Friendship Cards

I made a couple of friendship cards with a new stamp I got a Hobby Lobby (brand is Stampabilities). I loved the quote and knew it would be a go to for alot of my generic friend cards.

I started off with some Autumn Leaves patterned paper my friend Robin gave me--yes, Robin, again! She really hooked me up for my birthday with some fabulous stuff, including tons of Olympics stuff! She is sooo good to me!
Anyway, the cards are pretty self explanatory. I used my nestabilities on both of them, including embossing my sentiment. It makes the card look so crisp I think when you do that. I added buttons to the bottom which really give it that last touch. So cute! On the one card I used my ticket corner punch for a little decorative touch to the corners. I used CTMH cocoa organdy ribbon on both.

How's everyone's week going? I am hoping to be sticking to my goal of going to the gym. I want to go every week day and I'm hoping that happens. I want nothing less than 4 times per week. I will be very upset with myself it it doesn't happen! If Michael Phelps can train every single day (including weekends and holidays) for over 5 years then I can force myself to do 45 minutes of cardio a day, right?!?! lol

Sketch Challenge

I know many people, including myself, missed Beate during the summer. I hope she had a good relaxing time--I know how it goes to need a break sometimes! I have never had a blog to participate in her sketch challenge before, but now I do, so here goes! For her Sketch Challenge #54, I started out with some fun paper from Foof-a-La (Autumn Leaves). My friend Robin gave me this great pack of papers and I took my inspiration from there! (Are you lovin' it, Robin?!?!)

It's pretty self explanatory and copies the sketch to the 't'! I used a sentiment from a CTMH stamp of the month set, D1187 For Every Occasion. I matted the sentiment with Blush cardstock and used my Fiskars punch to add a little bit of wow. I went with the pearls for a shabby chic look to match the paper. What do you think? I think I like it...the pearls are a lot, but I think it looks good.

I'm so SAD the Olympics end tonight...I wanted to get this post up so I could go check out the closing ceremonies. I guess you'll be back to seeing a lot of me since my Olympics break is over! Just to update you, Fay didn't really affect us too much so far. It's been REAL windy and rainy all day, but nothing too bad. We'll see how it goes overnight. I live on the water, so it's already windy and it's been like a Nascar wind tunnel through our buildings today! :)

Monogrammed Birthday Ensemble

One of my closest friends, and roommate from LSU's birthday was this past week. I wanted to get her something, but decided the best gift would be if I made her something. She likes all the things I make and appreciates them, which, as I'm sure most of you know, isn't always the case.

I started out with three sheets of coordinating paper from Hobby Lobby. I rarely buy 'cheap' patterned paper, but this sort of spoke to me and I'm glad I did! I'm not trying to be snobby, I just like a heavier paper and sometimes I get frustrated at the flimsiness of the cheap stuff.

Anyway, I knew I wanted to use my Papertrey Trojan monogram set, with the Borders and Corners set. It makes the cutest little scallop monograms that are perfect for notecards. I just used a standard cardstock base and then added a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of the patterned paper. I made a 1" strip of coordinating cardstock to 'ground' my scalloped monogram and then put the monogram in the center. I added a couple of brads to each side and it was the perfect finishing touch! Sarah isn't really bling bling, so this was great for her.

I added in a coordinating checkbook cover, notepad and pen, and card, which are all pretty self explanatory. I used my Papertrey Piece of Cake stamp set for the card. If you have questions, let me know...What do you think? I am thinking of making these sets for my family and friends for Christmas. I know they're pretty 'old' business in the paper craft community, but I really think everyone will like them. If you're a friend or relative reading this, pretend you didn't read this and be real surprised if I give it to you for Christmas, k? lol

Anyone have big plans for the weekend? We're on the Fay lookout this weekend, so I know it'll be pretty soggy here and hopefully, not too much flooding. Poor New Orleans gets a big thunderstorm and we're still flooded in the streets. Yuck! Hope all of you are high and dry...and cool!

I'm back...sort of!

