Card Share on a Sunny Saturday!

YAY! Finally some pretty spring-like weather in Seattle! Actually it's been nice for a few days!
I went to Michael's this morning after hitting a scrapbook retreat garage sale (lots of deals!) While there I saw some great new punches by EK Success. I managed to maintain my composure (mostly because I had no coupons left) and got just TWO of the dozen or more new styles! I will be adding to my collection but only with a coupon....

Here are the ones I picked up today




The card is made with a base from the $1 bin at Michaels. They are orange floral textured square cards with envelopes - 6/1.00!

Spreading some card share love

Did everyone have a nice weekend? Hopefully you have some time off, today, for President's day too! I am off but not crafting much. I've got a case of "pink eye" (blech). I had an eyelash in my eye the other day and kept rubbing to try to get it out (I was on the road driving), but all I did was irritate the inside and outside corners of my eye. When I got home and could see it in the mirror it was easy to get out...but by then my eye was tender and probably already a problem.


I've been hanging out doing some cooking with hubby (perfect vision not required for that!). Normally he's the one that makes all of the fabulous meals but we did a lot of it together this weekend. On Valentine's Day we normally stay home for a nice meal with the kids, but decided to head out this year. We had Pho...one of my favorite asian noodle soups at Than Brothers in Lynnwood. They serve a delectable cream puff with the meal it was just perfect. (I don't even like cream puffs, but theirs are just soooo good I eat em up!)

I also made some cards that I wanted to share but with the eye thing going on, hadn't felt like trying to take pictures. I have a hard enough time doing it when my eyes are feeling good...but today I was able to take pics (and it's gorgeous outside though still cold) so here are the Valentine cards - late but at least I got some made!

The pink/black LOVE card uses a big canvas heart from Quick Quotes (I inked it up with some chalk ink to coordinate with the card). The black letters are nice and glittery Thickers and they're soooo easy to use! That little flower ribbon slider is from Maya Road...I got a BUNCH of them from their clearance sale - not sure what or where else to use them, but can't say I'm hoarding it if I really used it, right?

The aqua/red mini card was inspired by something that Kristina Werner did here: http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/2009/01/kwernerdesign-cards-on-etsy/
Hers are simply sweet...mine not so sure about how simple they are, but I like the colors a lot!

And finally the brown/pink card - it has the yummy BasicGrey cardstock and some new ribbon from the recent Making Memories collection at Michaels. Which reminds me I need to head out there and get more! It coordinates with so many other pink and black color schemes! ;-)

Enjoy the week everyone...I hope it's starting to warm up where you are. If not, hopefully it's at least a little bit sunny! Those of you in the warm 80 degree climates, I don't want to hear it....I'm just jealous.

Adios~
Elaine

Smitten by a little fox...

...from Imaginisce! I fell in love with the paper at my scrapbook store. The stamps are from Lizzie Ann and a $1 stamp from Michaels or Joanns. There are actually glossy/lacquered parts of the printed background paper, but my camera has a hard time picking it up.

Anyhow, it's my card for the sketch challenge at Lizzie Ann Designs. :)

Happy Friday, everyone!

hugs,
Elaine

Saturday Stampin

It was a busy week at our house...

Monday night I met up with one of my best friends who came up for work from the Costco in L.A. We grew up right across the street from each other, and she was an only child who sort of became the sister that I always wanted but never had. We FEASTED at Chinook's Restaurant - I mean we really feasted...afterward I felt like I had eaten enough to last all week long. It's truly one of the best casual seafood places in Seattle!

Wednesday I met up with my friend for dinner again but this time at Palomino Restaurant in Bellevue. All of the other Marketing gals from Seattle, and a group of their peeps from the Costco group in Canada was there too. We took pics but they were sort of silly and crazy, so they will never end up here!

Friday my daughter went to work with me for a 'work shadow' assignment. We went to lunch with my boss and she did some work for me too. It was a fun day with some extra treats that she normally wouldn't have had if she were at home (they had the day off from school, so she was bummed that she had to get up early on her day off - I figured some treats would make her feel better!) I know.... I'm a good mom, huh? :)

I decided to post these cards even though I had a hard time with getting a close up of the sparkles on one, and had glare issues with the other.

The mod Tulips are an old Technique Tuesday set that I got at a CK Convention. Pink Pirouette and basic black on ivory are the colors. The close up shows the outline which is a black copic spica (which I love!). Got it from Ellen Hutson's store in a multi-color set - it's fabulous!

