1. Good times: good times. (I always think it should be a pair and this phrase always reminds me of my sister.) 2. I need to clean my home. 3. Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?. Go on I dare you to try and come up with something else. 4. _Little by little, my house is looking more festive. 5. Once more for old time's sake. 6. when will it end? 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching Glee again, tomorrow my plans include cleaning (blah) and Sunday, I want to bake and craft!
Uber cold weather = short walks for the doggie Short walks + Genetic Energy = bored doggie Bored Doggie = Destructive Dog Destructive Dog = Unhappy Mom Unhappy Mom + Guilty Mom = New toys for Doggie New Toys for Doggie = smaller bank balance for mom, but a happy dog
Good thing he's cute!
And to think my HS geometry teacher said I'd never be good at math, either he was a genius at reverse psych or a total ASS, 20 years later I still choose the latter.
You know sometimes it's the simplest pages and pictures that make me smile. This one tells the story about a stroll S and I took along the Highline Canal in October. Our mission was to find some horses and we met a couple of beautiful creatures as we enjoyed a fabulous fall day. I knew as soon as I saw the red and brown papers from Jenni Bowlin they would be perfect for this page. So happy with the way it turned out. Now if only I could get my hands on some more of these corrugated letters from Jillibean, yes I know I have a paper crimper and could make them myself, but where's the fun in that?
1. You get what you deserve. 2. You gotta fight for yourright toparty. (yep, vintage beastie boys proof my brain can be pretty random) 3. It's hammer time. 4. That my brain is thinking in musical answers is prettyridiculous! 5. I feel more of the holiday spirit this year than the past few. 6. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a...goodnight! (ok a little early on that one)
7. And as for the weekend, I vegged Friday night, today my plans include breakfast with Houstonand a little crafting and Sunday, I want to watch the Broncos hand it to the Chiefs!
And now for a little layout, pretty happy with the way this one turned out. So many times, I'm afraid to cute paper up, it's just too cute...That was the case with the blue gingham, the other side looks like a reading primer from the 50's...after being in the stash for a couple of months, I finally allowed myself to cut it, and I'm so glad I did.
Where does the time go? I made this layout at a crop in Ft. Collins over two weeks ago, don't know why it took me so long to post it here. Darn funny videos keep getting in the way. Anyway...love, love, love this picture of S from Halloween leaf play.
I find this time of year a little hard to focus...crafting, decorating, baking, shopping, eggnog latte consuming... which to do first? And it's not like work is a walk in the park this time of year. I wonder if others feel the same...
Speaking of crafty distractions...crafting god --- Tim Holtz started his 12 days of tags, an annual tradition, on his blog today. If only I can restrain myself from running out to Michaels or Archivers to get every stinkin supply (I know, I know...you're shocked I don't already own it, me too...me too). See what I mean distractions abound.
you combine one of R&B's biggest divas --- Mary J Blige and pop opera icon Andre Bocelli and one of my favorite christmas carols. Something really special indeed. I watched this on Oprah just a few minutes ago and the rewound and watched again and then searched on youtube to share with you --- think of it as an early christmas present. The good stuff starts about 1:30 in...
with connections! You might remember me posting some atc creations and bemoaning the fact that I really wanted the ATC tray to put them in...I went on a search --- no local stores, pooh. Online...sold out, sold out, on SC in a project kit this month but the kit was $41 and all I wanted was the tray but I was willing to pay for the whole kit.
Then out I went to get the mail, there's a key in the box and I thought 'oh no I thought I was doing better at getting the mail did I forget last week and the mailman move the crap to the bigger packages box. Crap!'
Slowly I opened the box, and what to my surprised eyes did a see a big envelope from my dear friend Rachel with the printer tray enclosed, I practically skipped home, it was such a great surprise. I quickly put my cuties in their homes, they were a little big, but I was able to cut them down without too much trouble. Now I want to make some for Christmas. Can't wait!
Thanks Rach, you made my week --- maybe even the month!
