cassie d'ambrosio

simple card sets

2012-01-23T20:48:00.001-05:00

The last day of the Clean and Simple card class was card sets. I only had time to make a prototype. I think this would be a easy one to reproduce for a set and just about any sentiment would work on it. This was super fast for me especially since I just happened to have some cut butterflies from a previous project on my desk. This may actually be the fastest card I've ever made.

Black Color Pop!

2012-01-19T20:40:00.000-05:00

I learned this techinique in the CAS card class. Basically it's colored pencils on white ink and it really makes the color pop off the dark card stock.
I used my really old Prismacolor pencils that I've had since I was in school for Architecture (a long time ago) and they still work great! I first stamped my images with Stampin' Up! Whisper White craft ink which is a pigment ink and then heat set it. Coloring in on top wasn't as tedious as I thought it would be and I found that if you rotate the pencil as you color you won't have to sharpen the point as often (drafting tip from the old days of doing Architecture drawings by hand - dating myself again!)
Anyway, here's my version of Jennifer McGuire's card...

supplies:
card stock: SU Naturals White, Basic Black, So Saffron
stamps: SU Raining Flowers, Hero Arts All Occassion
Ink: SU Craft whisper white
Pencils: Prismacolor
Button: SU Rich Razzleberry
Other: DMC Floss

Mirror Image Stamping

2012-01-18T20:47:00.001-05:00

Today in the CAS class the theme was More Simple Techniques. One of the techniques taught was Mirror Image Stamping. I made a mini version of the class card because my only directional stamp that I own is really small. I pulled out some oldies but goodies for this card (bird stamp and embossing folder). I love learning a new technique!

Here's my first attempt at Mirror Image Stamping...

switching gears today

2012-01-17T20:18:00.001-05:00

Today's theme for the CAS class is PlainlyWhite. So I decided to go out of my comfort zone, retro modern, and came up with this one.

Simple Embellishments

2012-01-16T21:39:00.000-05:00

For today's CAS card class the theme was Simple Embellishments. I used two simple butterflies for mine - a punched one and a die cut one layered together.

supplies used:
stamps - Stampin' Up!, En Francais, Thank You Kindly
card stock - Stampin' Up!, Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Pool Party
ink - Stampin' Up!, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede
patterned paper - SU Designer Series Paper Patterns, So Saffron
twine - SU Baker's Twine, Pool Party, Linen Thread
pen - Uniball Signo, White

Technique made Simple - Framelits Hearts

2012-01-14T15:00:00.001-05:00

Here's a card I made for the Technique made Simple theme of the CAS card class. I chose to do the masking technique.

I used the new Stampin' Up! Framelit dies and cut a heart out of a piece of copy paper. Then I inked up the dots stamp in different color inks and stamped it. I stamped the sentiment and then used dazzling details to glitter up the dots. Super simple.

Using a single stamp to make a background paper

2012-01-12T22:00:00.002-05:00

The theme for the Clean and Simple class today was to use a stamp in an alternate way, however yesterday's theme of Inspiration snuck back into my card making today. One of the great things about my job as an Architect is that I have a library full of fun stuff - carpet, fabric, paint, wall covering, tiles, etc. The upholstery fabric is especially inspiring to me. I often order sample of fabric I like just because I like it and I keep it on my desk. Sometimes it sparks a color scheme for a client and many times it inspires a card! Today I was looking for a stamp and came across a fabric I took home thinking I would cut out the flowers for a card or scrapbook page and then totally forgot about it. I decided to use it today because it reminded me a little bit of one of the cards that was shown in the clean and simple cards. So I lifted that layout, but used this fabric for my inspiration. This is the fabric...

and this is the card I came up with...

Supplies - all Stampin' Up!
stamp - Growing Green, Thank You Kindly
Card Stock - Chocolate Chip
Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon
Versamark Ink
White embossing powder
dimensionals
Uniball Signo white pen

Inspired by - another take on the pillow

2012-01-11T21:17:00.003-05:00

I made a similar card to this about a year or so ago, but I simplified the design a bit for this one.

Inspired by and simplify

2012-01-11T21:13:00.001-05:00

Today's theme for Clean and Simple cards is to find something that inspires you and simplify. It could be a previous card you've made, someone else made or just something else all together. I went to my pinterst "home" pinboard and found this pillow I pinned. I like this pillow because of it's colors and also that it's an organic pattern, but the colors are not typical of organic prints.
Here's my first card....{sorry about the bad cell phone shots}

Single layer cards with Hello Doily and Delicate Doilies

2012-01-10T18:43:00.003-05:00

Just a quick one layer card I made in the Clean and Simple card class.

supplies - Stampin' Up!
Stamps - Hello Doily, Delicate Doilies, Delightful Dozen
Whisper White Card stock

Clean and Simple Cards

2012-01-09T20:59:00.001-05:00

As a change from teaching card making classes I decided to take a class. It's called Clean and Simple Cards. Today was the first day and it was really fun. I was able to run home on my lunch break from work and make the first one of three for today. The rest I made this evening. It's set up where you use whatever supplies you have on hand so I'm using lots of my new Stampin' Up! Occassion mini catalog stuff! This class is taught by three super talented card makers, Kristina Werner, Jennifer McGuire and Julie Ebersole. I'm enjoying this class because it's really in sync with my style. Here's a couple of the cards I made today in this class.

Stampin' Up! Occassion Mini 2012 - sneak peaks

2012-01-01T13:40:00.001-05:00

I'm am loving the upcoming Occasions mini which starts January 4th. Here are a few sneak peaks fo the products coming out.
{sorry for the bad cell phone photos}

This card features the new Sizzlits Doily die and the new "Attic Boutique" Designer Series Paper.

The next card I made a Stampin' Up! team meeting. We used the new edgelits dies and coordinating embossing folders - love those! We also used the new Mixed Bunch stamp set and coordinating Blossom punch. This gorgeous Designer Series Paper called Everyday Enchantment and matching brads come from the upcoming Sale-A-Bration catalog (starts January 24th). You can earn them free with a qualifying purchase - can't beat that!

I'm loving the new nested label Sizzlits that I used in the next card. The coordinating stamp set, Apothocary Art is amazing, too.

So just a few sneak peaks...more to follow!

There are tons of great clearance items, up to 80% off in the clearance sectionPublish Post on my site and the holiday mini catalog (link on sidebar) is still good through January 3rd!

Free Big Shot!

2011-10-27T20:17:00.000-04:00

Four more days to get a free big shot (or $100 worth of Stampin' Up! Products) when you sign up as a demonstrator!

Pennant Parade - Class to Go

2011-10-16T22:18:00.000-04:00

I made it to round 2! (with Stampin' Up! - Greeting Card Kids)

2011-10-13T14:36:00.002-04:00

Here's my entry for the fall themed card using baker's twine.