The second card is from a line by K&CO that I picked up at Joanns. The only stamping is the background 'chart' that says, "Thinking of You" and then has a bunch of things that you can choose/check off for the appropriate occasion: because your special, on your birthday, for your graduation, while you're down, on your anniversary, etc. What a versatile stamp! I like that kind!

Well that's all for now. I'm going to enjoy the sun today - it's gorgeous outside but a tad chilly...


hugs,
Elaine
p.s. check out the blog candy on the right for Happy Daisy - it's super super cute!

Saturday's Cards shared on Sunday

Edit: sorry about the blurry pics...it was cold outside and I was shaking a little bit!

I have not been making cards for a while. These aren't my style...I don't know what is...Just have not been feeling very creative lately. But when I met up with my friend Debbie at the Scrapbook store Saturday afternoon that old feeling, "gotta have it!" hit. I was pretty good, but couldn't walk out empty handed. At least I used one of the items that I bought on these cards!

The paper on the bird card has my favorite color combo: red with aqua. The paper is by Chatterbox and I love it! Bird stamp is from the $1 bin at Joanns or Michaels. The Valentine card uses a bunch of sayings stamped on the heart and a Making Memories metal word, "always"....The hearts were bumped up on dimensional dots and nestied, then glittered. Anyhow they're the latest, but not the greatest...heheheh.

More snow last night and it's snowing again right now! :)

TTFN.
E

Live Feed from CHA for SLICE DEMO (Sunday)

I made cards last night, but it's so cold I don't want to go outside to get a decent picture...so I'm watching a live feed from the CHA on Making Memories' Slice!
www.ustream.tv/makingmemories

They are doing live demos and it's quite fun to watch even though it blips in and out...good conversation, and it is interactive so they can see what we are asking/saying! Cool, huh?

There is also a giveaway on the blog right now:
http://makingmemories.typepad.com/makingmemories/ So maybe you can win something!

I'll post tonight after I've warmed up a bit...

Take care!

Found a fun new blog today....

It's all about FABRIC! I hate to admit it, but I think I'm starting to creep back into quilting and sewing more than scrapping and card-making! That's bad since I have so much already 'in stock' in 'my store'.....but good because I won't be wanting to buy as much new stuff...well not scrapping stuff at least - just fabric!

Anyway, here's the link to the blog - if you like fabric you must check it out! There's a drawing going on too - so all the more reason to visit!
http://fabricfamilyfun.wordpress.com/

Have a great Sunday! We're starting to get a little chilly again, but no sign of anything cold enough to make snow!

So what do you think?

I'm tempted to try Shimmerz....they are releasing 4 new colors that are great for Valentine's projects! Not only is there a new release but there is also a chance to win the 4 new colors! Since I don't own any yet, I might just have to take the dip. Do you have them? What do you like about them? Convince me someone, please!

Then check out the giveaway:
http://shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com/2009/01/announcing-new-blingz.html Good luck, Everyone!

If I win I'll have to post back with a project...

P.S. did anyone watch the Bachelor last night? I was out sick so I missed it and wondered who he went out with, and who was sent home!

Womens Words...

NINE WORDS WOMEN USE
(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . that will bring on a 'whatever').
(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying you're an idiot!
(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.
* Send this to the men you know, to warn them about arguments they can avoid if they remember the terminology.

A New Card to share too...

I made this earlier tonight for the Verve Challenge on Splitcoast:

You have to use Riding Hood Red, Blush Blossom, and Kraft (or sub similar colors). I was going to use my new Verve stamps but then ended up with this instead....simple and straightforward...and easy to mail!

Here's the link to SCS if you want to play along:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=408513

Thank you, to Mrs. C. whose blog is Ruby Slippers. She sent me an email about this blog award.
I'm normally really terrible at trying to get these things up - adding pictures and stuff like that takes me a while to figure out. But I'm going to give it a shot today.... Mrs. C. teaches kids who are my son's age but seems to dig up time to post a card nearly every day - no wonder she got the award! I'm not sure how she thought of me, but I thank her. Go visit her blog and check out all the cuteness! Ruby Slippers Blog - go now to check it out!


And now I am supposed to list 5 obsessions:

1-jewelry

2-really good food (Fran's Chocolates, Cutter's Bayhouse open faced crab sandwich, Anything from the Flying Fish restaurant, etc)

3-shoes & clothes

4-my papercrafting hobbies: stamps & scrapbooking

5-blog surfin -probably nothing new for any of you that know me! lol

I've had a headache all day today and am not feeling so great - I will watch Grey's tonight and then head off to bed. We've got a work party tomorrow and I made some treats earlier - I hope they don't have to cancel this party because of weather conditions! The last was cancelled because of all the snow that we got that week.

