Feb 25

10 months...

I already know exactly who this one is going to.  We have a fun memory of appletinis together.

Thanks for looking! 

Today I'm grateful for:  new fence, sunshine, my knee brace, good book with an actual twist, and great memories with lifelong friends

Stamps: MFT 

Paper: DCWV

Oct 2nd

Last week was my darling's birthday.  We bought him a recliner for his birthday, so this Flopsey was perfect for his card:

Thanks for looking!

Today I'm grateful for: relaxing weekend, good dentist visit for kids, spicy pizza, new earrings, and my wonderful man

Stamps: MFT Chocolate Bunny, The Stamps of Life banners4all
Extras: old number stickers

Feb 14th!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Thanks for looking!

 Today I'm grateful for: all the love in my life, traditions, chocolate covered strawberries from my dad, fluffy dog warming my toes, and dirty martinis with my gorgeous valentine

 Stamps: Fresh Squeeze Punny Valentine
Extras:  MFT die, Colorbok heart

Sept. 10th

Almost a repeat of yesterday!  I liked the layout and colors so much I redid it, but with another layer of color and changed the sentiment.  Sounds good, right?  Truth?  Well, I really did like yesterdays card, that's true.  Then my friend, Amy T, shared a chalk trend how-to, which reminded me that I have white ink.  And I needed a thank you note for my in-laws.  And everything else was still sitting on my desk. ahem  Hi, I'm Michelle and I'm a messy crafter.

So, this card was born from messiness, need, and a nudge-reminder from a friend.

Take 2

And now I put away the punches, dies, stamp sets.  Yes, I did!

Okay, it's still a mess, but this part is clean-ish and I *did* put away the stuff I've used for two days.

  My friend, Kristie, has set the bar HIGH with her craftroom clean out, organizing, and cute decorating.  I wish she would come visit me!  Until then, I'm going to pretend to be happy with this corner of my desk! haha  Let's agree to just not mention the rest of the mess, okay?  Because now I feel a guilt-cleaning coming on and ain't nobody got time for that!  

Thanks for looking!

Today I'm grateful for:  sunlight gleaming on freshly washed floor, AC (STL has summer heat late this year), finding a surprise drawing from Emily, remembering a friend's bday *before* the day, checking things off my to do list *before* they were due

 Stamps: Bring on the Cake and Just 4 You from Ditto
 Paper: scraps I still didn't have to put away!
 Extras:  MS loopy punch, MFT Textile Rectangle Frame Die-namics

Sept. 9th

I could clean my desk by ~gasp~ putting things away.  Or I could just use the cardstock and make another card.  Look...I chose Door #2!

Thanks for looking!

Today I'm grateful for my parents.  My wonderful mother risked her life, no exaggeration, to bring me into this world 42 years ago.  Then she proceeded to teach me by example how to be a strong woman, friend, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother.  Thanks, Mom, for giving me life and showing me how to live it!  My dad paced the halls for hours worried for his wife and child and cried unabashedly when he held me the first time.  Since then he taught me that I could do and be anything I wanted, that he would always be there for me no matter what, and what to look for in a husband.  Thanks, Dad!

 Stamps: Bring on the Cake and Just 4 You from Ditto
 Paper: scraps I didn't have to put away!
 Extras:  MS loopy punch, MFT Textile Rectangle Frame Die-namics

Sept. 6th

Yesterday, a dear friend surprised me with a beautiful one-layer cake.  Not just *any* cake, mind you.  It was a dark chocolate cake with dark chocolate thick, fudgey frosting, topped with fresh raspberries.  Did I mention homemade from scratch?  And did I mention that it was divine?  I would let you taste for yourself, but it's gone.  Trust me, it was divine!

Thanks for looking!

 Today I'm grateful for:  folding warm towels fresh from the dryer, watching Diva and her little buddies doing their little girl stuff, hugs from Devon 'for no reason', sourdough bread, friends who bake and know what I like lol

Stamps: Market Street Stamps Berry Sweet
Paper: scrap stack
Extras:  MFT Designer Label Stax Set 1 and Mini Double Dot Border Die-namics (yes, I couldn't resist hitting the sale last week!)

Aug. 13th

Isn't this the truth?  In general, crafters are just good people.

Thanks for looking!

Today I'm grateful for: getting the kids' rooms clean, clearing out some no longer needed school books, laughs with a girlfriend, find a good deal on Ty's new bed, my mom's fabulous chicken & dumplings recipe, and absolutely gorgeous weather for August -- 70s and low humidity in August? amazing for STL!

Stamps: MFT's PI Crafty Friends
Paper:  Cloud9Designs and scrap for shirt
Extras: Koh-i-noor, Prismas, and OMS

July 10

A small, simple note for my favorite man.

Being with him IS my favorite place.

Thanks for looking!

