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.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Things with Wings

Hello everyone!  Popping in here today to share with you a card that I made for a friend that is going thru some tough times.  This is for the new challenge over at the Sisterhood of Crafters.  The theme is "Things with Wings". I used the card base from SVG Cuts Poplar Street Tulips set and papers are from the Believe paper pad by Prima. The stamp I have had for some time, it is by Paper Inspirations and shows Proverbs 3:5-6.  I added some 3D butterflies using my Stampin Up! punch.  I hope she likes it!


Hope to see you playing along with our Things With Wings challenge over at the Sisterhood. So many different avenues you can go with that one. 

 Have fun and most of all HAPPY CRAFTING!

Monday, March 31, 2014

Second entry for the PKS release party

Hey everyone!  I started these projects weeks ago to link up to the Peachy Keen March release party.  Well Dang it didn't realize that time was up today!  So I am hurrying up to get them posted and linked before they expire.  If you guys have anything from the March release over at Peachy Keen hurry up and get them linked up and join the party!!

I used the adorable little chicks and the church as well as the sentiment from the March SOTM kit.  The sentiment is from PK-1375 Faceless Chickens.  I love these new stamps!! I can't wait to play with the chickens from the Faceless Chickens set.  I started a couple of other projects but in my true fashion didn't get them done.  I swear I am the Queen of Unfinished projects!

I apologize for the pictures.  My email is down and had to use only my phone...sorry they are not the best.

PKS March Linky Party entries

Hey everyone!  I started these projects weeks ago to link up to the Peachy Keen March release party.  Well Dang it didn't realize that time was up today!  So I am hurrying up to get them posted and linked before they expire.  If you guys have anything from the March release over at Peachy Keen hurry up and get them linked up and join the party!!

I used the adorable little chicks and the church as well as the sentiment from the March SOTM kit.  The sentiment is from PK-1375 Faceless Chickens.  I love these new stamps!! I can't wait to play with the chickens from the Faceless Chickens set.  I started a couple of other projects but in my true fashion didn't get them done.  I swear I am the Queen of Unfinished projects!

I apologize for the pictures.  My email is down and had to use only my phone...sorry they are not the best.


Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Animals at the Sisterhood

Good afternoon everyone, it's time for another fun challenge over at the Sisterhood of Crafters. For this challenge it is all about ANIMALS.  We are asking you to make a project with an Animal theme.  

I take my girls to the YWCA for a class called Dinosaur School.  The kids go to school downstairs and the parents go to school upstairs.  The idea is to teach the kids how to deal with their feelings, attitudes etc. and the parents go to school upstairs and get lessons on how to deal with their kids and their issues.  One of my twins is very STRONG WILLED to say it nicely.  So in effort to be the best parents we could and to offer them the best chance at life we decided to sign them up.  It is like a 16-20 week course, I lost track of the time.  My girls love it and they even give you dinner!! The course is free and I would definitely recommend it if they have one in your area.

In the course they teach them all about their feelings and how to deal with them.  They even made a calm down thermometer when they get angry.  It teaches them how to calm down.  One of the things they teach is to "Smell the flowers, and blow out the candles" which in turn means breath in and blow it out.  This is to help you calm down when you feel yourself getting mad.  My girls have really been talking about their feelings ever since they started this course.  Keep in mind they are four so when you hear one of them say "Mommy I am feeling very frustrated" it just makes you laugh.  They also play "Detective" to help them look for solutions to their problems.  Overall it is really a neat course.  Sad to say next week is our last week.

One of their recent lessons is to go into your "Turtle Shell" to protect yourself from hurt, anger and just to calm down.  Now the turtle shell is imaginary and a figure of speech of course.  You can either crawl into a turtle shell shape on the floor or go to your imaginary turtle shell to protect you. Sadly there are many kids subject to abuse, bullying etc so this tool is to help them cope.  My kids thank goodness haven't dealt with that yet but my one has lots of meltdowns and I think it is from not being able to communicate. 

