Gifts: Flower Pots

I love these little terracotta flower pots. They are 4 or 5" pots. I dont remember. In these pots (above) I used the half disc styrofoam for the "soil" in the pots. Hill side up. (The one on the left is hill side up, the one on the right was hillside down.)

I took the smaller scallop punch from SU for the flower petal part, punched TWO holes overlapping each other to get the desired opening for the treat to go through. To keep the petal on, I used floral tape to create a "stem" Start at the top and worked my way down. The tape does turn your fingers a little bit green. It washes off!

Starting with the top center I alternated my colors to make a colorful arrangement. They go in super easy. You dont need a whole lot of force because if you push too far, they sink later on.

I loved these! I made these again for my grandma and her roommate at her care facility she is in after her stroke. They loved them!!! Of course I used See's lollipops in theirs. If I knew my gram only wanted the chocolate ones, I would have only gotten chocolate. Now everytime I come to see her I always make sure to have REFILLS for her flower pot ;)

These flower pots are the ones I made for my grandma and her roomie :) I did get a little help from Diem on these. She kept trying to eat the Butterscotch ones!

Iron Paddock Ladies Strike Again!

Since I have been on this kick with the Bombshells for my OWH cards, I realized... I havent made my favorite Drewper a card in a long while. He even noticed it too! So shoot I better get my rear in gear!

I made him this card in his favorite colors! Black and Orange, which are also his business colors! I used a little gold a la mode pigment ink on the black surrounding the lovely lady. She is colored in Pismacolors, for her skin and hair. Her shirt is Paperpieced with some scrap orange paper I have. I used CB Stars embossing folder, rubbed SU Dusty Durango over it to give some bold and some faded orange color. Ribbon came from my secret sis from the Divine Secret Siblings on SCS.

I love this card! I almost didnt want to part with it! Luckily Drew keeps some up in his shop. Especially the ones that feature his business! :)

If It werent for the brave, there'd be no land of the free

I have totally been slacking. I was more prioritized to have my OWH blog hop post up for Veteran's day, that I completely forgot to post my ACTUAL Veteran's Day Cards!!! What the heck was wrong with me!!!!

I made a total of 20 Vets cards. All very simple, and they were all colored with Prismacolor AND watercolor pencil.... and a little SU marker here and there to help out some detail. I had a lot of thank you's for these cards. Some even said that not even their own family members told them Happy Veteran's Day! I guess people do not appreciate what they have! My favorite and heartfelt thank you came from my mom's "kissing cousin". I dont know how we are related, but we are some how. He was a POW in WWII. He was impressed that I cared so much to remember him on that special day.


The caption is right... If it werent for the brave, there'd be no land of the free

Bella time!

Feels like it has been forever since I have used a bella in a card. I received this bella in a WRAK on SCS. I had never seen it before. I knew I had *HAD* to have her. This card is one of my many for OWH. All the random paper is out of my stash... if I remember correctly. She is colored with... Prisma color, and SU. Butterfly punch is Martha. I love making this convertible look classic and retro!! Kind of like my Bombshell style!

I know its not Thursday!!

Okay, so I know its not Thursday, but I missed last weeks post due to family stuff. But anyway... Over the weekend. I celebrated my 25th birthday. I treated my self to a new top, and new shoes. You cant see the new shoes but... I will totally have to take a picture and post a picture of them.

My PA has been low, especially with the lack of time and the bad weather. I need to change that. And with that note. I am going to start allllllll over on this Thinspiration stuff. I made this pledge on.... Sunday. My real life birthday. I am going to lose 50 pounds by November 21st 2011. :) I have a notepad next to my scale in the bathroom ready to count down the pounds. Wish me luck, and hopefully I can stick with it!

OWH Veterans Day Bloghop!

Happy Veteran's Day weekend everyone! :) Veteran's Day has to be one of my favorite holidays! So I figured why not participate in this blog hop!

