Altered Gifts

Happy Birthday Aunt Deb!

Two cupcakes, one for each baby : ) Not so sure you can see the "angel" on the left one but that's what Thea said she made!!! We were supposed to go their house today for her birthday and drop off gifts but it snowed....again. Yuck! So sick of it already. Anyway, we made fun crafty projects ate lots and stayed warm. We want you to see the gifts here as a sneak peek so here they are:


I bet you'd never guess in a million years what this gorgeous gift bag started out as.
Give up?
Shake n bake box!
Yup!!!! I covered that sucker up and beautified it for ya : ) How ya like me now?!

This was an ordinary shirt box I had bu what's inside is from Thea! Ooooh weee the paper on here just perks it up doesn't it? Plain Jane, I think not!

Top view to see the glittery glammy paper

This box below holds the best gift of all but I cannot tell you/show you yet! You'll just have to wait until we deliver it to you! ha ha : ) Is the suspense killin' ya?!

Check out those grapes!!! I love the color and dimension on them. The braiding cord on there came out awesome too. Put a little glue on your finger and wet the cord with glue then wrap it around a pencil or a small diameter rod to "curl" or "coil" it up just like a real died up grapevine! I embossed the leaves to add texture and dimension. I loooove these so much! Hope you
do too: )

Here's a little somethin' extra! I coordinated the bag with the box. I love these grapes I want them all over my house!!!! I put a little Tattered angels mist on the bag to make it a little more rustic feeling. The trellis at the top was my Martha Stewart punch.
close up---oooh I love them!

Here's the set together- so pretty.....for my dearest friend.

Happy Birthday, Mom and Deb

These cards are a bit old but I wanted to post them in honor of my mom's birthday tomorrow. I never dreamed I'd have the cards here in my hands again but after my mom lost her battle to cancer in November of 2009, I have them. They were for Mother's Day (2 years ago). The sentiment on it reads true for everyday. She was my .......everything. My best friend in the whole world.
Everything I am today, I owe to my mother. May she rest in peace now and forever.
I miss her so much it hurts so deeply, still. People say, time heals all wounds.


Honestly, I don't know one person that likes to have their picture taken, me included. I found a few pics in my iphoto library of my mom and sister in law, Debbie. They share the same birthday (30 yrs difference!). For years our family celebrated them together. Now, everything has changed. It's sad for us because I want to be happy for her and with her but I'm so down about my mom I can't seem to celebrate. Deb, is my living bff and it hurts to know I can't smile big enough (fake) for her. She knows me well enough to know I am crying inside and just can't seem to be chipper just yet. It all goes back to the time thing, I guess.

Below are a few ooooold pics of us! I'd give anything to have another moment to say cheese and say, "Who cares what I look like!" : ) smile proud!

Me (Jenn) and my Mom (Carolinda)(2008)

Me and Deb (2008)

Deb and my mom (2008)

Deb and my mom were very close.She loved my mom sincerely. Together the 3 of us had a ball. We would laugh, cook, bake, cry, and take care of each other like close mothers and sisters do. Deb and I still call each other up and cry if we are having a "mom" day or one of our children asks about Gram, again. If it wasn't for Deb (and my husband) I don't know where I'd be today. She's my closet friend and I love her dearly. There must be a reason that they shared the same birthday, right? To be sad and not have cake on your own birthday? That doesn't sound like much of a birthday. We are wondering what mom would say. Go out to eat at a nice restaurant and have dessert first! : )

This was one of my mom's favorite trees, "White Dogwood". My children had their baby swings in them when we moved in and eventually old enough to climb (to the top) by themselves and give Gram a heart attack! "Be careful, you're gonna fall," she'd yell to them! The tree was so tiny when we moved in now it's just huge and that much more beautiful. My favorite thing to do is each season, take a picture of it and watch it change. Nature is amazing.

One of the things we looked forward to was spring blooms that peeked through the soil and the time to plant flowers with Grammy. She bought this for me to hang outside and look it even has a butterfly on it. She's with me all the time. : ) Have a great Sunday.

Chocolate craving

My kids are both home sick today and I feel awful too. I know it's not an old fashioned remedy for the illness of colds and fevers but it sure helps to have a little cupcake every now and then! Especially chocolate ones with sprinkles ; )

Yumm!


Hope you are staying healthy wherever you are.

Perfect Pair!

Happy Wednesday to you ; )

I had a sheet of pear stickers and decided to make several various cards with them.
The first one I embossed the tag "the perfect pair" in chocolate powder. Kept the colors neutral.


The next card I texturized a bit. A little tearing, inking and a new embossing folder (Square Lattice) from SU. Still pretty neutral.



I had to go bright with this one!!!! I couldn't take it anymore! I cut up bright pink panels and floral panels and stitched them on to my 6x6 card base with white thread so it would pop out!

I added a few gems and a bee, even a felt butterfly! That felt good!

Nice and bright!

So, which one is your favorite?

Color Challenge "Western Party" today at the Outlawz

Good morning,

Grab yer' self a cup of joe and get crackin' on those projects, cowgirlz!

Join us in the fun over at the Outlawz today. We are having a Color Challenge Party
"Western Style"
The main page lists ALL the prizes the other link brings you directly to the color challenge so you can see the rules. It's simple! Give it a try!

