Summer Card Camp

You've probably heard about Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner's amazing Card Camp. It started today and I was so inspired that I ran to my studio to create this card using the color combo for this week...

I wanted the flag banners to have some dimension so I stamped two of them, one on top of the other and then cut it out like this...

Then, I scored between the two flags and it creates such great dimension when you wrap it around the string...

I also like stamping over patterned paper. I used my new striped echo park paper and stamped the Hero Arts Cloud background stamp right on top using Soft Pool ink. Love it. Oh, and the little clouds are from Papertrey Ink. I ran them through my big shot using a dot embossing folder to add dimension.

That's all I got for now. Off to watch the Bachelorette. She better stop talking about Bentley! lol

Pink or Blue?

So I know I've been a slacker on the blog lately but with a REALLY good reason...

Yep. I'm pregnant. With all of our struggles conceiving and a miscarriage, this news has me over the moon. I'm happy to report the baby is doing great. I already saw and heard the heartbeat. I also found out the due date (Feb. 10, 2012) which is the EXACT date we lost the first baby. God is so good. :)

That's all I got for now. Just had to share with all of  you. Gotta go take another nap. Hee.  

Alex's Graduation Party...

Over the weekend we celebrated Alex's graduation with a party at a local park. Thought I'd share a few pics of the day...

I booked this location because Alex previously played at this park's amphitheater during a battle of the bands and thought it would be fun for him to play at his party. He did two sets. The first was just an acoustic set with him and the lead singer, Zac...

It didn't take long for my nieces and nephew to rock out with them... :)

They played the second set towards the end of the party and rocked it out...

And these were the best cupcakes I ever had. Yum..

What's a party without corn hole?

 A peek at the display I set up of Alex's layouts. So fun to share them...

That's all I got for now. Thanks for stopping by! :) 

5 Minute Cards for Kids and Final Prize...

I'd thought I'd share some SUPER easy cards to make for kids to hopefully inspire you to create some cards for the Cards for James Card Drive. So, if you only have a few minutes in your day to craft, here are some quick and easy cards that kids will love....

The first one is for a friend's daughter who needs a smile:

I reached for doodlebug stickers for both of the cards today because how playful their images are. It's hard to tell but the center of that flower was filled with glitter. I'm not a big fan of glitter everywhere so I just put some glossy accents on top. You still get the shine without the mess! :)

What kid doesn't like stickers?! A peek at the inside...

I took that same idea and made a card for James using some more doodlebug stickers but this time I got animals...

 Thought he would like stickers too...

(BTW, I like to use ID badges for clear pockets to put goodies inside of cards.)

Like I said, the cards are nothing fancy but I'm sure they would put a smile on a child's face. So, to bribe you some more, here is the final prize for the card drive...

THIS hero arts stamp set...

 and THESE pearls and gems pack...

Make sure when you send in your cards, you put your name, email, and how many cards you sent in so you will be put in the drawing for some fabulous prizes! You can find ALL the info. HERE.

Hope you can participate! :) Thanks for stopping by!

Alex Graduates!

We just got home from watching this young man graduate from high school...

and we just couldn't be more proud! ...

After the ceremony, we all went out for a family meal. Listening to Alex's plans on becoming a doctor and what college he will attend brought tears to my eyes. Not tears of sadness but tears of joy. I just know he will do great things and I'm feeling so blessed to be a part of his life and seeing what the future holds for him. .I love you so much Alex. Congratulations!!! 

His/Her Graduation Cards

Hi! I've had the case of the blahs, blues, whatever you want to call it and decided to take a break from blogging. But I'm back today with some simple his/her graduation cards. My stepson and his girlfriend Ashley are graduating so I made these cards for them...

For Alex...

 A closer look...I used a Hero Arts stamp over and over to create the background...

 And for Ashley...

Aren't those Pure Innocence stamp images cute!?

Her school colors were a bit challenging (brown and gold) so I tried to be playful with a shaped card and clear embossing the background with my FAVORITE background stamp from Hero Arts...

So very proud of you Alex and Ashley!!! :) 

Well, that's all I got for now. Thanks for stopping by!

Weather, Winners, & Girls Getaway Layout Share

Hi! Want proof that I live in Cincinnati? Take a look....

Yep. That's hail! Cincinnati has the WEIRDEST weather. It has rained so much lately that I have considered building an ark...lol...and then yesterday it was 70 degrees out and all of a sudden a huge storm passed through with hail. Sigh. These are the days I wish I lived near the beach.

On a happier note...the WINNERS of the RAK from the last post are: KELLY RASMUSSEN and ANNA SENIW! Congrats ladies! Email me with your address and I'll get some prizes out to you. :)

Now onto a layout share. Remember when I went on a girls getaway back in March? Well I finally got around to scrapping the pics. Here is the two page layout...

 A closer look at the first page...

 and the second...

 love using the silhouette for titles...

 details of the second page...

Journaling: "It's funny how my scrapbooking hobby has introduced me to some amazing women. I had just been through a difficult time, suffering a miscarriage, and decided to go on a scrapbook retreat as planned. I did it to get away and try to start healing. I had no idea that this group of women (some I've never met before) would help me heal as much as they did. With every laugh, giggle, and smile, I felt better. I am blessed with such great friendships. God is good. (03/2011)"

That's all for now. Big hugs to all of you! :)