Cosmo Crazy ...... Giveaway!

We'll I've made it back from Nashville and visiting family. We had a great time, but there were oodles of people out with the flu! Stinkin flu! I'll post some picts up sometime in the next day or two.

I'm trying to get back on track with my posts shortly, but I couldn't help but pass this along to you.......

Cosmo Cricket giveaway!

Over $150 worth of goodies!

Hop on over to Leah's bloggy and see just how many ways you have of entering her contest!

Handmade Holiday Creations & Giveaway

We'll Christmas is approaching rapidly and I am NO WHERE near ready. I can say that I've got my tree up (since 11/28) AND that I've mailed some of my Christmas Cards..... but I haven't finished my other cards, nor have I put anything under my tree! EEEEK!

Somehow, I still found time to create! Here are a few Handmade Holiday Creations that I've done .......

In it's former life it was a baby formula can, but after wrapping it and creating a paper bow on top it has transformed into a lovely package for a gift.

These were glass balls that I purchased from Michaels. The first one I used the ol ship inside the bottle to create a presents under the tree look. The second one was much easier to do, it was simply filling it with quilled coordinating papers.

Oh, I suppose you want to know about the Giveaway !!!!!

Ya just gotta check out what Lainey’s has going on……..Check it out……

Okay, you can stop droolin’ now and wipe your chin. Wanna know how you could try your hand at giving the goods a new home? Pop on over to blog and read all about it.

What cha waiting for ...... go now, just make sure to come back and visit me!

HAPPY HAUL-A-DAYS GIVEAWAY

HAPPY HAUL-A-DAYS GIVEAWAY

and boy it is a HAUL!

You've gotta hurry though, time's running out.

Pop over to PAPERMONKEY.ORG

Winner announced the evening of the 15th!!

Santa Baby

We'll yesterday WAS eventful, but not very productive! Boy oh boy did my kiddos hate going to the bank with me yesterday! They usually enjoy it since they get a treat or a coffee, but on this trip .... SANTA was waiting. Check it out.....

Now you can tell that this trip wasn't planned .... oldest son wore his holiest of pants.

I didn't get to scrap anything, but honestly I think my brain needed the evening off! Instead I mindlessly played mahjong on my computer and watched tv .... I super zoned out!

I finally hit the town to try to get a little Christmas shopping done... and it's about darn time! I had a really hard time finding things for my oldest son. He's getting to the age now where he doesn't seem to want toys....more gadgets and gizmos! The youngest is still into toys, but also likes gizmos! Egad, it was hard shopping for them. I'm not done yet, but I couldn't really find ANYTHING that I felt they would enjoy. I had better luck on Amazon.com, not to mention they've got a 70% off section w/free shipping on certain items!!!! Anyhoo, I'll be doing some more shopping tomorrow I suppose. What I was UTTERLY SHOCKED to see is that while at Target they only had TWO (yes, two) registers open ... and there wasn't really a line at either one. I also went to a couple other stores and it was the same thing. This wasn't like the other years with wall to wall people .... then again, I haven't hit Wally World yet (not sure if I want to either).

That's about all for now .... I'll be making another post tomorrow!

Hit the brakes & a Whoo Hooo!

WOW is Christmas getting ever so close! It's only 12 days away!!!! What happened, it was just Thanksgiving, then I blinked! I haven't even started my shopping... how awful is that! I just told the husband that tomorrow I wanted to have some time to get a few goodies for under the tree!

I'm proud of my fellas too, they put the Christmas Tree up all by themselves! We'll actually my youngest did nearly ALL the work!!! He's such a hard worker!

HIT THE BRAKES ..... I'm getting older! I'll be turning 38 next week. EEEEK! I remember when I used to think that was old, now it's my turn! It just all seems a blur after 30. Everything seems to have flown by and the kids are getting older right before my eyes! {sigh}

On another note, I WON A CONTEST TODAY!!!! WHOO HOO!!!! I have been trying the Advent Contest on GinaK's blog. It's so easy... Just pop in there daily, check the new post. Leave a response and then check back the next day to see who won! Check out my goodness....Isn't it just dandy!!! Pop on over and give it a shot, she's doing this until December 24th!!!!

Advent Calendar with a twist!

Stampin with Whiff of Joy by Katharina Frei has an amazing give-a-way going on right now! She's in day 3 on her Advent Calendar give away. What this means is .... each day, come and post!

Black Friday & Maxine!

I wanted to share my take which is right in line with Maxine!

I hate the pandemonium that comes with Black Friday!

I'll take Cyber Saturday any day!

Scent-sational Cards!

