Karen's World

Cards:Snowflake Challenge

2011-12-18T20:34:00.003-05:00

Ok...another challenge! Same blog as the last post. This time the challenge is snowflakes! I love snowflakes!!! Well, maybe not the real thing but I like snowflake stuff/stamps/pics:) They don't require that you use A Muse products but I always feel that it's an A Muse Challenge Blog entry should at least have something A Muse in it! My card is ALL A Muse. I actually tried something new this time. I recently went to my card club and we made some adorable cards using the A Muse snowflake die. We were left with cute snowflake cutouts when we were done so I took them home...I don't actually own it but I should! I used it as a template and with my daubers inked up these cute snowflakes. I then cut them to look like it's a window. Hope you enjoy!

Birthday Tag

2011-12-07T05:45:00.004-05:00

I'm doing another challenge on the A Muse Studio Challenge blog. The current challenge is to create a Tag. I'm thinking the challenge was for more of a holiday tag but I had a birthday to go to last night so I really needed to make a birthday tag anyways so here it is! It's all A Muse products and the swallow stamps are from the Clever Girls set and the Happy Birthday sentiment is from Essential Sentiments set.

Cards:World Card Making Day/Halloween

2011-10-01T16:53:00.002-04:00

Today is World Card Making Day so I decided to take a little time and make some halloween cards. I made the one in the last post for the challenge and these two. I'm in love with A Muse Studio Stamp sets! The first card uses "Mad for Plaids" and "Too Cute to Spook" and the second just uses "Too Cute to Spook".

Card:Halloween

2011-10-01T09:48:00.003-04:00

Here's a halloween card I made for an A Muse Studio Challenge on this blog. The requirement was to use twine. I recently had an A Muse Workshop at my house and my wonderful consultant Pamela gave me the twine I used on this card. It's hard to tell on this picture but I flocked the spiders bodies to give them a creepier effect...I hate spiders! All the ingredients on this card are from A Muse Studio.

Cards:A Few Punny Fun Ones!

2011-09-02T11:53:00.008-04:00

Craft:Mason Jar/Feeder Light

2011-07-01T06:53:00.004-04:00

I found the cutest mason jar project on a blog a couple weeks ago and became determined to make it. It incorporated my LOVE of mason jars, chick feeders and primitive decorating. Last winter I made a candy dispenser out of the same two items so with a few more supplies, I knew I could make this adorable light. I got the idea from THIS blog.

I have enough supplies to make more. I'm thinking of spray painting the feeder black and trying different decorative twines.

Card:Hello Sunshine

2011-05-28T15:28:00.004-04:00

Totally love this cute stamp set I got from Green Grass Stamps. It's called "Oh Happy Day" and it totally makes me smile when I use it...it's soooo cute!

CARDS: Yes, more cards...

2011-05-10T17:26:00.005-04:00

Here's a couple I forgot...

Stamps: "Tissue Box" by Lockhart Stamps and "You are in my thoughts" by A Muse
Card Base: Memory Box
Paper: Solid colors are Bazzil and printed is ??

I broke out an older clear stamp set for this one that I had never used before. The coffee beans and "thanks a latte" are from the Coffee Break Set by A Muse Artstamps and "To Go Cup" is from the same company. They're all retired but you can get some of them from my friend Pamela at A Muse Studio.

Card Base, Ribbon & gingham paper are A Muse

Solid paper is Stampin' Up!

Cards: May 10th

2011-05-09T17:44:00.006-04:00

Here's a bunch of cards I made over the last couple days.
Card #1 ingredients:
Stamps - A Muse
Card Front - A Muse
Ribbon - A Muse
Paper - Bazzil
Ink: Versa Mark, Memento (Tuxedo Black & London Fog)

Card #2 Ingredients:
Stamps - Apple is Stampin' Up! Sentiment is A Muse
Card Front - Memory Box
Paper: Red Gigham is retired Creative Memories
Markers - Stampin' Up! (apples)
Ribbon - ?

Card #3 Ingredients:
Stamps
Stampin' Up!: Aviary
A Muse: Tiny Flower, Pinecones, "A Little Birdie Told Me..."
Ink: Memento "Tuxedo Black"
Ink: A Muse Studio (watermelon, lime & ocean) Memento (tuxedo black)
Paper: All A Muse
Other: Glaze Pen

Card#4 Ingredients:
Stamps:
A Muse "To Go Cup" "What's Brewing?"
Stampin' Up! "Label Classics
Card Front: A Muse
Paper: A Muse & Bazzil
Ink: Memento (tuxedo black)
Markers - Stampin' Up!
Ribbon: Martha Stewart

My New A Muse Goodies

2011-05-02T07:05:00.003-04:00

I had an A Muse Studio workshop at my house a couple weeks ago and got some really nice stamping goodies! I spent some time yesterday at my friend Pamela's house and made some cards. I gotta tell you...I'm loving the ink pads and colors! The first two cards are using the 3 colors I got, LIME, OCEAN & WATERMELON!

This card is using stamps from "Happy Everything". I'll be using it ALOT!

This card is using the beer mug from the new "Hey Man" set from A Muse...

Cards:Baby

2011-03-02T16:57:00.006-05:00

Posting this to thank yet another awesome friend (Pamela) who lent me an amazing stamp set. This one is called "Wee Tees" by Melanie Muenchinger but sold by Gina K. Designs. What a cute set! I know I haven't used it to it's full potential but I just LOVE the onesie stamp!

The pink one uses A Muse gingham paper, Memorybox card, cuttlebug folder and some ribbon I probably bought at Michael's...

This card uses A Muse gingham paper, neon green paper & ribbon. The card is Memorybox, Martha Stewart border punch and I used a Stampin' Up embossing folder.

Yes, more of the A Muse gingham paper that I LOVE as well as A Muse cloud paper and ribbon. I also used a Basic Grey button and Nesibilities.

