LOADS of new work & a FREE RAK!!!

I designed the sketch for this first layout while at work one night. Hodges is a gal I met while at the Police Academy. We had several nicknames for each other and these were a few of hers. We kept in touch for a while but she has now moved and changed her number so I hope to hear from her again one day. She's a blast to be around. On AKA, I used a laser cut paper as a border and made the flower myself with felt and punch papers. I used the same sketch to create A VERY MERRY Christmas.I used non-traditional Christmas colors as well as loads of pinks on a boy's Christmas page. I kept both pages fairly simple and went with a black and white pic of my son with Santa since the colors of the picture would not have gone well with the girlie colors of the background paper that I used.
I sketched "giving THANKS" at work as well. This is a picture of my sister and her ex-sister-in-law on Thanksgiving of last year. Angel & Becky have remained close even after my sister divorced her brother. I loved the rub-on flowers and had them in mind when making this sketch. The deco-edged border is a sticker that is about 100 years old. I just love using old stash. It keeps me from feeling too bad about being a hoarder...lol.

I submitted this last layout, star students, to Your Memories By Design November Guest Design Team contest. It was a real simple layout and I'm not sure why I even bothered submitting it when lots of the entries were very detailed and gorgeous but I did sooo... Of course, I didn't win but that's ok too. I love challenges and I love that site and that's what it's all about anyway :) I went with non-traditional colors again on a school theme layout and used a gorgeous lace ribbon that I bought at a recent yard sale for 25 cents. I cut a long strip in half and used it as borders against the patterned papers as well. It really softened the page and worked well with the skeleton leaves. Once again, I went with a black and white picture since the colors of the picture would not have worked with the soft colors I chose for the layout.


This mini-album was made during a Think Pink crop last weekend at Memorable Seasons. Design Team member Dettao offered a terrific accordian mini-album tutorial that was so easy to follow. I love how this turned out~! I used kraft paper as my base and used My Minds Eye papers since they were the sponsors of the crop but I also used a Basic Grey journal box for the cover and various rub-ons throughout the album. The crop raised over $125 for the Susan P.K. foundation which was awesome!!! Thanks to MS for hosting such a terrific crop for a terrific cause!!!


Here are some of the front and back pages. I will add the journaling and maybe some final touches later. These pictures were taken at our home in Mexico back in 2002.

I am trying to catch up on all my older Mexico pictures and I am thinking that mini-albums are the best way to go. This is my second Mexico mini-album I've made recently.

These pictures are of my sweet Mother-In-Law. I've blogged about her before. We are coming up on the one year anniversary of her death so you can imagine how difficult that will be for us. In this one picture, the baby she is holding is our son who is currently 9 years old. Seems like just yesterday I was taking that picture. I will probably journal about my feelings of the anniversary in this album. I also submitted this to Design Team Member Natalie's Destination: CREATION Challenge at the Fall Into Scraptember Online Crop at Scrappin Coast 2 Coast.

Now on to the cards.

I don't make cards very often but when I do, I pump um out like crazy. These are a few fall cards I made for 30 Cards In 30 Days Contest at YMBD as well as several challenges and crops on forums and blogs.

The thing I love about making cards is that I use up quite a bit of my older stash as well as paper scraps. I usually give many of them away and I sell some of them for a mere $2 each but that doesn't matter.
This coming Saturday is National Card Making Day and I hate that I have to work because I will be missing all the fun and crops going on at the forums and blogs. You ladies (and gents) have fun without me ;)



This "HI" card was inspired by a card I saw in a CMH catalog. I had the same line of paper and loved the design. I used acrylic letters for my HI sentiment rather than what the original designer used and loved how it turned out.






These wintery cards were pretty simple to make and I think they feel so cool and fresh.

I have already given away this baby boy card along with an outfit as a gift to one of my husband's co-workers whose wife just gave birth. I used magic mesh behind the glittery chipboard stars and I thought the touch of ribbon on the large center star really helped set it apart from the others.

Since I've shared SOOO much on this post and have so many extra cards from my weekend of scrapping, why not share a little with you guys???

Please post your comment on your favorite layout or card and why it is your favorite and I will put your name in a drawing for a set of 4 handmade cards with envelopes. Post about my drawing on your blog and leave another comment with a link for an additional chance in the drawing.

Have a wonderful weekend (and think of me working hard while you're scrapping away)...lol.