I'm long overdue for another technique. This is another one where you will think that I have flipped my lid, but if you're on a budget ... you can make this one work for you!

I promise it works and the end results can be quite 'scent'- sational and fun and a lot less costly than buying those scented embossing powders. Give it a shot ... what do you have to lose except a little time and a little bit of supplies.

Basic Supplies List

VersaMark Embossing Pad (or other embossing pad)

Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel (UTEE)

Stiff Patterned Paper

Heat Gun

Coffee Grinds, Unused of course!

Step One

Make a tag out of patterned paper that is slightly larger than your embossing pad.
Press embossing pad against tag and wiggle it around to make an imperfect rectangle.

Step Two

Take 50/50 mixture of UTEE and dry coffee grounds and mix in a bag.

Insert tag and do the mixture to cover embossing ink completely. Shake off excess.

Step Three Apply heat to melt the mixture. Here I used my coffee pot's warming pad. I used this because I didn't want a heat gun to bow mixture off of the tag. If you do not wish to use your coffee pot in this fashion, apply heat gun from the UNDERSIDE of tag. The embossed tag is finished.

Here is the card that I taught at my LSS using this technique.

Have fun and go make some Scent-sational Creations!

Happy Thanksgiving !!!!!

The Good, The Bad and The Dandy Candy!

Sweet Sarah of Scrampin Mama has this wonderful blog candy sponsored by i {heart} papers! Visit her site and check it out.... go ahead, I'll be here when you get back!

Back already, wasn't it amazing! Hope you left a comment, I know I sure did. Good luck!

On a sad note, I didn't post up that on Saturday, my cousin died at age 32. I have so many questions and now I won't get to see him at the annual family get together!

RIP ROB, YOU'RE MISSED!

Back to a happy note, tomorrow I'll be posting a new technique that's absolutely scentalating! You'll see tomorrow, but that's your TEASER for the week!

Yummmers! Some Sweet Treats!

Suzanne of ScrapBitz has some great candy up for grabbers!

It's so Yummy! Check it out.....

All you have to do is leave a comment on her blog and answer her random question! One lucky
person will get all these goodies! Could it be you? Hop on over now to check it out! For a second chance to win pop on over to Susana's Custom Art & Card Designs and sign up for emails for your chance to win!

And there's one more for the road.....

Art Girlz Scrapbook Nook has a tempting treat to celebrate her blogaversary!!!!!

Pop on over, yum yum!

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Bev of All The Things I Love has a sweet treat that you'll just love too!

Isn't it just drippin sweet!

What are you waiting for! You've got two great treats before you ..... go sample!

WOW! You hate these phone calls.....

.....you know the ones! The ones that leave you with that feeling in the pit of your stomach. The ones that either someone is in the hospital and is very sick, or that someone has just died.

I got one of these calls today, but it has me wondering more about the incident. My cousin was found hanging in a tree, but was still barely alive. He was taken to the hospital and put on life support.

My sister was the one who made the call, but she informed me he had been taken off life support (not sure if it's because he no longer needs it, or because they're allowing him to die).

I don't know and it's driving me crazy. I don't know if he's still alive, was this self inflicted, who called 911? So many questions and NO answers!!!



And in the shadow notes, I just celebrated my BLOG-iversary with over hits!!! Thanks everyone!

GO NOW! IT'S NOT TOO LATE!

It's not to late! Cast your vote toward Decision 2008! Who will be our next President? Will it be McCain or Obama.

My husband went this morning and cast his vote, but not before standing in a line that was about an hour and a half long! Sheesh, makes for a miserable start to ANY morning! I however was able to wait until after my class at my LSS. I went and guess what .... no lines, no waiting. I was in and out within 5 minutes! This was much more painless (for me) than the media hyped it up to be! I strongly believe that our local media had put the fear into everyone so much that they all ran first thing this morning. I'm just glad its over, now the waiting begins!

Who will be our next President? Will it be McCain or Obama?

Feel free to share your political opinions!

Halloween Hoopla at SSD is in full swing!

Scrapbook Supplies Direct is in day 2 of their Halloween Hoopla!

There are contest, challenges, games and PRIZES!

Don't forget to pop on over and hang out for a while!

Great things are happening and you might walk awaywith the PhotoBook Maker ($100 value).

We've also just released our HALLOWEEN KIT featuring the spooky fun pages in Cosmo Cricket's Haunted Line! Aren't they just yummy!

This is just the papers!

There are rub-ons, lacing cards, paint, chipboard & so much more!

Here's are a few of the things that I created with them....

"FREAKS" Layout

and my cards

The gals on our Design team created some pretty amazing stuff... They're so creative!

