THANK YOU TRISTAN!!!!! FOR MY LIEBSTER AWARD

What  a wonderful surprise to come home to... Tristan gave me  a Liebster Award.  Thank you Tristan.  It brightened my day.  

So, listen up everyone.... If you have NOT checked on my little friend Tristan's blog... you need to. He is a SUPER talented boy with his Cricut.  AND... he told me he has a few projects lined up soon to show us.  I AM SOOOO excited to see what he has created.

Click on Tristan's name to shoot over to his blog. He has some really cute ideas.

I want to give this same award to some of the blogs I have recently discovered... (I will send a comment later to let them know I nominated them...).

1.  Philly:    Life in the Scrap Lane

2.  Ashley:  (Tristan's fellow Kid-Blogger)  Ashley's Creative Journey

3.  Tanner:  (Tristan's fellow Kid-Blogger, Mr. Cricut)  Mr. Cricut Crazy

I'll have to think of 2 more. (I have a bunch of PROS here that already have THIS award).

Thank you again Tristan! You're the ABSOLUTE BEST,.... Like IRONMAN!!!!

Big Hugs, big T!!!!

N

This is me, with my Dwight Schrute Bobblehead at Comic Con 2010, San Diego-- Oh, yeah- and Ironman

A VERY simple card... VERY. SIMPLE.

This was a VERY simple card.  The image came from Pink Cat Studio.  The sentiment came from the clear acrylic stamp set from Michaels.  I used Copic markers and Recollections flowers with Recollections brads in the center.  The stamp pad used was Stampin'Up's Melon Mambo. I put black Stickles in the hair and a bit of bling on the flowers.  Lastly, I used my Zip 2-way glue and glittered some of the clouds.

The stickers were from an old Disney embellishment set where Mickey and Minnie are in hula gear (???)

LIFE IN THE SCRAP LANE.... CHECK HER OUT

Hi everyone,

My friend got her blog photos up of her little creations.... PLEASE go check them out here.  She posted a few entries today... 

Life in the Scrap Lane

She made these tiny little pins with tags... and these really cool vintage cards.  You can definitely see how talented she is in the finite detail she uses. What I really like is her creativity in making new projects, like putting PINS in them.

I should add... I got so many nice compliments about Pete the Plumber... women sure like the crack (haha).   I forgot to mention how I thought that Pete's crack would go well with Marlene's wonder-toilet...

Amuse-bouche:

I hate not posting anything-- So here is a photo of Sammy from last Valentine's Day. Yes, that is a faux leather jacket (a la West Hollywood).  He was only 8 months old at this time.

And this is my Kodi (aka Kodiac Bear) who passed away a couple years ago.  He was half Malamute and half Shepherd (he's my profile photo).  This was him at about 8 weeks. 

Sympathy Card for Minnie and more blah blah blah....

My cousin's husband has a 17 year old cat that recently passed away. I made him this card as a sympathy card.  Minnie was a long time family member (17 years!!!!)  and I'm sure she's hanging out with my herd of deceased pets (a chinchilla, tortoise, and a pack of dogs), hissing to her heart's content (especially at my Kodi and Emma who peed all over her backyard when they went up to visit.  I remember she stood at the window glaring at them as they ran through her backyard,... squatting and lifting).

It is always sad when your pet passes away however after 17 years, it is especially hard.

I made this card a while ago, so I can't remember the cartridge I used for the cat. The stamp was made with the Watermark VERSA stamp and the stamp image was from a clear stamp set from Michaels).  The sentiment was heat embossed from Scrappy Mom's.

I put pink flocking on the nose and silver Stickles on the neck..

I return to work tomorrow after having 5 days off. So, no cards for a few days. 

So... let me get my blathering out now, since I'll have NO excuse to post in the next few days.

1.  Cletha: thank you for the encouragement to do challenges. I have done 1 and I loved the challenge of working within constraints.  I appreciate your encouragement and will definitely try to participate.  Thank you!!!

