About Me

My photo
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
I am a stay at home mom..now that is! February 19th, 2007 I was involved in a car accident while on vacation in Florida. I awoke in ICU to find out that my only two children Annemarie age 3 and Michael age 5 did not make it. Scrapbooking became such a big part of my life. It helped fill a void that I desperately needed to fill. Our therapist suggested that I take up scrapbooking as a way to memorialize my children, little did she know! So I took that and ran with it.I became obsessed with scrapping and took over the second largest room in my house. Because of my injuries I couldn't go out and get a job, I just scrapped!I printed out 2,000 photos and my journey began. I have made albums for family members and layouts to decorate my craft room. We thought we were done having kids but who expected this tragedy??? I just gave birth in June 2009 to two beautiful baby girls Mia Anne and Gianna Marie named after their brother and sister.I swore that I would keep up with their albums so I won't become overwhelmed so we will see how that works out! My profile picture is the last family picture that was taken of all of us.

Monday, August 31, 2009

2 Red Bananas & Stamp Something


I actually started this card as a color theme challenge a couple of weeks ago but due to my world being turned upside down I never finished it. So for my attempt to get my life back to somewhat normal I pulled the card out and I finished it using it for two challenges.

This was for Stamp Something ~ Animal Challenge where we had to use an animal on our card and 2Red Bananas Rub-A-Dub-Dub challenge where we had to use rub ons on our card.

I accented the tree limb with stickles and glitter paper. I used the same glitter paper to back the rub on. This card is really cute in person but it doesn't photograph well...hmmm maybe it is the photographer and not the card!

The owl digi stamp I used is from Doodle Palace. I cut them out and mounted them with pop dots. I used the "Together Forever" rub on from DCWV's Love quote stack.






Back in the Saddle again!


Well it has been a couple of weeks since I have been on here....I am not sure if I can remember how to scrap :) This was my first trip back in my craftroom after going thru some pretty horrible times...I figured what better way to get my mind off of things than make cards.

This card is for the Peachy Keen Challenge #10 which was a sketch that we had to follow. I used Peachy Keen PK-244 BEE HAPPY stamp set which was embossed and then colored in with my Prismacolor pencils. I highlighted the wings with stickles and put a layer of Stampin UP crystal effects over the body and head of the adorable little bee.

The paper is not as bright as it is showing in the photo but I just couldn't get a good picture of it :(

Monday, August 17, 2009

Days Gone By ~ Stampin for the Weekend


I made this card for a friend who is going thru some pretty rough times right now. Since it is a horrible situation I didn't want to make a glitzy, loud card.

This card is for the Stampin for the Weekend Challenge #11 ~ Days Gone By.

I used DCWV Vintage cardstock and Stampin Up! Garden Collage stamp set. I scalloped the corners of the actual card after I took the picture. I tried to capture that in a photo but it just didn't come out right. The whole card just doesnt' photograph well...maybe it has to do with the Photographer that had no sleep!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Bitten By the Bug School card


I just LOVE this adorable pencil!!! I made this card for Bitten By the Bug/BBTB School themed challenge.

I used Peachy Keen Stamps PK-650 Just Baby Faces Assortment Package for the face inside the pencil. I used my Cricut LOCKER TALK cartridge to cut out the short pencil in 3 inches, raised him up with mounting squares and colored him in with my Primacolor pencils. I cut out the background DP with my Printing 101 cartridge (the notebook) in 5 inches. The "NICE JOB" stamp was from the Close To My Heart Say It in Style stamp set which I embossed in red. The ruler button was from the Dress It Up ~ Pencil box package.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Inspirational, Doodle and Cute Card Thursday


Here I did a card that covers 3 challenges using very little scraps which I was excited to get rid of and my Martha Steward lattice punch. Since I had company I didn't think I could get anything done but I sneaked into my craft room when no one was looking a couple of times :) that's why this one is simple!

