Using it up or throwing it out...

Life in these parts hasn't been uber-exciting. I'm slowly working my way through the rooms in our apartment to purge and clean and get rid of our accumulation of junk to make room for baby things. We're also looking to move into a bigger place (we need at least a 2 bedroom now) as soon as our lease here is up at the end of February. Unfortunately, that is too late to welcome baby into a new place and we'll be in moving mode right after I give birth. I'm a little worried about that because I probably won't be very useful (except to direct), but luckily we'll have some help.

In the crafty realm, I finally got my paper scraps under control, which ultimately helps me see what I have in my stash and hopefully put it to better use. I've broken down all but the last 3 Studio Calico kits and incorporated the leftovers into my supplies, which is helping me focus on using up the kits I've left intact. At this point, I've only LOOKED at (ok, and I'll admit it - SNIFFED) the November goodies, but I'll get to it soon.

My mojo is elusive when it comes to creating scrapbook layouts, but the cards are coming easily. Here are a few of the ones I've done in the past few days.

Made this one for the Card-A-Licious challenge #31 (make a card using flowers and the colors black & red):

Created using the Studio Calico Cotillion kit/add-ons (September 2009) and items from my stash.
Materials: Cardstock (Black) Michael's, (White) Office Depot;
Patterned Paper (Broken China from June Bug collection) Basic Grey;
Stickers (June Bug Alphabet) Basic Grey, (Black Reverse Tiny Alphas) Jenni Bowlin,
(Bee Woolie from June Bug collection) Basic Grey; Fiber (Ribbon) American Crafts.

This one for my co-worker's housewarming (lifted from a card previously posted on Laura Craigie's blog):

Created exclusively with the Studio Calico Yearbook kit (October 2009).
Materials: Cardstock (Honey Dotted Swiss) Bazzill;
Patterned Paper (Bus Route from Report Card collection) October Afternoon;
(Wood Shop, World Geography) Studio Calico;
Clear Stamps (Happy Home set) Studio Calico;
Stickers (Brown Reverse Tiny Alpha) Jenni Bowlin;
Accents (Kraft Envelope) Maya Road, (Twine)

And this one, inspired by some paper-pieced monkey cupcake toppers I saw in the January/February 2009 issue of Paper Crafts magazine:

Created using the Studio Calico Double Dutch Add-On kit (May 2009) and items from my stash.
Materials: Cardstock (Brown, Kraft) Bazzill, (White);
Patterned Paper (Slate from Little Sprout collection) Crate Paper;
Accents (Black, Orange brads) Making Memories, (paper flower) Prima;
Fiber (Yellow Ruffle Ribbon) American Crafts;
Clear Stamp (Sentiment) Papertrey Ink

I've been keeping up with my daily gratitude cards, also. However, I have not had the chance to photograph the most recent ones. I'll update with those later. And I am hoping to get through even more of my recent kits over the weekend.

If you're still with me, you're a trooper. Thanks for stopping by!

I Told You I was Freaky

Aaaaaaaahahahahaha!

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleigh full of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you. I'd love to win! And I'd also love to spread the cheer and find out these things about you...

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?

• Vintage typewriter
• This gorgeous quilt (by cluckclucksew on Etsy)
• This print or this one from one of my fave Etsy shops (vol25)
• gift certificates - especially to this place or this place
• a spa day - complete with pedicure and facial treatment
  

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?

I was too young to remember receiving it, but I still love the knitted afghan I got when I was a baby. It is in storage at my parents' house right now, but I plan to give it to my baby when s/he is born.

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?

I'd love to learn how to quilt or knit. Then the hand-made gifts would be ON!

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?

One year, my parents stayed up all night folding 100 dollar bills origami style. They put them in several boxes for me to open up and unfold. Then they took me shopping wherever I wanted to go.

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?

Since my bebe is still in-utero, I get to make up the baby wishlist. It includes this stroller/travel system, this adorable handmade owl pillow, or these crazy cute stuffed monkeys. Oh, and a Boppy.

6. What is your favorite holiday food?

PIE!!!

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?

Being pregnant, I'm keeping it simple and just making cards this year.

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?

Home Alone and/or A Christmas Story

9. Favorite holiday song?

"The Christmas Song" (aka "Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire") and "O Holy Night"

10. Favorite holiday pastime?

Pajamas, and preparing our traditionally non-traditional meal to eat with family. Things will certainly change once our new addition is old enough to get into the Christmas spirit. No more "quiet" Christmas. :-)


HAPPY HOLIDAYS! They are officially here!

Sicky Ickies

I've been slacking at blogging and being crafty because I have been battling a crazy cold for a week now. But I have been keeping up with my daily gratitude cards (and spending some time keeping my scrappy space organized), and I'm FINALLY beginning to feel a bit better.

Here's what I've been grateful for:

I guess it is obvious that I've been in doodle mood. I've never been one to doodle before, always self conscious that it wouldn't look "right" but this past week, I've been really embracing the pencil and markers. Love it!

My November Studio Calico kit made it's debut on my doorstep yesterday, and I must say it is even better in person! I can't wait to do a LO or make a few cards. And now that I am feeling better, maybe my mojo will make an appearance.

Hope you are having a fabulous day (the week is almost over)! What have you been grateful for this week?