Please go to Practical Scrappers to keep me in the contest - you just leave a comment in the Post a Comment area of Practical Scrappers(not here)

All supplies are by Stampin' Up! except image is colored with copic markers.

Please vote for me!

2011-10-01T14:12:00.000-04:00

At the last minute last night I decided to enter a card for the Practical Scrappers card contest. This one is American Idol style with eliminations. I got an email today saying that I was in the top 20! Woo Hoo!
I'll need some votes to keep on going. Please go to www.practicalscrappers.com to vote. I'm in group #1.

I made this card for my niece, Annabella. She's turning 3 today! What the card photo doesn't show on the Practical Scrapppers site is that it's a card and a gift. I made a removeable flower hair clip and it's clipped right onto the card.

I love seeing the UPS truck...

2011-09-21T22:31:00.000-04:00

actually I didn't see the truck, but when I came home from work on my lunch break I was pleasantly surprised to see my Stampin' Up! order two whole days early! I ran down to my craft studio and put together this simple Christmas card (the ribbon I had and may still be available on clearance)
I was dying to try the new oval embossing folder and the new Designer Series paper called Holly Berry Bouquet. The Christmas Tree stamp is from the Pennant Parade stamp set - not just for pennants!

This card will be part of a the Pennant Parade Card Class by Mail that I will be offering soon. I'm trying to get that ready for October shipping. More details to follow.

Stampin' Up! Spice Cake and Leaves of a Tree

2011-08-14T22:04:00.002-04:00

I just got a box of new things which will be available on September 1st in the Holiday mini catalog.
I made this card using the new Spice Cake Designer Series Paper and the new Leaves of a Tree a al carte stamp. I also used a new in color - Pool Party! I really love Pool Party, today it is my favorite in color.

Stamps: Leaves of a Tree, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Woodgrain background
Ink: Soft Suede,Versamark
Card Stock: Soft Suede, More Mustard, Pool Party, Whisper White
White embossing powder
Soft Suede ribbon

Card Sketches

2011-08-12T15:10:00.001-04:00

Typically, I sketch out my designs for cards and layouts. Sometimes I just wing it and figure it out as I go and sometimes I'll use a sketch by someone else. Sketches are great if you don't feel like thinking about the layout or are in a hurry. I love Becky Fleck's sketches, she has a great eye for composition and I know if I use one of hers I'll have a great card every time. Here website is called Pagemaps. Here's a sketch I chose from her June cardmaps.

and here are two cards I made using the sketch - a literal and a loose interpretation.

Practical Scrappers

2011-08-08T14:07:00.001-04:00

My "new home" card is being featured on the Practical Scrappers site!
Click here to check it out.

I had fun with that one using my Copic markers.

Stampin' Up! Calypso Coral

2011-08-02T16:01:00.002-04:00

I just love this new color!

I paired it with Soft Suede and another new color, Lucky Limeade, for the leaves!

Breast Cancer Research Foundation Fundraiser

2011-07-10T09:39:00.004-04:00

As part of our Making a Difference program, Stampin' Up! is proud to partner with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in the Strength & Hope Campaign.

Throughout the end of August, Stampin' Up! will donate $2 from the sale of each Strength & Hope set and Strength & Hope digital kit to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

-help contribute to an amazing cause!

To order visit my Stampin' Up website. To order the digital kit, create and account and you'll be able to download the kit within 24 hours. If you already have an account the download will be immediate.

Stampin' Up! 2011-2012 Sneak Peak

2011-06-13T15:15:00.003-04:00

As soon as I got my new issue of Papercrafts magazine I new I had to recreate a card on the cover with my new Petite Pennants Builder Punch and Pennant Parade stamp set. I also used a brand new color card stock called Pool Party - love it!

So here's my version...

and the magazine cover...

Stampin' Up! - The Open Sea

2011-06-03T20:53:00.005-04:00

Here's a card I made using the new stamp set The Open Sea from the Stampin' Up! Summer mini catalog. By using a wavy flag-like sentiment and the loose baker's twine you can achieve a feeling of movement, like movement on the sea. I'm having a lot of fun with the new Baker's Twine. It comes in Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso and white and it's easy on the wallet at only @2.95 for 25 yards! I love it.

Preorder your 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog!

2011-06-01T22:49:00.009-04:00

The time has arrived to start thinking about the arrival of the 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! Catalog. If you do not have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and would like to have a copy of the new 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog, you can pre-order yours today from me. I have placed my order for catalogs and they should hopefully start shipping around the second week of June! Look here for any updates on the expected arrival of the new catalogs. Catalogs are $10 including shipping.

Please click 'Pay Now' paypal link on sidebar to preorder your catalog!

Card Kit by Mail

2011-04-23T16:26:00.002-04:00

As some of you have requested, I've put together my first Card Kit to go. This is great for those who are too far away to come to my classes or would like to purchase the kit to work on at home.

Here are the details. Please email me if you're interested in purchasing a kit. cassie.dambrosio@gmail.com

Stampin' Up! - Four Frames Card

2011-04-05T13:03:00.006-04:00

Here's a quick and easy card I made using the new Four Frames Stamp Set. The stamp set isn't available until the new Idea Book and Catalog come out, but you can get it for a limited time this month. See Promotion Details here.

I also used a set called Fast and Fabulous for the flowers. This set is fast and fabulous - all you do is take one stamp for the colored in part and a coordinating stamp for the outline in another color - easy peasy lemon squeezy! I quickly swiped old olive marker to create a stem. The Fast and Fabulous set is a set that can be earned for free when hosting a workshop!

There’s no better way to create natural-looking floral images for your cards and scrapbook pages than our Two-Step Stampin’ technique. The flower images in our Fast & Fabulous set are a beautiful solution for stamping a quick greeting that looks like you picked through a mountain valley for just the right blooms. Available both in wood-mount and clear-mount.

Set Quantity: 6

Spring Is Blossoming Sneak Peak

2011-04-05T12:53:00.004-04:00

Spring Is Blossoming Sneak Peek!

Promotion dates: April 1-30, 2011

Promotion details: Spring is Blossoming with Sneak Peek products from the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog. You can get these brand-new products in one of two ways:

Spend $20* on any Stampin' Up! products and become eligible to purchase both the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper.
Host a $350* workshop and get the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper for FREE!

Four Frames Stamp Set
W: item 123440 | $20.95
C: item 123442 | $15.95

Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper
item 122367 | $9.95

Please use the following bundle item numbers when entering the free stamp set and Designer Series Paper as a workshop reward:

Item	Description	Price
125735	Four Frames Wood-Mount Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper	FREE with qualifying workshop!
125736	Four Frames Clear-Mount Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper	FREE with qualifying workshop!