Here is what I made.
See ya over there! Don't forget to say you came from my blog if you sign up!!!!!
Thanks :)

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

xoxoxoxox Here's my Cupid! xoxoxoxo

Engagement picture

My sweetheart of almost 12 years!

Our wedding Day back in 1999. Awww.... I love him even more today :)
The song playing is from our wedding day..."I could Not Ask For More" by Edwin McCain.
This is still soo very true for me.
He is my rock.

Hope you have someone to share a little hug with today, even if it's your fur baby :)

Have a sweet day :)
I'm trying to make my V-day cards and post before the day and sun are gone : )

CAS Party Started at the Outlawz

It's FINALLY here! The country western music on my blog make sense now?

We are having a par-tay at The Outlawz and I prepared / confused you with those songs didn't I?! he he !!!!
There are loads of prizes to be given away and lots to be inspired by.....go check it out! The par-tay has begun ladies!!!!!!! Giddy-UP!

Grand Prizes includes a chance to win a FRED table (valued at $45-) by our own
Aptus Designs!!!! Oozak: $50 Gift Certificate (Winner pays shipping) is another big Grand Prize up for grabs!!!!

I can't say anymore you'll have to take a gander for yourself!!!!!

SO many things to see...I am not kidding! So many generous sponsors came forward to make our Western Party, reaching 300+ members a huge success, you will not want to miss out on this.

Tons of FREE amazing stuff just for creating cards and layouts like you usually do and not to mention your passionate about it : )

What are ya waiting for? Gallop on over.....The Outlawz look at the front page at all the prizes and different categories you can enter! WoW!!!!!

My challenge goes up on Tuesday (Color Challenge) so I hope to see you then as well as additional days participating for your chance to win big :)

Color Challenge February 8

Good morning!

It's February 8th and we are in week 2 in the Color Challenge over at The Outlawz, so check out what's going on...

"February Frolic" is what you are looking for this month. It's an opportunity for us to keep you guessing!

Let's get started, shall we?

February 8

"February Frolic"-include ribbon or lace within your project

Poppy,Turquoise and White

You can make a card, a scrapbook page or even an altered item but it must be done in the colors specified for each week. You may use other colors but the majority of your project must be the specified colors.

Have fun with this perky color combo and don't forget to upload to the gallery so we can all see your awesomeness!


Here is how the photo inspired me :)
I made a mini tabbed acrylic album. The paper sold itself to me !
The company is Echo Park paper co.
The pack is "Wintertime Kit Collection". It has oodles of goodness in it:
12-12 x12 double sided papers,12x12 alphabet sticker sheet, 12x12 sticker element sheet. Look how the album stacked up .....sooo cool on a side view!

Front View:




A couple of inside views. (Click on image to enlarge to show details)



Back of album

This is such a great line for Christmas,Winter, Birthday and beyond! Brights can be used all year.
If you haven't seen Echo Park go online or to your LSS and do your self a favor and get some of it! I can't wait to see what Spring stuff they have :)

Thanks for stopping by : )

Giggy Up Pardners..... it's Time for a Show Down!!!

Saddle up them horses ..... and "git" ready to draw!!!!!!!

You are invited to The Outlawz Show Down!! We want to show you our appreciation for joining and participating in The Outlawz challenges!!

Starting on February 13 - February 25th. Our many sponsors have provided us with awesome prizes to be won, and you don't want to miss it!! Don't forget the party starts on Sunday February 13, and you will have 21 ways to win!! Check out all the sponsors and goodies you can claim as yours, that is , if you're the "fastest draw in the west" !!!!

Mark your calendars now so you can play along!
Schedule for Challenge Groups is as follows:

• CAS : February 13 at 12:01 AM (or early morning) EST – February 19, Midnight
• Birthday Card: February 14 AM, 12:01 EST – February 20, Midnight
• Color: February 15, 12:01 AM – February 21, Midnight (2400 hr)
• Sketch: February 16, 12:01 AM – February 22 Midnight
• POM: February 17, 12:01 AM – February 23 Midnight
• Copic: February 18, 12:01 AM – February 24 Midnight
• Scrapbooking: February 19, 12:01AM – February 25, Midnight

Log on to THE OUTLAWZ for more details about every individual challenge. Some rules apply.

When you come to the Color Challenge (my group) don't forget to yodel to me,

"Hey, Howdy,Hey!!! : )

Bye now, see ya'll at the show down!

Color Challenge February 1 at the Outlawz

Good morning, and happy wet,soggy,snowy,sleety Tuesday!

A new challenge is up at the Outlawz......come take a look and enter your sample.

I chose this week's inspiration photo because it reminds me of spring and I so desperately want warm weather! We'll get there, eventually!

Look for our quirky names each month to see what add on's or techniques we come up with next! : )

"February Frolic" is our first! It's an opportunity for us to kick it up a notch!

February 1

"February Frolic"-include polka dots within the project

Celadon, Lavender and White

You can make a card, a scrapbook page or even an altered item but it must be done in the colors specified for each week. You may use other colors but the majority of your project must be the specified colors.

Here is what I made:

Hope you stay warm and off the roads today if possible.