Sketchy Thursdays iCopics Second Chance Challenge

There's a great card sketch over at Sketchy Thursday's right now. If you post before midnight tomorrow night you will be entered into a chance to when a set of Copic markers:)

Here is my entry... an easy peasy pinky card. I just LOVE all of that pink holiday paper out there right now.

Signing off for the night! Happy Tuesday!


More JBS pp here and clear stamps by Penny Black.

From the Kitchen of: Campbell (aka 4yr Old Rainbow Girl)

I wish I had found this one in the backpack before Thanksgiving to share... but I thought you all might want to try it for your holiday dinner;)


Serves: 10

How to cook a Thanksgiving Christmas Turkey

1 big box Rainbow Snacks

7 Bones

6 Chickens

3 Hot Dogs

4 boxes Mac & Cheese
Mix together and cook in microwave for 20 seconds. Then eat! 

Bon Appetite! 

Just a quick share today with a couple of holiday cards using some Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly holiday goodies. Have a great week!

Paula Dean...

... must have awfully soft hands. Tonight I attempted to "make my own" pie crusts for Thanksgiving (we won't even discuss the outcome) and our recipe called for shortening... (wow was that a blast from the past... you know, the days when all you had to keep your brownies from sticking to the pan was Crisco?)... anyway, let's just say that I don't think I'll need to put hand lotion on for weeks after revisiting that stuff. I now remember why my mom always wore plastic gloves when she would grease our birthday cake pans:)

Before I take a little blogging break for the Thanksgiving Holiday, I thought I'd squeeze in Dawn's Raspberry Suite's Color Challenge 19? Here is my entry, I hope you enjoy...

This one took me out of my comfort zone and brought me to the realization that kraft is undeniable my new white... I just can't make anything without it.

Thanks for stopping by! I wish you the best Thanksgiving:)

Today I'm thankful for...
1) pizza with Grandma & Grandpa
2) rainbow pretzels
3) Santa hats

products: cardstock (Bazzill), patterned paper (BoBunny), glitter lace (WeRMemory Keepers), monkey stamp (Unity), sentiment stamp (Renaissance by Design), felt & border punch (EKSuccess), ribbon (scrap), kraft (Paper Reflections), thread (Coats & Clark)

Semi-Handmade (aka super simple;) Holiday Cards

Anyone up for some super quick, semi-handmade holiday cards? I know, I know... we want to send everyone on our list beautifully crafted cards that look like we toiled on them for hours, but lets be realistic... how many of us have that much time? Sometimes it best to save those works of art for our very special friends. 

Here are a few ideas for whipping some cards that are clearly homemade... just not super complicated;)

1. Start with a package of die cuts, 1" wide strips of coordinating patterned paper, and blank cards & envelopes.

2. Lay out strips on your cards about 1/2" from the bottom of the card.

3. Now embellish...

Variation 1 (super quick, super simple)

• layer die cuts on top of your patterned paper

Variation 2 (super quick and simple)

• staple twine across patterned paper
• use pop dots to add dimension to your die cut  

Variation 3 (quick & simple)

• ink all edges
• use pop dots to add dimension to your die cut
• add a bow

Variation 4 (simple)

• add stitching (it screams "I'm handmade")

There you go... four quick and simple cards that you can make in a matter of minutes, using any die cut pack and patterned paper:). Happy card making & thanks for coming by!

Today I'm thankful for...

1. preschool Thanksgiving parties

2. chocolate cupcakes

3. breakfast, lunch and dinner with my whole family

products: patterned paper: (Mistletoe & Co. North Pole by Pink Paislee), die cuts (Mistletoe & Co. punchouts), ribbon (American Crafts), twine (Darcie), ink (Chestnut Roan chalk ink by ColorBox)

Tied Up with Ribbons and Bows...

Looking for ideas for holiday treat packages... gift bags, canisters, food wraps, etc? Look no further, check out Paper Crafts Connection's November Challenge Gallery... this month they are looking for their reader's best ideas... perhaps you too can join in on the fun too?

Here's my "go to" holiday treat... I simply fill these little cans with Oreo Ball Cookies (btw, whoever 1st created these delightful little treasures was genius!!!), decorate it with some delicious paper crafting goodies and this delectable gift is sure to please any office pal, teacher or neighbor. Thanks for stopping & happy gifting!

Today I'm thankful for...
1) CBS News Sunday Morning
2) getting dressed slightly before noon
3) Sunday Stuff


Products: patterned paper (Mistletoe & Co by Pink Paislee) ribbon (Michael's Crafts), embellies (Making Memories), twine (Darcie), border punch (Fiskars)

2S4Y-Laura's Sketch 39

Hi all! Just a quick post tonight with my take on Laura's Sketch 39 at 2S4Y. It seems like its been a decade since I played along over there so I am excited to be able to get this done...

I used more of my new Pink Paislee purchase to complete this one... patterned paper here is from their Mistletoe& Co. Collection. And don't you just love that fabric patch?

