Anything But a Card @ UnstampaBelles

Well, it's a new month, and that means a new challenge at UnstampaBelles.  This month the challenge is Anything But a Card. Just remember - no stamps (unless they are sentiment stamps with less than four words) and it has to be papercrafting.

This is what I came up with.....

fridge magnets!  These are super easy, I made them using clear cheap-o stamping blocks. 

Now, I know it looks like I cut the paper the wrong size and it's sticking out the sides of the block. This is just a reflection, (the paper is glued to the back side) the paper is the same size as the block. Believe me, I tried different angles to take the photo so it didn't show this reflection but I had no luck whatsoever.  You'll just have to take my word for it. (And know that it cheeses me off that it looks like that!)

So, why not head on over to UnstampaBelles and enter the challenge. You have until April 30th to do so and you'll have a chance to win a great prize.

Colour Challenge @ Little Red Wagon

This week at



Joanne has decided to torture us give us a colour challenge with 57 a few colours for us to work with. (Kidding, Joanne. You know I luv ya!) Here's her pic....

My first card was an epic fail. So bad. This is what I did for Round 2.....

I know, I know. My one green is more on the teal side. And there's gray in there too. And a bit of blue. And you have to really look close to find the other shade of green. And it has nothing to do with strawberries. But, believe me when I tell you this....my first attempt had the exact right colours. Problem was I couldn't look at it without retching. So, this is the one I'm going with.

I'll bet you'll have a much easier time with Joanne's fab challenge. So, why not head on over to Little Red Wagon and enter? And be sure to check out the wonderful projects the other Girlfriends have done.

Two cards in one day......what???

Yeah, so after my last post in which I complained about the making of Easter cards, I managed to have time to finish up another Easter card. Makes me sound unnecessarily whiny, doesn't it? Hmmmm.....so maybe I better whine about something different then. So, here goes.....

First, a fact that you need to know about me to make this story, well, that much better, is that I have no luck. Well, maybe that's not exactly how to describe it, but that's probably the easiest. Let me give you a quickly explained example of what I mean. I never take naps. Not that I don't like 'em, I have a love for naps that would rival George Costanza's, (and if you watch that clip that's coincidentally exactly the type of thing I'm talking about) but I generally don't have the time for them. Last time I took a nap some workers came to fix some siding and a window on our house. You're probably thinking, so? Thing is that it needed to be fixed for FOUR YEARS and they finally came and it was on the one day that I decided to take a nap on my bed which is directly beside the window they were fixing. That's the kind of "no luck" I have.

So, yesterday I was at the grocery store, in at the express checkout 'cause I was just grabbing a few things, not really paying any attention to anything when I suddenly clued in to what was going on in front of me. The lady there was telling the cashier that she forgot her bank card and needed to run out to her car to get it. I looked at the one item she was buying, a single serving of fruit salad, price tag $3.06, and made a split decision. You've probably heard of the whole "pay-it-forward (or backwards, I guess) that happens at Tim Hortons when people pay for the person behind them's order...well it's something I've always wanted to do 'cause I think it's a really neat idea but never have, mostly because of the whole no luck thing. I figured if I ever tried it I'd get told that their order cost was like, $15.00 and I'd be stuck going...."ummmmm....maybe not??" and feeling foolish. But this I could do! The price was right there. So, I said, "Oh, you don't need to run out to get your card! I'll pay for that for you."

I was feeling pretty good about myself and I was already thinking about how I could use this as a jumping off point to talk about kindness and generosity with my kids but the lady and cashier both took this really long pause. Then the lady, while thanking me profusely, explained that she needed her card because she wanted to do a cash back transaction so she had to go get it anyway. We did a round of, "Are you sure? I don't mind." and "Yes, but thank you so much anyway." and off she went.

So, I'm standing there, and I notice that the cashier isn't ringing in my purchases. That's when I suddenly realize what's going on and say, "So, do we have to wait until she comes back??" The cashier sheepishly tells me, "yes". And I say, "You know what, I'm going to pay for it anyway, just ring it in all together." There's another hesitant pause and the cashier says, "She needs to purchase something to be able to do a cash back transaction. So she really needs to buy this."

At this point I laughed (a little manically, I'll admit) and announced (and I'm betting it was unintentionally louder than necessary), "I'm just trying to do something nice for someone and no one will let me!" After that declaration the cashier took pity on me (or maybe she was just afraid I was losing it and just might open the package of cotton balls that I was trying to buy and start chucking them at her) and called someone from the front office to come and cancel the fruit salad off her till so she could put through my stuff. Of course that got done about two seconds before Fruit Salad Lady got back.

*sigh* 

Omg, this is just too funny.  I was googling "Pay It Forward" 'cause I was trying to come up with something pithy for the end of my story when I came across this.  Look at the date.  I wonder if I contact them if they would add a "I tried.  Really I did." little speech balloon to their fancy mappy thing, just for me.

Man, that's two long-winded posts in a row! My regular readers (and one or two I have, *waving* hey, ladies) are going to revolt if I keep this up.

