It's in the Cards

A couple of cards using two of my monthly Simon Says Kit Card Club kits, tfl!

So "Hoppy" to See you!

Have you heard? The Sketch~n~Scrap Challenge blog will be having its very first BLOG HOP and yours truly will be a stop along the HOP! This is my very first time being on this side of a hop, I am so excited that I can't belive that it is hoppening. Like I am just leaping for joy! So much so that I can't even stop my hop puns, so I am going to hop-a-long to another subject, but please make sure to come back on February 7th, I am going to have a giveaway that is sure to make you hoppy!

And wait..............there is still time to join us on Sketch~n~Scrap blog for this month's sketch challenges. Below you will find my take on the Jan 15th sketch. This is my niece and her now infamous "sassy" pose on her first day of kindergarten, using Echo Park's Everyday Ecclectic. She is such a ham. Hop on over (dang it, I did it again!!!!) to the Sketch~n~Scrap blog and check out both sketches for January while there is still time!

A Piece of love with Whimsie Doodle

This week's challenge over at Simon Says Challenge blog is Paper Piecing. For my card I used this adorable free image from Whimsie Doodles. Their images are fun to color. I pieced her dress, shoes and headband using Basic Grey's bittersweet collection from my stash. I hope today is a special day for everyone, ttfn!

When the Stars are Aligned

I can envision a layout in my head and get it glued down in record time. I don't usually attempt multi-level challenges but this month Brenda, Rochelle and their friends' challenges seemed doable to me and I created this layout of my oldest daughter. I grabbed this cute photo of her bundled up for the outdoors off of her instagram page and printed it at home. I am entering this layout into 4 challenges:

GCC (Brenda's) - Sketch Challenge - I used a Jan 13 pagemaps sketch, it is not an exact interpretation but I used the good parts to make it work

Scrapping Happy's (Kerys) - Winter Theme Challenge - I used Fancy Pants Happy Together. The blues have a nice crisp winter day feel

Kristi B's - Stash Challenge - I used Chevron paper, Chervon washi tape and there is glitter on the alphas and the star

Rochelle's - Song lyrics Challenge -This was a little harder but after reading all of the lyrics I found the perfect line for this photo "Your eyes are like starlight now"

There is still time for you to join in, even if you can't do them all maybe you can try to do at least one. It is a great way to stretch your supplies and get some scrapping done, oh yeah and the prizes are awesome!

 



Getting Un-Stuck with a Scraproom Kit

I am a member of the Scrap-room and I love their kits. I especially like getting 4 different collections each month to work with. Unfortunately the hoarder in me does not allow me to just dive right into the kit each month so this year I am making more of an effort to use my kits more. This is my first layout using hexagons and the MME follow your heart collection from the April kit - http://www.scrap-room.com/pkits.htm?mm=4&yy=2012. This is my oldest daughter when she was about 15 months old, right before she starting walking (she was my lazy baby, lol). I started  this layout without a photo in mind using the January 1st sketch at Stuck sketches http://stucksketches.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-1st-more-inspiration.html but once I started organizing the papers I just knew that I wanted to use a black and white photo. In the end I really love the way it came together.

Simon Says and Washi Tape

I know it has been a while but I have been creating, just trying to catch up on posting too. I was so excited to see this week's challenge on Simon Says Blog to use Washi Tape and I love Washi Tape! I have been trying not to go overboard building up my stash of washi tape and I have a few go to favorites like this black and grey chevron tape that I used around the border of this card.The pattern paper, bakers twine and card base are from my Simon Says November 2012 card kit. I embossed the piece of black card stock with a Sizzix embossing folder, used a Making Memories butterfly and the words happy birthday were stamped with a Papertrey Ink stamp. 

Layouts

Sorry just a quick post, my head is spinning between work, crafting, family and just life in general. I feel like I am already behind and it is only January 9th. I hope to gather my thoughts and be back in tip top shape very very soon. Have a great day everyone!**Edited - I almost forgot to add that I used this month's scrap-room sketch and my September Scrap room kit (Basic Grey Clippings) for this layout of my nephew. http://www.scrap-room.com/pkits.htm?mm=9&yy=2012 There is still time time to add your take on the sketch - check out the post here.

 

CHA Groupie!!!

I just can't resist oohing and aaahing over some of the upcoming releases. I would love to attend CHA at least once just to be up close and personal with all of the new releases. So far this year here are some of my faves -

2013 - OLW

Have you picked your word for 2013 yet? Mine is DISCIPLINE, I plan on being a much better me in 2013! Happy New Years to everyone!!!

Revealing Post!

I am all in the mustard and can't ketch-up, lol, so I apologize for posting this late! Don't forget that Sketch~n~Scrap is having two giveaways this month and there is still time for you to join in the fun. Just link up your projects using the sketches for a chance to win. More details can be found on the blog.

Here are my takes on the December 15th sketch and the bonus sketch. Good Luck and Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!!