Things to Remember

Customer order option

Orders may be placed online, in person or at a workshop.
Customers must spend $20 to be eligible to purchase the Four Frames stamp set and/or Paisley Prints Designer Series Paper from the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.
Both items can be purchased once the $20 minimum is met; there is a limit of five per product once the $20 minimum is met. Ordering another $20 of Stampin' Up! products resets the limit and allows the customer to purchase another five Designer Series Papers and/or stamp sets.
Hostess option

Orders must be placed on a workshop, customer, or demonstrator order to qualify. Online orders are not eligible for this part of the promotion. But ...you are welcome to contact me and I'll place the order for you.
Customers will receive the Four Frames and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper FREE if they host a $350 workshop (net sales before tax and shipping).
You must use the special bundle item numbers above when ordering the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper as a reward for hosting a qualifying workshop.
There is a limit of one Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper per workshop.
Workshop must meet $350 minimum to be eligible for sneak peek products. Reward is for reaching the $350 level and is not incremental.
Hostess may choose either the wood-mount or clear-mount set. Clear blocks are not included in the clear mount set.

Rollerskating is making a come back...

2011-03-01T10:00:00.004-05:00

at least in my world it is. I have so many fond memories of "The Rink" as we called it. The Rink at Montvale. We used to go skating almost every weekend. Anyway, where I live now and old rink just re-opened in the fall and now I have a place to go again! It's much smaller than The Rink, and kind of a dive, but it's still fun. We just had Nicholas' birthday party there this weekend. I had great time with a friend's Cricut Cake making a Rollerskating themed birthday cake. I found a free SVG file of a skate online and used it for my image.

Also, if you need a great place to buy skates. I highly recommend SkateMob. They have great prices and ship fast even with the standard shipping. If you have any questions about what to order, Bruce is great and will answer any of your questions.

Blossom Petals Card

2011-01-27T11:08:00.004-05:00

I had a snow day yesterday, so I took that opportunity to try out some of my new toys.
Here's a card I made with the new Stampin' Up! Build a Blossom stamp set and Blossom Petals coordinating punch.

all supplies are Stampin'Up! except the thread
Card Stock: So Saffron, Peach Parfait, Crumb Cake
Ink: So Saffron, Old Olive, Early Espresso
Stamps: Build A Blossom, Bring on the Cake (Occassions Mini 2011)
Other: Antique Brads

Are you Filled With Love?

2011-01-17T21:52:00.003-05:00

You can still get this great bundle through January 26th!

Wow...check this out!

2010-11-12T11:39:00.002-05:00

Stampin Up! has a fantastic offer coming up. A half-price starter kit for signing up. You get over $300 worth of products for only $87.50 (regular or digital kit) and free shipping!

Even if you don't want to be a demonstrator and just want to do it for the discount it's a great deal.

To take advantage of this offer you can sign up on my website and join my team!

www.cassie.stampinup.net

enter code: stamp with cassie when it asks for a password

The Owl Punch isn't just for Owls!

2010-10-28T09:46:00.004-04:00

As many of you know I LOVE Owls so when this Stampin' Up! Owl Punch came out earlier this year I didn't hesitate to get it. So I've been making lots of fun Owl things with it over the past few months like this Post-It Note Holder.

Last night I was playing around with it and made this cute Penguin Gift Tag.

Inspired from Nicholas' school project. He had to read a book, do a book report and decorate a pumpkin to look like the main character in the book. He chose "Penguin's Big Hill". This is is Pumpkin and look how cute he looks reading it to the class!

'Tis the Season to Craft

2010-10-21T10:31:00.004-04:00

and Stampin' Up! makes it really easy with the Holiday Bundle Promotion!!!

Shop Now!

MS Society matching donations

2010-10-20T08:17:00.003-04:00

The MS Society is matching donations now through October 28th so it's a really good time to donate. Although I am continuing to sell the Candy Countdown Calendars through November 15th as a fundraiser for the MS Society, I am planning on sending in a check before October 28th to take full advantage of the matching offer. So if you haven't ordered yours, please contact me (if you're local) or you can order directly from my website www.cassie.stampinup.net. Thank You everyone who has already purchased one. It is a great cause!

Stampin' Out MS!

2010-09-22T21:07:00.011-04:00

As many of you know, my husband John has Multiple Sclerosis. When he was first diagnosed about 13 years ago everyone was saying “Don't worry, they are so close to finding a cure, they're saying it'll be within the next 10 years.” Well, 10 years came and went and no cure in sight. So I thought I would try and do something about it and raise some money for the MS Society. I wouldn't be that great at the MS bike race so I decided I would do it my own crafty way. I'm going to donate 10% of every Candy Countdown Calendar that I sell. So please help Stamp out MS with me!

If you aren't local (to me) you can order this adorable Candy Countdown Calendar Kit through my website www.Cassie.stampinup.net item 120926.

Is there anything that builds the exhilarating anticipation of the Christmas season better than a countdown calendar? Add in a treat and you’ve got the perfect thrill! Create the atmosphere of Christmas excitement and sweetness in your home all December long with our Candy Countdown Calendar Kit. It has everything you need to make your countdown a special and much anticipated tradition for all your friends and family.

■ Perfect décor item for the holidays
■ Boxes can also be used as ornaments or favors
■ (25) fast-fold boxes, 1-1/2" x 1-7/8" x 3-1/2", widening to 2-1/8" x 2-5/8" at the top
■ (25) 12" ribbon strips, (25) clothespins
■ 5 yards twine rope
■ Three sheets of 8-1/2" x 11" die-cut designs
■ Easy assembly

Countdown Calendar

2010-09-20T12:03:00.004-04:00

I had to share this. It's the new Candy Countdown Calendar from Stampin' Up!. What a fun activity this would be to make with the kids and then it becomes part of your holiday decor! Not to mention the fun of opening each box each day as you count down to Christmas. It comes with everything down to the twine for hanging {it would be fun to add some glimmer brads!} and it's only $19.95. This would make a unique gift as well. Love it! Click here to order.

a lift from Papercrafts magazine

2010-09-13T15:08:00.005-04:00

I fell in love with the simplicity of this card when I saw it in Papercrafts magazine and just happened to have the same Stampin' Up! stamps so I couldn't help, but recreate it. Of course I changed the size and mounted mine on real red card stock, but it's almost the same. This card uses the masking technique so that the apple doesn't interfere with the letters.

I'm planning on teaching how to mask and create this card in my next card class

Stampin' Up! Two-Step Bird Punch

2010-09-10T10:38:00.004-04:00

It was love at first site when I saw this bird punch! It kind of reminds me of Bella and Max! (my kids' finches). The punch has the bird, a wing and the branch all on the same punch. This is one of the cards we made in my August card class. The bird was stamped with one of the stamps in a hostess set called Punch Potpourri which can be earned for free by having a workshop.
Every stamp in that set (bird, flowers, butterfly and heart) coordinates perfectly with a Stampin' Up! punch...love that!

