Twelve Days of Christmas - Day 6

Another photoless day. You'll understand when I get to the topic. I'm pretty sure I'm ridiculously paranoid, but I offer no apologies. Today's topic:

Christmas Parties!

PARTAY! I've been to four parties so far this year. Hubster has been to zero. Erm, this would typically be a bit odd that the wife has been out running around partying, but all of mine have been work related. By work "related" I mean two were actually at the office and two were with the Chamber of Commerce. Not really the typical party circuit, but then again, our favorite Christmas party, isn't actually a "Christmas" party.

Sometime in the midst of growing up and growing "old" we started hosting a New Year's Eve party with all of our friends at our place. Oh, this was truly my favorite part of being old: hosting parties! FOOD! Cocktails! FOOD! Presents! FOOD! Fire! FOOD! Gift Exchanges! FOOD! And welcoming in the new year with our favorite people. When we moved to Ohio, this was the part of the season I missed the most. I think I lost my "festive" mood the day I realized that 2011 would be welcomed in without our traditional party. Bummer. (I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that we had an awesome time that New Year's Eve with Steve and Laurie in Chicago!)

This year we aren't exactly getting the party back, but we are getting together with our friends in late December and it makes me very happy. There are now two little ones in the group, three of us have moved away, one couple is expecting little one #3, and there are four married couples. Some are still chipping away at degrees and some are trying to make a career work. (That would be me...hello real world and student loans!) Never fail, we are all still friends - nay, family - and the holiday season isn't the same without "our" party.

So, no photos today because I don't post party photos (please see the paranoia mentioned above) and while a photo is worth 1,000 words it can't show the kind of crazy that happens when we're all together. I can't wait for our get together this year. It may not be on New Year's Eve, but it is with all of our favorite people and that's what matters most.

Twelve Days of Christmas - Day 5

Today's post will be short and sweet. I'm getting ready for a crazy busy day at work tomorrow filled with nomtastic food.The fifth topic is:

Christmas Cards

For the past three years I've been handmaking our cards. I am not good about sending out cards on time. Ever. Handmaking things just compounds the issue, but I think I'm smart enough to plan ahead...WRONG!
Every year, I start talking about making Christmas cards in August. Every year, I make one in the summer, feel stupid, and wait until December 12 to start my cards. This year, was almost different. I made a card in March and another in May. Then, I came up with a sketch and a plan for cards in August. That's where the difference stopped for 2012.
As of this moment: My cards are not mailed. I have made them though. See, that's where I fell into old habits...I made 2 on December 12 and then the other 48 of them on Sunday, December 16. I have printed photos of the Mr. and I ready to go. I just need to finish write our 2012 letter and address all of the cards. Hopefully, I'll get to give most of these cards to our friends and family in-person so I don't feel too bad about not mailing them yet. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself. Better luck next year?

You will notice a distinct lack of card photos. I want to let my few friends who read my blog to see the cards in person first. :)

Twelve Days of Christmas - Day 4

Happy last work Monday of the year! I've been incredibly busy at work trying to get ahead so that I'm not too far behind when we get back to work in January. I'm certain that it's a losing battle, but I'm ok with that. Today, even though it's Monday, I'd like to talk to you about a very important issue:

Christmas Cookies

One year, RPG and I made 12 trajillion spritz cookies and gave them to my co-workers. I couldn't type right for a week.* Last year, I don't even remember making cookies. I'm sure I made something, but it wasn't a terribly festive year for us. This year, I'm going for the weird and wacky award. *Slight exaggeration. It was more like 54 dozen cookies and my hands hurt for at least a week but I could still type like a human.