So when they were telling me about this lesson I decided to create a Turtle box for them.  Something where they can keep pictures of things that make them feel happy, safe or calm.  I created this 3D turtle from a file I found by SnapDragon Snippets in the Silhouette Store. I enlarged it to 130% to make it the biggest I can. My idea behind this was for them to keep things inside whether it be pictures, little notes or items that they treasure. That way when they are upset or sad they can go into their Turtle Shell and find their happy place. 

I am happy to report that my daughter has made a complete 180.  Her temper tantrums have decreased by 90%, she is talking more about what makes her happy and sad instead of just freaking out.  Hopefully this tool I made with help her continue down that path.

I took the shape from the part that covers up the foot and made cut it into different sizes to make some decoration on the shell. I inked it up with some Tim Holtz Vintage Photo and used an eye from Peachy Keen Stamps teddy bear assortment set.  I have it stamped on both sides so it can look great either way.  My girls got a bit crazy with the spots but they love it!

                            



I hope you play along with our Animal challenge over at the Sisterhood of Crafters.  

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Sentimental journey

Happy Hump day everyone! I hope everyone is enjoying the nicer weather we have been having.  I know we are.  In PA we had a horrible winter and even when the temps are in the 40's it feels like summer so I will take it!

Today starts another challenge over at the Sisterhood of Crafters.  Our newest Sistah' Diane is hosting a challenge with a theme of "Sentimental Journey".  We asked that you create a project making the sentiment the main focal point instead of the normal image.  I gotta tell you I love making cards like this.  We have a friend who is having a baby soon and I came up with this card for her baby shower.  I used the papers that matched a project that I made for her and the colors also match the theme she has in the nursery. I used paper from Stampin up! and a stamp from a company that went out of business.


I hope you come and join us in our Sentimental Journey at the Sisterhood.  Have a great day and as always, HAPPY CRAFTING!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

PKS February Release challenge

Hello Everyone! I just wanted to pop in to share with you a card I made with the Peachy Keen February 2014 SOTM set.  

I tend to struggle with simple cards because I overthink them.  Well this is my attempt at a simple card! lol The picture isn't the greatest since you can't see the different parts of the trees but it was gloomy out when I took it.  There is two more days to play along over at the Peachy Keen Challenge blog so don't miss out.  All you have to do is use a stamp from the February release and you can enter as many times as you want.  I have several more projects in the works and I hope I can get them done in time!

Happy Crafting!




Let's Hear it for the boys!

Hello there!  I don't know about you but sometimes I find it hard to create a card for a man.  Ribbon or no ribbon? Buttons or no buttons?  Honestly I think sometimes it's all about the paper.  If you have the right paper things just flow.  I had fun making these two cards for the new challenge I am hosting over at the Sisterhood of Crafters.  The challenge is "One for the Boys" and we are asking you to make a masculine themed project.

For my first project I used the stamp from Peachy Keens SOTM July 2012 stamp set.  I created the card with a label from Too Cute By Jessica's LOT OF LABELS set by welding it in my SSDE then cutting it out.  I colored the little boy in with my Spectrum Noir markers.




I bought this stamp ions ago and have no idea who made it.  The sentiment is from a company that is no longer in business.  The papers are from October Afternoon.  The card is simple but I think it makes a statement.

I hope you play along with the challenge I am hosting over at the Sisterhood of Crafters! See you there! 

Happy Crafting!

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Peachy Keen Challenge

It has been awhile since I picked up my markers and played with them.  I need to do it more often because #1 I enjoy it but #2 it is so relaxing for me.  It is my way of coloring as an adult!  What better stamps to use....my Peachy Keen Stamps! OMG I love them to bits and they are so fun to work with.

I decided to play along with their new photo inspiration challenge.  Right away the colors reminded me of Summer so that is what I went with.  I used the June 2013 SOTM set and paper from Cosmo Cricket.  I added Glossy accents to the starfish to give them some "pop".  Gotta go and try to get my card done for the February Linky Party!  

Happy Crafting! 


Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Heart filled with love!