And on that note: I am participating in my very first bloghop! I am so happy that OWH is having a special blog hop on Veterans Day Weekend!!! :) The theme is VALENTINES! Awww how sweet right?

Before we get to all the fun stuff, lets take care of business. If you have the time, please vote at Joanns - http://www.joann.com/CraftForaCause for OWH. :) It helps with much needed shipping costs. We all know it gets rather expensive! Currently the deadline for Christmas cards has passed, so lets get to moving on to the upcoming holiday of VALENTINES DAY!!! The deadline for Valentines Day cards to be sent to the shippers is NO LATER THAN January 7th of 2011! So get to crackin!

If you are following along in the OWH Blog hop, you should have followed me from Patti at

what are you inking?, If not, you can start from the beginning of this wonderful bloghop at : Homefront at Homefront Blog . So now on to the fun stuff!! :)


Here is one of my MANY Valentine's Day cards:

If you are a first time reader of my blog, then you must know about me that I am a HUGE Bombshell Stamps fan. :) My SU demo Lena makes fun of me because I typically use my bombshells on pretty much every single card I make. They also make PERFECT Valentine's Day cards... Especially for men.

She is stamped on watercolor paper, and colored with Prismacolor (light peach), and SU Poppy Parade, and accented with Black Bic Mark-its. The Gold Ribbon I hijacked out of my SU Demo's random stash of ribbon.

Thanks for joining in on the fun. Next lovely cardmaker on the blog hop is Velda at 

Old Stamper. She has some fun things in store for you! Enjoy your Veteran's Day Weekend, and thank a former or current military member. Tell them how thankful you are for your freedom :)



Back to the Grind: Thinspiration Thursday

So I have been totally MIA for the past few weeks. Long story short. My Grandma had a stroke, and I have been super busy with taking care of her along side a few other family members. We were commuting every other day down to Sebastapol, but we recently changed that to we go two days, someone else takes two days, and then we get another two days. It has really taken a toll on my body, and we eat like crap, or we dont eat enough. But surprisingly, I have not gained or lost and weight. My PA has changed. With the massive amounts of rain, we had two rain outs for soccer, we had a game last weekend. We won 5-0, and we are tied for 4th place. We need to win this game to make it to play offs. Last Wednesday, Julie and I walked around Redwood Valley. We walked from her house, on School Way, up West Road, and down East Road (which I live on) and back to her house... THATS 8.3 MILES! And its not all flat land either!! We were soooooo sore from that walk. But we are planning our next adventure before we get bombarded with rain!

Here is the last picure of Diem and I before she went to Arizona. Of course we had to take a silly one as she and I are silly girls. Grandma Linda found us matching shirts. It was like heck to get Diem to put that shirt on.

I need to get back in gear on this posting nonsense. I need to reevaluate my goals. Oh well... Until next week.

Another 5th avenue floral!

I made this halloween card using Witchy Woman from Ward Digi's where I am a DT member.  I made one other card with this same image but I dont have a picture of it--- but there is one on the site. This card was made for the release of this image.

THINspiration Thursday!

It is that time of the week where Lena and I let you into our weightloss worlds. :)

CONGRATULATIONS! to LENA! She has lost 10 pounds since she has started her journey only a few short weeks ago! I think its from all those laughs we have had. :) I brought her some treats to work over the past few days. I made her a "plant", which I will eventually post on here, and today I brought her a tall pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks. She has never had one. It was just a little treat. :) Congratulations Bestest, pretty soon the pounds are going to just melt off... I promise no more fatty coffee for a while ;)

I on the other hand--- Had soccer this past sunday. We won, 5-1, well it should have been more than that because we played our sloppiest game to date. We are 3-1 for the season, and we have a game this next sunday. Hopefully we win!! :) :) But I got the Sh----- stuffing kicked out of me this game. I got knocked around a few times which was not my idea of a good time. My whole body has been super sore since. I think I crunched my back.