I usually try to make something "traditional" like spritz cookies or fudge. I've decided to embrace my inner nut case and I'm going weird with my cookies this year. On the menu: White Chocolate Cranberry Macadamia Nut Cookies, Nanaimo Bars, and Chocolate Coconut Balls. Yes, I am aware that only one of the above listed treats is a cookie. Did I mention the emphasis on weird? I'll be preparing the Nanaimo Bars and Coconut Balls later this week to ensure freshness on Christmas Day in Montana. Tonight, I'm making the easy ones for our work cookie parties tomorrow. Here's the recipe and some photos, in case you want the most traditional part of my crazy. :)

White Chocolate Cranberry Macademia Nut Cookies (sort of adapted from this recipe) 
Ingredients
1 stick high quality unsalted butter, softened
.5 cups brown sugar
.5 cups white sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
1.5 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1.5 teaspoons baking soda 
1.25 cups chopped dried cranberries

1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup chopped macadamia nuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cream butter and sugar 
Add vanilla and egg
Combine flour and baking soda
Add flour+soda to creamed butter in thirds
Use wooden spoon to mix in cranberries, chips, and nuts
Roll into 1 teaspoon balls
Bake for 8 minutes - should be golden on top and set on the edges
Cool on sheet for 2-4 minutes
Completely cool on rack      
 
I changed the amount of mix-ins, baking time, and cookie size. What can I say, I'm a rebel. I'm done with chit-chat. It's time to sneak off with some of these beauties.

Twelve Days of Christmas - Day 3

Hope you had a lovely weekend. Mine was full of Christmas card assembly, cocoa, lights, and planning our trips to Montana and Southern Washington. Most importantly, our weekend included a handed-down tradition. This brings us to our topic of:

Annual Hallmark Ornament

Yeah, I buy Hallmark ornaments. I used to look at them and think "What pretentious, self-absorbed, snob spends $15+ on a plastic ornament?" Well, I must admit, that I am that person now. At Christmas the year Mr. Man and I got married in 2007 his parents gave us an ornament and told us about their tradition of buying an ornament every year. Now, they have almost 35 different ornaments to put on their tree. One for every year. The years filled with the happiness of a new baby or the heartbreak of moving to Butte (HAHAHAHAHA! JUST KIDDING!!! Er, sort of!) the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Ryan and I loved this idea and we chose to go with a Hallmark Ornament every year. The only rule is that the current year be printed someplace on the ornament. We've been bummed before thanks to our own forgetfulness. (Note to future self - NOVEMBER is the time to hit up Hallmark.) This year, I remembered, and we selected a sweet snowman. Quite the ironic choice considering our new home is more likely to experience flooding than flurries on Christmas Day.
No matter the year, and no matter the selection, we know that we picked it out together. If we have it our way, we'll pick out our next 94 ornaments together too. I can't wait.

Twelve Days of Christmas - Day 2

It's day two. Here are the giveaway details: I have a pack of Studio Calico Wood Veneer, Studio Calico Spray Masks, Crate Paper Storyteller Christmas Paper, and an A*Muse Studio Stamp set to send to someone for Christmas. Add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post and I'll draw on Christmas Day. How about we just go with comments on any of the 12 Days posts. Sound good? Cool. Okay, let's get down to business. Today's topic:

Christmas Lights

Penguin lights from the 2011 WildLights

Every year, we go in search of beautifully decorated lights. It all started in Butte one year. Mr. G wanted to impress me by sharing some shining lights and brought me to a friend's neighborhood to show off. (Mr. Smith, your parents have an impressive neighborhood of lights.)
 Before we could blink, our first holiday tradition was born. Our first year in Columbus revealed a synchronized light show that neither of us will ever forget. Last year, it was a very chilly trip to the WildLights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium - complete with bright white polar bears and gigantic caribou.

The Gruss Dorks and a blurry candy cane boat!

Boats! Boats! Boats! Boats!

This year, we continued the tradition in the only way we saw fit for our new "coastal" home - with boat lights. Cone dog, hubster, and I traveled to Silverdale Waterfront Park unnecessarily early to catch the boat show. He read me music trivia while I knitted for the hour and a half we had to wait, but it was worth it. We even left our dry, windless car to take photos by the water. You be the judge as to whether or not it was worth it to freeze on the shore.