Cards:Birthday Girl

2011-03-02T11:29:00.005-05:00

Jessy is home sick from school today and sleeping on the couch so I decide to sneak in some crafty time. My friend Karen C. was nice enough to allow me to stamp a bunch images the last time I was at her house. I just LOVE these Pure Innocence stamps!!! I'd buy them all if I could. The images are so soft and sweet and although they seem to show the images colored with Copic Markers (which I love), I like them so much more colored in with Watercolor Pencils. Maybe I'm just better with watercolor pencils? Anywho...here's the card I made today...

Here's a close-up of the colored image...

Ingredients:

Imaged stamped with brown Memento Ink

Staedtler Watercolor Pencils blended with a Stampin' Up blender pen

A Muse, Basic Grey and Bazzil papers

Memory Box White Card

Tools:

Nestabilities

Fiskars scallop border punch

365:Week 5 & 6

2011-02-28T17:41:00.003-05:00

Don't forget...all papers and elements can be found on Vicki's Blog!

365:Week 4

2011-02-28T17:31:00.004-05:00

365:Week 3

2011-01-23T15:52:00.003-05:00

Here's week 3 still using the same kit.

Project 365:Week 2

2011-01-18T11:25:00.000-05:00

Project 365 - Week 1

2011-01-12T13:52:00.005-05:00

Well, here's my first week's layout. I'm using Vicki's Kit and I love it! Can't wait to see what she comes up with for February's layouts! I think the hardest thing besides remembering to take a picture every day is going to be sticking with the same color palette for the year. I really don't have a good attention span and grow bored easily no matter how great kits are. I'm glad there'll be a new one each month to keep me interested and full of ideas.

Project 365

2011-01-02T15:58:00.002-05:00

Yup, that's what it's called. Project 365. Take a picture a day for the next year and then scrap a layout for each week. Just the thought of it is kind of overwhelming me! I've decided that I don't really need to take a pic EVERY day. I know it's an unreachable goal. I'll take a few pics or so each week that summarizes that week and do a ONE page layout for each week. That's 52 pages...hmmm...we'll see. Maybe I'll merge some weeks together...lol. Here's my title page I did with Vicki's Kit "Calendar Collection - January". She's going to have a kit each month so I'll be using them since they're each using the same color palette.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

2010-12-11T09:06:00.003-05:00

This is one of the easiest things I've ever made. Homemade Vanilla Extract. Who knew vanilla extract was basically booze and vanilla bean? Not me! I know the store bought has some sugar in it as well (not much) but that's basically what it is. This gift idea started last Christmas for me when I saw the idea somewhere online. I decided I wanted to make it as gifts for the next Christmas season so instead of making big bottles of it...I went to the NH Liquor store and bought a bunch of vodka nips. They were so cute and pretty (especially the really GOOD vodka) so I bought a bunch. It's pricier than buying one big bottle and getting a bunch of empty plain bottles but I didn't care. Kettle One is my favorite vodka so of course I had to get a bunch of them. Next was the vanilla bean...had no idea where to get it but I found some at Costco. Gosh, I love that store! Each bottle has a half of a vanilla bean (sliced in half and the long way to expose the insides-looks like 2 pieces). I'm sure you could put more but remember...this is my first try. Shake it up and close bottle and put in dark closet/cabinet for at least 4 months. Mine have been sitting for almost a year now!

Fun part is that as you use it, you can add more vodka to the beans to keep it going for quite a while! I've also heard you can use other liquors like rum as long as it's at least 40% alcohol so I may experiment for next years batch...yummy!

Mason Jar Yankee Swap

2010-12-03T21:00:00.003-05:00

Well, it's that time of year...Yankee Swap time! The 4H Aviculture club XMas party is once again at my house this year and we always do a Yankee Swap. Here's what I came up with this year. It's not original but perfect for a Chicken Club! Mason jars are one of my favorite things so I bought a chick feeder at the local Agway...filled a mason jar (not the wide mouth ones!) and decorated it. Easy peasy! Cost with the candy was probably about $10.00 which is our limit for the swap.

Forever Love...

2010-11-28T15:18:00.005-05:00

Here's my birthday gift to my future daughter-in-law Kim. A couple years ago I purchased a Creative Memories Every Day Display where she can display photo's or scrapbook pages that I usually made for her. My son Travis recently said she's really like a new page to display so I took a pic of the two of them that I took on Thanksgiving and created a new digi page for her to display.

Ingredients: Digi paper by Cosmo Cricket "Early Bird" which was purchase on Jessica Sprague's website. The font is "Pea Picky Panda".

Birthday Card for my niece Devyn

2010-11-16T21:18:00.005-05:00

Over the summer I bought some Just Rite stamps which I really didn't understand but they were on sale so of course I had to buy them. The block is round which came with semi-circle stamps to attach. I couldn't figure out why they didn't sell the bottom half of the round stamps so I ordered a teeny tiny alphabet set that's supposed to fit in the block to personalize the stamp. Clear as mud? Ya, me too! Anyways...I tried it out tonite since I needed to make my niece a card for this weekend and I'm really happy with the result. It wasn't as hard to do the teeny letters as I thought but I definitely needed my reading glasses!

Here's the card I made. As you can see, I was able to put a personalized message on the bottom half of the circle.

Ingredients:

Paper: Basic Grey "Sprinkles" from Two Scoops Pack, Pink glitter adhesive paper

Stamps: Cupcake is from the A Muse Cupcake Set, Flower is A Muse "Tiny Flower", sentiment is all Just Rite stamps

Ink: Stampin' Up! "Pink Passion" & "Pretty in Pink", edging ink Color Box chaulk "Chestnut Roan"

Other Goodies: Quickie Glue Pen, Pink Glitter, Glaze Pen, Memory Box Card & Nestibilities

Ghoulfriend

2010-10-06T21:43:00.005-04:00

I'm participating in a Ghoulfriends swap on Scrapshare. I've never done it before but basically you get a secret Ghoulfriend that you shop and send a fun package to. We all fill out a questionaire to help our ghouldfriend buy/create for us. Since my craftroom is pretty much closed for business until it gets moved upstairs, I had to buy most of my recipients goodies. Here's the package I'm sending her.

I managed to make one thing. I found this fun project making pretty mini legal pad holders out of decorative file folders. I also simply decorated a RSVP pen.

Whimsy Jars!

