Finally!!

Hello blogging world!  I'm hanging with my girlfriends at a crop tonight and finally made a card with this weeks MFT Sketch!  

I made this card for my youngest daughter teacher.  The stamps are a mix of MFT 's Document It - School Days, a Mint Motif stamp set that I can't seem to find the name of.  All cardstock is MFT - Ripe Raspberry, Blueberry and Sweet Tooth.

Wedding Cards

Wedding cards I made this week.  First original card I've made in a long time.  

I used their wedding colors and went with a simple design.

This is my first post done entirely from my phone...we'll see how it goes.

Yay for the start of school tomorrow.

Danielle

Valentine Box

You know when your kid asks you to do something, you just do it most of the time.  So, when my little one came home from school on Thursday and said she needed a "rectangular prism valentine box" I whipped this up over the weekend - she helped find the right container, picked the colours and the ribbons she wanted used.

And honestly, I was happy to do it.  It was fun to just create something knowing that she would love it because it was pink and girly and ribbon and hearts.   I broke out my MFT die-namics and scavenged through the ribbon stash and used up lots of washi tape.

And then she came home from school today with the following message:  "The children were asked to bring a rectangular prism to school for a "M-art' (math/art) project for Valentines.  Dalainee will need to bring an undecorated rectangular prism to class before Thursday"  At least I had fun!  :)

Something Crafty!

Thank you everyone who responded to my last message.  You have no idea how good it feels to blog again.  I can't guarantee that every post will have something crafty...but that's life. 

 

So...last week I managed to get a card made using this week's sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  This one was for my cousin's daughter who's birthday party was on Saturday.  I like how it came together, and will be making a couple of these (without the number of course) to keep in my stash for future birthday parties my kids are invited to.

 

 

Lately, I've been doing a lot of soul searching, a lot of "what are people going to remember about me" kind of thinking.  I think I'm ready to start doing some goal setting and future planning.  I'm excited to put it all together and then show you all what I've come up with. 

 

Thanks for stopping by.

Is anybody still out there?

Hi.

Just wondering if there is anyone still out there.  I'm around. Life is changing...always.  I'm learning, and growing, and snuggling under my blankets because its so darned cold.  I finally made it into my craft room.  Let me know if you're still out there....

Danielle

Freshly Made Sketches 94

Lots of cards to post, but this one is one a deadline.  So, here goes...the start of blogging again.  Yay!

 

 For my first card back, I used this week's sketch from Freshly Made Sketches...a nice and easy one to get my feet wet with.

 

Stamps:  MFT More Essential Sentiments

Paper:  MFT Tangy Orange, Sour Apple, Gumdrop Green

Ink:  MFT Black

Accessories:  None.

I just decided...

I just this very minute, while looking at other's blogs, that I am going to do all 52 MFT Wednesday Sketch Club sketches this year.  That means 2 a week at this point until I'm caught up.  I like a good challenge..and I've been in my craft room a bit more lately.  Mostly just scrap-lifting stuff, but I think I'm ready to get my mojo flowing and do some of my own creating.  Yay, I'm excited about this now.  Anyone want to join me in this pursuit?

Danielle

Bloglovin' and a little more

Follow me on Bloglovin


So, I'm not totally abandoning blogland, just taking some time to take care of me.  I made it into the craft room a couple of days ago and made a few Easter cards...it felt good.  My big kid is still sick...Dr. thinks its rhinitis (sinus problems) and that the post nasal drip is what's causing the 3 month long sore throat.  She's on nasal sprays, with a healthy dose of Vitamin D and a multi-vitamin.  Even so, the kids are going to take a session off of swimming lessons...that means that we have absolutely no activities after school for the next three months.  This has honestly not happened in the past 7 years, since the big kid started gymnastics as a little one.  We've had 2 weeks off so far, and I have to say that not running around every day is doing me a world of good mentally.

