Good Friends

My stamping friend Kristine always has the greatest card ideas, so for this card I cased one of hers. If you look closely, you can see the definitions for girdle, girl, girl-friday, girlfriend, girl scout, and girth, right on the dress form! How clever is that! I was thinking you could apply this to almost any shape, just pick your shape and find a good page out of the dictionary that works for that shape.

-Jen

May the waves...

I cased this card from a stamping buddy, 5treasures, she makes the most wonderful cards. She used the seaside stamp set from Stampin up, and I used the seaside stamps from Crafty Secrets. This is one of my favorite sayings. It just makes me smile. I had a hard time taking a good picture, the sky sponging doesn't show up very well. I added stickles to the sand, and used the masking technique for the little girl.

-Jen

Card Club at my house!

I belong to this wonderful group of stampers, we meet once a month at a different group members house where we do a monthly card swap, then we do a few projects that the host has come up with. Tonight I am the monthly host for my card club. I decided to keep it easy and did a spring card for one card and then a tile technique card for the other. I hope they enjoy both of them.

-Jen

see ya later alligator

I have been trying really hard to use what I have on hand in my card making. I can't say I haven't spent any money on my addiction, but I can say it has been significantly less. For this card I used some ribbon that I got in a secret sister swap over a year ago, the alligator is from a Close to my Heart set I purchased well over a year ago, and never used. I used my cuttlebug tiny mosaic EF on the green paper. I have a beach set of stamps I have never used, and that is next on my list, but it looks like I will have to buy a lt. blue and a lt. brown stamp pad to make the card I want. Drats!

-Jen

Thank you cards

I made a set of 8 of these Thank you cards for my oldest daughter for her Birthday. Her favorite color is green and she loves anything paisley. I used my paisley cuttlebug folder and the thank you stamp is from a hero art stamp set. I also embossed the flaps of the envelopes to go with the cards. My daughter is graduating from high school next month, so I thought these would come in handy.

-Jen

Sweet Cupcake

A long time ago I found this tutorial to make these super cute cupcake cards. You should check out her Blog she has tons of different card ideas. I used scraps for the frosting and it had a white core so I sanded the pieces and inked the edges. I used my scor-pal on the cake part, to make it look like a cupcake liner. The bread tab is a quickutz die. The sweet saying stamp is from a Stampin' Up set. The finished size is 6 x 6.

-Jen

Fab Friday Cuttlebug Challenge

I found this neat challenge board for using your cuttlebug. Here is their sketch for this Friday, I pulled out a stamp I got awhile back and put it to use. I used the tiny mosaic CB folder. I think this guy and the saying are so funny. I don't really have any one to send it too, but I'm sure I will someday.

-Jen

Flower Pot Cards

I saw the cutest flower pot card on my friend Heidi's blog, she had found the directions on this blog.
This is my version of this really cute and easy card. I used some hydrangea type flowers for one pot and a sizzix die & cuttlebug dots folder for the other. I chalked, paper pierced, inked and only used supplies I had! Yeah! The paper I used for the pots already looked like marble, so that was an added bonus. I ended up making 26 of them in the end, some for one swap and the rest for my monthly card club. I left them blank inside I thought some might want to say different things and there is limited space. Best of all they fit in a A2 envelope!

-Jen

Have a swingin' time

I know these Changito Monkeys have been around awhile but I just can't get enough of them. I got my first one from a secret sister, and have been hooked ever since. I used the mojo layout from 2 weeks ago for this card. If you haven't visited the Monday Mojo site yet, it is a must see! Every Monday, they have a different card sketch for you to try and they have a contest every so often, for prizes.

-Jen

Gate Fold Card

I made this cute gate fold card awhile back, and thought I would share it. I paper pieced the umbrella and put pop-up dots under it for that 3-D effect. The polka dot paper is from doodlebug. The cute bug stamp is from C.C. designs stamps.