Another layout from November Studio Calico goodies...one of my favorite things about kits I that they stretch my creativity, determined to get the most out of each one, I use things I wouldn't normally buy for myself like the paper I cut the weekly tabs out of or the flower card from Sassafrass. In the end, I'm grateful for the stretch, the pages turn out so much cuter---having a cutie like this to scrap doesn't hurt either. Patterned Paper: Basic Grey(Green), Studio Calico(Daily Tabs) Flower Card: Sassafrass Brad: Basic Grey Alphas: AC (green), Crate Paper(Yellow)
First Oprah, now thrifty decorating blogs...who can resist the appeal of 'My Favorite Things'? Certainly not me...320 * Sycamore is a great decorating blog full of ideas to make things on the cheap, but this weekend she hosted a blog hop with lots of people playing along. Totally seemed like fun, so here goes...my favorite things --- if I won the Powerball lottery or married Mr. 66 Million dollar contract (I wonder which is statistically more probable)I would buy one of each for each of you until then you'll just have to dream along with me.
1. Bath and Body Works Lip Gloss...no day is complete without 3,4 or maybe more applications 2. iPodNano with my favorite songs from this year
3. Glimmer Mists in all the basic colors, not just for scrappy fun, I've used mists on dried flowers, fabric, even a painted tin star. Don't stand still in my craft room, you might get misted too, who couldn't use a little more sparkle in their life? 4. Studio Calico subscription
5. This Lens (ok so this one is really a wish, but I'm betting it would be one of my favorite things if I had it)
6. My inner 8 year old put this on the list...why didn't they have cool stuff like this when I was a kid, I did melt my own in the easy bake oven to make multi-colored circle crayons.
7. A soft fluffy fleece blanket, mine is green...but this one from pier1 might be making it's way to my house soon
.
8. Restaurant Style El Milagro Tortilla Chips from Whole Foods, just like chips from your favmexican place...light, flaky, perfect
9. Emily, my hairdresser extraordinaire at New Energy Salon...of course I can't give you Emily, but I would give a gift certificate to see her...purple optional 10. Egg Nog Lattes
Darn 10 so fast, can't stop yet...just a few more... 11. Christmas Movies...No Holiday Season is complete without a couple of movies, these are just a few of my favorites
12. The list wouldn't be completed without Dansko's, I bought these beauties at a charming little shop Hearne's in Old Town, Ft. Collins.
And finally because some of you may just have had this little ditty going through your head..
Julie Andrews not your thing...try the vintage jazz god John Coltrane
You Tube is definitely one of my favorite things...
so I'm working off the better late than never motto here, since it's clearly Saturday morning at least in my neck of the woods...I've seen these cute little fill-ins on a couple of blogs and thought they looked kind of fun (I've always been a sucker for mad-libs) of course they're really intended to be answered on Friday, but...once a procrastinator, always a procrastinator
1. We need more laughter in the world. 2. I was clued into this blog on Emma from Glee's fashion style and it made me smile. 3. If you want something, be prepared to work for it. 4.Don't buy condoms at the dollar store because you'll probably need to get the pregnancy test too. (yes I saw both at my visit this week, some things are worth the money) 5. Massachusetts has a proposed 5% sales tax on elective cosmetic surgery; I think if the money goes to kids and/or eating disorder clinics I'm all for it. (Can you imagine the people that would show up for that Tea Party) 6. Seeing the joy on little one's faces makes for a happy holiday. 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to resting, tomorrow my plans include laundry(first load already in) and Sunday, I want to see the Broncos put their game back together!
And now for a little crafty goodness, I finished this layout at the crop last weekend and it makes me smile... Kit: Studio Calico, Marketplace Patterned Paper: BG, October Afternoon Brad: Sassafrass Alpha: Making Memories Flower: Bella Blvd Mist: Tattered Angels Dazzling Diamonds (I know you can't see it in the pic but the bow and plaid paper sparkles)
Patterned Paper:Hambly Stamps: Studio Calico Ribbon: AC Brad and Journal Spot: Sassafrass
As soon as I saw the dress form paper from Hambly in an add-on kit from Studio Calico, it was a must have, that it came with fun stamps and other fab goodies was an added bonus. I couldn't thing of a better way to use it than a page about the dress I made for Sienna.
Anyone who knows me knows I'm all about structure and rules and habits, I'm happiest when I can create rules...and uncomfortable when I'm around people who 'break the rules' except when in the crafty world, where I'm drawn to the work of the rule breakers. I watch them and think 'no way' will that turn out and it does. for them, not me or at least I thought so until I read through a class by one of the best...Miss Ronda Palazzari created for a Cocoa Daisy Online Crop.
