MMMM....Look at the CANDY!

Like I promised, here are the pictures of what you could win. They both include 5 pages, rub-on lettering, American Craft ribbon, and 40- piece eyelets.

The pink is for the drawing of those who place my blog link in your post. And the blue is for the drawing for the people who visit my site and place a comment on my blog. Please read my last blog to get the exact details of what you need to do :) Again, thanks and good luck!!

COMMENT HERE FOR BLOG CANDY!!

I want to be able to meet new people and have more people come to my blog, so with that said I'm going to be giving out some BLOG CANDY!! I am going to be posting the candy on my blog tomorrow and I will choose a random winner on Saturday, April 19, 2008 for anyone who leaves a comment here telling me a little about themselves. So...I need your help to do this! Put a link in your next post to direct anyone who comes along to your site, to come to mine. Make sure they know some delicious candy is being given away :) AND if you leave me a comment here letting me know you have done this and I see it in your blog - out of those people there will be an extra BLOG CANDY given away. Thanks for your help and good luck!

Hanging in There...

Well the weekend is finally here - which I'm thankful for! This week at work has been very exciting yet stressful with my new position as a supervisor. Being thrown into a position without any specific training, with certain expectations and goals to meet even in the first week, is NO easy task with any job. But I made it, and I'm ready to move on to week two.

So with that said, I felt that this card was perfect for the way that I'm feeling right now. I'm doing exactly what it says - I'm hanging in there.

I've actually had these stamps for quite a while, but never got the chance to use them. The set came along with several different jungle animals and now all sorts of ideas are running through my head for how to use them... so don't be surprised if you see more cards with my jungle animals in the near future:)

My New Computer and SPACE!!!!

Well, I'm very pleased to announce that I finally have a "Craft Area"!! My husband bought me a new computer and desk for my birthday. Its a little early before my birthday (May 28) but I'm not complaining...I don't mind early gifts :) I'm very excited because before I didn't have a place to make my cards, I would just spread everything around me on the floor. This picture didn't turn out that great, and no that is not a jail cell - remember we are poor college students, but you get the idea :) It's not anything big and fancy but its pretty great compared to what I did have before.

"Owl" Be Back....

First of all, I need to make sure that everyone knows that it was my husband's idea for the title :)

Well I was able to get a lot cards done during conference today. It was nice to be able to sit down and finish a couple of my ideas that have been floating around in my head for quite a while.

This first one I have been wanting to do for about a month, but I couldn't seem to find the paper that I wanted to use for it. When I saw this paper, I knew it was it! This was a really fun card to do. It took more time and a little more patience but I will have to say this is my favorite card I have done this far. I actually made this specifically with Jill in mind for her birthday later this month, and I didn't want to post it because I knew she would see it - but I was so proud of it, that I couldn't wait! So Jill- act surprised when you get it in the mail..ok? :)
This next one, I really loved the paper and had started from there. Usually I start with an idea of a layout that I want to use and find the right paper for it. It was a nice change to have just the paper to inspire me. I think it turned out pretty cute.
This group of cards, I actually had to sit down at my computer and look through different blogs to find a layout I actually liked. I had part of an idea to start with, but once I got everything cut out and ready to go, I was so indecisive about the layout and nothing seemed to look right with them (which what I like to call-Crafters Block). The cards were originally going to be "Thank You" Cards, but I decided that I didn't want to add a sentiment because they looked good without one, and now they could be used for any occasion.

And last, but not least, after I had all my card "mess" cleaned up, I was just looking through some blogs and I came across this really cute card at My Crafty Days Off and HAD to try it out myself. So I pulled EVERYTHING out again and started the mess again. In the blog, she had actually used ribbon to make the tie, but I didn't have any ribbon that would make a nice tie, so I had to make one myself out of paper. I think with my little buttons, it made a nice touch to it. Isn't this such a cute ......I mean MANLY .....idea for a Father's Day card or even a birthday card for your dad!? I think so. This was my husband's favorite out of the bunch!

This next week is going to be very busy for me, which is why I took this opportunity to make these cards today. Starting tomorrow, I got promoted to a supervisor at work, which is great! I'm very excited to start this adventure! Wish me luck!

Hidden Treasure

I made my first attempt of making a little boy's card. It was difficult at first but when I found this paper, my ideas started flowing. This card is for a little boy who is turning four and absolutely loves pirates! This was perfect for him. I drew the map by hand and used brown chalk on the paper to give it an aged look. With crumbling the paper and burning the edges it looks pretty good, (better than what I had excepted).

I'm working on several different projects right now, I'm starting up a website, trying to keep up with my blog, working on card packages and tile coasters to put on ebay, and not to mention I've been working over 45 hours a week at work. It's been hectic but I'm enjoying having a hobby to keep me busy.

My Inspiration.....

It's nice to finally have a hobby that I truely enjoy. My sister-in-law Jill from inkgenious has been a true inspiration for different ideas and creations of mine. The cards are just beautiful and somehow with her four boys and husband, she somehow finds time to kick out a card almost everyday! I don't know how she does it :)

This card was made for my neice, who had a birthday earlier this month. I saw a card that Jill had done awhile back and it was so simple with a little cupcake on it. The card stuck in my mind and finally I found a cupcake stamp I liked, which I found for $1 at Michael's (being cheap makes it SO much sweeter). I used my new little sewing machine my husband bought me. I also tried some glitter paint on the cupcake, which I wasn't sure I was going to like, but it turned out it made the card a little cuter. I guess the next step would to be to actually send it to her......oops!

I also tried out another craft I stole from something Jill had made. I first saw Jill's coasters when she had made them for our Grandma for Christmas. They were SO cute, but I wasn't sure exactly how she made them. My husband and I were wandering through Home Depot to day- dream of things we wish we could afford and I saw the tiles! To be honest I still am not sure how she makes them, but I figured I'd try them out. I stamped them and then used my chalk set. I also sprayed it with flat clear spray paint which gave the chalk a nice touch without making it shiney.