...and loving it! We woke up this morning, and waited to hear from my parents if we would be getting on the road to watch Casey's basketball team play in the consolation game at the divisional tournament. Unfortunately, they lost their game this morning....so that wasn't the case. We would have loved to be on the road instead today if that meant Casey got to play one more game...but it just didn't happen that way. So, the season is over- and it is time to move on to track! And Casey is going to ROCK at track this year. No surgery impeding him, velocity training, lots of working out....we are SO excited for his track season!

Anyways, not having to travel to Butte means we have gotten to be lazy all day! I have made some cards, we watched a movie called "City of Ember". Quite an interesting movie...we enjoyed it. Once I post this...we are going to get ready and go run some errands that are needed. And then to church tonight. So- at least it won't be a completely lazy day. Hee hee!


Up next is my card for this week's bonus sketch by Laura at 2 Sketches 4 U. She came up with a cute sketch this week, and I am loving the peek-a-boo window! This card is also based on the Moxie Fab Challenge to use "Birds in their Space".

This card is based on Sketch This 79. Such a great sketch this week....I really want to get a layout done with it too! I will have to see if I get some time to!

And last but not least is just a really quick card I did before we started the movie. Just using up some scraps. And actually...every single card I posted today used up some paper scraps. Gotta love making more space in the scrap basket!

I hope that you are having an awesome Saturday! Time for me to go get some not so fun, but needed stuff done. I think we should treat ourselves to lattes since we are going shopping on a crazy weekend day. Just might do that!

Until later,
~Lea

ETA- I just had to add this because I just took it. I knew this was one of my favorite colors for a reason! :) Let me know what color it says you are if you take the quiz!

you are aquamarine #7FFFD4

Your dominant hues are cyan and green. Although you definately strive to be logical you care about people and know there's a time and place for thinking emotionally. Your head rules most things but your heart rules others, and getting them to meet in the middle takes a lot of your energy some days. Your saturation level is medium - You're not the most decisive go-getter, but you can get a job done when it's required of you. You probably don't think the world can change for you and don't want to spend too much effort trying to force it. Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

And here is my card based on it! I dry embossed the bottom and right side edges of the kraft cardbase with my Cuttlebug and the dotted "Just My Type" embossing border. After that I dry embossed a 1/2 inch strip of kraft cardstock using my Cuttlebug and the dotted "With Love" embossing border. Once the dry embossing was done, I layered some patterned paper and the embossed strip to the front, and accented with a felt flower and jewel flourishes. I then added the sentiment rub-ons directly below the embossing to give it a simple feel, but still make it stand out.

If you are ever looking for a store that has a good stock of embossing folders (or Cuttlebug product in general), I recommend CreativeXpress. They almost always have the items you want in stock, and are always putting items on sale. This is where I get all my Cuttlebug product from, and they ship really fast too!

I hope you have an inspired Wednesday,
~Lea

....a lovely combination! Papertrey Ink is this week's sponsor for sketch #104 at the CPS blog. We were sent the "Background Basics: Retro" set and the "Tags for Spring" set, along with a sampler of cardstock. The next four cards posted all use the Papertrey Ink cardstock and stamps in some way.

