A 7th Birthday Card...

A quick card for my nephew's 7th birthday. He has loved fire engines since he was a baby, and this image reminded me of him. I hope it's not too babyish.

His favorite color is green, so I chose to use a lot of it.

A view of the side to see the 3D elements:

Inside:

Patterned Paper - DCWV Summer Stack
Solid Cardstock - The Paper Co
Stamp - Digital Pencil Too boy playing fireman, Studio G Sentiment, The Paper Company fire hydrant stamp (came with Claws and Paws dog set)
Misc - Nestabilities, Pop Dots, Hand cut "7"

Challenges:
1. Peachy Keen Stamps - green & yellow, 3D, stamped image

A Birthday Card for my little brother...

Ok, he's not so little anymore...  He's turing 24, and he's taller than me.... but he'll always be my baby brother! 

He's a big video gamer, and I saw this image at Mo's, so I couldn't resist getting it.  I also happened to be at AC Moore the other day and found this AWESOME paper by Moxxie.  It's video game controllers on one side and tetris on the other side.  So I used one sheet of patterned paper for this card (and paper was 40% off)!

Inside:

Patterned Paper - Moxxie (double sided) 

Solid Cardstock - The Paper Co

Stamp - Mo's Digital Pencil "Gamer Boy," Studio G Sentiment

Misc - Bic Mark it Markers, Nestabilities Circles

Challenges:

1. Digital Pencil Too - Sketch

2. Quixotic - cards for men

3. Roses on Paper - cards for men

4. Cards for Men - green

5. ABC - O is for one designer paper (can be double sided)

Magnolia Christmas All Year Long Blog Hop

It's that time again!  On the 25th of each month, there is a Christmas card blog hop for the Magnolia-licious yahoo group.  It's great because I will have plenty of Christmas cards ready for this year!

I used Tilda skiing and Edwin Skiing.  They are from the Winter 2009 collection, I believe.  I get all of my stamps from Magnolia-licious.

If you want to start at the beginning of the hop, please click HERE.

If you came here from Kathy's blog, you're on the right track. 

The next stop on the hop is Leonie's blog.

Patterned Paper -Paper Pizzazz
Stamps - Magnolia Tilda Skiing, Edwin Skiing, Studio G Sentiment
Misc - Creative Memories Corner rounder, adhesive rhinestones, Bic Mark It Markers, Walmart Snowflakes & Snowmen, unknown ribbon from stash

Challenges:
1. Sketch Saturday - sketch
2. Cute Card Thursday - ribbon
3. Pollycraft - double up (use two stamped images)
4. Fussy & Fancy - dazzle us

A Framed Layout for my nephew

Sorry I've been MIA... I've been busy with work. Plus, I had no heat last week, and my scrap room was FREEZING!

Last weekend, my husband and I took my nephew snow tubing. I created this layout for him. I am putting it into a 12x12" frame and giving it to him at his birthday party this weekend.

Patterned Paper - Paper Pizzaz
Solid Cardstock - The Paper Co
Misc - Nesties Circles, Cricut Winter Woodland Cart, Jolees Snow Tube sticker

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's day weekend.  Mine started out well and then went downhill...

On Friday night, I went out with a bunch of girlfriends to see the movie "Valentine's Day."  It was very funny, and I would definitely recommend it.

Saturday morning, my husband and I picked up my 6 year old nephew and we took him snowtubing.  Here are some pictures:

 

  

  

After tubing, Justin slept over.  We ordered pizza and watched "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs."  

On Sunday morning, my husband cooked us breakfast.  Justin and I baked and decorated Valentine cupcakes and then my brother came to pick him up.

That's when the weekend started to go downhill... My husband and I decided to go out to dinner at Red Lobster for Valentine's day.  We called at 5:45 and they said there was only a 45 minute wait.  We got in the car and started driving just before 6:00... only to get STUCK in the snow in the alley behind our house!  (All of the driveways of my street and the street behind me connect in the alley).  At the top of the alley, some of the houses had never shoveled the 40+" of snow we've received in the past week.  SO, we got STUCK!  My husband tried for over an hour to get my car out.  The guy whose house we were behind came out to help too.  Nothing worked - salt, shoveling, putting matts under the tires for traction.  I walked back down to my house and recruited the two men that live on either side of my house.  With 4 guys pushing, and my driving, we FINALLY got the car out.  It was 8:00 by the time we got to Red Lobster!!!!!  And they had a two hour wait for seating.  We were tired, wet, and starving, so we decided not to wait.  We went to ACME to get seafood instead.  We had our hearts set on scallops - only to find out that the seafood counter was SOLD OUT!  We ended up with crab legs and crab cakes - it was 9:00 by the time we finally ate!  

