It's all about the E-X-P-R-E-S-S-I-O-N

My brother with pimpin bubba teeth.

I L-O-V-E this picture of Cathy. I loved the expression she had on her face after she opened her new Cricut Expression machine that Daddy bought her for Christmas! She totally did not have a clue about it! They were not supposed to exchange gifts but I "informed" my daddy that he "better buy her something nice!" And he did! I think it's hilarious! But I have to give him credit that was all of his doings and he did a fine job!
Now I can't wait to go over and play with "her new toy!" hehee Daddy is buying her a huge outside handy house and is going to make it into her/our craft room. He is ready for his garage back. lol I am really excited about it though. I will no longer have to haul my things to and from. Now I only have to buy doubles of everything to keep over there. Oh well. It's time for another shopping day!!


Well I will be gone for over a week. We are going on a well deserved vacation and we are so ready. We are leaving in a couple of hours and we are totally siked! We are going up North to stay with some friends and hopefully get to play in a lot of snow. My girls have never seen the snow. I bought new batteries and a new SD card for lots of pictures. So beware!! :) No seriously pray for our safe travels and I hope to share the cool pics when we get home! Merry Christmas!!!

PS I decided to pack my sb supplies! What should I take>?

Merry Christmas!

We had such a good time over at Daddy's today. Cathy had the fire place and house decorated so beautifully! She loves to decorate for Christmas! I am so glad that Daddy had someone to share the holidays with. She has been a huge blessing to all of us. Her tree is awesome!

Clint had his eyes closed in this picture. He is so handsome!

I love Christmas. It is filled with so much exictment! The girls are now sound asleep waiting on the arrival of Ole Saint Nick. They didn't ask for to much this year. And every year they pretty much ask for the same things. I am so glad that I had them together close in age. It has made it so much easier for me. They wore the same size clothes and shoes for the longest time. And they always have someone to play with. They do everything together. I hope they always stay close.





This year on their Santa list was





Nintendo DS

Little Pet Shops

Cell phone

games

movies

portable tv for car

Hopefully Santa will be nice this year~ ;) Merry Christmas!

Christmas Cards

I am going to my first cookie exchange tomorrow and I'm super exicted. I love the holiday season! I made 6 dozen cookies. The last card is the invite that I made for the CE. I punched out circles with my sizzix die and used a scallop circle punch to make it look like a bite was taken out of the cookie. I punched out dark brown circles with a hole punch and glued those on.

The first card is a Christmas card that I made for my Dad and stepmom. I copied the gingerbread house idea from the Paper Crafts Magazine November 07 edition. That is one of my favorite magazines! The idea is on pg 45. I made my own pattern since I have no way of enlarging the pattern. I used my NEW ;) fiskars scallop punch for the snow and I covered it with prisma glitter and glue. It really sparkles and looks so pretty! The glitter really sets it off!

We are getting super excited here. We are going on our first vacation in YEARS! We are going up North for a whole week and hopefully we will get to play in the snow! We are going to go see Niagra Falls one day. I really want to see it a night. Hopefully I'll have some fun pictures to share when we get back! Have a great weekend!

O Christmas Tree

Have you guys got the tree up yet? This was the first year that I ever bought ornaments for my tree. I have always just used hand me down ornaments or ornaments made by the girls. I do feel a little guilty but I had so much picking out the colors and ornaments.

I could not find a tree topper that I liked so I just went with a pretty bow.

I chose silver and red. Mostly balls with lots and lots of glitter. It is extremely hard to get a good picture of a tree and lights. My new step mom made me a beautiful wreath to match! I'll have to post it soon.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!

Well, we are fixing to go eat at Clint's moms. Turkey and Dressing! Yum! Can't wait!! I hope all of you have a very wonderful Thanksgiving whatever you all are doing!!

Is anyone going Christmas shopping this weekend? I did most of mine last weekend. I had a ball with my new step mom. I love my new stop mom so much. She has been the biggest blessing to our whole family!!

Anyone seen the new Disney movie Bolt yet? I am thinking about taking the girls.

I'm Back!

Well I finally figured how to hook my laptop up to an old monitor that I have. It's not the best set up in the world but it works!! I can at least check my emails now. :) I have done so much lately that I wished I could have blogged about! I've made bags, tags, cards, ornaments, cookies etc. LOL

Does everyone have big plans for the holidays? I LOVE the holidays!

I am on vacation this week and it feels soooo good. Today I put up my tree. Hopefully if I can get a good picture of it I will show you. I had a color theme this year. Red, silver and anything with glitter! It was so much fun shopping for ornaments. I had never bought ornaments before I just always used homemade ornaments and I kind of feel guilty but I think that it will fade with time. :)

Bummed

Wow I can't believe it has been almost two months since my last post. Wouldn't you know that right after I posted that post about loving my laptop, mine died on me. I am so totally bummed out. The LCD screen died and it costs over $400.00 to replace. So I am now saving for a new computer! I miss blogging. Hopefully I'll be back soon!! Please dont forget about me. I'm still here working and scrapping when I can! See you all soon!!