Christine S. (aka: ScrappyGal) made this adorable lacing card album

Lelie C. (aka: Mimibean) made this spooktacular "BOO" decor

Pop on over to SSD! These kits were created in very limited quantities and while you're there .... stay and play a while.... You could just be the biggest winner!

GO NOW!

SSD Announces November Guest Designer!

Scrapbook Supplies Direct has a new Guest Designer!

Reigning in November will be

ScrapperQueen (aka: Lucy).

She's got a great bloggy too! Tons of creations, tutorials & sketches!

Welcome Lucy, I can't wait to see the things you'll dream up for SSD during November!

Tag, I was it, now it's your turn!

I've been tagged by Kimmie of Crafting for Sanity (incidentially I love her blog name)! So I'm off to tag a few gals myself. First though I must post how it works...

• Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
• Answer the five sets of five (this is the easy part)
• Tag 5 people in the last section by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
• Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Things I love

1. Scrapbooking & Papercrafting (easy one)
2. My annoying kiddos
3. My parents & younger sister.
4. Animals of all kinds
5. All my super duper friends

Things I don't love

1. Sitting in Traffic that goes now where fast
2. my hubster's moodswings
3. people who volunteer me for stuff w/o asking first
4. Missed kick arse sales!
5. folding clothes

Songs on your iPod/Playlist

1. I Feel Perfect - Porcelain & The Tramps
2. 18 Wheeler - Pink
3. Hurt - Nine Inch Nails
4. Disturbia - Rhianna
5. Long Way to Happy - Pink

Favorite Foods/Drinks

1. MMMMM....COFFEE!!!
2. Mountain Dew
3. Chocolate lava cake
4. Catfish
5. Pizza

People I am tagging...

• Ila of Artfully Ila
• Ilysse of Random Stuff
• Loreen of Loreen's Scrap Space
• Kristina of It is What it Is
• Christine of Scrap That!

So there ya have it !!!!

Don't Mess with my TOOT TOOT!

Don't Mess with My Toot Toot!

(FLASHBACK... I actually think that was a lyric in a song some time long ago).

Alright, here we go ... a few posts back I told you that I had applied for a Design Team. I never told you who I applied with out of fear of jinxing myself, which seems to happen anytime I get excited about something. Soooooooo, now that's it's said and done ....

I MADE THE TEAM (whoop whoop) !

Just as soon as their products arrive, I can begin designing for SPARKLE N SPRINKLE.

I can't wait! My wheels are turning now, but I can't do anything until THEIR goods arrive. As Tom Petty would say..... "waiting is the hardest part."

So with that said.... WHOOP WHOOP!

I love making cards so I think that this will be a great fit into my RDA of papercrafting.
I'm off to prepare my first mini order with them.

------------

And theres blog candy out there too!

It's ending TODAY so hurry and leave a comment.

Irina of Everything Paper Crafts

has a treat to tempt you with!

Check it out!

Minibook Class Giveaway from Karenika!

If you are a lover of minibooks or have never completed one, then Karenika has a class for you! She's offering just that! The albums revolve around end of the year and she's giving a spot away to one lucky person. Read about the class, sign up and leave a comment ... you might even win THAT spot! You have until November 1st.

Something wicked this way comes.....

...... something wickedly fun that is!

Here at ScrapbookSuppliesDirect we're having our

second annual HALLOWEEN HOOPLA!

Halloween weekend we'll have lots of

games (riddles, bingo, scavenger hunts, and more),

challenges, swaps, and of course give-a-ways!

This year our grand prize will be a

PhotoBook Maker (valued at $100.00)!

It's a yummy treat for anyone who loves to create their

own books. Best of all it only takes ONE ticket to win!

(Tickets are issued to the winner of contests & challenges)

Many prizes!!!!

The mailing for details will be going out soon, if you'd

like to be in on the HOOPLA .... sign up for the newsletter now!

Pop on over and sign up in preparation!

Tell 'em ScrappyDoo2u sent ya!

Participate in our monthly mystery challenge in progress now!

You'll just love all the Hoopla!

More sweet wonderful treats!

Artfully Ila is offering up some treats
but you better hury, hurry, hurry!
Entries accepted thru 10/20 ...
it's new home will be announced 10/21.

Oh but there's more.....

And here's another one from StampinMindy
Mindy is offering some Stampin Up goodness.
You have until 10/27 on Mindy's.

Droolin yet? How about another one...

California Stampin is offering up a great RAK thru 10/26.
Pop on over and check it out!
You'll be delighted that you did.

How sweet it 'tis ... Lots of Candy!