And then this morning, the heater made an awful noise and water started spewing all over the place... My husband is in night school for HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), so he will talk to his teacher tonight to find out how to fix it.  Until then, we have NO HEAT!

Tilda with Lilacs

This card was created using another FABULOUS kit from the swap on the Yahoo Magnolia-licious group.  This kit was created by Lisa Cook, our lovely hostess.  I loved these gorgeous papers and this image goes so well with them.  I colored Tilda w/ lilacs using my Bic Mark It Markers.  I used my Nesties to cut the oval out of the cuttlebug paper she gave me.  I used some of my adhesive pearls, flowers I had lying around, my EK success flourish punch, rose colored ribbon from my stash, and two stick pins (they had pearls on the ends, so I colored them pink and green with my markers).

I don't know who I'm giving it to yet, so I haven't chosen a sentiment... I did love the "thank you" charm that she sent in the kit, but I'm saving that for another time.

I used the sketch from Friday Sketchers. 

 

  

Inside:

 

Thanks for stopping by!

~Lauren

My first tri-shutter card...

I made another card with a card kit.  This kit was made by Debbie Gordon.  Everything on the card came in the kit with the exception of the solid cardstock (I used white, black, green, and red by The Paper Co).  I used Bic Mark It Markers to color Tilda with Watering Can.  I used my Martha Stewart leaf punch and hydrangea punches to make the flowers.  I also used some old scrapbooking scissors I had lying around to make the grass.

I made this card for my friend's birthday.  As soon as I saw the ADORABLE Gnome, I knew this card had to be for her!  Her Christmas cards this year had a gnome on the front and the sentiment was "Gnome for the Holidays."  LOL.

 

 

Thanks for stoppin' by!
Lauren

A card to match the weather...

I'm glad so many of you have been enjoying my snow pictures.  It really is pretty outside (even if I am bored!). 

I made a card using another kit by Barbara Gates.  As you can tell, I really liked her kits.  She included SO many embellishments - lace, rhinestones, flowers, a ton of little snowflakes.  And she added extra papers too.  I can't give the recipe for this card since everything came from the kit.  I used Bic Mark It Markers to color Tilda in Dalecarlia Coat.  

I used the sketch at Friday Sketchers:

Front:

 

Inside:

Snow and a card...

I apologize in advance for having so many pictures in this post. I have been snowed in ALL week! We got 22" on Saturday and another 20" yesterday. It's like a winter wonderland here. I work in Delaware, and schools have been closed ALL WEEK - so I have been off.  I wanted to share some pics from PA to show these horrific snowstorms.

My kitchen window - as you can see, there was a foot of snow on the ledge

The front of our house after the second snow storm (the snow is up to the porch!):

Close up of the snow up to the porch:

 

The snowdrifts in the backyard during the second storm - the snow is almost up to the top of the grill  and the chairs:

Rocky and Daphne checking things out:

 

Daphne (we had to make a path in order for her to use the bathroom - the snow was much taller than her!):

Rocky stands on a snow drift and is almost over our fence:

 

Daphne shaking the snow off (please excuse the clothes on the laundry room floor!):

My husband's car - he didn't clear it after the first storm, so this is from both storms:

Needless to say, I've been bored out of my mind (the cable has been out too!), so I got some crafting done.  

I participated in a card kit swap with the Magnolia-licious yahoo group.  You sent two patterned papers, a Tilda stamped image, ribbons, and other embellishments.  I made this card with the AMAZING kit I received from Barbara Gates.  She really went above and beyond by sending extra papers, flowers, buttons, and other embellishments.  I didn't even use everything that she sent on this card!  I can't give my recipe for this card, as everything was from the card kit.