Doodle Palace Blue, Green & Bling challenge ~ I have some bling brads and the paper has glitter on it in several places (hard to see in photo)

Inspirational Card Sketch The name says it all!

Cute Card Thursday Beach theme

SPCC Color combo


I have to admit, when I first saw this color combo I was like "there is no way I can do something with this!"...well after looking thru my papers I found some adorable Halloween paper that had exactly those colors in it.

I made this card for SPCC Color Combo #10. I used my Peachy Keen Stamps PK-626 Scaredy Star, Happy Candy & Wizard Hat for the Candy Corns and the PK-629 Carved Pumpkin, Bat & Happy Halloween stamp set for the wording. I personally think that those are the most adorable candy corns I have ever seen...Kathy has outdone herself once again!!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Last minute Birthday Gift




I had fun with this challenge!!. Simon Says challenge. I have been cranking out card after card I was glad to make something different. You could really dress this up by packing it with some candles, lotions and jazzing up the wrap. I know whenever I give out gifts that are handmade people love them and it doesn't cost really that much just my time....and let me tell you sometimes that can be hours if not days!!!

This is something I came up with literally last minute! I am expecting company today so I will not be able to get to my scraproom for a couple of days...bummer :( I was going out to dinner with some of my neighbors to get together and to celebrate one of their birthdays. She said "No gifts" but I felt silly coming with absolutely nothing so I was struggling to figure something out quick. I was tapping on a journal that I bought from the store on clearance for like .50 cents. And WALAAH!! my idea was born. I just made her something to let her know I was thinking about her. I had to tie ribbons for hours it felt like on the front and on the back to cover up the silver underneath. I made a matching Post-It note holder to the memo book. The funny thing is (and if you knew me you would really chuckly)I didn't have a pencil or a pen that would fit into the holder so I took a brand new pencil and widdled it down via a manual pencil sharpner until it fit!!!! That right there is love :)
I put her initials on the front and on the inside cover I put some inspirational quotes along with some blank journaling tags.

She loved it so much she said she was going to put it on display..I wouldn't go that far but it made me happy that she liked it and it only cost me about $2.00 to make.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Wedding Card


I love this paper! It has a frosted shimmer look that just doesn't photograph well. THe fleur di les, heart and the word honor also have a frosted/glitter look. I stamped the image on vellum and then embossed it with white powder.

THis card was for The Corrosive Wedding challenge.

Stamptacular Sunday & Kaboodle Challenges


Here is a card that could be used for several occassions. I have been so scatter brained lately (hmmm...I wonder why?) and I don't remember things until the last moment. So a card like this comes in very handy. I know it is hard to tell in the photo but the window is cut out and raised with mounting dots.

It covers the Kaboodle window challenge and the Stamptacular Sunday 3-2-1 challenge where we had to use 3 brads, 2 printed papers and 1 flower.

Simple but sweet


I just love this paper..very dainty & sweet so I didn't want to cover it up. I find myself overdoing cards sometimes so with this one I wanted to keep it simple.What you can't see in the photo is that the floral design is embossed/raised giving the paper beautiful texture.

This card is for The Color Throwdown Challenge:

Color Throwdown

Ahoy, Matey!


This card is for the:

Cupcake Craft Sketch & Color theme challenge

The Pink Elephant Color theme Challenge


I used Stampin Up! Ahoy Matey stamp set for the image along with unknown paper, gold coin buttons, and a ship button.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Flourishes


This card is for the Flourishes Newsletter challenge. You untie the bow and the card will open. Stampin up! Inks and stamps were used.

Simple embossed card



I unfortunately do not have a cuttlebug or any machine that embosses so I had to do this one manualy...Everytime I go to buy one with my coupon they are convientely out of stock :( The white cardstock is embossed with different shapes and sizes of snowflakes. Since I have to send out so many Christmas cards I have to keep it simple. I added the flowers because I thought this was going to fit into another challenge but I read it wrong and its to late to fix it since it is glued. I will have to eventually jazz it up somehow.

