Pieces of my life

Project Life Week 6- (better late than never)

2012-02-16T11:23:00.001-05:00

This week was a bit of a struggle for me. Since I am a SAHM with nothing to do but eat bon bon's (So my husband tells me. :-) ), I had a hard time putting this together. I had spent the beginning of the week puttering around the house and sitting in front of the computer sending my resume out. I am ready to go back to work!!! I never thought I would say that, but as the children get older I get lonely during the day. The week ended with a good weekend of shopping and spending time with my hubby and kids.

Here i s a look at the whole spread:

Here is the left side:

Here is the right side:

Thank you for looking and I will see you in a few with more things going on around the house these days.

Linked to The Mom Creative.

Papertrey Ink- Favorite Designer Color Combo

2012-02-08T20:01:00.000-05:00

Today I thought I would participate in the Anniversary festivities going on over at Papertrey Ink for there 5th Anniversary Celebrations. I have there stamps for about 4 years now. They are such high quality and the dies are to 'die' for. :-) We were to chose a Design Team members favorite color combo, and I chose Lisa Johnson's.

I love this color combo,and here is my card:

I love how it turned out. The lighting for the picture doesn't do it justice.

Thanks for stopping by.

Project Life Week 5-

2012-02-07T11:50:00.000-05:00

This week consisted of an Ultrasound of my Thyroid, listening to all my favorite podcasts as I cleaned and re-organised a few things. My monthly weight in for MMEW 2012, I was down 4.2 lbs without adding exercise. A great day of riding for Megan, report cards, scrapbooking and watching Titanic with the kids.

Here is my full spread (sorry for the shadows):

Left side:

Right side:

I also added 2-81/2 x 11 We R Memory Keepers page protector's to hold my kids report cards and Megan's Honor Roll Award. I love that it is all in one place. I have to say of the 3 years that I have done this project, I am enjoying this year the most.

Happy Tuesday-

Two more layouts checked off-

2012-02-06T14:47:00.000-05:00

I made two more layouts to participate in Shimelle's Scrapbook Starting Points. I really enjoyed making the second layout. The colors were right up my alley. This will be my second time I have participated.

Here was the starting point:

I chose to scrap Courtney's cap and gown picture from when she graduated, (I am a little behind since she graduated in 2007) better late than never. I used AC and Crate Paper with die cut circles and embellies. I am new to this type of embellishing, so it is a struggle to get started, but I am satisfied with how it turned out.

Here is the second Starting Point:

This second layout I scrapped pictures of Megan from this summer. I enjoyed painting the chipboard and picking all the brads and buttons. I also used my Banner Border Dies from Papertrey Ink.

Thanks for stopping by,

2012-02-01T11:39:00.002-05:00

One Little Word Blog Hop - January 2012

Oh how I can't believe that January is over. It has been a changing month for me that's for sure. I choose the word CHANGE, because there was a lot that needs changing in my life. Top of the list is my health, since I had Heart issues pop up last year and this past week went to the Endocrinologist about my Thyroid. I had a 30 pound weight gain last year and we need to figure this out. On a happier not I did lose 4.2 pounds last month. My one change was to start eating better and healthier. I can proudly say it has been three weeks since I have had any candy at all. (This is huge, since I loove candy and sweets)

Here are my January spreads for my OLW Album:

I still need to work on a few of the inserts but I am going with a gray and yellow color palate.

Next in the blog hop you go back to Margie. Thanks for stopping by my blog today. See you next month.

Here is the complete list of blog participants:

ONE LITTLE WORD Feb 1, 2012 Blog Hop

Margie http://xnomads.typepad.com

Sharyn www.lavieenchic.com

Jill http://jillconyers.com

Lynn www.crafty-creativity.blogspot.com

Jenn www.studiojenn.blogspot.com

Carmen http://www.carmenpaulsorthner.com

Marilee http://rose-brier.blogspot.com

Kristina http://hrinspirationfromthe403.blogspot.com/

Cindy C http://www.cynthiacrysdale.com

Kelly http://mindingmynest.com

Cheri http://cheriandrews.blogspot.com

Amanda http://scrappnbee.blogspot.com

Cindy http://seriousplay.typepad.com

Brooke www.everysnapshot.com

Naomi www.poeticaperture.com

Melissa http://www.smudgetime.com

Karen http://breathenowsmile.blogspot.com

Melissa S http://blog.mshanhun.com

Devon http://www.youhadmeatneurotic.com

Donna http://holimess.blogspot.com/

Dawn sunshineandcreativity.com

Katrina www.katrinasimeck.com

Sam http://learncreatedo.wordpress.com

Monica http://scrapinspired.com

Kimberlee http://scrapsandsass.blogspot.com

Missus W http://mrswookieswanderings.blogspot.com/

Kaylea http://www.myscrappylife.com

Nikki Www.inkyart.com.au

Erin http://erinsparkes.typepad.com/optimstic-fascination/

Jo www.curlyscrapbooker.blogspot.com

Coley http://coleybelle.blogspot.com/2012/01/focus-word-for-2012.html

Beth www.thesingularlyordinary.blogspot.com

Veronica www.veronicanorris.typepad.com

Jamie http://jmpgirl.blogspot.com/

Monica B http://questtoperfectimperfection.blogspot.com/

Lisa http://backtoallen.com/writers_blog

Rebekah http://istampscrapcraft.blogspot.com/

Jan http://mysimplelittlelife.typepad.com

Cate www.lifebehindthepurpledoor.com

Stephanie www.scrapworthylives.com

Orange Gearle http://orangegearle.blogspot.com

Tere http://terecontodomicorazon.blogspot.com/

Junelle http://yesandamenblog.blogspot.com/

Ruth http://suburbansahm.blogspot.com

Becky www.becky-handforth.blogspot.com

Becky

2012-02-01T11:21:00.001-05:00

Weeks 3 & 4-

I am hitting my groove with this year doing each weeks spread. I had a lot of fun putting together these two weeks.

Week 3 highlights getting back into making layouts, receiving my Black Signature Binder and Clementine Binder found here. Screenshots of my neighborhood and the weather. I like that I am including the weather weekly it will be interesting to look back on at the end of the year. I was sick with a sinus infection, pictures of Courtney going to a banquet with a friend and the house Justin is wiring down at the beach. Here are the spreads:

A closer look at the left side:

Closer look at the right side:

Week 4 highlights: Megan come home from school excited that she was chosen for City-Wide Chorus, Megans crazy pictures I find on my phone, Dr. Appt., Friday lunch with a friend, Chinese with my sons girlfriend, new charm, new tv shows and a guilty pleasure of mine reading about Celebrities and watching Bravo and We on TV.

Closer look of left side:

Closer look of right side:

I have to say I am loving the Clementine edition and adding in bits and pieces from my stash.

I am linking to this today.

Becky

2012-01-24T20:21:00.000-05:00

Project Life- A week in October and Week 2of 2012-
Today I am going to show you one of my weeks from October 2011. I still have to work on finishing a lot of my 2011 album, but I enjoy doing it so I work on it while keeping up with this current year.
Here is the week of October 10-18, 2011:

This is what a normal week looks like for me. You can click on it to enlarge the picture. I had doctor's appointments and Coffee Delivery for my Keurig (love that thing), dog's both chewing on one bone under the table, Megan praying dress up with Simba and we made Witches Fingers for the first time. This year I hope to get a bit more scrappy with my weeks, but if I don't that's okay too.

Week two of 2012:

Megan riding horse's and a picture of the farm she rides at. We also had a Birthday party, I had lunch with a friend and we picked paint colors for two rooms in the house.
Here is an up close of the left side:

Here's up close of the right side:

This being my third year doing this I still love it.

Becky

2012-01-21T11:17:00.001-05:00

My First Layout in years....

I decided to participate in Shimelle's Scrapbook Starting Point's. This is the first layout I have made in two years and since my Word this year is "Change", I decided to do a page about me. This will be a layout that I can also put in my album for "Twelve" that I am taking in the category of "You".