Thats all I have for tonight. Have a super Sunday:)

Today I'm thankful for...
1) a half clean garage
2) candy cane kisses
3) the cashier who didn't take the easy road and let some guy cut right in front of me because he could walk faster w/o two kids in tow


Yesterday I was thankful for... (yes I forgot to post this part last night;)
1) a hubs who could never leave his kiddos
2) convos with like minded people (sometimes its refreshing to not feel like you're the odd one out)
3) sunshine

(to see what this thankful stuff is all about, click here.)

products: patterned paper/canvas patch (Pink Paislee), ribbon (American Crafts), kraft (Paper Reflections), twine (Darcie), thread (Coats & Clark)

Place Cards...

We like to keep it light hearted around the house on Thanksgiving, so here are some place cards I made for our table...

Tag reads: Eat Turkey!

A friend of mine gave me some of this baker's twine from her Etsy Shop. I think it is fabulous fun & I'm certain that you'll see much more of it around here:) I hope you all have a great weekend!


products: kraft (Paper Reflections), stamp (Picture Show), patterned paper (Jillibean Soup), twine (knit.etsy.com)

Gobble, Gobble... an Apple Thanksgiving Turkey

Just a quick post with a fun project you can make with your kids or grandkids. You may already have what you need on hand... the basics are : apples, toothpicks, gum drops (or mini marshmallows), colored paper, and googly eyes (or a black permanent marker which you could use to draw the on).

Instructions are pretty self explanatory. If you have any questions, please let me know. Have fun!

Today I'm thankful for...

1) two year olds that sit and just enjoy being with other kidos

2) grown ups that share their toys

3) Beth

Lovely, Lovely Amber Road...

A quick post tonight with a few cards for two challenges... The first is my take on this week's sketch at CPS.

The second is for a challenge at CARDs blog using "big ol' ribbon bows!" I couldn't pass up a ribbon challenge.

Entries are accepted through Friday (11/20) if you have any big ol' ribbon lying around;) Have a fabulous Wednesday!

Products: patterned paper (Pink Paislee Amber Road Collection); button (Jillibean Soup);  ruffed trim (Webster's Pages); ribbon (Michael's Inc); pumpkin, flourish, and leaf stamp (Darcie's), twine (Darcie)

Pie and Pilgrim Hats...

Tonight I've got a little Pink Paislee goodness with an uber cool sketch from Sketchy Thursdays. If you're up for a busy December... you can throw your hat in the ring to be their guest designer the month.

Here is my entry based on their sketch and the prompt: Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend.

Title: pie and pilgrim hats...

Journaling reads: "This Thanksgiving is the year of pie and pilgrim hats. After helping Daddy make his famous apple pie, Campbell just couldn't stop trying ALL of the pies and Hadley didn't take that silly hat off for weeks. 2008

Now, if you love Pink Paislee product as much as I do, you can stop over at A Walk Down Memory Lane for their November challenge with (none other than) Pink Paislee. Prize? Pink Paislee (of course;) So here is a card layout that I designed for the contest. I hope you enjoy!

This is a quick one to make:
1) cut card from kraft
2) adhere thick strip of patterned paper on card, inking the bottom edge of pp
3) sew top edge of card with (what I call) a crazy stitch and add black ribbon along bottom edge
4) sew around edge of Pink Paisley's postcards and adhere to card with pop dots
5) stamp leaf on kraft and cut out
6) adhere leaf to card with pop dots, add burlap bow and rhinestone

Today I'm thankful for...
1) hats that make children so cute
2) Daddy's who work at their daughter's school (even if its a co-op & they have to clean the bathroom:)
3) Grandma's who deliver matching, fight and fuss free outfits

Products: kraft (Paper Reflections), patterned paper (Amber Road: Autumn Blossom & Bonfire by Pink Paislee), other (Amber Road: Postcards), fiber (Brown Burlap Twine from May Arts), stamp (Nature Clear Stamps by My Tattered Angels), rhinestones (Me & My Big Idea), ink (Charcoal Chalk by ColorBox)

Thanksgiving on the Brain...

So we are gearing up here for our big Thanksgiving Feast. Anyone have a magical pumpkin pie recipe that you would want to share? I volunteered to bring one to our celebration and pumpkin pie is just one pumpkin creation I have not mastered yet.

While surfing around looking for some ingenious ideas for the holiday, I came across the following I thought I'd share... so if you're up for some Thanksgiving fun follow along...

Visit Martha Stewart.com to find out: Which Thanksgiving Side Dish Are You? Kind of fun... I was mashed potatoes and gravy (but did I really need a quiz to know this??hehe)


So if you are like me and your pumpkin pie is average, you can kick it up a notch by making it look better. Right? Check out all of the ideas that Martha has for decorative pie crusts. (Cooking a turkey? there is also a million tips at Martha's site for that too).


Having kids over? Hop over to BHG.com for a downloadable Thanksgiving place mat to keep them busy (for a bit).