-Jen

Altered Gum Tins

I have a ton of these empty gum containers from when I worked at Starbucks, they had thrown them away because they had expired! I promptly grabbed them up and knew they would be great altered. I made them awhile back, and just ran across pictures of them on my laptop, and thought I would share them with you. I actually have a ton of pictures on my laptop of cards and things I have made over the last few years. Since our move last year from a 2-story house to a 1-story, I haven't used the laptop as much since the nicer family computer is easier to access now, being everything is on the same floor. lol I think I will try and post some oldies but goodies in the next few weeks.

-Jen

Blog Candy contest over at the Scrampin' Mama's Blog .
Head on over there to check out her wonderful blog, I do everyday, she has wonderful cards, and right now she is giving away some blog candy! Good Luck

Use It Challenge!

Hello! So I decided to join in on the Use it Challenge this week. If you haven't heard about it yet, I have a link to the "Use It Blog" on my side bar you can click on. Basically, it is a challenge to use what you have on hand, which for me and probably everyone I know is a very good idea. lol This week the challenge was to use a tag and at least 3 flowers of any kind. Well I had that in my head for 2 days (tag, flowers, tag, flowers) then I ran across this random black tag, and I have a ton of these little bright colored primas, and then some scrap paper from my scrap drawer and this is what I got. So I was headed over to post it and was looking back over the directions, and wouldn't you know it, I was suppose to use spring colors too! Dang it! Well I was so fixed on tag, and flowers I didn't even realize it. I posted it anyways because I like the way it turned out and I only used stuff I already had so I am very proud of myself! lol
-Jen

Thinking of you

It seems that I mostly make cards that have images that require a lot of coloring. So I was trying to jump out of my comfort zone and and use my cuttlebug and some dies and some flower punches. Well I think this took just as much time as the coloring does but I do love the results. The bird is from sizzix, swirl from quikutz, labels 1 from spellbinders, then the flowers are punches from paper shapers. I inked everything with a sponge and chocolate chip ink from stampin up. Thinking of you is from a Studio G set $1 stamps from Michaels. All PP is from heidi grace designs, Winnefred St. pack.

-Jen

Drinks with Dan Akroyd!

Last night my Hubby took me to the Mandalay Bay Casino for our date night. We went to the very top some 40 story's up, to the Foundation Room to have drinks with Dan Akroyd!! OMG

I was really nervous, and thought i might get to see him from a distance, but no I got to take a picture with him!! He shook my hand and asked me my name!! Can you believe that!! He was there promoting his New Crystal Skull Vodka. I still have stars in my eyes!!

The first picture is me on the Balcony of the Mandalay Bay with a spectacular view of the strip.

-Jen

Easter Bunny

I'm in a monthly card swap, It's only for 5 cards and every month their is a different theme. April's theme is Easter. I don't make many Easter cards, but I have the cutest Stampin up bunny stamp set. The vine paper is flocked, I picked it up at Big Lots 8 sheets for a $1. The inside reads- Easter wishes with lots of hugs &kisses.

-Jen

I made this card for my other card club. I try to make something different for each club so I don't get bored. There are 12 members in one club and 11 in the other. I picked up this stamp from the Rubber Romance booth at the Riverside stamp convention. Their stamps are just so classy, this lady makes me think of my sister.

-Jen

Infinite Goodness

I made this card for one of my monthly card clubs. I picked up the "Infinite Goodness" hostess stamp set, at a real bargain at the Stampin Up table here at the stamp expo last year. It took me awhile to finally use it, but I'm very pleased with the results. I made it with my dear friend Tifferdoodle in mind! I don't think I can ever look at a pear again without thinking of her! lol

-Jen

Twilight!

Yes I am one of those crazy women whose life has been turned upside down by the book series Twilight! lol I joined a swap for Twilight Movie ATC's over at the ISC (Inspire, Swap, Chat) board. My ATC was for the title, others were for various characters from the movie. When I get all the cards back I will have a nice little set of handmade Twilight collectors cards. This is what I came up with.

-Jen

You Rock My World

This is the Valentine I made for my Sweetheart. The rock girl is from The Greeting Farm stamps. I love their stamps! Go check out her blog if you haven't already, you can find a link to it in my side column of blogs I stalk. -Jen

Addictions?