Oh, and I will be passing along the blog award to Amy at Tsuruta Desgins - she is super awesome and always has time to post a fab new creation (just about every day!) plus her comments always make me smile! Visit Amy at http://tsurutadesigns.blogspot.com/

Have a great evening!
hugs,
Elaine

I may be turning the corner....

and doing scrapping more than stamping/card-making! I was lucky enough to spend the weekend with my cousin and aunt (who were also at the CK convention with me) at a Quick Quotes Event held at the Great Wolf Water Park Resort in Grand Mound, WA. It was a super cool, fun event that I would highly recommend. I think we ended up making 12 layouts/projects? Actually it was more...closer to 20 I think. I had sooo much fun but did not remember a camera :( Carrie (my cousin) brought her camera though and so I hope she will send me a picture so I can start scrapping ON TIME this year!

Oh, and btw, for those of you who ARE scrapbookers, there's a cool giveaway on this blog:
http://happydaisyaz.blogspot.com/2009/01/project-365-giveaway.html
So go and check it out if you scrap! Then come back here and tell me that the snow has got to stop. Last night our power was out. Today, my first day back to work, I had to get a ride in again! It's getting old. I think I can make it on my own tomorrow, but it's just getting old....know what I mean?


These pictures are my favorite projects - love those blue and orange scrapbook papers and using canvas boards for the wall hanging PLUS Vellum for the page layouts - so much fun!

New Year's Eve, my friend Jill and I spent the ENTIRE day out shopping (Impress, Michaels, Ikea, Paper Zone, Target, etc) From one flippin outrageous sale to the next...wayyyyyy past a respectable hour that one should be out shopping on New Year's Eve....then we had the best Thai food at SouthCenter's "Simply Thai" - OMG it was sooooo tasty! You gotta check it out if you like Thai food!

Then on New Year's Day, I had my aunt Linda come and visit us. On the way to take her home, we stopped at a couple of the Target stores (to look for a new video game that my son wanted) and I scored the Target mailboxes for a buck! Lots of them! :) HoHoHo it feels like Christmas again!


Happy New Year, everyone!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Looks like we're in for more snow today. I'm on vacation this week and it's a good thing. There's no way I'd ever get out of our driveway let alone out of this terribly steep and winding neighborhood where there are cliffs that drop off 50'-60' to houses below. (There's "Black Betty", my baby, underneath at least 15" of snow).

We've been watching the Christmas ships on Lake Washington the past few nights and I should have snapped a picture but missed the opportunity. It's a beautiful display against the darkness of a winter's night and a really special treat at this time of year to not only see the ships with their pretty lights, but also to hear the choir singing on the ships also!

On the down side, with all of this cold weather, one of our faucets in the backyard side of the house started spewing water a couple days ago (it was the first time we've gotten above freezing in more than a week). When I called the plumber, we were at least a day or two out because of so many other emergencies. Since our emergency was outside and not 'waterfalling' INSIDE the house, we figured we could wait. He gave me some advice though, and I FIXED IT MYSELF! (He told me what to try, and after about an hour, it worked! So, not only did we save the $350 service call, but we have water again!) Running water is something it's easy to take for granted...now we know better!

Even better, hubby is actually going to make it back into town on Christmas day! Earlier this week we weren't counting on it because of all the cancellations at the airport. Things are supposed to be on schedule again, but, he had already grabbed the last room on Amtrak and is due in on Christmas afternoon! YAY!! I don't think he has a clue how much I miss him when he's gone. This time was especially trying with the bad weather and the faucet issue...

Nevertheless, we have much to be thankful for and many friends, family and neighbors that love us. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and the very BEST wishes for the New Year as well.

Hugs,
Elaine

GUESS where I went today!?

Ellen Hutson's Place!! THE Ellen from Simple Dreams blog! OMG I was in heaven! TONS of new Tim Holtz stuff, loads of CHF, A-Muse, Claudine Helmuth, BasicGrey, Copics, Versamark Dazzle pads, MayArts and more....what a way to make my Monday! I met Ellen's staff - they are all very nice ladies, but Beth is especially great! And the lady who gave us the tour is incredible (OMG I did not get her name!) We got to go into her studio and see a little sneaky peeky of something she was working on! :) (my lips are sealed) and I saw how organized she is. Wow! No wonder she can create masterpieces!