2.  Update on my Relaxed Fit 550's.  Well, I went onto Levi's.com and found out that my 550's that I am currently oozed into, are not the same 550's that I may receive should I order online. It appears that  (like many products), the quality / texture of the jeans have changed since I last bought them at a store.  Luckily I read some of the 'reviews.'  It appears the material is thinner and now they're made with Spandex?  SO, I decided that rather than risk it... I would venture to my local Target / Kohl's, whatever... and see if  I can find anything suitable for my taste. I struck gold at Target.  Not only were they on sale for $15 but I AM A SIZE SMALLER in their jeans.  Heck, That SOLD ME!!!  haha.  AND.... (drum roll please...) I won't have to hem these.  AMAZING. It actually made my shopping experience MORE tolerable.  So, I bought 3 pairs so I won't have to buy jeans again for YEARS!!!! 

3.  The termite man came and gave me the wonderful news that I won't have to tent the house (and move all my animals to my parents' house).

4.  The rain has returned to So Cal and apparently will be here until Sunday (It's stopped for about 24 hours but due back Thursday night until Friday and then Saturday night until Sunday).  BOO!!! HISS!!!

5.  Lastly, I am complete addicted to Arrested Development- so funny with dysfunctional characters and great witty writing.  Granted, my idea of comedy is a little off the grid but...

6.  I just wanted to say that I'm so thankful to whoever anonymously donated so many wonderful Cricut supplies to Tristan.  Tristan's Cricut broke and he was still making cards but you could tell, he missed his Cricut.  His mother, Brandy, wrote a wonderful thank you note to that person and the Scrapping Community for supporting Tristan.  Even though times are tough, it's so nice to see people still trying to help others.

Lovely lunch with Life in the Scrap Lane

I had a blast talking scrapping stuff with my friend over at Life in the Scrap lane.  Your MINDS will be BLOWN once she gets photos of these cards she was doing. She is very good at creating new little crafting ideas and she outdid herself. She has been having photo software issues but HOPEFULLY, we have created a 'work around' so she may get them uploaded.

Her stuff is just awesome.

Add caption

I used an image from Bonibleaux  (Doesn't he CRACK you up?) and Baker's Twine from Scrappy Mom's.  [$5 for 40 yards of varied colors.]

Tristan's Pledge.... and a whole lot of rambling....

Copics and a bit of Stickles

As promised, here is the card I'm mailing on Tristan's behalf for the Maraachli family.  This cute image came from  Bugaloo Stamps. It's called Deacon's Swing.

Scrapping Mom's Sentiment stamp with Worn Lipstick brushed on edge

 

Well, today was Vacation Day #1.  I fought pouring rain to find the Levi's Outlet only to find that they don't sell my particular Levi's: Women's Relaxed Fit: 550 (for those with a bit of junk in the trunk).   But I did find a cute little dog store called Trendy Pawz.  I came in from the rain and saw the clearance rack.  Here are Fred and SamUL modeling their new hoodies.

 Although he looks put out, Colt doesn't like to wear clothes.  He's an 'au naturel' dog:

He is looking so sad.  It's not because he doesn't have his own  hoodie. It's because he wants to go for a car ride and can't understand why I'm not getting the clue that he wants to go for a car ride.

I stopped at a 'bigger' Joann's to my normal Joanns. WOW, they had TONS of K & Co paper (SO MUCH MORE THAN MY JOANNS) and TONS of DCWV paper.  I did pick up a "Super Assortments" paper pack that I had seen the Pink Stamper talk about on her blog LAST year. I had NEVER seen it sold in the stores that I shop at.  It was 40% off.  Here is my loot that I picked up. (note: the stickers were $1 in the $1 rack.  Joann's has different $1 items and I was really impressed.). Also, I was able to use a coupon and get this 'fiber' yarn that I had seen Christina use. 

Lastly, I found this Recollections pack mis-filed at my local Michael's last week. Since then, I have been unable to find it again (as well as any similar type of set).  It appears this is part of their new Recollections products line and they haven't yet put out all the items so I can't go and buy another pack.  This pack must have been picked up by a customer who put it back SOMEWHERE ELSE... where I found it.  When I inquired, the employee said that they had stocked them on the shelves and then decided to re-organize.  So, they took them off the shelves and right now, they're in boxes in the storeroom, waiting to be put back out on the shelves.  This one was apparently missed. THANK GOD FOR THAT!   It's a great little set of tags and journal cut outs and nifty little cute animals.  I can't wait to see what other 'styles' of sets they have. I LOVE IT.  There are 186 pieces to it.   (Price: $3.99)

Fresh in from the "WTF" file:

Why yes,... that is the nylon that you'd use to try on shoes, hanging on the Michael's candy display.   All together now... WTF?