I have been eating LESS processed foods, and buying TONS and TONS of fresh vegetables. I love it because Broccoli is on sale right now. I think I just bought literally 5 pounds of broccoli in the past two days. I LOVE IT and its only 97 cents a pound right now at Raleys :) My friend Enrique works there so he always comments about how much broccoli I buy. He always jokes about it because broccoli makes you gassy! True story!

I am having some really bad knee pains and I have been walking a lot, and running on crummy fields for soccer. That does some nasty wear and tear on my already messed up knee.

I have been looking for A) healthy receipes B) things that Diem will eat. As everyone knows she is the pickiest eater! I mean she is THE WORST! I love this blog Ma Whats 4 Dinner. Alex is a hoot, and I have found some really cute ideas on her blog. Diem still wont eat it, but theres cute ideas!

On that note!!!

Have a wonderful weekend. Now, I need to get my rear in gear to get my cards on here!

I love this image! Yes, and I love the color orange apparently!  Here is cocktail emily again from sparkle creations. I LOVE HER. She is colored with SU markers, bic mark its and prismacolors!

Features!

Shiela from homefurnituredepot.net. is featuring my blog on hers! Lazy Boy Recliners

Here is part of my email! Enjoy!

We stumbled on your blog page and found it interesting! We operate the largest Home Furniture & Office Furniture website featuring more than 30,000+ blogs. Our site averages 200,000+ unique visitors per month. As a kind note We have featured your blog at http://homefurnituredepot.net/blog_awards/index.php?id=31740
Looking forward for your confirmation.
 Thanks
 Shiela

Cocktail Emily

I made this GREEN card for my friend Jenna.  Her name is Cocktail Emily from Sparkle Creations. I love her. I used SU kiwi kiss, and colored her with Bic mark its, and prismacolors. Add some silver puffy paint to her lime, glass rim, and her head band.

Happy Thinspiration Thursday.

Happy THINspirsation Thursday! Its overcast and not warm at all here in my neck of the woods. Totally didnt want to get up and get ready but I did. This picture is of Julie, Diem and I at our High School homecoming. We havent been since we graduated in 2003 and it was nice to see some former teachers, and well some of my former daycampers that are now in high school. One of my former campers babysits D for me :)  Anyway!!! So I must be losing some weight or clothes are getting bigger. I bought myself a new Carhartt denim jacket yesterday. It fits me nicely. Cant button it all the way... the chest gets in the way of that... But I love this jacket! :) :) I am currently wearing it now!  So!!! Yeah, I had a weekend off of soccer so my PA hasnt been that amazing. I have been trying to get out more, but thats not working... As I say every week is I need to eat better... And consistently! Diem has school pictures next THURSDAY!!!! I think that is the 14th. Yep One week from today the little girl has her school pictures. We will see how that goes! Good news... Lena comes over tonight... Bad news... I have two coffees this week! RARE!! but the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back at starbucks. I couldnt resist!

Instyle Stamps September Sketch Challenge.

So my bestie Lena, convinced me that I am creative enough to start submitting my cards to challenges. She told me to do the same one she was doing as at the time there were only 4 people doing it. Finally I got the courage to participate. Here is the sketch for SEPTEMBER and today, October 5th was the last day to do the challenge. So Here is their sketch (ABOVE).  And here is my final product below. You can participate until 11:59 PM tonight!!!!   Instyle Stamps Here is their link :) GOOD LUCK

Happy Thinspiration FRIDAY!