I hope everyone is staying safe and getting ready/prepared for this mammoth storm that is heading our way.  This has to be the worst winter I have experienced since moving here 7 years ago.  My heart goes out to those who live by themselves especially the elderly.  Over here if we lose power we don't have heat or running water since I have a well.  Thank goodness we have a generator but still, with kids it is not fun!  So I am gonna just play with the girls and craft my little heart out if I get snowed in.  I just hope the heat stays on with how cold it is here.

It's time for another great challenge over at the Sisterhood of Crafters.  The theme is LOVE is in the Air.  Make a project or anything that has to do with Love.  It doesn't have to be Valentine's just based on love.  You will see a wide range of inspiration over at the Sisterhood to get your crafty gears going.

For my project I used some paper from Carta Bella, stamps from Paper Trey Ink and a 3D layered chipboard rose from Echo Park. I thought it would be nice to send this to someone in the mail.  When was the last time you sent a letter instead of a text or email? I know I am guilty about it so I am gonna surprise someone and send them this card to brighten their day.


Hope you all stay safe and warm.  Happy Crafting!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Winter Snowflakes Challenge at the Sisterhood

Good morning everyone!  Today there is a new challenge over at the Sisterhood of Crafters.  The theme is very fitting especially right about now! The theme is WINTER SNOWFLAKES. It can be any Winter themed project but it has to have some Winter Snowflakes on it.

I picked a paper pad and challenge myself to make some cards with just what I could find out of the paper pad.  I came up with these two cards.  The one with the penguin is actually so many layers then I popped up the image but it is hard to tell in the photo.  I think for just using paper these came out pretty good!  The pictures are horrible since the weather here has been dark and gloomy but I hope you can get the gist of it.  I gotta say I had fun challenging myself to just use paper!  I hope you play along and show us your Winter Snowflake themed projects!



Guess I had the winter blues...lol  That's the color that popped into my head when I thought of snowflakes!

Now hop on over to The Sisterhood of Crafters and play along.  Have some fun with us and get your craft on!  This challenge is being hosted by our talented Sister MICKI.  

Thursday, January 9, 2014

A new year and a new challenge at the Sisterhood

Good afternoon! I apologize for the delay in getting this post listed but we have been the "House of Cooties" this week.  It started Sunday with the girls and of course they couldn't get sick on the same day! Then yesterday was my turn.  Thank goodness I feel so much better and it only lasted 24 hours.  Sadly today is my husbands turn.

It is a new year and time for a new challenge at the Sisterhood of Crafters.  Our "Out with the Old and in with the New" challenge started yesterday.  Use something new and something old.  This was a great challenge for me because I tend to hoard I mean accumulate things but never use them.






I just bought this week the Envelope Punch Board by WE R Memory keepers.  I have been wanting to try that.  I found this tutorial online how to make this adorable little matchbox gift box so I thought I would give it a try.  Super simple and fun! You can find it HERE if you are interested. I used some old designer paper, twine and chipboard tag, and Stickles that I have had forever.  I didn't like the look of the stickles so I sprinkled on some MS glitter.  I think I have had that tag for at least 5 years! The other new thing I used was a new file released by KaDoodle Bug Designs called Love you this Much. I thought it would make a cute little gift box or even some chocolates inside.

I hope you play along with our new challenge over at the Sisterhood of Crafters. And bring on some craftiness in 2014!

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Peachy Keen Stamps Celebrate Christmas blog hop

Hello everyone!  Welcome, and thanks for joining the Celebrate Christmas Blog Hop! It is so great to be hopping with current and alumni PKS design team members. 

If you got here from the ever so crafty AMY's blog you are right on track. If not you can start from the beginning by clicking HERE. Or click HERE to start on the first day of the hop if you missed it. Remember you have to leave posts on both days to be entered into the prize drawing.

Peachy Keen Stamps will be providing an amazing Christmas stamp bundle to one lucky winner.  To be entered to win, hoppers will need to leave a comment on each blog post for both days ( Friday & Saturday).  There will be 1 winner chosen to receive the Christmas bundle with a retail value of $150!!! 