A Month of Gratitude

Have you gone to check out LaVerne's challenge over at The B.A.S.B. yet?? I decided that I would tackle this challenge for the entire month of November. Thanksgiving month is the perfect time to express gratitude. This challenge really spoke to me. I hope everyone considers participating. Not only is it a fabulous challenge, the prize is fabulous too. And no worries - if doing this all month is daunting for you, you really have to do only one for a chance at the RAK.

Here are my daily thanks so far:


Also, one of my favorite blogs to follow is this one. Jamaica is a totally talented crafty girl, and has started up a Book of Lists project here, and I have decided to play along. It's perfect, since I have always been a self-proclaimed lover of lists! Fun stuff!! The first list is all about Favorite TV Couples (who aren't really couples but should just hurry up and be couples already).

Here's my list:

Can you believe I doodled and painted that TV all on my own? I can't believe it myself! But I am hoping to branch out even more and keep trying new things. I'm kind of intimidated by techniques, so I tend to not experiment a whole lot on my scrapbook pages, but hopefully, since this isn't a traditional scrapbook, I'll get to have fun making lists and trying new things!

Are you a list lover like me? Maybe you should play along, too. :-)

The second list is about color... pick a color and then list/photograph the things in your home that are that color. I'll work on that one soon.

I've been feeling a bit under the weather with sniffles and a slight sore throat. So, no fever or anything, but we're on H1N1 watch and are keeping an eye on the situation to make sure I don't get sicker.

Hope you all have a happy, healthy weekend!!

An Anniversary... and my Daybook for Today

For today… Monday, November 2, 2009

Outside my window... the sun hasn't even made an attempt to show itself yet. The porch lights are still aglow, but nothing yet seems to be stirring.

I am thinking... about my work day today, hoping that it'll be slow enough to avoid being on my feet for 7 hours.

I am thankful ... for four years with my sweetie, and that even with the ups & downs, we are still as in love with each other as we were the day we got married.

I am wearing... my pink robe, though momentarily I will be changing to my "uniform" - khaki pants and a black blouse.

I am remembering... the night, four years ago, that my love and I walked down the aisle said "I do."

I am creating… a mini book about the "Rules for a Happy Life" and a daily gratitude ATC. Of course, I am not doing it right this second, but the thoughts are whirling in my brain for later (when I get home from work). Also need to order photos from our Vegas trip so I can create a project about that, too.

I am going... to work. After that, we'll see.

I am reading... a silly little book called Like A Hole In the Head by Jen Banbury

I am hoping... to have an easy day and come home early to spend some time with Jason.

On my mind... baby things and whether to cook dinner or order take-out tonight.

Pondering these words... "If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice." ~Meister Eckhart

From the kitchen… a nice hot pot of coffee would be nice...

Around the house... small signs of the puppy's mischief are apparent (for some reason, her favorite toy is toilet paper).

One of my favorite things: hot apple cider from High Hill Ranch. YUM!

A few plans for the rest of the week: quiet tonight, work again tomorrow, some crafting and some chores. It's just a normal week around here.

From my picture journal...

I just love this man! And I am thankful for 4 wonderful years behind us and a lifetime ahead!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BABY!

And a Happy Monday to you all!!

November Already?

Wow! Time sure has flown by this year - a sure sign that I am continuing to get older. October is officially over, Halloween is done (not that we actually did anything much this year), and the time of year that everyone calls "The Holidays" is fast approaching. With the bundle due to arrive in just 3 more months (plus a few days), we're going to keep it simple and sweet for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

One thing I am doing this year that I haven't done before is making Christmas cards. I wasn't going to, but I've found recently how therapeutic it is to work on a card or two (or 15) while watching TV or just hanging out at home.

So, these are the first ones I made a few days ago. My supplies for this one were limited, and because I ran out of that gold ribbon, and those Hambly tree rub-ons, and that particular color of green cardstock, these are the only 3 of these that I will ever make.

Materials Cardstock (Spinach, White) Bazzill; Patterned Paper (Flora & Fauna) Paper Source;
Rubons (Merry Christmas) Pebbles, (Tree) Hambly; Accents (Rhinestones) Basic Grey, (Ribbon);
Ink (Worn Lipstick) Ranger Industries

Also happening today...

The new challenge is up over at BASB. This time it is hosted by the lovely LaVerne Boese, and she has come up with the genius idea to do a daily gratitude ATC/tag. The challenge ends on the 15th, so theoretically, you can enter each day for 15 chances to win the fabulous RAK. Of course, if you enter only once, that is OK too. I plan to follow the challenge every day for the month of November, as it is a good time to remember what I'm thankful for. Make sure you check out the detail on the BASB blog, and I really do hope you'll decide to play along.

Here's my ATC for today:

Sorry for the craziness of the photo. The color is way off because the sun went down at 5:30pm today, and I didn't make it outside in time to get a good photo. It's just that time of year, I guess...

And yes, today I made a set of 15 Christmas cards. I won't show them completed yet, because I don't want to totally ruin it for anyone who may be getting them in the mail. But oh, how I do love the Matryoshka Doll limited edition mini stamps from Basic Grey.

And before I go, here's a little something that I am grateful for every day:

What a sweetcake!! I mentioned before that it is so hard to get pictures of her. This one was so serendipitous! She found a shoelace somewhere (or maybe Jason gave it to her), but she was lovin' chewing on the thing so much that she didn't think to run as soon as I took out the camera.

Anyway... Happy November to you! Thanks for stopping by!