Picnic Party

Today was the anual Kappa Delta Alumnae Association Picnic and this year I hosted. It was the first time I've had a soroity event on the new patio. I made KD sugar cookie which are just cookies cut out using the KD cookie cutter. Super cute but a pain to ice. Thankfully they were well received and everyone ate several, then I made the guests take the extra ones home. Yeah!!! That only leaves about 6 in the house.

Since I am lovin the fall I had to show off a little something I made for Halloween. Have I mentioned receintly that I love Halloween and fall crafts???

This is the cutest color combination! Gray, orange and this purple color that absolutely coordinates with the new Scarlet Jewel from PTI. I realized that I hadn't inked up this cute witch from TCP even though I got her last year. Gasp! I colired her with my copics and added a rhinestone sentiment.

Well, tomorrow I'm heading to the Farmer's Market with some friends> I promised Kevin his annual apple pie and I need some apples. I also have a recipe for butternut squash hash browns. I don't think I like squash but maybe some super tasty recipe will turn my taste buds around!

Enjoy!
Lara

A sketch so nice I made it twice

Wow, a post AND a rhyme. Who'd a thunk it??? I wanted to get in a quick post while I'm laying here on the couch. I haven't felt well today. Someone had a crock pot of BBQ meatballs at work and it stunk up the office all day. Yuck. I'm trying to lay here and the cats keep getting in the cabinet under the sink. Grrr... I've chased Godiva out twice and Titus once.

So, I really liked AmyR's sketch (Scroll down 2 posts) so I decided to use it again for this card. The chicken is TCP's Beans, Bunnies and Peeps, Oh My! and the sentiment from TCP as well.
I loved the slightly startled look on the chicken's face. It also reminded me of a chicken door stop my Grandma had while I was growing up. It was a fat patchwork chicken and was there as long as I could remember. Her name was Henrietta. I called my mom to ask her what happened to the chicken and she said that the fabric wore out and Henrietta was thrown away. Then mom said the chicken's name was Robin. I disagree. First of all, why would you name a chicken Robin?! Henrietta is a MUCH better name. So, she called grandma this morning who also said that the chicken's name was Robin. I think they are starting to get forgetful, since I couldn't POSSIBLY be wrong. I told her to ask my brother when he gets home from work. He too remembers things like that...

Anywho, I used Basic Grey's - Offbeat paper, SU!'s Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate chip and that odd Coral / Mango color who's name I still don't remember. Today I shall call it Persnickety Peach.

Enjoy!
Lara

Easter Card

How about another crafty endeavor?
I am being proactive! Yep! I'm getting a head start on my Easter cards. Now, how far the head start extends is another question...

I used the Beans & Bunnies and Peeps set from TCP. I paired it with some Basic Grey paper and some assorted card stock from SU! I know one is Kraft and the other is some in color from last season? I'm not a demonstrator, so I have NO idea what it was called. Cheerful Coral? Peachy Perfection? Perhaps I'll make up my own name for it.

I colored the chickies with my copics and went to trim it on the cutter. The I trimmed it too close to the edge and it wasn't big enough to fit in the Nestability! Argh!!! I didn't want to re-color it so I had a smart moment and decided to cut out the chicks and pop them up with some dimentionals. Needless to say, I was pretty pleased with myself.

I used the ticket punch on the edges and added some Bella baubles.

Enjoy!
Lara

You ARE the Cat's Pajamas!

You know how sometimes you struggle over a card and sometimes everything just seems to come together? This was absolutely one of those. Carole came up with this awesome sketch and I knew I wanted to use my Chicken Soup stamp from TCP. I have had this stamp for almost a year and it never seemed to work when I tried it on other cards. This time it did!!!
I pulled out my Basic Grey - Offbeat paper and paired it with some yellow card stock from PTI and Chocolate Chip from Stampin Up! I colored it with Copics and added olive ribbon from PTI. I really like this one and I hope you do too!