Sorry I didnt post yesterday. Rather busy. Take Diem to her dermatology appointment, take her to school, run home to meet up with someone. Leave the house by 11:40, get to Diem's school by noon.  The next place I need to go to is closed from 12-1, We had a date set up to meet up with a friend, we were there for like two hours, go home afterwards. so I go back home, just to come back into town, run by the place I needed to go to, then to Diem's Parent Meeting... Were I am stupid yet grateful--- I volunteered to be a representative and board member for Diem's school. I also volunteered myself to be on book patrol where I help pick out books for the kids to choose from and take home. THEN! Run by Chase after my meeting, to see the ATM is closed, so.... I then have to run to US Bank, which is inside safeway... I needed to go there anyway.. Make a deposit, got a few groceries for dinner night with Julie, and off we went to Julies. I think we were finally home by 10?  UGHHHHHHHHH! So tired. After all of that you would think I wouldnt want to go anywhere for a while right? NO! I am going to town later to pick up some secret supplies for World Card Making Day! Then tonight, Julie and I are going to take Diem to the Highschool football game. Its homecoming, and we havent been to a game, let alone HOMECOMING since we graduated in 2003. Makes me want to go to my college Homecoming at Iowa Wesleyan. ANYWAY.

Here is a picture of Diem, baby Dylan (Chopper), and me. Yes in my defense the angle sucks, but I love the moment I had with Dylan and Diem. For a split second there.... I wanted another baby.. hahah moment passed. :) Look at my chin/neck region... Those cheeks! Fatty arm. Oh well it wasnt a fashion show that day. Just makes you think on what you look like.

My PA for the week, I played soccer last sunday. We won! We are 2-1 right now. We have a bye game this weekend. A lot of us got beat up pretty bad last weekend so its nice that we get a break. My soda intake has cut down... but so has my eating. My rear needs to get back in gear. I am considering of only... ONLY eating FRESH fruits and veggies for a few days. I love them, but lets just see if I actually do it... because that means I have to give up my sunflower seeds!!!! yikes!!!

Okay, so I have a new goal. I know what I weigh, but I am on a mission to find pants that I wore PRE DIEM! My mission is to fit into those jeans. Maybe I still have a few pairs! haha I doubt it. But its worth a shot to find them.

I promise to get better at posting! I got to get my rear in gear!

Thinspiration Thursdays.... oh holy hell

Happy Thursday!

Well This is a picture that I have mixed feelings about. I love it that its with my little gremlin... Well Princess Gremlin. But you can still see my pregnancy chin. Oh well... something to work on.

This week has been a rough one. Diem and I have both been sick with colds. I had a soccer game (90 minutes of PA --physical activity) in the rain! Monday Diem had school for a whole whopping 30 minutes because the power went out at school. Wednesday she has a little rash on her face, they make her go to the doctor, and she goes in to get her eye looked at... walks out with a shot. She got her flu shot, she goes in 4 weeks to get her second one.  The past couple days I have just been running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I dont know what my deal is. But when I run around like this... I dont eat!!! Wasnt that my mission last week to eat more regularly?! Okay, so I need to do that. And I need!!! To cut down my sodium intake. I have two weaknesses that both have a lot of sodium in them. Soup, and sunflower seeds. I am eating one of those culprits right now!!! GASP! Sodium makes you retain water. Retaining water, makes you "fluffy".

I have cut down my Soda intake, and I started drinking Green Tea. Green Tea is great for you this time of year. It helps with your immunities, to help you from getting sick, and to help beat your illness. :) I am trying to find other beverages that dont have a lot of sodium in them or a lot of sugar. Juice has a lot of sugars in them that in my case I shouldnt be having due to the Dentists orders! :)

Have a wonderful weekend, and get some PA in before the weather gets too cold on all of us!

I have missed you Fifth Avenue Floral

Since I moved back from Arizona, I was neglecting a few of my sets. When this set came back to me from Arizona... I realized how much I missed it. This set is part of Fifth Avenue Floral from Stampin Up. Its a total must have, and if you want it, you should order it from my Demo Lena. **She rocks my socks.. :) Theres your plug Len-er!** Colored with Bic Mark its, ribbon from my stash, paper from my stash. I have been hoarding the pink sparkly paper. I need to get more! LOVE IT!!

Think I used enough Purple?