Twelve Days Of Christmas - Day 1

I haven't been blogging much since I started my new job. You don't care about excuses, and I don't want to bother typing them, so I'll just say that my new job is fun, challenging, and satisfying. Today, I want to start something fun, satisfying, and fulfilling in blogland - 12 Days of Christmas! I have a topic for each day up to and including Christmas. I also have something to give away, but I don't want to do the typical follow-my-blog-and-I'll randomly-draw-for-spare-stuff-in-my-studio gimmick. I'll explain later, just know that you don't need to be a follower and I won't ask you to do any extra posts on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Flikr, Foursquare, LinkedIn, or another social media site (because that stuff annoys the bejesus out of me!!!!). Ok, here goes nothing! Today's topic:

Holiday Documentation

Homie G and me dining at Buchart Gardens, Victoria, B.C.

While I was in Victoria, BC with the hubster last weekend I decided that I really do want to document this holiday season, but I do not want to do something overwhelming or excessive. My definition of overwhelming may be different than others, but I knew that I did not want to do a December Daily (not to mention I'm 14 days late for a DD!) and that I honestly don't have much to document. However, this will be the first year that Mr. G and I travel for Christmas and New Year celebrations (WHAT THE HECK AM I THINKING?!?!?!?!?!) and I can't pass up the opportunity to document this bizarre occasion. Long story short, I'm going to actually use my blog for something useful AND clear my stash. Here's the plan-o, Stan-o!

1) I have 11 topics that are important to me when it comes to Christmas and the holiday season in general - wouldn't ya know, I just think I might be writing about them in the next 11 days! Super convenient! (Especially helpful to know when you read item #4!)

Source: Shop SEI

2) I have a bunch of these 8x8 SEI albums, and I think I can actually do this sort of thing again next year, so I'm going to go with 8x8 in red albums. If I fail, 8x8 is not that hard to convert to 12x12 and put in a normal album. Not that I'm planning to fail, I just like to have a plan b. Think of this as my one-night stand with an almost December Daily album. I'm either going to need an exit strategy or I'll build a wonderful relationship. Yeah, because that's not creepy...

Source: Waltzingmouse Stamps

3) This year, I resisted the temptation of the Studio Calico DD kit. And the KP Kit. And Gossamer Blue. And EVERY OTHER MANUFACTURER ON THE PLANET! I did, however, give in to a Holiday card kit from Simon Says Stamp, the Kris Kringle Add-on from Studio Calico, and demonstrated my obsession with the Nordic trend from last year by pulling out all of my Basic Grey papers and Waltzingmouse Stamps. Needless to say, I've got plenty of schtuff to use in my mini album.

Source: Studio Calico

4) Assembly and design will be pretty standard across each page/topic I want BIG, cut-out, one word titles + collage photos + typed journaling. This will be a clean, content-focused book. (I think it will be perfect for leading me into PL next year.

5) I will have fun, dammit. Need I say more?

Thanks for reading my extremely long post and don't forget to come back tomorrow for day 2 and an explanation of the giveaway.

World Card Making Day

It may no longer be World Card Making Day across the US, but it still is WCMD here in Washington! Woot! I've been working toward finishing fabricraft #3 all day and took a short break to make a couple of simple thank you cards. My craft room is an absolute disaster! It's a wonder I was able to make anything in that room. Ha! I really need to clean, but I let my giant box of washi on my desk guide my crafting instead. I had a Studio Calico stamp set out on my desk and a scrap of paper. I searched for my favorite teal ink (introduced to me by my friend Kirsty) and cleared a space to make these two cards.

It was nice to get my fingers inky today. Even if I haven't been in the craft room I have been getting crafty. I've completed one blanket (almost 2!!!!!!) and a burlap wrapped wreath in the past week in the name of my 2012 goals. I've still got some scrapping and blogging to do, so I'll definitely be back with more crafty fun soon. In the meantime I hope you got the chance to make at least a card today!