I've run across a lot of loot today! I want to make sure you all know about it.
Firstly, GINA K is giving a way an ENTIRE COLLECTION of Gina K. Designs Cruise Stamp Sets. Pop on over before Monday October 28th and enter now.

Next up is ..... PaperArt by Shelly is giving away a sweet treat. Leave a comment and you might just be 'the one'.

Oh and there's more.... A Million Memories has an adorable album that you can sign up to win a spot in their online class. Check it out...

isn't it cute? YUP!Go tell'em how much you like it, but hurry .. you only have until October 19th.

So I've decided to try again ..... (and candy alert!)

So I've decided to apply for another DT. My feelings weren't hurt by any means but it does put me in a of a funk. I'm stepping outta that funk .... but I'm not gonna jinx myself by shouting out with whom I'm applying. I'm getting excited, but I so hope that I'm not setting myself up for a fall. Wish me luck.
_________

I found RAK from ScrapbookingPlus .... it's an ubber cute album that's looking for a new "home". Winner will be chose soon (10/20) so pop on over and check it out!

My oh my .... what do I spy?

My oh my, what did I spy?

An amazing paper RAK called "HELLO BEAUTIFUL"!

Pop on over to Webster's Pages and leave a comment and post in your blog!

You could just win this gorgeous paper!

You better Hurry though......

She's drawing on FRIDAY!

A week In Review & What's In the Coming Week

Wow .... Lots of thing have been happening and there's more to come!

My youngest son turned NINE and my parents came to visit!
I so love 'em dearly, but when they come to town it's like the Hatfield & the McCoys!
[so much dislike between my husband and parents]
Some of you already know!

Anyhow, my boys had a blast eating, swimming, haning out with the g-parents. My youngest got some videos, pokemon cards
(ughhh, I just don't get those things),
toys and lots of hugs!
I always hate it when they have to leave, but all good things must come to an end. Besides that ... I'm planning a trip to visit them and my grandmother in November sometime.

I didn't get to scrap much, well actually none at all.
That royally stinks because I've got to work on an album for someone. I've got lots more to do, but quite honestly it's difficult when you don't know the faces you're looking at and none of the photos are dated. Oh well, just means I have to meet with him often and get relative info to keep scrapping. I have an impending deadline though of around the first week in November ... SO I BETTER STAY BUSY ON IT!

ScrapbookSuppliesDirect.com has yet another Guest Designer call out to reign during the month of November. Deadline for submissions for this call is October 15 (which is rapidly approaching). Oh, and I've seen the new SSD kit that is going to be released soon. IT'S SPOOKTACULAR! Pop on over to SSD and check them out, sign up AND make sure you sign up for the newsletter. Kit details will be in the newsletter, as well as the 2nd Annual HALLOWEEN HOOPLA!

I've got a full day ahead of me on Monday, my LSS class is full to capacity! I'm so excited because this will definitely make the trip much more bearable. The class is on BO Bunny's "Family" word album. I'll have to snap some pictures of it later!

Oh and lastly, my bloggy is soon to be celebrating it's one year anniversary!
Whoo hooo!
Thanks for putting up with me this long!

Sweet Tooth Abounds!

I just wanted to share with you this wonderful opportunity to receive some blog candy from StempelelfJayJay. Take a peek!

CANDY A

CANDY B

She's celebrating with over 71,000 hits and 350 blog posts! She's a gal on the go! She's even letting choose what your sweet tooth wants! Check it out, she's giving the treats away on Oct 11th.

ADD THE ILLUSION OF WATER (Technique)

This is a great technique for creating water on small projects such as ATC's or Cards. I hope that you will give it a whirl and make this technique your own. If you do, please post a comment and a link so that I can check out your creation.

SUPPLIES

Craft Baggie (Bead sized are great)

Clear TapeRed Line Tape

Cardstock

Hair Gel (Clear or Blue)

In my example I’ll be creating an ATC (Artist Trading Card).

Using a piece of cardstock (3 ½ x 5 for the ATC) score and fold at center to create 2 ½ x 3 ½ foundation. Unfold and stamp and color image as desired.Cut away any background that you do not wish to keep, making sure that you have a minimum margin around all edges to conceal the baggie. Set aside.

Fill baggie (for my ATC I’ve used a bag approx 2”x3”) with 1 TBSP of hair gel. Zip/Seal baggie closed. Fold mouth of baggie over and tightly secure with tape to help keep hair gel from drying out or leaking.

On inside of the cardstock run red line tape around the edges of image to secure baggie in place. Run additional red line tape to seal ATC closed and hid baggie edges.

ONE STEP FURTHER:

Add food coloring to create any color desired.

Add Glitter for some sparkle.

Add small buttons that compliment the theme.

