Project Life Update IV

I started taking Microbiology & Lab, Public Speaking, & Developmental Psychology this summer semester.

I have a pile of things that Vince has requested. I'm still trying to find the time to get a box, write the customs forms, pack it up, and take it to the post office. I can't even get to class on time right now. Heehee

I don't think I need to elaborate much on how expensive I think gas is.

I have an addiction to all things Post-it.

I'm pretty sure these are the same sneakers that I wore in Afghanistan, and after saying that I'm pretty sure it's time for new ones.

Ethan never plays with his mat or bouncy seat anymore. He's too busy trying to walk and make long distance calls on my cell phone. It makes me miss the baby Ethan.

Mom came to visit.

Amish farm flowers are still alive.

Maybe I don't need new sneakers.

I need to do laundry big time. You can't see the pile on the bed or the full basket in Ethan's room either.

My scrapbook room is all over the place. I'm surprised I get anything done in here.

Eight of us went to the Melting Pot to celebrate birthdays, holidays, graduations, engagements, and on and on...

Ethan had some more shots at the doctor's office, but he's always a champ. He really just wants to tear up the bed paper.

And here's Ethan sitting on my lap on my birthday a few weeks ago. He was way squirmy and totally interested in my hair, so getting a good shot wasn't happening. This was the only one in focus. 

I know lots of you are Project Lifers too. I'd love for you to share your links here with us. We're not even halfway through the year, so we need more photo inspiration! :-) I don't know about you, but I'm starting to drag a little bit.



Farewell

Tomorrow I get my clearing papers and start my 10 (working) days of clearing the Army before setting off on using up those 50+ days of terminal leave that I have saved up from the past eight years of service. Oh, man does this make me feel so weird. I don't see where I shared this layout with you, so I am here now. I made this featuring my coworkers. I'm not really much of a scrapbooker (or Blogger guru if you noticed the blooper), so don't be too hard on me! :-)

You Are More

Blogoversary!

Four Years Today!!!

GCD Studios

Here's another GCD Studios creation that's quick and easy & uses up scraps.

It can also be completed in no time flat, so why not make a bundle of ready to send cards or a pile of cute invitations?!

Instructions:

1. Trim patterned paper to 3.75"x5".
2. Add scrap strips of ribbon and patterned paper & secure to back of patterned paper.
3. Secure to center of A2 (4.25"x5.5") cardstock base.
4. Add stitched border.
5. Add homemade embellishment using punched & die cut flowers from various scrap papers and fabrics secured with a brad.
6. Finish with a sentiment or alphabet stickers.

GCD Studios

Are you ready for a GCD Studios card tutorial?!

Here's the card we'll be making:

TIDY TIP: I always trim my base layer of patterned paper to 1/4" smaller than the cardstock base. This creates the matted/layered look, and it also allowes me to fully asemble the card and add stitching, brads, wrap around ribbon ends, etc before actually attaching it to the cardstock. We work really hard on making beautiful cards. They're meant to be opened, so don't leave a mess inside! :-)

Instructions:

1. Start with an A2 (4.25"x5.5") cardstock base. (This is also a great place to add an unexpected color without being overpowering.)
2. Trim Lovely Garden patterned paper to 4"x5.25", and stitch a decorative border around the upper two-thirds. (Yet another fun place to add a pop of color!)
3. Add a 1.5"x4" strip of Lovely Green patterned paper along the bottom edge.
4. Using the other side of Lovely Garden, add a 1.5"x4" strip of patterned paper after adding a punched border.
5. Take a 5" strip of 1" wide ribbon & 5" strip of paper ribbon and secure over the seams of the patterned paper layers.
6. Create an additional loop of ribbon, cinch in the middle with baker's twine, and secure to card front.
7. Use a die cut machine or punches to create floral voids to taste.
8. Secure your cardfront to the cardstock base.
9. Add a sentiment and Glitter Candy Dots.

It's Almost Summer...

...so I think I can still post one more spring card.

CARDS Magazine - May 2011

 The May issue of CARDS magazine had to be one of my favorites from this past year. Every card in there was so cute. I think I bookmarked every page! Anyway, here are a few of my cards that graced the pages this past month. Enjoy!

Creative Charms

I hate that May is almost over. It's my favorite month. I'm pretty sure it will come back again though.

Anyway, I was cleaning out my craft room when I came across a giant wooden clothes pin. I used to have buckets of them. I just thought they were the cutest thing. I still see them all over the place and in all kinds of stores. I decided that I should finally do something with it, so here's what I whipped up using the Pink Blooming Garden embellishments that I picked up with the May Kit of the Month from Creative Charms...