C

Scented Laptops?

Isn't this the cutest little laptop ever?? They are scented!! I would love to have one!! They come in 4 different colors. Read about it here... I love my laptop. I think these are soo hip!

A few tutorials

I love youtube. So today I thought I'd share a few tutorials that I recently came acrossed.. Hope you enjoy!! Happy Monday! :)

xx

Post it Note Holders

As you know we've been blessed with much needed rain recently here in Georgia!! So Saturday because I still was not over my cold I stayed inside and spent some well deserved time in my scrapbook room! I was supposed to be over at my step mom's scrapping away with the gals but I decided not to go because I really didn't need to infect anyone else. And I really just needed to rest!!

I found this really awesome blog that I LOOOOOOOVE!! She is sells Stampin Up! She also makes these adorable little post it note holders. Check it out here... and here...

So I looked around on Etsy and found some chipboard coasters and made some too!! I will take these to a local shop here in town along with my cards and a few other goodies for her to sell. I have temporarily closed my Etsy shop until I get the time to rebuild my inventory. Right now because I have started back to work full time, I just do not have the time to scrap and keep up the demands of an online store. I plan to have a re-grand opening sometime in the near future.

Have a great week!!

Congratulations Travis and Angela!! It's a baby boy!!!

Angela, are you coming next weekend for the shower?? PLEASE!!! We're all dying to see the baby!!! :) If not we're coming up soooooon!!! lol

CSUniqueCreations

My step mom made these two adorable new cards for her etsy shop. Aren't they so cute? I love them... Go check out her cards here.. and show her some love. :)

Remember These?

I remember these very well. Seems like they are making a come back. I've noticed a lot of girls wearing them now!! They are all over the stores now. I don't think I would wear a pair again but you never know!! LOL

Read the article here.. So what do you think? Will you be buying any?? :)

Cuttlebug Sale

http://www.creativexpress.com/ is having a great sale on the cuttlebug die cut machine!! The Bundle includes the Cuttlebug Machine Kit, Tiny Tags Set of 4 Dies and Harmony Alphabet Set. It ALSO INCLUDES Free Ground Shipping to 50 states on your entire order! I believe you will receive a free embossing folder of your choice.

The bundle also includes 4 designer embossing folders (2" x 2.75") and one coordinating die (2" x 2")!

If I didnt have one already I would buy it!! I love a good sale!! Check it out here for further info...

Recipe Exchange

I'm currently doing a recipe exchange and thought I'd share with you my recipe. This is sooo good! I always make these candies at Christmas time.

The recipe came from one of my favorite cookbooks. Easy dessert cooking with 5 ingredients or less!!

Almond Caramels

12 graham crackers
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 package semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup slivered almonds

lay graham crackers in bottom of foil lined 15x10 inch jellyroll pan

in medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and brown sugar, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves

bring sugar mixture to full boil and stir continuously for about 5 minutes. Make sure not to cook too long or let it burn..

Pour mixture over graham crackers and spread mixture to coat crackers. You have to do all of this rather quickly because it cools quickly.

Sprinkle chocolate chips over and let stand for 1 minutes until they melt. Spread chocolate chips in swirling motion.

Sprinkle almond slivers over chocolate and press into chocolate to hold almonds.

Cool thoroughly and break into pieces..


This is a good recipe. I always make it at Christmas time!

If you would like to start a Recipe exchange just copy and paste the follow message into a email message. You can insert your email addy and a friends.




Subject: Recipe Exchange
>
> Who can't use a few extra, super easy recipes???
>
>
> You've been invited to be part of a recipe exchange. Please send a
> recipe to the person whose name is listed in the 1 position below
> (even if you do not know them). It should be preferably something
> quick, easy and without rare ingredients. Actually, the best is the
> one you know in your head, and can type out and send right now.
>
> Then copy this letter into a new e-mail, move my name to the number 1
> position, and put your name in the number 2 position. Only your name
> and mine should appear in this list when you send out your e-mail.
> Send this to 20 people.
>
> You should receive 36 recipes. It is fun to see where these recipes
> come from! The turn around is fast because only 2 names are on the
> list.

At the bottom put your email address and a friends.

cool covers

I found this really cool blog the other day. This lady makes covers for all of your scrapbooking tools! She is from australia. Check out her blog here!! She is very talented and sweet!! Hopefully I'll be able to get the expression before Christmas!! :)


Here are her prices...