 Today I'm grateful for:  sweet husband who made me coffee this morning, soft pillows, *only* 90 today, crockpot so dinner is a no-brainer, and new stamps

 Stamps: My Favorite Sentiments, TPC Studio Coffee Cafe
Paper: scrap stack
Extras:  Koh-i-noor, corner rounder

July 9

Be Good to Yourself...I'll leave it to you to decide if this much chocolate is being good to yourself.

Some days, I think it might be.  Today's one of those.

Thanks for looking!

Today I'm grateful for my dad, time with my mom, kids day at Chuck E. Cheese, spinach pizza, and friends across the country.

Stamps: PMS Hershey, MFT Girls Rule for sentiment
Paper:  DCWV Sweet Stack
Extras:  Stardust pen, corner rounder

New week, Newly inked

A quick card for my friend, Denise:

I wish my phone glittered this much!

This sentiment is the reason I bought the set AND she's the one I bought it for! lol

Thanks for looking!

 Today I'm grateful for:  fun weekend events, super warm temps expected this week, cinnamon-sugar coffee syrup, cat asking for her window to open, snoring Diva (so dainty!)

Stamps: MFT Who's that Girl? Let's Chat
Paper: Michaels $1 spot
Extras:  Spica AND Stardust on phone

Happy Valentine's Day!

I am blessed with four amazing Valentine's.  Here are their cards:

Ty's....because his iTouch is an appendage.

Devon's...he loves puns.

Em's...she also enjoys word play and sparkle.

Scott's first card was about loving him more than coffee.  If you know me, that's a LOT!  I left it by the coffee pot and never saw it again.  I didn't shoot it before it ran away, my bad.

This is the card I gave him at dinner.

 Open

Why is food with a face so cute in a stamp?

 The cup matches his 'Mr' cup.

All together.....awwwww

Thanks for looking!

Today I'm grateful for my grandfather.  He passed away this evening.  As a human, I am sad.  As a Christian, I know I will see him again.  Grandpa was surrounded by his four children and two children-in-law, holding my grandma's hand.  They were married 65 years last summer.  That's a love story.

Stamps: lots of mixing and matching
Eye Pod, WTG Let's Chat, Recollections set for XOXO, To The Core, hearts2love, owls2love, You & Me
Extras:  Echo Park, Spica, Prismas, Copics, ScorPal, corner chomper

Scrap Stack Diving

I was happy to have some time to play at my table today.  For some reason the kids were busy playing with their new toys. ;-)  I decided to play along with MFT's Wed Stamp Club.  Here's my take on Sketch #52.

Yeah, my panel's a bit big, but I think you can still see the spirit of the original sketch.

Thanks for looking!

Tonight I'm grateful for: family traditions, a great 2011 for my family, hope for the future, sparkling apple cider, 4 amazing people to kiss at 12

Stamps: Let's Get Physcial WTG
Paper: Studio G (sick of it yet?  apparently I'm not lol)
Extras:

Fabulous Friend Friday

MFT's Girls Night Out made me think of my friend, Jeri.

We're miles apart, but have been known to tip a glass to, with, and for one another.

So....

Can I get an amen on that?

Thanks for looking!

Today I'm grateful for: perfectly ripe banana, my kids' health, Advent traditions, mocha hot chocolate, and friends across the miles

Stamps: MFT Girls Night Out

Paper: DCWV Linen Closet

Extras: Crystal Lacquer

New week, Newly inked

My nephew was promoted to yellow belt. Of course, PI guy to the rescue.

I popped up his foot and hand so his sidekick looks a bit more real. I love the texture on his gi, it's pretty close to the real deal.

Thanks for looking!

Today I'm grateful for: time at the park, playground all to ourselves, Toffee Latte, Diva playing librarian, fun laughing during spelling time

Stamps: MFT PI Karate Kid

Paper: DCWV

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Happy 61st Birthday to my momma! We are blessed that today is her free day and we can have lunch together. I wanted to take her out for lunch, but she declined. She said that lunch out wouldn't give her enough time with me and my kids and that she would be happier with a bologna sandwich at my house and more time together. Awwww, see why I think she's awesome?

Those that know me know I do NOT do bologna BLECH! and even if I did, I can't do just a sandwich for a birthday! haha So, we're having shrimp quesadillas, taco soup, and a 4 layered marble cake with chocolate cream cheese frosting. Oh yeah. Time with my mom and a delicious lunch, I'm so looking forward to it!

Enough food talk, you came for craft talk, so on to Mom's card. When I saw this little PI artist, I thought she was adorable and I wanted her. Then I realized that I *had* to get her. My mom is an art teacher. Justification at its finest!

Mojo Monday 191 worked perfectly with this cutie and I decided to turn it into a joy fold. Pardon my fingertip, but I could not get the little flap to lay flat for the photo.

