SCRAPBOOK SATURDAY!

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday yesterday - I am sure we did (I will have to tell you when I get back *wink*). So, it is time for another scrapbook Saturday, I sure hope some of you join in! I know it is really helping me by making me think about scrappin' during the week - I have gotten TONS of pages done since once I get started, I don't want to stop, lol! This layout was created again using the Black Market Society line - this was the last of it *sniff* but I loved playing with it! The picture is of my three children and my oldest son's girlfriend of three years while on the Log Ride at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. We went there last summer right before I had to take my son and leave him at the Academy so this leaves me with some very mixed emotions! We had a fabulous time, but I was devastated dropping off my firstborn, knowing he would never live under my roof again! But, it was a happy day at the park for all of us! I used my Cricut to cut letters out of some of the dp, and the base of this page is actually a piece of Close to Cocoa card stock. I used my tear ruler to get the wavy look on the Taken with Teal card stock, which I then inked in the same color ink. I added a piece of Close to Cocoa grosgrain ribbon to the top, which I layered with some ribbon from my stash, and then added some buttons. I printed the journaling out on Whisper White card stock, then framed it with a coordinating dp frame. I love the way this turned out - I hope you like it too! Have a wonderful weekend - I am sure I am good and burned by now, but loving every minute of it, lol! Leave me a comment so you can get entered into the drawing for a wonderful Coconut gift certificate! Toodles!
*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY - STAMP SOMETHING WITH SOME BLING!

Happy Fourth of July everyone! I hope you all have something fun planned to do today! We will be sitting on the deck of our houseboat watching the fireworks over the lake - I am very excited about this as I have been told it is a fabulous show!! And, the best part is, we don't have to drive anywhere - lol!!! So, today is another Stamp Something Challenge with a theme of bling - some bling on your creation, whatever you want! So, I made this card in honor of my friend and fellow Stamp Something DT member Melissa, who is celebrating her birthday today - how cool is that???!!!!! I hope she already received this in the mail, otherwise I am ruining the surprise - lol! Happy Birthday M! love ya girl!!!! I am excited about how this card turned out, it was exactly what I wanted for her! I used my stamp set Pun Fun and paper pieced the bird using this fabulous star paper from Adorn It! (I am COMPLETELY out of my SU! star paper) which goes really well with Not Quite Navy card stock! I then took the dp and cut it into three equal strips to make the background for my card. The image is stamped on Naturals White card stock and the corners are punched with the Ticket Corner Punch, which I then added faux stitching to. I used my slit punch to make the scallops, I just like the deeper scallops it makes rather than using my corner rounder. I then added some white mini eyelets (gosh I hope SU! does not make these retire, I love them!) which I added to the scallops with my Crop-a-dile. The stars are punched out of Naturals White card stock using my Large Star punch. I added the red, blue, and dazzling diamonds glitter to each using my Tombow adhesive - I love this glitter, but gosh, I always make such a mess, lol! I then let them dry and popped them up on dimensionals and was done! I hope you like my challenge card - please make sure you go over and check out what the rest of the DT did, I can assure you, you will love them all! Have a fun and safe Fourth of July!! And, leave me a comment to be entered into the drawing for the Coconuts gift certificate!
*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

TAMARA'S SKETCH CHALLENGE

Here it is, Thursday again and time for another fabulous sketch from Tamara!! In honor of tomorrow being the Fourth of July, her sketch is a tribute to our Independence Day so I really enjoyed doing this one! I can't wait to get back and see what everyone else did with this sketch! Make sure you go over to Tamara's site and see what the other talented DT gals came up with, I can guarantee you won't be disappointed! And, leave me a comment here so I can get you entered into my drawing for the Coconuts gift certificate....you don't want to miss out!
So, I will leave you with a recipe for this one as I am probably jet skiing with my son this morning - LOL! Have a fabulous day!