2010-10-03T13:01:00.004-04:00

I just thought I'd share a fun swap I did on a message board I frequent. It was called a Whimsy Jar Swap. Whimsy Jars are just that...jars filled with whimsy. Since the board is more of a scrapbooking board, the jars were filled with scrapbooking items. We were all assigned a secret partner to fill a jar for with only a color scheme to go by. The person I filled a jar for wanted red, black and white. Here's the jar I sent her all the way to West Virginia...

I received an amazing jar in return from another person but I can't find the pics right now! When I find them, I'll definitely post.

Digi Layout - Blissful Memories

2010-08-20T19:27:00.002-04:00

Here's a second entry in the Polka Dot Plum "Perfect Picnic" Kit contest with Persnickity Prints...

SS Sketch Challenge - Week 33

2010-08-19T07:24:00.003-04:00

This layout has a few elements from Tropical Popsicle by Peppermint Creative but the papers and most of the elements are from Color Me Happy by Jennifer Labre Designs. The sketch was from the Scrapbooks, Etc. website. I use CM SBC+ software to do all my digital scrapping. The pics are Jessy on vacation...

Digi Layout - Clubbin'

2010-08-16T19:21:00.002-04:00

Here's a layout using this great free kit I downloaded from Persnickity Prints called

Perfect Picnic from Polka Dot Plum.

Digi Recipe Page - Beer Margaritas

2010-07-03T16:46:00.003-04:00

Mmmmm...Beer margaritas! Another page to put in my recipe scrapbook. I'm slowly collecting recipes to put together for the kids.

School's almost out!

2010-06-12T09:25:00.006-04:00

Well, it's June and school's almost out. Jessy is almost done with 7th grade FOREVER. I was always hoping that my baby would never grow up but I'm just going to have to face the fact that it's going to happen just like with the other two. I'm feeling so old lately! Here's a couple layout that I did for Jessy. One is with her besty and the other is a mish mosh of 7th grade...

This first layout is using a template from a blog Brenda Mc? I ran across...can't remember right now and the papers and elements are from Scraps of Ellay "Fayries".

This template was a freebie from Creative memories. The layout is a total mismatch of kits...Misty Cato Designs "Chatty" & Sweet Blossom Designs "Let it Rock" & Creative Memories Freebies. I'm sure there's more but I forget...

SS Sketch Challenge #14 - Braces

2010-06-04T18:53:00.002-04:00

Yup...Jessy got braces and she's NOT thrilled about it!

Ingredients: All elements are Summertime Designs "Boy Oh Boy".

Me and Barb - Sketch Challenge #3 round 2

2010-05-29T16:54:00.002-04:00

Another shot at Scrapshare Sketch Challenge #3 using Creative Memories Cottage Garden Kit. I know I use it alot but I love all the earth tones and flourishes. It's probably one of my favorite kits.

Lacrosse

2010-05-19T15:43:00.002-04:00

Here's another layout with the same sketch challenge 15. I really like this sketch. The papers and elements are from Misty Cato Designs - "Chatty"

Patriots Day - Lexington 2010

2010-05-19T15:12:00.002-04:00

Scrapshare Sketch Challenge 15 - Elements from Raspberry Road Designs...Papers from Creative Memories "Give Thanks"

Me & My Buddy

2010-05-19T07:25:00.003-04:00

Scrapshare Weekly Sketch Challenge #20 - CZ Design Template 29

All Papers and Elements are from various Raspberry Road Designs kits

Scrapshare

May 12 of 12

2010-05-16T21:52:00.001-04:00

All elements and papers are from the "French Tulip Blog Train".

Some statistics to think about...at least I will!

2010-05-11T10:35:00.006-04:00

Got this info off of Bellaonline...

Eating at least one midday snack decreases your risk of obesity by 39%

Eating dinner as your biggest meal of the day increases it by 6%

Waiting more than 3 hours after waking up to eat breakfast increases your chance of obesity by 43%

Eating more than a third of your meals in restaurants increases it by 69%

Going to bed hungry (3+ hours after your last meal) increases it by 101%

Eating breakfast away from home increases it by 137%

Not eating breakfast at all increases it by 405%

Happy Birthday A Muse - One more time!

2010-05-02T14:21:00.002-04:00

I was inspired by the A Muse birthday celebration to make yet another card. All the paper is A Muse, including the paper pieced cupcake from the clear set "Cupcake Builder Set". The ribbon is also A Muse.

Happy 9th Birthday A Muse!

2010-05-01T21:10:00.002-04:00

It's A Muse Art Stamp's 9th birthday! In the A Muse Lounge of course there's a card challenge. I decide to use the clear set "Party Time" which included the tiny cupcake and tray. I haven't used this set as much as I'd like so I was thrilled to be able to ink it up! I also used the sentiment "you're sweet" from the "Cupcake Builder" clear set. The cupcakes are paper pieced and topped with A Muse teeny tiny red gems.

Digi Layout: Bird in the Hand

2010-04-22T21:17:00.004-04:00

Jessy and Emily caught a bird that was caught on our screened in porch with their bare hands!

Digi Ingredients: All papers and elements from - Raspberry Road Designs "Country Sunshine"

A Glimpse of Toby...

2010-03-20T08:18:00.003-04:00

Our beloved family dog was hit by a car last week and passed on. Luckily it was instant and he didn't suffer. He was 11 years old and was starting to get sick so maybe it saved him from suffering in the long run? I don't know...I guess we'll always be trying to put a spin on it to make it easier to deal with such a tragic loss. I was scrapping these pictures of me and Jessy and came across the one where Toby got in the picture to lick our faces and had to include them because it totally captures his personality!

Ingredients: Papers: Summertime Designs - Golden Sunshine and Shabby Princess - Winter Wonderland.

Elements: Shabby Princess - Winter Wonderland.

Font: Santa's Sleigh

More March Layouts

2010-03-19T07:10:00.005-04:00

Dennis and I took Jessy and her friends bowling at Leda's Lighthouse in Nashua, NH. We were really excited to go and even met Travis there to bowl with us. Turns out we don't really like bowling and are incredibly bad at it! Oh well...live and learn.

