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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Baby room progress

So the baby room is a working progress and slowly but surely we are getting there. The last really big thing that I need to finish is the tree that I'm painting on the wall. I looked everywhere trying to find a decent priced tree that was just what I wanted but of course I couldn't find one anywhere. So I decided to "free-hand" one onto the wall and then paint it. The pictures I'm posting today don't show the completed tree obviously but a rough "painting" and I still need to finish the branches off with a fine paint brush. Then comes the leaves, so just a bit of work yet. I'm sure you are curious by now so here are the pictures, of the baby room in progress and then the tree. 




Monday, February 27, 2012

My Digital Studio: Free Trial reminder

Remember that you can get a Free Trial of MDS, check out my post from earlier this month!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

MDS - Digital Baby : Thank you card

Recently I've been "making" myself purchase several new digital downloads as they come out. The reason is that I've been finding that if I don't purchase the new downloads when it comes to creating a card or project often I don't have what I "need". So by purchasing a few a month this helps me build the downloads that I've got to work with! With baby on the way I've been needing some cute baby images and papers and didn't really have a whole lot. Last week I purchase several different downloads and started creating. I needed a Thank-you card for my baby shower so I decided it was going to be a digital postcard because it is easier than hand stamping 30 cards. Don't get me wrong I love stamping but sometimes digital is the way to go! 

Now I'm sure you are curious to see what I've done, so here it is. 



 So because it is a postcard I did a teddy bear on the back just so that the back wasn't blank and obviously I'll be writing my notes on the back as well. 

Any Occasion Card

About a week ago I was feeling inspired to create cards. Every so often the creative bug hits and the only thing to do is go with the flow. Part of this was caused by needing a card for something else, and the ton of scraps laying around on my stampin' desk. For this card I used only scraps that were laying around. 

Today I'm not going into great detail, but as always if you have questions feel free to ask in the comments and I'll definitely answer them. 

 
Happy Stampin'!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Stamper 10 Project - Any occasion Card

First of all I need to mention that credit for this card goes to my Upline: Lisa! Recently Shelli posted on her blog, that often as we create things we are inspired by something we see. We may tweak it a little to change it up, but inspiration usually comes from somewhere. For me some days ideas for Stamper 10 projects come easily and other days not so much. This week happened to be one of the not so much ones, and that's okay! I had seen the idea on Lisa's blog a while ago and loved it, filed it away in my brain for a someday project, which happened to be this week. I used the same concept/layout, just changed the colors and papers I used. Usually I hesitate to use other's ideas but this time I think it was perfect!  (thanks Lisa!)

So here is my card:


My card is made using Soft Suede Card Stock. The scallop was made using the Adorning Accents - Edgelits Die from the Occasions Mini - Pool Party Card Stock. Once again I featured the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper, and my most recent favorite ribbon, the 3/8 Pleated Satin Ribbon. Isn't that ribbon just amazing!?! The minute I saw it in our sneak peak before the mini came out I knew it had to be mine! I've used it on so many projects and just love how much it adds to a card or project! I tied the ribbon in a knot at the end just to add some more dimension. I'd never tied it before but I really like how it turned out!

The circles are punched out using our 1 1/4" Circle Punch, then the little accent is the center flower from the Lace Ribbon Border Punch, and finally I used the 1/2" circle punch for the center. To add a little bling I finished it off with a Basic Rhinestone Jewel. 

Each of the circles I sponged around the edges using Early Espresso Classic Ink and one of our Sponges. Also another thing to notice is once again not exact matching colors between the DSP and the Pool Party Cardstock that I used for the Scallop edge: The DSP is Baja Breeze. Just thought I would mention that so you can once again see how SU! makes their papers to coordinate so well!

Did you know that our Rhinestone Jewels (119246) and Pearls (119247) come in sheets of 150 with 3 different sizes? US price: $4.95, CDN price: $6.50.

Let me know if you have decided that you just NEED to have some products so you can make your own cards. Remember right now it's Sale-A-Bration time! What does that mean for you? For every order you place over $60 CDN/$50 US you get a free item out of our Sale-A-Bration flyer. (this goes for every $60/$50 you spend.  Now who doesn't like FREE STUFF!?!

Contact me today to place your order. Sale-A-Bration goes until March 31st but you don't want to miss out!

Valentine's Day Card

We don't go all out for Valentine's Day, usually just a card and possibly a little something. This year with baby on the way I figure there is enough money going towards baby things that we really need, so I didn't do anything for John other than making him dinner and of course a card. Yes, making him dinner these days is a huge deal I'll probably post more about that in another post though(when I do another update on me and baby). 

