SOME RAKS TO ENJOY!

Look at what I received in the mail! I feel so very lucky and blessed! First, I received this wonderful package of goodies from my SBS9 Secret Sister - isn't it just yummy stuff??!!! I totally love the paper, the bling, and the template is fabulous, and totally me so I know I will really enjoy using it! And, she sent me this gorgeous card as well. So, to my SS, thanks so much, I love it!! I also receive this beautiful card from my sweet friend and upline Kimberly! Kimberly is the epitome of what SU! stands for, she lives the Statement of the Heart so I was totally excited when I saw this gorgeous creation and saw that she had stamped the actual Statement of the Heart on the card - I will keep this one forever! And, if you have never been to Kimberly's blog, you are sooooo missin' out because she is the most talented stamper I have ever met and her creations are all fabulous! She doesn't post everyday but when she does, WOW! So, thanks Kimberly, can't wait to see you at Convention so I can give you a big ole' hug!! Smooches to you, my friend!

FRIDAY - WHOOHOO, TIME FOR A CHALLENGE!

Happy Friday everyone! I am still at my mom's and we are having a blast! I love Fridays because it is time for another STAMP SOMETHING challenge and this week's is awesome! It is a sketch challenge, but not just any sketch, it is a FABULOUS sketch! I had a lot of fun with this one and I know you will too so give it a try! Make sure you pop over to the STAMP SOMETHING site to see the rest of the awesome DT members creations and to check out the sketch for yourself. Make sure you link back so we can see it! Have a wonderful weekend!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Rose Red card stock, Not Quite Navy card stock, River Rock card stock, Western Designer Series Paper
Stamp Set - Enjoy Every Moment
Inks - Rose Red Classic Ink, Not Quite Navy Classic Ink, Not Quite Navy Stampin' Write Marker
Accessories - Circle Scallop Punches (large one non-SU!), Ticket Corner Punch, Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon, Paper Pierce and Mat Stack, Vintage Eyelets, Crop-a-Dile, Not Quite Navy Brads, Photo Corners Punch

TAMARA'S SKETCH CHALLENGE

Here it is, Thursday again and time for another fabulous sketch challenge from Tamara! So, here is my card - I made one for my FIL for dad's day (I am safe, he can't even turn on a computer, lol!) so I tried to keep it free from fluff since he is soooo not a fluff guy! I really wanted to put ribbon on this, but I resisted the urge! Please make sure you go over to Tamara's and see what the rest of the DT did for this week's sketch, I know you will love them! And, give it a try and don't forget to link so we can all see! Enjoy!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Chocolate Chip card stock, Close to Cocoa card stock, Rose Red card stock, Naturals White card stock
Stamp Set - For Father
Inks - Brown Stazon, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, and Really Rust Classic Stampin' Pads
Accessories - Blender Pen, Ticket Corner Punch, Mat Stack and Paper Piercer, Crop-a-Dile, Rose Red eyelets, Vintage brads, Sponge

RECIPE ANYONE????????

Hi all! Today I am going to share with you a recipe swap card that I made for a recent swap I was in. I have to say, this is probably one of the most fun swaps I have ever done and plan on doing more of these. It was a 6x6 Recipe Card swap and I loved working with the bigger palette - it was like doing little scrapbook pages, lol! So anyway, the theme this month is breakfast foods so I decided on my Apple bread, which my kids have declared ultra yummy! Don't they all look so colorful and fun when they are all bunched together - I just had a ball with these! And, I got to use my favorite stamp set - VOILA (aka fat chef!) and another favorite, Tart and Tangy. Here is a closeup of one that I made - I did paper piece each chef because I felt he needed to be wearing an outfit befitting the recipe, hence the apples - LOL! I hope you like it! Have a fabulous Wednesday, I know I am, hanging out with my mom and sister! So, I will leave you with the recipe - toodles!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Kraft card stock, Rose Red card stock, Naturals White card stock, Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper
Stamp Sets - Voila, Tart and Tangy
Inks - Rose Red Classic ink, Rose Red, Mellow Moss, Basic Black, Old Olive, and Regal Rose Stampin' Write markers, Black Stazon ink
Accessories - Old Olive wide ribbon, 1 1/4 Circle punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM - I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Today is my mom's birthday - she is 29, LOL! That is what she always tells me anyway! My mom is a faithful reader of my blog although she never does comment - she just tells me on the phone what she thinks! I am so very glad I get to spend today with her because now I can spoil her rotten! I am very lucky - my mom is truly my best friend, and I love her with all my heart! She has always been there for me, been my biggest cheerleader, loves my kids, adores my husband, and is an absolutely wonderful woman. So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!! I love ya!