I read these words on Sunday morning as the snow fell all around and thought gee that sounds familiar... We cloud our minds with the "what ifs?" and self doubts. What if i don't like what i do? What if i mess up my paper? I don't know how to do this. I have never tried it before so i will just mess it up.
So lets clear those self doubts by just playing! After all, sometimes it is just about the journey. You may mess up. You may lose a few pattern paper scraps a long the way. Let go of those worries. We all make mistakes
And I did and boy am I glad I did...
I gave my permission to make a mess...and a mess I did
I'm not sure my desk will ever be the same...
I gave myself permission to play with all of my mists, stamps, paint, rub-ons, misc supplies and just play
And play I did and here's what I ended up with...ok so once color scheme started to emerge I went with it and then the theme emerged of positive messages to myself...now if only I could get my hands on one of those cute ATC printer's trays from 7 Gypsies to put all of my pretties in...
Thank you, thank you Ronda! Be sure to check out her class Loads of Layers and give yourself permission to play!
the last week seemed to vanish, I had great plans and blog posts written in my head of things to share but that's as far as I got.
Friday was an exciting day because this little layout was highlighted on the Studio Calico blog, snatched right out of the gallery along with a few others. It made me so happy to get the email and a little ashamed that it was shared with the 'world' before here with my loyal readers. But you get the extra special story behind it...Patterned Paper: Sassafrass, Cosmo Cricket Mist: Tattered Angels (Yellow Daisy) Alpha: Cosmo Cricket Journal Spot: Sassafrass Cardstock: Scenic Route (blue grid)
It all started with the tree shape and as you may know if you scrapped with me recently I'm a little obsessed with Glimmer Mists so I wanted to mist a tree shape on some cardstock to make a page, but not wanting to waste a piece of cardstock for the template I decided to use this piece of Sassafrass paper included in October's SC kit, which did not appeal to me at all, let's face it this paper in the wrong hands can go wrong. I couldn't find my sheet so Houston gave me hers. I cut the tree and misted the shape on cardstock but it just didn't quite work out the way I envisioned in my head (such things rarely do) so the little tree cut out hung around in my stash for a few weeks, it was too cute in a 'so ugly it's cute' way that I couldn't throw it away and once I printed these pics I was sure glad I didn't. I was perfect for these shots I took of S in a tree (don't worry moms not too high up and I was right there to ensure safety). Add a few Martha butterflies and a little mist and a happy page is done.
Here's another example of my mist obsession, this one totally inspired by Rhonda. I misted through plastic mesh and on some bubble wrap to make the kraft background and then lightly misted the cream background.
And speaking of mists, yesterday I went to a crop in Ft. Collins and set next to the queen of mists Liz Hicks, seriously the queen aka the education coordinator for Tattered Angels. Oh My! Very Inspiring!! Can't wait to try out a few things I saw her do.
In the meantime, the Improve Everywhere gang is at it again, appearently they were on the today show this am, I was of course at work so I missed it, and sadly that one isn't posted on their you tube channel yet, but I did find a new to me Grocery Store Musical for us all to enjoy while we pout over Glee and wait for the next installment
S as in... Saturday... check out the gorgeous fall weather we had a mere 4 days ago...
and now we haveSnow, lots and lots of SNOW...you can barely make out the path Tanner and I took on the am walk near the bottom of the picture, snow was up to my knees.
Sew, Sienna and Surprise
Yes I surprised myself by actually finishing the dress I gave you a peek of last week, in time for her to wear it for awhile on Saturday. I gave up on the reversible part, we'll save that for another day. Clearly it's a little big, but we made it work.
Sorry, couldn't find any forward facing shots that showed off the full dress. She's staring off into the pasture where there were horses just a few minutes ago. We took the trail specifically to go on a horsie hunt, hoping to see some horses in their pastures or if we got really lucky, someone riding along. We got our wish, not only did we happen upon some horses in a pasture, but our timing was perfect, the owner of the horses we looked at came out to the field to halter a horse as we were standing by the fence and he brought the horses over. S was in shock! It's one thing to see a horse in a book or out in the field, but standing right next to you is a whole other story.
Speaking of stories, here's the picture of her telling the story in her own toddler-ese as we made our way back down the trail...