So all that being said, I made him the following card. This card was made using the Candy Conversations Stamp, which can be found in the Occasions Mini Catalog. I like how much fun you can have with this stamp by highlighting just the heart you want to stand out. For that matter you could do all the hearts a different color as well if you so choose. I decided for my purpose that I wanted to highlight only one of the hearts. I used my Stampin' Write Markers and colored the stamp. 

So enough explaining, here it is:


My card ended up being a different size from the usual because I was using random pieces of paper that were floating around on my desk. It's still the regular width 5 1/2" I think it's closer to 4" (8" unfolded). Not majorly different than the usual, but enough to make it noticeable.

Once again I don't have measurements, because the pieces that I stamped on and then layered it onto were floating around as well. The Designer Series paper that I used is from the Twitterpated in the Occasions Mini as well. 

FYI: Paper Colors:

Pool Party
Pink Pirouette
DSP - Twitterpatted

Ink Colors:
Old Olive
Pretty In Pink

Notice how the ink and the colors of paper aren't the same. Once again this shows you how well Stampin' Up!s colors work together! 

Happy Stampin'!

Heart Paper Wreath

So the first paper wreath I made was following a tutorial. I decided that I wanted to change it up to make it my own. So here is what I did. I drew out a heart and used the same leaf pattern but stapled them onto the heart backing.

Here is the end result of the Heart Wreath. Sadly this was made using retired paper because I had started it a while ago and just never gotten around to finishing it. Either way it works well with the decor in my home, and is perfect for Valentine's Day! 



Now I need to come up with something fresh and springy/summery. You'll just have to wait and see what that design is.. I'm not giving any hints out :)

Once again if you would like the pattern for the leaf just send me an email, using the "email me" link in my side bar. Or drop me a comment with a way to contact you.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Paying it Forward Post Comments

For those of you who replied to my Paying it Forward post in January, can you please contact me by using the "email" clicky in my side bar. I'll be needing your info so I can send you your little item :)

I'm so excited about this and hope that you all are too.

So here are the following people I need the info from. So if that's you make sure you let me know!


  1. amanda
  2. Rachael Farris
  3. Elaine

MDS Downloads Day

Like every Tuesday there are new downloads available, so make sure you check them out. For those of you who are interested make sure you also download your free trial of My Digital Studio so you can try it out before the end of this month! Reminder: Downloads also work with other digital programs so remember even though you don't use MDS you can still purchase and use our downloads!

Check out the new downloads here: http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/MDS_Downloads_-_Feb_14.pdf

or for other downloads that are available go to the MDS webpage: http://mydigitalstudio.net/page/resources-1

If you have any questions let me know and I'll be happy to help you!

Monday, February 13, 2012

17 Random tips to help make your life easier

I found this online on another blog, and thought who wouldn't want to know these tips! 

1. Reheat Pizza
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier
Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove , set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

2. Easy Deviled Eggs
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier
Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing roughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

3. Expanding Frosting
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier
When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

4. Reheating Refrigerated Bread
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier
To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated , place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

5. Newspaper Weeds Away
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier
Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

6. Picking Up Broken Glass
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier
Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can’t see easily.

7. No More Mosquitoes
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier
Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

8. Squirrel Away!
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier
To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn’t hurt the plant and the squirrels won’t come near it.

9. Flexible Vacuum
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier
To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

10. Reducing Static Cling
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier
Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and — ta da! — static is gone.

11. Unsticky Measuring Cups
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don’t dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

12. Foggy Windshield?
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier
Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

13. Reopening Envelopes
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier
If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Voila! It unseals easily.

14. Smoother Legs With Conditioner
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier
Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It’s a lot cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It’s also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn’t like when you tried it in your hair…

15. Goodbye Fruit Flies
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier
To get rid of pesky fruit flies , take a small glass fill it 1/2″ with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid , mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

16. Get Rid of Ants
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it “home”, can’t digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains , but it works & you don’t have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

17. Info About Clothes Dryers
17 Tips To Make Your Life Easier

The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.) He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to the sink, ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material – I’m sure you know what your dryer’s lint filter looks like.

WELL…the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn’t go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that’s what burns out the heating unit. You can’t SEE the film , but it’s there. It’s wha t is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free – that nice fragrance too, you know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box, well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen This is also what causes dryer units to catch fire & potentially burn your house down with it! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (& to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out & wash it with hot soapy water & an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long!