This card covers 2 challenges:

Polka Doodles Sketch Challenge

Caardvarks Winter Themed challenge

I just adore this paper!




Good afternoon! I was up late last night trying to get as many cards done as possible. I learned a lesson that being half asleep while crafting isn't always productive..plus I fell asleep with stickles all over my face!

This card covers three challenges:

Basic Grey Week 1 Challenge

Cute Daisy May Floral Fantasy Challenge

Simon Says Buttons & Bows

Everytime I see this Basic Grey ~ Mellow paper for some reason I think of Apples so I stamped an apple. I used Peachy Keen PK-239 Faceless Fruit stamp which I colored in with my Primacolor pencils, then added some Prima flowers, ribbons, buttons and brads.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

2 Cardstock only challenges!



2 Red Bananas Banana split Sunday cardstock only challenge and
Pile It On no printed paper challenge. I decided to make my own background with a technique that I learned awhile ago. This card can be used for any occassion.

I used Stampin' Up! stamps,ink and cardstock.

CPS #128 - CARD SKETCH & SKETCH SATURDAYS


I was thinking about my little boy today and missing him real bad so I decided to do a boy themed card...maybe he will come to me in my dreams tonight now - I could only wish!!

To complete this sketch for CPS #128 Card Positioning Systems sketch challenge and Sketch Saturday #63 challenge I used:

Close to My Heart ~ Little Boys C1256 stamp set
Basic Grey cardstock
Hodgepodge Hardware
Various colored inks

The Sugar Bowl ~ Marlene's Sketch #16


I made this card out of my wonderful never ending bin of scrap paper for The Sugar Bowl's Sketch challenge #16. I used various brads, buttons, hemp, scrap paper and Martha Stewart arch lattice punch. This one is simple but very bright and cheery!

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Vintage, Roses & Layouts oh My!



I had about 10 minutes to come up with this card. It covers three challenges:

Allsorts challenge This challenge was a vintage theme

Card Patterns... the name says it all!

One Stop Craft The challenge here was to use roses.

The picture throws the coloring off in the stamp. I used Stampin' Up Garden Collage and Gentler Times stamp sets along with My Mind's Eye vintage paper.

Here's Orson!


I got this free Digi Stamp from There's Magic In The Air Celebration challenge. Nina is giving the image away free for only I think 3 more days so you may want to stop on by and snag it before its gone!

I am on a mission to use all of my scraps up before I tap into anymore paper. I actually have a blast seeing what I can come up with. On this card I wanted to keep it simply and let Orson be the main focus. He was lovingly colored in with my Prismacolor pencils which I blended with Gamsol (I got it from Peachykeenstamps.com). I then accented him with Cotton Candy Stickles.

Orson just puts a smile on my face and to me that is worth a million bucks!

All 6 wrapped into one


When I started this card I had teal and gold paper as the background so I colored the stamp to go with the paper. Well for some reason I can't stand the color teal. It just makes my eyeballs crazy. With me if I am working on a project and the color shade is off just a hair I sit and struggle with it for hours until I either change the color or I give up on it. This was defintely one of those cases. I changed the background paper to make me feel a little better but then the coloring was off. I couldn't believe I was getting so stressed out over a darn little card....so I left it as it is. I may add a little more to it down the road but I need to walk away..

I got this free Digi Stamp from Lily-Boo's Boutique.. For the coloring of the stamp I used my primacolor pencils, Gamsol, blending stomps, and stickles.

This card covers 6 challenges:

Paper Popsicles card sketch challenge.

Stamp Something Charmed CHallenge. I used a butterfly charm hanging off the ribbon

Kaboodle Blog Challenge. This challenge was to use a digi image

Digitual Tuesday Challenge#18. This challenge was to use a digistamp and add some bling. The charm and the gold stickles and some "bling" to my card

High Hopes Stamp CHallenge #42. Here we had to use the color cold somewhere on our card.