 

What crafty goodness have you been hoarding that you might wanna pull out and play with?

Sergeant Laura says...

"Participate in the Memorial Day Weekend Bloghop!"

"That's an ORDER!"

Did I scare you? Just Kidding! Heehee

Anyway, I really do encourage you to participate in this bloghop. Obviously, as a Soldier and a Soldier's wife, things like this have a bit of a significant meaning to me. Please support the good cause. If there's a special Service Member in your life. Please leave a comment. We'd love to honor them!

Here's my card:

And here's the button that will take you back to the start of the hop if you're a start from the front kinda person:

 

But... may I recommend just starting from here and making a full loop on back around. The hop is a little long, so why not keep up your momentum, go forward, be booty-licious, and give the back-end some love too!

Next on the blog hop list is ANITA...

Happy Memorial Day!

P.S. Don't forget to stand up when the flag passes by, and teach your children too as well. It really breaks this little Soldier's heart when everyone just sits on their bum.  Memorial Day is a celebration, but it's also sorta like a funeral. Please be respectful to those that have left their lives in order to let us live ours.

Me & My Hubs

Celebrate

How about some chocolate covered buttons cherries on a card?

I actually made this card for the Card a Day publication, but it wasn't picked up. That's okay, because now I can share all it's cute-ness with you!

Yum! This makes me want to ask, "What's your favorite treat?"

 I think mine would have to be chocolate chip cookies or cinnamon rolls from the Amish farm down the road. I've got a hankerin' for some right now.

Nuts

Love Letters

27

"Happy Birthday to me!

Happy Birthday to me,"

and...

Happy Armed Forces Day!

Ah, my birthday is tomorrow! It's so weird. Why is that?! Ugh! Any-way... Today I'm doing a special birthday themed edition of Friday Favorites...

If I had a birthday cake, I'd totally want to do a button theme. They look so yummy. I could just eat them!

...wait, you CAN! :-)

This cupcake stand is way too cute!

Oh, wouldn't it be fun to have a tea party?

Since I don't drink tea though, maybe we'll have lots of cupcakes instead!

Petit fours

 Macaroons

Little sandwiches

and cake pops of course!

I'd want everyone to wear a fascinator too.

I pick this one.

...but if I can't have all that, then I'll gladly settle for a burrito & some watermelon!

Yum!

9 Months

At nine months he...

...stands up by himself.
...feeds himself.
...no longer uses bottles.
...only has one pacifier left for daycare "emergencies".
...crawls like the wind.
...never comes home from daycare in the same outfit I left him in.
...has another eczema inflammation possibly from pears. (I had it when I was his age too.)
...says Mum-mum & Dad-dad
...hardly takes naps.
...falls asleep as soon as nightfall.
...wakes up with the sun.
...likes to squat-bounce when I sing my twang-jingle thing.
...claps.
...high-fives.
...still doesn't wave.
...covers his ears when he cries or yells loudly.
...has two bottom teeth.

Creative Charms

I did a post over at the Creative Charms blog today on their Deal of the Month. It really is a deal. I love all the bling! Here's a sneaky peeky of what I made for them today...

P.S. My birthday is just a little over a week away, so I'm offering a 21% off coupon code to my Etsy shop good through the end of the month. All of the cards on my blog are always for sale. Just ask, and I'll create a special listing for you.

Here's the coupon code: MAY21ST

Can you guess when my birthday is? How about how old? Heehee!



What a Woman

I made this card with more of the GCD Studios stuff to match THIS one from about a week ago.

Everything I used to make this card with the exception of the ribbon, cardstock, twine, and green button is from GCD Studios.

Hellen Keller

I'm not sure if I like this card. It's so... flat!

You know, I'm from Texas, so maybe that's why I like my cards to have a "Texas Hair" feel to them. This one definitely does not have that factor. Hopefully, I'm just having a bad hair card day. :-)

Okay, I've seen these guys in concert twice. (They open for Michael Buble.)

EVERYthing you hear is from their voices. NO instruments. They're amazing!



I love the parts of the video that show the ghost images of the instruments they are imitating. True talent!

Happy 2nd Anniversary, Vinny!

To: Vince

From: Vince

Isn't that sweet? He made me a card put together from bits of other cards he had over there. He also made me the coolest self-self locking trinket box. He's so crafty! I love him!!! xoxo