For my first project I made these adorable lollipops with Peachy Keen PKK-14 4" winter faces. I love these faces!!! They can be used for soooo many things!  I added a label from Too Cute By Jessica's Lots of Labels set for the background mat behind the face. I made a label using a stamp from  PKSC-23 November 2013 SOTM set and a sentiment from PKSC-11 November 2012.  





Next I found these cute little jars at Hobby Lobby. The face on this little jar came from PK-321 Snowmen, Greetings and Globe set. I used Staz On ink and rolled the jar on the stamp to get it on the jar. I sprayed the lid black to look like a hat and added some snow. I filled it with scented bath salts. I thought this would make a cute little gift!




Your next stop is the extremely talented Vivenne. But hold your jaw before you click on her blog so it doesn't hit the floor!! I have learned the hard way!! Lol have fun and good luck!! You have until Midnight on December 1st to leave comments on all the blogs for both days. 








Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Handmade with love!

Good morning everyone!  Today there is a new challenge over at the Sisterhood Of Crafters.  We are asking you to make anything HANDMADE.  Now that is a topic crafters could have fun with!  I used the ornament from SVG Cuts Silent Night kit along with some Graphic 45 paper to make these.  I did three in different designs.  Now I apologize for the bad photos.  It rained all day and I was hoping to have the lights set up to take the picture but that didn't happen. But hopefully you can get the idea and see them thru the haziness! lol I hope I see your craftiness over at the Sisterhood!! Happy Crafting!





Friday, October 18, 2013

Recipe/Coupon holder

Hello everyone!  I had to share with you this organizer that I made for a kitchen to be used as a place to put all those recipes you collect or some coupons.  I was looking to make something with a reinforced top for strength.  While looking at the tissue box from SVG Cuts Back to the Books set I realized that would work!  I simply flipped it over and made the bottom the top and vice versa.  When it came to cutting out the bottom I just cut the outline of the lid.  I think I also Released compound as well (in SSDE).  Now you could simply measure the piece you wanted as well.  I made a slightly smaller piece for a bottom liner to give extra support.  Now when it came to the folders I figured out the size I wanted them to be and added a score line in SSDE.  I was using the adorable Country Kitchen set from Too Cute By Jessica to decorate this organizer.  I took some of the elements from the set and welded them to the folder in order to make the tabs.  The sentiment is from the SVG CUTS Christmas Open house set. There are many layers on all the details on this set which maybe hard to see. I finished it off with a PKS face stamp from a newly released September SOTM .  I just love that adorable little chef with that face!  The paper I used is by Cosmo Cricket's Baby Jane line.




These would make cute gifts for someone to use as a kitchen organizer!  I only did four here but you could add as many as you need.  Hope you like it and let me know if you have any questions.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Anything Goes challenge at the Sisterhood.

We have a new challenge going on over at the Sisterhood of Crafters.  The theme is Anything Goes.  A wide open challenge with many possibilities so stop on over and play along.  We have a great sponsor this week as well called Fitztown.  They are offering a prize to one lucky winner.  Stop on by the Sisterhood for all the details.

I used their WINTER #9 adorable winter boy digi stamp.  I colored him in with my Spectrum Noir markers and added some stickles.  Gotta love digi stamps that are more like a piece of art! They have a great selection of items available, not just digi stamps.  A big thank you to Fitztown for sponsoring our challenge!!

Thursday, September 26, 2013

My Western Wedding favors and centerpieces

Hello everyone! I am so happy to finally share these with you.  I made these for my sisters bridal shower.  I used a file called Western Wedding from Too Cute by Jessica.com.  I made the favor by wrapping my sisters favorite candy bar and embossing the paper.  I then did a print and cut on my Cameo to get all the information to show up on the dress.  I made a little folio which contained a note pad, post it note and a pen that matched whatever paper was on the front. The paper was from Cosmo Cricket's Art Angel line.  