Goals Update #1

As of today, Saturday, I have managed to meet a few goals and started to close in on a couple of others. Here's what I've done so far:

 

From the 12 Cubed list

Hitting #2 Use the crockpot and #12 Try a new recipe  - I made Cheesy Broccoli Soup from scratch today. I kind of smashed two recipes together to match what I had on hand. The recipes are here and here. I have a bunch of cards that I need to mail out for birthdays and the like too, so I think I have an opportunity to hit #4 easily.

 

From the 12 Squared list

I sanded and stripped two pieces of furniture that I was going to turn into a stacked dresser for our bedroom. Then I decided to test stack them. Houston, I have a problem! One is way deeper than the other and it's also not as wide so I can't stack them the other way. I will probably not stack them anymore and just put them in two different rooms. So my attempt at #4 Refinish a piece of furniture isn't a total bust, but it's not quite going the direction I wanted it to go. I've been cleaning and arranging all morning in honor of #6 Clean/Organized the apartment. All I can say, is that my mother would be ashamed...
When Mr. Husband saw #10 Tell my husband that I love him every single day (Intentionally, not just out of habit.) he was really confused, but this one's mostly in my head, and going just fine. :)

I'll check back in after I accomplish a few more items, and maybe I'll even have photos! Enjoy your weekend!

Goals

So...I've been thinking...I have no short term goals. I'm good at looking at the very distant future an visualizing what life will look like. Forget it with the here and now. As luck would have it, I have quite literally nothing that I have to do at this point in time. Sure, I may have little errands, but so much of my requirements in life stemmed from work (in case you missed it, my last day at Chase was in early August when I left to be with the hubster in Washington). I have things I want to do like eat bonbons and watch tv, but barring breathing, eating, and sleeping - no one is really counting on me to do anything. Seriously, not even my husband. It's nice. But...I kind of miss it all...even the stress...sorta...read on, you'll understand where this is going.
Apparently, I don't operate well with nothing to do. I have a new job lined up and only 10 days left to enjoy this freedom. So, what have I done? I half started a ton of projects, and languished on teh Intarwebs. As a result, I am following the trend of making lists. I'm an overachiever though, I made 2 lists - 12 things I want to do 12 times in 2012 and 12 things I WILL do in 2012. I'm blogging this to keep myself honest, focused, and productive. I need you, my readers, to keep me honest. Here goes nothing...

12 things I want to do 12 times in 2012 (To be known as the 12 Cubed list)

1. Meatless Monday (This is harder than before without tomatoes in my diet)
2. Use the crockpot (This will be good with fall weather + new job)
3. Finish a Scrapbook Page (Um, yeah, I'm slow...)
4. Send a card (I suck at this, this will be harder than it should be!)
5. Finish a “fabricraft” (I'm counting crochet, cross stitch, headboards, quilts, really anything with fabric/yarn/string)
6. Really RUN a mile (That means 14 minute mile for me, I'm really short...and slow)
7. Blog (With substance!)
8. Post an item to my Etsy shop (I have many things I have made that need to be added)
9. Go without social networking for a day (No Facebook, Pinterest, Foursquare, Twitter...maybe even email...)
10. Unpack a box (We have more than 12 left!)
11. Take the dog to the park (For at least 30 minutes and at least once in the rain! I love a muddy dog.)
12. Try a new recipe (We don't have to like it, I just have to try it!)

12 things I will do in 2012 (To be known as the 12 Squared list)

1. Run/walk a ½ marathon (Seattle 1/2 on November 25)
2. Start a new job (Red Cross on October 1)
3. Join a CSA (Even if it starts in 2013)
4. Refinish a piece of furniture (If it's hideous it can hide in the closet...)
5. Give back to my "community" (Volunteer or Give Money)
6. Clean/Organize the apartment (At least to the point where my mom won't clean my apartment when she comes over)
7. Skype with a friend (I miss Rachel, Ren-Yi, and Belinda - are you still out there?)
8. Pay it forward for the people on Studio Calico (I have something I'd like to giveaway, just a matter of doing it!)
9. Visit another country (Victoria, BC in December)
10. Tell my husband that I love him every single day (Intentionally, not just out of habit.)
11. Visit my grandparents (Thanksgiving? Christmas? Random weekend?)
12. SNAP/Foodstamp Challenge ($56 a week for two people for 1 week minimum)

 I have some plans and some problems with these - it will be a mix of easy to hit and asking WTF?! I can easily hit number 2 on the Squared list (I start training for my new job at the Red Cross as the Communication Director on October 1) but #5, 6 and 9 on the Cubed list scare the bejeezus out of me. I'm hoping that in doing this I'll spend more time doing things that make me happy and cut out things that are just eating my time (AHEM, Facebook and Pinterest!). Ok, I'm off to so something...preferably from one of these lists!