I was tagged by my Sistah, Ant-me to name 5 addictions I have. Well I have pondered it for a few days now hoping, I would see what exactly I am addicted to at this time in my life! I have to say going through the last couple of days and paying really close attention, this is what I have come up with:




1. I am addicted to making lists for what I need to get done. I'm not above making lists for other members of my family too! lol


2. I am addicted to iTunes on the computer. My hubby put every CD we own on his iTunes list so i have it all at my fingertips, so I turn it on first thing in the morning, and listen to all my favs!



3. I am addicted to the Twilight book series. I have finished all the books, and I am going though serious withdrawals!! I read them in 3 weeks! lol My hubby likes to stroke the book spine and say "ooh Edward" He's so mean! lol



4. I am addicted to coffee. I make it right after I turn on the music! lol I drink it with fat free vanilla creamer!


5. I am addicted to all kinds of Paper crafting. Swaps, paper, stamps, glitter, it's all wonderful stuff, who wouldn't want as much as they could have! lol

Washi Paper Necklace

I made this necklace at the Riverside Stamp Expo. I went with some of my stamping friends, and we had a great time. I made this necklace at a make it and take it. I have to admit I bought everything to make several more necklaces and some earrings, they are so neat. It is made with a clear glass tile and Washi paper. The picture doesn't really do it justice.

-Jen

Tagging Fun

I was reading Scrampin' Mama's blog today and she had an interesting tag game that she was playing, I thought I would play along. The rule is to go to where you store your pictures in your computer, go to your 6th folder and pick the 6th picture and post it on your blog along with a description of it. Then tag 6 of your other friends to do the same thing.

This is my picture it was taken April 2004 when we were first dating, wow that was awhile back. We were wine tasting at the EOS winery in Paso Robles CA.

-Jen

Valentine Cards

I Made a few Valentine cards and thought I would share them, the second card is lovelybella, the paper behind her is from Cloud 9 and came already richly embossed and glittered, I got a whole pack (15 sheets) at big lots for $2! Can you believe that? The first card I used my cuttlebug heart die and wove the ribbon through them, a little tricky when gluing them down, but very cute in the end. I used one of the hearts on the inside with my sentiment "all you need is love."

-Jen

Little Chef

Isn't this little Chef just the cutest! I made these soup recipe cards for a swap I am in. January is "National Soup Month."

The Little Chef is from The Greeting Farm stamps. She has the cutest stamps ever, I love them all.

-Jen

I'll Lasso the Moon for you

I bought this little cowboy a few months ago at a stamp expo in Mesa, he is from Cats Pajamas, I got him in a clearance tub for about $2! What a deal! The saying is from Stamp a Mania. I also got a "Howdy Partner" saying stamp too. I think he would make a cute Valentine card too.

-Jen

Monkey Hi!

I made this ATC for a Changito Monkey swap I am in over at the Stamp Shack. He is so cute! I love pink and brown together. I used cotton candy stickles on the flowers, and little pearls for the flower centers.

-Jen

Ice Skating Bella

I just love Bella! I made a few of these cards this weekend for a winter themed card swap. I really like the way it turned out. I would have liked to add a punched snowflake, but I am sad to say I do not own such a punch. I have had my eye on the Martha Stewart snowflake punch, and I was even at Michael's today, but I couldn't justify the purchase, so I bought some Valentine paper instead! lol

-Jen

Altered Journals

I altered a couple of composition books into journals for my girls for Christmas. I decorated them with some of there favorite things. I had a little trouble with the first layer of paper, but i think they turned out just right.

-Jen

Snowman Soup!

I made a few (25! lol) of these snowman soup bags for my hubby to give to his employees. He wanted to do some baking but since time is his enemy, I convinced him that these were a cute alternative and it's the thought that counts. The snowman is from Whipper Snapper stamps and on the back of the scallop tag I stamped this poem:

Snowman Soup

So, you've been real good this year

always glad to hear it

with freezing weather drawing near

you'll need to warm the spirit

so here's a little snowman soup

complete with stirring stick

add hot water, sip it slow

it's sure to do the trick!