New mini catalog starts today and a free tote promotion

2010-09-01T22:06:00.008-04:00

2010 Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog - WOW!

Oh my gosh...Stampin' Up! has outdone themselves with the new 2010 Holiday Mini Catalog.

From Traditional to Whimsical, from Vintage to Cute...Stampin' Up! has covered all the bases for your handmade projects for the upcoming holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and even a little bit for Valentine's Day).

You'll be bowled over by the HUGE selection of new Big Shot dies, folders and NEW Letterpress Plates!

LOTS of new Bling...Glimmer Brads, Simply Adorned Baubles, Tinsel Trim, Glass Glitter & Designer Jewels!

And even "Stampin' Sound Cards"!!!

Ooh - I almost forgot - Stampin' Up! Designer Fabric!

Join my team this month and receive this beautiful craft tote (value $39.95) for free.
My favorite thing about this tote is that it holds 12x12 paper!

Cardmaps

2010-08-15T10:57:00.005-04:00

I'm participation in a challenge over on the SAS board. For August we are challenged to make a card for every cardmap from the pagemaps collection from September of 2009.

Here's my first one. I used a combination of new Stampin' Up! supplies with retired. The stamp set, Wicked Cool, is from the new 2010-2011 catalog.

Here's the sketch and my card based on the sketch:

sorry for the bad photo, I took it with my cell phone.

supplies: Stampin' Up! Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry and Basic Black card stock, new 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, scallop border punch, rich razzleberry ink, basic black ink, Always Artichoke ink.

Stampin' Up! Watercolor Trio stamp set...

2010-07-07T21:52:00.010-04:00

Just a few cards I made with the Watercolor Trio stamp set from the Stampin' Up! Summer mini catalog. I love this set!

Kim Kesti's Card Challenge

2010-04-10T22:05:00.004-04:00

Kim Kesti from Papercrafts Magazine is having a sketch challenge on her blog. Go check it out. Here's my take on one of the sketches.

I used the new Stampin' Up! scallop border punch to create a decorative journaling spot for the sentiment.

I joined Stampin' Up!

2010-03-13T10:08:00.003-05:00

This is something I've wanted to do for a while now and I finally took the plunge. I can't wait to start teaching card making and scrapbooking. Come check out my new Stampin' Up website.

Moxie Fab World's Tuesday Trigger

2010-02-26T16:10:00.010-05:00

This week on the Moxie Fab World blog the Tuesday trigger is a fabulous card by Kimberley Crawford. I was inspired by the color combination and use of linear pearls. This is my first try at a Tuesday Trigger and had so much fun! This is what I came up with...

and here is Kimberly Crawford's card:

Thanks, Kim, for the inspiration!

Love always

2010-02-16T12:09:00.003-05:00

While I was making this card Nicholas asks "Is that a card for the bathroom?" Funny, even a 6 year old knowhttp://cassie-d.blogspot.com/s the universal restroom symbols!

some cards

2010-01-10T21:38:00.006-05:00

Just a couple of cards I made this weekend...
(photos aren't great - I used my old camera)

I was dying to try out my new Nestabilities Die that Santa left in my stocking so I made this Valentines Day card. I didn't have any Hero Arts Valentine's stamps...boo, so I had to use this cheapy I had gotten a few years ago to make the kids Valentines to send into school.

This one was for a sketch challenge on SAS.

Wow!

2009-12-15T21:25:00.009-05:00

I let my blog go for 4 months! I needed a break, but am wishing I kept up with it so I would remember all the little things that happened in our lives. After all, that's why I'm blogging anyway. It's like a scrapbook to me. Thinking back, these are some things I want to remember about the past 4 months:
August
-Vacation in Fenwick Island, DE with the Merkers. The big thing that happened that week was that Nicholas seemed to get over his fear of dogs and fear of the ocean. It was like he was a whole different person than last year and he enjoyed himself so much more!
- My 16 year old niece, Alexa, moved in with us. This was supposed to be for a few weeks until my sister sold her house and moved down here to PA, but the house sale fell through and she’s still with us. I love having her here. She's artistic and crafty and loves to bake!
- Kids started school; Nicholas – Kindergarten, Sophie – 4th grade and Alexa 11th grade.

September
- For a Labor Day barbeque we had lots of fun baking mini-cupcakes that look like Hamburgers, complete with a sesame seed bun!

October

- The tooth fairy made her first visit to Nicholas on October 4th.

-Sophie wanted so badly to join the school band and take drums, but there were too many kids wanting the drums and she didn't get picked. She thought about it and after checking out my flute decided to take flute...woot! I can't wait for the day we can play a duet.

- Halloween was fun even in the pouring rain. Thinking back, I can’t remember when it ever rained on Halloween. I don’t think it ever did. Nicholas was “Dark Vader” (as he calls him) and carried a “Life Saver” and Sophie was a candy corn witch like she was last year. We got some ruby slippers in the mail right before Halloween and Sophie said that next year she wants to wear them with Nicholas’ Darth Vader costume to be “Dorothy Vader”! I thought that was pretty clever. Let’s see if she remembers that next year.

November
-Alexa’s 17th birthday which means she got her driver’s license…Woo Hoo!

-Sophie joined the chorus at school and had her first concert at Barnes and Noble.
-We had a very small Thanksgiving celebration. We had just my parents and Krista. I tried “brining” a turkey for the first time. It came out super moist and smelled wonderful while cooking. I used Alton Brown’s recipe. That one’s a keeper (the recipe, not Alton Brown)
-After planning to make my Christmas cards with photoshop to make things easier this year I got a different idea while getting ready for work one morning. I couldn’t wait to get home to figure out how to contruct it and created the prototype. So much for easy this year.
-Decided to decorate the outside of the house right after Thanksgiving to avoid decorating in the freezing cold which I usually end up doing. I got everything out of the basement, tested all the lights, hung it all up, set up the daylight sensors and…the lights didn’t all work. That’s what we call “The D’Ambrosio Factor” . Love that!

December
- Still working on the cards. The idea was to have them look like an ornament from the front with a window to the photo inside.

- Sophie wrote Santa a letter asking for one of those Magic Elves that come to life at night and get into all sorts of mischief and fun. Santa not only left her the elf that she asked for, but left Nicholas a little brother elf. So lets see, they have taken out an old photo album and we found it out on the floor. They were looking at photos of Oakley when he was a puppy. We also found them in a drawer full of plastic cups and bowls. They had watercolor paint sets in the elves’ little sacks. The kids found them in the closet putting together a puzzle this morning. I wonder what they’ll get into tonight

- Tonight Nicholas started a book reading log for school. I decided to let him read as many words as he could on his own while I would fill in the longer, more difficult words. I was so amazed and proud of him. I had no idea he could read that many on his own.

