More samples..

Finished a few more samples for the TAC catty but can't share em yet!! I didn't get to ATS mini pizza box challenge- but, I will definitely do it tonight.. while watching scary movies, muahahaha!!

Quick update

I don't have anything to share today but the fact that it has been a long week, Nate is getting sick with sinusitis again, adnoids are out on Tuesday, and I plan to do the ATS pizza box challenge tomorrow! I've been exercising every night so it takes away from stamping time!

Oh, I also got an email that my submissions were received. YAY!!

Crafty Sunday

Wow did I get a LOT done today! Unfortunately, I can't share them all with you :( I made 14 items and 11 of them are for the TAC Catalog Design Call. I am desperately hoping that at least one of my cards makes it to the catty! I am proud of my work.

I did make 2 other items that I can share. The first is for a TAC swap using our fall supplement stamps Artsy Owls and Owl words. I colored using Kohrinor pencils and OMS. Paper is from TAC Mimi SWIC.

This second card is using scraps from my table! This was left over from the ATS DT challenge from Wed. I used one of the cuttlebug fall release embossing folders on the background. The image is one of my faves- from the very first CC Designs set I ever bought, Wintertime fun. I love this set! I can't wait to see what Christine and the other gals at ATS have for the holidays!

Well, this is a busy week at work and then next Monday, we have a professional development day. Tuesday is a very dreaded day. Not only is it election day which means impossibly long lines, but Nate has to get his adnoids out :( I'm so nervous. This is much more invasive than ear tubes and the ear tubes kinda triggered severe sensory issues (ie. spinning, more rocking). I just hope it doesn't hurt too bad and it helps his sleep issues that have started since the fall!!

Hugs to everyone! I am eagerly awaiting the weekend and crossing my fingers as the new CC Designs design team members will be announced.. eek!!

Boo-hoo Boo Bash

Well today was the boo bash. It went well.. except that Nate fell asleep and slept through almost all of it! As a result, I have NO pics of him and the kids! I do have some cute pics of him and the fam though :)

Some of the kiddos enjoying decorating gluten free sugar cookies!

Nate and I.. go figure the best pic of me isn't the best of him :)



Swamp Cider. I love these Martha Stewart labels- I put it on sparkling pear juice.

Hard to see but a glittery trick or treat sign by K and Company.

Nate's piratey pumpkin.

Nate the night before practicing to be a pirate. I got the hat at the dollar tree!

All in all a good day! I hope to have some creative items to share with you tomorrow :)

Countdown to Boo Bash..

Only 2 days until Nate's inaugeral Boo Bash. I plan on doing this for years to come.. until he can understand that trick or treating is to get candy and he can do it even if he can't eat any of the candy. Oy, food allergies. Anyway, I got the goody bags done (with all NON-edible food!). I, like many people, fell in love with the martha stewart witch goody bags. Here are all six on my table with my "centerpiece". The tree is from a centerpiece kit by K and Company that I got on clearance at M's today!



I also got that cute wagon at M's today for $2. Great find.. in the future, I will fill it with either small gourds, etc. or fall flowers.

I will be making little place setting tags for the kiddos.. definitely going to use CC Designs Spooky, Spooky Spooky sets found at http://www.allthatscraps.com/. I love this set- it's spooky but still adorable, perfect for toddler/younger kids. I was going to put some images on tags for the goodie bags but I am definitely running out of time! I still need to make a pin the tail on the black cat or put the face on the jackolantern game. Unfortunately we're scheduled for rain Saturday so it looks as if most festivities will be in doors or on the car port.

I will post tomorrow with some more pics of boo bash preparations and will definitely post party pics soon!

ATS DT #23: Olivia's Snow Day

I think this is the first time I've ever gotten to play the challenge ON challenge day. How cool is that?! ATS is having a design team call and I was eager to get going and make something to hopefully WOW all the amazing ladies with ATS. This week was a color challenge for Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive and Sahara Sand. I only had Old Olive so I had to use an alternate for the burgundy and river rock for sahara sand. Anyway, here is what I came up with. It took me awhile but I think it was worth the wait :)

Here is an upclose image of the tree and snowman. I used decoart snow writer *ATS is carrying it!* and some liquid applique. I put a little liquid applique on the snowman and also Olivia's pajama feetsies because those one piece pjs always have the plastic bumps for traction! :)

I also came across this card I made awhile ago and forgot to post! This card uses a retired TAC set and I dared to use some untraditional Christmas/Holiday colors. I had forgotten all about it but I love this card.. the sentiment is so right for this sassy snow girl!

Well, we're almost at the end of the week! Nate's boo bash is on Saturday and I will be sure and post about it this weekend and have some pics for you. I will have more creative things soon too!