First up is my card for this week's sketch at CPS. This card features both stamp sets, and the Dark Chocolate & Sweet Blush cardstock from Papertrey Ink. I also used Basic Grey "Bittersweet" paper, May Arts ribbon, Doodlebug Designs & Darice jewels, and my Martha Stewart lace border punch. I used timber brown Staz-On ink to stamp the images, and Clearsnap chalk ink to edge the papers.I used sketch 102 again for this card, just flipped it on it's side. I used the White & Sweet Blush cardstock from Papertrey Ink, along with the "Tags for Spring" set on this card. I used Saddle Brown Staz-On and Doodlebug "Bubblegum" pigment ink to stamp the images. Other product includes Scenic Route "Sanoma" & American Crafts paper, Making Memories ribbon, and Heidi Swapp jewels. (The scalloped circle was also cut using my Cricut Expression & the Accent Essentials cartridge.) This card also uses the "Tags for Spring" set, along with White & Spring Rain cardstocks. I stamped the images with Doodlebug "Bubblegum" pigment ink, and colored in the eggs lightly with Heidi Swapp colored pencils. Other product that I used is Imaginisce "For Peep's Sake" paper, Kaiser Craft jewels, and my Cricut Expression to cut out the scalloped circle (Accent Essentials cartridge). Last but not least with the Papertrey product, is this cute Easter card using up some White, Dark Chocolate & Spring Rain cardstock scraps. I stamped the bunnies using Clearsnap Chalk Ink in French Blue, and the sentiment was done using Timber Brown Staz-On, both stamps from the "Tags for Spring" set. This card also uses some 7Gypsies rub-ons, and Darice rhinestones. This is my last Papertrey Ink card for now. But I do have one last card to share, using Sketch This #78 and the Cardalicious #14 challenge. The challenge was to do a friendship card using green and ribbon, and the sketch was fun too! A challenge, but lots of fun! Be sure to check them both out! This card uses Bazzill cardstock, Scenic Route "Sanoma" papers, Crafty Secrets vintage image, Prima flowers, Michael's brand adhesive pearls, and misc. ribbon and button. I hope your weekend has been a good one!! Casey's team made it to the consolation game at the District Tournament, which means they have made it to divisionals next week!! The consolation match was a great game, and they ended up taking 4th place. They came back from a large deficit in points, and almost had it won...until a player on the other team sunk a three pointer that he will probably never be able to do again- it was crazy. That tied it up, and the Panthers just barely lost in overtime. I am so happy for Casey and the boys though! Casey hasn't made it past this tournament in basketball before, so this is a new experience for him! So, we will be traveling to Butte again next week to watch some more basketball.

Today I am just being lazy. Getting some cleaning done, a little card making...need to run to the pharmacy in a little bit to get a prescription filled. That is about it for me!

Have a blessed Sunday,
~Lea

Happy Thursday everyone! Man- my week is all turned from having Monday off. Yesterday I kept thinking it was Tuesday...and I woke up wishing it was Friday. Hee!

This is my card for sketch 103 at the CPS Blog this week! No sponsors this time around, just a week for ourselves. I used lots of Basic Grey "Sugared" here, with a little bit of Kim Hughes "Mocha Chica" papers by Cornish Heritage Farms. Top it off with some vintage ribbon, Prima & Making Memories flowers and some stitching...that is pretty much it!! I actually really love this card...especially the lace border punch...it is my new favorite for now! :) And I have had a bit of a busy week, so I don't have any other new stuff to share with you. But, February 1st means anything published through December 2008 can be reposted! So, I thought I would share some December publications with you! First up, all of these cards were in the December 2008 issue of Cards Magazine.





And these cards were in Scrapbook Trends "Celebrate the Holidays" 2008 idea book. We made a quick trip over to Butte last night to watch Casey play their first game in the district tournament. They won!!! So, they play again on Friday at 4:30pm. I won't be able to make that one, but Josh is going to head over for it since he has the day off. After that, we will see when they play on Saturday and make sure we go to that. If they win this next game, they are in the championship game...and win or lose you make it to the next state tournament. If they lose...they have to win a third game to make it to the consolation game...but would make it to the next tournament if they made it into the consolation game. So- we are hoping for a win so they don't have to take that extra step! Go Panthers!!!

Well, that is all I have for now. Time to go get ready for work, and have a yummy cup of peppermint coffee while doing so! Have a great day!

Until later,
~Lea

First things first....let's announce the winner of my CPS Blog Hop giveaway. It was fun reading all of your responses as to what you would do with the paper pack up for grabs. I got answers ranging from hoarding it, using it on cards & layouts, mini-albums...to even giving part of it away or sharing it with family/friends. Every single person was deserving of it. So, the random number generator picked this comment as the winner:


Congratulations, and please email me your address to jnllawson at bresnan.net (with the correct symbols, of course.) :)

I did this card for the Cardalicious #13 challenge. The challenge was to make a thank you card using felt, stitching, and the color pink. This is also somewhat of a peek at my CPS card for this week...because I used some of the paper scraps on it! ;) Lots of Basic Grey "Sugared" on this card, and felt, vintage ribbon, jewels, iron-ons....yum! This is for Caardvark's latest challenge, "We Heart You". Easy challenge to use hearts on your card. I picked this foiled paper from the SEI "Chocolat" collection (you know...the collection I just gave away!) with hearts all over it as my starting point. I like how it turned out...I think it would be great for a wedding!