A Few Christmas Cards

Here are a few of the Christmas Cards I made and sent out this year. I usually mass produce all the same card, but this year was hard for me to pick one. Hope your holidays are merry!

-Jen

It's Snowing in Vegas!

We woke this morning to some really cold weather, I was still wearing Capri pants and flip flops just a few weeks ago, really! I thought I would share a picture I took of the snow today, I know it won't last and who knows when it will come again!

-Jen

Sympathy Card

I have been lucky in my life that I haven't had a use for many Sympathy cards. Recently my ex-mother in law's mother passed away. I felt I should send her a card, after all I was married to her son for almost 12 years. I looked at the cards in the store, and just couldn't bring myself to buy one. For one, thing I didn't like any of them, and it didn't help they were all over $4!

So I looked through my paper collection and found this 12x12 paper with a large pattern and thought it would be perfect. I don't own a sympathy stamp, so I printed out the words on my computer, and punched it out with the SU punch.

-Jen

Glitter Window Card

I made this snowman card using the glitter window technique. I used clear shelf liner paper for my windows and the glitter sticks perfectly, and it's so easy to cut to the size you want plus you get a whole roll for around $5! You will have enough to make glitter windows for a lifetime! lol

I am not a good photographer, I either need a better camera or probably some tips on how to use the camera I have. lol That being said, i did my best to capture how cute this card is.

-Jen

Chipboard Ornament

I made these cute ornaments for my friends in the stamp club I belong to. We meet once a month and do a card exchange, and at the December meeting we have a potluck and everyone brings a little gift. I found these polka dot chipboard coasters 4 for a dollar at Joann's and I cut the flower out of red felt with my sizzix die, I added a brad and some stickles on the petals. The green swirly is cut from paper with a Quickutz die. I'm also making some of my famous P-nut Butter balls this afternoon and putting them in goodie bags to go with my ornaments.

By popular demand I will be taking Chicken Tortilla Soup, complete with all the toppings! If you haven't made it at home here is my sisters simple recipe:

Chicken Tortilla Soup

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 cans of black beans

2 cans Rotel tomatoes

1 cup diced green chilies

1 cup of salsa

1 can of tomato sauce

Put all ingredients un-drained into a slow cooker on low. Cook all day (6 hours) serve in individual bowls topped with tortilla chips, shredded cheese and sour cream. YUM!

-Jen

Tea Bag Holder

I made these cards for a Tea Bag swap that I am in. When i get the swap back I will have 14 different kinds of Tea to try, and some fun ideas also. I tired and tried to use a stamped image on the front of the card, that I bought especially for this swap, but no matter how I colored it I didn't like it!! I think it was to artsy for me! lol I plan on sending a few stamped images of it for everyone in the swap to try, maybe they will have better luck coloring it in then i did.

"Women are like tea bags... you don't know how strong they are until you get them in hot water."
-Eleanor Roosevelt

Blog Candy!

Here is a blog I visit daily! Sarah always has fun ideas. Visit her blog and look around, then enter to win some blog candy. All you have to do is leave a comment, naming your favorite Christmas movie. My Favorite Christmas movie is "The Ref" with Dennis Leary & Kevin Spacey. If you have never seen it you should rent it, you won't stop laughing!

So head over to Sarah's Blog and enter to win!

-Jen

Ho! Ho! Ho!

I saw some really cute Santa cards in a Paper Creations magazine that i wanted to make, they had a pattern to use to make their cards and I thought instead of tracing and cutting him out, it would be so much easier to use paper punches! So, here is the card i made and here are the punches I used: the 3" scallop punch for the beard, 2" circle punch for the face, 1" circle punch for the mustache, 1/2" circle punch for the nose, and a reg hole punch for the eyes. The hat and eyebrows I cut free hand, the holly and berries are a Quickutz die cut.
-Jen