Card Recipe: (all items SU unless otherwise noted)
Paper - Real Red, Whisper White, Blue card stock
Stamps - Free and the Brave
Inks - Bayou Blue, Real Red Classic Stampin' pad
Accessories - Small and Large Star Punches, white brad (not SU!)
*STAMPIN HUGS* ALEX

PATRIOTIC AND CANDY - WHAT COULD BE BETTER?!

Hi all! Well, I made this little bag for a friend of mine who totally loves the Fourth of July AND has a sweet tooth so I filled a cello bag with red and blue Mike and Ikes, which are her fave candy! The little box is a template I received from my upline - isn't it cute??!! I wish I had a link to share, but I don't - if I find one, I will make sure to post it! It was fairly quick and easy to make and would be a fun project for a stamp camp! I hope you all are having a fabulous week so far, I am pretty sure I am - LOL! Here is the recipe - don't forget to leave me a comment for your entry into the drawing for a gift certificate over at Coconuts! Until tomorrow!
Box Recipe: (all items Stampin' Up!)
Paper - Ruby Red card stock, Western Sky Designer Series Paper
Stamps - none!
Inks - none!
Accesssories - Large Star punch, Jumbo Pewter eyelets, Real Red Ribbon, small cello bag, Red Sticky tape, mini glue dots
*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

FRIENDSHIP

I made this card with a special friend in mind! She is always there for me, and I just love her to death so I wanted to send her a card to let her know that I am thinking about her! I love this bird and I am so very happy that the Always stamp set will be around for another year - it is one of my all-time favorites because it is so beautiful and there is so much you can do with it! So, I see more workshops in the future with this beauty! This card is pretty self-explanatory so I will leave you with the recipe and if you do have a question, send me an email and I will answer it when I get back! I am pretty sure I am floating around on my raft right now with a good book in my hand - LOL! Don't forget to leave me a comment letting me know you came by so I can enter you in the drawing for the Coconutty gift certificate! Toodles!

Card Recipe:
Paper - Kraft , Naturals White, and Not Quite Navy card stock, Porcelain Prints Designer Series paper
Stamps - Always
Inks - Not Quite Navy classic stampin' pad
Accessories - Photo Corners Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Blue Bayou Double-stitched ribbon, Vintage brads, 1/4 inch Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, mini glue dots
*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER - MY VERY FIRST SKETCH AND BLOG CANDY!!!!

***THIS POST TO REMAIN ON TOP UNTIL JUNE 30th***

Please scroll down for newer posts - I wouldn't want you to miss anything!!!!!!!

Hi all! Well, after getting 11 (sheets, towels, clothes, rugs, etc.) loads of laundry done, my house put back together, and myself back in a routine, I think I am ready to stamp again - LOL! I tell ya, going away for one week really threw me out of my routine but it was SOOOOOO worth it!!! So, I belong to this fabulous group known as SBS9 and each month we take turns hosting a sketch. Last night I decided to go on over and check out who had the sketch for this month and well, it's me (I was so embarrassed that I forgot!) So, today I taught myself how to do a sketch in Photoshop Elements and managed to come up with something - except my sample which is coming later - LOL! It is a fairly simple sketch but I see lots of potential for beautiful creations with it so show me what you have! The Sketch is for everyone who wishes to participate AND if you link your take on the sketch here, at the end of the month I will enter your name for blog candy!!! Whoohoo! So, wanna see what you are going to receive? Well, here it is! You will win a mini scrapbook album, two packs of clear stamps, one pack of buttons, some flower embellishments, plain tags for you to decorate, a pack of four already decorated mini tags, a whole book full of rub-ons, two spools of ribbon, a pack of wire words, and some metal embellishments!! And, who knows, maybe I will throw in something else before the month is over *wink* - there seems to be something missing to me - LOL! So, what you do you have to do! Well, leave a comment with a link to your take on the sketch! And, if you do not have a blog, send it to me via email because I don't want anyone to feel they cannot participate! Have fun and be gentle with me, this IS my first attempt at a sketch and I am no means a pro - teehee!!!