Enjoy Life....

Look at this PLAYA ladies...  He has the money, the clothes and look at that self-assured stance.  Now let's all WALK, not run... to Simply Betty Stamps for this hottie.  You can find "Tommy" under Veronica & Gang digis (or you can click on the link above- haha). The sentiment message is one I created for a friend who has had some nifty things happening to him.  Alas, don't get the wrong impression, he is one of the least materialistic individuals I know, ergo the ironic "$" signs.

As for the sofa image, I THINK I got it at Squigglefly but I don't see it now. (maybe Marlene knows?).  Oops.  I'll re-edit if I do find the image. I hate not giving the artist the credit.

The caption was placed on distressed Bazzill Textured paper so it looks like material (thicker and frayed)

In other news, I went back to Arts Supply Warehouse (in Westminster, CA) to try to buy some more COPICS and I happened to go on a day they were having their annual sale. It meant 25% off all purchases (AND FREE POPCORN!!!!)  HAHA.

So... I was able to pick up more COPICS for $3 each!!!!!  My little Copics Tupperware is starting to look like Jeni's (Have you seen her latest images she colored?).

It is raining really hard here in So Cal.  Eek.  It's either sunny or pouring.  I have a few days off so I'll be up crafting and watching NetFlix until 4am... (love working in the quiet darkness).   I still haven't cracked the seal on my Cricut Expression 12x12 mat. I have been working on some other stuff... one of which is for Tristan.

Tristan is 8.... and I see he has just joined the Design Team for Wendy at Digital Delights for Louby Lou. [Congrats Tristan! Way to represent the under 10 age group!!!!!!].  

Tristan has called out to us scrappers to help create cards to give to the parents of Joseph Maraachli. Moe Maraachli and Sana Nader are the parents whose terminally ill 13 month old son, was moved from a Canadian hospital to a hospital in St. Louis for further care.  If you have a bit of time and can join Tristan in his good deed... here's where to mail the card (Emily is helping him):

Cards for Maraachli Family Project            

C/O Emily Hammann & Tristan Alexander                    

2642 Helen Ave

Brentwood, MO 63144

Amuse-Bouche:
Being Human (the US Version): free on Hulu.  LOVING it!

And, I just tried the 30 days rial (free) for NetFlix (streaming online).  I've been watching "Arrested Development." 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARD... ROCK IT!!

It is a friend's birthday.  Her wish is to be Mrs. Rzeznik.   Who is that you say?  [Yea, I did too....] Apparently he is a Goo-Goo Doll.

Here is a card I made here with this image that I found at Pink Cat Studios.  Wow! They have a lot of cute stuff... And unlike some other sites, the images don't have a ton of tiny details so it's easier for people with MY Skill Level.  (haha). REMEDIAL COPICS 101.

The sentiment is on the inside of the card.

Copics Markers used, with glitter on the skirt, flocking on the lapels, and stickles on the barrettes.  I also used Glossy Accents on the shoes.

Well, I haven't had time to set up the studio (ooh lala) and no time to play with my Expression. Got some work to do tonight and I have card that I'm designing in my vacuous head for a friend. I can't wait to make it. It will take a while as I have 2 images to color with Copics. I may not be able to even get to it until this weekend, which might be fine because apparently So Cal is expecting rain from Friday night until Monday.  BOOO HIISSSSSSS! 

Thank you again for all the comments. I'm trying to hit as many blogs as I can to respond on YOUR comment section but I've been having some late nights.

Thank you though! I truly appreciate it.

Love you bunches....

Let's get to the card first and then those of you who like to read about my mundane life in So Cal can do so at the bottom:

For some reason, I really like the Preserves cartridge even though I have no clue why anyone would want a card with a mango on it.  I was thinking about how to incorporate it into a card for the Operation Write Home group....  VOILA!

