PBD Blog Hop

Hello! Just popping in to let you know that Pink by Design is hosting a blog hop today is celebration of St Pat's and all things green! Start the hop here and don't forget to link up your own green projects for the chance to win a great prize!!

Hello and Thanks

Hello there. Still feeling like crap-ola so I'll keep it short today.

Here is a card idea that's been floating around in my mind for awhile now and I finally put down on paper this weekend. It's watercolor resist but created with dye ink rather that spray ink. I like that you have more control over where the colors lands and how intense it is. Plus the waterstained effect is nice.

The sentiments are from the Pink by Design "Vintage Greetings" set. I didn't think there would ever be a use for that ampersand!

Hope your week is great!

Subway Art

Hi there! Just wanted to let you know my first post is up today at Pink by Design! I used the newly released Subway Art and the Canvas Background. Check out the post here.

I also have a new video tutorial up on the Clearsnap YouTube channel with a fun technique for using Design Adhesives with both embossing powder and foil. Check that out right here.

Happy Thursday :)

Sweet Memories Card Game

 

Hello and happy Monday. I am still feeling terribly, miserably sick and haven't worked on anything new in forever, but I do have this memory game to share that was made for the Clearsnap blog earlier this month.

It features an adorable digital image from Some Odd Girl and is a fun project you can create with your kids. Click here to see the video tutorial on using pigment inks to color and blend and for more info about creating your own.

Supplies:
Colorbox Limited Edition Pigment Ink - Raisin, Berry, Wheatgrass, Blue Jean, Stormy Seas, Zen Garden
Smooch Glitz - Frost
Smooch Spritz - Sugar Shimmer

Stamps: The Stamps of Life (scallop circle, scallop circle frame, "sweet," flower), SC for Hero Arts (chevron background)
Digital Images: The Odd Girl (angel)
Cardstock: PTI
Corner Punch: Recollections
Adhesive: Scor-Tape, 3M (glue stick)
Other: card box template, Q-tip

Homemade Coffee Creamer

I haven't been around this week and don't have any fashion to post today - all 3 kids and have bronchitis and are feeling rather blah. Getting dressed is a chore in itself let alone dressing up in something pretty.

But I did have a "duh, why didn't I think of that moment" this week which resulted in today's post. We went into the city to get grocery's on Sunday and while picking up our usual Coffeemate French Vanilla creamer I saw on the shelf above a creamer labeled all natural. A little curious, I picked it up to find a total of 4 ingredients on the label and all them things we already have in the fridge. In comparison, the creamer we had been drinking was full of partially hydrogenated garbage and preservatives. Why had it not occurred to me before that there was an alternative?

After a little experimentation, here is my super simple recipe.

1 half pint heavy cream
1 cup whole or 2% milk
3 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract or other flavor

It's not as rich or thick as the Coffeemate version without the partially hydrogenated oil, but still very tasty and much better for you.

And it's only taken a week to be fully weaned off the other stuff.

Have a lovely weekend!

Pink News!!

Hello and happy Monday!! I am so excited to share the news with you that I have been asked to join the Pink by Design design team!! The official announcement was made on Friday night along with the newly released stamps for February. I can already tell it's going to be a super-fun and positive group of guys and gals to work with!

One of things I am also excited about is that PBD is located right here in Central Iowa! Looks like I'll finally be able to meet up with some other girls who like to scrap!!

Say hello to the rest of the Design Team...

Candace

Melisa

Kathy

Elizabeth

Lisa

Sabrina (that's me!)

Dawn

Annette

Gloria

Anna

Rebekah

Julie

Nilda

Bryan

Paula

Meriah

And check out the PBD catalog right here (they have a chicken wire stamp!!).

Fashion Friday: Comfy Cozy

So I don't know about you guys, but I cannot leave the house without getting dressed. Lots of people wear sweats or athletic pants or whatever but I just can't do it. It feels so.... undone.

Not that I could leave the house because if I don't change from my sweats into regular clothes for the day, I have absolutely no motivation. Sweats just keep me in lounge mode and the actual act of dressing and putting on something not so comfortable signals my brain to get busy. Is it like that for you too?