This first layout is of Jessy and her friends (names covered for blog posting). It was such a cute pick, I gave it it's own layout.

Ingredients: All papers and elements from the "French Tulip Blog Train".
Digi Software: SBC+ from Creative Memories

Digi Ingredients: Grunge & Glitter - Countdown

Bowl word art - Dream Big Designs

Digi Software: SBC+ Creative Memories

My Rockport Layout

2010-03-19T06:42:00.006-04:00

Here are some March digital layouts! I went to Rockport a last weekend with my youngest daughter Jessy. It was so rainy, windy and cold but we had some of my friends to visit so we ventured anyways. The left hand page has some landmark photos on the warf and a self portait of Jessy and I trying to not get blown into the ocean...

The right hand side photos were taken at the Linden Tree Inn in Rockport. It's a bed & breakfast very close to the local beach with an ocean view from the widows walk. My friends Pamela, Judy, Karen & Cheryl were there having a weekend scrapbooking retreat. I just had to crash it! I got a peak at the rooms while I was there and it's such a charming Inn...I'll have to go back in the summer.

All digital papers and elements were from a kit I purchased from Scrap that Idea called Beach Hut by A work in Progress Blog.

12 of 12 - March 2010

2010-03-14T15:10:00.004-04:00

Here's my March 12 of 12. I'm trying not to take pics of the same things all the time so this time I took a pic of my food intake...yikes, not so healthy! Oh well.

Digi Ingredients: All papers and elements were from a Grunge Blog Train

February 12 of 12

2010-02-24T07:10:00.008-05:00

Being such a scrapbooking addict it only makes sense that just scrapbooking special moments in my families lives just isn't enough. Let's go a little deeper into the addiction...it's called 12 of 12. Take 12 pictures on the 12th day of the month. Not everyone scrapbooks the pics but of course I do! I like to keep the pics in a one page layout so it can become challenging to fit 12 pictures on one page and still have it look nice. Here's my newest layout and a couple older ones from last year...

Here's this months 12 of 12...

Here is a year ago...Feb 2009...

Here is my layout from March 2009...

DIGI Layouts

2010-02-20T11:19:00.013-05:00

Some recent layouts I've completed - all were done with CM Storybook Creator 3.0...
Click image to enlarge...

Credits: Gone Campin' - Kristin Cronin-Barrow (all but lined school paper that I can't remember the kit it came from - sorry!)

Credits: 2 Kool 4 Skool - Growing Pains Scrapped

Herringbone

2010-01-29T17:01:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I went to my friend Pamela's house to make cards...we had decided to make it a new technique event. The technique she chose was "herringbone". At first I thought it was going to be really hard but once we got going, It was a pretty simple concept. It's a great way to "use your stash" since you can make it with scrap paper. I happened to have a bunch of 6x6 Basic Grey paper packs that I wasn't really doing anything with so I brought those. These two cards were made with Basic Grey "Ambrosia". I LOVE the way they came out and Pamela suggested I put the A Muse kokeshi doll stamp on one of them. I think it looks like a quilt!

Paper: Basic Grey "Ambrosia" (from the 6x6 paper pad)

Card: Memory Box

Stamp: A Muse - Kokeshi Doll.

Copic Markers

A Xyron was used to adhesive the strips

Outlining Text in SBC+

2010-01-24T16:34:00.002-05:00

Here's my example of outlined text. Papers and elements are from Summertime Designs - Believe

Layout using the glitter technique

2010-01-23T15:52:00.002-05:00

Here's a Christmas layout I made using the glitter technique. I used it on the Christmas tree element and the large title "Christmas" and " morning". The digi kit I used was Summertime designs "Believe".

SBC+ Techniques

2010-01-23T15:14:00.004-05:00

I've been going on a couple blogs and facebook groups learning techiques for using Creative Memories digital Storybook Creator Plus 3.0. It's the my chosen software for making all my digital scrapbooking pages. It's easy to use and of course I thought I knew everything until I started looking around. Wow...I can do so much more than I thought! I've been making my own directions so I can store them and refer as needed. I'm such a visual learner so this is helping me alot.

One of the more recent techniques is making things sparkle and glitter! I'll share the directions with you...

My Sweetie Pie

2009-11-14T11:59:00.001-05:00

Here's a layout using Creative Memories Digi Kit - With Love

Layouts - Sweden 1978

2009-11-03T17:12:00.009-05:00

Here are some traditional layouts I did this week of some old pics of Sweden in 1978. I took all the pics and I was 13 so they're really old and dark. Hopefull I helped them out in my layouts. I'm not finished with all the journaling or all the titles but here's what I have so far. All the patterned paper is Basic Grey "Urban Prairie" and the solid paper is Bazzill (various colors).

A Muse Challenge #9 - Octoberfest

2009-10-19T06:45:00.003-04:00

This month's challenge is called *Octoberfest*!! It's October and we are going to celebrate it!! Your challenge is to use your A Muse stamps to create something inspired by the word *October*!! There are SO many possibilities with this one...Halloween, Fall, Breast Cancer awareness, October birthdays, football, anything that means October to you!! Also, this challenge is not only for cards! If you create other types of projects using A Muse stamps that fit this challenge, link those too!! Get creative!!

Lita's Sketch #4

2009-08-19T22:32:00.004-04:00

Here's my layout using Lita's Sketch #4.

Kit is - Out of This World

Lita's Sketch Challenge #2

2009-07-19T09:59:00.004-04:00

It's time for Lita's 2nd sketch challenge!

This sketch was perfect for some retreat photo's I had. This is the Eagle Mountain House in Jackson NH. The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye.

I made the A Muse Blog!

2009-07-15T06:41:00.003-04:00

I know I sound like such a loser but I'm so excited! The cupcake card I posted last week has been one of 12 cards chosen to be featured for the "spot" challenge on the AMuse Blog! Here's a link to the blog...

AMuse Blog

First ever Lita Sketch

2009-07-11T09:47:00.005-04:00

Here it is...my contribution to the first Lita Sketch Challenge. She has a new Blog called "Embracing Imperfection" where she will be posting sketches. Go check it out and find out how you can win some blog candy!