I used the sketch from Sketch Saturday:

 

I made this card for my friend's birthday.  She loves bright colors, her favorite is orange.

Front:

Inside:

Thanks for stopping by!  

~Lauren

The Pink Elephant Blog Hop

Hey everyone!  This is my card for the Pink Elephant Blog Hop.  They are celebrating their first birthday and invited their followers to participate in the hop. The challenge for the hop is to choose your favorite Pink Elephant challenge.  I chose to do challenge 1, pink, black, & white.  This is one of my favorite color combos!

If you've reached my blog from  Margie C's blog, you're on the right track.  If not, you can start at the beginning of the hop by going HERE.

The next stop is Tonya's blog.

 

Inside:

Solid Cardstock - The Paper Co (Patterned paper unknown - scraps in my bin)
Stamps - Magnolia Tilda w/ Hearts, Studio G sentiment, Inkadinkado Dot Flourishes
Misc - Martha Stewart Looped Hearts Punch, Martha Stewart Eyelet Heart Punch, Liquid Pearls,


Challenges:
1. The Pink Elephant - my favorite TPE challenge
2. Pile it On - to the one I love
3. Crazy 4 Challenges - Valentine
4. Creative Card Crew - Valentine
5. Double Dutch - be my Valentine
6. The Pink Elephant - mushy gushy Valentine
7. Penny's - Valentine
8. Stampin for the Weekend - Valentines
9. Stamp Something - Love somethings
10. Charisma Cardz - I love you
11. Crafty Calendar - love and friendship
12. Raise the bar - heart to heart
13. Challenge up your life - Valentines
14. Pixie Dust Studio - decorative Border
15. Paper Play - Love notes
16. Cute Card Thursday - spots and dots
17. Magnolia Haasteblog - Valentines

~Lauren

A blog award from Nancy

My friend Nancy at Promises to Keep has given me this lovely blog award.  

Here are the rules for the award:
1. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
2. List the person who gave you the award and provide a link to her blog.
3. List 10 things that make you happy.
4. Pass this award on to others and visit their blogs to let them know.

10 Things that make me happy:





1. My wonderful family - my wonderful husband Mike, My parents, my brother Greg, my nephew Justin, Mommom and Poppop, Granddad, and my Grandmother (1921-1999) may she rest in peace - I think of her every day.  I also have wonderful in-laws, especially my mother-in-law (she walks the dogs while I'm at work and scrapbooks with me at least once per week).  


2. My friends - My two best friends since elementary school - Lauren and Dara - even though they both live in New York, I see them regularly and love them dearly.  My sorority sisters - especially Jess, Theresa, Shel, Crisbel, Sarahanne, Brook, and Kim - they have been with me through so much!  I have recently made many good friends in the papercrafting world - thank you for your friendship and support. 


3. My furry children - Rocky and Daphne have brought us so much joy.  My husband and I had cats growing up and had always wanted dogs.  We were so excited to buy our first home and we each got the kind of dog we always wanted.  A boxer and a cavalier are an unusual pair, but they are great together.


4. My first home - My husband and I were lucky to find a home in the neighborhood we wanted at a price we could afford.  I fell in love with the ornate inlaid hardwood floors, the stone fireplace, and the beautiful tudor style exterior.  Plus, it had a yard for the dogs we wanted so badly.


5. The beach - I have always loved sitting on the beach.  My family has owned a house in Longport, NJ since I was two years old.  It is one of my favorite places in the world.  I absolutely love "the point" - my husband knew this and that's why he proposed there in 2004.  I have also been lucky enough to visit beaches in Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Florida, the Bahamas, Virgin Islands, and Hawaii too.


6. Photography - I love to take pictures.  I have since I was a child and got my first camera.  I am so glad to live in the digital era, where you can see pictures immediately and not "hope" that they turn out the way you planned.  I have been fortunate to visit Europe three times (my husband was in the Army stationed in Germany) and I got my first digital camera for my trip.  I have lots of photos that I love and will treasure forever.  At Temple, I was able to take some photography classes to learn more about my hobby.