Here is a picture of what we were to start with:

This is what I came up with:

I used Crate Paper's "Restoration" Line and I like how it turned out.

Happy Saturday and I will be back later today with December Daily and Project Life pictures.

Becky

2012-01-20T22:33:00.000-05:00

Life got in the way........

Sorry I didn't get any pictures posted today, I have been feeling horrible. Hopefully I will get them up tomorrow.

Becky

2012-01-19T17:29:00.000-05:00

Thursday Check-in:

1) I went to the doctor today and I have a sinus infection and got a refill for my arthritis medicine. My RA has been kicking my butt this week.

2) I decided to call my December Daily done, and will be posting photos tomorrow.

3) I received these in the mail yesterday and I love them. I ordered two to house my Project Life from 2011. I will also be posting some pictures of a few of my completed weeks.

4) I made this for dinner on Monday this week and the family loves it. I made Brown rice instead of white to keep up with my new healthy living.

Source: budgetbytes.blogspot.com via Becky on Pinterest

5) Courtney is doing great in her College Algebra class, Bob is not loving the Theology class he is taking this 8 weeks, but he will walk for his Bachelors in May. Justin is working on his Senior project and is wiring a house at the beach. Megan is enjoying 5th grade and still is in love with horses and riding.

I hope all of you have had a good week and tomorrow is Friday. :-)

Becky

2012-01-18T19:31:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday:

Nothing like a girl riding a horse.

2012-01-15T19:41:00.000-05:00

Sunday Seven:
Starting today I will be doing the "Sunday Seven" each week. I will be listing 7 things that I have done, found or am working on in the last 7 days. I will also list 7 things that I need to do in the next 7 days. Hopefully you will find some great ideas and links in this post as I start on my new adventure in this 'Piece of my Life'.

1) December Daily:
Here is the deal with December Dailies. I have done one for the past three years and love the idea. Details on this can be found her on Ali Edwards Blog. My problem with this is my little family of 5 is boring. (It is horrible to say that). So not boring but we don't do much.
The past three that I have done none are finished. I got the closest to finished this year and I plan to work on in it till the end of January and then consider it done. I like this years the most out of the three and my foundation pages can be found here. I will post a few finished pages next Sunday.
Recap: If I do this again next year it will be on a much smaller scale.

2) Organization:
This is going to be the year of Organization and DeCluttering. I have already started in our garage that was full of ~~crap~~ I mean stuff. We called for bulky item pick up and threw out half the stuff that was in the garage. I also am trying to get a hold of the Paper Monster that lives in our house by revisiting my information from taking this great class.
Goal: To show here once a week one thing that I have organized.

3) Move More Eat Well:
I am participating in this class here by Cathy Zielske. My one thing I am working on this month is to eat meals throughout the day. I have been know to skip meals. A little story behind me taking this class is 3 years ago I quit working at a job in a Dental Office where I was the Office Manager/Financial Coordinator. I worked 6 days on and 7 days off. My cycle was Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday where I worked from 7am till 6:30 pm. Then I was to have 7 days off, but being the Office Manager had me going in on days off and I burned out, so I quit.
I did home daycare for about 1 year and then stopped. Then a series of events happened in my life. I tripped coming in the house and cracked a vertebrae in my back (6 weeks pretty much in bed), then this past Spring heart trouble. After a million tests, (not that many but it felt like and and we were glad we picked up secondary insurance) I have Cardiomyopathy. My heart muscle has become weaken and can't pump efficiently. ( I was exposed to a virus while doing daycare that went to my heart). So 3 years and 60 lbs. later I need to get back to a healthy life style and so far it is doing great.
Goal: This week working exercise into my day.

4) One Little Word:
My OLW this year is Change and it found me in November. I am going to be implementing this word in every aspect of my life, but mostly having to do with my health. You can find out more about it here.
Goal: This week I will finish with my January prompts and post pictures here.

5) Project Life:
I plan this week to work on my 2011 albums and finish up blank weeks there. I am waiting on my new Core Kit to reach me, I accidently sent it to my parents house, so they are forwarding it to me this week. I have bought the Digital kit here. That way I can print out journal cards here at home so I don't get to far behind.

Project Life is a product and a system created by Becky Higgins. It can be anything you want it to be. The pieces used in my album are available here. If you live outside the US check Becky’s site for more information on sources. View all my posts about Project Life (including all the spreads from my completed 2011 album) here.

Goal: Get pictures up on Tuesday of this week will information on how I am organizing everything this go round.

6) Scrapbook More:
To do this I am taking this class Twelve with Stacy Julian. The goal is by the end of the year to have 144 layouts made.
Goal: By Thursday show you my first layout for January.

7) Be Accountable:
That is why I am posting this list here every Sunday, so that I have Accountability for this.

Side Note: Please follow me with Bloglovin and you can also follow me on Pinterest. I love Bloglovin for my daily blog roll that I go thru and Pinterest is just awesome. If you need and invite send me an email.

If you have hung with me this far, thank you and I am off for movie time with the family.

Happy Sunday,

Becky

2012-01-01T20:08:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year to One and All!

I am back! This old blog has seen better days and in 2012 it will be a place that will evolve and change as I do. If you look on my side bar you can see a few new things. I am participating in three classes at Big Picture Classes. I am taking One Little Word (my word is Change.), Move More Eat Well, and Twelve. I am also continuing to do Project Life. I have done this for the past two years. This year I will be sharing it here as I progress through the year.

In the next few days I will be posting pictures of the December Daily that I did this year. I have a few more pictures to print and stories to get down this week and then I will have a post on it. I will also give you a little of the background story on my OLW-Change this year. It has already had an impact on my life.

I will be providing lots of links to things I find that are helping me with my journey from the internet and blogs I follow.

I hope this finds you ready to embrace 2012 and make it your best year yet.

Becky

2011-08-28T13:34:00.001-04:00

We Survived!

Wanted to stop in and say that here in Virginia Beach we survived the Earthquake and Hurricane Irene. What a crazy week it has been. Tuesday it all started with the Earthquake, my hubby was at work on Dam Neck Naval base and he said that his chair started to vibrate and then things started to rattle around on his desk. I was driving in the car and didn't feel it at all.

Yesterday, we all were here at home weathering the Hurricane. We lost our Direct TV a few times but we kept power so that was wonderful. Our court flooded but all our trees and the house held up great. Today we had clean up of branches and we put all our deck furniture back out again.

On the crafting front, I am participating in another Petite Box Swap with the Specked Egg. I will be getting those boxes together in the next week or so. I am also trying to organize my craft area and I will have some before and after photos soon.

Happy Sunday,

Becky

2011-08-08T12:52:00.000-04:00

What a Summer so far-

I have been staying busy with Megan and going to the water park in our area. I think I have the best tan I have ever had and that's with putting 30 SPF on. It has been so hot here in Virginia that you are forced to either stay inside or be in the water. We have had a few Thunder Storms but no steady rain so everything is dry and dead.

I have been keeping occupied by doing a few projects. Back in March I participated in a Configuration Box Swap in the All Things Tim Yahoo Group. I was sent 16 of the same size box, that I decorated in a sewing theme and sent back. Then I was sent the full box back decorated with all 14 boxes in place and ready to finish. I sat down last week and finished it and here it is-

I love the way it turned out.

I also participated in the Birdsong Tag Book Swap with Karla's Cottage. I sent 7 tags and received 7 tags back. This is the tag I sent.

This is what I received back. Karla made the cover and put all 135 books together and mailed them back to us. They are more beautiful in person.

The last thing I have completed is a Way of Life Spinner kit I ordered from Paula and Deb at One Lucky Day.

I also added the ATC's that I make every month from Donna Downey.

So all this and kids have kept me busy so far this Summer. We still have till the day after Labor Day when the kids start back to school, to enjoy the rest of the Summer. One weekend this month will take us to Northern Virginia for my brother and sister-in-law's 25th Anniversary and Vow Renewal, so it will be good to see family.