Of course there are those days when you wanna keep that comfy state of mind - ehh hmmm I'm way too bloated to fit into anything without an elastic waistband - but you still have to go out in public and run errands or whatever.

And this is my fav outfit for those days. It makes an appearance in almost every load of mom laundry.  Leggings, tank under casual dress, long cardi, belt, wool socks and boots. Still all super casual and comfortable but I still feel presentable, like I made an effort. Maybe it's the belt? IDK, but I love it.

Do you have a favorite go-to outfit for cozy days? Link me up I'd love to see and could def use some new ideas!

New Chalk and Twinkle Inks

Hello! Here are a couple projects I shared last week on the Clearsnap blog.

The first treat package introduces a few of the new Limited Edition Chalk Ink colors - Pink Sky, Red Barn and Arctic Deep. Chalk inks are great for layering and create such a soft, lovely finish.

See the full line of newly released limited edition inks here and more projects too!

This second card shows off the brand new Watermark Twinkle Ink which is basically a watermark pad with a shimmery finish. It comes it two shades - Stardust and Pearl - and has got to be my favorite thing! Use it on it's own or layer over colored inks for a beautiful, subtle shimmer.

Check these new inks out and see more projects using it here!

I know you're going to love them just as much as I do!! Bye!

Conversation Hearts

Was doing a little digging through the computer files this morning and realized I've never shared this card that was made way back last summer. It was from a Paper Crafts sketch and I was practicing my dye ink watercoloring.

It's think it's kinda cute ;)

So what are you working on? I seriously need to clean up my scrap space so I can get back to creating!

Valentine's Mantel

I just love Valentine's Day!! All the hearts and pink and sweetness is just what my girly heart lives for. The kids helped me put together some decorations for our makeshift mantel and even though it took a couple weeks it's finally mostly complete.

(Please don't judge my dirty walls! There are 6 sticky little hands running around here at all times and spring cleaning is still months away :))

Silhouettes in some Hobby Lobby frames. There are lots of fancy ways to make these in Photoshop and what-not, but we simply cut and traced profile photos onto brown cardstock. They look exactly like the kids too!

14 little handcut hearts hanging on the perfect, wispy little branch. Dipped in aqua paint for an extra shot of color.

The glittered wooden letters are my favorite!! Except I don't think there's any way to keep all that glitter from spreading all.over.the.house. Spray-on Mod Podge almost helped. : /

And of course we have to have some tissue paper pom-poms and lanterns. They were transfer nicely to the girls' room when the holiday is over. The kids cut out the whole banner using my Big Shot, some Sizziz dies and a heart punch. So simple.

So are you decorating and/or crafting for Valentine's? Be sure to link up your paper projects at Paper Issues - open til the 14th.

Bye!

Insta-Weekend

Hello, hello. This last weekend was a very lazy one but we did finally get a decent amount of snow and the chance to play in it.

The kids sledded and built a little snowman,

then finally cried cold after about an hour and went back in the house.

The hubby and I dug out the snowboard and made a trail down the backyard bunny hill.

I never did perfect the stopping part. But am not giving up yet.

Yes, this is how I ended every single run. There's a few bruises on my legs today.

He was much better.

Not! He fell down just as much.

Hope your weekend was super fun too and wishing you a lovely and productive week! xox

Free Class Weekend @ Miss Art's

"Lasting Impressions" with Lisa Valentine

Hi there. Just popping in to let you if you're looking for something to do this afternoon while everyone else is watching football or are just in need of a little inspiration, Miss Art's Papercrafting is hosting a free class weekend thru today. Be sure to check it out here. Enjoy the day!

Memory Game

Hi there! Today is my day on the Clearsnap blog! Hop on over to find the instructions and a video tutorial for creating this memory game with some super cute digi stamps from Some Odd Girl.

Thanks and have an amazing day!!

February Photo-A-Day Challenge

Yes, it may be late in the day, but if you haven't already joined Fat Mum Slim's photo-a-day challenge for the month of February, there is still a little time left in the day (at least in this zip code :) )

I discovered this this morning via the Paper Bakery blog and though I rarely seem to follow through all the way to the end on these "daily" kinds of challenges, there is just something invigorating about a good photo challenge.

Day 1 is complete so maybe this time will be different ;)