know about me are: I was in the United States Navy and I'm a spoiled brat!

7. Two nicknames you've had at some time in your life: My Mamaw always called me her "Candy Baby" and my Dad deemed me his "Rotten Baby Girl"

8. Name two of your favorite drinks? Sweet tea and Big Red

9. What are two interesting (in a good or bad way) jobs you've had in your life? Hmmm, let me see...I worked at the reservation center for American Airlines after I graduated High School and from there I went to work in a fiberglass factory as a rewinder (I spliced together the fiberglass yarn and combined the leftover spools back to large, usable spools again)

10. What are two things you would like to learn? I would definately like to learn more about photography and I'd like to learn how to ride a motorcycle.

11. What two things would make your scrapping/stamping work space work even better for you? A slightly larger space and some extra personalization.

12. What are two of your best organizational tips for stampers that do not have a lot of space? I have my ribbon rolls on a 4" dowel rod hanging above my table. This has saved a TON of space plus I can easily look up to see what I have that might go with the project I'm working on. Also, definately keep your space as clean as possible. At the very least clean when you are done.

13. What are your two favorite stamping toys? I really like my Cuttlebug and all the dies and accessories and I can't live without my 12x12 Purple Cows Paper Trimmer.

14. If you could have TWO super-powers, what would they be? I'd have x-ray vision so I could see what my kids were doing no matter what room they were in and I'd be able to read peoples thoughts.

15. Name two words that describe your stamping/scrapbooking style? Clean and Cute

16. Name two of your favorite colors to design with? Hmmm, pink and blue...not necessarily together.

17. Name two of your all-time favorite paper collections/lines. I would have to say (right now) it is Making Memories Note-Worthy and Scenic Route Metropolis.

and my added question:

18. Name your top two favorite paper crafting manufacturers. Making Memories and Prima

Now it's my turn to tag so.....Pam (Dreams & Memories Scrapbook Store) and my PCMB Friend Jennie. After you answer all the questions you have to add one of your own...but it has to have two parts. Then, tag two more! Thanks guys!

Katie

January's Challenge

Every month Pam, owner of Dreams & Memories Scrapbook Store, issues her designers and customers a challenge. When you complete your challenge and turn the project in Pam issues a $2 coupon good for store merchandise and she displays the project in the store for the month. This year, Pam has decided it's all about me. Well, not ME but the individual. I think most crafters will agree that the multitude of projects they complete are for someone else. So, Pam's challenges this year will all be about creating something for ourselves and at the end of the year, we will have 12 (or more) pages in our very own scrapbook. January's challenge was to create a layout about our dream. That's it...pretty simple. So, here's my "I have a dream" layout.



Paper, metal rim, paint, blue flower: Making Memories
chipboard: Lisa Bearnson
pink flowers: Prima
rhinestones: Crafts Etc.

Speaking of dreams, Pam has started her very own blog! Yeah Pam! Check out her ramblings and keep your eye out for new products and store specials here.

Thank you to those who read my blog. I read every comment and I appreciate all your support. Katie

Football Accordian Album

Here are a few pics of the Football Accordian Album I'm teaching on Jan. 29 at Dreams & Memories. The album is 12 pages plus the front and back cover. There are also some pocket pages inside with some removable tags. The paper and stickers atre Flair Designs. A little inking, some ribbon, and a few foam dots here and there add some great detail. We have a limited number of kits for this class so if you're interested, reserve your spot NOW!

The front cover:


inside pages:


back cover:



Thanks for looking! Katie

Cuttlebug Club

Well, as many of you know, the Cuttlebug is all the rage these days! I have one and LOVE it! That little machine can do soooooo much. Many of the ladies who frequent Dreams and Memories have requested some classes that will teach them how to use it and what you can do with projects. So, Pam and I have organized a 'Cuttlebug Club'. Each month the members will receive a new die and/or embossing folder and will create two or more small projects using their new hardware. It is a set price of $20 so there's no surprises. For this month, the members will receive the Heart Embossing folder and the 3x3 nesting heart die! What a deal! And, here's just ONE of the projects they will complete using their new goodies.

The front of the card:


and the inside of the card:


Cute huh? I thought so. They will also be creating a bag topper for a candy goodie bag.

I've created a list of my class schedules to the side. If there are any classes you're interested in seeing pics of or purchasing kits for just leave me a message or send me an email and I'll get it right out to you!

Thanks!
Katie

Letting go...

I am relieved to know that I am not the only one who hoards their beloved scrapbooking supplies. Miss Essie has posted her second challenge for 2008 asking us to use some of our precious supplies we've been holding on to. I knew immediately that the hardest part for me would be deciding WHICH product to use. Yes, I have that much! It's actually amazing that I get as much done as I do because I can't bear to use my supplies. I mean, what if I want to use it on a different project later and I'm all out? Well, perhaps I should make this number 2 on my goals list for this year! Thanks for the push Miss Essie! To read more about this challenge or to join in on the challenges yourself click here. And finally, here's a look at my creation.



I got a call from my brother-in-law about 15 minutes before I got started that his girlfriend is in labor, has been admitted into the hospital, and my new little niece Rylee is officially on the way. So, I decided I'd jump in and make her a welcome card! The paper, flower, button, and glitter die cuts are all from Making Memories' Noteworthy Collection. The "tiny" and "baby" tags are also MM and the velvet ribbon is Maya Road. I think the ribbon adn the tags have been in my stash the longest. Well, I'm off to hunt down my mother-in-law and head off to wait for Rylee. Happy Scrappin'! Katie

A Resolute Challenge...

Well, as many other people do I tend to set some "resolutions" when the new year arrives. This year I am going to try to be more organized. With my class schedule picking up between The Pad and D&M plus the appointments for the babies and such, my life can get pretty hectic. Laura at Scrap-Mart (www.scrap-mart.com) has issued a challenge on their blog to create something that will be inspirational in regards to your New Year's Resolution. I decided to create a calendar cover for one of those 2 year calendars you can get for like a buck. So, here it is!



Part of the challenge was to use a die cut on your project; preferrably either a BossKut, Quickutz, or Cuttlebug die since those are the dies they sell. I chose my Quickutz lace arch die for a simple border along the top and bottom. Katie