Enjoy!

Wal - What?

Every knows that I despise a particular large discount store. The one with the blue lettering. Why? I've gone into it in previous posts, but what it boils down to is that time has value. What difference does it make if you save a few dollars but waste 3 hours of your time in line? That's time I could spend with family, friends or doing things that I enjoy.

I went there to get more Christmas lights for outside. I get to the store and go in through lawn and garden in a desperate attempt to only stay in one area of the store. Then Kev calls and I have to look for Cinnamon Mini Wheats. Off into the great beyond. I step over piles of piles, navigate around random carts in the middle of the aisle and abruptly stop several times to keep from running over small children. Get the cereal, then some kitty litter, oh, and some soy milk then finally to the lights. Oooo wait, wrapping paper too. Grrr... Damn you and your conveniently placed items!!!

Get the lights, then wait 45 minutes to check out. Drive home then I get ready to hang the outside lights while Kev is in rehearsal. I take the out of the box and and test them before wrap them around the post. Wrap them, plug them in AND...

Look closely. The one on the right. See it? That only HALF of the lights are lit!! ARGH!!! (see the kitties in the doorway?)

Now I head to another large discount retailer. This one with RED lettering. You know which one. I get new lights and spend slightly more. Take them home to replace the bad ones and in the process step on one of the bulbs and it shatters! AHHH!

But Wait! Plug it in and IT STILL WORKS! Even with the busted bulb! Buyah!!

K, now that's finished, how about something crafty? I made this one using the SCS sketch challenge for last week. The paper is from the Basic Grey Wassail packet and the snowflake punch is Martha. I really love how quickly this one came together. The doggie is from TCP's Deck the Hall set. SU! scallop punch and there you are! So cute!

Alright, off to work on reviews! Enjoy!

Lara

Kitty Tree Card

I was putting the balls on my faux tree yesterday and every few balls I would have to chase Godiva away. Hang a ball, kitty swats at the ball, repeat again and again...

Last year she would run across the dinning room floor, hit the tree skirt and it would slide across the floor and I'd find it in a crumpled ball. Grrr.... I like the skirt to be nice and straight. This year I had some no skid stuff that I lined the utensil drawer with. I cut it, stuck it around the tree and laid the skirt on top. 24 hours and it's still in place. SUCCESS!

I used TCP's Deck the Hall set and colored Sprinke and the tree with my Copics. The DP is from SU! and I played along with Taylor's Cupcake Challenge for the layout. I really like this layout and think I'll use it again!

I made 3 cards last night in a desperate attempt to get caught up on Christmas cards. I also have run to Michaels and get some silver paper and ribbon to make Hanukkah cards for Kev's family. How do I not have any Silver paper?! or silver ribbon??? Crazy.

I have big plans to decorate the live tree, get groceries, do laundry, oh and go to Kev's concert tonight. Wish me luck!

Lara

More Holiday and some thoughts

So, Have you jumped on the Facebook phenomeon? I was a little reluctant at first. Here's how I figure it, I get hundreds of e-mails at work, why would I want even more? I didn't want to join. Then one day a few months ago, Kev said to me, "I set up a Facebook account for you. You should see what its about." I grudgingly accepted.

Have you ever read The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman? It's a great book which talks about the flatening of the world and how easy it has become to receive and transmit data and information. I highly recommend it. I kinda see Facebook as a prime example of that concept. It used to be that after you graduated high school or college you kept in touch with your really good friends and the rest fell to the wayside. Then came Facebook. All of a sudden you are thrust into memories that you may or may not want to recall. Sure you can choose not to accept people as friends but sometimes the most random of people pop up on the "People you may know" column. What if your HS ex is a friend if a friend and pops up, or the guy you had a crush on, or your awful ex-roommate?

I can honestly say that Facebook has turned out to be such a blessing, I've been able to reconnect with friends from college and HS that I thought I'd never see again. Yes, the world is flat, but wow is it fun.