Here are some of the goodies my mom is receiving from me! So, to give you a little background so you understand my gift, my mother LOVES to play the slots and although she does not get to go often, when she does, she has a great time pulling that handle! With that in mind, here is what I made her. I altered a Starbucks Frappuchino bottle and filled it with quarters - it holds a LOT, let me tell you!! I made the bottle to match the card that I made her. I used my A Little Birdie


Stamp set because I love it and I decided that Jen's Saturday sketch was perfect for what I wanted to do! I just flipped it from one side to the other so the birds could be facing each other. Don't those birds look like they are talking - LOL! Here is a closeup of the card. I really had fun






with this one, and love the way it turned out. I hope she likes it too! And, I also decided that I would do the inside of this card because, hey, she IS my mom and it IS her birthday - LOL! So, here it is! I used the little bird from my Pun Fun set because he fit so well with this theme! And,
he is stinkin' cute!! So, there you have it - hopefully she will enjoy the slots and think of me when she wins the jackpot!!!! I will leave you with the recipe! Have a great day!
Card and bottle recipe:
Paper - Purely Pomegranate card stock, Regal Rose card stock, Whisper White card stock, Flowers for You Designer Series Paper, Rose Red Prints Designer Series Paper
Stamp Sets - Pun Fun, A Little Birdie
Inks - Purely Pomegranate Classic Ink, Stampin' Write markers, Black Stazon
Accessories - Slit Punch, 1 3/8 and 1 1/4 Circle Punches, Circle Scallop Punch, Jumbo Pewter Eyelets, Rose Red eyelets, Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon, Mat Stack and Paper Piercer, Sticky Tape, Dimensionals

GOING OUT OF TOWN - WHOOHOO!

Hi all! I just wanted to let you know that I am leaving and going out of town and will not return until next Monday. I am going to visit my mom and sister in Southern California (well, closer to LA) for my mom's birthday which is tomorrow! Yep, that's right, just me, no kids, no husband, no dogs, nothing but myself - whoohoo!!! I am REALLY looking forward to it! So, I have set my blog up so there is a post every day but I probably will not be visiting any blogs this week as I really want to spend quality time with my family. Don't worry - I will catch up when I get back - AND, there will be blog candy upon my return! So, don't forget about me, and I promise to leave you lots of *STAMPIN HUGS* when I get back *wink*

A TIME FOR REMEMBRANCE

Memorial Day is a day for us to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while defending our country. I think many people forget that it is not "just a day off" or "a vacation from school", but a day to thank those men and women of the Armed Forces who face challenges and danger in faraway places so that we may live in safety here at home. WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Bosnia, Kosovo, The Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq are all significant in that millions of men and women have died protecting our freedom. Right now, there are over 180,000 military men in women fighting the war in Iraq and over 29,000 in Afghanistan, many of whom will spend more than a year away from their families. Over 4,100 men and women have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting this war. So, today, I ask that you remember them, what they have given of themselves, think of their families, and give them their due. It's the least we can do. Happy Memorial Day - God Bless our Troops!

With my respect and gratitude, LCDR Alexandra Hobson, USN, Retired