I hope all fo you have a great rest of your Summer and Enjoy-

Becky

2011-07-23T15:13:00.000-04:00

Quick Hello,

I know it's been forever. I will be back tomorrow with pictures and an update on my status.

Happy Saturday-
~Becky

2011-06-19T17:59:00.001-04:00

Happy Father's Day & The start of Summer Vacation-

Today I say Happy Father's Day to this wonderful man in my life for the last 22 years. He was able to go and play golf this morning, but we were rained out at the pool. Tonight I am fixing Flank Steak, Fingerling Potatoes and Grilled Brussell Sprouts (will have green beansalso in case he doesn't like them) tonight for dinner and then watch Battle LA after our son gets off work (He got it for him)

I called my Dad this morning to wish him a Happy Father's Day, he was relaxing because it was raining so he couldn't go out and putter in the yard. He was also admiring his new mackdaddy grill my mom bought him. It took two people to get it up onto the deck. Bob called his Dad and made the wishes there. His Brother and family are coming tomorrow for a week so that will be fun.

In other exciting news Friday was the last day of school here in Va. Beach, so my summer work begins with all the places Megan will want to go.

I am off to tend to dinner, I will be back tomorrow with pictures of a swap I participated at on Amy Powers blog.

Have a great rest of your Sunday,

Becky

2011-06-14T13:42:00.010-04:00

Hello,

Well it is definitly Summer here in Va. Beach. Last week we had 90-100 degree days and the humidity was aweful. We went to the neighborhood pool both Saturday and Sunday, but you definitly had to stay in the water.

Here are a few things i have done that I have not posted:

I participated in the Petite Inspiration Box Swap Spring Edition with The Speckled Egg. These are the boxes that I made for my partners Kathy and Michele.

These are the boxes that I recieved. This one is from Kathy.

This box I recieved from Michelle.

Then I was in a private swap with Ann. I sent her a box of fabrics and goodies and she sent me this Pinkeep that she makes. I had sent one to my mother for Mother's Day and now I have one too.

I love how she printed out the two classes I was taking from my blog and also added a little Boston Terrier to her also. If you want one contact me and I will get her your information. She doesn't have a blog or Etsy.

Thanks for reading and have a great week.

Becky

2011-05-22T14:46:00.004-04:00

Happy Sunday!

I just wanted to pop in and say that I am so excited for this workshop to start tomorrow.

I have already taken this workshop and it was amazing.

You can find all of the information here on Christy Thomlinson's blog. She is a great lady.

http://christytomlinson.typepad.com/christytomlinson/workshops.html

I will post more in the next week, I am working on a yellow brick road quilt using "French General Fabric" by Moda. It is beautiful fabric and I will have some pictures to show next time along with past and current swap information and pictures.

Thanks
Becky

2011-05-20T13:29:00.004-04:00

A quick Post today....

I have been busy taking care of some health issues and family stuff. I will pop back in this weekend to update you on the swaps I recently participated in and what is going on around here at the beach.

Have a great Friday and enjoy your weekend. Here is one photo to leave you with.

Boy do I love this little girl (though she is getting bigger everyday, she is a joy to have around) I love Izzy too, she is an awesome dog if we could keep her out of the cat box. Ugh!

Till later,

Becky

2011-04-26T19:05:00.019-04:00

Oh Where, Oh Where Have I Been-

Well let me first start with my new wood floors. We love them. I did not like that after we had them installed it rained for a week so I was mopping up dirty dog prints. I found that if I don't fret over them too much and let them dry then the dirt I could sweep up. With also putting in new carpet in the den and upper landing and stairs, the swiffer vac has become my new best friend. I just put a swiffer cloth on and vacuum up all of the dust bunnies, dog hair and carpet fuzz that seems to multiply rapidly if I don't do it everyday. i am finding that I enjoy keeping the floors clean now. (Who Knew!!!) Here are some pics.

Sorry for the 3/4 picture of Riley in the middle shot. So what do you think, pretty right.

Ok, I just have to say, what is up with blogger and posting pictures? Having a little difficulty tonight and I this is taking 3 times longer than necessary. So with all of this going on I had to get some swaps done and that was chaellenging. This months swap theme at Blissful ATC Swaps was Steampunk. I love the Steampunk theme and my partner was DeeDee and you can find her at http://deedeescraftspot.blogspot.com/.com/. Here ATC was awesome and it was her first time creating with this theme and she rocked it. Here are pictures of her ATC and then the one I sent to her. With mine I used glimmer mist with the Tim masks on the bottom them some G45 images and a few gears.

Next for the All Things Tim yahoo group, I entered a Configuration box swap. I was sent sixteen boxes that were all the same size. I had to decorate them with Tim products and whatever else I could fine. This was a challenge due to the tiny size of the box, but this is what I sent off. I will soon receive back a large configuration box finished by 14 other people I can't wait.
This picture is terrible, but I hope you get the jist.

I will leave you with one other picture from here at the house. We are seeing Spring/Summer weather now and this is just right out our garage door in the back yard last week. The mom and birds as of today have left the nest.

I will be back soon with more projects around the house, things I am selling at my first craft fair and my Spring Petite Box Swap that I am doing with two wonderful people I was paired up with from http://speckled-egg.blogspot.com/. I am loving this swap and will hopefully participate more.

Good Evening and Sorry for the long post.

--Becky

2011-03-13T20:06:00.002-04:00

Happy Sunday-

I have been away for awhile. We had hardwood floors put in the house along with new carpet on the stairs, landing and in the den, so I have had to pack up all my craft supplies to get this done. I miss them. I am taking this great workshop by Christy Tomlinson and I love it. I have covered my canvases in book print and paint but with other craft supplies out of reach that is as far as I have been able to go.

http://christytomlinson.typepad.com/christytomlinson/2011/03/weekend-post-and-a-giveaway.html

I recommend this workshop. She packs it full of so much it is so worth more than the money she is charging. Use the link below to check it out and enter a giveaway.

I will be back in the next few days with pictures of my floors and My Blissful ATC for this month.

-Becky

2011-02-16T13:13:00.021-05:00

Who Knew?

Today I was finally able to mail out my Mug Mat to Chris. I hope she enjoys it. I added a few extras for her also.

I went on the Fairy Generator and this is what it told me, Who knew? Also try the Witch and Warlock Generator. That is a hoot!

My fairy is Meadow Elffrost
She is cheerful and friendly.
She lives in fields where wild flowers and poppies grow.
She is only seen during the first snow of winter.
She wears a skirt made of red petals and has transparent green wings like a cicada.
Get your own fairy name from the Fairy Name Generator!

Last but not least these came with my daughter when she moved home.

This is Simba and Shoruyken. He is the Orange tabby and he is alomost 2. The Gray tabby is Shoruyken and she is 7 months and so sweet.

They joined our two dogs:

Riley and Izzy. Riley is a Boxer, is almost 7 and weighs 85lbs. Izzy is a Boston and she is 1 year old and has picked up the nasty habit of Kitty Litter diving. Anyone have any solutions it is just gross!

That is our youngest daughter Megan in the photo above with Izzy. I am going to leave you now I have to help Courtney finish up a baby quilt and get it to the quilt stor for quilting.

Have a Great Wednesday!

Becky

2011-02-14T18:01:00.013-05:00

Swaps, Swaps and more Swaps! & Happy Valentine's Day-

With everything going on in my life these past few weeks I have also participated in 4 Paper Swaps and one Mug Mat Swap. Why did I do this I ask myself? Because it is the only way I will sit and Create.

First up is and ATC about "Love" that I sent to Patti in Oregon for the Blissful ATC Swap. Loved this swap and will be playing again next month.

This next ATC Swap was the Green Fairy Swap on Swap-bot. I sent this one to Italy.

The last two were Valentine Card Swaps with Altered Art Junkies ( second picture) where I sent cards to 9 different people and Swap Bot Ultimate Faves where I sent to 3 different people (first pic). I am still having photo posting problems.