HAPPY MONDAY - A DOUBLE POST!!!!

Hi all! Well, we leave this afternoon for our houseboat vacation and will return next Monday - I am so very excited and really looking forward to spending some quality time with the family swimming, tubing, playing games, and hanging out!!! We did this about four years ago and had so much fun!!! We are going to Lake Oroville which is only about ten miles from the house but feels a world away when you are out on the lake in your floating house. I will be taking tons of pictures and promise to share when I get back!! I have scheduled posts for this week so don't forget to pop in and check out what I have made - also, my DT submissions will be up online as well on both Thursday and Friday. And, yes, I have Scrapbook Saturday all ready to go! I don't want you all to forget about me while I am gone - LOL! So, I will be doing a small surprise drawing when I get back...for each post you make during the week I am gone, you get one chance at some blog candy from ME!!! Want to know what it is??? A gift certificate to Coconut Scrapshop - yep!!!! So, ya in??!!! I hope so!!!! But, here is the catch - the post MUST be made on the day that I publish, not all five in one day! So, you have to visit me each day that I am gone and leave a comment - not hard, right? Also, since today is the last day of the month and I am leaving on vacation today, I am doing the drawing for the sketch blog candy when I get back. Today is the last day for folks to get their sketch cards done - you can do it after today, but you will not be entered in for blog candy - I think that is only fair to the ones who got it done in time! So, t0day I have a card to share that I did for Julee's Mojo Monday challenge (last weeks) - I totally loved this sketch! I wanted to make up some thank you cards so I have some on hand for when I need them rather than having to scramble and get one made at the last minute! So, this will be added to my stash! I will leave you with the card recipe - everything on this card is Stampin' Up! except for the little pearl accents. Maybe we will get some of those in the next catty too - here's hopin'! So, I will have lots to share when I get back, but I need to go finish up some last minute things and then, I am outta here!!!! But first, read my second post -I am so very excited!!!!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Chocolate Chip, Mellow Moss, Taken with Teal, Whisper White card stock, Flowers for You Designer Series paper
Inks - Mellow Moss Classic Stampin' Pad, Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker
Stamps - Fresh Cuts stamp set
Accessories - Ticket Corner Punch, Slit Punch, mat stack and paper piercer, Chocolate Chip Narrow grosgrain ribbon, Stylish Silver Hodgepodge Hardware

*****SECOND POST*****

Calling all scrapbookers!!!!!! Remember when I told you that I was chosen for the Design Team for Coconut Scrapshop???? Well, Jen also honored me with the privilege of designing the July kit which will be available for shipping TOMORROW!!! I am very excited about this kit, and love the way it came together! I wanted to share with you all some sneak peeks of what this kit consists of because I think you will LOVE it!! And, if you have never purchased anything over at Coconuts before, you get $10 off your first kit - pretty cool, huh?!!! And, there are two add-on kits as well available in the store, which are fabulous!! So, here is what comes in this fabulous kit:
Featuring Scenic Route's - Liberty Collection, 2 each of 12 x 12 double-sided papers: Jackson Street, Franklin Street, Johnson Road, Grant Street, and Lee Street. Includes 2 Background Blue Grid Worn papers.
One 12 x 12 Liberty Collection Die-Cut Sheet
One 12 x 12 Liberty Scrap Strip, double-sided
Packed full of embellishments! An Autumn Leaves acrylic stamp by Rhonna Farrer: Star
Scenic Route Tabbed Chipboard Mini Album: Includes two rings and Four sheets
Scenic Route Chipboard: Plain Star Chipboard Shapes
Heidi Swapp Raw Chipboard Alphabet: 146 pieces, 4 sheets
Scenic Route Coordinating Liberty Collection Buttons
Red, White & Blue Rickrack: One yard of each
Prima Carnivale Flowers: (The last of these limited edition flowers Prima had in stock!)
Knock! Knock! FAQ Sticky Journaling Note
Coco'nutty Inspiration Sheet by DT member Pamela Young to give you ideas and inspiration on how to use the products!