My cousin was in town visiting for a while before she starts her first semester at LSU! We had a great time hanging out--of course, watching the Olympics and catching up on all of our favorite Bravo shows (any other Project Runway, Flipping Out and Shear Genius junkies out there?!) I am an LSU alumni, so needless to say, I'm excited for her and all the good things the new year is going to bring her.

I wanted to send her a special card to let her know I was thinking about her and missing her, of course! I started with some fab Amy Butler paper from Michael's. I love the mat packs of this paper--it's perfect for card makers. I used my Lockhart pencils stamp, that yes, Michelle sold me on! I colored it with some copics and added a little liquid glass (CTMH) to the bowl to give it a little pizazz! I used my Marvy scallop punch and added some Stickles dots to the scallops for some bling. Gotta have that! I used a piece of velvet ribbon I found on those wooden spools from Michael's and voila! I think she'll like it...I hope she does at least. Oh, and the sentiment at the bottom is from the Faux Ribbon Papertrey set. Here's a close up of the image.

Well, I'm sad--the Olympics are almost over, but, hey, I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. I think it was a well deserved couple of weeks 'off'! Sorry the pictures are funky--my camera is acting funny. Hopefully a new batter will do the trick and I'll have some better pics for you in future posts.

Oldie but goodie...Bella!

Well, I confess, this isn't a card I just made, but it is one that I thought came out too cute. So I figured since I am still on my Olympics stamping hiatus, I'd share!

I used my Cosmobella stamp and focused mainly on my fun patterned paper--don't know the manufacturer. I started by matching it with some Hollyhock, Chocolate and Sweet Leaf cardstock. I stamped the cutie 'Bella and then knew I wanted to use the $1 sentiment that I had picked up at Michael's. I couldn't find a good place to put the sentiment, so in the end, this is how it turned out! I like the end result...lots of sparkle, bling and I especially liked the layered Prima flowers with the rhinestone brad in the center. I gave this card to my roommate from college after she FINALLY got a degree...um, only five years after I got mine! lol

Whew, I just watched the end of the beach volleyball match and Ithe US men were making me a little nervous! I'm happy they pulled it out--3 and 0! Tonight's going to be a good time--girls individual gymnastics and of course, the one and only Michael Phelps going for another gold. I am super stoked! :)

M.I.A.

I swear I haven't fallen off the face of the planet! Seriously, though, I usually take two weeks off from LIFE when the Olympics are on, so that's where I've been...after they're through, and maybe even before then, I'll have something fabulous to show you. I have been taking some time to color images while I'm in front of the tube, so I'll have lots of things to work with by the time it's all said and done!

Today, I'll show you my scrap space though...I love seeing people's spaces, so I'll just post a quick photo of my desk area. I have a very small corner of my bedroom in my 600 sq ft condo that I use as my area. It's never, I repeat NEVER this clean, though...but here it is:I have a few more pictures of the closet (that has a metal bookshelf with different tools and such on it) that I'll post on another day.

Anyway, GO USA and I'll be back soon! :)

P.S. Do you not love Michael Phelps?!?! I have been a fan for so long--yes, I have a scrapbook of Michael pictures from the 2004 Olympics...so cheesy, I know, but they were awesome pictures that I collected from USA Today's all through the Olympics. SO silly, but, hey, I'm a scrapbooker, of course I was going to do something with those great pictures! He's doing so well and it's so great to see him use the talent God has blessed him with. He's a joy to watch, that's for sure!

As promised...

Here's my Olympic card! It's pretty basic, but my little cousin loved it! I used my CM circle cutting system to make the rings. I used my Xyron to adhere them to the white cardstock. I used my Fiskars threading water for the border and then glammed it up with LOTS of gold brads! Goin' for gold, ya know?! I thought the blue stars patterned paper by itself was too plain so I added a small strip of white and a little more red, which was red stars patterned paper, though you can't really see the stars on it. Both blue and red stars paper was from Hobby Lobby.

Well, I'm off to watch some volleyball! I will try and have another post for you tomorrow but things are a pretty busy this weekend, so I'll do what we can...and besides, you know I have lots of Olympic action to watch! ;) Hope you all enjoy your weekend!