The Y's Owls

2009-08-09T20:53:00.003-04:00

Today we celebrated the Y's Owls preschool graduation. It's hard to believe that they are all going to Kindergarten.

CKC - Valley Forge

2009-08-02T22:02:00.005-04:00

I had a great time at CKC this weekend. I volunteered again to be a Teaching Assistant. I was assigned to Quick Quotes for several classes. The teacher, Joy (who has a very fitting name, by the way) is actually the one who designs the paper for the company. How cool would it be to design scrapbook paper! Speaking of paper designers, I also met the paper designer for Marks Paper Co., Stacy Marks. Marks Paper Co. is beautiful and they have both real paper and digital...I love that!
I was really hoping to find the new Quickutz Letterpress, but unfortunately it's not out yet so I have to wait. If anyone knows where to find that baby let me know!

It's called a "Crop"!

2009-07-18T21:36:00.008-04:00

John cracks me up when he thinks he's using scrapbooking lingo correctly. I got home from my all day "crop" last night and he asks "How was your scrap?". Well...he tried.

As usual I didn't get that much done and was in awe of everyone else and how much they all accomplished. Just getting out and hanging out with a bunch of women (and one little chicken) who share my same passion for paper and glue is enough to make me happy.

yes, we needed ALL that stuff...even the rolling pin.

here's little chicken...(or is it ralphie?)

amy

em-i-lie

kristin

nathan, one of the silly goose monkeys, smiled like this all day!

friends...thanks for a fantastic day!

LEED® AP's

2009-07-15T20:41:00.004-04:00

I'm very proud of my coworkers. 82% of us who took the LEED exam passed while the average for this test is only 30%. Woo Hoo Arcus Design Group...We rocked this exam!

{front: Brian M, Paul, Cassie, Suzanne. back: Carl, Chris, Brian F, Patrick, Jeff}

GCD Studios

2009-07-13T15:09:00.003-04:00

My project is up online on the GCD Studios blog Come check it out!
{They also just introduced some fabulous new collections last week}

This is a also great week for my favorite stamp company, Hero Arts, where they are having a week long celebration for their new website.

Sneak Peak

2009-07-12T22:21:00.005-04:00

Remember this post? Well this week my project for GCD Studios will be online over on the GCD Studios blog. What a fun line of paper to work with. Here's a sneak peak...

Notecards

2009-06-22T21:12:00.006-04:00

I really love making sets of notecards for gifts. These are the ones I made yesterday morning for Sophie to give her teacher today for her last day of school. One thing to make these fairly quick and easy is to figure out all the dimensions ahead of time. Then all I had to do was cut out the pieces emboss the solids and assemble. The scalloped circles were made on my Cricut and the butterflies are from one of my favorite Hero Arts stamp sets called Patterned Butterflies.The gift card was also made with my Cricut and I used the Bird Greetings set

Whew!

2009-06-17T19:30:00.000-04:00

I took the LEED exam this afternoon. I don't think I've ever studied more for any other test in my life. I was suprisingly calm going in to it especially since I was in a total panic last week. I have to say that the questions were far from what I studied and from all the practice exams that I took. I thought for sure that I was bombing it. Then my time ran out when I was going through the questions I tagged to review again so I never got a second look at a bunch of them. I was so sure that I did not do well on the exam that I took the optional survey about the test center to delay the result. Then I had to click to get my score and at first I saw a 170 and I couldn't believe it....I got a 195 (out of 200) ! I said outloud..."What?! I'm still in shock.

c'mon...get happy!

2009-06-13T21:17:00.006-04:00

Sophie wanted a Happy Face themed party this year. I love this because it's so retro. She picked out some retro fonts for the invitations we made and I just finished the cake some pretzel sticks today.

Don't Blink!

2009-06-11T19:44:00.012-04:00

I can't believe how fast the past nine years have passed. Sophia turned 9 today. I remember so clearly the day she was born and it doesn't feel like that happened nine years ago....3 or 4 maybe, but 9? no way!

I remember this day when we had a photographer come to the house for her first photo shoot. Sophia was so interested in the camera, so serious, just starting at all the equipment. She was about 2 months old and this was actually on my birthday, August 17th 2000.

and here she is when she was two. Look at the innocent face!

four...closing her eyes because she was sick of me taking pictures. Liitle did she know how many I would be taking once I started scrapbooking in a year or so!

five...

six...

monday...so grown up

Happy Birthday my sweet girl!

I've been MIA around here

2009-06-06T21:16:00.006-04:00

I've had so much going on lately that I haven't had much time to blog. Right now I'm studying to take the LEED exam. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) created LEED as a rating system for green building. So if, I mean when, I pass I will be a LEED AP (Accredited Professional). This is what I've been doing mostly.

Today I took Sophia to get her ears pierced for her birthday which is coming up on Thursday. Could you believe that I actually forgot to bring my camera? I'm trying to get the few photos I took off my cell phone, but not having much luck. Here's one that finally showed up in my email. I'm sure the girl piercing her ear wouldn't be happy if she knew I got a shot of her armpit! She's was so excited. She picked out cute little rhinestone flower earrings.

I was still able to squeeze in making a card because with all that studying I needed a little scrap therapy.

Stamps: Hero Arts
Ribbon: American Crafts (stamped with white embossing powder)

Flowers: Prima and Making Memories

Ink: Tsukineko

Uncle Billy

2009-05-16T20:31:00.004-04:00

This is a friend of mine's son, Billy. He was tragically killed in a car accident in November of 2006. Next month his sister is due with her first son. The family baby shower was today and I was asked to help all the guests create pages of their part of the family so the baby would have a family scrapbook. I was also asked to make a page about the baby's Uncle Billy. There's a pull tab on the side so that they can add some journaling about the baby's uncle.

2009-04-25T08:43:00.005-04:00

I just wanted to show you a layout by my friend Emilie using my digital layered template. You can download this template here. She's an amazing scrapbooker. You can check out her work here and while you're at it go visit her other site, The Scrap Review, for all the info. you want to know on scrapbooking products.

Make everyday Earth Day

2009-04-22T10:15:00.005-04:00

Did you know Earth Day has a symbol? I had no idea.

Earth Day, celebrated April 22, is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970 and is celebrated in many countries every year.

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle...everyday.

Digi Scrap Design!

2009-04-08T15:51:00.003-04:00

There's a new digital scrapbook store called Digi Scrap Design opening it's doors on May 5th. There will be FREEBIES and contests so come on over and join in the fun.
I'm really excited to be a part of the Design Team!

Guess what?

2009-04-06T14:29:00.002-04:00

I'm so excited to be selected as a GCD Studios Product Tester. I get to play around with a box of goodies they send and they post the projects I create in their gallery. How fun!

two peas...

