Monday Monday, it was all I hoped it would be...

Nah, I wasn't hoping it would be anything other than the start of a new week but I wanted a catchy title for today LOL. Just a quick post today with a layout I created for a Sweet Shoppe Designs challenge called "Yourself in Photos".

The challenge rules were a MINIMUM of FIVE photos and describe yourself, your personality, your life..something about you with those photos. Here's what I came up with using Penny Springmann's new release Family Tree




Credits here

On a side note, I've been picked to Guest CT for Dawn Inskip in February and can't wait. Dawn's designs are so PERFECT for hybrid projects!! Can't wait!!!

Update on my gym membership - we went to the gym Saturday evening after our membership went live, got up early Sunday morning and went, and I got up this morning and went myself. I'll go again later with hubby. Maybe give the eliptical machines a try!!!

That's it for today. Catch you on the flip side!!!

today is THE day!!!

Today, hubby and I joined a newly opened health club very close to our house. it literally is a 2 minute walk from my house to the gym. It's a gym that is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. The gym is in a shopping center and is a closed gym. We received our key cards with our membership today. Ken and I are most interested in using the treadmills. Since it was their grand opening, there were no enrollment fees. And I love the fact that there is no contract. It's a month to month auto-pay as you go membership.



It'll be cool to see how this works out because he and I have completely opposite schedules when we're home from work. He's up so early in the morning (like 4am) and is ready for bed at 8pm... can ya blame him??? Me? I'm a genuine night owl. I like to stay up until 1 or 2am. I wouldn't even bat an eye at heading over to the gym at 11pm LOL. I like to stay up late but I still get up at 6:30am to get the kids and myself out to door by 8am.

I know I need to get more sleep. So that I need to work on. Well, time to sign off. Wish me luck as I venture forward - maybe this time will be the time that I get on track and stay on track! Besides, it'll be a great stress reliever for everything that is going on at work as we get ready for our yearly licensing.

Now I got to find something to wear to the gym and find a water bottle!!!!

It's almost Friday!! Yay!!

Work is so stressful right now as we begin preparing for our yearly licensing. The only thing that helps me keep my sanity is creating. Creating cards and other projects. It's just a great stress reliever! I've created a few projects that haven't made it to my blog so I figured I better get them posted!


Credits: Chriscrap's Princess Story


Credits: Melissa Bennett's Oh Baby brushes and Fee Jardine's Doodle Me Silly doodles
I created my card, printed the card out and used colored pencils to color the giraffe and border. I printed a matching border on clear sticker paper to make the coordinating envelope


Credits: 2 Pager #18 365 day project inspired templates by Penny Springmann and other Penny Springmann designs.


Credits: Webby Buddies by Eva Kipler, Penny Springmann, and Libby Weifenbach

And for the Sweet Shoppe's FOBTY on 1-8-09 - The Snow Test. Here are my results:

Your Snow Test Says You're Independent

You feel like something good will happen to you in the next few days. You have an amazingly strong work ethic. You are likely to be very successful in life. You are an independent, individualistic person. You thrive when you're doing your own thing. Your biggest worry in your life is your financial security. You think about money a lot. When it comes time to relax, you have difficulty relaxing. You are a bit high strung.

The Snow Test

Happy 2009!

Wow...can you believe it's 2009 already? The years keep whizzing by quicker and quicker so you know what that means don't you? Come close and I'll whisper it to you..... closer...... closer..... it means I'm getting old! LOL

Quick post today as I get back into blogging. SSD blog challenge for today is to blog about any goals or resolutions that we may have. A few years ago, I gave up making resolutions because I could never stick to them after the 2nd of January anyway! LOL

But this year, I'm taking a different approach. This year I just want to do things that I love most for a better ME!!! that can mean something simple like reading more books (because reading and crafting run neck in neck for my favorite thing to do!), travelling (which I also LOVE!), to finally losing a few pounds because I want to, not because I need to (although I need to!!! LOL)

How will it all turn out? Guess you'll have to stay tuned to my blog to see my progress!

All right, that's it for this cold PA day! have a good one!

Hybrid Cocoa Pockets

Hi there! It's been a long time since my last post. I've been busy getting ready for the holidays (both Thanksgiving and Christmas). I can't believe christmas is in 12 days!!! I haven't even begun shopping for the kids. Hubby and I are going later this evening and will pretty much finish them in one night. But enough about that, I'm sure you're here to see what I've cooked up...