Now that my moment of Zen is over I do have a card for you. In my desperate attempt to make some Christmas cards I have this one using The Cats Pajamas set Deck the Halls I love this stamp with the curious penguins! I could totally use them especially if Kev tries to put my wrapped presents under the tree again.

The cardstock is PTI Pure Poppy and Ripe Avocado. The Ribbon is also ripe Avocado from PTI. I think the red ribbon is from Michaels. A few baubles and I used my Martha Snowflake punch. I bought the patterned paper from a lady at a show a few weeks ago. I colored the penguins with my copics and I added some red Stickles to their hats. Too cute!

Alright, off to update my Facebook page :) Have a good night!

Enjoy!

Lara

What's in a Surprise?

Blog Candy, blog candy.... read this post and scroll on down for blog candy...

Let me tell you a secret… I am terrible when it comes to presents. Terrible…. Not the giving, but the receiving. It’s not that I don’t LIKE surprises, I’m just rarely surprised. A little background for you, when I was 10 I received a purple unicorn sweater and a pink sweater with an “L” embroidered on it. I didn’t like them, and my pre-teen self was apparently pretty vocal about it. I remember they really were pretty bad, even for 1985. At that point my mother swore that I would pick out all of my own clothes for Christmas. Fine by me, but that turned into me picking out all my gifts. I make my mother a list and she gets exactly what’s on that list. Nothing more, she figures that since I asked for it. I’ll be happy to receive it. And she is correct.

Well, that’s progressed to her now telling me when she buys the item and not even trying to hide the purchase. Again, fine with me EXCEPT my DH feels that I should have all surprises and ONLY open presents on that special day. Between you and me, that is a big pile of poo. If you receive a gift in the mail you don’t SAVE it, you OPEN it! Kev goes out of his way to hide my gifts. Last year, when my mom sent the Christmas box he intercepted it and hid it in my next door neighbor’s pantry. Carrie, If Kev asks if you can “keep” something for him, it’s Christmas presents from my parents. Just tell him that I should be able to open them and you refuse to buy into the madness. THANKS! He won’t even let me make him a list or give suggestions. Seriously! He doesn’t know what lives in my head, how would he know what I really want?

Any whoo, I’ve been hinting for a while that I would like a new camera for my birthday/Christmas. You’ve seen my pix, you understand why. Perhaps the hinting was not exactly subtle, but I digress… So, I was talking to mom last night and here’s an excerpt of our conversation:

Mom: I’m mailing your birthday package next week. It might get there a little before your birthday.
Me: Can I open it when it gets here?
Mom: Yes you can open it.
Me: (covering the phone) ha ha Kev, my mom said I can open my present when it gets here! I don’t have to wait and you can’t hide it!! Ha Ha….
Mom: Yes, you can open it so you can take it with you when you go to Thanksgiving and take pictures at dinner.
Me: Thanks mom!

Notice how she didn’t try to hide the fact I was getting a camera? Thanks mom!!!

I then relay the story to Kev and he just sighs. Now I have no idea what he’s getting me or if he had coordinated with my mother or if he had planned on the camera and she beat him to the punch…. He’s not spilling. In a future post I’ll have to tell you about how he wants the ALL presents to be wrapped and under the tree for a week before Christmas. We did that the first year we were together and it didn’t go well. I mean seriously, he didn’t want me to shake them or touch them in any way. No peaking or nothing! Really, he almost lost his mind. I can be a bit, ahem persistent…. Since then the presents come out on the 24th after I’ve gone to bed. Just like Santa.

Well, since we all know it's my birthday month.... Have you seen the blog candy? Scroll down 2 more posts to check it out! I was super excited to use my TCP stamps and play along with this weeks TCPTUES.

The challenge was to use Pacific Blue, Sky Blue, Creamy Caramel and Chocolate Chip. Here's my contribution. This card DEFINITELY falls into the "so much cuter in real life" category. Hopefully my new camera will pick up colors a little better... Grin... The DP is from an old SU! pack and the cardstock is from PTI. So awesome.... I Stickled the cakes and put some Crystal Effects on the stands. WAY cuter in person.