>

Tomorrow I will post my Mug Mat Swap pictures and the new additions to our family since my daughter moved back home.

Becky

2011-02-10T11:21:00.011-05:00

Where do I start?

I have to tell you the end of January and these first two weeks of February have been trying. First our oldest daughter who is 21 ended up having to move back home due to a roommate that was stupid and got evicted. We received this news the last weekend in January. My DH and I were upset but we were glad she was coming home for a few months. Then she finds out that she is going to owe thousands of dollars to the apartment complex even though she was not the one to get evicted. The same day she finds this out she runs into the back of someone and totaled her car! So now the few months has turned in to more than a year!

With her moving home my DH and I had to move out of her old room which had been turned into an office and my craft studio. We are now in the Living room!

Luckily, the insurance paid off her loan and we got her and I (since she is living at home) a new to us car.

I have been able to get a few projects done. I finally got the binding on both of these after a year and a half.

I also thought that I would post a few photos of an event that Courtney and I went to on January 15th. I finally got the photos off my camera. We had Cocktails with David Tutera from My Fair Wedding on WE.

That man is just too good looking. He was very nice and stopped for pictures with anyone who asked. The book signing line was two hours long because he took the time to speak to everyone and even got on the phone to talk to someone when asked. If you have not seen his show tune in on Sunday nights on the WE network. Great show!

I am off of here today I am getting very frustrated with blogger and how they are posting my pictures, I am having to edit the html after every upload. Ugh! I will be back tomorrow to post my Blissful ATC Swap and my Swapbot Swaps.

Good Day to everyone.

Becky

2011-01-22T19:31:00.002-05:00

Happy 2011-

I have been MIA from here since the beginning of December. I ended up doing my Reverb Writing in my journal and ir was a great expeience.

This year I have not picked One Little Word but Two, and they are Growth and Strength. I want to grow in several areas of my life and one is just in my crafting. I had several people over the Holidays ask me if I would start selling my quilts and papercraft goodies and I am hoping I can get that done this year. That is where strength comes into play. Wven though I stay home during the day I have RA so my stamina is in short bursts, so that is where I will need the strength to grow!

I have entered several Swaps that I am very excited about and you can click on the link on my sidebar to see if you want to join in. I am doing these so that I will Create Everyday! I find that if I do something everyday I feel better and more productive. That is fitting it in between loads of laundry, doing dishes and sweeping and vacuuming which are daily tasks.

I am going to make 2011 a Great Year.

2010-12-02T21:11:00.004-05:00

Reverb10/Post 1/ One Word-

Hello,

I have found a great website called Reverb10. Everyday they will email me prompt to look back on this year and reflect into next year. I am a day late starting this so tonight I am going to do yesterdays and I will catch up over the weekend posting my thoughts here. I will also be writing this in my journal. So here goes-

December 1- (One word) Think of one word that would encapsulate the year 2010. What would that word be? Now think ahead to 2011 and what would you like the word to be that captures 2011.

Well I choose a word for 2010 in January and that word was DREAM. I can say that it has not been what my year has captured. I think what word most captures 2010 for me is REFLECTION. I have found this year that I have been reflecting or looking back at the past and trying to see where I can go from here. I have decided to start a journal that I write in everyday and this will help with that. I also have found that I have to just let stuff go. I can't change what has happened to me, my family, my friendship or life in general in the past, but I have a huge impact on how my life and that of my families will be in the future. I also could say that I have found that Family has come to mean a lot to me as this year has been bumpy one.

I want to be a better mother, wife and friend. So I guess right now I still have some thinking to do on my word for 2011 but it will come to me and I will post it here. I will also be incorporating this into my December Daily that I am doing and in my journal. I have dedicated myself to be here everyday in one form or the other, and I am excited to see where this takes me.

Until tomorrow with another prompt and some pictures of what I have been up to lately.

2010-10-30T13:44:00.000-04:00

Oh My! I have found a great new blog today. The Altered Alice. Here you can go to view everything to due with Alice and Wonderland. I love the Graphic 45 papers and I would love to win the altered tray that they are giving away. So much to look at please go over and take a look.

2010-08-28T21:23:00.037-04:00

Dorothy Tags, bags and Classes- Oh My!

So for the last few weeks I have been working on a Grab bag swap of all things Krafty. I had to make up 14 grab bags of goodies to for a Swap with friends thru Memoryworks. Here is a picture of my bags before packaging and mailing.

I can't wait to see what I get back in the mail. I will post a picture of all my goodies when I receive them mid-September.

I have also been working on these:

I made these for the Dorothy Tag Book Swap at Karla's Cottage. Her blog is beautiful and has lots of inspiration. There are still openings for this swap. I had to make 6 tags based on the 1936 movie and the book Wizard of Oz. It was a lot of fun making these. Visit here to see all the tags made so far and posted to the Flicker gallery.

Creative Keepsake Convention was here in VA. Beach for the weekend so yesterday I went and took 3 classes and got tons of inspiration. My first class was SEI- Making Ordinary - Extraordinary. We used the Moravia line to make an Envelope Mini Album. This paper line is beautiful.

When I finish my album I will post pictures. The next class I took was designed by none other than Ali Edwards and was taught by Technique Tuesday. (Love there stuff! I won Ali Edwards stamp set Dad and bought Message in a Banner stamp set)

The last class I took was my favorite because I got to meet Kelly Purkey. What a wonderful person. You can find her here. She taught Sanding Embossing and Dies- Oh My!

The next two pictures from Quick Quotes and I signed up for there monthly kit club and I received the stuff to make these:

Well that is it for tonight, I will have more to show you in the next few day along with a new adventure that I will be going on. Can't wait to tell you more about it on Wednesday or Thursday.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

2010-08-10T12:20:00.000-04:00

Where I have been-

I have been enjoying the summer here at home and spending it with my family. I haven't had any kids to watch this summer so it has been nice to get things done around the house. Of course there are all the appointments and places the kids want to go so I have been very busy.

Craft wise I have been cleaning up my craft room and also following a tutorial by Christine Middlecamp that you can find here. I enjoyed the process of this since each one is a little piece of art.

Last week my youngest and I went to No. VA to spent the week with my parents. While we were there we went into Georgetown to the Shop that DC Cupcakes on TLC is filmed and got some cupcakes. They were delicious a little piece of heaven in a paper liner. The line was down the block but worth the wait in 90 degree heat.

The flavors that we liked best were Red Velvet, Pumpkin Spice and Key Lime. The Coconut wasn't bad either. Well that is it for now, I will be back to post about a few things I am participating in this month that are exciting to me.

Have a great week!

2010-04-25T23:30:00.000-04:00

Week in the Life-

This week I participated in Ali Edwards "Week in the Life" series. It is to capture and document the everyday of our lives. Not the extrodinary but just the ordinary. Here are a few of my photos of my week:

Monday: Stripped bed and made bed back up.

Cleaned hall bathroom: 20 & 16 yr. old share this one. Can you say yuck!!!

Had to go and buy clothes for Bob's golf trip to Myrtle Beach and I have a clean kitchen. For some reason I was in the mood to clean today.

Tuesday: recieved napkins from Maeghan. I participated in a Napkin Swap at Stiching under oaks.

Michael got stiches over the weekend. (A boy I watch after school)

Tuesday night dinner: Tropical Smoothie for me and Megan and Hardee's for Justin.

Wednesday: Worked on getting Project Life up to date

Megan got a haircut. So did I but didn't get a picture of that.

Thursday: Allergies are taking there toll on Megan, so we broke out the OTC.

The isle at Harris Teeter.

Michaels

Trays that I brought home.

Friday: I saw this on the back of a car at my daughters school. Loved it.

Riley lays anywhere I am untill it's time for bed.

This is my bed Friday night as I am getting ready for bed. Riley gets Bob's spot. He usually is on the floor. I have my reading and phone if I need it.