I used a Jolee's punch that was on clearance at Michaels to make butterflies.  I used mini brads around the sentiment.

 On to my mundane life...

I've been super busy so I don't think I've had time to post about my latest investment (sounds good huh?... I invested in something.... as opposed to "I bought myself another toy.").  Custom Crops was having a sale... and I bought the Expression for $169. Now, PLEASE don't tell me that it's cheaper somewhere else. I've already been guilt-ridden for buying this... because I have several expenditures lined up for this spring/summer's budget:  Ipad2, Iphone5,....  What can I say?  I work hard... I play hard (well, by "play" I mean "eat" or "buy electronic toys").... 

To be honest, I was really annoyed that there are 3 cartridges that I have that can't be used to full capacity with a Cricut Create:  TBBM, Wild Card and Just Because. [Note: you can use them but just not make the envelopes for A2 cards as they don't fit on the 12x6 mat] 

I saw what  Christina   (I'm on a first name basis with her-- NOT!)   did with her carts using a big Expression and I decided... DARN IT!!! I want to do that too. (This kind of behavior is how those "name-a-city" Housewives became so annoying.)

SO, last night, my box came via UPS.  I got it opened but haven't had time to try it out because I had work to do and I still needed to get sleep from the last few days.

I also have realized that it's a bit bigger than I thought and I'm going to have to re-arrange my little studio area (haha, sounds so Artsy-Fartsy, doesn't it?) to make room for it.

But rest assured, one of the first few things I'm going to do is use the Wild Card or Just Because cartridge and make an ENVELOPE to go with a normal A2 size card!!!! 

Missing you... Operation Write Home and a SHOUT OUT TO TRISTAN

The purple cheetah print was from a Recollections set they just put out (Michaels).  The sentiment came from Scrappy Moms. I used a purple metallic gel pen to faux stitch.  In retrospect, I should have positioned the satin ribbon below his armpits... but oh well.  Too late now.

I try to make at least 1 card a month for Operation Write Home.  This was made with my Pooh  cartridge.  I'm not a Disney fan, but Eeyore reminds me of my second dog, Auggie. Auggie had a similar personality to Eeyore.

Auggie

Hey, Have you guys seen Tristan's blog??? If you haven't... you gotta go check it out and follow him. He's 8 and boy, does he have a talent for making cards.  Check him out....

Tristan's Blog.    For being 8, he sure is good at what he does. He's the next Tim Holtz!!! This little dude even gives out Blog Candy.  Honestly, I'd feel bad winning blog candy from him because that might be his milk money (HOW MANY OF YOU REMEMBER GETTING MILK MONEY????)

Keep it up Tristan! We're watching (and "following"... but not in a stalking way-- 'cuz you're only 8... and that would be wrong... and I value my freedom!). haha.

Ehem.... moving on....

Amuse-bouche: I live with a serial killer of Teddy Bears.  I came home one day about 3 weeks ago to find just a teddy bear head sitting on the couch... Just The Head.   (Note, I had bought about 5 of them after Valentine's Day from Wal-Mart). 

Here is the latest carnage that I came upon Thursday:

No Eyes.... MUST NOT SEE THE EYES...

Who was the perpetrator of this horrific crime?  

Are YOU looking at ME????

PATRIOTISM

I've been meaning to post this card for over a week but I didn't take a good photo of it last week and I haven't been able to take a photo of it in daylight hours since.  I colored these with Copic Markers... and used Bazzill cardstock (textured) for the mats and card.  The ribbon is from Michaels. (haha, like as if I get ribbon from ANYWHERE ELSE). The image came from Stampin Dragon Designs!!!!  I put glitter on the Dragon's wings.

Amuse-bouche: I'm thoroughly enjoying a series called Spaced (British comedy) on Hulu.

Sorry such a short post. It's been a very busy week and weekend and sleep has not come easy for me.  Yesterday, I took my father to the Toshiba Golf Classic in Newport Beach. He loves golf.  We saw Lee Trevino and Nick Price and Bernard Langer (who looks like Barry Manilow).   We must have walked 5 miles.  Lunch was pizza and pasta and salad and dessert from California Pizza Kitchen.  It was super good, especially since it was all you can eat.  Needless to say, I'll be hitting the gym HARD this week.

