Mojo Monday Challenge - Week 116

Haven't entered the Mojo Monday challenge in a while so thought I'd give it a try -- I really like the pattern sketch for this challenge. As I've been up to my elbows in making Christmas cards (should have started these back in July!), thought I'd make one for the the Mojo Monday challenge too. We'll, the colors aren't typical Christmas colors and the design doesn't lend itself just to Christmas either -- could also be a 'thinking of you' or 'sympathy' card too I think. I used my Cricut Joys of the Season to cut out the wreaths, Cuttlebug Embossing folder Snowflakes, Color Box Chalk ink, various stamps and papers, glitter and satin ribbon. My photography still isn't that great, but I'm working on it. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.

Christmas Card Workshop in Granbury

We had a great time at Mom's house making Christmas cards. I love all the creativity going around -- check out all the different styles of cards we all made.

Cute as a bug (or gingerbread man) !

Oh my goodness -- just look at these -- I think they're absolutely adorable. Got the patterns from Dawn's Stamping Thoughts (thanks Dawn) and tweaked the gingerbread one a little bit myself. All nestled inside the gingerbread packet is a package of hot cocoa. Inside the smaller snowflake packet are two hot-tea bags! Aren't they cute -- I just can't get over myself!!! I'll be showing these off at Curiosities here in Ballinger this weekend and showing all the gals who come to the card workshop during the next week how I made them. Love, love, love 'em!

I'm Still Here

Haven't blogged in a while, but have been doing / seeing some really wonderful things. Love, love, love, the change in the weather! Fall is my favorite season. Joe, Mom, Tripp, and I had a great time in San Marcos last month at Katie's sororiety Family Day -- Tripp's first visit to Aunt Katie's place. I've been picking pecans like crazy from our yard - front and back -- almost an obsession! Finally into Breaking Dawn, the fourth installment of the Twilight saga -- lovin' me some vampires! Looking forward to Thanksgiving with mom in Granbury, and a couple of Christmas Card Workshops. Christmas is just around the corner and it always sneaks up on me! Life is good!

Stamping on Ceramic Tiles

I actually was able to stamp on ceramic tiles, and was pleased with the results! The tiles measure 4 x 4 (the perfect size for coasters). I used Staz-On ink to stamp the image (be aware the surface of the tile may be slick so apply the stamp carefully) and then used markers on the flowers and used a sponge to apply a light blue color to the edges of the tile. On the leaf tile, I applied chalk with a blender pen to the leaves. I haven't done the last step yet -- which is probably the most important -- use a clear sealer (polyurethane) -- hold 6-8 inches above the tile and spray a light coat -- let dry completely and then apply 2-3 more coats letting the tiles dry between each layer. This will ensure that the tile is waterproof and smudge proof. I think I would like to make some sets (4) of these for our church festival which is coming up next month. Maybe even get some bigger (8 x 8) and make trivets or home decorations. I still have more time to practice!!!

Message from the Time Bandit!

I'm thrilled -- I sent a message to Johnathan Hillstrand, Time Bandit captain along with his brother Andy (from the Deadliest Catch), saying how much Joe and I enjoyed Alaska and being in Homer-- he actually sent me a message back - "thanks sweetie"!! -- a personal note from a celebrity -- whoo hoo!

Phi Lamb Time!!

A quick blog from Chick 2....so school has started and that means it's time again for Phi Lamb (my Christian sorority). I spent a few days with my "Big Sis" Tammy making some crafts for our upcoming RUSH (recruiting new Lambies). I've really enjoyed the time I have gotten to spend with her. Here are a few of the crafts we made to give away. The candle was made by stamping on tissue paper ( I tye-dyed the tissue paper) and then melting it into the candle! I found the backpack designs somewhere and I don't remember where. Those were a little challenging to create, but by the time I made the third one I was getting the hang of it. (The first one ended up in the trash.) Anyway, school is keeping me very busy this semester, but it's one semester closer to graduating!! I must be going now, but hopefully in the near future I will have some more crafts to post!! Until then..God bless!!!

Halloween Workshop!

I'll be holding several Halloween card workshops coming up this month and into October. I'll also be highlighting some great products from Stampin' Up! If you're interested in workshop information, just send me a message.

Alaska was Fantastic

Joe and I enjoyed a wonderful 2 week Alaskan vacation! We flew up and met his parents who were already vacationing up there with their mobile home. We saw so many amazing and beautiful places -- took a couple of boat cruises (one to the village of Seldovia and one to the Portage Glacier). Enjoyed delicious Alaskan seafood, hung out in Homer (homebase of the Time Bandit from the Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch - one of my FAV shows), rode with a dog-sled team, toured Denali National Park and saw lots of wildlife, and enjoyed all the sights in-between. What a blessing this time has been!

Happy Birthday to Me

Just a few pics from my birthday. Can you say "workshop on the go"! It's a rolling craft tote from the Paper Studio - complete with raised handle and wheels and lots of goodie compartments - thanks Mom! Also got a really nice camera from my hubby, but I can't take a picture of the camera with the camera so I don't have a pic of it to post! Loved the cute little chocolate cake -- mom used designer paper and stickers to decorate -- how creative! -- LOVE all my goodies!

Ladybug Workshop

We had so much fun at my mom's making ladybug cards and oohing and aawhing (sp - lol!) over all the Stampin' Up! goodies. If you'd like information on attending or hosting a workshop, let me know -- they're definitely a good time!

Teacher Gifts

Making some teacher gift post-it note frames to put in the shop here at Curiosities. Saw Dawn's video (http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com/) and knew I wanted to make some too. Dawn always shares the most amazing projects!