Yeah, I've abandoned you...if you're still out there...

So, here's the deal. I quit my job, moved across the country, and I have now planted myself firmly in the Pacific NW. It's been a really long time since I have posted, and I'm ok with that. I've crafted more in the past few months than I did when I was really focused on blogging and I'm only posting today because I did something awesomely creepy.

I had an interview. I had no printer. I needed resumes. Friends to the rescue! I broke, fixed, used, and left an awkward mess around the printer. Went to the interview. Kicked butt. Returned to the house, cleaned my mess, and made a card. Yeah, that's right. I picked up scraps off the floor, grabbed a stamp, borrowed a trimmer, tied a bow, and Bob's your uncle. Here's the evidence:

I snapped a photo. Told my hubster it was my calling card. Locked the door on my way out. Then I watched The Big Lebowski. Who can really complain about a Monday like that? Bonus, it fits for Mrs. Stephanie Howell's challenge. How serendipitous.

Waltzingmouse Stamps St. Patrick's Day Waltz!

This month's theme for the waltz is St. Patrick's Day or Irish Culture. However, the theme for my blogging lately is "by the skin of my teeth" which is what this is! I decided last minute to play along with the Waltz this month! So, here's my card! A simple one layer card inspired by one from Emily's blog

WMS Sketch Challenge

A super quick hello to say I'll be back with my winner from the blog hop tonight (If you can't wait, go check the Mami Doodles main blog!) and to play along in the WMS Sketch Challenge.

Mami Doodles Farewell Blog Hop

ETA: Use THANKYOU as the promo code when checking out, and everything will discounted 50% off.

It is with an eager but heavy heart that I welcome you to the final Mami Doodles Blog Hop. Eliza is closing her store on March 16, 2012 and you are invited to participate in the 50% off closeout sale until then. But, wait, there's more: Each of the DT members are giving away a freebie, so leave a comment here by 8:00 pm on Wednesday to be in for the draw!

Before I share my card, I should mention that I am the final "E" in Mami Doodles...er, the only one! I hold excitement in my heart when I think of when I think of Elisa. As she rides off into the sunset and takes on the world, I hope she does it with excitement in her heart. The very first time Elisa and I conversed it was for her to invite me to the Mami Doodles Design Team - that was a very EXCITING day, indeed!  And even though Elisa is starting a new chapter of her life, I'm excited to call her a friend. Best wishes, Elisa!

Here, at long last, is my final *tear* DT card for Mami Doodles, enjoy!

Supplies: Flower (Mami Doodles), R35/R37/R39/R85 (Copic), Kraft (Hollo's Paper Craft), Creme Twill Ribbon (SEI), Resist Ink (Ranger), Rhubarb Stalk Ink (Memento), Zigzag and Messages Stamps (Hero Arts), tape and 3D dots (stash)

Keep the excitement going by hopping along here:

Deirdre

Frances

Jackie

Jenn

Lisa

Manuela

Pam

Ren-Yi

Sarah

Stephanie (That's me!)

Trinh

Vera

Mami Doodles Patterned Paper - Challenge #43

This is my card for Mami Doodles' Challenge #43 - Patterned Paper. There are some big announcements going on over at the Mami Doodles Blog, so I won't keep you here long. I have another post about the announcement coming soon...

Spring...in Montana!

Welcome to my entry for the Waltzingmouse Blog Party!  

