Make It Monday (or Saturday)

I had just a bit of time to play around a bit this week so I decided to try a new technique.  I saw this on PTI Make It Monday and decided to have a go of it.   I love emboss resist, so I'm all for a new way to do it!  :)   If you have any little small stamps, it's a great way to use them!   I used all my yellows including So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, and even revived More Mustard!  The sentiment is from PTI and the circles from MFT.

Laila got this horse for her birthday LAST year but never really cared much for it.  I had put it away and decided to try it one last time before finding it a new home.  Well, she LOVES it now.   She's tried to take it to bed with her and the other day she even had to ride it outside.  It's too small for her now, so I need to look for a little ride on toy that's more her size and that has the ability to steer!

Stampin' Up! Blue Ribbon

I needed the mental break of stamping last night, so I started this card.  It wasn't working out so great, but I finally gave up today and put it together.  It might be a good guy card because I don't think they really pay attention to them anyway!  Ha!  I used a color combination from the awesome Color Coach, Bermuda Bay, Basic Black, and Smoky Slate.

I received an email this morning that my blog posts weren't working for those of you who subscribe by email.  I had no idea, but I did try to fix that.  I hope you'll let me know if the new subscription service is working.  I apologize for that.  I knew some bloggers were having issues with Feedburner, but I didn't really think I had anyone subscribing.  Oops!

Love this girl.  She seems to have grown up over the past few weeks.  She understands so much more lately and is becoming a bit more helpful by throwing things away and picking up *some* of her things.  I can't believe she'll be 2 next month.  Time is just flying by too fast.

Stampin' Up! Starburst Sayings

Welcome to the newest sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!   Amy, who is so crazy talented that it's almost unreal, is our hostess this week and has a super awesome sketch.   I had such a blast making my card.  Laila actually took a nap long enough for me to finish on Monday, so that was great!  I do think I'll go back and change the button thread to linen thread instead of baker's twine.

Isn't that fun?!  You don't have to use a circular element of course.  There are so many possibilities that aren't circles.  That's why I just love sketches and sketch challenges.  You can do just about anything!

It was a rainy day here yesterday, so Laila and I piled up on my bed with a bunch of books!  It was so nice to relax and read.  :)   

Merry Monday Star Shaker

It's Monday and time for a new challenge at Merry Monday!    We really hit the hot, humid days in Texas this week, so I had to go for a nice clean-and-simple card.   Lori is the hostess this week and asked us to use stars.  I think I got that covered!  :)  There's a ton of different ways to use them and I can't wait to see the gallery this week.  I love stars!

Doesn't this picture make you want to create some of those 3-D stars?!  I don't have a clue how, but now I'm in the mood in to make them!  :)

One of my dear friends brought by a tricycle (or as Laila says, a motorcycle) and helmet last week.  She likes it, but she isn't so good at pedaling just yet.   After two major meltdowns, the motorcycle is put up for safe keeping.  I hope we are finally in the last stages of teething as her molars are coming in right now.  Oh my.  She's grumpy and so are we!  lol   I did have a great Mother's Day though and got lots of love and snuggles.  (and a set of Copics!)

Stampin Up Bloomin' Beautiful and Blendabilities

Just another bit of fun stamping. I made this for the Wednesday challenge at Simon Says Stamp.  I wanted to try out the new Blendabilities markers, but I didn't really have any current stamps that I wanted to color.  I went through the box of stamps I had marked to sell and found this old set.  I think it was one of, if not THE, first set I ever bought.  I always sucked at coloring, so it was also pretty neglected.  I'm thinking maybe I'll put it back on my shelf and practice more with it.  I did keep the rest of the card clean as I'm in a simple mood lately.  

My two sweeties.  I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day!   

Just a fun card!

Finally a card that I DIDN'T have to make!  Yay!   I have really been in the dumps for the past few weeks and haven't wanted to stamp at all.  I decided to try to make something last night and this was my end result.  I made a ton of mistakes and have a trashcan full of messed up paper, but I finally got something I was happy with on attempt #123,255.  ;-)     I used the Wednesday sketch at MFT and their Bokeh Builder set.  

I feel like I'm in a weird place with my hobby.  I am branching out into some "contraband", but I still love Stampin' Up! and all my demo friends.  You'll probably see a mix of products on my blog for a while as I figure out what my future holds.  I think there's a happy medium that includes the best of all worlds, so that's where I hope to be. 

We actually used our recently purchased zoo membership again yesterday!   It seems like a good place for Laila to enjoy, so we are trying to go before the temperatures get too crazy.  It was still pretty warm yesterday and humid.  Sigh.   I hate Texas summers!   Anyway....  Laila LOVES the carousel and had a bit of a meltdown when we couldn't ride it a million times in a row.   We distracted her by going to feed the giraffes (that's MY favorite part!).   I have a love/hate relationship with zoos, but I love seeing the animals. 

Freshly Made Hello

It's Wednesday and time for a new sketch from Freshly Made Sketches! Narelle is our sketch designer this week, so I hope I used enough layers!  I have been having a pretty down month, so I decided to go to my happy place and use a favorite combo of yellow and black.   I just got some new stamps and dies from Avery Elle and decided to put those to use.   Fun stuff!

Isn't that a fun sketch?!  It isn't anything close to one I've done before so I really enjoyed it.  I love the tag topper punches and am so glad I took the plunge and got one!  Totally recommend those! 

I found this old rocking horse back when I was pregnant with Eli and just had to get it.  I never did get rid of it after he passed away, so it has been in Laila's room just waiting for her.  She is finally big enough to hop on it and rock.   She has a blast!    

Just a note, I know I owe a few of you guys some thank you cards for recent orders.  I'm way behind.  Things have been so crazy since we got back from our trip and I can't seem to catch up.   I hope to get those out this week, so forgive me.  My motto for May is Just Keep Swimming!  

Merry Monday Peaceful Season

I have the great pleasure of being the Featured Designer at Merry Monday this month!  We just started hitting ninety degree temperatures, so it feels a bit strange to be making Christmas cards.  :-)   For the first challenge, Katie has created a fun sketch:

I pulled out an old favorite set of mine that I just love.  My former upline gifted it to me a while back and I was oh so thankful.   I love the sentiments so much.   I love blue and silver for Christmas, so here I used Midnight Muse and Smokey Slate.  

Laila has been having a great time outside.  It seems to keep her from fussing too much.  Her 2 year molars are starting to come in and oh boy!   She's not been very pleasant to be around sometimes.  I treasure the sweet snuggles and reading time because she's so sweet and calm then.  :-)