Saturday AM: Feeding the dogs. One of there favorite times of day.

Courtney moving out today. She found a place to rent with friends so off she goes again. We will miss seeing her everyday.

Ran errands & picked up meds.

Saturday night dinner and movie night. Watching 2012 with the kids.

Sunday: Reading Ali Edwards blog posts. Listened to the Roundtable by Paperclipping. Cleaned up craft room and last but not least.

LAUNDRY!- I stripped all the beds and washed all bedding and pillows. I also this weekend cleaned, sweeped, vacuumed and steam cleaned Megans room. I am tired and going to bed.

I have enjoyed the process of taking pictures of everything. I hope some of you participate next time around. Now I have to print the pictures, gather the reciepts and journaling and put it all together in my Album.

Hope all of you enjoyed your week.

2010-04-18T17:25:00.000-04:00

Week in Review-

I had a good week this week. Monday started a little rough with watching the daycare kids, but the week got better and by Friday at 4pm when everyone was picked up (early too) I was having a good week.

I cooked dinner 3 out of the 5 nights and my DH cooked breakfast for dinner one night. That left only 1 night this week as an anything night (kids love that). Yesterday was my birthday so we had steak & cheese subs, which were wonderful because I didn't make them and we sat on the deck to eat them as a family.

My Birthday yesterday was wonderful and relaxing. My cards were great and the best came from Megan with 5- Day off passes, which my husband knew nothing about. We decided with our tight budget right now that cards were my gift, which to me means more since I know they stood in the card isle and read different cards to find the perfect one, which shows more love for me than any gift could. Do any of you feel that way?

I have been following Becky Higgins blog here. She is at the moment trying to find a dish towel that actually soaks up the water when drying dishes.

I found a new blog tonight which I am going to start following called Home Sanctuary. She has a great blog so check it out. We also got good news from our daughter (some may say good news!) but she is moving out next weekend. She had to move back home at Thanksgiving because the friend she was living with up and moved out. So Courtney got another lady to rent it and the landlord let her out of the lease. So she has been home since, sharing a room with her 9 year old sister and it is getting old. So her and 3 friends found an apartment about 5 miles from the beach which is where she works and the beach mentality kicks in (that if you work at the beach you can only live so far from the beach). Who knew! I am very happy for her and the garage will be a garage instead of a storage shed.

So enough of my ramblings. I am going to leave you with a beautiful picture of wonderful Spring flowers and go help my hubby make dinner.

See you later and have a great week.

2010-03-29T20:57:00.000-04:00

Well it's been awhile!

We have had a lot going on as a family and as you will see from some of the pictures posted, that I especially have been busy. I will be getting back to regular blogging. I miss it and I will also be doing a few different things on here not just crafty.

1. As you see in this picture we got a little more snow in February.

2. I decided that I needed to have a female Boston Terrier. So off we went to pick one out and came home with Izzy. In this picture she is only 6 weeks old and I had to train her to go outside in the snow. Not good planning on my part. She is a bundle of fun and makes me smile and has tons of kisses to give. She is now 12 weeks old and I will be posting a new picture soon.

3. I had to let this big guy Riley who is 6, know that she is not to be eaten and will one day be a playmate. He is a good boy but a mommas boy and follows me everywhere.

4. My days are spent looking into the beautiful eyes of this baby girl I babysit everyday. She turned 6 months old today and has been sick so it has been rough around here. I will be turning 43 next month and with 3 kids of my own that will soon be 21, 16 and 10 this takes a lot out of me. I enjoy her but like giving her back to her mom.

That is it for tonight. I have to work on a Red Fox wanted poster for my daughter in third grade and I need to eat, so goodbye for now and will be back soon.

2010-02-07T21:54:00.000-05:00

Happy Super Bowl Sunday-

Hello everyone-

Life her in Va. Beach has been cold and rainy with a touch of snow this weekend. My family lives in Northern VA and got between 30"-36" of snow. Everyone is fine and shoveling.

I have been feeling under the weather this week with a cold and finally had my DH drop me off at the doctor last night. It didn't take long to be seen and left with 3 weeks of antibiotics to take. I have a sinus infectiona and fluid in both ears. What fun.

Yesterday as a family we went out to dinner and later to the store to do some shopping. This was my favorite purchase-

I love it. We also purchased 3 boxes of different K-cups. Hot Cocoa is the kids favorite. I haven't picked mine yet. I have to buy a My K-Cup so I can use my own coffee when friends come over but I absolutetly love it.

I will have time tomorrow to post a few cards that I made for challenges and I hope to get my Sure Cuts a-lot installed for my Cricuit so I can cut my templates I purchase from My Time Made Easy. Lauren Meader is so creative and now my Cricuit can do the cutting for me.

See you all tomorrow and I hope your team won tonight.

2010-01-31T12:35:00.001-05:00

Happy Sunday to Everyone:

First I want to show pictures of the snow we got yesterday in Va. Beach, VA. We got about 6 inches where we live and that is a lot for a city that doesn't own any plows.

I love the how it looks outside before anyone gets out there to play in it. Next are pictures of the cat and dog enjoying a day inside by the fire.

Next up are a few pictures of the kit I will be putting up in my etsy store later today. You can get there by clicking here.

There are over 100 items in this kit, with enough cardstock to make 8 cards. I hope you enjoy

Have a great weekend.

2010-01-25T19:48:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday to all. My first Valentine Card!

I was able to sit down today and make a card. I was also able to get started putting together Valentine card kits for my etsy shop. More details to come but you will be able to make this card from the kit.

So on to the card:

Inside Card:

Supplies Used:

CS: Bazzill- Kraft, Lt. Pink

DSP: Basic Gray

Embellies: Flower- Prima; Button- Papertrey Ink

Ink: Chocolate- Papertrey Ink

Thanks for stopping by:

2010-01-24T23:42:00.006-05:00

Happy Sunday Evening,

I was able to get my February Wallhaging done. I will wait till the end of February when I take it down to send it off to be machine quilted. Here is a picture of the finished top:

This hangs on the wall at the bottom of the stairs behind our front door. I already have March - May made and quilted. I will show them here on the first of every month.

I also made this wonder pound cake tonight for the family to snack on this week. I put a few slices in the freezer so I can toast them with my morning coffee. Yummy!

Hope all of you had a great weekend and I will be back tomorrow with a few Card Challenges from the weekend and the Mojo Monday Challenge.

Goodnight,

2010-01-22T13:30:00.002-05:00

Happy Friday-

Thought I would share my last 2 POD (Picture of the Day). The first one is of our white boxer Riley curled up on our bed last night. He blends right into our feather comforter. As you can probably see in the photo he has transferred mud to the cover, because after cold weather comes the dreaded thaw and he brings in tons of mud from the back yard.

The next picture is a card I mad from the Coffee Kit by Mish Mash. She makes up kits and sell them on Etsy. I was one of the lucky ones and got this kit.

I am working today on my wallhanging will hopefully have a picture this weekend.

Enjoy your weekend.

Becky

2010-01-21T18:59:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone in Blog Land:

I have been MIA, but I have been doing a few things. On our way home after Christmas we go across the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel to get from the Peninsula to Va. Beach where we live. After you come out of the tunnel to the right you can see the ships in port at Norfolk Naval Station. I took this picture and thought I would post it. The words say everything:

I have also been living my word of the year-"DREAM". I made this journal for everyday notes, websites, blogs and things I need to do and remember.

I also cleaned up my Scrap Space and put my ribbon in a vase I found downstairs. It makes me smile when I look at it now it is so pretty.

I have also put together and have been keeping up with Project Life by Becky Higgins. The purpose is to take a picture a day and journal about that day. At the end of the year you have everything doucumented and done. To fine out more about Project Life click here.

I will continue to give you updates on my Project Life as the days go by.

I am also working right now on a wall hanging for February. I haven't done any quilting since last year and I still have the month of May up on the wall, so I thought I would at least get the top pieced for February

so that I can hang it up this year. I will post a picture when I complete it.