2009-04-02T20:46:00.004-04:00

GCD Studios Party

2009-03-31T21:03:00.002-04:00

So I didn't get a call for a Design Team position {boo hoo}, but they are having a big celebration on Monday to announce the new team. Lots of GIVEAWAYS! They also have some other positions they are announcing; 4 Guest DT gals, 40 Spotlights and 21 Product Testers. Maybe I'll make one of those. It would be cool to be a product tester or a guest designer. I have no idea what a spotlight is.

GCD Studios Call Day

2009-03-31T08:24:00.004-04:00

Today is the day. GCD Studios is announcing their new design team starting at 9 am PST. There were 471 entries! You can go visit there site here to find out who makes it. {wish me luck}

Happy Birthday Hero Arts Blog

2009-03-30T08:26:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite places to go for creative inspiration is turning 1 this week. I discovered this place last summer and have been coming back ever since. They are having a week of celebration with lots of giveaways. Here's a 10% coupon to use in the store, too (use code BLOGBDAY at checkout) You can get to the blog here.

Just sharing

2009-03-25T19:43:00.007-04:00

I've been playing around with making my own layered digital scrapbook templates. Here is a template I created and a layout using the template. If you would like to download the template you can get it here.
template:

layout:

Patterned paper and flowers - Paislee Press

Journaling Block - Jessica Sprague

Bracket - cassie d'ambrosio

just a few cards

2009-03-22T22:52:00.004-04:00

Here are a few I made this weekend in an online crop.

Can you say INNAPROPRIATE?

2009-03-18T07:59:00.005-04:00

I went to the doctor yesterday for my shoulder. After waiting for almost an hour the doctor finally comes in and plops this little white dog down on the countertop where he sat, slept and started at me throughout my appointment. After getting ove the initial shock that a doctor would bring a dog into work where you would expect the most sanitary conditions, I started to think about it. It's good thing that I love dogs (and isn't he cute?), but what if someone was allergic? I know this breed doesn't shed, but still! What if there was someone completely terrified of dogs (of all sizes) like my son? She didn't even ask if I minded the dog being there...just plopped him down as this was a normal thing to do.
The doctor left briefly to take a phone call so I snapped this photo with my cell phone as any scrapper would. Now looking more carefully at the photo...is that an exam gown he's sitting on?

Cecily and ...Astronaut Adventure

2009-03-16T20:49:00.007-04:00

This weekend Debby and I took Sophie and her friend Grace to the American Girl Doll Fashion Show benefit. The shows
benefit Dragonfly Forest, Inc., a non-profit organization committed to offering seriously ill children an
overnight camp experience in a safe environment, and The Saturday Club Children’s Charity Fund. The show we attended was hosted by the one and only Cecily Tynan, meterologist for ABC news. She's got a terrific personality and is even prettier in person than she is on TV.

Also this weekend Sophie finally finished her big Science project. This is one she put off as long as she could. It truly was like pulling teeth trying to get her to work on this. The assignment was to create a board game about the solar system complete with instructions, game cards, playing pieces and the board. This is when it comes in handy to have a scrapbooking mom. We used photoshop elements, the Cricut Expression, Xyron 510, paper trimmer, cardstock from my stash and punches. Here's the result:

Layout from Friday's crop

2009-03-16T12:24:00.006-04:00

This is one layout that I had wanted to do for a while. I made the flowers a long time ago and put them together with the photo last year sometime. Amy gave me this floral peice of Bo Bunny patterned paper as part of a crop gift and it was exactly what I needed for this layout. Thanks Amy.

cardstock - DCWV
Patterned Paper - BoBunny
Trim - Doodlebug
chipboard letters - Chipchatter
die cut letters - sizzix
Flowers - by me

I'm not good at crops

2009-03-13T21:33:00.004-04:00

I went to an all day crop at my friend Amy's house today. I had a lot of fun, but didn't get much done. I don't know why, but I never do. I don't bring enough stuff to finish any layout or card, but manage to bring tons of other stuff that I don't need at all. Meanwhile everyone else got at least 3 layouts done each. Emilie got there a while after me and whipped out 3 amazing layouts in no time. I left with 2 started layouts and 2 started cards. As soon as I unpacked I grabbed my supplies and finished one of my layouts in about 10 minutes, proving to me that I suck at crops. This fact won't keep me from going to them because I just love the social part of it.

7 days and counting

2009-03-01T19:13:00.005-05:00

only 7 more days until our new Target opens...WOO HOO! not that it's been a problem going to the one 3 1/2 miles down the road. I have to admit that when I heard that another Target was going to be built so close to where I live I was not too happy about it, but as soon as the construction started and there was no turning back, I couldn't wait. This will make my life so much easier!

and yes, I know I have to fix my blog header!

My first album cover

2009-02-25T17:55:00.004-05:00

This has to be the coolest blog tagging things going around. This is what you do:

You are making your first album.

Follow these instructions:

1 - BAND NAME Go to "wikipedia." Hit “random article”or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - ALBUM TITLE Go to "Random quotations"or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - COVER ART Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use Photoshop or similar software to put it all together.

and...everyone who reads this is now TAGGED!

I've been baking again

2009-02-07T21:50:00.004-05:00

It seems like Birthdays around here are BirthWEEKS. We end up celebrating all week. I guess when you have two people with birthdays 3 days apart it's bound to happen. Nicholas is the 3rd and John is the 6th. Here's the cake for Nicholas' Cars themed birthday party.

dinosaur cookie anyone?

2009-02-01T19:21:00.010-05:00

One of my favorite things to do since I discovered Royal Icing years ago is deocorate cookies. So when Nicholas asked to bring in Dinosaur cookies to preschool for his upcoming birthday on Tuesday I was all over it!
I still can't believe my baby is going to be 5!

I've been tagged

2009-01-29T20:44:00.006-05:00

This time I've been tagged by Kerri to go to where I keep my photos, pick the 6th folder pick the 6th picture, post on your blog and tell about it. I keep my photos on my external hard drive ever since my hard drive died a few months ago. My sixth folder is of my wedding day, 14 years ago. I've scanned in about half of what we have and hopefully one day I'll take the time to scan the rest. I remember telling the photographer ahead of time that we wanted all black and white candid shots and that was it, but my mom really wanted some posed photos in color. So you can see it's posed, but not in color. The photographer accidentally shot them in black and white.

So now it's my turn to tag 6 lucky people.
Amy Steinmetz
Sam Mansfield
Noel Culbertson
Kim Kesti
Chris Hertel
Joscie Cutchens

Remember the rules are 6th folder, 6th picture, post on your blog, and tag 6 more!!

Favicon

2009-01-27T22:09:00.003-05:00

I just learned what a favicon is...a website icon (thanks Joscie rhymes with Bossy) They show up in the browser bar to the left of the website that you're on. So I picked my all time favorite cartoon character...

can you see him up there in the browser bar?