How about that!?! Learn something new every day! I certainly didn’t know dryer sheets would do that. So, I thought I’d share!

Note: I went to my dryer & tested my screen by running water on it. The water ran through a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water & a nylon brush & I had it done in 30 seconds. Then when I rinsed it the water ran right thru the screen! There wasn’t any puddling at all! That repairman knew what he was talking about!

Saturday, February 04, 2012

Update on Baby

It has been a little while since I've done an update post on baby, and baby related things like my bump, so I thought maybe today I should! :) 

Baby has been super active the last week or so, definitely a very cool feeling! The way the movements feel have also started to change since baby doesn't have as much space to jab me anymore as he/she grows. Most of the time it isn't really hard kicks and punches anymore, but kind of a rolling movement as you feel the legs and arms moving, then little jabs. Obviously the jabs are much harder than they are when you first start feeling the baby move but still really cool! 

The fun part is watching my belly move as baby moves around! The draw back is baby thinks it's always play time.. last night was especially bad. It was 11 at night and I'm laying in bed ready to go to sleep and baby won't stop moving, and I mean baby was hyper or something. Baby had already been moving a lot all evening, and usually when I go to bed he/she will move some but then stop. Not really the case last night.. it was party time!! It was getting so bad that I didn't know how I was going to get to sleep with all the activity :) Finally I rolled over onto my other side, maybe baby got the hint.. I'm not sure but he/she was not longer quite as active and stopped pretty quick after that! At least something worked!

I've also been waking up to baby moving around most mornings. Sometimes as early as 5, other mornings it's 7ish, and sometimes it's around 6. When it's around 7 it's totally okay, but at 5 or 6 in the morning not always cool! :) That all being said feeling baby move is pretty special! 

So that is the baby part update.. now some on me! 

For the most part things are going pretty good. Recently I've also found out that I've had a gall bladder attack a few times. This is definitely not any fun and is super painful. I've also figured out that super greasy food seems to be what triggers it. Especially when I've had lots of cheese in my spaghetti like I did a few weeks ago! Within an hour I felt horrible, ended up puking etc. and then about 1/2 later it was better! So not cool but I guess it is what it is. Other than that my sciatic nerve has also been bothering me. I'm blaming that on our road trip at Christmas time because that's when it started. I've been wearing a pregnancy support belt to help with that, and seeing the chiropractor, getting massages as well as doing an exercise recommended by a physical therapist.. with a lot of walking for exercise. Between the combination of things it's gotten to be much better, but I still have flare ups that tend to be pretty painful! Other than that I honestly don't have any complaints. I love being pregnant.. in spite of the crazy 10+ weeks of morning sickness, and now this. It is what it is! :) 

Now for the bump picture! 


So this is my 29 week bump picture ~ I'm about 29.5 weeks now.

Thursday, February 02, 2012

My Digital Studio: Free Trial





Have you heard about our new FREE 30-day trial of My Digital Studio Express? It’s something to talk about! This ongoing offer gives people full access to the software, content, and professional print options for 30 days. Tell your friends that they can try it before they buy it!

We’re also Sale-A-Brating with two exclusive My Digital Studio CDs you can earn for FREE—both packed with digital bliss! The One Big Sale-A-Bration CD contains all the new Sale-A-Bration products in a digital format. It’s a must-have for any digital designer! The second CD—Piece of Cake—is perfect for any party. And who doesn’t love a party? We all need birthday cards, invitations, décor, and favors, and this CD has what you need to create endless party projects.

Celebrate your own digital designs by checking out our latest downloads here, and purchase your favorites through me! (And then earn the Sale-A-Bration CDs for FREE!)

 
If you are in the US you can do this by going through my website:
In Canada you will select me as your demonstrator when you set up your online shopping account. 

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask me! 

Happy Creating!

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

To Do List - February

So time to update my To-Do List again!

To Do:

- Sew Car Seat Cover
- Paint Crib - 1/2 done
- Paint baby room
- Finish Thanksgiving Frame - Decor
- Do a deep-cleaning job of the whole house
- Sort Fabric scraps
- Finish the Yellow Brick Road Quilt
- Finish the Jelly Roll quilt
- Sew quilt for pull out couch
- Clean out storage room downstairs-possibly add shelving for storage-1/3 done,waiting for shelving
- Sort through old swap cards
- crochet edging on burp cloths
- sew hospital gown
- sew valance for baby room.

Finished:
- Buy Fabric for Baby quilt
- Sew skirt