Not only do I feel like I have more control over my life, I've been naming chapters in my book in my head.  Seriously, I already have a name for my book....The Monk and the Single Mom.  It's gonna be hilarious.  There will definitely be a chapter titled, "I put my 7 year old in a headlock" and another called, "I've wiped every ass in this house!"  Seriously considering starting a separate blog to be able to put this funny stuff down on paper, but don't want to add more pressure.  I've got a few things hiding on my laptop, and once I have enough to keep me going for a while, I may do just that...start a new blog.

Anyway, I hope that everyone is enjoying the almost spring like weather.  Please follow me on Blog Lovin and I will do the same for you.

Danielle

No mojo

I am overwhelmed by the number of things that I want to do.  And maybe my blog is one of those things that will have an ebb and a flow...sometimes I feel like I need to post all the time, and other times I just can't be bothered.  Heck, I'm not even getting into my craft room lately...it's been weeks!  But honestly, I'm not bothered by that.  There are so many other things that are good that I have been doing.  I've been reading (like novels) and cleaning my house (surprisingly therapeutic) and spending time with my kids and spending time with my Sweetie and just living. 

I think the main problem now is that I have so many "hobbies" and so much "real life" that I can't fit everything in and something has to give and I have to be okay with that.  Real life - we all have that - kids, kids activities, housework, regular work, relationships, etc is kicking my butt.  Maybe its the winter blah's, but really I feel like I"m spinning my wheels some days...and then other days I feel like I can do just about anything.  Hobbies - I have a whole lot of things I like to do in my spare time - knit, make cards, read blogs, read books, I'd like to learn to use Photoshop better (and add digital scrapping to my repertoire), watching movies, playing Rockband.  When only a few hours a week are allotted to hobbies...how do I choose?  These days, I've been choosing reading or watching TV.  Maybe its the weather...every time the sun comes out and I'm home to enjoy it I find myself cleaning - like take-everything-out-go-thru-it-and-organize-it-and-then-only-put-back-what-we're-really-going-to-use cleaning.

Even though I've tried to simplify our lives, they still feel so complicated and overwhelming.  I've decided that for the Month of March, the kids will only be doing swimming (which they do twice a week).  No extra tutoring for the little one, no sewing classes for the big one..no running 5 days a week for Mom.  Throw March Break in there and maybe it will be the time that I need to just slow down. 

So...my apologies if you were expecting a crafty post.  I'm not sure how many of those I have in me these days.  Add to the list of things to do the urge I feel when I sit in front of my computer to write...like long bunches of stuff.  Maybe I need to start a journal.  Hmm....would adding one more thing help me simplify?  LOL.

Good for my Heart

Have you ever had scraps sitting on your table and you just wanted to throw them onto a card instead of throwing them away?  Me too.  The result is this fun card.

I like the simplicity of not having to make layers upon layer for the background, which I can sometimes do.  I have one final Valentine's Day card to show you....but I'll wait for the big day for that one.  I sat down and looked at my Easter stamps this week, lol.  Hopefully the mojo will kick in again and I'll get some Easter cards done this week.

Teacher Valentine's

Look at me being all "ahead of schedule" and stuff!  These are the cards I made for the kids teachers a few weeks back.  The colour is a little off in the first one...the heart is more red than it is pink.

I'm quite happy with these, especially because I finally used my t-shirt die from MFT.  Just love that thing but never seem to pull it out and use it.

  I was super excited yesterday to discover that the sun was still shining at 6:00pm.  I have been feeling a little house bound and like I'm living in a cave a little.  I'm ready for Spring! Thank goodness the sun is shining today...I need to feel it on my face for a while. 

Keepin' It Simple

I'm keeping it simple today.  The last week has been great IRL (In Real Life) and so I've not really taken the time to blog.  I still have that half finished post updating my yearly goals...I'll get to it...and I have lots of pictures of cards that I've finally uploaded...so I'll get to blogging those too.  See, the thing is...Real Life is so freakin' awesome right now I and just gonna kick around there for a bit and enjoy it! :-)

Made this simple card for a friend of mine, who said something so completely true and off the cuff and heartfelt that it changed my life, and at the time neither of us knew that it would have such a big impact, but it has.