Hugs and keep your fingers crossed for me and the DT call :)

It's a sunny day..

I am actually feeling MUCH better finally. I am still coughing some, and congested a little but after a scare on Thursday at work (wasn't breathing well), I went back to the Drs and they said I had bronchitis. They gave me an inhaler because my peak levels were low. However, I have a shrunken lung on the left side due to Lupus so I don't know if my peak levels were lower because of that or the bronchitis or both. Anyway, all in all, finally getting over this awful virus/infection.



So, since Fall seems to have hit here in Central Virginia FINALLY, we took Nate outside to get some pics. 72 pictures later, here are a couple of my favorites:

Nate sitting in the Wagon by his pumpkins.. he would barely sit still today!

Smiling in the Wagon..

Running Like a Madman

Stopping to stare at the camera

Standing near the pumpkins

During this whole time, Nate talked nonstop.. he was so happy to be outside. He also tried desperately to rid our yard of leaves lol and put them in our neighbor's yard (sorry Mark and Beth!!). It's amazing how much growth he's made. While he is still behind, he continues to be more alert, vocal, and happy each day. Well, until he gets his adnoids out on election day... yes, we're getting that done. It will be a rough week I'm sure but well worth it if we can stay healthier and with less sinus infections!!

Hope everyone has a great week and hope to have more to share soon!!

ATS DT Challenge- 22- A Gift for You and High Hopes Stamps

This ATS design team challenge this week was to use ribbon. I have to say, I LOVE ribbon but I am not the best bow tier. I spent awhile online looking at tutorials. My new ATS sugarplums' Olivia and Chris came in on Tuesday so I had to use at least one of them on this challenge. Here is what I came up with:

This card really looks MUCH better in person. It looks like an actual present, which is what I was going for, and Olivia pops out (on dimensionals). Text stamps from Trendy Holiday Tags by TAC. The paper is from Daisy D's and is also more vivid IRL. I thought it was a great way to use the ribbon though...

I also ordered a couple of High Hopes Stamps. They have the cutest animal images! I ordered some dragon stamps because Nate's new bigboy bedroom is done in Dragons- reading, brushing teeth, etc. Here is a sample card made with my new stamp:

The coloring turned out great if I do say so myself :) I used Kohrinor colored pencils and OMS, and niji pearlescent watercolors on his wings and belly. I used my white gel pen to highlight his spikes and nails. This guy is just too cute!

I created 3 more things today but unfortunately, I can't post em. 2 are for Wingers projects and 1 is for the TAC design call. I am going to try and make one card/object a day for the next week to send to the TAC catalogue submission call. I hope to get something published.. esp. since it means FREE STAMPS!!

Another sick day...

Well, I stayed home again today. This virus turned sinus infection has been brutal. Sam, Nate and I have all been sick- Nate probably the one with the most energy which means Sam and I are exhausted :) We've managed to get him outside everyday though.
I did get to create some today, but not a whole lot. Nothing I can share yet- it's for a swap at paperwings. I am using the new TAC Artsy Owls and What a Hoot sets... they're gorgeous!
Well, back to work tomorrow.

Things to do this week:

1. plan with other teachers/myself for the next 2 weeks
2. stay until 7:30 on Wednesday night for Parent/Teacher Conferences
3. Watch the debate on Wednesday- or atleast part of it! Nothing is more infuriating than mudslinging from either side.
4. Send out invites to Nate's party
5. Go to the pumpkin patch
6. Finish swaps
7. Work on Winger Projects

Wow- that's a lot of stuff to do, isn't it? Well, here's to a great week! I am enjoying watching horror movies and gearing up for Halloween. I am also expecting an order from ATS- some shimmer watercolors, the new Christopher and Olivia Stamps, and a velvet puff pen :)

Nate play day and my clean craft space!

Nate in Grammy's Car, Chillin..

Well, my Mom came over and brought my nieces, Sadie and Maddie, and my cousin Taylor to play with Nate. Maddie and Taylor were down for the weekend visiting. Nate had fun playing outside (as usually). He spends at least 1-2 hrs each day outside just running around, picking up leaves from the driveway and throwing them in the grass. He is a nature buff already!

Nate being pulled by his cousin Taylor with Maddie behind him.
Nate being pulled by Maddie.

Nate hanging out on his play gym.

Nate enjoyed himself.. and showed his Redskin Pride! :) I also finished organizing my craft space yesterday and wanted to share some pics of it with you!

This is the view when you come down the basement stairs. I work primarily at the easel table and se the long table as well.

This is my new embelishment center and cd/stamp storage. I put my punches all across the top. Now that I cleaned up, I definitely feel more creative!