Here is another Michelle Perkett Freebie. I love this little image. I think she is absolutely adorable. I cant believe I used this much purple on one card, and not an ounce of BOMBSHELL STAMPS, or ORANGE!! maybe there is something wrong with me? Who knows. I colored her with Bic Mark its, and Prismacolor... accented with Sakura copper glitter pen, and I believe I used Poppy Parade SU marker for the apple. Shhhhh I made this for my little sis. I hope she likes it :) :) She should be getting it any day now.

Life's a Beach

This little girl image is adoreable! She is a freebie from Michelle Perkett Stamps... which by the way might be my new favorite digis and stamps!!! I colored this little cutie with Prismacolor (light peach) and bic mark its. OH! The sand is SAND from prismacolor ;) Water paper I have been hoarding from when I was making a scrapbook from Diem's dad. The flower punch is MS! This little cutie reminds me of Diem when she went to Newport Beach for the first time... But she wasnt walking or sanding yet. :) On that note... I MISS YOU SUMMER, PLEASE COME BACK... happy autumn :)

For Princess Havily

I made this adoreable card for my Navy friend to give to his daughter, Havily. She is almost two and I have been making cards for him to send to his daughter. I got this image from Lena Lou (the image is from the greeting farm) and I colored it with Bic Mark its. I used my Sakura glitter pens to highlight the dandelions and the mane and tail on the unicorn. I used Orchid Opulence on the border with some scrap paper I had from a previous card. My mom had used an embossing folder over at my Aunt Marie's and left them behind, so I hijacked it. ;) The punch is MS :) I hope they like this card :) I might have to make more for OWH!

Sports Series #3

Okay I am personally a Red Sox fan :) I made this card for my friend who is the Yankees fan. He is totally going to hate this card, but I think its hilarious. Yes its a "happy couple" but he and I arent a couple. lol. This card is supposed to be "us" but you get the idea. You cant see the glitter around the logo... but its supposed to help make that a "girls" shirt. I love how I have her in all RED SOX colors :)

Sports Series #2

Here is the ORIGINAL sports card I made. I made it for friend who is deployed overseas right now, and he LOVES the Yankees. This card, inspired the GIANTS cards. I hope he likes it. This card was hard at first because I really had no idea what I was doing... I had an idea, going for it, but I had no plan of attack. Thank goodness I knew what I was doing for the following card. :) Stay tuned for more "Sports Themed" cards. The dress/shirt was paper pieced, and it was this bold blue paper, and I needed more of a navy color, so I took SU Concord Crush over it and it turne out to be the perfect Navy!

Sports Series #1

First of all! I love the way this card came out, even though I dont like the Giants. Only thing I like about the Giants is #38, Brian Wilson. Dont worry, no relation ;) 

 I have been making a lot of "sports team" themed cards. I should call it the "Sports Series". New segement here on my blog. I created this card within a challenge between Lena and I. The challenge was to use ORANGE on it. I am still obsessed with my bombshells, and Lena commented on another card of mine that I made and suggested I make a Giants card... Probably because that is her favorite team? :) :) Her shirt was paper pieced. I came up with this idea to kind of make it like it is her "boyfriend/husbands t-shirt". Her shirt was a little shorter than what I had planned! Oh well. Shes still a cutie!

On that note. If you like this card, or any other cards that I have created and want to CASE them, please give me credit! I worked hard on this idea, and I feel that if you like someone's work, or idea you should compliment them by giving them some sort of credit. I feel its only proper, and respectful of other artists!

THINspiration Thursdays

Here I go again with the THINspiration. I need to get my rear back into gear on things. Here is a relatively recent picture. Ugh I totally hate it! Its also a picture of D from the first day of school.

I am really in need of working on my activity level again. Yes, I am playing women's league soccer again. I have yet to decide how I want to go about this THINspiration this time. I dread even looking at a scale, I dont care about that number as much as I do the "Fantasy" look. My goal, lose about 50 pounds, be more active, and eat NORMAL. I tend to skip meals. I dont eat breakfast, lunch  and I very rarely "snack" during the day. I need to cut out my complex carbs, and sugars. I went to school for Exercise Science and Physical Education, so I should be able to find a few things to motivate me through out that field.

