Let's get Sketchy...

Hi! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Ours was nice and quiet, just the four of us at home. I worked Christmas Eve, and when I got home the boys wanted to open everything, but we made them wait until midnight. So to keep them busy we watched Mama Mia, with the sing a along...if you haven't watched this yet it is so fun...! but watch it with several people and sing at the top of your lungs...that's the only way to do it!! Which explains my music choice today...gotta love ABBA...

I think I finally figured out how to get these right.

Want to play? If you do please leave me a comment with a link to your layout I'd love to see what you do with it!
Swirl, Snif, Sip
Supplies Used: Unity Stamps Worn Grid, Beautiful Morning, Dec KOM, Sep Kom
K&Co paper

and then this card is for two challenges the first one was a "color personality" quiz, and the second is Ashley's ETSY Challenge...I'm RED..
This was a lot of fun...!

Supplies used: Unity Stamps Dec KOM, Sept KOM
Kaiser, Basic Grey Paper

And that's all I have for you today...I have to go brave the wild shopping frontier at Target and get a wireless enabler port thingymagig so I can make Britain's new XBox 360 (our second one btw becauase apparently one in a house is not enough) online...so that he and Landon can play without trying to kill each other...thanks alot Bill Gates...

Gratitude:
1.nice quiet Christmas
2. the kids were happy with what they got
3. I had some nice quiet creative time this am everyone else slept in
4. Mama Mia...this movie is so fun!
5. cheesey 70's music

Wrapping it up...

So..who's ready? I think I'm finally done shopping, everything is wrapped and under the tree.

However, I didn't get anything mailed out...not cards, not gifts...

I'm making a vow right now to start making Christmas presents for next year in February of 2009...I might even go so far as to box them up and address them so I don't have an excuse next year...LOL

I have several things to show you today.

For links to all the sites/people I reference, please see the bottom of this post.First is Amber's Monday sketch challenge at SCS. What would Monday be without these super fun sketches? I used the Unity Dec KOM, Worn Grid and Wild&Crazy Bunch, Paper is K&Co and

Basic Grey.

These little babies are probably going to be a new obsession for me. They are called "scraplings". Teeny little pieces of card scraps that pack a seriously cute punch.

They measure 1.25 x 4.25 and are perfect for a little gift tag or just because they are so stinkin' cute! I think they are so much fun..we might need to do a swap...whaddya think?

The Christmasy one was done for a challenge issued by Tanis on SCS.

This one below I played with the size a little it's 2x6..does that make it a scraplet instead of a scrapling?

Supplies used:#1 Unity Stocking, Cosmo Cricket DP; #2 Unity: Mix up of Cuteness, Sentiments O Simple Cosmo Cricket DP; #3 Unity Wild&Crazy Bunch, Thanksgiving Peeps DP is Scenic Route

I've been playing with my sewing machine!! In the back of my mind I always had this idea that I wanted to do something like this and to finally get it out of my head and create it makes me so happy..! I took a blank tee from Mike's and sewed on one of those super cute fabric tags by Amy Butler for K&Company. I stamped my Unity Nov KOM, and Gratitude =Joy stamps added buttons (with muslin behind them to help anchor) and voila....! I also added the Everlasting Romance Unity stamp to the bottom corner which you can see in the picture below.
Isn't that fun!!!
AND...

I made a Sock Monkey!! Meet "Blue"...yes his seams are all in the wrong place, and I think I made him upside down...but isn't he cute!! I looked at several different stores for brightly colored striped socks, but haven't had any luck...if you see them somewhere will you let me know? Thank you so much Kitty for sharing your pattern with me. It was really easy to follow, (and yes I still screwed it up...LOL)

This is a tile I made from those .16cent ceramic tiles at Lowe's. I used Stazon ink to distress the tile itself. Then sanded the photo and the Cosmo Cricket paper. Unity Stamps used are Oct KOM and Sentiments O Simple.
This poor kid...lost a molar yesterday and started crying because he was afraid I was going to make him go to the dentist...that's how much dental work he's had...LOL...he automatically thinks that something has gone horribly wrong...

Can you tell when it happened he had gotten into the snowball cookies?

This picture defies description...


don't worry my husband's not a crossdresser...he grabbed my coat to take the dogs out the other night because mine is the warmest ( it was 2 degrees outside) and I just had to snap a picture...I mean how could I not?