This month's theme is spring. I took some liberties with the term "spring." For me spring is bare mountains and green fields. Sure, there could be wildflowers, but they usually don't show up until summer. For me, spring still has a chill in the air, and the threat of snow. There aren't quite flowers yet. :) Enough rambling, here's my card:

Hope you like it, and play along! There's still a bit of time before the party's over at the Waltzingmouse Blog.

Red Pink White!

A quick post in the middle of a very busy week to share some Mami Doodle love! I made this card using one of Eliza's newest images for the Red Pink White challenge this week! Be sure to play along at the Mami Doodles blog!

Mami Doodles For A Loved One - Challenge #42

Long week, quick card. Released a whole lot of work stress coloring these adorable fishy-faced cuties from Mami Doodled. Once I was done, I decided the card needed to be simple. I mounted the finished image on a white card base accented with a Red Spica traced scallop and the CUTE stamp from the American Crafts "Cute" stamp collection. (From my Simon Says Stamp card kit! Loving these kit clubs!) Polished off with a rounded corner, it's a simple little Valentine for my love!

Enjoy the card! Hopefully it will inspire some V-day ideas for all! And don't forget to play along at the Mami Doodles blog!

Waltzingmouse January Blog Party!

Welcome to my sweet submission! I made this special card for my husband using the Waltzingmouse Stamps from "Flourishes - Scallops and Dots".

I stamped the scallops in brilliance pearl white on black PTI cardstock, embossed it in clear, and then rubbed red metallic creams over the images. Then, for added fun, I sprinkled more embossing powder over the semi-wet/sticky metallic cream and embossed again for a grungy all over sheen. I used a sticker from the "Yours Truly" paper collection from Echo Park and layered it on a piece of pre-sponged pure poppy PTI cardstock. A trio of twine knots and "Viola!"

Thanks for joining me today, and make sure you check out the rest of the Waltzingmouse goodness on the blog.

Dear Cats, I win! - A tutorial

I have cats. I think that says a lot, but only to people who actually own cats. I never understood the oddities that cat owners had to deal with until I ended up with two of the little creatures in my home somewhere around 21. Don't get me wrong, they are fuzzy and cute, but mine are plotting to kill me. I even researched it and asked my vet. Look, it's been confirmed. I actually have scars from their attempts. Yet, I continue to let them mooch off of me for food and clean water. I'm a pushover, what can I say?
At the end of the day though, there are certain things that cats do that make me say @#$%^&! Point and case (and the reason for today's blog post) is the continual and utter destruction of the mini blinds. Fortunately, we won't have to pay to replace any sets that fall out of the windows, because the apartment people admit that they are cheap and just gave us new ones! (Hooray!) The cats caused this destruction though, and I'm not sure how to recycle vinyl blinds. So, I upcycled them. Booyah! I win! Ha! Cats 1, Me ∞! Details below:

The "I'm smarter than my cats" Mini Blind Basket

Step 1:
Gather your supplies. I used the broken blinds, a pair of scissors, double sided tape, a stapler, and ribbon.

(The photo shows only tape, but it was not strong enough to hold the corners together, hence the tiny attacher later in the photos.)

Step 2:
Cut the strings to take the blinds apart (this will vary based on your set of mini blinds) to get all the slats free.

Step 3:
Layout your "center" with 4 slats

Step 4:
Start weaving a flat panel and expand in each direction with the number of slats you desire. This will be your base when you are finished.

To determine my size I considered that I had 36 inch long slats and I wanted the box to be 5 inches tall. That meant that my base could only be up to 25 inches by 25 inches (36 inches - 5 inches for right - 5 inches for left - 1 inch clearance  = 25 inches) The box pictured is 6 inches wide by 14 inches long by 5 inches tall.

Step 5:
Create pieces that will be long enough to wrap all the way around the basket. My basket was 14 inches long by 6 inches wide meaning that my strips for weaving must be 40 inches long. I measured some 6 inch pieces to add to my 36 inch long slats to make 42 inches (because I really like having room for errors!)

Step 6:
Start turning the work vertical.

Take one end of the long slats and staple it in a corner.