Couple of things have stopped me from blogging recently....the fact that I feel like I NEED to list everything I use on a card, and sometimes that list can be pretty long and so I avoid posting because I don't want to make that big long list....and the fact that I feel like I need to link up to challenges like all my blog buddies.  But you know what...if I love something I'll mention what I used...if you love something, leave a comment and ask what it is...and I'm going to end this self imposed pressure of having to link to challenges. 

I hope you are having as great a 2013 as I am.

Lazy Blogger

I now have a FOR SALE tab at the top of my blog.  Please check it out for stamps and stuff that I have for sale. 

Most of you know that I am also a knitter.  I have a bunch of Yarn (51% Wool) in my stash that I need to sell.  You can see it all here, on Kijiji.  If you don't knit but know someone who might be interested, please pass this info along.  If someone buys the whole bunch of yarn, I will ship anywhere in the world for free!  That's a great deal!

Alright, so I'm a lazy blogger...it is that time of year.  It is cold.  I hate cold.  My computer is in the basement...where it is cold.  And so that is my excuse for not being a better blogger. 

Here is another of the sympathy cards that I made for my stash.  The colours are a little off, its actually much brighter in person.  Or maybe its my computer screen.

My Munchkin has been sick at home all week, so I've been getting lots done at night while the kids are chilling out, and even after they are in bed.  Monday night I started cleaning out my walk-in closet which has become a dumping ground the past few months.  Last night I cleaned out my Linen Closet - found a whole shelf in there that I can use!  LOL.  Tonight I think I'm going to tackle the Christmas decorations and the storage area in the basement bathroom before the kids go to bed, then I'll work on the computer after they're asleep. 

Surprisingly, I'm finding that some of my best cards are getting made in the early hours of the weekend.  The Rockstar likes to rise between 6:30 and 7:00 no matter the day of the week, so when we trudge downstairs that early I am inclined to go directly to the craft room and it has been very productive.  The only thing I miss since moving my craft room is that the computer is now in a different room.  I have managed to find a tablet that I can use temporarily in the craft room, so we'll see how that goes.  

I am super excited to tell you that I am already composing my end of January update.  What a month it has been, lots going on and lots being accomplished.

I will have to come back later and update the products used on this card.  I don't have the list with me right now.

Crazy4Challenges 169 - Valentine

Just loved this sketch over at Crazy4Challenges 169 this week....loved it so much that I got out of bed at 7am on Saturday and this card was done by 8am.  Yep...it was that quick!  Love it when a card comes together like that.  I can definitely see this sketch popping up again soon.

I used some scraps from the Bo Bunny Double Dot paper that I had sitting on my craft desk, which contributed to the ease of this card.   The heart is MFT Die-namics Layered heart.  I adore the fact that it fits together so nicely, cause sometimes hearts don't nest just right, know what I mean?

Last night we played Monopoly with the kids, except it was that one with the credit card machine instead of the actual paper money.  Can't say I was overly thrilled with it.  I like having all that cash in my hand, and knowing that my kids have to count out their dollars is they want to buy something.  Regardless, it was fun to sit down with the girls and just play a game, completely unplugged.  What is your favorite board game to play with your kids?

Stamps:  MFT Lovey Dovey Sentiments
Paper:  MFT Sweet Tooth, Razzleberry, CMTH Ocean, Bo Bunny Double Dot

Ink: CTMH Ocean, Black

Accessories: MFT Die-namics Layered Heart, Misc. Ribbon from my stash.

Bright & Cheery Birthday

Oh my gosh, the mojo is on high over here at my house!  It has been a pretty big week for me, so many changes going on and all of them positive.  Mainly, I changed my name back to my maiden name...Wood.  You'll notice that I redesigned my watermark to reflect this.  The last week has been super cold (I'm talking in the -35 Celcius range) and so we've all been hanging out inside trying to keep warm. 