I work tomorrow and then of course Christmas so I probably won't be back until Friday!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Chistmas!!

Gratitudes:
1. these last few days off to create
2.we've been playing boardgames the past few nights, when Rob or the boys win they've gotten to open a present, when I win no one does...LOL..I think we've started a new tradition! They've been kicking my butt!
3. being able to stay in our jammies and just relax
4. Christmas lights
5. Rob figured out how to fix our garage door! What a man!!

Links:

Amber, Tanis, Kitty, SCS, Unity Stamp Company,Scraplings, Cosmo Cricket,

Scenic Route, K&Company, Amy Butler

I love it when he gets it right...

On Friday Rob called and said "I'm taking you out, put something nice on."

me: "where? I don't really feel like going out, we need to save money, (insert here my usual tirade of bitchiness...I've been having these ALOT lately)

Rob: "You always say I never take you anywhere, well I'm taking you somewhere...I'm trying to do something nice for you will you just let me? I've already taken care of the boys, Britain's going to watch Landon, I'm bringing home pizza."

me:..ok I don't even want to repeat what I said...I have been a completely unforgivable snot lately...but ok, we're refinancing the house, trying to plan a move, trying to get our house rented

AND

the garage door broke a few days ago and we blew a circuit breaker....

When it comes to Christmas...I just haven't been able to get in the spirit

(insert deep breath)

I own exactly one Christmas CD. It's Amy Grant. I've probably had it for more than 10 years. You're listening to my very favoritest Christmas song right now... I love Vince Gill, I was fortunate enough to get to see him last year in Nashville at the Grand Ole' Opry. I had myself a big old cry when he sang "Go Rest High on That Mountain".

I had no idea this was where he was taking me until I saw the tshirt stand....

In a million years I never imagined I would get to hear Amy Grant sing this song that's playing live... There just aren't words...It was a beautiful concert and we enjoyed it so much. At the end, they had us all stand up to sing together...

Silent Night, O Come all ye Faithful, and O Little Town of Bethlehem.

I closed my mouth and just listened...

you can't imagine how beautiful it sounded, thousands of voices singing these songs together...I think all of us found our Christmas Spirit in that moment.

I feel so fortunate to be able to have gone and so incredibly blessed to have such a wonderful husband.

Thanks so much honey,

I love you.

When you're finished listening to the current music playing pause the playlist player and adjust your speakers to play the video....I'm not a videographer, lol but you can hear her really well.

It's HHH FRIDAY!!! Can you hear me now???...

I have more than a few insecurities...

I don't know why, well alot of reasons probably, but that's not the point. I cover it up pretty well, at least I think I do, ok, maybe not.

ANYWAY...

I have a dream...

ok probably more than one - there are always the very obvious ones

I want my kids to be happy and healthy

For my husband to be able to realize his dreams

for "Mary", my favorite patient to have just one day pain free

and so on....this could be a whole other post

BUT- I have a selfish dream too

one just for lil 'ole me

it's to be on the Unity Stamp Company Scrapbook Design Team

It's probably silly to say it that way, I mean there are way more important things in the world right now, but as I said, this is my "selfish lil 'ole me" dream...

So, here they are

the layouts I created to submit for a much coveted and I am sure highly competitive spot

I wasn't going to fess up

Due to the aforementioned insecurites...

BUT...what the heck, life's too short

So...I'm letting it all hang out today...

Good Luck to all of the people who submitted...Deadline is tomorrow!

I can't wait to see all the wonderful artwork everyone has made!!

Supplies Used: Unity Stamps: Our Life, Our Stories; Sentiments o' Simple, Distressed Dots

Cosmo Cricket Paper, Thickers

Supplies used: Unity Stamps "Beautiful Life"

Cosmo Cricket, Making Memories Paper

Wow...for some reason that felt really good...

IN OTHER NEWS....

I got my hearing aids yesterday...

I haven't talked about this very much and it's a really long story that pretty much boils down to my fairly recent discovery that

I am a KICK ASS lip reader

pointed out to me recently by a very nice Doctor who stood 5 feet in front of me but covered up his face while he was talking to me...I didn't hear a word!

but, apparently though....for quite a few years there has been a whole world of conversation and sounds around and behind me (especially) that I didn't know was there

I thought Rob and the kids were nuts

I thought I was "selectively listening and tuning people out"

I thought everyone heard "that ringing sound"

and this one's pretty funny...