Now on to the centerpieces.  I used the boot from SVG Cuts Happy Trails kit and the roses from the Mom's Garden Gifts set.  I inked them all up with TH Vintage photo.  I took the bride from the western wedding and made it double sided so whatever side of the table you were sitting on you would see the bride.  On the back of the boot on the strap I put her soon to be new last name. I also embossed the dresses in two different designs with my Sizzix folders.  We ran out of time so I didn't get to add all the panels to the boots but everyone loved them regardless! Lots of work but she is worth it :)









Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Tag you're it!

There is another fun challenge going on over at the Sisterhood of Crafters with the theme of TAG YOU'RE It!  Make a project with a tag on it or the project itself is a tag.  Then link it up and play along!  There is some fun inspiration to get you started on the Sisterhood blog from the DT as well as our new Step-Sisters. Make sure to stop on by and leave them some blog love!

I made a little box and filled it with 6 tags that I turned into gift card holders (see pic below). I got both files from the Silhouette store. I then used the newly released SNOW MUCH LOVE set from KaDoodle Bug Designs for the images.  I never worked with clip art until recently and I just love, love, love it!  I altered the larger snowman/woman to fit the front of each tag.  Then I took three of the smaller images to make a panel for the front of each box.  I made 6 boxes with 6 tags in each box. I distressed everything with Tim Holtz Vintage Photo. I thought these would make cute gifts for the holidays.  Or you can tie them to a small gift or the tree with a gift card on the back.  And you don't even have to put a gift card in it, you can put a piece of cardstock in the slot and write a message on the back.  I just fell in love with those adorable Snowman from Trina Clark.  I am so happy that I can get them in other forms at KaDoodle Bug Designs.  I am working on a larger project that I will share with you once it is done.






Now...Tag you're it...See ya at the Sisterhood!


Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Devine Digis at the Sisterhood!

Hello and a very happy morning to you all!  I am happy to announce a new challenge over at the Sisterhood Of Crafters that is being sponsored by one talented artist!  The challenge is to make a project using Digis (digital stamps).  The challenge is being sponsored by Shelly's Images and you can go to her store by clicking HERE.



I just love this image. It is called SANTA'S OLD FAITHFUL and can be found HERE.  The first thing that popped into my head was doing something natural with it.  So I decided to keep it blank to let the artwork shine thru.  I did a print and cut on my Cameo for the very first time with a Digi!! I never did it before nor did I think to!! How beautiful would it be to make a bunch of these tags as a gift to someone? Now I attached it to a card for the picture but the tag could stand alone.  I see a gorgeous box of these tags all done up...a gorgeous handmade gift for someone!


Next I used the digi called PUMPKINS which can be found HERE.  I simply layered it with some scrap paper in fall colors and colored the image in with my Spectrum Noir markers.  Her artwork makes it very easy to make a beautiful project!

I hope you get your digi on and come on over and play along.  If you do you will get a chance at winning  a $6 voucher to Shelly's Images.  You should stop on by and see what wonderful digis she has available for sale.  They truly are a piece of art!

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Day #2 of Back to School projects

Hello again!  I am popping in here again to share with you some more projects I made for the KaDoodle Bug Designs and Too Cute By Jessica Facebook Fanpage hop.  Today I am showcasing Feelin' Nerdy Bears which you can find HERE. I used the adorable little nerdy boy bear to decorate a dry erase board. Perfect to keep track of homework or it makes a perfect teacher gift!  For my next project I made the coffee mug from SVG Cuts  Farmhouse Kitchen  file and decorated it with the sweet girl bear also from Feelin' Nerdy. I am in love with this paper pack by Cosmo Cricket called Art Angel.  So much that I didn't want to use it. Even the quality of the paper is amazing.  I am going to give this mug to my girls teacher on their first day of school.  I figured she can use the mug afterwards to hold pencils or what not on her desk.  It is hard to tell from the picture but it is a really nice size.  I didn't alter the size on the mug or the bear, they just fit perfectly together.  I used the #1 Teacher sentiment stamp from Peachy Keens SOTM set from last year.  The picture doesn't do the mug justice...can you tell I love this mug! If I didn't stamp on it I would be tempted to keep it for myself! LOL



I hope you enjoyed my projects I shared with you all today!