Off to make the most of snow day number 2, laundry is going, dishwasher running, maybe I'll hit the scraproom.
It's a snow day, yippee! But I'm still up and in the morning routine---checking various email accounts for anything of note. I came across this ad from Petsmart...
Seriously? As you know I'm a lover of all things fall, I have many items with the pumpkin spice sent in my house at the moment, but I think I'll draw the line at having Tanner smell like it too. Something just doesn't seem right about that.
and I'm 'not so' secretly hoping for a major one that turns into a snow day. 5-10" is all we're predicted to get so I doubt my wishes will come true, just enough to make driving a pain.
Once upon a time this was a scrapbooking blog, so I thought it only fair that I finally show off a layout or two. I scrapped on Friday and Saturday night with some of my favorite girls, so inspiring they are...and the laughter, so much it hurt.
So for Jen, who I've missed so much a double page layout, with only a couple of buttons... I love the way Sienna walks with such determination, here she is one the hunt for the perfect pumpkin, which sadly was elusive on this particular day. Oh well maybe next year... and if you think those are cute, wait until you see her in her halloween costume, we took the essential costume/leaves pictures on Saturday. I have lots of editing to do, but here's a sneak peek for the fam.
How did it get to be Thursday so fast? If you remember way back on Sunday, I promised a glimpse into some of the fall decor I've been inspired to put together. In all honesty, I started this post last night and then got swept away by Glee (Emma as Audrey, simply wonderful). All inspiration credit goes to The Nester and her 31 Days to a Better Dressed Nest Series(although today's post ---fix something not particularly inspiring or maybe it's just because I like to put my head in hole and avoid those things, wonder if a call to the prop manager counts?)
The fall banner(center pic and close up on right) is what started this whole thing. Nester found it somewhere else and made one and you know it was everything I had not to rush out an buy some burlap that very minute. But I couldn't just hang a plain burlap banner ---oh no I decided I really wanted to redo the whole fireplace 'focal wall'. I've been scouting punched tin mirrors at antique stores and outside markets for a few months ---long enough to know the real deal is way out of my budget. So off to Hobby Lobby to try and find something similar, that was a no go, but mirrors were on sale so I came home with a plain black mirror. I painted the molded frame white and rubbed some silver to antique and I'm pretty happy. Banner is super easy...cut burlap into triangles, stencil letters in brown paint (I used some old BG chip letters to make the stencil) then punch 4 holes with your handy dandy crop-o-dile at the top and thread some twine or ribbon. The original poster had twine, but I'm thinking she must not have had cute brown and white polka dot ribbon, otherwise how could she resist.
The Nester is a big promoter of the 'Shop the House' theory for accessorizing and decorating, Yay for her as she has clearly spent her extra pennies on accessories at TJ Max and Ross. I shopped my house and came up with 3 types of things: clothing, craft supplies, and dead and faded dried flowers. Sadly hanging my beloved pink denim jacket on the wall just didn't look right, so I moved on to the craft supplies. Who knew mists could bring life to faded flowers? I wrapped a basic jar candle in my beloved ribbon and stuck a misted prima in the middle. Did you know burlap is super cheap? Not great if you suffer from asthma or allergies, but if you can get past it, this stuff is great for decorating for fall on the cheap. Not only did I use it on the banner, I used as table covers and runners for a bookcase, dining table, and side table. Then I stuffed an old pillow in a folded piece and stitched it up with some twine. Cute, made cuter by hot gluing some silk leaves (in the $1 spot at Target) on the front.
Even my October kit from Studio Calico got in the fun, I copied this from one of the Tinas on the SC Design Team. Make a tree from Bo Bunny rubons, spell out Autumn with BG letter stickers, add some Cosmo Boyfriend paper, Brown cardstock and green pompom trim and you've got a festive art piece, stick it a frame from Goodwill with some silk leaves hot glued on and you've hit a home run.
I'm still on the search for the perfect pumpkin to be the centerpiece on the dining table, for now the white plastic one is filling in just fine.
How about you, how have you dressed you nest for fall?
Hey, hey you! Yah you! Look over here please! We are Ranger and Tanner - along with our mom we are Happy Dog Studios. She likes papercrafting and we like keeping her feet warm, letting her know when the squirrel mafia might invade and chasing random bits of paper scraps.
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