Lita Sketch #1

Credits: Check Yes or No Kit - Designs by Josie

AMUSEA*PALOOZA Challenge #4

2009-07-08T10:53:00.003-04:00

Challenge details from the A Muse website...

The challenge for this week is SPOT, and here is how you can play along:
Create a card using the word SPOT as your inspiration. Again, this challenge is very open to interpretation, so get creative! :)
The card must feature at least one (1) A Muse stamp image.

Well, I'm not sure how creative with the challenge I was...I took it more literally and put spots (dots) on my card.

Here's a close-up of the cute pearls I put on the cupcake!

Are We There Yet?

2009-06-17T09:45:00.001-04:00

Pics of our flight to Orlando...All Creative Memories.

Some finishing touches

2009-06-14T11:11:00.004-04:00

Dennis and Tim put the bottom moulding and the wood base onto the cabinets yesterday...it really adds a finishing touch. He also finished putting the handles on all the doors. We're getting there!

More Kitchen

2009-06-10T10:37:00.003-04:00

Here's what Dennis did last nite...he's so amazing. He put up all the face pieces on the island.
Here's a close-up of the handles. I'll try for another that's not so blurry later...

Kitchen Update

2009-06-09T19:11:00.005-04:00

I know, I've been really terrible about posting kitchen pictures. We still have a ton more to do but here it is so far.

Here's a view from the mudd room door looking into the kitchen. We haven't purchased a sink or countertop yet...hopefully soon.

The floor came out amazing. We bought it unfinished at Bingham Lumber in Brookline, NH. It's long leaf heart pine (I think). We hired Flawless Floors of Pepperell, MA to finish it. You can see the island in this picture as well.

Dennis' friend Paul helped him put in the new microwave. Unfortunately the power isn't hooked up to the breaker yet.

Here's a closer view of the cabinets. We didn't buy a new oven, ours was fine. The cabinets are Kitchen Maid - Maple = Pecan finish. I'll try to get a good close-up tomorrow so you can see the handles.

Left to do...

Counter top (hopefully Silestone)

Sink

Put up molding, Kicker, Face panels on island

Finish installing handles

Power to microwave

Add power Outlets to island

I'm sure there's more but it's all I can remember

City Place

2009-05-31T20:21:00.003-04:00

Credits: Summertime Designs Blog - "Sweet Springtime"

Palm Beach

2009-05-26T15:19:00.006-04:00

Yes, I know I'm on vacation but to me doing a quick layout is relaxing! (Besides...it's pouring out)

Credits: Kristen Cronin-Barrow "Fresh Squeezed" Purchased at SweetShoppeDesigns.com

Like Bees to Honey

2009-05-09T09:08:00.004-04:00

I haven't posted a digi scrapbook layout for a while. This one is using the free kit from Sweet Blossom Designs called "Bee Happy"

Another Simple A Muse Card

2009-05-02T09:06:00.004-04:00

This is another super simple A Muse card that took maybe 10 minutes to make. It's a Mother's Day card for my Mother-in-Law. I love how simple and pretty it turned out. I used another A Muse stamp for the inside that says "Happy Mother's Day".

A Muse stamps "Cherry Blossom" and "Retro Rectangle"
A Muse card
A Muse Pigment Ink - black
Copic Markers

Glitter (can't really see in pic)

A Muse Lounge Challenge #4

2009-05-01T21:35:00.004-04:00

Think Simple...Think A Muse was the theme of this challenge. This card was SUPER SIMPLE!

Stamps are: Blossom branch with bird and Little Bird told me by A Muse

A Muse Irish Green square notecard

Random Amusing Challenge #22

2009-05-01T20:48:00.003-04:00

This challenge on Glenda's Blog was to make a card using pink and green. I happen to love the combination of colors so it was easy for me! The card is A Muse paper, bazzil paper, A Muse stamps "Milkshake" & "Dessert First", copic markers & liquid applique. I also used a Martha Stewart border punch.

Baby Shower

2009-05-01T20:13:00.003-04:00

Here's a card I made for my nephew's expecting wife Crystal. You know the bin of $1.00 stamp sets at Michael's you don't think twice about? Well, all the stamps are from a $1.00 set. They're really worth it!

Card is A Muse
Paper is A Muse & Bazzill

Wedding Card

2009-05-01T20:05:00.004-04:00

This is a card for a wedding I'm going to in June. For some reason my PSE isn't working so I couldn't edit the picture...sorry!

Stamps are all A Muse: Honeymooners, Flourish Frame, Mr & Mrs
Cuttlebug foder
Memorybox card
A Muse pigment ink
Glaze Pen
Copic Marker
Glitter
Bazzil Paper

New England AMuse Addicts Get-Together!

2009-04-09T14:25:00.005-04:00

First of all I want to thank Jenn Shurkus for taking pictures of our craft extravaganza!

Sunday April 5th was the 1st?(with that many people!) New England AMuse Addicts Get Together! It was held at Ink About It in Westford. IAI is usually closed on Sundays but owners Linda and Lori were gracious enough to let us in and use their craft space. They also had lots of cool AMuse on sale for us as well!!! Yup...bought stuff...:0!

We had a Shoe Box Card Swap where everyone design one card and cut paper and brought all the supplies for each of us to also make one. In other words, I left with about 18 different cards which were all BEAUTIFUL! What a bunch of crafty women! Some of us also did an ATC (artist trading card) swap.

Here's the card I designed. I didn't actually assemble this particular one because...remember...these are Jenn's photos! Didn't she do a great job making my design?!?

Credits: Amuse Tree Stamp (clear set)

Amuse & Bazzil Paper

Memory Box Card

Marvy LePlume Markers

I did however make this ATC. They were given out pre-made as a swap.

Credits: Amuse Stamp

Bazzil Paper

Martha Stewart Punch

Copic Markers

I plan to take pics of all the cards I made that day as well as all the ATC's I received...check back soon!

OMG...Jessy's 12!

