So Long 2010!

I can't believe how fast the year went by. For me, 2010 was my introduction to the crafting world. Specifically with the purchase of my expression. I have learned so much in the last few months and am amazed at how much I enjoy making cards.

I continue to learn so much from the blogs I read and am amazed at all of the talent that is out there! You are all so inspiring to me and honestly, without your blogs, I would probably be still trying to figure out how to use my expression! LOL. :)

One of my resolutions for 2011 is to start scrapbooking. I have so many pictures of my son that are either sitting in photo boxes or on my computer. He went from this....

(first day of 1st grade)

To this......

...and that was just four years ago!

So that's my crafting goal for the year! Hopefully at this time next year, I'll be able to do a "Favorite Layouts of 2011."

Keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck!

Happy New Year!!

Preserves Notecards

Since my expression is the newest member to our family, I thought it was appropriate to include some handmade items as part of my holiday gifts this year. Because this is my first major "mass" production of various cards, I decided to go fairly simple. I think the Preserves cartridge is perfect for notecards. All the fruits look so cute on small 4 x 4 cards. So that's what I decided to do....

Preserves was actually the first cartridge I ever bought! It pairs perfectly with My Fruits and Veggie Pun stamps from Robyn at My Pink Stamper. I think they make great "Thank You" or "Thinking of You" notecards for a wide variety of people without being too cutesy.

Here's the whole bunch. There's actually one more card that will go with each set and for some reason, I'm not sure why I didn't include it with the picture. It's a "When life hands you lemons..." card. The sets will be boxed or bagged up (haven't decided yet which I'm going to do) and will be given to my son's teachers along with this great idea for Christmas fudge I found on one of the blogs I read called, Allread Design.

She has some great and cute ideas for last minute gifts for neighbors or co-workers. Check it out.

Holiday Cards for Co-Workers

I've been busy trying to get everything done for the holidays and for some reason, there never seem to be enough hours in the day! I did get these little holiday cards done for my co-workers. The cards are 3 1/2 by 3 1/2. You can get three of them out of a regular piece of cardstock.

The base is just simple kraft cardstock. The next layer is cut at 3 1/4 by 3/14 in a patterned holiday paper from DCWV. The ornament is just from Joys of the Season at 3 inches. I then used a Recollections Holiday Stamp set for the Jingle Bells stamp and embossed it with white embossing powder.

The Joy is from Create a Critter. It's the phrase on the reindeer cut. I added white stitching to both, just to give them a little more interest. On the inside I stamped "Merry Christmas." I made 10 of each card, one for each co-worker.

Now on to make cards for my family and friends...maybe this year everyone will be getting Happy New Year cards instead! LOL

My First Blog Award

I received a special Thanksgiving surprise...my first blog award courtesy of Pigtails and Paper Trails. I am very thankful to be recognized and even more so to be considered Stylish. It certainly puts a little spring in my step...so THANK YOU!




The rules for accepting this award are:


1. Thank and link to the person who awarded you this.

2. Share 8 things about yourself.

3. Pay it forward to 8 bloggers you have recently discovered.

4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about the award.

8 Things About Me!


1. I am deaf in my left ear and have been since the age of two.

2. I LOVE to cook and get the most pleasure sharing what I cook with others.

3. When I am not crafting, cooking, or spending time with my family, I love to read. My favorite book I have read recently is "Sarah's Key."

4. I dream of one day buying a house at the beach or as people around here like to say...Down the Shore.

5. In college I actually did live at the beach and sold Hawaiin Shave Ice on the boardwalk as one of my summer jobs. Best summer ever!

6. I'm still very much a newbie at crafting and have only had my Expression since July.

7. One year I actually forgot how old I was until my birthday when I realized I was a year younger! LOL

8. One of the biggest perks of my previous job in tv was getting to interview one of my favorite celebrity crushes, Kenny Chesney.

The 8 blogs I am giving this award to are:


1. http:62cards.blogspot.com
2. http://luvscrappingtogether.blogspot.com/
3. http://4craftyangels.blogspot.com/
4. http://tinklovescupid.blogspot.com/
5. http://scrappinwithkimmy.blogspot.com/
6. http://laurenscreative.blogspot.com/
7. http://septemberninth.blogspot.com/
8. http://sweetscrappingwithhoneyb.blogspot.com/