Secret Crafter. This challenge was called "Cute as a bug". I used various colored butterflies on my card

Friday, August 7, 2009

Peachy Keen Challenge #7



I was so excited when I opened my package from Peachy Keen Stamps! I couldn't wait to get my hands on her new adorable stamps! I have so many ideas and I am biting at the bit to get started!!

This card was for the Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge #7. We had to do a Halloween themed card that had a pumpkin, the color purple and a zig zag.

So I thought I would dive into my stash of hot off the press Peachy Keen Stamps and start with two of my favorites the Funny Spider and the Scaredy star. My idea was to have the Spider zapping his wand at the star which was running away from him. The problem was I started the card in the wrong direction so I had to change the layout since I didn't want to start over. So I tried to make it look like the star was running or shall I say flying away from the rays of the Web Wand by putting the star in the "sky". Even though it didn't come out like I had originally planned I had fun using it.

Supplies used:

Peachy Keen Stamps PK-626 Scaredy Star, Happy Candy & Wizard Hat

Peachy Keen Stamps PK-628 Funny Spider, Web Wand and POOF!


Peachy Keen Stamps PK-624 Halloween Background One. This has adorable witches hats, brooms, pumpkins, stars, moons, swirls etc.

First I embossed black cardstock using the background stamp and silver embossing powder. I stamped the star and the spider with embossing powder and colored them in using:

Primacolor Pencils
Gamsol....my first time using this stuff and I AM IN LOVE!! I am not much of an artist but this stuff makes it easy to pretend to be one :) - I highly recommend purchasing this from Peachy Keens website.
Blender stomps
Stampin Up Crystal Effects
Stickles

I cut the star out and mounted it on 3D pop up/mounting dots for a finishing touch. Halloween is such a fun holiday, I can't wait to make more cards using my new stamps.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Quadruple Play!



Okay folks...I have to admit this one thru me for a loop. I started out with such a great idea and then it just went south. I tried to get to many challenges into one card either than or I just had "multiples" on my mind!!! I was going to abort the whole thing but I figured it was almost done. Plus I had to do it with one of my little ladies laying across my lap!!

Charisma Cards Challenge #31 - Sketch This was the main sketch to follow

Colour Create #24 The challenge here was to use pink, orange and green. The DP has little pink, orange, purple and blue elephants.

Creative Inspirations Challenge 20 This challenge was doodling which I did around the sentiment.

Crafty Creations challenge #27 This was to use buttons which I did in the middle of the Prima flowers.

Cute Card #72 & 2 Sketches 4 You #32


Here is my entry for the 2 Sketches 4 You Sketch #32 & the Cute Card Thursday challenge.

I followed the layout/sketch for 2 Sketches 4 You to satisfy that challenge and used teal and red for the Cute Card Thursday challenge. You can not see it in the photo but the bug in the middle is raised with 3D mounting dots.

Supplies Used:

Stampin up! ~ Cute as a Bug stamp set
Stickles
Embossing powder
Magic mesh
Prismacolor pencils
Unknown cardstock & designer paper
Ribbon

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Inspirational Card Sketch #28



I had alot of fun with this one! This card is for the Inspirational Card Sketch Christmas challenge. I also am very proud of myself because I was able to use the smallest scraps that most people would throw away!!! Whenever I challenge myself like that I just get all giddy that I made something out of nothing. With this challenge I was finally able to use my Peachy Keen Snowman stamp that I have been dying to use. It just makes me want to be a kid again and go snow tubing!!!