And, finally, here's the so-long-ago aforementioned card......

Digi is from Saturated Canary.

For:

Saturated Canary:  text
Sweet Sunday Sketch:  sketch
Kaboodle Doodles:  anything with frills
Creatalicious:  lovely Easter
Craft Your Passion:  ribbon or lace
Artistic Inspiration:  use some metal
Aud Sentiments:  for a girl
Paper-Crafting Journey:  ribbon or lace

Easter, Easter, Easter Cards

No, I'm not showing three Easter cards today as the title might suggest. I'm expressing some  frustration about how many Easter cards I've made/need to make.

I love making cards, of course. But, the same theme over and over again.....and it's not like Easter is like Christmas and there's an absolute plethora of Easter supplies out there. And actual Easter patterned paper? Ha, that's almost impossible.

Geez, I sound grumpy, don't I? (Okay, sidebar for a minute. Is it just me or does everyone else out there not type an apostrophe when on their computer and have to go back and add it? If my phone and my iPad can very politely add that apostrophe for me every time without me asking, why can't my computer?  Sidebar over.) Maybe 'cause my plan to reduce the number of cards I need to make totally backfired.

The reason I need to make all these cards (and by "all these" I mean like 12 - 15 depending on how much crafting time I end up getting before the bunny comes a-hopping) is because my mother requests a bunch. And, some of them are for my kids. Now, one might think that if I make cards to give to my mother to give to my kids that that would also constitute as me giving my kids a card, and therefore I would not have to make them a card from me. (With me so far?) But, awhile back when I told my kids that I wouldn't be making them cards since they were getting my cards from Grandma the hue and cry and super sad faces from my youngest two and the caring but heart-tugging statement from my oldest ("That's okay, Mommy. I understand that you don't have time to make us cards.") made me bust my crafting butt to make a double set of cards for them ever since.

In my effort to inspire myself to make yet another Easter card, I was perusing the Silhouette online store when I came across an adorable bunny treat bag holder. (If you want to have a gander about what I'm talking about, Joanne, one of my Little Red Wagon girlfriends, coincidentally made the very project for our LRW challenge this week. You can check it out her fabulous project here. But don't ask if you can join her for supper. She's already hosting a bunch of us. ;-) ) So, I sent my mother a link and asked if she'd rather have these instead of a card. And this was the conversation the next time I saw her.

Me: Did you get that email with the idea I had about the bunny treat bag thing rather than a card?
Her: Yes.
Me: Well, what did you think?
Her: It's really cute.
Me: Well, did you want me to make them?
Her: Sure.
Me: (mentally making the bunny holders, deciding of different papers, etc.)
Her: But can I have the cards too? That way I can give them both.
Me: (.......well, picture a person imitating a rapidly deflating balloon)

I know some of you are probably thinking I could just say something to my mother about the whole situation.....but truth be told, I have a unique way of dealing with my mother that has been carefully orchestrated and painstakingly tweaked over years to make our relationship doable. (Doable on my end anyway. If you asked her I'm sure she'd tell you we have a great relationship. Yep, like I said, carefully orchestrated and painstakingly tweaked.) Quite frankly, it'll be easier on me if I just make both.

So, that's the incredibly long explanation of why I'm tired of Easter cards. If you stuck with it all, well, thanks.  I figured it's my blog, I'll rant a bit of I want to.  :-)

Okay, so here's the latest card.......

Not exactly Easter, but it does have a bunny on it so close enough in my book. Digi is from From the Heart and the sentiment is a freebie from BrossArt Addiction.

(Anyone else having difficulty taking good photos these day?  I dunno, the lighting hasn't been the best lately, I'm thinking.)

For:

Sweet Stop Sketches:  sketch + springtime
{PIN}spirational Challenges:  inspiration picture
Oldie But A Goodie:  Easter + old supplies -all the flowers and the bling
Papertake Weekly:  Easter treats
Scrap-Creations:  fave embellishment - definitely pearls/bling
Anything Challenge:  double it up - double mats on the image and sentiment, two pearls
Celebrate the Occasion:  Happy Easter
Crafty Sentiments:  flowers galore
Creative Craft 2:  for the kids
Simon Says Stamp:  Easter/spring
365 Cards:  Day 79 - sunshine
Creative Moments:  animals
Cutie Pie:  Easter
Forever Friends:  lots of flowers
Love To Create:  anything goes
MelonHeadz Friends:  Easter/spring
The Pink Elephant:  Easter
Sweet Stampin':  Easter
Simply Create Too:  Easter or bunnies
My Time To Craft:  bunnies
One Crazy Stamper:  anything goes
2 Sisters:  flowers for spring
A Gem of a Challenge:  Easter/spring
My Sheri Crafts:  Easter
ABC Challenge:  J for Just As You Like It
Catered Crop:  flower power
Sentimental Sundays:  anything goes
Creative Creations:  the letter "B" - bunny, brown
Card Mania:  lots of layers
Crafty Boots:  flowers

Easter @ Little Red Wagon

This week at



it's Jayne's very first time to host! (Oh yeah, guess I should let you guys know that we had some changes happen at Little Red Wagon. Due to the commitments of life, Dee had to step down. But look, she needed two people to replace her. ;-) We're happily welcoming Carolyn and Jayne. Their links are on the right if you want to check out their wonderful blogs.)