Any who, while you're here, shoot on over to Laura's blog she is a fellow Design Monkey and has some pretty sweet blog candy as well!!!

Alright everyone, enjoy your weekend!!

Lara

They say it's my birthday... month! So how about some BLOG CANDY!!

Disclaimer, the post is kinda long and the candy is at the end. All good things come to those who wait, right??

As you may have noticed from the lovely blinkie on the side of my blog, I am a Design Team member for the Little Monkey's Stamp storage system. Well, in honor of Little Monkeys Turning one year old they've teamed up with some pretty awesome companies to help us celebrate!

In October, we were very fortunate to be able to be able to play with Alma and The Cats Pajamas stamps. I've you've read my blog, you know that I already LOVE their stamps and was super excited that they were helping us celebrate. Alma donated 2 stamp sets, "You say It's your Birthday" and "Smells Like Cake" to each DT member for us to play with!

I decided to make a "Birthday in a Box". I wanted all the pieces to be able to fit in the container and they do, with only a tiny bit of squeezing! See, imagine your friend is having a birthday and you want to cheer them up, send a Birthday in a Box. It's got everything you need, even a sparkly noisemaker.





I took an old container that held Christmas chocolates and covered with some awesome plaid paper. I used my nesties to cut out the scalloped circles and made a belly band to fit around the container. I also used my SU! scalloped punch to make a decorative edge around the top.

What's a container without an embellished lid? Again, used my oval nesties. Note to self, don't cover entire container with paper, if you do the lid won't fit. Then you'll have to re-do the whole thing. Learning experience, right?

And a party without a hat? I bought a paper hat at the party store and tore it apart to make a template. So cute!

Of course you need a birthday card to go with! I embossed the paper with my Swiss dots Cuttlebug folder. I also popped out the balloon and the penguin with some dimentionals.

So I mentioned that TCP had given each of the Design Monkeys 2 sets of stamps to work with, welllllll.... I kinda already owned them both. So in honor of my birthday month how about I offer them up as BLOG CANDY!! I am giving away not one BUT BOTH SETS!!!! OMG, Lara's birthday month and she's giving away presents, could it get any better???? Yep it can because Susan, the Little Monkey's owner is throwing in a starter kit!!!! All the stamps from both sets fit on 1 page with plenty of room to spare so that leaves you 5 1/2 pages of inserts to fill with the rest of your collection! I love my starter kit and I have 2 pages filled with TCP stamps. You'll be plesantly amazed by the number of stamps you can fit per page, and then you'll also know how many TCP stamps I have. Grin...

How do you play? It's pretty simple. Leave me a post and let me know your favorite kind of birthday cake. Then post a link on your blog to my blog to share the fun. If you don't have a blog, just let me know how you spread the word!

Oh what the heck, with all this cake talk, I'll also throw in a package of Homemade Gourmet Carrot Cake. You can eat it on the 26th and celebrate my birthday in the comfort of your own home! Sound birthday-tastic? You have until the 20th to enter. That's plenty of time to spread the word!

PS: My fav birthday cake is Red Velvet with cream cheese icing. Yum!!

Enjoy!

Lara

DP - Making memories, card stock from Bazzill Basics. Oval and circle scalloped Nestabilities, ribbon from Michaels. Stamps - TCP. Copic and SU! markers.

TCP Tues - I Stink

I finally got to play along with TCPTUES! It's been a while, let me tell you! Well our inspiration this week as this picture. Go ahead, check, I'll wait...

That really is unfortunate isn't it? Poor doggie, just wanted to have a relaxing Friday evening and instead he gets ... that...

I pulled out my pirate TCP stamps AND I thought I was a big mulitstaker using the SCS weekly sketch. The I realized that It was LAST week's sketch. Darn!!!