Thanks for looking!

Today I'm grateful for an afternoon with one of my very favorite people. My mom is a gift and a treasure. She truly adds color to my life.

Stamps: MFT PI

Paper: DCWV Sweet Stack

Extras: Koh-i-noor, SU scallop circle punch

MFTWSC3

For MFT WSC Sketch 3 I used this image that looks like an old seed packet. I stayed with MFT colors, well maybe I should say MFT Plus because I added red.

This card shimmers so much in real life. I traced each panel and colored the hearts with Stardust. The word and flowers are colored with Smooch. I love how much sparkle and shimmer this card has.

Thanks for looking!

Today I'm grateful for: watching birds in the morning light, the imagination of a preschooler, snuggly dog, warm toes, hot chocolate

Stamps: MFT Sow Seeds of Love by Annie LaPointe

Paper: scraps

Extras: Copics, Queen & Co pearls, Sakura glaze pen, Smooch, Stardust pen

3D Thursday

I wanted a small journal to use for tracking my exercise efforts. I had a notebook that was the right size, but the cover was just not cute enough. So, I fixed that...

Cute, right? If I do use the journal and I do exercise, I'll be as cute in my yoga pants as Who's That Girl here. My current shoes are grey. I've picked some out that are black with hot pink trim. I split the difference here and colored hers grey with pink trim.

It's hard to see in the pic, but I drew in my cross necklace to make it 'ME'. I've worn this necklace every day since Aug. 12, 1995 when Scott gave it to me as my wedding gift. WTG just wouldn't be me without it. Mine's not as big as this one, but I'm no artist. lol


The negative of the banner on the front worked perfectly to frame a motivating sentiment on the inside cover.

And the first page has another fave sentiment from the set.

Of course Prince says it never left, but I still think it's fun.

Thanks for looking!

Today I'm grateful for: time with my best friend, toffee latte, warm home, old black & white movies, Falsies mascara

Stamps: MFT Let's Get Physical

Paper: DCWV Posies, MM Raspberry Small Dots

Extras: Spica, Copics, MFT dies

New week, Newly inked

Yay! Another brand new stamp has gotten inky. While I was happy to use another 'gotta have it' new set, I am super jealous of this bunny.

If I could find a La-Z-CHICK this cute, I would totally buy it! Do they make recliners in fuchsia? Of course, if I had the shiny gold box on my belly, I might not care what the chair looked like. ;-)

Thanks for looking!

Today I'm grateful for: honest mechanic, a newly decorated (by chalk) sidewalk, mochas, fun pens with feathers on top, and my darling husband

Stamps: MFT Chocolate Bunny

Paper: BG Sultry pack

Extras: Memento Dew Drop in Rich Cocoa, Copics, Crystal Effects

Scrap Stack Diving

This was our last week before starting school on Monday. Accordingly, this week was very full organizing our school stuff, lesson planning, and general cleaning and serious decluttering. I worked hard all week so I could have a fun weekend. Grandpa watched the kids and Scott and I had a date last night. This morning I started with breakfast and Hobby Lobby with my best friend, then home to my craft table. Oh, yeah, very nice start to the weekend!

I just had to play along with Party Time Tuesdays because this week is celebrating Kristie's birthday and the challenge is to use her favorite colors of pink, brown, and white. I immediately thought of BG Bittersweet and this sweet image in my image pile. I think it even *came* from Kristie. lol I colored the hats with two shades of pink and one of brown. I left the little guys white to highlight their fun hats.
I hope you had a GREAT birthday, Kristie, and stretch that celebration a.l.l. the way through the weekend!

Thanks for looking!

Today I'm grateful for: girl time, fabulous coffee, jalapenos, craft time, and a date with my main man

Stamps: House Mouse, sentiment is MFT

Paper: Basic Grey Bittersweet

Extras: Copics, corner punch

A Triple Play!

I can never do Party Time Tuesday actually ON Tuesday. Good thing my friend, Kristie, isn't a stickler on that *Tuesday* part. This week's challenge is a pocket card. I combined it with Color Throwdown 102 and Whimsie Wednesday Challenge 41 for a Triple Play. Nothing like my friend, Terry aka Challenge Queen ;-) but three in one is pretty good for me!

'Got cupcakes?' makes me giggle every time I use it. I know, it's a little thing, but it makes me happy.

I *love* Flopsey! I pieced the cupcake with the same green cs at the top of the card.

Thanks for looking!

Today I'm grateful for: seeing a friend who has been out of town for a while, Smencils, bubbles, clean drinking water, and, of course, cupcakes

Stamps: MFT Cupcake Flopsey, TSOL HappyBday2You, Unity Cupcakes a la Yummy

Paper: Bazzill

Extras: Threading Water punch, Corner punch, Rhinestones