2009-04-08T11:01:00.007-04:00

I cannot believe my little tiny baby is growing up so fast! Dennis & I hoped that she'd stay a baby forever...NOT! She was very specific about wanting to go to Chunky's Cinema for her birthday dinner. "JUST THE 5 OF US...no one else" she said. She wanted to be the center of attention with her big brother and sister...no boyfriend/girlfriend distractions. I love that Travis & Kyla mean that much to her.

Chunky's has quickly become our favorite family-nite destination. There's nothing like dinner and a movie...at the same place!

Check out the Lincoln Continental seats...they recline!

Here are my drama filled children...Happy Birthday Jessy!

Me and my baby...

Daddy's Little Girl...

Of course, I can't have a post without some sort of craftiness involved! Here's the birthday card I made Jessy...All AMuse stamps, Memory Box Card and Basic Grey Paper.

Monika's SS ATC Swap

2009-03-29T09:21:00.006-04:00

Here is my contribution to Monika's ATC Swap on the Scrapshare board. I like to make my ATC's as card fronts so they can either be used as ideas or plopped right on a card to be used.

This one is using a Tim Holz Stamp (bird) and the sentiment is from AMuse. Paper is Bazzil & Basic Grey and I also used my brand new McGill Punch!

This one is a little more fun and totally opposite than the other one. I used the martini and Cheers stamps from Cat's Pajamas, shape stamp from AMuse paper from AMuse and glitter paper.

Floor's done!

2009-03-17T07:16:00.004-04:00

Floor finishers finished! We put the dining room back together on Sunday and I love it. I'm really happy with the result. Now I need to get a new area rug and table and chairs.

I'll post others when I get home from work...

Floor's in!

2009-03-09T22:15:00.003-04:00

The plank flooring is finally in! Dennis and his friends Nick & Tim did a great job! We hired a professional to do the finishing this Wednesday...can't wait!

My Kitchen Remodel - A Progressive Look - BEFORE

2009-03-08T12:19:00.006-04:00

Here's the before pictures of my kitchen. We started the remodel about a few weeks ago now. It's slow going but at least I see progression every week. I can't wait to get rid of the old linoleum floor and the ugly oak cabinets.

That dustry rose carpet in the dining room is well past it's prime!

The L design in this kitchen just cuts it in half...can't wait to open it up.

Here's the kitchen with the floor and cabinets ripped out. We left the wall cabinets in for now.

The fridge & microwave are now on the back porch...can't wait for the new appliances!

Here's the dining room freshly painted and the old rug ripped out. You can see the wood for the new floor ready to be put down!

Digi LO - Be What You Are

2009-03-04T19:15:00.003-05:00

Kit - Fresh Air (Unknown designer)

Snow Day Layout and SS Layout Challenge #8

2009-03-04T18:54:00.004-05:00

Shabby Princess - Happy Go Lucky, Snowball overlay is Digitreats - Giggle January Elements.

Sketch - Becky Higgins Sketches Vol 2 pp.98-99 and Best of BH on pg. 153.

Diner Wednesday!

2009-03-04T18:39:00.003-05:00

Yes, I know I'm scrapping REALLY current because the pic in the following layout is from today. I gotta tell ya...I LOVE DIGI SCRAPPING! I just fly through my layouts!!! I actually take pics just so I can scrap them. Sad, I know. Well, today was Diner Wednesday on the Fox 25 News and they were at the Airport Diner in Shirley. I pass by it on the way to and from work everyday. Kyla and her boyfriend Andrew decided to be on tv and go there for breakfast this morning. That's them over VB's shoulder! Yes, I actually took a picture of the tv screen.

This layout is using Harriet's Kitchen by Scrap N Art. Fonts are from Fontspace.com

More of my Mommy/Jessy Snow Day...

2009-03-02T13:15:00.003-05:00

Our day was more than work, we played in the snow too...

I'm having a SNOW DAY!

2009-03-02T12:45:00.005-05:00

Well, we had about a foot of snow today and I decided that I wasn't making the trek to work today. Jessy was home from school anyways. Here are some moments from our day...

Here's the mudroom and the hot tub before and after I tackled them...

12 of 12 February

2009-02-13T07:15:00.003-05:00

There is a digi challenge that goes around called 12 of 12. The goal is to take 12 pictures during the 12th of the month and create a layout using the picutes. This in turn gives you a snapshot of time in your life. I've been wanting to try it for months but always forget to take pictures. Well, I finally remembered and here is the result. I'd like to do more of these but keep them to 1 page layouts. It's hard to be creative and fit 12 pics on a page. Let's see how I can change it up each month. Ha ha!

Shabby Princess Amore - paper, heart elements

Digitreats Giggle - Feb element

FMarini Love me Do - Frame

2009-02-09T19:13:00.002-05:00

Here's some more cards I made at Pamela's. Well, I stamped the images and finished them at home. I love the outcome of doing that. I have a bunch of stamped images all set to complete and create cards with!

Stamps by Memory Box

Cards by Memory Box (my favorite!)

Top card: SU paper

Bottom card: Bazzill paper & cuttlebug embossing folder

Stamp by Impress Stamps

Inks by Stampin Up!

Card is Memory Box

Solid paper is Bazzill and I forget what brand the printed paper is but I bought it at "Ink About It".

The Juggler

2009-02-09T07:11:00.003-05:00

I Bought a new stamp at Ink About It in Westford the other day. It's an adorable juggling penguin that's so versitile. Just change what he's juggling and it's a card for any occassion! I got to play with it at my friend Pamela's house on Sunday and here are the results...the common stamp the Juggler (penguin) from Memory Box...

Here it is using the little present stamp from AMuse. I also used Copic Markers, Cuttlebug folders, memorybox cards & AMuse paper.

Using the Memory Box envelope stamp, makes a generic note card. Sentiment is AMuse, Copic Markers, CM Pen, Memory Box Card...

AMuse heart stamp, Basic Grey paper, Memory Box card make this a cute Valentine's Day card...
I started a couple other's I'll post later.

Sisters!

2009-02-01T12:24:00.003-05:00

Here's a layout I did using a new kit bought from Sweet Shoppe Designs. It's called "Chatty" and the designer is Misty Cato Designs.