2009-01-10T22:11:00.009-05:00

I know it's January 10th already and I didn't post any resolutions, but I have made some.
1. I want to learn how to use my Canon Rebel xti off of the automatic setting.
2. I want to actually submit some of my scrapbook layouts to magazines instead of just thinking about it. This means I'm going to have to keep up on the page calls.
3. I resolve to keep my purse/handbag organized.
4. I resolve to use the grocery recyling bags that I keep in my car. Everytime I go shopping I forget to bring them in with me. So far this year I remembered every time!
5. I want to be a better meal planner for the family. I'm sick of coming home from work, not knowing what to make and not having enough of any ingredients to make something interesting. So my goal would be to find a lot of easy, but good recipes that don't take too long and make sure I have the ingredients and plan out what days to have them.

So on the cooking thing...I've always been a gadget lover and have tons of cooking tools and gadgets. This love for tools and gadgets is probably what got me into Architecture. I loved all the drafting equipment, but then the computer came along for Architectural drawing and I switched to kitchen gadgets. This is what makes me a good scrapbooking candidate...I saw all the tools and equipment and got sucked right in. Somehow since the scrapbooking started, the cooking kind of slowed down. Anyway, I've been doing pretty well on resolution #4 so far. I made a meatloaf which turned out to not be so good. I like my family's recipe way better. I tried it because it was different and looked easy and I wanted a change, but I'm going back to the tried and true Mom's recipe. We also had the most delicious Southern Style Jalapeno ribs that my friend Amy gave me, a very easy, but good chicken pesto dish and today French Onion soup that John said "is better than what you would get in a restaurant".

Crispy Baked Pesto Chicken: I got this recipe from the kraft foods website. I used boneless chicken breast that are individually wrapped and frozen - easy to keep on hand. The only part of the recipe that I didn't like was the Shake-n-bake coating. I will substitute Italian style bread crumbs in the future. I made this with Green Beans and Tomatoes Italian also from the kraft site. This was really good. I used Good Seasons Italian instead of what the recipe called for. My time saving tip is that I used the frozen steam in a bag green beans, also easy to keep on hand.

Woo Hoo!

2009-01-01T18:43:00.003-05:00

What a nice way to start off the New Year. I am one of the winners of a Hero Arts (my favorite stamp company) contest. You can see my cards here...

http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/2009/01/01/announcing-the-first-challenge-winners-of-2009/

Finding my roots...

2008-12-29T20:11:00.003-05:00

So facebook is pretty cool. I've been able to connect with some old high school friends as well as my current friends. What I didn't realize was that I would find my roots. One day I typed in my fairly uncommon maiden name, Barecchia, wondering if I could find the other Barecchia family that my grandmother and father lost touch with here in America. What I found were relatives I didn't even know I had in Italy. We communicated back and forth trying to figure out if we were related at all. One day I received an email and it said "Do you know this man?" Attached was a photograph. When I opened it I almost fell off my chair. It was an old photo of my father from the 60's, before I was even born and it did not look like Italy at all (It's Washington state). How did they get that photo and did they even know who it was? Maybe I solved some mystery of who was in that photo? Anyway, after weeks of communicating that photo was evidence of our relation. There is so much of my family over there. I'm getting lots of photos of my cousins and the little town my family came from. I'm hoping to make a trip to San Marco Evangalista one day to meet my family and see where we came from. Thank you facebook!

Ah...my cards are finally finished (well, almost)

2008-12-16T21:54:00.005-05:00

I started making these in November. The card opens up from the top and the white snow at the bottom is actually a pocket that holds photos of the kids inside. I got this idea from one of my favorite stampers, Jennifer McGuire.

Here's the card inside...

You know you watched too much Seinfeld when...

2008-11-29T21:54:00.010-05:00

So I had Thanksgiving dinner at my house this year. I spoke with my sister, Krista, a day or two before and she told me that she was bringing Chocolate cake and black and white cookies to compliment the pies that my sister-in-law was bringing. I thought to myself...great, John loves those cookies. We haven't had them in ages. So when I got off the phone I said to John in excitement "John, guess what? Krista's bringing black and white cookies!" He didn't seem all that excited so I added "I thought you would have been excited about that. You used to love those, right?" and he said "No, I think you're thinking of Jerry Seinfeld". I started to think about it and he was right. We watched SO much Seinfeld in 90's that I think it became part of my reality!

Talking Turkey...

2008-11-27T07:15:00.012-05:00

If anyone needs a good recipe for cooking turkey today (or a good laugh) continue reading. Here are some of my son and his classmates turkey recipes and dessert ideas from their publication Talking Turkey with the Y's Owls 2008

Jake: "Stove it for 5 seconds. Put turkey sauce on it with dressing. Put vegetables in it with broccoli for six minutes. Fried pickles for dessert. Put sprinkles - colored ones on the pickles. Um, yeah, a chicken, a chicken with the thing on the top of his head."

Lucy: "Cook it with sauce - I forget. Then we would roast it in the fire for five minutes. Eat it with hot dogs and peanuts. Vanilla ice cream for dessert."

Ryan: "Put it in the oven with water and chocolate milk. Cook it in the toaster for seven minutes. Serve with donuts and some macaroni and cheese."

Ben: "Put gravy on it. The smell of it tastes good. I smell things so I know what they smell like. Broccoli stuffing - yummy! Only me and my mom know the recipe. Cook it for one minute in the oven. I got a brand new kitchen. I like ice cream. It's gonna be the best turkey - yummy."

Connor K: "Use some lemon juice and apple juice and a button. Cook it in the oven, a cold oven. Cook it for 20 minutes. Make some legs of the turkey with chicken, salad and leaves. I like turkey for dessert."

Connor H: "I'll eat the leg of it. Cook it with a pan and roast it. Put ketchup and macaroni and cheese on it. 3 minute it in the microwave. Yea - dessert, nothing.

Brooke: "I don't know the ingredients. I like to eat cake and cupcakes. Well. I like to pick flowers at Thanksgiving, too."

Molly: "You cook it in the oven for 20 minutes. Put ketchup on it. Make the oven super hot. I like to eat Santa cookies with sprinkles and Santa donuts."

Claudia: "Cook it with gloves. I would go outside and play in the leaves. Put the turkey in the oven with a tray. Add sugar and eat the leg. When the turkey is in the oven, Mommy makes a fire. Cook the turkey for 15 hours. I like cookies for Thanksgiving."

Grace: "Cook it with a pot, those things you hold it up with. I have one at my house and a turkey baster. I don't know how hot Mommy cooks it. It takes 9 seconds to cook. Put butter and salt. Me and Mommy did that before. My favorite food to eat on Thanksgiving is macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes with no gravy."

Brady: "I don't know how you make turkeys. I would have a turkey and put on sauce and put it in the oven for 20 minutes. The oven is on 2 degrees, but I don't want the turkey running around in the oven."