I will be putting hand sewn items and paper items up for sale this year that I have made so be on the look out. They will either go on Etsy or Ebay. I will let you know when I get enough made to post for sale.

Have a great evening-

2009-12-31T14:17:00.000-05:00

Statement for 2010: Dream Big - Every Moment Counts

That is the way I am going to live everyday in 2010. I want awesome things to happen in my life personally and creatively and great big things to happen within my family. I couldn't keep it to just one word for the year so it is my statement instead.

I hope all of you have a wonderful New Years Eve and a Great Day tomorrow. Remember Dream Big and make every moment count!

Before I go I found this saying on this blog. I think it says perfectly what we all need to be thinking, feeling and doing in 2010. Click on image to enlarge.

2009-12-30T11:06:00.003-05:00

Memoryworks- January & February Trend Essentials-

I am back today because I just recieved this from Memoryworks. They have all the new products that will be introduced at CHA in stock and ready to go. Click here to view and print the .pdf file with all the new products. If you would like to order either contact me or enter my ID# MW379158.

Memoryworks also has a GREAT Kit of the month called Memoryworks Express. If you sign up for the monthly kit before the 1st., you will get January's kit. If you sign up after the 1st then your kit will ship in February. Billing is on the 3rd of every month for only $29.95 + S/H. It is a great value. To see January's kit and idea sheet click here. You will not be dissapointed in this kit of the month.

That is it for today. Have a great New Year.

2009-12-29T18:29:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays!

I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday and are looking forward to a great New Year! I am going to be doing some new and exciting things come this new year. I am going to be doing Project Life by Becky Higgins. You can find out more about it here. I am going to try to take a picture a day and journal about that day also. I am very excited about this. When Becky Higgins was with Creative Keepsakes the kit was called Project 365, which you probably have heard more about.

Memoryworks also has a kit coming out that is called Simple Stories. You can click here to find out more about there system. I will be using there system and the project life system thru the year. If you would like to order the Memoryworks system my ID# is MW379158. Memoryworks is a great company and you will be seeing more about them on my blog in 2010.

I am also thinking of my word for the year. I have been following Ali Edwards blog here, and I have to finish my December Daily Album and figure out what my word for 2010 will be. I think this is a great idea and it will be something that I will aim for and live by in 2010.

Another person I have been following this year and will continue to follow is Stacy Julian. Her view of just getting the memories written down is where I am in life right now. I want to make sure that my children have the pictures and words to look back on with their children in the future; but I want it to be done in a simplified way. I don't have the time anymore, as I'm sure a lot of you don't, to get all intricate and layered with my scrapbooking. She has a system to just get the memories on paper that is the most important. You can read mor about her here.

I will leave you with a picture of my family that we had done before Christmas at JC Penny's where my daughter Courtney works.

I hope all of you have a great New Years and I will be back to blogging on a regular basis in 2010.

Thanks,

2009-12-08T20:24:00.000-05:00

Awed & Inspired....

If you need to reaffirm who you are and why you are here. If you thank God for everyday that you are here on this earth for Family , Friends, Your Husband and Children, then take a few moments and read this Inspiring Story of Stephanie Nielson and her fight to regain all the thing that we take for granted everyday. Read more here.

I will be posting My first December Daily pages in the next few days. Christmas is approaching quickly and I haven't done any shopping. I better hit the stores this weekend. Tree is up and my lights on the outside are done. My DH has been busy with work and hasn't gotten the rest of the house done yet.

Have a great evening.

2009-11-26T12:38:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Have a wonderful day. I am creating this weekend so I will have lots to show on Monday. Have a good long weekend also.

2009-11-15T22:13:00.001-05:00

Happy Sunday Evening. This is my Second post for today-
Today's card is for TESC91 with Taylored Expressions. I love the clean simple design of this sketch, though you can put the WOW factor into it.

Supplies:

CS: Prisma & PTI

DSP: Art Warehouse; Danielle Johnson & Cosmo Cricket (Pinwheel)

Ribbon: TE

Stamps: PTI

Ink: SU

Brads: Making Memories

Hope you enjoy the card-

2009-11-15T18:29:00.000-05:00

Happy Sunday,

I thought I would post today a few of the home decor items I have made for Halloween and Thanksgiving. I still have an Autumn banner to make for by the door, then it's on to Christmas gifts for friends and family.

This banner I made to hang on the wall by the front door. Loved the papers and the glitter around the pinwheels.

I made this using Bo Bunny's letters. This was hung on the downstairs bathroom door.

This banner I made using the House of 3 Monagram kit. I placed pinwheels with buttons in the center between each letter. The family likes this one.

For this wall hanging I used the Bo Bunny Letters again with some Maya Mist and Tim Holtz distress Ink.

It turned out ok to me and is hanging on the bathroom door to replace the Boo hanging.

Well that is it for tonight. I will post the Autumn banner when I finish. Also look this week for some challenge cards.

Goodnight-

2009-11-13T14:29:00.001-05:00

Thankful for..... making it thru the Nor'Easter with only one piece of missing siding.

Today I have for you pictures from over my back fence, and from our driveway yesterday. At some times during the day we had wind gusts of up to 75 miles per hour.

People trying to kayak in the road. Looking over my back fence.

Taken from the end of my driveway. Into the road & into the cul-de-sac.

The other pictures I have for you are the first of my December Daily Album. To learn more about this project visit Ali Edwards blog here. I have enjoyed gathering product for the last few months and using up some of my stash also.

Front Cover

Cover Page

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 5

Snowflake overlay Page ?

I hope you enjoyed my album so far and I will continue to give updates on my progress. To everyone who braved this storm with us here in Va. Beach I hope you faired well. Our thoughts are with you.

Enjoy your day.

2009-11-12T14:35:00.000-05:00

Thankful...... for being inside and warm today.

We here on the east coast of Virginia are having a wicked Nor'easter that has become stationary over us. So there is no school today and we can't get out of our neighborhood due to the roads are flooded. My cul-de-sac is a pond at the moment. I will have pictures to share tomorrow.

Stay dry wherever you are.

2009-11-11T17:53:00.000-05:00

Happy November & Veteran's Day!

I have been busy getting the cards, notebooks and Holiday planners mailed off to my Mom for her Craft Fair this weekend in No. VA. I forgot to take pictures of the notebooks and Holiday Planner (made from PTI Take Note Set). I will be making a few more and I will photograph those. The next three cards were in the box that I sent off. The first card was made from PTI Holiday button bits and all product used on this card were from Papertrey Ink. I just love the veritality of this set and there product are superb quality. Check them out by clicking on the blinkie in the right side bar, you won't be disappointed. The second and third cards are the same, one I tied a bow and the other I did a knot. I liked the way they both turned out. The CS is Bazzill, DSP; Art Warehouse, Danielle Johnson, stamps; Inkadinkado, Ink; Kaleidacolor Pad (Autumn Leaves), Ribbon; Martha Stewart. I will be posting these in my etsy shop tomorrow by 5pm.

Have a great rest of the evening.

2009-10-28T12:26:00.002-04:00

Hello Everyone, Happy Hump Day!

Here in Va. Beach we are having rain and 80 degree weather. Where is Fall? I guess it will be here tomorrow since it's suposse to be 60 degrees then. No wonder everyone is getting sick.

Well, on to my post for today. I make Cancer Awareness Bracelets and I mentioned a few posts back that I would put a picture up. Well today is finally the day. If you would like to buy one please email me. The left bracelet is a Cancer Awareness Bracelet representing all the types of Cancers, and the right is for Breast Cancer Awareness. All of the bracelets are made with Genuine Cats Eye Beads and .925 Sterling Silver.

As I have said in the past I enjoy making a lot of different things and this is one of them. I am currently making some for my daughters Elementary School to help there Relay for Life team.

Well that's it for now I may get back to post a few more projects I have been doing but until then. Have a great rest of your week.

2009-10-21T11:22:00.000-04:00

Well, I was finally able to sit down last week and make some cards. I am making cards to send to my mom in No. Va. for a Craft Fair that she is doing. It was nice to sit and be creative with cards again.

This is my first card:

I made 5 of these cards and placed them in this purse. I found the template here. I think they turned out cute. The purse is super easy to make.

My second and third card are ones I made to put in my etsy shop.

I hope you have enjoyed these cards today. I will have more posted later. I will also be putting pictures up of the Cancer Awareness Bracelets that I sell.

Have a good day!

2009-10-15T12:29:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone,

Still no cards to post I am working on them as I type. Stayed up for the Papertrey Ink Release party last night and all I have to say is WOW! I got the sets I wanted and can't wait to start making christmas cards. To visit this awesome site with I think the best Design team in the world, click on there blinkie to the right of this post. You will not be dissapointed.

Thanks it for today, very rainy here and trying to stay focused instead of in bed for a good rainy day nap.

2009-10-10T22:55:00.001-04:00

Wow! It's been a week since I posted. I have been meeting some design and order deadlines this week that's why you haven't heard from me. Here is a picture of fall on my front porch. Sorry to say we havn't seen fall yet in Va. Beach with temps. on Friday in the 80's, so I needed some inspiration for a change of weather and a season that I love.

1) I have been working on my Cut the Crazy out of Christmas binder shown below. Every Thurdsay through next week there is new stuff to download and new projects to do, so that has been keeping me on my toes. I take this workshop thru Big Picture Scrapbooking. Click on the link to the left and see what they are all about. I love the workshops. Some of the stuff for the workshop that you work on is getting out those Holiday Recipes and put them into the binder, pictures of past Christmas's where you liked how you decorated your house so you have it for future reference. It also gets you to start thinking about gifts and what your going to do so that by the time it comes around you are not stressed to the point of just wanting Christmas to be gone. That is where I have been in years past. It has been and very aggravating day that I just wanted to be over. I don't want to feel this way anymore and the workshop has really been helping.

2) I have been taking another Self-Paced Class by Ali Edwards which is a Family Gratitude Spinner at Big Picture Scrapbooking. I have enjoyed this because it is a Altered Project and I haven't done many of them. I have posted a picture below of what the project looks like. Mine will of course be different since everyone has there own style but I am following her suppliy list the best I can.

3) I have been working on a card class deadline for a friend who is a Creative Memories Consultant. I make her card classes for her and while it seems like an easy task, it is a mass-production process and when you are making 19 kits with 12 cards in each kit it is a project in and of its self. I have posted some of the cards and pictures of the past two days of chaos. If you would like to learn more about Creative Memories or order product you can find more information here.

4) I have not been able to make a single card for myself for the past three weeks, and next weekend is the card swap at my local scrapbook store, so I will be making 6 Thanksgiving themed cards for that which I will post when I finish those. But I think I will take tomorrow and make some cards from the kits I have recieved by Taylored Expressions. I have 2 months of card kits and I better make some before my next kit comes on the 20th. Check out her blog at here Taylored Expressions.

5) I also made a Tote Bag last weekend. It is large and roomy measuring 13x12x6. If any one would like me to make them one please email me I am selling them for $30.00. (Note I have only limited amounts of this fabric left. So if you want one hurry!)

Thank you for listening to me ramble on and visiting my site. I have been busy but productive which is always a good thing. Have a great rest of your weekend and see you sometime during the week .

2009-10-03T14:02:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone, Today is World Card Making Day!

I wanted to let you know that I have become a part of a wonderful company called Memory Works. They are a company that sells all the stuff that you can find in your local scrapbook stores and online. You can host a Home Party and get these great products for free. One of the amazing things that they offer are Monthly Kits. This months kit is called Wicked.

This amazing kit includes:

Patterned Paper:
{1} 12x12 Quoth the Raven (Dream Street)

{1} 12x12 Sleepy Hollow (Dream Street)

{1} 12x12 Midnight Dreary (Dream Street)

{1} 12x12 Spine Tingler (Dream Street)

{1} 12x12 Hoot Hoot (Dream Street)

{1} 12x12 Witches Brew (BasicGrey)

{1} 12x12 Spook Alley Die-Cut Newsprint (Making Memories)

Solid Cardstock

{1} 12x12 Papaya Puree Dark (Prism)

{1} 12x 12 Sugar Cream (Prism)

{1} 12x12 Spring Willow (Prism)

{1} 12x12 Black (Prism)

Embellishments

{1} 12x12 Sheet - Twilight Postcards (Pink Paislee)

{1} 5 ½ x9 ½ Sheet - Spook Alley Word Fetti Sticker (Making Memories)

{1} 6x12 Sheet - Superstition Die Cuts (Dream Street)

{1} 6x9 Sheet - Tucker or Jargon Black Rub On Letters (Scenic Route)

{2} Novella Gallery Roses (Prima)

{1} Spook Alley Trims & Treats Embellishment Kit (Making Memories)

Includes the following:

8 - Dimensional felt ghost shapes

12 - Embossed paper bat shapes

12 - Gems

40 - Buttons in assorted sizes

1 - Yard orange and black twine

1 - Yard ¾" Black lace trim

1 - Yard 3/8" multi color dot cream grosgrain ribbon

Bonus Cards

{4} 3x6 Papaya Puree Dark (Prism)

{4} 3x6 Sugar Cream (Prism)

{4} 3x6 Spring Willow (Prism)

{4} 3x6 Black (Prism)

{4} 3x6 Wizard Dark (Prism)

{5} 3 ¼ x 3 ¼ Clear Envelopes

ALL FOR ONLY $29.95!! (plus $6.50 S&H)

If you would like to order this kit, please email me at handforth@cox.net

2009-09-30T21:34:00.004-04:00

As, you may have noticed I have taken the Stampin Up! Icons off the blog. At midnight tonight I am going inactive with the company. I love the company it has nothing to do with them, I have just found that my interests lay in another direction. I will still be making cards which I live to do and participating in a few more challenges. I am right now taking two classes at Big Picture Scrapbooking. I have a link on my side bar check it out. The classes are Ali Edwards Family Gratitude Spinner class and Cut the Crazy out of Christmas with Georgana Hall & Debbie Raymond. Check out the website they have great workshops and self-paced classes.

Family life has been very active with Justin (15) starting Gracie Jiu-Jitsu tonight which will be 3 nights a week and Megan (8) wanting to start Horseback riding lessons, so life around here is crazy. I will post tomorrow the tote bag I made this past weekend and the first steps I have made in Cutting the Crazy out of my Christmas's for hopefully forever.

Enough for tonight,

2009-09-20T11:30:00.001-04:00

For the last two month's I have been getting Tayored Expression Key Ingedient's Kits. I Love them. They have everything you need to make a lot of great cards and projects. This week Taylor is letting us link our creations to her blog. The rules were it needed to be Kitchen related since the DSP is Kitchen Spice and there had to be some distressing. I loved this challenge it took me out of my comfort zone and I like what I did. I made a card and a covered notebook that hold a 4x6 scrach pad of paper. Great to put in you purse and have on had when a thought or to do catches you. Hope you enjoy!

Supplies: September Key Ingredients Kit- Taylored Expressions

Ink: Momento

Embellishments: Nesties, Apron Lace Punch- Martha Stewart, Cinnimon Stikles, Ribbon- Taylored Expressions.

Plese let me know what you think-

2009-09-20T00:13:00.003-04:00

Well it has been forever since I last posted anything. I am still getting in the swing of things with back to school, homework and my new schedule. My parents came last weekend for my to oldest children's birthdays and my mom and I sat and cut 1800 2" squares and the border and binding for 3 quilts that have been U.F.O.'s since 2007. More on that in a future post. My rhumatoid arthritis flared up after that so I have been taking it easy. Well enough about all that let's get to my card.

My Card:

Every month I participate in a card swap at my local scrapbook store (Beach Scrapbooks) and this month's theme was Halloween so I sat down today; since they are due tomorrow (well today) at noon, and cased one of Michelle Wooderson's (Mish Mash) tent cards. So easy and they fit in a standard envelope. I think it turned out great. Let me know what you think.

Supplies:
Cardstock: SU Tangelo (Last year's In Color), Black SU
DSP: BoBunny Boo Crew
Embelishments: Making Memories Spook Alley, Nesties- Lg. Sq. & Lg. Scallop (Love them!)
Stamps: Studio G & Inkadinkado
Ink: Versafine Black, SU Rich Razzleberry, Envelope: Kalidiscope- Autumn
Coloring: Prismatic Pencils and baby oil

2009-09-09T18:52:00.003-04:00

Hope, Faith Love Bracelet

I made this bracelet for a friend who's husband had lost his life to Prostate Cancer. It has Sawarski Crystals and Pearls with .935 Sterling Silver Beads, Toggle Closure and Heart Charm. She ordered 25 of them for all the women in the family. It was a very heartfelt gift. If you are interested in one email me and I will contact you. I can make any color with any words you would like. I scanned this in so double click on the image to see it in detail. Thank You.

2009-09-08T22:16:00.007-04:00

Back to School in Va. Beach

My 2 children went back to school today. My son off to 10th Grade and my youngest Megan off to 3rd grade. This gave me 3 hours to myself before I had to pick up the two Daycare kids that started Kindergarten today. Let me tell you 3 hours goes by fast, but it was nice to have a quiet house and drink coffee in piece after the summer with 3 kids under 8 yrs. old running around and keeping up with a 14 yr. old boy. I did have some time to make a few Thank you cards for the people who bought some stuff from me on Ebay. I always send a nice card with a handwritten note on a seperate piece of paper inside so they can use the card for themselves. Well that is it for today I am going to bed to get ready to hit the floor running tomorrow. Hope you like the card.

Supplies used:

CS: White GP

DSP: Lemonade by Basic Gray
Buttons: Misc
Layout: Paper Pieces by Nichole Heady; PTI

2009-09-01T10:36:00.001-04:00

Mojo Monday #102 on Tuesday!

This card has a few firsts for me. 1) I did some sewing on the card. 2) I used a felt ghosts by Making Memories thats in there Spook Alley Embellisment kit. 3) It's my first Halloween card for the year! I love the Purple and Greens that everyone is doing for Halloween this year. It's a nice change from the typical Orange and Black. I hope you like it.

Supplies:
Paper: Black; SU, Orange; Creative Memories, Patterned; BoBunny Boo Crew
Ribbon: Michaels
Embellishments: Making Memories; Spook Alley Kit
Stamp: Studio G
Ink: Rich Razzleberry; SU

2009-08-31T14:01:00.002-04:00

Purse bound for Etsy!

Hello everyone. Sorry I have been away for a few days and didn't get anything new posted. Here is the purse I recently made that holds 10- 3x3 cards with envelopes although it can hold more. I love these colors. The base is Basic Gray Cardstock with Brown ribbon picked up at Michaels and has a Velcro Closure. This item is actually on my Etsy site under bhandforth. I will be posting a Link in the near future (as soon as I figure out how to. :-) ) Look for more to be coming to my Esty store with the Holiday coming upon us fast.

A New Look

2009-08-26T19:17:00.005-04:00

I changed my blog title today to more reflect what I am going to be posting in the future. I don't want to limit myself to one type of craft since I do manydifferent things, though my main love is paper crafting. I am going to be showing you in the next few months all the things I make to give for the Holidays. This is my favorite time of the year. School will start here in Va. Beach the day after Labor Day and the next thing I know it will be New Years. Is it me or as you grow older time just flies by? There is nothing I can do but try my best to keep up. That's it for today check back tomorrow for a peek at what I have been working on lately.

Second Post Today Mojo Monday Below

2009-08-10T10:57:00.002-04:00

This is a Plain Notebook I got at Michaels in the $1 ilse. I covered it with Crushed Curry Cardstock and Rich Razzleberry DSP. The Stamps are a set I recievied from Close to My Heart called "With Love" I used Soft Suede, Old Olive, Melon Mambo and Dusty Durango Ink. The ribbon is Pure Color (Michaels) and a Rinestone on the flower adds some bling. This was very easy to make it only took me an hour. I hope you like it.

I'm Back- Mojo Monday

2009-08-10T10:25:00.006-04:00

Yes, I am back to Blogging. I have been on Vacation and getting my house ready to start Home Day Care today. Yeah! This is my new job now. It sure was hard getting up at 6am after a month of being able to sleep in, oh well we need the income since I have been unemployed since April. That's enough about me.

My Lovely Card above I did for this weeks Mojo Moday 99 Challenge and I cased the layout of all the top Ladies in the Group. I think it turned out pretty and it was a nice Sunny day to take the picture outside.

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: SU Rich Razzleberry & Old Olive Textured (Love it)

DSP: Cottage Wall

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive & Whisper White

Other Items: Clear Rinestone, Swiss Dot Folder (Cuttlebug), Ribbon 3/8" Vanilla Satin Ribbon Dyed with Rich Razzleberry (Michaels)

Mojo Monday Week 96

2009-07-20T20:48:00.010-04:00

This is today's Mojo Monday Challenge. I used new DSP and Stamp Set that the brown guy delivered today. I hope you like it.

Supplies Used:

CS: Rich Razzleberry & Crushed Curry

DSP: Rich Razzleberry

Stamp Set: Eastern Blooms

Ink: Rich Razzleberry & Melon Mambo

Card for Swap

2009-07-19T10:32:00.004-04:00

This card is a card that I made for a Swap at a local Scrapbook Store. I used the True Friend set with in In Colors and Old Olive for the center. I think it turned out great. I was worried about putting all the In Colors together except Rich Razzleberry but with the Creamy Carmel back drop it turned out better than I hoped.

My Challenge for the Week

2009-07-10T19:57:00.009-04:00

My Challenge for the Week is to take Two Stamp Sets Pun Fun and True Friend and come up with 10 cards from each set that are very basic with little or no embellishment. My Upline Sam challenged me to this because the Starter kit doesn't come with all the glitz and Glamour I like to add and my customers need to start with basic and work from there. So every few days you will see the new cards that I have done.

The first card is done with Soft Suede, So Saffron and Melon Mambo. The second card is done with Bermuda Bay stamped with versamark for background effect, Chushed Curry and Melon Mambo. The third card is the most advanced of the three with Whisper White, Basic Black and Rich Razzleberry with paper trimming and brads.

Also I want to thank everyone who has visited my site I am now at over 100 visitors. Yeah!!!

Technique Tuesday

2009-07-07T11:03:00.011-04:00

Today is Technique Tuesday and I made this Gift Card Holder with Jackie Topa's Template. It is just too cute. It is easy to make all you need is Cardstock, Versamark, Embossing Power, Brads and a Heat Tool and you have a great gift card holder for someone special.

Mojo Monday Challenge 94

2009-07-06T14:49:00.007-04:00

This is the first Mojo Monday Challenge I have participated in. I had to get use to this card I made this morning but it has gown on me as the afternoon has come so I thought I would post it. Let me know what you think.

Stampin with my Upline

2009-06-25T20:19:00.003-04:00

Today I went and made these cards with my Upline Sam. The one on top is a Christmas card with Bashful Blue, Crushed Curry , Real Red and the Christmas Punch Stamp Set in the New Catty. The second card we did with the Tree Stamp from the Thought & Prayers Set. We used a lot of different techniques on these two cards which look difficult but are very easy

Adding Signature Post

2009-06-24T21:38:00.004-04:00

Today I tried and fail many attempts to put my signature below my post and not above it. This is a trial run to see if it goes below.

2009-06-04T07:44:00.002-04:00

The going, going.... gone lists are here!

Go to my website

funwithbecky.stampinup.net to get the full list of products that are retiring as of

June 30th.