MORE THANK YOU CARDS...

Two more thank you cards..... 

These cards were made on 8.5 x 5.5 inch card stock. I do love the colors on these two cards but these were all Michaels' Recollections embellishments that were strategically placed. The sentiment and matt was cut from the Just Because cartridge. 

The paper was from a DCWV that I got at Michaels' this past weekend.

Flowers sprayed with Smooch Spritz

Thank You Card....

Check out this little dooossey!

I used Glossy Accents on the nose and swing.  The stamp is from Scrappy Mom's.  I used Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Broken China), and some $1 Michaels' ribbon

I purchased this image as part of the set to donate for Katie (http://help4katie.blogspot.com/ )

It's a Louby Lou image!

Feeling Crumby??? Go check out Scrappy Moms

If you're feeling blue or ill, here's a card you can send.  I used a Tiddly Ink image and a Scrappy Mom's stamp. The buttons came from Walmart.  The coloring was done with Prima Color Pencils and I did put red Stickles on the hair barrette.  The shoes were done over with Glossy Accents  (I picked up that technique from Marlooney)

Pink Stickles on the skirt.  I used Peeled Pink Distress ink around the sentiment. The sentiment was stamped with Stampin' Ups Always Artichoke ink pad.  The flower is from one of the flowers that I have used in the recent weeks.

Leos ROCK!!!!

The photo is this size because if I make it bigger, it gets blurry.

This is my digital image from Louby Lou.   I used Copics on these and my first ever "Spellbinder" die cut (with my Cuttlebug) to cut out the image.  Some bling was placed strategically and a ribbon from Michael's $1 rack.

I inked the edges of the Spellbinder image with some brown ink.

Commentary: for a first time Spellbinder Nestabilities user, I find it a bit challenging. (I'm sure the pros are rolling their eyes- "Crike, How can it be challenging?  It must be quite vacuous in that head of hers."  I guess when that cracking noise emits from my Cuttlebug as I run the die cut through, I start freaking out. I'm sure I'll get used to it.  And the creating the image within an image (ergo, "Nest-abilities)" --- isn't an easy thing for me.  It just doesn't look right to me. 

I liken the Nestabilities to using a Cuisinart... as opposed to using scissors or a punch is similar to using an Easy Bake Oven.  But, I'm sure I'll get there one day.  I think I just need more practice.

Enough babbling...

This card is actually being sent to Aidan.   Aidan was diagnosed with T-Cell Leukemia. His story is posted on Mary's blog (www.cardztv.blogspot.com). 

I'm wild about my Wild Card Cartridge....

 

I love this card.  The colors and everything came together. Very simple and good for any occasion.  I don't know yet if I'll put a sentiment. It's a card I'll label "general purpose" as I don't know yet what I'll use it for.

This card is found on the Wild Card Cart.  It's a bit frustrating for those of us who have a Cricut Create to use the Just Because and Wild Card Cart. If you want to use the corresponding envelope, your card is going to be small as your mat is only 12x6.  One day, I'll have a Cricut Expression... and smaller thighs.

(haha- kidding, sort of.... well, ok. Not really.  I am happy with my body.... really-- well, for the most part.  Hmm, uh- let's just move on to another subject).

So, I made this card as big as I could but making sure it could at least fit into an A2 size envelope.

You can't see it, but I used textured Bazzill paper (textured with lines) on the trunk and the leaves.

Inside panels on the card

Outside panels

I just wanted to say thank you to Kelly, Jeni, Cheryl, Tammy, Marlene and all of you who post such nice comments on my cards. I know you are all  super busy making cards and projects daily and it just is nice to come home to such nice comments.

2011: I hope to create a style of my own.  I'm sure you can see your influence in all of my cards.  I know, I'm a copy cat.  But one day-- I'll have my own style and it's all from your influence.  SO, thank you.

For those of you who own Cricuts but actually use Copics and PrismaColor Pencils,   I have one thing to say:  I wish I had your talent to forego the Cricut and use my artistic nature to create such lovely cards.