James: "Cook it with a knife, and cut it up on pieces. Put ketchup and mustart. Mustard makes my breath smell good. Cook it for two seconds. I like to have grapes."

Nicholas: "Put butter and mayonaisse on it with cheese. Cook it for 20 minutes in the toaster. Eat it with whipped cream and sprinkles. I like cake!"

Simon: "Put some noodles in it and some chicken and some stuffing, that's about it. Cook it on the stove for 50 hours. That's about it, I think!"

Kaelee: "Roast it with salt, butter and cheese. Put it in the oven for 4 minutes. Make broccoli on the top of the oven. Bread, too. I like cake, banilla with chocolate inside for dessert, striper fish and a lobster."

Jeffery: "You would cook it in a pan in the oven for 5 minutes, and then we will put it in a bowl and stir it. Put it on a plate and eat it with a fork. You could find the bones when you ate all the skin. Some tomatoes and salad. Cake!"

Zoe: "I never saw a turkey recipe and Daddy don't have one. Put it in the oven with pepper, salt. I don't know what else. Cook it for 60 minutes in a hot oven. I don't know how long or hot. Make corn and chicken (lots of shoulder shrugs). Chocolate cake for dessert."

John, I yearbooked you, too (don't be mad)

2008-11-18T22:44:00.003-05:00

1952
1956

1976

1980

1986

Have you Yearbooked yourself?

2008-11-16T21:21:00.004-05:00

This is what I would look like in the different eras...

1952

1960

1966

1968

1974

1984

You can at www.yearbookyourself.com

I feel like a kid...

2008-11-11T15:32:00.005-05:00

who just got a new toy! I can't stop playing with my Hero Arts stamps. They are just so much fun. I don't know if anyone else's kids do this, but mine sleep with every new toy for a while. John, aren't you glad I'm not doing that? Roll over onto the corner of one of those wood blocks...ouch. Anyway, here are some of the latest creations with my heros. I actually enter these for a chance to win a Hero Arts gift card. Wouldn't that be great to win, then I can get more of these babies!

three little circle cards

holiday card

gift tag

a candy corn witch and a police officer

2008-11-04T20:58:00.002-05:00

We couldn't ask for a better night for Halloween. The weather was so mild and the kids had a blast.

Go Phillies!

2008-10-27T10:15:00.003-04:00

This one's for John.

Something about the Fall

2008-10-19T22:15:00.002-04:00

Makes me want to paint. I don't know what it is. John thinks I'm nesting for the Winter. I think it's because I know we'll be inside a lot and I want a change of scenery. Well, anyone who knows me knows how much I love paint...everything about it; picking the colors, the smell, the actual painting and the satisfaction of it all when it's finished. I bought new towels for the bathroom ages ago, but wouldn't put them out until the bathroom was painted so I finally went out and bought some paint. I can't tell you what color it is because I make the paint mixer at the stores add different colors until I like it. This was my project for the day. Now if I could only find the soap dispenser and toothbrush holder that I bought when I bought the towels...and I need some artwork.

Reminisce Design Team Search

2008-09-29T14:50:00.012-04:00

Reminisce, a scrapbook company, is searching for a new member of their design team. I decided at the end of last week to enter and put together some projects this weekend for my entry. Since I decided to enter last minute, I had to work with what I had (no time to order new product online) which was basically a couple of sheets of patterned paper, but they make terrific punch out journaling spots, rubons, etc.

On this layout I used the fun patterned paper called 3,2,1...Blast Off. This is a hybrid layout. The dotted circles, title and journaling are printed directly onto white cardstock.

This is a card I made with the Snow Globe collection of Christmas paper. This one is the Frosty Frame Up. I cut the marquee shapes out and printed out my photos (highlights of this year) as 1"x1" squares, adhered them to the back and then mounted it on red cardstock. The small center square is the part that opens to reveal the sentiment.

And here's a layout I did with the same Snow Globe collection.

What's your color IQ?

2008-09-19T20:35:00.003-04:00

I stumbled upon this cool little quiz. Give it a go and let me know what you get! (comment below)

Take this quiz

Happy Anniversary John!

2008-09-10T08:11:00.000-04:00

September 10th, 1994

Fourteen Years...
1 sassy daughter
1 crazy son
3 homes (not all at once)
1 invisible dog
1 not so invisible dog
Lots of life changes
I wouldn't change it for the world!

I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. I can't believe how dorky I look in these photos!

Balloon accident

2008-09-08T21:07:00.004-04:00

I'm just so sad that one of the hot air balloons (the blue one with the butterfies) that often flies by our house (remember this post?) went up in flames as it was landing. The seven passengers were seriously injured, but unfortunately, the pilot didn't make it out of the basket and died.
You can read more about it here

Back to School

2008-09-05T12:31:00.005-04:00

I can't believe how fast the summer went...crazy. What's even crazier is that my baby girl started 3rd Grade this year. Nicholas is now a "Y's Owl" at the YMCA. Now that will make a great scrapbook page since I'm into Owls now (gotta get that Hero Arts Big Owl stamp!). So he has only one more year until Kindergarten...Ah! I've been going to that Y since Sophie was 3 years old. It's become part of my daily routine. It's really going to be strange next year not going there.

{maddie and sophie}

{nicholas in his new Y's Owl room}

Cards for Heroes

2008-09-03T21:24:00.006-04:00

I'm posting this to help get the word out. "Cards for Heroes is exists to support our nation’s armed forces by sending greeting cards on which deployed troops can write home, as well as cards full of gratitude sent to injured heroes recovering in hospitals."

Jennifer McGuire is having a Card Drive to help "Cards for Heroes". I hope she doesn't mind that I copied this part from her blog...

You can either send cards with messages of encouragement for the soldiers... or you can leave them blank for the soldiers to fill out and send to their loved ones at home. We are looking for holiday cards since these will get to the soldiers right before the holiday season. You don't even have to provide envelopes. I have lots.

Pretty cool, huh?

All you have to do is mail them to this address by September 30th:
UPDATE: The date has been extended to October 15th

Jennifer McGuire
Heroes Card Drive
PO Box 428612
Cincinnati, OH 45242

Here's one that I made.

Beach Shots

2008-08-30T11:04:00.004-04:00

Oakley's Oakleys

2008-08-29T11:15:00.005-04:00

They're not really Oakley shades, but I couldn't resist. Oakley is one "cool dude" don't you think? Well, that's what everyone says when they see him taking walks wearing his shades. I never realized that the sun is bad for dog eyes as well as ours and he actually keeps them on for long walks when it's very sunny.
For those of you who don't know Oakley. We got him 10 years ago, but had to give him away when he was 3 1/2. He was adopted by Debby and Jim who have become very good friends of ours. The kids and I just spent a whole week at the beach with them, including Oakley, Sophie (their black lab) and Margaret the cat.