I came across these little cocoa holders while blog hopping. The idea and inspiration came from Barbara Schram's stamping blog here. Her cocoa packets are AMAZING!!! She was so very kind to post links to the instructions for the paper cup(which I will refer to as the pocket LOL). I think she must have used 12 x 12 sized papers - some were done with double sided papers too because her pockets were bigger than mine turned out.

So, I set about making a digital version and here's how I did mine.

In Photoshop, I opened 2 papers from Penny's Cocoa Mallow Stick kit - the brilliant blue called out to me so I chose it and then did color replacement to change the snowflake paper from neon green to a light blue color. I resized my papers to 8 x 8 and layered them on top of each other on a blank 8.5 x 11" 300dpi canvas.

Now here's where it was a bit tricky. I needed to print one of my 8x8 papers on each side of my white printer paper so that I ended up with a double sided square. I made one of my papers invisible for the first printing. Print on your printers best setting. Allow the ink to dry for a few minutes before you turn that page over and put it back in your paper tray to print on the other blank side. Make sure you feed the same end of the paper into the printer.

**As always, I recommend doing a test print using grayscale (to save ink) to make sure your squares line up back to back when printing. For some reason I had to move one paper just a smidge to one side in order for them to line up perfectly**

In your program, hide the paper layer you just printed and make the other paper layer visible. Print. If you hold your paper up to light, you will be able to see if your squares lined up. Allow ink to dry before handling and folding, otherwise you'll get fingerprints elsewhere on your pocket. *trust me on this!!! LOL)

Cut your square double sided paper. Follow the instrucions for making a paper pocket. (When I folded my points to the opposite side, I touched the point to the edge of the opposite side and then eyeballed the other side to make sure it was going to look right). Once I was happy with how it looked, I made my folds and creased them with my fingers tips.

I (like Barbara) folded my flaps to the outside of my pocket instead of tucking them
in. I used a glue dot under the edge of the diagonal fold and also under the point of the folded down pieces to hold my pocket together. Boo hoo - I was out of my Xyron tape runner!

Embellish as you desire. I used glue dots to adhere my embellishments. Add a packet of cocoa (or baggie of homemade cocoa), some mini marshmallows, and of course a spoon! If my pockets were bigger, I would have tossed some mini chocolate chips and/or some colorful sprinkles in baggies in there too! Jewelry bags would have made for a better presentation.

And here's one I did for a baby shower favor - add some shower mints and you're all set!



Wouldn't these be super cute to pass out for Valentine's day??? My daughter asked me if these were Chinese cups - as she knows how to fold paper to make these. So I'm thinking these would be a fun project to get the kids involved in!

I'd love to see your version of these - so drop me a line if you make some!!!

A few new cards to add to my "box"

So, since the Sweet Shoppe started with the 52 card pick up challenge, I have been more and more interested in creating cards. I decided to start a box for all my cards and give them to my sister for Christmas. I only have about 10 cards in there so far but what an assortment! I need to work on catching up on the SSD weekly challenges. I also found a really fun "It's in the Cards" challenge at Scrapmatters.com. They provide a template and you go about creating your card. I've only done 2 so far but have a few more in the works!

Here are 2 cards that I created for the It's in the Cards challenge at Scrapmatters:


Credits: Webby Buddies by Eva Kipler, Penny Springmann and Libby Weifenbach
Font is HeatherG by Darcy Baldwin
template by Jaime (ocmath)


Credits: Orange paper by Eva Kipler
Halloween elements from Heather Roselli's Boo Crew Add-on
Green ribbon from Misty Cato's Adorable Me kit
Grass is from Misty Cato and Penny Springmann's Chillin and Grillin kit
template by Dawn (winkasheart)

And last by not least, I subscribe to a really cool stamper blog: http://www.mothermark.blogspot.com/

Each Tuesday, she is having a Teapot Challenge - she will post a photo of a teapot and we are to make a card inspired by the teapot she posts! She has the cutest teapot this week! It's a Mary E teapot! I love the black and white checkered pattern on here - this is probably what I am going to use as my inspiration! Sounds like an interesting challenge! Stop back soon to see my card inspired by this challenge.

Since it looks like she started this back in July, I may have to play catch up and check out the previously posted teapots and see what I can come up with! After all, I only have 42 days 'til Christmas!! Yikes! it will be here before I know it.....