7. Papercrafting - This is by far my favorite pastime.  I started scrapbooking in college (2002) because my sorority created a scrapbook for each semester.  I have been creating pages ever since.  In 2009 I bought a Cricut machine after being lured in by a HSN infomercial at 2 am.  I discovered the Cricut Messageboard and cardmaking at that time too.  It's almost a year later and I have made lots of cards that my family and friends will treasure. 


8. Reading - I have been an avid reader since childhood.  I was reading at an early age and was always reading far above my age level.  I'll never forget the look on my third grade teacher's face when I told her that my book report was on Jurrasic Park by Michael Crichton.  There's nothing better than curling up with a good book - especially on the beach!


9. Baking - I started working at a bakery when I was 15.  I worked there for 6 years and was the store manager by the time I left.  I learned so much about baking, plus how decorate cakes, including wedding cakes.  I love to bake, and I am always trying to whip up something new and different.

10. Shopping - I have always loved shopping!  I love to shop for clothes, shoes, purses, housewares, and papercrafting supplies.  

And now to pass this on...

(In no particular order)

1. Eileen at Dropped Stitches
2. Ruby at and that's all she wrote
3. Ramona at Paper Hugs
4. Brenda at Floral Fantasies
5. Angela at Angelwood's Crafting Corner
6. Norma at From my craft Room

Lots of Valentines Cards

I've been a busy girl today.  I did a little production line to make these six valentine cards.  I am going to a friend's house next Friday and wanted to give these out.

Solid Cardstock - The Paper Co (Patterned paper from my scrap bin - maker unknown)
Stamps - Inkadinkado ($1 stamps at JoAnn's)
Misc - MS Looped Hearts Punch around the Page, MS Lace Hearts Edge Punch, MS Large Heart, Stickles, Bic Mark It Markers, Ribbon by Celebrate it (Michael's Exclusive)

Challenges:
1. Tuesday Morning Sketches - sketch
2. Pile It On - Enough of the Winter Colors
3. Charisma Cardz - Love
4. Pixie Cottage - Red & Pink
5. Sew Many Challenges - love
6. ABC Challenges - N is for New (new stamps)
7. Hand Full of Stamps - Use Hearts
8. Pixie Cottage - red and pink
9. C.R.A.F.T. - love/valentine
10. Stamp Simply - hearts and red
11. La La Land - hearts
12.  Fussy and Fancy Friday - hearts
14. The Secret Crafter - hearts
15. Corrosive - love
16. Cupcake Craft - Matching Set
17. Pink Elephant - pink
18. Creative Card Crew - Valentines
19. Paper Popsicles - Love
20. Belli Challenge - Ribbon
21.  Secret Crafter - Hearts
22. Simon Says Stamp - Inspiration
23. 365 Cards - Day 340: Heart
24. CCEE - hearts
25. The Diva Stamper - photo inspiration
26. Lily of the Valley - Valentines

A Christmas Card

 

 

I have been really slacking in the card making recently!  I made this card for several challenges.  And I am trying to make more Xmas cards this year than I did last year.

Patterned Paper - Me & My Big Ideas
Solid Cardstock - The Paper Co
Stamp - Magnolia Tilda w/ Candy Cane
Misc - Martha Stewart Loops Punch around the Page, EK Success Scallop Punch, Stickles, Bic Mark It Markers, Gelly Roll White Pen, Buttons from my stash, Prima flower & leaves,

Challenges:
1. Friday Sketchers - sketch (I turned it sideways)
2. Magnolia Stamp Lovers - buttons or bows (I have both - there's a bow on the candy cane!)
3. Cute Card Thursday - blooming gorgeous
4. Simon Says Stamp - inspiration (red rose with green leaves)
5. Stamp, Scrap, & Doodle - open theme
6. ABC Christmas - C is for candy
7. Winter Wonderland - Candy cane red & white
8. Your Next Stamp - anything that sparkles
9. Crafty Creations - wings
10. Stamp Something - delightfully delicious food

~Lauren

YAY! I won blog candy!

I won the Magnolia-licious January challenge for my wedding card!  I get to pick a Magnolia stamp from www.magnoliastamps.us!  Now I need to decide which one... they are all so cute!

Thank you to the Magnolia-licious DT and Diana Crick, the lovely store owner!