When Reggie met Tamika

Today is my third wedding anniversary (12-12-12) and we have been together for a total of eleven years. As a part of our celebration I wanted to share my "How we met" story.
 After separating from my daughter's father, I took some time to myself. Yes I dated but nothing serious - I had to recover from what was the greatest heart break of my life at the time. After four years I was ready to get back into a real relationship. I had a couple of prospects but none that really floated my boat. At the time
I worked as the Office Manager for a non-profit agency called New Directions and my job included shopping for the residents. One day upon returning to the office from shopping I saw a very handsome young man filling out new hire paper work. I asked my Administrative Assistants about him. they didn't know much except that he was applying for a Supervisors position. I went to the Manager conducting the interviews (Mr. Willie) and asked him about the young man. he said, "Who Reg?" (I finally had a name!) "Yes, I am about to hire him, he is a good guy.....ooh so you are interested in him!" I said, "Yes, he is going to be my husband". He and I both laughed but my mind was already made up. I went to my desk hoping for a window of opportunity to introduce myself.
Next thing I know there was a ruckus and my "Reg" was walking out of the door. One of our Manager's (Erin) accused him of hitting on her and my Director escorted him out of the office. My heart dropped, was my Mr. Right actually Mr. Wrong? I went to Mr. Willie to find out what actually happened. Reg was making small talk with Erin while waiting for Mr. Willie. Reg asked her if she was married, she responded yes and she took that as a come on. My Director handed me Reg's paperwork that he left behind and asked me to handle it. I put all of his information in an envelope and included a handwritten note that said, "You hit on the wrong person, there is someone here already interested in you. Call me" and included my telephone number. Bold move right! Well HE CALLED! Now what? I was so nervous now that he called my bluff that I did not return his call for THREE DAYS!! Day four I finally took a deep breath and returned his call. The first thing he did was to explain what happened. He described how he was so excited about getting the job that he got too comfortable and that no he was not hitting on her, he was trying to make small talk and yes he noticed me too as soon as I walked in. We made plans to go out that weekend and the rest as they say is history. When he tells the story he sums it up by simply stating, "Sometimes you have to put yourself in a position to receive your blessings. I went to New Directions for a job and instead I found my wife, best job interview of my life".

B-ballin' - Photo Heavy

During the holidays my husband, nephew and I stopped at the Baketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield Mass, on the way home. If you are a fan it is a great experience. There are three levels and it shaped like, well you guessed it..................a basketball, lol. Here are some fun photos from our trip.

Outside View of the Building

Who can jump that high for the dunk?

The logo on the floor at center court.

A picture of my husband taking pictures from center court, lol



One of the first women's basketball uniforms. Can you believe they made us wear that to run up and down a court! Thank you suffragettes, we have come a long way baby!!!!

 

Have to represent for the home team!





One of my fondest childhood memories is seeing the Globe Trotters with my Mother, fantastic show!







Had to represent Beantown for Mika!



Then knock him out!



And take the ball from him!



The bathroom dryers were too cute!

 

Don't you think my nephew looks like Kobe, lol?



One of Shaq's shoes. what is that they say about the size of a man's feet? Wow, I am just saying....................



Holiday Kisses

I found this great tutorial for Christmas tree chocolates and decided they will make great co-worker gifts this year. The tutorial is super awesome, not only does she give you directions for each individual tree but she also gives you a couple of time saver directions that will allow you to make four trees at a time. I did five last night and still haven't even used a full bag of the kisses. Once I got use to doing the folds it was easy peasy! I think I am going to do about 20 -25 of them this weekend.

Juggling Act

Hey there Blogland!
Sorry to be gone for so long, I am trying to balance life but I have to admit that I keep dropping the ball. There seems to be so much that I want to do in so little time. Three are some nice things going on like us spending more time with our grandson and my youngest daughter turning sixteen. There are some adjustments like my oldest daughter transferring schools, and me trying to increase take the leap and start my business presence on the web. However one of the best new things for me is being a part of the Sketch~n~Scrap design team. This is a fun group of ladies and I just love the sketches. I hope you have had the chance to check out the December 1st reveal here, if not please stop through and take a look at what the entire team created. Also we will be having two giveaways this month that I am sure you would love, you can get more information on the Sketch~n~Scrap blog!

This is my take on the December 1st  sketch:

I purchased this paper from Michael's on clearance last year but I am not sure of the manufacturer. I love the way it came together and there are some really fun elements to the page like this star garland that I used for my circle image. I found it in the party section of Michael's, it is usually used as a party decoration but you know as a scrapper we see things differently, lol. 

I stamped the numbers using my glue pad and some Recollections stamps and sprinkled them with some Martha Stewart glitter. I didn't follow the directions and heat the glue before I added the glitter so when some of the glitter started to come off, I had to add more.

Then to top off the layout I used the fiskars interchangeable border punch of music notes. Oh yes you will see this punch used more often.

I am trying to spend more time with the hubby so I have been crafting less but I hope to share a few more projects with you very soon. Also next Wednesday i will be celebrating my 3-11 year anniversary (married for 3 together for 11)  and I wanted to share our "how we met story", it is one of my favorites.
Happy Crafting!

Good news and a bit of a Blog Break

Whew, I am glad that I didn't have to keep that a secret for a long time, I would have burst! Yes I am one of the newest members of the Sketch~n~Scrap design team. I am looking forward to working with all of the ladies over there! Stop by the Sketch~n~Scrap blog to meet the rest of the team.

I have to take a small blog break over the next five days but I hope everyone has a joyous and wonderful week with your family and friends. I will be back in a few days to share my latest projects.

Happy Holidays from Philly!