So, you want to see the sneak peeks - here they are!!! Check these out:

Aren't those papers yummy? And I love, love, love naked chipboard!! And flowers, buttons, ribbons, oh my!! Not to mention a wonderful chipboard album! If you like what you see, head on over to the Coconut Scrapshop and let her know Alex sent ya - smooches!!!!

SOME RAKS TO SHARE - AND A TAG!

WOW!!! I have to say, I have had some great mail days lately! And, I owe all of these wonderful ladies a HUGE apology for not posting them sooner as they deserve to be recognized! So, today I am going to share all the wonderful mail I have been lucky enough to receive! This first one is from Deb aka Stampingranny. Deb is a beautiful woman inside and out and I feel very fortunate to have her in my life! She always makes me smile with her generous spirit and wonderful creations - along with this card she sent me some scrappin' supplies with a doggie theme which is in use on my workspace and I will share when I am done! Deb, thanks for this gorgeous card, I love it! This next card came from Cheryl aka God and I on the Railroad Tracks. She sent me this gorgeous card in celebration of EScape day with SU! and is such a sweetie!! Isn't is pretty??!! Thanks so much Cheryl, I love it!! The little bumblebee is so cute with the bling!! This next one is from

Andrea aka My Stamping Heaven - she sent me this beautiful card along with a pack of RockStar paper from DCWV that I won on her blog during a blog candy contest she had going! I love the paper as does my daughter who is currently pilfering it for her own scrapbook supply stash - lol! Thanks so much Andrea - it was a wonderful surprise to receive this! This next card is from two of my fave people Denise and Erin who started the Stamp Something Challenge site and were sweet enough to ask me to be on their Design Team (as if I would say no!!) These ladies are fabulously talented themselves, and I thought it was really sweet that they sent me this card along with some fabulous Bella images! Thanks ladies, ya know I love ya! And lastly, but by no means least, I received this GORGEOUS butterfly card from Melissa aka Simply Pink, along with a fabulous recipe card! See, the two of use have been participating in recipe swaps the last few months but I did not see her name on the last list - well, she wasn't able to participate due to other commitments - so, the two of us swapped!!!! Isn't she just a sweetie! Melissa is one of these people who come into your life and you thank God for being so blessed!! We talk every day and I just wish we lived closer so we could get together -maybe one of these days! So, thanks M- and yes, I remembered to fluff her wings, LOL!!! Isn't all my happy mail just gorgeous??!! I told you I was a lucky gal!! A huge thanks to all of you ladies for thinking enough of me to send me your gorgeous creations - SMOOCHES!!!!! And now, the tag: I have been tagged by several wonderful gals lately and I feel bad that I am just now getting around to it. So, to Kathleen, Wendy, Deb, and anyone else I forgot (I don't mean to, I just have a terrible memory!) I apologize that it has taken me this long! So, here goes:The "rules" of the game:

Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

Ten Years Ago: We were living in Italy and getting ready to transfer to Hawaii (hard life, I know!)

Five Things on Today's To Do List:

1. Pack for trip

2.Pack for trip

3. Pack for trip

4. Pack for trip

5. Did I mention I had to pack for trip?

Snacks I enjoy: ANYTHING chocolate, ice-cream, and jelly beans (but not now since I am on weight watchers, lol!)

Things I would do if I was a millionaire: Pay off everything, go on a nice vacation, set up nice accounts for my kids, and buy my mom a house

Places I have lived: Hawaii, Florida, California, New Jersey, Maryland, Italy, Spain, Scotland, London, Virginia, Washington, DC, Germany, Maine...you get the picture!

Okay, so I am supposed to tag five others, but I am opting out since I think most people have been tagged already! If you haven't, consider yourself tagged by me!

*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex