Let's try this again.......

OK, so it's been like 6 months since my last post. I have tons of excuses for my absense, but who wants to hear those. Lately, I've been feeling more creative and wanted to give this another try. It seemed like as soon as I started this, I couldn't make a cute card or scrapbook page to save my life. Well, after a long break, I want to see if I could get back into it.

So, you're probably thinking that I have this great card to post.......well, I DO!! But, it's not mine. It's actually a card that my nephew made for his Dad's birthday back in March. It's the best card ever and I had to share it with you. We're in St. Louis, so his "inspiration" was the Cardinal's.

Cameron is 11 and the sweetest kid you could ever meet. Please think about him and his family over the next couple of weeks. He is having surgery on Wednesday and will be in Shriner's Hospital for 10 days to recover. After that, he will have a large halo around his leg for 6 months. He's having a bone lengthening procedure. He was born with Ollier's Disease - it causes bone growth problems in the extremities. He's a tough kid and has been through a lot, but sweet as can be! Good luck Cam, WE LOVE YOU!

I do have some of my own cards to post soon, so stay tuned..........

I Got My Nugget Tins......

I am so excited!!! I have been watching other people post these darling creations out of nugget tins and just found them at a very reasonable price so I bought 20 of them!! They just arrived yesterday and I had to play with them. I literally made this in less than 10 minutes. I already had some left over decorated Hershey nuggets so all I had to do was make a tag, tie a bow and viola!

I can't wait to dress them up a little more! I got the tins from Specialty Bottle. They are only $0.80 here (before shipping, of course) and there is NO minimun order. They also ship quickly.

The nuggets are covered with decorated Avery address labels. I used a snowflake stamp from a set that I got at Michael's a long time ago. If you think these are cute, you have to visit Papertrey ink. They have a couple of sets that have stamps specifically for the Avery labels and they are so cute!!! Here is the newest one - I just got it so I can't wait to try it out. You have to check out their gallery for ideas.

Well, if I don't get to post again before Christmas, I wish you all a Very Merry one!

So Very.......

You might not be able to see it, but it says "So Very.....Merry." This card is so simple, but I like the way it turned out. I made a couple of these for my co-workers. They are 51/4" x 51/4". They fit in Stampin' Up's 5 1/2" x 5 1/2 " envelopes. I made some mixed CDs for them and they fit perfectly in these cards and envelopes.

Sometimes my favorite cards are the ones that are the easiest to make. I really like the simple style, but can rarely achieve it. I always want to add "just one more thing."

Little Boxes, On the Hillside, Little Boxes Made of Ticky Tacky........

I made another one of these darling little boxes - I just love these. Here's the link for instructions if you want to make one. They are super easy and sooo cute!

This one uses the Stampin' Up DS Paper - Cerise. I think this is my favorite. I used my last 2 pieces to make this box - Jeni, I need more......

Here's a picture of Syd in her Manchester United kit - she wore it Sunday when they played Liverpool. Daddy was rooting for Liverpool.

Syd also had a HUGE FIRST last week - she used a fork and spoon all by herself for an entire meal! Her fine motor skills are really beginning to improve. Don't worry, we videotaped it - I'll post it as soon as we edit it. It has a lot of sittin' around waitin' moments.

She's doing so well lately - we are so proud of her!

Holiday Gift Baskets.....

This is a quick post - here's a sample of one of the gift baskets I made this year. The basket is from Hobby Lobby - they are almost always 50% off so they cost around $2. I fill them with embellished Hershey bars, Hershey nuggets covered in address labels and a card. I really like the way they look. These make great gifts for neighbors, friends, teahers, whoever!

Happy creating this Holiday!

The Capital of Montana is not Hannah........

The title to today's blog comes to you compliments of the Simpson's episode tonight. That is what Bart was writing on the chalkboard during the opening credits. I cracked up!

I have to share with you some darling notebook holders. They are actually CD cases and this idea was cased from my Stampin' Up demonstrator. I made this one for my Mom's birthday, but I made 9 others for Syd's therapists, teachers, and para's for Christmas. They are so cute and so easy to make!

Of course I used the SU designer series paper. These projects use only 1 12 x 12 piece of double sided paper (you even have a square to spare). I adhered the paper with my new favorite adhesive: The SU Anywhere Glue Stick. I love this glue - you have to try it.

The inside has a small pocket on the left side and a notebook on the right. The notebook is the small size that can be found at any Ofiice supply store. You do have to cut off the bottom inch or so of the notebook, but it's not too bad. I got these at Target (5 for $1.99.) The CD tins come from here. Thanks, Jeni, for letting me get them from you...

Oh, the pens - they are Pentel RSVP pens - You can get these at Target, Walmart, even the grocery store. Just screw off the bottom and roll up a 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" piece of paper and slip it inside - voila..

The outisde and inside panels are 7 1/4" x 5 1/8". Easy as that. Use your anywhere glue stick and you're good to go. I did do one with ModPodge and it is probably more durable, but I didn't like the look as much.

2nd Annual Shopping Day....

Every year, well, at least this year and last, we have a ladies shopping day on my husband's side of the family. It's always a lot of fun. This year I decided to make a little goodie bag for the girls. They contained a card and a paper covered candy bar.

OK, tell me if you've ever done this......I have an embarrasing tendency to make cards for people and forget to write anything in them! I did it with all these and when I told them what I did, my sister-in-law said I did that with her birthday card. She just thought I was being clever and giving her a card to regift (good idea, BTW). I think I just get excited to see them finished, or maybe it's because I am always making them under a time crunch, who knows. So, if I've ever given you a card and not written something in it, just know that my sentiment is actually in making you the card.

These are the completed bags and their contents......

I used some 2 way glue to adhere the micro beads to the fringe on her purse and jeans. I love that look.

I used Copic markers to color her in. I really love these markers! I use the Copic sketch markers. They have a brush and a beveled tip. I haven't found much use for the beveled tip, but I really do not know how to use these markers to their full potential. There are some people out there that can make these markers do some amazing things. My favorite color is E21 - Baby Skin Pink, it's a great light skinned flesh color.

Once again, I am too lazy to post my supplies, so if you have any questions, just leave a comment.

I know I've not posted a lot lately. It will probably stay that way until after the holidays - there just isn't enough time lately... I know you can all relate.

I also want to say CONGRATULATIONS to Kevin and Alicia and new baby Aidan! We're so happy for you guys!!!