First up- if you are looking for the CPS Blog Hop Giveaway....just CLICK HERE or scroll down a little bit. It's there...I promise! ;)

But, I had to make sure and play in the Papertrey Ink challenge today...to use a color combo that Dawn used in all of her amazing damask creations this week. Dawn used a fabulous brown/aqua/yellow combo in THIS post the other day...and I just loved it! I knew I had some Hambly scraps to use up in aqua/yellow, and I paired it with the brown dotted paper by October Afternoon. YUM- just love this color combo! Thanks for the inspiration Dawn! Here are my cards!
I will admit....I would love to win that set. It is just fabulous!! I hope you are having a fabulous Valentine's Day! Off to make our dessert for the tonight!

Until later,
~Lea

To finish off the two weeks of celebration at the CPS blog, we are having a blog hop full of giveaways! If you started at the CPS blog...then you should have hopped to my blog from Laura's blog...and you are right on track. If you didn't come to my blog from Laura's...that is okay too! Read my post, leave a comment in regards to the question I ask, and then head over to the CPS blog. That way you can start from the beginning, and get entered in for lots more giveaways! I am offering up this fabulous collection by SEI, called "Chocolat". It is still one of my faves, and I hope you will love it too! From my blog...you are going to hop on over to Linda's blog for the next giveaway! But first...I have some projects to share with you from my CPS sponsor this week, "Shortcuts". They make these awesome transparent cards/sheets, frosted cards/sheets, and gift card holders! This is the card that I did for CPS Sketch #102 this week. I have used Shortcuts before...and I love them! I love decorating them inside and out....just like this card below.


I also used one of their gift card holders this week for Josh's valentine's day gift. We aren't doing anything big this year, but I wanted to get him a little something. I love how I could play with the sentiment, and use the iTunes card as inspiration for it! I think he'll love it!

Okay...now for my giveaway question (I know, I know...I am making you work for it. Tee hee!). If you were to win this SEI collection....what will you do with it? Pretty easy, huh? And don't forget...once you are done commenting here...head on over to Linda's blog for the next giveaway!!

And now for the fine print. You will have until Monday at 10pm MST to post a comment on this post for the giveaway. At that time I will close comments until I have posted a winner the next morning...Tuesday, February 17th. Please post a comment only once. And last but not least...have A LOT of fun blog hopping, and good luck!!

Until later,
~Lea

I'm not really big on announcements, but last week I was asked to be part of the Senior Design Team at the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog. Because I love my Cuttlebug and I really want to use it more, I jumped at the chance to say yes. This is my first time being part of the Wednesday Inspiration challenge!!

My first challenge, which is Be Inspired #18, was to make a shaped card. My mind went immediately to my "Hello Kitty Greetings" cartridge, because it has TONS of cute shapes, and actually has a card function on it. So, my first step was to cut the card shape out from black cardstock, and then to cut its layers from the two patterned papers. I chose a strawberry shaped card for my project, so after cutting the layers...I ran the green strawberry top through my Cuttlebug using the "Swiss Dots" embossing folder. I then sanded to top lightly to bring the dots out a little bit.
Once I was done with that, I layered the card together, and added some embellishments and the sentiment. And voila...here is the finished product!
I think it is pretty sweet!"You Are Berry Loved" Card
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics
Patterned Paper: American Crafts & Doodlebug Designs
Letter Stickers: American Crafts & Making Memories
Jewels: Prima
Twine: Darice
Craft Supply: button, ribbon, sandpaper

I hope you all enjoyed my first "Cuttlebug Be Inspired" challenge as a design team member! I can't wait to see what you do with the challenge!