I returned my Cell phone 3 times this summer because I thought they were sending me phones that didn't work....

Sorry, I wasn't ignoring you...I couldn't hear you!

These things are AMAZING! I can hear everything!

The ringing is gone!

Gratititudes:

1. I can hear!

2. the Air Force paid for my Hearing Aids..THANK YOU!!

3. the opportunity to submit for the Unity DT

4. Chocolate PB Chex mix...this stuff is yummeeee

5. last day of school before Christmas Break!! I'm looking forward to having the boys home and hanging out!

Now, I'm going to go watch Mama Mia...have a great Day!!

I never know what to put up here..

The song you hear is for Steph, (self professed Redneck and Jeff Foxworthy fan) You can see the big box of love she sent me at the end of this post...THANKS Steph!!

I can never seem to get my bloggy butt together during my work weeks...and it's not like I work that much and I really have a great schedule...but the 12 hours is just a long day by the time I get home I'm organizing showers and homework.

I hope if you get a chance you'll go by the Unity forum at Splitcoast for Hip Hop Thursday. There are a lot of specials tomorrow and it's the last one until after the Holidays...They are even retiring some sets the first of the year...so got get your Unity groove on! I won't be there until late, I have to work.

Here is my card for the Unity Addicts Wednesday Challenge. This weeks challenge was from another Amy (Jazzyscrapper) and it was to make a monochromatic card.

I used white embossing powder on the images.

Stamps are Unity Dream Tree and Gratitude = Joy


The next card is from Amber's Monday Sketch...I didn't have a lot of time for this one Monday, I guess you can kind of tell..LOL...I love the sketch though so I'll probably use it again to make something else...

Supplies Used Unity Giggle Grove, Tiny Trinity

Pattern Paper Cosmo Cricket


and a layout...this was from last Oct when we went 4 wheeling at a friend of ours..

Supplies Used Unity Our life, Our Stories, Amazing Me Kaiser pattern paper, American Crafts Thickers

AND finally......We recieved a box from my friend Stephanie who is stationed in Japan...look how tiny those Cokes are!!! Thanks so much STEPH!!! I love my new Jammies!! Love you and miss you!!

I have no idea why these pictures are all wonky...

Gratitude:

1. Big box of love from Japan!

2. off this weekend

3. not letting myself stress too much over Christmas

4. fun challenges that help get your mojo going

5. chocolate covered pretzels

Hip Hop Hangover!

Crank up those speakers ladies...time for a little Rum and Coca...Cola...

I think this will be my theme song...

Hello and Welcome to Hip Hop Hangover!!

I hope if you get time today you will come by, chat and play with us at the Unity Forum on SCS.

If you came over from Angela's blog, thanks so much for stopping by and make sure you go check out all the other links she has posted there for some yummy Unity inspiration! I got to do a lot of stamping yesterday!

First I have a layout to show you...

"I can Explain"

This was inpired by a pagemaps sketch. I just love working with sketches, and Becky Fleck has so much inspiration there to use!

Supplies Used:

Unity Stamp Company: Our Life, Our Stories (Journal box)

Paper: Junkitz

Sticker: 7 Gypsies

Next a card...I made this for Hip Hop Challenge #1 yesterday which was to create a card with only two layers...

Supplies Used: Unity Stamp Company Nov KOM

Stazon Ink

Worldwin Cardstock

Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks

Martha Stewart Markers

I used Acetate for the Card Base and then stamped the tree and flowers on cardstock and wrapped it around the card. Then I stamped the rest of the images with Stazon and colored them in with the alcohol ink.

Another Layout...

Supplies Used:

Unity Stamp Company: Wish!, Our Life, Our Stories (this is such a versatile set for scrapbookers!!)

Dream Street Pattern Paper

Bazzil Cardstock with an edge

American Crafts letter stickers

And last another card...

This was for the Hip Hop Challenge #2 to use bling or baubles on a card. I used Doodlebug sugar coating.

Supplies Used:

Unity Stamp Company: Sept KOM

Pattern Paper: Basic Grey

Are you tired yet..? LOL...

If you get a chance there are still lots of great deals to be had today over at Unity. Some of the Holiday Stamps are as low as $1 with a qualifying purchase of $25. These stamps are so amazing, even if you don't stamp, they will inspire you to start!

Thanks so much for coming to see me, I'm going to go stamp!!