Friday night was no exception, and the kids cuddled up with blankets on the couch to watch a movie while I hung out in the craft room.  This cute birthday card for my cousin's daughter, who will be 4 this week, is the result.  I used this week's MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #107 and practically all the products I used are MFT too!  I even remembered to upload it to the Splitcoast Gallery! 

With things being so blah, I figured that a bright & cheery card was definitely needed.  And, while I was in the craft room I managed to make 3 more cards that night, and one on Saturday morning.  I am officially done all but one of my Valentine's Cards and on to Easter Cards.  I've got posts scheduled for almost 10 days! 

Gosh it feels good to be ahead of schedule!

Stamps:  MFT A la modes Big Birthday Wishes, More Essential Sentiments (inside)

Paper:  MFT Sour Apple, Razzleberry, Sweet Tooth, CTMH Ocean, Echo Park Summer Days, Bo Bunny Double Dot
Ink:  Memento Black, Copics:  E57, E59, E00, BG02, BG05, RV23, RV25
Accessories:  MFT Die-namics:  Upsy Daisy, Mini Double Dot Border, By the Numbers, Sentiment Strips, Spellbinders Ovals, Scalloped Ovals,

With Sympathy

Sympathy cards are always hard to make when you need them, so I have made a couple to keep in my stash.   I love this set I bought from Verve a long time ago...I do believe that it is the only Verve set that I own, and its the kind of set that I will never let go of, because it really is a timeless one.

The sun has been shining for at least a few hours every day this week, and that makes me SO HAPPY!  I could sit and soak up the sunshine all day long.  Lots going on around here this week.  I spent most of the weekend moving my scrap room from the little office to the new big room in the basement, essentially doubling my working space.  I just love it and can't wait to get working in there tonight on some cards, not just on moving and organizing.   Sometimes, a clean space is all the mojo a girl needs.  ;-)

Stamps: Verve Forever in our Hearts
Paper: Prima North Country Collection,
Ink: CTMH Black
Accessories: MFT Die-namics Dainty Doily, Spellbinders Circle Dies, All That Scraps Butterfly Dies, Misc. Clear Jewels

Another Gift Card

This is the card that I gave my parents for Christmas.  My Mom got a nice new fluffy blanket and some slippers.  My Dad is a hard-care Starbucks fan, so he got a gift card...which fit nicely on the front of their Christmas card.  Here's that grey/blue colour combo again.  I just love it for guy cards and this Bo Bunny paper was just sitting there waiting to be used!

Stamps: MFT Seasonal Sentiments

Papers: Bo Bunny Powder Mountain, MFT Steel Grey, Nightshift Blue, Bazzill Grey

Ink:  CTMH Outdoor Denim

Accessories:  MFT Die-namics:  Loopy Border, Gift Card Pocket - Horizontal, Snowflake Doily, Small Scalloped Border



Valentine #2

Well, it looks like I'm on a roll with the Valentine's this week!  Was chatting with Bananastamper earlier this evening and she challenged me to get posting away on my blog.  So, after the kids were in bed I grabbed a Vodka Cooler (or 3), my piano music and shut the door to my craft room and got down to business.  I'm actually quite pleased with how this turned out.

There are A LOT OF LAYERS on this card.  I just kept adding and adding.  I started out with this week's Sketch over at Sunday Sketch and Stamp.  It's been a long time since I entered any of my cards in challenges, but I think I'm going to try a little harder this year to do just that. 

I also stamped the inside of my card, just something simple.

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

Sunday Sketch and Stamp - Sketch
Crazy 4 Challenges - use a Bow
The Paper Players - Love is in the Air

Stamps:  Pure Innocence Paper Dolls

Paper:  Bo Bunny Crazy Love Collection, CTMH Tulip, MFT Red Hot, Bazzill Pink & Brown

Ink:  CTMH Black, Memento Black, Copics  E00, E35 and R29

Accessories:  MFT Die-namics Beautiful Bows, Fancy Flourish, Open Scallop Doily - Large, Paper Doll Border, Spellbinders Hearts & Scalloped Hearts, Circle, Hero Arts Heart Jewels.