And, what the challenge this week? Well, it's Easter. We want to see your Easter projects.

This is what I did.....

Digi is from A Day For Daisies.

So, why not head on over to Little Red Wagon and enter the challenge? And be sure to check out the fabulous projects the other Girlfriends have done.

Halfway Inspiration @ UnstampaBelles

It's a new month which means a new challenge at UnstampaBelles.  This month the challenge is to use quilling. So, get rolling those strips. Just remember - no stamps (unless they are sentiment stamps with less than four words).

This is what I came up with.....

...some quilled fridge magnets.

(Okay, Firefox Spell Check. Quilling is so a word. Quilled too. So stop underlining them with your squiggly red pen.)

So, why don't you shove those stamps aside for just one card and enter the "Quilling" challenge at UnstampaBelles. You have until the end of the month to do so and you'll have a chance to win a great prize.

Feature a Window Die or Image

This week at



the challenge is to feature a window die or image. I turned to my trusty Silhouette for this one and this is what I came up with......

Well, it actually didn't start out as a Christmas card but that's how it ended up.

So, why not head on over to Little Red Wagon and enter the challenge? And be sure to check out the fabulous projects the other Girlfriends have done.

Make a Shaped Card @ Little Red Wagon

This week at



the challenge is to make a shaped card. I love making non-rectangle/square cards. Problem is that I forget that I love them and just go with the same boring old rectangle so often. But, this one isn't your standard rectangle, of course. Now, I have a question for you before I share this card.....

What's better than googly eyes?

Using two different sizes of googly eyes, that's what's better than googly eyes!

I think this card is all kinds of cute, (and I feel I can say that without sounding braggy since all I did was cut it out with my Silhouette and assemble it, not much creativeness was added by me).  So I was showing it off to my kids.  And this is how the conversation with my almost eight year old dd went.

Me:  Look at what I made, isn't it cute?
Her:  Awwww, it's sooooo cute!  (Yep, they're well trained to oooh and ahhhh over my cards.)
Me:  And the googly eyes, aren't they awesome?
Her:  Yes!  The bear's got a stink eye.
Me:  Stink eye?  What do you mean?
Her:  One eye's bigger than the other.  That's a stink eye.
Me:  Hm.  Oh, okay.
Her:  Yep, he's got a stink paw too.

*snicker*  Well, hopefully you guys don't think it stinks.

So, why not head on over to Little Red Wagon and enter the challenge? And be sure to check out the fabulous projects the other Girlfriends have done.

Quilling @ UnstampaBelles

Well, it's March now, a little bit closer to spring, and that means a new challenge at UnstampaBelles.  This month the challenge is quilling.  Just remember - no stamps (unless they are sentiment stamps with less than four words).

For me it's just like starting over. Back in the fall of 2009 I was flipping through our small town's Fall Fair entry book. I came across a heading in the Crafts category - an article of quilling. My thought was, "Just what the heck is quilling?" A quick Google search and I was hooked. I made the leap from quilling to cardmaking shortly thereafter, and I must admit, I don't really do any quilling at all now. But, when I pulled out my supplies to make this card, I realized that I do indeed still enjoy it.

Anyhoo, here's the card.....

Those are some old supplies, right there. Quilling strips and bought-like-that card base date back to late 2009 or early 2010.

So, why don't you give quilling a go? You never know, you might love it! And when you've finished your creation head on over to UnstampaBelles and enter the challenge. You have until March 31st to do so and you'll have a chance to win a great prize.

Also for:

Deep Ocean:  for a boy
C.R.A.F.T.:  embossing
Addicted to CAS:  masculine
My Time to Craft:  embossing
Cupcake Inspirations:  choose a past inspirational cupcake - I choose # 100
Here Come the Boys:  no stamps allowed
That Craft Place:  anything goes

i Hop

Well, I generally don't, but I'm sure this bunny does.

Though his potted sign might be impeding him somewhat, I'm guessing.

For:

Deep Ocean:  for a boy
Used It Tuesday:  uninked stamp - Yep, it's actually a stamp, not a digi.  And, it's never before seen ink.
Die Cutting Divas:  tic tac toe - gems, three patterned papers, stitching
613 Avenue:  anything goes
Addicted to Stamps:  use kraft
My Craft Spot:  pop it up (It might be hard to see...the whole panel is popped up, as well as the sentiment panel.)
Love to Create:  string, twine or fibers
4 Crafty Chicks:  You got me in stitches.
Aud Sentiments:  Easter
Craft Us Crazy:  anything goes
Crafting for All Seasons:  dies & punches
Crafts and Me:  dies or punches
Divas By Design:  anything goes
Simon Says Stamp:  anything goes