Curves!

So, I finally had enough and I joined Curves! I have been thinking about it for awhile and I finally decided it was time to do something just for me. I went last Saturday and got all registered. I have gone 4 days this week and have been VERY good with my diet, so hopefully I will start to see results soon.

I really love that Curves is just for women. I always hated going to the gym and having 20 something guys teach you how to use the machines. They were always so obnoxious, like because you are overweight, you don't belong. Well, you have to start somewhere! Having 8 or so other women to work out with is fantastic. Everyone is at different fitness levels and it is inspiring to see the women who have hit their goal weight. I hope that is me soon!

I will continue to post my progress for several reasons (even though you may not be interested! LOL!)

1. So I can track my progress.
2. So I can hopefully inspire someone else to take the same journey with me.
3. To keep myself honest and on track.

I hope you will all join me in my endeavor and cheer me on. I want to look good in a bathing suit this summer!

Have a great day!

Hmm...maybe I should post cards more often...

so I don't have to post 4 at a time! LOL! Here are a bunch of cards I made in the past week or so...


I bought the Martha Stuart butterfly punch for a project, but all I have done so far is this card...I bought the paper at the same time and just loved the 'vintage wallpaper' feel of it. I thought it deserved something dramatic and beautiful. I had Wasabi paper on my desk and I thought it supported the elegant feel very well. The butterflies were all embellished with rhinestones and Stickles and some even got a dunk in glitter embossing powder!


The new Summer Picnic paper in the Occassions mini is super cute. I love this Lockhart cherry stamp and just had to put the two together. The image was colored with Copics and cut out and embossed with my Nestabilities.


Can you believe how well Regal Rose and Wild Wasabi matches the new Basic Grey Two Scoops paper?! They are destined to be together! This is the first time I've used my Lockhart Sunflower stamp. Poor thing probably thinks I don't like it! I will certainly have to use it more often...especially since I want to think about summer!

The sunflowers were colored with Copics and cut out with Nestabilities.


I like this card, but I bought the crappy silver embossing powder and it stuck all over the cardstock. :( Oh, well! The flower was again colored with Copics and cut out with my Nestabilities.

Sweet Cupcake

I bought the Hey There, Cupcake! set from eP. It is so stinkin' cute! SO many possibilities! I have so many ideas in my head, now I just need to get some time to get them on paper...

Here is one card I was able to make. I am so in love with the Basic Grey Two Scoops paper. The colors are so luscious and the patterns are all so versatile. LOVE that!

My friend, Lynn at work has already bought this card...she just love it. That made my day! :)


Recipe:
Hey, there Cupcake!
Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, Papertrey White, Basic Grey Two scoops papers
Pitch Black Adirondack ink
Rectangle Nestabilities
Copic markers
SU! Grosgrain ribbon
Rhinestone brads

I love being a grown up!

So, today I had to run Slayton's skateboarding helmet into school so he had it for Winter Sports. As I was walking into the school, the ENTIRE sidewalk was a solid sheet of ice. I managed to fall and scrapped my knee all up (a perfect way to start the day!). So, I managed to get into the school without falling again and I headed right to the office. I walk in and the secretary and the principal are standing there. Here is the conversation that followed...

Me: I just fell outside. It is solid ice and there is not a drop of salt or sand out there.
Principal: Well, I worry about the adults, but kids bounce...
Me: KIDS BOUNCE!?! *I'm* worried about my kid! Someone needs to get out there NOW and salt!

WTH?!?! "Kids bounce"?!?! What kind of answer is that when I just fell?!? So, I called the Superintendent and complained. That is just ridiculous!

Slayton was most impressed that I yelled at the Principal and told his boss on him! LOL!

Just a bunch of cute cards!

I was a busy little stamper this past weekend! I reorganized my stamping space (pictures in the next few days!) and sat dawn to enjoy my new area. The creative juices were flowing, so I made 5 cards.



