a new road bike!

Look what just came in the mail today (yes it really came in the mail): Now, my road bike has clipless petals (and that's actually weird because you clip in and out of them). Basically your shoe is attached to your petal by a little piece on the botton of your shoe. Now normally to learn how to clip in and out you tend to fall over. I've been dreading fall over on my bike for awhile now. Actually here's my husband's post on his first trip on his new bike. I laugh every time I read it!
For my first time out I was determined not to fall over, and if I was going to fall over, I was going to do it in the grass! But actually I did just fine clipping out. What I did not do well with was carrying my bike upstairs for Chase to work on it some more. Note to self, never carry your bike backwards. I stabbed my knee with my gears. Let me tell you it hurt (you can see my stab wounds).
Hopefully that is still better than falling off my bike! I can't wait to really ride!

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge 2

Did anyone else get like 600 catalogs in the mail today? I felt like my mailbox exploded today!

In other news, I participated in Dawn's color challenge this week, check out these colors:I love these colors! However, I think my creativity was a little slack. I was planning on sending this thank you card to Stace at PaperCrafts for my fabulous tree. But now that I'm finished I'm not sure. Stamps: Life, Damask Designs
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Stamper's Select White, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip
Ribbon: American Crafts
Button: Basic Grey

Thanks for stopping by!

a boy card.

Well, not a boy... a "man" card. I've always thought I hated making masculine cards, but lately it has not been as hard. It could also be that I'm hooked on hemp and all thinks rustic. Who knows.

This card has a lot of dimension. I think I'm starting to think of my style as very 3D. I'm loving texture and dimension on my cards these days. Now that does make for expensive postage and sometimes a struggle to get the card in the envelope.Also, can I just say that this tree stamp, stamps out so well. It is so clean and crisp when stamped. I know I've had some that just aren't that way.

Stamps: Father Knows Best, Guidelines
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Ink: VersaMark, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive
Hemp: Crafts Etc.
Buttons: Basic Grey

One other thing I'm loving right now, is tying the ribbon and then adhering the tied side so the ends stick out. Thanks for stopping by!

Kwerner Color Inspiration #47

It's that time of the week again- another Kwerner color challenge. I actually loved this colors! Plus, since there were really two neutrals my mind could really wrap itself around this color challenge. It's so nice when it comes easy.

Here were the colors (click the image to see the rest of the entries):
I actually love this card. I've been feeling like that with a lot of cards lately, but I just really like this one. I'm planning on giving it away tonight when we celebrate family birthdays. However, I think I want to make another one (weird huh?).


Size: 5.25x5.25 (it doesn't look that way in the picture)
Stamps: Damask Designs; Father Knows Best
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip; So Safrom; Whisper White
Ink: So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie; White Craft
Ribbon: American Crafts (I don't really like this ribbon, but I love it paired with the damask, something about the contrast of styles works for me... what do you think?)
Buttons: Brown one is Basic Grey; White one is a random one from Joann's


Ah, and my project from last night. I actually made a light box. I've been wanting one for awhile, but I just want so many other things before that! So after reading this post... I decided I could do it. The only suggestion I have to add to the directions, is to cut the corner pieces by four inches and fold in half. My box didn't have nice corners, so it was hard to keep it really clean and pretty. I do need to get a 90 watt bulb, but for right now I'm pretty happy with it. Not to bad for $6.

working on a project (and watching Twighlight)

Any guesses on my project for the night?
Check back tomorrow to see my progress (and what I'm working on). And now back to the movie...

Papertrey Blog Hop!

This is actually my first blog hop ever! I just loved the challenge so much that I got started this weekend.

Here was the challenge:

Background building sets have rapidly become one of Papertrey's signature traits. For this month's Blog Hop, we want to see all of your very best backgrounds. They can be multi-colored or monochromatic. Simple or elegantly detailed. They can be created with a set originated for that purpose or a reinvention of images that were not. Be sure to include a separate photo of your completed background BEFORE you add it to your project so we can see it in all its glory!