Did you know that even our government has info out there on Thanksgiving? Click here for things like American recipes, turkey cooking safety tips and out of this world Thanksgiving celebrations. Who would have imagined?


Lastly... jump over to Real Simple's site for a slide show of table decorating ideas for $50 or less. You can't beat that:)

 Thanks so much for visiting today... have a great Monday!!!

Today I'm thankful for...
1) the grocery store
2) quarky, serious, silly little girls
3) 70 degree November days


Products: patterned paper (Basic Grey), rub on (Scenic Route), stamp & ink (Technique Tuesday), pearls (Kaiser Crafts)

Scrap that Poetry Challenge #4: When You Thought I Wasn't Looking

Fun day today... its time for another challenge at Scrap that Poetry!!! The poem is "When You Thought I Wasn't Looking" by Mary Rita Schilke Korzan (another great poem that touches your heart as a parent:)
Here is how it inspired me...

New to Scrap that Poetry? Just jump on over to read the poem and see what it inspires in you. Leave us a link to your layout and win a RAK!

And for further inspiration, here is a little card adapted from the poem...

Inside reads: "... and I wanted to be everything I could be."

I'd love to see your work over at Scrap that Poetry. Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Today I'm thankful for...
1) late night snacks with my husband 
2) contagious laughter
3) pink ribbon on the Christmas tree (yes, we are a little ahead of schedule this year;)

Products: patterned paper (My Mind's Eye / Just Dreamy), kraft (Paper Reflections), letters (Tinkering Ink), buttons (Basic Grey, Autumn Leaves & DeNami Designs), misc. (rhinestones)

Moxie Fab World Challenge: Plum Crazy

Just a quick post tonight... I've missed playing along at all of the great challenges out in blogoland, so I thought, what better one to start back than with Moxie Fab World's Plum Crazy Challenge?

The premise is to create a project that captures the essence of plum in its design.... so here's a little wedding card inspired by plum"ilicious" wedding photos that I saw in a magazine at the hair salon. You just never know where you'll find inspiration for your next moxie card...

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great Friday:)

Today I'm thankful for...

1) fun, flowing, spiny dresses made by Grandma

2) quick meals

3)  no early morning phone calls

Products: patterned paper (Karen Foster), kraft (Paper Reflections), brads (Making Memories), stamps (Unity), ribbon (Offray)

Daily 3T Journal

Today I'm thankful for...

1) our veterans

2) my hubby who actually took off a holiday (may be the first this year)

3) pony tale holders (best way to skip a bath so you can go play at the park)

Many (many) years ago I watched an Oprah show that had Dr. Phil as a guest (yes, this was years before he had his own show) & he suggested starting a journal where you simply jot down 3 things that you are grateful for everyday... well, this stuck with me (not sure why because  not much does). Easy peasy, right? Well it was, but most importantly it taught me to appreciate the little stuff... not just the big obvious stuff. I ended up filling journals all though college, but sadly lost touch with it as my life got busy with work, marriage, kids and life.

So this year I decided that it was time for me to bring what I call my daily 3T (Thankful for Three Things) journal back to life & I'm going to share it with you through Thanksgiving. Perhaps you'll start one too? Its a great way to slow down, reflect and appreciate your life at the end of each a every day.

Enough sappy reflection... here is a Thanksgiving card I have to share created with Darcie's Clear Flourish Pumpkin set.

Well, I'm off to Mom's Night Out for my daughter's school (another thing I'm thankful for;). Have a great Thursday!

A Fond Farewell To Our Fall Flings

Hi everyone... it is so good to be back after our lovely but bittersweet vacation. I say bittersweet because our favorite time to travel is this time of the year and next year Campbell starts school, so farewell my friend, my favorite fall vacation... farewell until 2024. During this time of the time of the year when we slow down to take time to count our blessings, I am truly thankful to spend two uninterrupted weeks with my family during this glorious time of the year.

A few photos from our trip....

Week 1: Massanutten Resort, VA

where we met friends like this...

Week 2: Palm Coast, FL

where we met friends like this...

Two awesome weeks, both very different from each other... what a wonderful time of the year to be able to enjoy such a thing. On this Veteran's Day, thank you to all who have given your time and your efforts to protect and defend this great country. It truly is a remarkable place and we have you to thank for that!

As George Elliot says, "Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."

Scrap that Poetry Challenge #3: Where the Sidewalk Ends

It time for another Scrap That Poetry Challenge. This time we are using Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends for inspiration. If this poem holds a fond place in your heart, why don't you play along? 

I couldn't leave any word of this poem off of my layout. My journaling (around the top of the LO) reads: "Can you find it? Can you find the bit of heaven that children find everyday? Can you find where the sidewalk ends?"

This little guy is one of four cards that I was able to create from my page scraps. I think this patterned paper is so gorgeous that you only need a little to make a stunning card... less is more:)

Take Care!

Products: patterned paper (Bridgeport by SEI), butterfly & border punch (Martha Stewart Crafts), pearls (Kaiser Craft), ribbon (The Paper Studio)