This tissue box and sentiment just crack me up every time I see them! This is an awesome set for get well cards! The box was paper pieced and the tissues are popped up on dimensionals.


I bought 'A Little Birdie Told Me' when it was in the preview catty and I am just now pulling it out! I colored the bird with Copics.


This little gnome is just the cutest little thing! I never send St. Patrick's Day cards, but I think I will have to start! LOL!




I am using these cutie monkeys for my Valentine's cards. They were super easy to color with Copics and matched the Basic Grey paper perfectly.



Is any stamp collection complete without a pickle stamp?!? This Lockhart stamp is so freaking funny! Again, it was colored with Copics.

Some 3-day weekend cards!

Weekends are really the only time I have to stamp, so I made sure to make extra time this long weekend! I received an order from Ellen Hutson this week, so I knew I had to get the stamps all inky! The images are just so great for coloring with Copics, so that was where I started.

The colors in this cupcake card were inspired by the ribbon. I bought it at Mikel's on Saturday with a gift certificate I got for Christmas. Thanks, Bestey! Anyway, I thought the colors would make a sunny and happy base for these yummy looking cupcakes.

I colored the image and added dots on the frame with a gel pen and added 'cherries' on top with Burgandy Stickles. While that dried, I Cuttlebugged the background with the dots folder. I like how the dots on the frame are echoed in the background, patterned paper, and ribbon,...kinda ties everything together.


I have always liked geraniums, so this stamp was a no-brainer when I added it to my cart! I colored the image and went from there with picking card stock colors. I really like the Real Red against the Certainly Celery. They compliment each other without being overbearing. The dotted paper and gingham ribbon add the perfect 'country' touches to a laid back card.


I can't believe it is time to start Valentine's! I feel like I JUST finished my Christmas cards! Basic Grey paper was my staring point for this card and it came together really quickly. The image was again colored with Copics and the hearts have Crystal Effects on them for added interest. Nothing too inventive on this card, just a nice basic creation!


And, lastly, I was asked by a woman at work to make some thank you cards for her sister. Penny's brother-in-law is in the hospital and the family has received some donation and needed cards to send. So, since I knew I was going to be making quite a few, I wanted to keep the design simple. I used my oval Nestabilites and stamped Thank You from Warmest Regards in Black Craft ink. A simple ribbon pulls it all together.


I hope you enjoyed the cards I created and hope you enjoy your long weekend as much as I did!

Just a couple cards...

This was one of those cards that up until halfway thru, you kinda look at like 'what a waste of supplies!'. Then, all of a sudden it takes a turn and you love it. I have been playing with my new Nestabilities. They are SO fun!

The sponging on this card really brought it all together. It was just too 'clean' before!




I finally decided to order a few of the pre-order sets just because of the discount. It's really hard to let extra savings slip away! LOL!

This is a fantastic image to watercolor...lots of opportunity to add dimension. I used my clear and black spica glitter pens to add a bit of sparkle.

Snowy days are the best stamping days!

Since the snow is falling outside, DH is cleaning the attic, and the kids are entertained with several activities, I decided to sneak away and stamp! Yippee! Here are a few cards I made with my new PaperTrey, Ink sets. This is a new release this past month called My Punny Valentine.



There will probably be no more stamping until everyone is in bed, but I wanted to share!

I hope everyone has a fantastic new year!

My dream come true

I decided to do a quick digi page tonight while watching TV. I decided on this picture from Alice's wedding in September. I went looking for a digital kit that had the colors I wanted. I found All Aflutter and decided it was perfect not only because of the colors, but because of the saying that was included in the kit. 'You are my dream come true' is very appropriate for how I feel about my children. I always knew I wanted to be a mom (hadn't necessarily planned on three times over, though! LOL!). I could not have asked for more beautiful, brilliant, and healthy children. We are truly lucky.

Papertrey Joy!

I finally got to play with my Snowflake Serenade set and this is what I came up with. I think it will be my Christmas card this year. I am so in love with Papertrey sets and Figgy Pudding paper. Love them together!