My First Valentine of 2013

Oh my gosh, it's so hard to believe that its 2013 and I'm making Valentine's cards already!  Ya know, I really love the idea of Valentine's Day, but the ex and I never, ever celebrated it.  I'm not really sure why we didn't.  I vaguely remember a conversation 18 years ago when we met about how it was a commercialized holiday blah blah blah...so I guess it has something to do with that conversation.  Funny how we do things because its what we've always done, huh?

Anyway, I like the idea of setting aside some time to let the person you're with know that they are special to you, but in a private kinda way if that makes sense.  I don't buy into the whole idea that you have to go out to dinner, or hire a sitter and sneak away somewhere.  I think I'd be happy with an acknowledgement that I'm special to someone...just because I'm me.  Maybe a nice quiet dinner after the kids are in bed.  Nothing fancy.  No flowers or chocolates necessary, a hug will do. 

However, if you have a special someone who requires gifts...lol...I made a card with a gift card holder built right in.  I really do love my Gift Card Pocket - Horizontal Die-namic.  I've used it on a few cards you'll see coming up.  I especially love that the gift card becomes a part of the card.  Wouldn't you love to get a spa gift card in here...or maybe a home made "coupon" from your sweetie.  The possibilities are endless really. 

What really makes me happy about this card is that I was able to use some paper that I had leftover from last year, and I used an MS punch that hasn't seen daylight in a long time.  The stamp set is the new Lovey Dovey Sentiments from MFT Stamps.

So tell me...do you like Valentine's Day or not?

Stamps:  MFT Lovey Dovey Sentiments

Paper:  Black, Sweet Tooth, Bazzill White, Bo Bunny A Gift of Love (really old paper, lol)

Ink: Versamark Black, MFT Wild Cherry

Accessories:  MFT Dienamic - Gift Card Pocket - Horizontal, Spellbinders Hearts, MS Hearts Border Punch, Dollar Store Red Jewels

MFT Guest Designer Sketch

Hey everyone!  I cannot tell you how often I make a card based on a sketch but I never manage to get pictures taken and posted in time to actually enter my card.  Well....this time I did it!  This past year I have just fallen in love with MFT Stamps and Dienamics.  I cannot get enough of them, and I use them on just about every card I make these days. For this card, I used the Guest Designer Sketch for January as inspiration for my Dad's Birthday Card.  The colours are MFT Steel Grey, Sweet Tooth and CTMH Heavenly Blue and I just love them with the Bo Bunny Powder Mountain Papers.  You'll be seeing more of this combo in the coming weeks.

This was the first time that I was able to use the Fancy Flourish Die with success...because I now how the Metal Adapter Plate for my Cuttlebug.  What a difference a little piece of metal can make!   It was also the first time that I used my Beautiful Bows Dienamics.  

On the inside of my card, I re-stamped the image along with a fun birthday sentiment.  I don't always finish the inside of my cards, but this one just called for it and I'm so glad that I did. 

We're having a family dinner for my Dad's Birthday today (Sunday) and then there are only two days left until my parents are off again travelling in their RV.   It's been a nice visit, but I know they want to get back to where the weather is warm and the sun is shining.  I don't blame them.  :-)

The kids are back to school tomorrow as well, so its back to the routine.  I've really, really enjoyed these last two weeks off with my kids.  I learn so much from them every day. 

Stamps:  A la modes Big Birthday Wishes, MFT More Essential Sentiments, Happy Thoughts
Papers: MFT Steel Grey, Sweet Tooth, CTMH Heavenly Blue, Bo Bunny Powder Mountain
Ink: Memento Black, Copic Markers
Accessories:  MFT Dienamics:  Photo Corners, Fancy Flourish, Beautiful Bows, Fish Tail Flags, Kaisercraft Rhinestones.