I had a grand time and share the surprise visit with my friend from work. We are going to plan another outing there soon! I just love their special customer service attention! ;-) I'll share later and show what I got! :) Happy Clam dancin today! :) And yes, I did manage to work too, in spite of my computer being out all day (again!)

Card share 12.07.08

There was soooo much going on this week! On top of all that, my car decided it didn't want to start after I was already out in the field...in a parking garage in Bellevue (on Wednesday). I had to park down several levels in the garage...where your cell phone does not work. Hours later AAA got me going again (they still can hot-wire a car if needed, ask me how I know)....

Anyway, the car is back home happy now!

Maybe you've got a favorite car - if so, tell me what it is. I need some sort of fuel economy (though nothing can be worse than the 5.51/gallon that I was paying just a couple months ago)....and I want heated seats + all wheel drive...everything else is just icing...I should have been out shopping for a car this weekend but it just didn't happen.


About the cards...I start a lot of things but always seem to get distracted so finishing things is a problem around here.

Inside the blue card is a dollar stamp - I like that little topiary! Might have to use it on other cards too soon! On the front is an Elzybells image from A-Muse. But I don't actually own the stamp - it was an image that I traded for...wish I had bought that stamp now! Pretend you don't see the message that I wrote too. I should've shot the picture before I wrote the message, but did it backwards...oops.


The other card uses K & Co.'s Swell Noel. I love, love, love that line! The colors are so perfect for card making, and I just love the old-fashioned images! On the front is an A-Muse image with glitter all around. Have a great evening everyone!

hugs,
Elaine

p.s. I was tagged a few times, but I am not good at getting those up. I will really try to do it later tonight!

Tim Holtz

The 12 days of tags is back .... I won yesterday and got the prize that I wanted! :)

Go - enter now...you can win too if I did!

http://timholtz.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/12/12-tags-of-ch-1.html

His work is absolutely amazing. I hope this doesn't start another obsession with me...maybe too late already.

Christmas Card Making Time!

I was able to play a bit last night after going shopping at Michael's from 6-8pm! (No tellin hubby that I was out - he's back from Santa Barbara soon, and as long as I can put things away I think all will be ok!)

I love the chunky glitter from Martha Stewart. I got the BIG fat hefty jar - so it seems that jar of glitter may be here long after I'm dead! LOL Anyway, it reminds me of retro holiday stuff from the 50's, and that's what I am using for cards today! The entire sheet of about 36 images was on one 12x12 sheet of paper -- for 1.29 at the scrapbook store. What a great deal! The Bazzill coordinates go very nicely with it, so I may go back for more...I'm already out of the brown and red.

Anyway, I hope you had a great turkey day and enjoy the sales! There are a LOT of them going on!

Oh, tell me what YOU'd use the chunky glitter for besides cards...I need some help using this up! LOL

Happy Black Friday, everyone!
Elaine

Happy Thanksgiving 11-27-08

We have so much to be thankful for.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving Day. May we all appreciate what we have and make the most of it.

Hugs,
Elaine

P.S. The little glass votive candles were on sale at Michael's - a set of 6 for only 1.99 - so I bought them for our 'long white table in the entryway - great deal, huh? Now I wish I had bought the green and red ones for Christmas too! The saying, "Bushels of Blessings" came from one of those $1 stamp sets at Paper Zone - I've used it a lot lately! :)

The stamped pieces were super simple and fun with the Stampin Up Curvy Label Punch Bundle (on sale for 30% off RIGHT NOW, but in limited quantities. I think you should get one...have you seen all the neat things that you can do with it?) The ribbons are American Crafts, Ben Franklin sheers, and some rolls from Micheal's.

Fun Day in Bellevue at Meydenbauer

ETA: Look at last year's picture at the Crafty Secrets booth with SANDY... Yep, it's the same green jacket. In another picture, even earlier, in 2005, I have the same green amber necklace on! What is up with THAT? LOL



I was lucky enough to go to the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Bellevue today. After feeling pretty cruddy yesterday and worrying about the house in Santa Barbara because of wildfires, I felt like it would be a nice getaway and take my mind off feeling bad and worrying. I was right.

Check out the fun!

Vicki Chrisman: Crafter/inventor of cool things from This Art that Makes Me Happy! She designs for Crafty Secrets and this was the first time that I actually met Vicki - WOW! I can see why everyone loves her! She is immediately lovable and soooo cute! Thank you for the very cute make n take, Vicki, at the Crafty Secrets booth! I had fun chatting with you, Sandi and Sandi's husband, Scott, too :)

Some adorable cards from the DeNami Booth, and where I bought LOTS of stamps! I could have bought more if I didn't have a budget..dang!