I've actually been thinking for awhile that the tree portion of Father Knows Best would make a cool background. If you're not familiar with the stamp set here is the set. I basically started with the tree portion, and then went back in with the two single leaves to fill in. If you look closely you can tell where I filled in. I actually like the varied look this gives:I will say when I began this card I wanted to use the outlined tree leaves and colors them to give the impression of Easter eggs. However, there aren't smaller outline leaves to complete the paper, so I ended up with this. It's more my style anyway, but I think the other would have been pretty neat. Here's the finished product: Apparently I'm stuck using Friend's 'Til The End. I'm going to need an intervention soon. I did add some glitter to the scallop edge and a nice vintage black Papertrey Ink button.
Stamps: Father Know Best, Friends 'Til The End
Ink: White, VersaMagic Black, VersaMark
Cardstock: Kraft, Raspberry Fizz, Stamper's Select White
Ribbon: Papertrey Ink True Black
Embossing Powder: White
Stampin' Up Black Writer

Thanks for stopping by!

an exciting day.

Well, two pretty exciting things happened today.

First of all I was selected as honorable mention over on Nichole Heady's blog. Just to be able to read her thoughts on my card was such an honor! Papertrey Ink has been my favorite stamp company for awhile, and seriously they never disappoint!

The second thing is, I won a tree! Yep, that's right a tree. Stace Hasegawa the art director from PaperCrafts magazine gave away one of her hand made tress from the magazine. Here's her original post. I didn't exactly know what it would look like in real life, but it is so cute... check it out!
I'm planning on sending Stace a thank you card, but man is the presure on. I can't just send any thank you card to a girl that can make a tree out of paper!

ah... so pretty.

Is this not the prettiest paper you've ever seen? I do generally love everything Basic Grey, but I'm not a pink girl, well at least not pale pink. However, how can you not love this.Did you notice the cut at the top? The sentiment is actually inside the card. Basically I used my circle cutter to cut a half circle in my card base. Since I am crazy about this paper, I wanted to show off as much of it as possible.

In other news Chase and I are going to get sized for road bikes today! I can't wait. I've always wanted a road bike (that's weird huh). I don't know why I've always wanted one, but something about it just seems so fun.

Stamps: Damask Designs
Ink: Pretty In Pink
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Whisper white
Ribbon: Pretty in Pink
Button: Basic Grey

craft night with the girls.

Friday night was so much fun hanging out with some craft girls over at my friend Kelley's house. First of all can I just say Kelley is soooo organized. I've known this for awhile but we got to experience her photo organization system- so organized. K- thanks for hosting, you were awesome.

My mom, Emily and I worked on making baskets from Lauren Meader's Timeless Template. I feel like I'm pretty good at most crafty things, but this wasn't the easiest thing to get together for the first time. Emily and my mom just kept saying, "I don't know about this." The did turn out pretty cute, but after three hours we were only able to cut everything for 10 baskets and make one. Here it is:
Here is a picture Kelley, Emily, and I from Friday (check out those albums and photo storage in the background). I would show the other pictures of my mom, Allison, Emily and I, but well I look awful. My bangs were all messed up! GIRLS- why didn't you tell me? :) Actually they still are in this picture - oh well. Oh and check out my paint jacket - nice huh?

rasberry suite color challenge

What a day! First of all Chase is back in town, and well we have never mowed our grass. Since we didn't buy it until October it was cold enough not to have to mow. And well, it was looking pretty bad, especially since all of our neighbors decided to mow last weekend. So today, Chase and I invested in our very first push mower. Growing up on a farm the only mower we had was an enormous riding mower, so pushing was an experience. Um... yea that's a work out.

On the crafty side of things I participated in Dawn McVey's first color challenge. First of all, I love her blog, so if you're a stamper check it out. Here were the colors she picked out for the first challenge:
Here is my take on the colors:

Stamps: Friends 'Til The End
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Craft White
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Rasberry Fizz, White
Accessories: Glitter, Pumpkin Ribbon, Diamond Stickles, Fiskars Threading Water Punnch
Thanks for stopping by!

here it is...

Yes, you're right that light fixture is off center, but I promise it's going to change soon. But look at that rug! I'm liking it so much with the gray walls. This will also look way better when I get the matching bamboo blinds and curtains that are in the living room.

Well, I'm off to go stamp with Emily, my mom, Kelley, and Allison. It should be a fun night. I think my mom, Emily and I are going to be working on some baskets by Lauren Meader! Oh wait my printer just decided to crash.... oh my luck.

Thanks for stopping by.

Kwerner Color Inspiration #46

Wow... I'm up late. Yea that's right 10:00 is late for me. I was able to finish up the painting tonight! I am loving how it looks! I can't wait to get blinds and curtains. I'll post pictures tomorrow.

I did make this card while I was watching basketball. I'm pretty sure my bracket is already busted, but I'm loving pulling for Western Kentucky. I love the little teams.