SS 2009 Challenge #1

2009-01-19T21:16:00.002-05:00

I love the layout for this challenge! Becky Higgins sketch from Creating Keepsakes issue November 2008. Once again...more pics from the BSA meeting. The next challenge should be with different pics and papers. These challenges are really making me finish some layouts I've been putting off for a while.

SS 2009 Sketch Challenge #2

2009-01-19T20:28:00.003-05:00

Yes, I'm going backwards with these...this challenge is using BH Sketch from Vol 2. I really have NO idea what that means but I'm having fun anyways! I'm still using pics from the BSA National Meeting and once again I've used Tropical Cheer by Designs by Rozie since I'm trying to have all the layouts from this trip flow.

SS Sketch Challenge 2009 #3

2009-01-18T23:21:00.002-05:00

Here's my layout for the SS Sketch Challenge 2009 #3. The pictures are from the BSA 2008 National Meeting in San Diego, CA. The papers are from the free paper kit Tropical Cheer from the Designs by Rozie Blog. The sketch is from Becky Higgins Best Of book page 168.

Winter Layouts

2009-01-18T20:49:00.007-05:00

With all the snow today, it was an awesome time to "chill" out on the couch with my laptop and get some scrapping done. Here's a layout that pretty much sums up the month of January. Papers and elements are by Digitreats - Giggle January.

Here's a Quick page that took 2 minutes. The QP is Blissful Romance from Simply Sweet Designs Blog.

This layout is using the Tiki tiki tembo kit from Sweet Shoppe Designs. I love doing layouts with Jessy and her cousin Devyn.

Here's another quick page by Simply Sweet Designs called All in White - Snow. I also added a couple elements from Sugar Plum Forest also from Simply Sweet Designs.

Winter Furrrrrrr!

2009-01-09T20:45:00.004-05:00

You just HAVE to check out my big puff balls that used to be goats!!! I can't believe the winter fur they got! They don't even look cold in this 20 degree weather we're having. I just had to share how freakin' cute they look!

This is Rosie...she looks so big and fat but it's really all fur! Well, maybe some fat..

This is Quartz. He's sooo funny. He can totally jump the fence of his enclosure. He jumps over and can't get back in. He won't go anywhere because Rosie cries and he won't leave her. If I go out side to let him back in, he runs to greet me because he's so excited to see someone come out. Back in he goes (willingly) and before I even get back to the house...it starts all over again...he jumps out again!

Judy's Shoebox Swap

2009-01-04T10:25:00.008-05:00

Yesterday Judy, Karen, Pamela and myself had our 2nd "Shoebox Card Swap"! Judy hosted at her place in Lynn. (Yes, the Lynn song is going thru my head!) Pamela's GPS was nice enough to show us the way and as usual, we had a great time together and ate way too much! Judy made an amazing chicken soup, cranberry cake & chocolate oreo truffles! Pamela (thanks goodness!) made a yummy salad. Here's a pic of us when we were done. Judy's sister lives in the house next door so she took our picture out of her window so it's a little blurry...

Here are the cards we made close up...

Karen's card is a folding technique which took me forever to do with all the folding and stamping and coloring in but it was worth it! I made 2 of them. The papers, stamps, ribbon, brads & water color pencils were all Stampin' Up!

Pamela's card was this adorable birthday card using a Stampin' Up! set she had never used before. Way to use ur stash Pamela! I also made 2 cards but they were the same. The coloring was done with Copic Markers.

Judy's creation was this birthday card. Elements were cut on her Cricut machine. Piecing it together was fun and it was great how we all pieced it a little different!

For my second card at Judy's station, I decided to use this adorable stamp she had! OMG, I love how it came out. I used Pamela's Copic Markers to color it in. Color choices were based on the paper colors Judy gave us.

Here's my card. I worked all week so I had little time to really design something so I made this simple "Holiday Thank You". If you have seen my blog at all, I've used this stamp before and apparently I like it alot. It uses an embossing technique and copic markers.

2008-12-26T22:24:00.001-05:00

Power update and what's goin' on for the holidays!

2008-12-21T12:12:00.004-05:00

Well, we finally got power back last Tuesday night! How thrilled were we to see that gorgeous power truck show up all the way from Rhode Island! I feel like I've lost a week of my life and that's not good when Christmas is a week away!!! So much to do! It's currently snowing for the 3rd day in a row now but that won't keep me from finishing up the much needed shopping I had to do yesterday. I'm finally in good shape now. With the power back, I was able to make Christmas cookies that I put off due to the storm. I think I made 4 batches! YUMMY! Here's a couple pics...I like to make the cookies 2 different ways - round thumb prints and the traditional Swedish way my Mima used to make them. It tastes the same both ways but it brings me back to when I was little to make them Mima's way.

Give me power!

2008-12-14T10:35:00.004-05:00

Ok, I've been stuck now for days in no electricity HELL! Thursday night Dec. 11 was the beginning of a bad ice storm in this area. I've had no power since so I have no idea what's going on in the rest of the world. Dennis just got his hands on a generator which is why I'm able to use my computer. It's now Sunday and there's no end in sight for us. We haven't seen any power crews and even if the town fixed the problems, we are still disconnected from the pole since our lines are sitting on the ground with a tree over them!

Luckily we have an awesome wood burning stove that's keeping us warm. I'm able to heat up food and water as needed as well. Our biggest worry is the hot tub pipes freezing so Dennis has a small propane heater outside keeping that as warm as possible.

What to do with myself? I can't craft in my craftroom since it's in the basement and pitch black! Luckily I just got my laptop back so I'll probably be doing some digi scrapping later. Here are some pics of our icy winter wonderland...

Here are Travis & Kyla's cars cover with one of our lovely birch trees.

View of our dirt road.

Update...Dennis just saw a parade of power trucks from all over New England (CT, RI) nearby...I think they're coming to save us!!!

Ornament making at Pamela's!

2008-12-11T14:19:00.002-05:00

Last Sunday I was invited to make ornaments at my friend Pamela's house. She supplied all the materials and made us an awesome lunch of SS's Cowtown Stacy's famous Taco Soup. YUMMY! There were 4 of us all together and we made some really beautiful ornaments using a really cool technique. I'm at work so I'll have to insert that later...hee hee! We used glass bulbs in different shapes. I loved the heart shaped ones that I'll be using to decorate for Valentine's day...Here's a pic...