What stinks the MOST is that I lost the cord to my camera and now my images are sitting on the camera with NO way to get to the computer. Ergh! I have to use the scanner instead and it just isn't the same. Sniff sniff.

So, I used my TCP stamps and the sentiment is from Starving Artistamps. I also used up some of my leftover Halloween DP from Stampin Up! I think it turned out OK, but the picture is WAY better.

Enjoy!

Lara

Still more Halloween cards!

What a crazy busy week! I FINALLY had time to sit down and do a little stamping yesterday. I decided to be a multi tasker and participate in not one but TWO challenges. For the first one I used Amy's weekly sketch challenge I kinda turned it sideways to make my paper look right. I also played along with Leigh's Freaky Friday Challenge. I have been wanting to participate for the past 2 weeks, but, well.... you know how that goes sometimes.

This week was to make a Halloween card using Old Olive, Dark Orange, Purple and black. I was NOT a good instruction reader and did not realize until today that neutral card stock was also acceptable. Grrr... It's all good though, I think the tree looks very nice against the olive background.




I inked up my TCP Halloween stamps. The images are SO adorable!!! I used Versamark and then embossed the tree and owl with black powder. There is something SO satisfying about watching the it turn from powder to shiny... K, the paper is from SU! and a stack I got at Archivers. I also used my Martha Stewart bat punch and covered them in black Stickles. I then added a few orange Stickles to my owl and finished it off by coloring in the eyes with my white gel pen.
A little ribbon and that's it!

I have more to post later, so enjoy for now!!!

Lara

Sorry for being MIA!

I took advantage of a 4 day weekend and didn't get a thing accomplished! Well, I take that back I completed my October DT assignment for Little Monkeys.

Can't post yet, but here's a sneak peak!

Sneaky peaky 2...

I was super excited to use my TCP stamps for this assignment! I LOVE how this turned out and I hope you will too!

Enjoy!

Lara

A few cards today

I have definitely been neglecting my stamping lately! Thankfully my SU! club night Friday got my juices flowing!! I have a few new things to post.. This one is from My Favorite Things It's Flopsy in the Who's that Ghost set. This set is honestly adorable and I love the sentiments that go with it!
I absolutely had to have Flopsy flying over the card even though I have it on the highest authority that Flopsy prefers to go "commando". I fear she's pulling an "oopsy" moment, but part of me thinks she really likes not wearing anything under that sheet. Hey, have you ever seen a bunny with pants? I think not.

Next one, this is what we made at my SU! class Friday. I think it is ADORABLE and super easy to make! Just a few circle punches, strips of Vanilla paper and a little daub of Close to Coco on the edges. So easy, so cute! We also made a really cute paper pumpkin out of strips of card stock and brads. Unfortunately it was too dark by the time I got to take the picture. I'll try to get one tomorrow.
I do have to promote my SU! Demonstrator. Her name is Merri Jensen and she rocks! I always have the best time when we make stuff. She also enables my addiction! :)
Last but not least, the TCP penguins from the "smells Like Cake set" I adore these stamps!! Yep, everyone gets a penguin or kitty B-day card. I used up some SU! DP that I hadn't a clue what to do with, so I slapped it on this card. I think it goes well with the giant cupcake. The only thing I can think of though is that must be one GINORMOUS cupcake or reeeealy tiny penguins. I prefer to think it's the cake. :) This one is going to my MIL for her b-day!

Enjoy!

Lara

It's Tuesday!!! - OK, Thursday

Wow, my creative stuff has been pretty non-existent this past week. Thankfully the TCPTUES challenge got my juices flowing!

Here's my submission for the week. I used the new TCP Birthday sets. Wow! They are just adorable and came at a time when I realized I needed a whole bunch of birthday cards.

I gave this to one of my employees today, her birthday is tomorrow and I must say, she was impressed by my abilities... Yep, wowing the workplace one step at a time!

Enjoy!

Lara