So here was the Kristina's color challenge:
I had some trouble taking this picture. There is just a lot of shine on this card. I used Life by Papertrey Ink, and I can already tell I'm going to love this set. Just the "Life" stamp is so fun.

Stamps: Life
Die Cut: Birds and Blooms
Paper: Black, Riding Hood Red, B. Blue, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose
Ink: Pretty In Pink; Black Stazon; VersaMark
Accessories: Black Vintage Buttons from PTI, Ribbon, Black Rhinestone, Clear Embossing Powder, Holographic Embossing Powder

Only one more day until my man gets back from Birminham. It seems like he's been gone forever!

say goodbye to yellow

I've started to work on my breakfast nook area. It was kind of just blah. I've known for awhile that I hated the color I had picked, so with some help from Layla over at the Lettered Cottage I decide to paint the breakfast nook the same color as the rest of my living room.

Chase is out of town, and since he is really opposed to painting, I decided to get it done! Check out my progress:I'm going to finish up tomorrow, and get everything set back up. I know I can't wait to see it!

Thanks for stopping by!

celebrate!

This card was inspired by Mish Wooderson and I believe she was inspired by a card in the latest Stampin' Up! catalog.It's hard to tell but the scallop strip is covered in glitter, and the black dots are actually rhinestones. It's way more glam in person. Stamps: Damask Designs
Ink: VersaMagic Midnight Magic, VersaMark
Cardstock: White, True Black, Ocean Tides (might be my new favorite color)
Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Oval Scallop Nestabilies, Glitter

Thanks for stopping by!

getting organized.

I purchased my first cardstock from Papertrey Ink last month. I got a sampler pack of all the 2008 colors. There was 3-4 sheet of each color, and I was able to go ahead and organize a file folder for each color. Don't you just love when things are organized? Check it out:Can you hear my heart beat faster! I know it's weird how much I love organization. Plus this really nice, large file cabinet fits right into the closet! Now granted the closet is open most of the time, but it can easily be hiden.
Can I just say I'm loving PTI's paper. It's thick! Perfect for cardmaking.

Do you all have any organization ideas? If so please share... I've been bitten with the orgazination bug!

2 day of happy birthday Cory!

I went ahead and made Cory a second birthday card to give to my brother and sister and law to give him. Cory is a huge Alabama fan, actually all of the boys in Chase's family are, so I decided I would let that guide my colors. Now as a Tennessee fan this was a little bothersome, but I think I sabotaged the card in the end anyways (more at the end of the post).

I tried this technique that Dawn McVey used on her blog yesterday. You basically just make a lot of strips of paper (either designer or you can make you own like I did), and glue them onto a predetermined sized sheet of cardstock at an angle. One hint here, I used white for my sheet I was glueing my strips to, but because my strips were also on white, it made it harder to cut the strips once the were glued down. I think trying to use two different colors will help make that even easier. Once everything is the way you want it, trim the strips so they fit your cardstock piece.

Now I'll be honest I didn't really get it at first, but once I did, so easy.I still don't have a sweing machine. Most of the time I handstitch everything, but I wanted this messy stitching, so I just went for it. I wouldn't suggest trying this at home. I'm not really a fan, but because I really don't like Alabama, I guess this is my way of ruining the card. :) Stamps: PTI- Guidelines, Damask Designs, Friends 'Til The End
Ink: Basic Gray, Colorbox Lipstick Red
Cardstock: White, Basic Gray, True Black
Accessories: The Paper Studio Ribbon

Wow that was a long post for me. Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Birthday Cory!

Yesterday was Chase's brother Cory's birthday, but we aren't celebrating until tomorrow after church. Happy Birthday Cory!

If you are a card maker I'm sure you've been following along with the latest release of Papertrey Inks March stamp release. All the talk about a second guidelines stamp set got me pretty excited, so I pulled out the first edition to make a card for Cory. Here's what I came up with:I'm not really a fan of making cards for boys, but I do like this one. Nice clean lines, right up my alley. I also did something a little different by turing the squares. I've never seen this pattern before. I also varied the two types of ink but just slights. I think it gives a nice effect.

Ah... don't you hate when you get a photo done and you realize you messed up. On my sentiment, I was suppose to put it down the other way. Oh well... hopefull Cory won't notice.
Stamps: Guideslines, Sincere Salutations
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Coco, Distress Tea Dye
Paper: Dark Chocolate (I'm loving how nice and thick the PTI cardstock is), Naturals Ivory
Accessories: Ribbon from JoAnn's; Randon buttons

friend card.