Ink About It's Stamp of the Month

2008-12-11T13:53:00.005-05:00

My doctors and dentists' offices are in Westford so my routine is that everytime I have either appointment (which is quite often lately) I get to make myself feel better by stopping at Ink About It! Every month IAI has a stamp of the month that they sell at a discounted price. December's is a really cute gingerbread stamp from (I forget...I'll insert later). Here's a gift card holder I made last night using that stamp. I added the coffee cup A Muse stamp for the Dunkin's gift card holder and the A Muse Music Player for the ITunes GC holder.

The Happy Holidays, To Go Cup & music player stamps as well as the ribbon are all A Muse.

The white and red paper are Bazzil.

The decorative punch is from Martha Stewart.

The music player is green with glitter.

The gingerbread man is colored with Copic markers (Walnut & light walnut?)

The pink & orange markers on the to go cup are from Creative Memories.

Getting to know me...Christmas Edition

2008-11-25T07:07:00.007-05:00

This was a list of questions from a thread on SS...

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love both! Depends on the gift and how much time I have.
2. Real tree or artificial? I love a real tree but I'm really an artificial tree girl at heart. I like to put the tree up on Thanksgiving and I hate vacuuming tree needles.
3. How many trees do you put up in your home? One...although Kyla has a tiny one on her vanity.
4. When do you put up the tree? Thanksgiving.
5. When do you take the tree down? After New Years when I get my energy back to put all the decorations away.
6. Do you like eggnog? Not really. Depends if there's booze in it.
7. Favorite gift received as a child? I always loved my XMas presents. I can't single out just one
8. Favorite person to buy for? This year...Travis...I have a really great idea for a gift and I'm having fun purchasing it.
9. Easiest person to buy for? My girls...they always give me a list.
10. Do you have a nativity scene? I have 2. One is really old from when I was a kid and the other is a new Jim Shore Scene that my Mom bought me last year.
11. Angel on the tree top or a star? Always a star...
12. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? That's not a nice question.
13. Favorite Christmas movie? Christmas Carol for nostalgia's sake...National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation to laugh my ass off!
14. When do you start shopping? I pick up a couple little things during the summer with full intention of getting it done early and then don't do anything else until after Thanksgiving. Someday I'll learn. I used to be close to finished at Thanksgiving but since I work full time now, those days are over. I LOVE internet shopping!
15. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I have only regifted small Yankee Swap type gifts
16. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cookies!
17. Lights on the tree? Of course! White ones...no multi color or flashing!
18. Favorite Christmas song? Ring Christmas Bells.
19. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Christmas Eve at home...Christmas day day at Mother-in-laws.
20. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Sometimes.
21. Are you a day after Thanksgiving shopper? Never used to me but Dennis has dragged me out of bed the past couple years.
22. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Eve with my family...Morning with kids and hubby.
23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Crowds at the stores and traffic.
24. Favorite ornament/tree theme or color? RED is my favorite color any time of the year.
25. Favorite food for Christmas dinner? We do simple. Italian Meatballs, calzones, etc.
26. Do you go to church Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Yeah...I used to...
27. Family tradition? It's not Christmas until my sisters and I play "The Partridge Family Christmas album". I know...sad.
28. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
29. How many cards do you send out? Less and less every year. Probably about 30 or 40.
30. What do you want for Christmas this year? Nothing...saving for a new kitchen. Home Depot cards would be great!
__________________

Happy with Digi!

2008-11-23T09:47:00.006-05:00

I've been scrapbooking digitally since September and I've actually gotten ALOT of pages done. I love it! No mess, all the papers and embellishments are in my computer, I can go back and change layouts whenever I want and there's tons of free stuff out on the internet so it is actually cheaper! Now that I have all these pages done, it's time to take the plunge and start thinking about printing some of them out. Yikes! I tried printing one of them out last month (check previous post) and although I liked the page, I didn't think about glossy vs. matte. I printed it out on glossy paper and it was just TOO SHINEY! Put a gloss photo in a glossy page and it's really hard to see the page. Ok, 2nd try...I uploaded 10 12x12 pages (including the glossy one I already did) to Costco Photo Center on-line. Ordered them in lustre (double checked to make sure I chose the correct option!) to be picked up in the Nashua NH store where I shop all the time anyways. Why Costco? Much cheaper than other's I've found and no shipping charges since I go there anyways. Costco 12x12 prints are $2.99 each.

Dennis picked them up for me yesterday when he went to pick up our monthly restocking of TP, paper towels & ketchup. They came out great! I'm so much happier with these prints! Lustre is the way to go and I must stay that I'm very happy with my digi-skills. Yes, I'm still a beginner and I know there's much more to learn but I get better all the time. All that really matter is that I like it anyways. Here's a layout...

This layout was created using the Creative Memories Disney Hannah Montana set. Although Jessy HATES Hannah Montana , this is a great little set and can be used without any reference to HM.

December Home Page Contest Entry

2008-11-19T23:27:00.007-05:00

Here's my first attempt at entering the A Muse Addicts forums Home Page Contest. This is my interpretation of what makes me warm & fuzzy during the holidays... LOL!

Stamp - A Muse "Holiday Shoppper"

Sentiment - A Muse Holiday Greetings II Clear Set

Card - Memory Box (cut square)

Paper - A Muse (Kitchen Grass)

Bazzill (white & Green)

Bling - Hero Arts Jewels

SPOILER ALERT - Holiday ATC Swap

2008-11-16T15:18:00.003-05:00

Here are my ATC (Artist Trading Cards) for Pamela's A muse Holiday ATC Swap. All stamped images are A muse stamps. These are my VERY FIRST ATC cards so be gentle...

Group #1

Group #2

A muse weekly challenge #69 - Old Meets New

2008-11-15T17:50:00.002-05:00

I'm posting this card again and by itself because it fits into the A Muse weekly challenge. It has stamps from one of the new Tree clear sets and an older sentiment stamp that I borrowed during a scrapping retreat.