Custom Made Reversible & Non Reversible Gadget Covers Price List
If you have a suggestion for a cover please email me and let me know. jackruss00@hotmail.com
Coming soon covers for the Paper Gator, the Cricut Jukebox & Ellison Big Shot
All prices are in US$
Discount applies for multiple covers
Shipping calculated on the # of covers ordered.
Personalised embroidery
Choose from reversible or non reversible.
Bind-It-All = $10 each
CAD II (Crop-a-Dile Big Bite) = $12 each
Cricut = $25 each
Cuttlebug = $15 each
Cuttlekids = $12 each
Dreamkuts = $30 each
Expression = $30 each
Xyron 250 = $20 each
Xyron 500/510 = $20 each
Xyron 900 = $25 each
Xyron X = $7 each

Homemade embossing folders

My cousin came up with this bright idea of making her own embossing folders and it really does work!! Check out her blog for more ideas and the instructions.. HERE She used her cricut and the plastic that came with the cricut carts. Hurry go check it out!! :)

I haven't done anything crafty lately! I've had so much going on lately! We were out of town for a few days and when we came home I realized that the pump on my pool had stopped working!! That was a total bummer!! The pool is already turning green and it's really hard work getting it back clear again!! Not to mention the expense of the chemicals and pump replacement.

Today I had to take my youngest daughter back to the dentist. She has an abcessed tooth. She had to have the tooth pulled. I was a nervous wreck the whole time. Praying that it wouldnt be painful for her!! She did better then mom!! LOL I dont think she even cried!!

Next week I go back to work full time!! I know that will cut my crafting time in half and that totally sucks!! Hopefully next year I can be a full time crafter!! LOL Let's keep our fingers crossed!!

I found this really cute tutorial of how to make a bubble mailer.. Check it out here. I think she used to sell these on etsy but is no longer doing that. Maybe this is something to try in the future!!

Take Care!!

HELLO

A few new things to share with you. I also need your advice on something! A lady at church wanted me to make a 8 1/2 by 11 card for her MIL for her birthday. This was a huge challenge to me but a fun one!! I kind of feel like its too girly and over embellished for a 80 year old..lol

What do you think? I am going to make a couple more to play around with. Please give me your imput on this card. I made it from 2 white card stock papers and binded them with pattern papers. That wasn't hard but I felt like I had so much white space to cover and now I feel like I over done it..

The 2 bags were made by my future stepmom. I think they are just adorable. She started making these for her etsy shop. Please stop by and take a peak. http://www.csuniquecreations.etsy.com/ I ordered these 2 from her the other day. I couldnt resist! ;) Have a wonderful week!!!

And the award goes tooo......

ME! YAH! Thank you Patti for this special award! :) I love your blog too btw! You're such a sweetie! Check out Patti's blog here....

Here are the rules:
1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls you've nominated.

As part of this award, I am supposed to pass it on to 7 blogs... but since I really don't have 7 blog friends I choose these...

www.craftingnana.blogspot.com/

http://2worldswings.blogspot.com/

http://jenscrappinpalace.blogspot.com/

http://www.christinawitkowski.blogspot.com/

http://scrapbookobsession.wordpress.com/

Crop Til You Drop!

The past 2 days I've been making a lot of cards and tags! It's been so much fun and was so enjoyable! Last night my cousin came over and we made cards ALL NIGHT LONG! Well.... off and on. Our hubbies were up all night cooking bbq for the family for the 4th. So we had to stay up and help them. (We missed you Angela and Travis).

I managed to get a lot of cards and tags completed! That was nice!! It's so much better to have someone to hang out with!! I went on a little shopping spree last weekend to Michael's and that was a lot of fun with my 50% off coupons! lol I wished I lived a lot closer!! My bank account would hurt terribly! ;)

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!! Stay Safe Tonight! later.

Cuttlebug Storage Idea

Just thought I'd share with you how I've been storing my new cuttlebug and dies. I bought this handy dandy tote from Walmart back before Christmas on sale for about 10 bucks. And it came filled with all kind of scrapbook goodies. And I really didnt have much use for it until I bought my cuttlebug. I've gotta say that I LOVE my cuttlebug and if you don't a diecut machine yet, this would be a great one to have! I bought it at http://www.creativexpress.com/ for only $35 and it was well worth the money! I've picked up a few dies along the way. :) Do they make these totes in bigger sizes? I beginning to out grow it a bit.. ;)

I've been enjoying my summer so much!! When I think about it I kind of get sad because I have to go back to work in a month! I have missed all this free time to scrap and spend time with my family! It's been sooooo much fun!!

I've been hanging out with two friends twice a week scrapping/making cards and its been so enjoyable! I think my tags turned out really cute. I even embossed some with my cuttlebug last night and that was soooo fun!! Have a wonderful Tuesday everyone!!