Don't you love when you sit down to create, think you know what you creating, and then end up with something completely different?

Let me introduce you to my friend card:I started off planning to use three brightly colored flowers. I even got them completely cut out (not an easy task). I realized at some point that I needed a background on my white card, and decided to make my own background out of the great words from Friends 'Til The End. Of course once I did that, I realized three flowers was way too much! This is what I ended up with. I'm really happy with it. Stamps: Friends 'Til The End
Ink: VersaMagic Black, Versa Mark
Cardstock: PTI- White, Black, Spring Rain
Accesories: Ribbon, White Embossing Powder, The Paper Studio corduroy brad

Kwerner Color Inspiration #45

I got some stamping done tonight! I participated in another Kwerner Design Challenge. I originally thought this would be a hard one, but I love the end result. Stamps: Damask Designs
Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Basic Grey
Ink: VersaMark
Embossing Ink: JoAnn White
Accessories: Black Rhinestones, Black Organza Ribbon, and White Ric Rak
Thanks for stopping by!

taking a look at Lorac Special Effects.

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about my latest mascara purchase. Today I got a lovely email from Sephora. Click here to see it. I've only tried two of brands from their bestseller list, Lorac Special Effects and BadGal (not the waterproof though). But it did remind me to let you all know my take on this already best selling mascara.

Pros:

1- Makes a pretty dramatic effect for my lashes. The first time I put it on, I promise I thought "wow, those look fake."

2- I like the primer, I'm all about keeping as many lashes as possible

Cons:

1- I've never have a problem with getting mascara everywhere, but um, well apparently I now have that problem. I'm not sure if it is the wand or the stuff just works, but I keep getting little eye lash marks on my eyelids.

2- I'm still not sure about the want. Most of the time it's okay, but there are days were I need to unclump some, and that wand just does not cut it.

3-I have a love hate relationship with the Primer. I do like it. I hate the extra step.

Rating: 7

Will I buy again? Probably not. I usually don't buy the same thing more than once (I did do that with Benifit's BadGal).

taylored expressions cupcake challenge #58

Chase and I are back from our weekend away. We are both so tired, but I've been trying not to sleep all day. For me the best way to do that is to make something, so I decided to participate in the Taylored Expressions layout challenge. Here is the layout:

Here is my take on the layout: This was one of those cards where it just kind of came together out of something that didn't. I also think I'm going to go back and add in some stickles. Here's what I used:

Paper: Ambrosia by Basic Grey, Basic Grey, Naturals Ivory
Stamps: Friends 'Til The End by Papertrey Ink, Buttercup by Basic Grey
Ink: Basic Grey, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard
Ribbon: Stampin' Up! Pumpkin Pie Thanks for stopping by. I'm off to bed.

don't you love when you do something right?

Chase and I are going to be out of town this weekend, so there won't be much posting! I'm not even going to get to work on a KWerner challenge, so sad.

In other news, I was checking out this blog Little Green Notebook. Pretty cool stuff, but then I saw this post. I have the third pattern in my powder room in black and white.

Lately I've been getting a lot of my decorating advice from Layla over at The Lettered Cottage (you should check out what she did with $300), but it's nice to know when I go out on my own that sometimes I get it "right".

I hope you all have an awesome weekend!

I'm bragging...

Edit: It looks like my video hasn't been working! Sorry guys, let's see if this works.

Chase spoke Sunday at church. He and Michael did such a great job. I'm so proud of those boys. And can I just say, how cute in my hubby in his sweater vest!

If you've got a moment check it out:

Sermon Video: The Trouble with Parents is ... from Craig Webb on Vimeo.

I'm going to listen again, the first time around I was so nervous! I promise I felt like I was up there with him!

kaiser craft paper.

More new paper. Ahh...

I actually like what I did with these two cards better. They both came from a double sided sheet of Esther's Guestlist (love that name) by Kaiser Crafts (check out that flower, I love it).

These will all be at The Scrap Room in Lebanon for the next month. Thanks for checking in!

a weekend project.

I purchased several typeset drawers back when I saw Ali Edwards do this. I used one of them to do something similar to what Ali did. This weekend I painted another one white, and used it display some of my Stampin' Up! stamps. Sometimes I just get really sad that all of these beautiful images are shut up in boxes. Now I know some of you stampers out there are gasping at my mixing of stamps. I mean where's my system right. No, problem I came up with one and now I get to look at them everyday.What do you think? I love it.