The supplies I used:

Peachy Keen Stamps PK 303 A ~ Tubular Star Snowman Small . I cut the images out and raised them with 3D mounting dots/squares


Stickles
Primacolor pencils
Blender pen
Glitter paper and unknown DP
Stampin up Really Red ink
Glitter
Glue Pen
Liquid Applique - around the rim of the hat
Stampin Up Crystal Effects - I put this on the tube and the hat for that extra shiny look.
Pom Poms

Color Throwdown #54


I have to be honest. When I first saw this challenge on the Color Throwdown blog I almost gave up on it because I didn't think I could pull the color combo off. I am extremely surprised on how well those colors work together! I needed to do something simple so I used:

Pumpkin Pie cardstock onto of a cream cardstock card

Stampin' UP! Heartfelt Thanks stamp set~ I did the base flower in Blush Blossom and the overlay in really rust. The leaves I used Always Artichoke. I then mounted them onto Grey cardstock. Each flower is mounted on pop up dots for a raised 3D effect.

There was an empty space to the left so I just used some Stampin Up eyelets and some blush colored ribbon.

What is great about this card is you can use it as a Thank you card or as a Sympathy card.

Creative Card Crew, Papertake Weekly & Cupcake Craft Challenges


Once again I pulled out my trusty scrap paper and came up with a card that satisfies 3 challenges. I used several layers of prima flowers to symbolize the sun. I figured this could be used for a fun birthday card or just to celebrate a special occassion.

Papertake Weekly PaperTake Weekly Four Season Challenge.

Cupcake Craft Challenge Cupcake Craft Beach Theme Challenge


Creative Card Crew Creative Card Crew "Under the Sea" challenge.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

My card for Guest Designer this week at Doodle Palace



First I would like to say that I was honored to be a Guest Designer at Doodle Palace Challenge Doodle Palace. I had such a blast making this card. I choose the theme "Cute & Unusual" because of my use of embellishments. When I was shopping at a store that was going out of business I picked up a pair of fish net stockings thinking that one day I would be able to do something with it on my craft projects. When I decided to use the adorable Lion stamp I remembered the pair of fish net stockings that I promised my friend that I would somehow some way fit into my scrapbooking...she thought I was nuts but she loved the finished project! I had cut a piece and how it fit on the card it how I made it work. I am in short supply of Thank you cards since I just had twins so I figured I would make it into a Thank you card. But the best part of it was that I had a blast using something that normally is not used for scrapbooking on my card. So I encourage people to think outside the box and try this challenge, dig deep into your craft supply for that long forgotten item and have fun creating something "Cute & Unusual"!!!

Whimsical Scraps #23 & Mojo Monday #98 & Spoon Full of Sugar #63



Hello All!
Since time is not a friend of mine lately I need to get as many challenges in with very little time. I made this card for:

Whimsical Scraps & Bugs challenge #23 ~ color challenge using the chosen colors of green, sky blue, chocolate, pumpkin and white/cream. These colors can be seen in the cardstock, designer paper and the prima flowers


A Spoon Full of Sugar ~ Floral Fantasy - using something floral on a card. There are flowers on the paper and I also used Prima Flowers.

Mojo Monday #98 ~ Sketch of the month challenge.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Doodle Palace ~ Animals & Fiber


Since I have very little time to myself these days I needed to come up with a card that was fast and simple for this challenge in order to get it done. I always need birthday cards so I decided to use Dillon the Dragon from Doodle Palace....he is just to cute! I may end up adding some Stickles to give the cake Sparkle but there is no time for that today since my little ladies are starting to stir.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Peachy Keen Challenge # 6


Okay things have been a bit crazy for me here. I have been bombarded with family and friends wanting to see my girls..don't get me wrong I love the company but I just want to SCRAP!! I didn't get to do any challenges last week and this week I had an hour today to squeeze a challenge in. My sister's birthday is coming up so I decided to use some paper that I thought I would never use (challenge to myself!) and make up a quick card and this is what I came up with. It is hard to tell but the cupcake is the front of the card and it opens up to various Happy Birthday sayings on the background paper.

Supplies:

Peachy Keen PK - 652 Just Baby Faces 1 1/2" ~ this was the biggest face that I had and it is just to cute!!

Cricut Wild Card cartridge
Embossing powder
Prismacolor colored pencils
Prima Flowers
Stickles
Brads
Various embellishments