Have a wonderful Wednesday,
~Lea

Keeping with my clean and graphic kick these past couple days, I have a couple cards to share with you. I did this card based on Laura's sketch 19 at the 2 Sketches 4 U blog this week, and the "Friends 'Til the End" challenge at the Papertrey Ink blog. Have I ever told you about my lifelong friend, Stephanie? I will talk more about our friendship at the end of this post, but I made this for her. We haven't had a chance to hang out together in awhile, and I figured sending her a card, asking for a "date" would be a cute idea. Tee hee! This card features Bazzill (white & blue) and Prism (grey) cardstocks, American Crafts "Moda Bella" papers/rub-ons, American Crafts "Ned" rub-on letters, offray ribbon, Doodlebug Designs (black) and Kandi Corp. (yellow) rhinestones. This is a quick card I got done last night...funny, it is kind-of similar to Laura's sketch for this week too! Hee hee...great minds think alike! This one features Wausau (blue) & Bazzill (white) cardstocks, 7Gypsies rub-ons, Darice rhinestones, and Michael's brand ribbon. Oh yeah- both cards were embossed using my Cuttlebug and the "Swiss Dots" folder. I think I'll do another card for Laura's sketch this week with more product on it....I love her sketch this week! (Not like I don't love their sketches every week! lol) So, this is my lifelong friend, Stephanie. (Bare with me on the photos...they were from a LONG time ago, when digital cameras weren't quite the norm yet. I think this one was a 1MP Sony...we have come a long way, haven't we?) I met Stephanie my freshman year of high school when we both tried out and made the freshman cheer squad. Who knew when I met her, I would find someone that I would go through life's ups and downs with. I love this photo of the two of us...even though I look like a goober in it. This wasn't a posed hug...this was an "I'm so happy you are here and part of this with me, I don't know how I would get through it without you" hug...after taking some posed photos. I love it...We have gone through so many of life's things together. Getting driver's licenses, cheerleading, serious boyfriends, first jobs, heartbreak, college, more jobs, more boyfriends, turning 16, turning 18, turning 21, family issues, getting married, careers, having babies (on her part...hee hee), losing jobs, deaths, moving....the list could go on. We don't see each other every day, nor do we talk to each other every day. We both lead busy lives and spend a lot of time with our families. But that just doesn't matter with the two of us. Because when we do finally talk or see each other, it's like nothing has changed. That is a true friendship, in my eyes.

I made her that card because it has been awhile since we have seen each other. It would be fun to have a "date" with my best friend. Tee hee!

Speaking of friends, I have made a lot of wonderful friends through this wonderful crafting hobby of mine. Many I have met, and others I have yet to meet. One of my friends that I have yet to meet, is following through on a dream of hers, and I am so excited for her! Her name is Christine, and she is an amazing paper and digital crafter. She has started a scrapbooking retreat called "Scrap Retreat House at French Valley". I urge you to follow the link, and check it out. It really is a gorgeous getaway, where you can spend your weekend scrapping away. I can't wait until I get a chance to attend this magnificent place! She is also doing a RAK on THIS POST at her blog. All you have to do is visit the retreat site and then go to her blog and let her know what you think in the comments of that post I have linked for you.

Have a great night,
~Lea

So, today I found my inner simple and graphic girl when it came to the cards that I made. This tends to be my style when I do layouts in order to focus on the photos and journaling. But with cards...you just never know what I might throw on one!

First up was the "Connect The Dot" challenge going on at the Papertrey Ink blog. After connecting the dots on a sheet that was provided, a sketch was revealed. This is my card based on that sketch. The white cardstock was dry embossed using my Cuttlebug and the "Houndstooth" embossing folder. Supplies used here are Bazzill cardstocks, Doodlebug paper frill, Glitz Designs & Westrim Crafts rhinestones, Autumn leaves sentiment rub-on, Michael's brand ribbon, and pins (Maya Road- clear, craft supply-red). That same blog had a challenge called "Over The Rainbow" yesterday, and even though I am late on posting for the giveaway...I still had to do the challenge. I really enjoyed the color combo that she chose, so be sure to check out that post. The card front was dry embossed using my Cuttlebug and the "Swiss Dots" embossing folder. Supplies used here are Bazzill cardstock, Urban Lily rub-ons, Doodlebug Designs rhinestones, and a Martha Stewart black pen. Lots of cardstock scraps used up on these two cards...gotta love that!My last thing to share today is the card I got done for "Saturday Sketch Hour" at the Cuttlebug Challenges blog. Aymee Gandy put together a fabulous sketch that I wanted to use as inspiration today! The top and the bottom of the card were dry embossed using my Cuttlebug and the dotted border from the "Just My Type" embossing set. The best part about this card? I used some major stash on this one... this company no longer even makes scrapbooking product anymore. It is the "Yesterdays" collection by Imagination Project...and I couldn't ever bare to get rid of it. I actually really love this paper...I see myself using it again in the near future! Other supplies include a 7Gypsies rub-on, adhesive pearls by Glitz Designs & Michael's, Offray ribbon, Provo Craft scallop scissors, and Bazzill kraft cardstock. I have to talk about a great comment I got on my last post from a stamper named Carla. She noted there seem to be "scrappy" cardmakers or "stampy" cardmakers...and I couldn't agree with her more!! I thought it was the greatest analogy for the two different kinds of cardmakers...and I had to share it! So from one "scrappy" cardmaker...to whatever kind you are- CHEERS! I love to look at them all! Thanks for the awesome comment Carla...it gave me a chuckle and put a smile on my face! Loved it!