A few more cards

Needed a couple more birthday cards for some very special people (who may see them here first). I'm just loving my Cuttlebug and bought some more 'folders' that will emboss really pretty borders. Thought they turned out so cute!

It's Mojo Monday time!

. . . and just when I need inspiration for a thank you card! Still lovin' the Trendy Trees stamp set from Stampin' Up!

Candle Holder Gift Set

I came across this really cute candle gift set at Kiomi Crafts by Jenn Muraoka at http://www.kiyomikrafts.com/kiyomi/3d_projects/. Now all I need to do is add the candles! Think I'll be making more for upcoming holiday season.

Baby bib invitations / favor bags made to order

These super sweet baby bib invitatons and favor bags can be made to order for your next baby shower. All invitations and bags are hand-made and highlighted using Swiss dots embossing and your choice of bag color, baby animal picture (chick, monkey, tiger, lion). Cards are left blank inside to record your information.

Invitation / bag colors: all pale - white, yellow, green, blue, pink
Swiss dots embossing colors and ribbon will coordinate

8 Invitations including envelopes - $10.00 + tax/s/h
10 Favor Bags - $15.00 + tx/s/h

Growin' Up deal from Stampin' Up!

Click on the link to the right for my Stampin' Up! website to get more details on this offer.

Celebrating July 4

We always have such a good time celebrating July 4. It usually starts out with enjoying the parade on the square in Granbury, Texas -- they really put on a great one. The heat this year though, was almost unbearable -- can you say "yes, I'll pay big money for water!" Anyway, after the parade we headed out that afternoon to visit with our friends at the annual Krueger celebration - complete with swimming, eating, visiting, eating, fireworks, and oh yeah - more eating! What a good time to be able to catch up with our friends and family. Tripp absolutely loves the water - and really loved his blueberry slushy too!

Princess Party Kit

Princess Party Kit 116214
Regular Price: $17.72
Preferred Price: $15.95 (when you order directly from my Stampin' Up! website)
Just click on over to my Stampin' Up! website for more details (find it on the right sidebar)

You can make your princess's fantasies come true with our Princess Party kit. Your little princess and seven of her ladies-in-waiting can celebrate a splendid happily-ever-after complete with invitations, decorations, and dazzling crowns to create and wear.
■ Contains products to create invitations, crowns, purse boxes, banner, and food toppers for eight
■ Coordinates with the Princess Time stamp set and Princess personalized name stamp

Pirate Party Gallore

Pirate Party Kit 116213
Regular Price: $17.72
Preferred Price: $15.95 (when you order directly from my Stampin' Up! website)
Just click on over to my Stampin' Up! website for more details (find it on the right sidebar)

Hoist the Jolly Roger and get ready to have a swashbuckling good time! Gather your little buccaneer and his or her mateys for a pirate party of the finest sort, complete with invitations, decorations, and eye patches to create and wear. This kit contains products you need to create party invitations and decorations for eight guests.
■ Contains products to create invitations, eye patches, banner, treasure boxes, and food toppers for eight
■ Coordinates with our Pirate Time stamp set and Pirate personalized name stamp

Stampin' Up! Deal of the Week

Deal of the Week: Heart to Heart Punch
You're going to LOVE our Heart to Heart punch, especially July 27-31 when it's just $10.99—that's more than 30% off the regular price of $15.95!

Throughout July, be sure to check my Stampin' Up! web site (always accessible through the 2 Chicks blog) every Monday at 10 AM (MT) for the week's new deal.

To order or check out any other Stampin' Up! specials, just 'click' on the My Stampin' Up! website button icon on the left hand side of my blog. Then just click on the tab marked "Promotions" and there will be a place to click and "SHOP NOW". The deal of the week along with a picture will be listed -- click and add it to your shopping cart. Any problems, just let me know.

Spend the Summer with New Products

Stampin' Up!'s 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog and Definitely Decorative brochures are here, and they're filled with all-new stamps, accessories, and home décor products. Contact me to schedule your new catalog workshop or to purchase your own copy. Just 'click' on the Stampin' Up icon in the list on the left.

New Birthday Toy!

Received an early birthday present from my daughter -- a CUTTLEBUG -- I've absolutely been wanting one of these forever -- how fun -- already practicing with different embossing folders. How awesome to have a daughter who loves crafting as much as me!!

Fun Workshop

Had another fun workshop here at the house this morning -- so glad Katie (aka Chick 2) could be here for a total of 6. We each made a set of 4 cards / envelopes with coordinating card folders -- love these and they're so easy to make. Probably starting in September, I will begin scheduling 2 workshops per month -- one specifically for cards (various holidays / themes / etc) and also one for scrapbook layouts and/or gift-type items made with paper crafting, so stay tuned. It should be a fun Fall season coming up. Most all of the ladies have been newbies coming to the workshops and they have really enjoyed themselves. It has been nice having fellow paper crafters with us as well sharing their wealth of knowledge too. Have another workshop scheduled for next Saturday morning, 8/1, at my mom's house in Granbury -- will be fun! Life is good!

Mojo Monday #96

Time for another Mojo Monday (#96) challenge. Love the design -- let's see what the 2 Chicks can come up with.

Ok -- here's what Vickie (aka Chick 1) came up with. Seems we are needing a lot of 'thoughts & prayers' cards right now for various people and I thought this design was thoughtful and cheerful at the same time. Photo quality isn't all that great -- already dark outside and seems rather dark inside even with the lights on.

K Werner Color Inspiration #56 & Mojo Monday Challenge #95

Here is my first entry that I have created for two challenges.