Next is Nami from DeNami Designs. 2 of her daughters were also at the show - they are just beautiful and are sooooo pretty! Nice work on stamps and the kids, Nami! ;-)

Then there's a picture of a great stamped scrapbook page by Technique Tuesday - love it! Would you believe up to 75% off at their booth? Wowzers!

And finally my cousin, Carrie, and aunt, Candy, who are also scrapbookers, on our way out of the show.

My aunt who is on the right, is alot of fun - she emails me regularly - my boss at work enjoys reading the emails when he covers for me....once he sees her picture he'll probably have a crush on her - she's cute!

Cousin Carrie (on the left) has three little boys who are all killer cute and soo smart! WOWZA! She entered a page but didn't tell me about it until after it was too late to take a photo or I'd share it here.

I've got some pictures of THINGS that I made that I will be sharing soon too :)

I met up with lots of old friends today and also made several new friends!


Happy Saturday everyone....say a little prayer for the Tea Fire in Santa Barbara...we don't want that thing spreading any closer to "las tunas"!!!! (Our home down there)...

Got a minute? Go and read this blogger's story on the quilt that she is giving away. It is amazing and really it made me tear up when I looked at the quilt. That doesn't normally happen to me. I could feel and see the love that was poured into this one! Go check it out...and enter - it's just too beautiful to not enter! I may have to keep going back to this blog now...darn...I did not want to get hooked on another craft - and this makes me want to quilt!


http://sewingwithabbie.blogspot.com/

My oh my!

A quilt giveaway...something I am hoping to win...and that's the only reason why I'm posting on my blog - it gives me 3 extra chances to win these dog- gone sweet quilts! It's not that I don't want you to win (I do), but I want to win first! LOL

Ok, so go, check it out, and enter if you must...
http://camilleroskelley.typepad.com/simplify/

And if you win well, let's say you owe me for telling you! ;-)

A-Muse(d) on a Friday Night!

Friday night I WAS able to go to the A-Muse Cupcake Social at their new location in Greenwood! At first I thought work was going to interfere and I wouldn't be able to go :( But everything turned out and I had soooo much fun!

I was able to meet the adorable Amy Tsuruta of Tsuruta Designs, (she's holding our Make n Take)...we were naughty and tried to CUT (unintentionally) in the line...and got caught by the stamp patrol...LOL and Novell Eckstrom from Splitcoast, and Julie HRR too! Talk about a fun bunch of crazy women! If you only could have been there......

It was nice to see some familiar faces as well....Kandi, Donna, and of course, Linda, the owner of A Muse Art Stamps! And Jen D too...who says most people do not remember her last name...and she's right - I didn't remember it :( (I'm a loozer!) The place was like wall to wall A Muse Addicts and A Muse Designers and Instructors! One could not wish to be in a better place....it was like Stamp Heaven I tell you!

There were delicious BIG Cupcakes with little stamped images of the A-Muse cupcakes on the picks, and some tasty red beverages served in tiny little martini glasses. (I'd like another, please!)

Our Goodie Bags were packed up sweetly with the brand new Cupcake set, Pink AND Red Dotted Notecards, An Assortment of Pretty Little Paper Gift Card Enclosures, some Creative Candy Rhinestones (multi colored package), a yummy "Hey Cupcake" stamp and Reversible PINK striped Ribbon!! It's the best Party Favor Bag ever!

I filled a little shopping basket up but was able to stop myself before my credit card declined! :) I want to post a photo shortly of the goodies, but for now I'm sharing the pics of the PEOPLE! (somehow not all of my pics are on my memory card .... boohoo...) At least some of them are ok! Maybe the batteries going dead had something to do with it? Novell and Amy, I don't have the pics we took together :( If you took one, could you email it to me please?)

Stop by the A-Muse Store if you get a chance. Linda and her posse did an incredible job renovating it into it's current blissful state!

Adios!

Halloween....

Here we've got the most 'creepy/scary costume', then George "Dub-Yuh" (not THAT George, the other one!), my associate, Phil, who is dressed as one of the guys from "Men at Work" - we thought he was going to do YMCA on the stage, but I think he did a strip show?? ACK! Just kidding... and then finally the Peanuts Gang! Deb who was "Woodstock" came back early after surgery - that crazy woman! She was supposed to stay home at least another week if not two! What a trooper!