REMEMBER I'D LOVE TO SEE YOUR TAKE ON THIS TECHNIQUE.

POST A COMMENT AND LINK IF YOU CREATE SOMETHING!

I'D LOVE TO TAKE A PEEK!

While the Cat's away .. the mice did play!

Well they're back!

And yup, the mice did play

while the cat was away!

The hubby & youngest son, Alex, went camping overnight and squirrel hunting!

(No worries, no squirrels were harmed)


Alex took some photos and will try to upload them a little later this week.

While they were away, I did get my scrap on a little......

The next few cards are quick cards

I put together to send to the troops so that

they'd have cards to send to their

families for birthdays & anniversaries.

(I'll be making more for Christmas & Halloween!)

and here are two quick ATC's I made for a swap!

I did a layout too, but can't post it yet until a a DT call I submitted it in ends.

Wish me luck on the DT call.

The Countdown has begun

We'll I've been absolutely buried with projects this week. I've been working on the sb album that this fella (JOE) has hired me to do for his wife as a secret. Additionally, I've been sewing a pair of camo pants for youngest son. Hubby is taking him camping overnight and they're going squirrel hunting. The pants were finished last night .... sooooo many pockets....... so many broken needles! Sooooo glad that mess is done, but now I have to make the shirt. Oh well atleast I have a little more time to get that done. They're heading out tonight to get an early start in the morning and by golly I'm gonna stay home and scrap my butt off! I've been so missing the papercuts. LOL! So hopefully, I can get some new creations up.

Oh and I've tried my hand at digi. That's a first for me! The first one I did I used a template ... kinda just rearrange the elements and drop the pictures in, but my second one was an absolute freehand creation.

THIS IS MY FIRST ONE.....

THIS IS MY SECOND ONE.....

So that's my update for what it's worth!

Hope everyone has a wickedly wonderful weekend!

Scrappy

Sweet Pieces of ass (donkey you dirty minds).....

Oh wow ..... World Card Making Day is right around the corner! Celebrating WCMD & her 25k blog hits is MichelleO of Stamps, Paper, Scissors & Donkey Smiles! She's giving away some delightful donkeys from Alota Rubber Stamps. So pop on over to her blog and find out how YOU could be the lucky winner. What are you waiting on .... go on ...... check it out you only have until October 8th.

The NEVERENDING Blog Candy!!!!!

Cammie has the most amazing, to die for blog candy right now. All you have to do is pop over there and leave a comment. There is over $1k in giveaways ... and they're all gonna go the ONE lucky person. Pop over and give her a shout out. Lucky winner will be chosen on 9/26. Make sure you read the rules and follow them, they are pretty specific.

From her requirements, here is a card that I'm sending to the local nursing home employee that must deal with Alzheimer patients on a daily basis. Thanks Cammie for the inspiration and here's the card that I am sending out in tomorrows mail......

Sweet Leafy Treats!

Chrissy D has a beautiful stamp set she's offering up as blog candy to celebrate hitting 40k hits.

How AWESOME! Go check it out! Winner will be selected on 9/23!

Whew! I'm Glad That's Over!

What a week it has been so far! So much has happened!

Some of you already know that I organize a group that raises funds and aids in budget needs for my local library. We just wrapped up our annual silent auction ... and it was great! I think it went well, but all I can say is WHEW I'm glad it's over! A lot of work goes into fundraising. I was pleased that several of my cards and notecards that I put in the auction sold and did quite well. YEAH!

Moving right along, today was also the close of a Design Team call we had running at ScrapbookSuppliesDirect.com. There were ooooooooddles of awesome creations submitted, but I had the unfortunate task of picking JUST ONE! I mean, come on... ONE?!?! There seriously was some great stuff.

Well, I just wanted to take a moment to tell CHRISTINE (aka: ScrappyGal) Congrats for getting the first DT spot. Hope over to SSD or check out her blog and wish her well.

Oh and toot toot, of sorts! I've got my first official album to do for someone. This fella wants me to do a complete album to chronicle the relationship w/his now wife. It's a secret though! He plans on having it to display when they renew their vows. He wants to make it a centerpiece so she can look at it and say 'what's this.' He ultimately wants to make her cry! I guess in this instance I'll enable him. LOL! But I'm so stoked about getting this chance.

Need a sweet sugar fix?

Bev of All the things I love has some great blog candy up for grabs. The RAK closes on the 22nd, so bustamove and pop on over there!

and if that doesn't satisfy your sweet tooth ... then try this one out!

Theres also an amazing piece being offered at Lis-Trations Art & Designs from Elisabeth! Hop hop hop on over cause it closes on the 21st!