Josh is cooking us up some buffalo wings for us to snack on before we head to church at 6pm. I need to go get changed and get some makeup on...so I am going to run for now! Hope you enjoyed me cards today! Have a wonderful rest of your Saturday!

Until later,
~Lea

I was needing Friday to come along this week...just one of those weeks, you know? And I got some great news this morning, which made it all the better! The news pertains to the thing that I am not quite ready to share publicly yet...but it is very good news, so if you feel like celebrating with me- then please do!

I have some cards to share today...obviously, since I am updating my blog. Hee hee! So, Cath has posted a challenge on the Moxie Fab blog to use the color combo of yellow and grey. My first reaction was...um no. But while going through a stack of papers last night, I cam upon this gorgeous yellow Hambly paper. It made me think of the challenge, and then I remembered that I had some great grey in the American Crafts "Moda Bella" line. And viola...the card below came to fruition. I actually really like it...I am glad I decided to climb outside of my color box. :) Other supplies include Bazzill cardstock, American Crafts & Autumn Leaves rub-ons, Michael's brand ribbon, Doodlebug rhinestones and Prima crystals. Up next is my card for Cuttlebug Be Inspired #17, where the challenge is to use a love theme. So, I channeled my inner Danni, and did some white on white action, after embossing with the "Swiss Dots" folder. She does this WAY better than me...but I like how it turned out! This uses some Basic Grey "Euphoria" paper, which I have had in my stash forever! Then I threw in some new K & Company valentine embellishments (brad & stickers), some Michael's rouched ribbon, and some Glitz Designs rhinestones...and this is what came together! This card is also based on ICSKetch #2...a new sketch blog! Check it out if you like! I couldn't resist this next challenge when I was perusing Melissa Philip's blog. She posted a challenge to use this cutie bag by Jillie Willie as inpsiration, and the winner actually gets one! And while it would be awesome to win it, it was just as fabulous to use it as inspiration! The bright colors, the polka dots, the little bit of black...what isn't to love about this?
And here is my card that is inspired by it! I reached into my stash a bit, and found this PERFECTLY colored paper and diecuts by My Minds Eye. It is from their Confetti "Party" lines, called "Birthday Girl", "Love", and "Sisters". I also used Bazzill cardstock, Doodlebug paperfrill, Making Memories letter stickers, Creative Imaginations rub-on letters, Michael's brand ribbon and misc. buttons. Hope you like it Melis...and everyone else! Hee hee! :)

And last, but definitely not least...is a card I did based on this super adorable sketch posted Tuesday on the So Sketchy blog. Be sure to go check it out...I loved it when I laid my eyes on it! This uses one of my fave paper lines, "Happy Place" by Sassafras Lass. That tree was cut out using my Cricut Expression, and the "Pooh & Friends" cartridge. This cart has some really cute non-Winnie the Pooh cuts, like this tree for example. :) This card also uses random scraps of cardstock, American Crafts glitter thickers, Making Memories glittered letter stickers, Glitz Designs & Westrim Crafts rhinestones. I have no idea who made the cute little apple sticker...it came in a kit a long time ago. I love it though...wish I knew the mfgr!

So, do you have any great plans for the weekend? Josh closes tonight...so I plan on having some crafty card-making time to myself. AFTER I clean up the kitchen...I have given myself a task that MUST be met before I sit down at my scrap desk. Can I just say that I totally love that networks put a lot of their shows online after it airs? I missed the first three episodes of Friday Night Lights (now that it is on NBC, since I don't have DirecTV), so I am catching up now while I make cards. I watched the first episode last night, and plan to watch the next two tonight. Then I will need to get caught up on tonight's episode, whenever it gets posted to the web. I got caught up on One Tree Hill on Wednesday night. I might just quit watching TV all together, and just wait for it to be posted online. I know...that is an ironic paragraph, considering I work in national sales at a television station. Shhhh...don't tell Ford or Dodge that I said that. :)

As for the rest of the weekend...who knows. Josh is making his yummy deer/elk steak morsels on the grill tomorrow afternoon. He cuts the steaks into chunks and marinates them. Then they get wrapped in bacon and put on the BBQ. SO yummy. I only like the elk ones, so he color codes the toothpicks that hold them together. Isn't he a great hubby?!

Until later,

~Lea