Weave toward the next corner and gently turn everything 90 degrees (vertical), fasten with another staple. Be gentle with the slats as you move vertically, they will break if you crease them. Move around the basket carefully continuing to staple in each corner.

(You could use tape here, but it just didn't hold well for me.)

Step 7:
Weave around the basket, stapling the corners and anywhere else that needs stability, with your long slats. Repeat until it is the desired height.

Step 8:

Finish the edges. When you are done weaving you need to secure the edges. In normal basket weaving you fold the edges and tuck them inside. You can't fold these edges in the same way, but you can break them off, stapling them in place as you go.

Step 9:
Take the ribbon and cover the raw edge along the top. Use the tape to hold the ribbon in place.

Step 10:
Put something exciting but low-duty in the basket.

(It is not the strongest thing in the world, so I would not put something important in it and attach it to your bicycle!)  

Step 11: 

Revel in how much you just schooled your evil cats. I hear that kids can break blinds too... I hope you parents out there need diaper storage! I think this is is WAY cooler than throwing the broken blinds in the trash! Also, this is all that I have left...I think I need to make woven coasters.

Mami Doodles White on White - Challenge #41

Good morning friends! Hope all is well with you! I'm here to bring you another Mami Doodles card. This week I used the Ribbon Collection (which is quite a steal at less than 1 Euro!) for my image. The challenge was white on white (with a pop or color) and I took the challenge quite literally! Shimmer white on flat white, with an awesome ribbon image.

I know some people out there think it's really weird to use a digital ribbon image on a card. I however beg to differ. The idea is genius to me! Why? Because I mail a lot of cards home to my family in Montana and pass a bunch around the office. 2 things happen - with the mail service, since they are still using the Pony Express, the horses appreciate the lighter load...ok, just kidding. But seriously, no matter how awesome the envelope, USPS mangles all of my cards with dimension. Same thing happens at work. Every time I pass a dimensional card around the office, the first person takes it, smashes it open, and flattens it. I *cringe* and have actually taken to just passing around the card back and hiding the front in my desk. Of course all the lovely crafty folks I work with want to see the card, so it prohibits my ability to have a productive workplace when I am "forced" to talk about crafty techniques and supplies. :P It truly is a matter of two birds, one stone with a paper ribbon image. No jokes!

Take some time, play along with the challenge here and go check out the sweet ribbons here!

Happy Friday!!!

Runway Inspiration Card

I made a card. From start to finish. In under an hour. That includes finding the inspiration. For real. And now I'm posting it. Who am I?

At any rate it is for the Runway Inspiration Challenge Blog (great late night discovery) and it went from being a phone themed card to a wedding card to a hello card fast. Really, fast. Glad I felt well enough to leave the couch tonight. :) Those resolutions of mine are only 1/2 working. Training for a marathon is apparently looked down upon when you have bronchitis. Not my call though, which makes me feel slightly less guilty about not exercising. Which reminds me, I should probably go take my antibiotic if I want any hope of feeling better in 2012!

Supplies: Waltzingmouse Stamps (herringbone background from Vintage Labels 4), Hero Arts (sentiment from Just Saying Hi), PTI Cardstock, MFT Loopy Flower Die, Eco-Fi Felt, Memento Ink (Tuxedo Black), Making Memories Specialty Glaze (Pearl), X-press It Adhesive tape

With Sympathy

I've thought long and hard about what I want to say about this card, and quite honestly I've come up with nothing. The reason? Because I made this card for a friend who recently lost her mother and I am sort of at a loss of words as to what to say. I feel deeply for her, and I'm sorry for her loss. I hope she can take some small comfort knowing that someone is out there thinking of her. Here's the card:

Supplies: WMS Stamps (Blessed by You, Frame It), Ranger Archival Ink (Sepia), Ranger Paint Daubers (Copper), Celebrate It ribbon, SEI Monrovia (I think...it's really old!), and PTI Kraft
Challenges: WMS Sketch Challenge #78, Ribbon Carousel Challenge #34