I dont exactly believe in Weight Watchers, but I like the "idea". I am considering going along some of their guidelines and we will see what happens.

I can tell you today. I did some walking! Diem had her first field trip today. :) We practiced being good pedestrians. I wish I had my pedometer, so I would know how far we went. Maybe I should walk for time? Distance? Who knows!

I am missing soccer :( and my little gremlin

Diem has been at her dads this weekend in Mesa. I am sure she is having a great time! She normally does :) Soccer season is coming up for Women's league. I am torn. I really want to play, but I can't as I am here in Arizona. Heck, maybe I can. Nah, I cant! Ugh. Oh well. Here is a picture of Diem. This reminds me of soccer.... "Ref, 10 yards please?!" Yeah, for those who dont know soccer terms. On a free kick, indirect, you get 10 yards from a defender. So they dont just stand right in front of you when youre trying to kick a ball.  Good news... DIEM COMES HOME TODAY!!! :)

We had a wonderful time! Wish all of you were able to join us!!!

This is from its a small world.

Trip number two

Okay so trip number two to Disney. Diem didnt go with me this time, It was myself, Amber, Angelica, Brian, Angela and John. It is a different experience with out my little D. I got to see world of color again!!! Ate whatever I wanted, got to go on any ride that I wanted... You know... I was a free mama!.

Trip Number ONE to Disney :)

       Hello Hello! Well here are some of the pictures from the FIRST trip to Disneyland. Dont worry, there is a bunch of pictures, and now I have to take the time to narrow down my favorites!!!! But this first one is probably my favorite of me and the girls. :) Look how tan I am :) Normally I am more pale than little Diem :)

       We were there for 2 days, and we had a ton of fun!! Did lots of fun things, and saw tons of cool stuff. I was the first one in the family to witness the water show WORLD OF COLOR :) It was fantastic! I loved it. Too bad they will only be running it through the summer. But I did try to take a ton of pictures of this wonderful show!!! It was amazing!!! It was so cool how Disney did this remarkable show. Due to the ticket mishap, I was the only one able to go see it. Because we only had one ticket scanned!  I am so thankful to have seen this!

Okay so the cutest thing ever, and the first thing, well first character we met was the Fairy Godmother from Cinderella. Okay, Diem was so sweet, she spotted all the characters, opened up the stroller and would run right over and give them hugs. It was so sweet to see her light up with each different character. Goofy was the most memorable moment of the trip I think. ;)

Here is Miss Chatty Cathy, "talking on the phone"... Goofy at this point is waiting for little D to come over and meet him.

ANYWAY!!! Here are more pictures from the trip!

A bunch of Yoga Anya's for OWH

I love this Yoga Anya from The greeting farm. I love the embellishments I used, I attached the weird looking things with brads. I love how it turned out!!!

Fyi, I made these cards for Operation Write Home :) :)

Christmas in July

I made this card using Totally Tess from SU for my "CHRISTMAS IN JULY" friend Hannah. She is the sweetest girl around! I made her a note book and a card, and sent her treats too :) The funny thing is, I have never seen Hannah before. But... Toteally Tess looks just like her... What do you think?

Okay, I am seriously slacking

Okay, so I will need to post some new stuff on here ASAP because I havent been on here in ALMOST A FLIPPING MONTH! What have I been up to? Pretty much two trips to disneyland, getting a weird eye issue on the fourth of July. Diem has been extra creative lately... which is where I need some help...

WHO KNOWS HOW TO GET CRAYOLA (SUPPOSEDLY) WASHABLE MARKER OFF BRICK?! ugh. yeah, she took the marker to the front ledge of the fireplace the other day, and got a majority of it off... (THANK YOU SU STAMPIN SPRAY!!!) But it didnt get everything off. Ugh. Diem is now banned from markers... and crayons, as she colored the front of her little tv with orange crayon. I will post again soon with some new pictures from EVERYTHING this month soon!! :)