Gratitudes:

1. I just love this cold weather, it makes me not feel guilty for staying in and stamping!

2. Coffee and chocolate chip cookies

3. all the wonderful and encouraging folks at Unity and SCS

4. My hearing aids got approved by Tricare so I should get them next week! (this is a whole other blog...LOL)

5. Watching Christmas movies with the boys...last night we watched Christmas Vacation!

Unity Challenge Wednesday!!!

Supplies Used: Unity Stamp Company: Mix Up of Cuteness

DP Cosmo Cricket Hello Sunshine
What a fun day today! First, it's Wednesday, which mean's it's Unity Addict Challenge day at SCS. Today's Challenge was to case something made by Jimmi, Maren or Jennifer.

I cased Maren who was also my Secret Santa! and she sent me all of this wonderful Cosmo Cricket goodness...

I got to play with Christi and my sweet little sunshine Kat all morning...I swear being around her makes me more creative..Case in point that card you just saw up there...

Aren't they adorable!!
I also made this Christmas Ornament that I am just over the moon about!!

It started out looking like this

These little wood tags come with some of the Unity Stamp sets. I had been saving them trying to think of something to do with them. Today I figured it out..

I used Unity's All Santa's Reindeer and Cosmo Cricket DP...I'm just so tickled with how it turned out!

And I got a layout done also...

Unity stamps: Distress Dots Background, Worn Grid background, Flirty Flowers, Our Life, Our Stories, Everlasting Romance

That's a lot of different kits..LOL

I am so happy with this layout..I think it's all the punch of the orange and yellow, I don't know it just makes me feel all twinkley.

and last a cute picture of Landon this am with the dogs..hard to tell from the photo but there are two of them there...

Gratitude:

1. This creative streak that is probably going to end soon

2. While the Strano guy was here taking pics of the house with his big Strano Van parked out front, TWO different people stopped wanting to look at the house..I want to borrow that van

3. a wonderful morning with Kat and Christi

4. That cute picture above with Landon and the doggies

5. With all this realtor stuff going on...My house is soooo clean right now!!

Mi Vida Loca...

Supplies Used: Unity Stamps Oct KOM, Nov KOM

Pattern Paper: Scenic Route, Dreamstreet, Kaiser

My life is crazy lately...but who's isn't right?

I feel like I've been running around like a maniac today...Took kids to school, went to Post Office where I proceeded to wait in line for.........ever (God Bless you postal worker people), Went to Family Video to pick up Dark Knight, Went to Walmart because Rob's orders this morning were "GET BATMAN AND GET BEER"

and we needed some other stuff too

Met with Strano Property Managment...let's hope they get our house rented!

Went by Goodwill, always a fun trip!

Picked up the kids from school

Went by the base so we could all get our Flu shots...have you gotten yours?

and browsed around the BX...spent $20 on stuff we didn't need including another box of Waffleten that Britain and Landon scarfed in 6 minutes...

Came home, cooked dinner while going over homework

and somehow I feel like I didn't get anything done today...

Ever feel like that?

Whew!

Gratitude:

1. Signed over my headache to a professional

2. still managed to create amidst my chaos

3. the kids were sooo good abut getting shots (I think they were trying to out tough each other)

4. The fact that Gas is down to $1.59

5. Snuggly movie time on the couch with all of us

Monday Challenge, A layout, and Cheap Thrills

It's Monday Sketch day over at the Unity forum on Splitcoast. Amber gave us an amazing sketch to play with! I used Unity's November KOM, and pattern paper is Making Memories. And my sewing machine...I'm in love with my sewing machine...although I'm sure Christi will notice that every project I've sewn on still has the brown thread...that's because she helped me thread it the first time...haven't run out yet!! LOL..

I also got a layout done...

For this one I used Unity Oct KOM, Sentiments O Simple, Beautiful Morning Pattern Paper is Making Memories, Dreamstreet and Basic Grey I colored the stamps in with my watercolor pencils and waterbrush.

And now the Cheap Thrills...

Landon dancing with grocery store Santa...

Britain eats an entire box of Waffleten in under 10 minutes...

Goofy scarf wearing dog

That's it!

Gratitudes:

1. got hair cut today

2. got Landon's hair cut today

3. Got to make stuff!

4. got all the laundry done! Yay!

5. Shampooed the carpet

whew! I need a nap...