Hope you enjoy a peak into my life... we're busy all the time but I am so glad to have my crafting and my very happy son!! :) (and hubby and family too!)

ATS DT #21 Boo Bag and Nate's Boo Bash

Well, one of the challenges on the All That Scraps DT blog was to create a treat box/bag for halloween. I had these templates I'd never used that I bought from Target last Christmas so I pulled them out. I used a magnetic enclosure, by basic grey.

Trick or Treat Boo Bag- Stamps from Spooky, Spooky, Spooky and Sugarplum's Halloween by CC Designs; Bazzill Purple and Orange Cardstock, DP by EK Success; Palette Noir Ink; Black Stickles; 1" Circle Punch

You can see this is a cute little bag- you can easily fit 2 or 3 mini size candy bars inside! I will be making these for Nate's Halloween Boo Bash! Since, as you may know, Nate is on the Autism Spectrum, we do a gluten, casein, corn, soy free diet. This means that trick or treating is out- he can't eat anything and he isn't old enough to understand why. Therefore, we're having a party with some of his friends- a Boo Bash! Everyone will dress up and enjoy some gfcfsfcf goodies including Rice Caramel Pears, GFCF Hot Dogs and Tater Tots, and gfcf "ice cream". I think Nate will like it :) We'll make some crafts, dress up (Nate will be a pirate this year!), and maybe watch the Halloween Episodes of the Backyardigans :)

To invite everyone to this party on October 25, I made these invitations using CC Designs Spooky, Spooky, Spooky and Sugarplum's Halloween sets!

I use scared Lucky on the invitations for the littlest invitees and Sugarplum images for my older invites. Paper is retired from TAC (I miss it!), and the boo bash on the inside is also from a retired TAC set. You're Invited circle from CTMH, and Boil Bubble... stamp is from the $1 bin at Michaels. I used my MS corner punch to add a little more spookiness!

I'll share more decorations as we get closer. Right now, all three of us are still sick!

ATS DT Challenge 20- Whoo's 2!

I loved the sketch for this challenge. The ATS design team always keeps you on your toes! Anyway, my neighbor, Miss Megan, turned 2 today! I had to make a cutie patootie card since she is a cutie patootie! I hadn't inked this stamp set from Pink Cat Designs yet (you can purchase at ATS!) so now was the perfect time!

Whoo's 2

This was an A2 sized card that I turned into a bigger card because I ran out of a2 envelopes. I glittered up a plastic 2 from Heidi Grace Designs and used bazzill cardstock. Designer Paper is by K and Company Berry Sweet. I topped it off from a prima and some "dew drops". I hope Miss Megan likes it!

Sandpaper in my throat...

Ugh. I hate sinuses. Lynchburg has some of the worst pollen and ragweed counts. It's no wonder Nate needs his adnoids out. My throat feels like sandpaper. I've been eating cough drops to keep my sanity. My nose is stuffy now too...

Anyway, the new long on my blog has invigorated me! I'm excited, it's so beautiful! I also got 2 more gig of RAM for my laptop so it's like having a new computer too! It feels like Christmas :)

Nothing created today, but I forgot to post this card I sent to my niece who got a 100 on a test in her second grade class!

You're a Star!

Stamp is by CC Designs- Olivia's Birdies; Paper- Bazzill cardstock, The Grade School Pack by Die Cut with a View (including the A+ and You're a Star images!"

Miss Olivia is one of my favorite stamps. Her and her friend, Chris are just too cute. They remind me of Magnolia stamps but, I like her better. Christine at CC Designs draws some of the cutest images! Olivia was colored with prismacolor markers. Her shirt was paper pieced with Bazzill cardstock and her pants were paper pieced with paper from the stack. I love the paper stack.. some gorgeous school themed paper which suits me fine considering I teach :)

I have some stamp sets I desperately need to use including the Artsy Owl set from the new TAC fall supplement, and a couple of retired sets I purchased. I've also got the new Olivia and Christopher stamps coming from CC Designs, and a couple dragon's from High Hopes. I've been spending too much :(

I will share more with you soon, including updates to my crafting area!

Do you like?!

My great friend Holly who is a fantabulous artist made my new background and header for me. This is so me.. I love earthtones, sages, creams... it's awesome!!! THANKS HOLLY!! I will post a link to her blog later.

I will definitely post some crafting stuff this weekend. I am sick, Sam's sick and Nate's sick. All sinus/throat icky stuff. Nate will be getting his adnoids out soon too :( So we're in a busy place.

On top of all this, EI has cut services almost completely from being in the home. Plus, if you don't have insurance, you'd have to pay out of pocket for services. We're having a hard time advocated cause out of 200 families, only 3 are trying to pull together. These are tough times...

Hugs to all!