Hybrid Baby Shower Favor and Candy Bouquet

Just to back up a bit and give you a little story as to how this came to be...At the beginning of October someone posted on our local Freecycle site looking for any leftover baby shower favors, decorations, etc. Well, I couldn't let someone "collect" various favors for a special time in a new Mom's life, so I emailed the lady and offered to do all of the baby shower favors for her. Had no idea who the ladies were and have never met them. After a few emails about the size of the shower and themes, I went to work. I also offered to create 2 candy bouquets for her to use at the shower in any way she wanted.

Here is the Baby shower favor I created for her - I also wrapped about 25 shower mints in white netting and tucked them in the shoe.



I found the idea online, followed their instructions and then went about "fixing" the first one to look more like a shoe, including the area for the "laces"

The little hanging tag was created using Melissa Bennett's Bundle of Boy kit from the Sweet Shoppe, font is Darcy Baldwin's HeatherG, and saying on the tag says: Little hands, little feet, pure and precious, and oh so sweet!

Here is one of the candy bouquets I made - both were the same.


Credits can be found HERE

I'll be posting my instructions on the Candy bouquet on my blog this week for anyone that is interested!

That's it for today! See you again soon!

FOBTY 10/24 and 10/30

These are always fun little quizes and tests to do, however, the "What your Jack-o-lantern says" about is me is so far off. I LOVE Halloween and would never miss it. Anywho, here are my results:

What Your Jack-o-Lantern Says

You tend to be a bit of a grouchy person. The scrooge of Halloween. And while you may complain about it, you would miss Halloween if it didn't come around. This Halloween you should embrace your inner grump - be a warlock or a witch. The candy you should give out: sour patch kids

The Jack-o-Lantern Quiz

And onto today's FOBTY quiz (again waaaaaaaaaay off LOL):

What Your Cute Monster Says About You

You are a simply happy person. You still view the world with a childlike innocence. You have an easy going attitude, and you value harmony. You love freely and inspire others to love. You inner demon is frailty. You are easily beaten down by life. People think you're cute because you are optimistic. Your outlook on life is charming.

The Cute Monster Test

that's it for today :)

Playing catch-up!

So, last posting I promised some new Hybrid projects I've done. It's been awhile since I've posted anything over here, so I have a few to show off.

First is my most favorite project so far! When I was digging through my stash box for the tattoo paper, I came across a few of my chick feeder bases that I had crafted with a few years ago. I added a new coat of paint and digitally created a label for the jar and PRESTO! I did this project for Hybrid Hump day over at Penny Springmann's blog. Isn't it purty??? LOL



I made the label using Penny Springmann's Boo to You 2008 kit

And I am absolutely stoked that my people feeder will be featured at The Daily Scrapper on 10-17-08!!!

Another project created for Penny's Team Hybrid project which we do monthly was this clock. The team used Shrinky Dinks for our projects - and wow...there were some great ideas! Check them out at this post over at Penny's blog.



I used Penny's Garage Grunge kit for this project - the wrench and screwdriver clock hands are my Shrinky Dinks!!! What guy wouldn't love this hanging in his garage or work area???

And lastly tonight, for the FOBTY challenge at SSD- Which Halloween candy are you:

Halloween Candy Quiz





You are a Pumpkin Jelly


Like the pumpkin jelly candy you are soft and gentle


Find out which Halloween Candy you are at Quizopolis.com

That's it for me for tonight! I have a few new projects in the works so stay tuned!! It's time to start thinking about Christmas gifts!

I've been Neglectful!

It's a beautiful fall day here in PA. It's 80 degrees out and signs of fall are everywhere! The leaves are beautiful in their shades of green, yellow, orange and red. Once again, it's been a month since I posted. Not sure why I can't get back into regular posting?!? I've created some of my most favorite layouts this past month and also a few projects that I'll post over the next week. For now, I want to catch up on some of the Sweet Shoppe's From Our Blog To Yours challenges.

FOBTY 9/25 was a typing test. I think I type fairly well. I knew as my fingers hit the keys which words I misspelled - there were 3 of them. Here are my results:

71 words

Typing Test

Wanna give it a try? Typing Test

FOBTY 10/2/08: My favorite fast food has to be McDonalds. I used to eat there at least once a week (either for lunch at work or with the family) however, times are tough and I've been trying to eat healthier. I did have a double cheeseburger late last night (after having some beer while out LOL) but other than that, it's been probably atleast 6 weeks or more since I had McDonalds. I find the more I eat there, the more I crave it. Since I don't eat there regularly anymore, I don't crave it. Strange huh?

FOBTY 10/9/08: This week's FOBTY has us taking an ice cream personality test. Here's how mine turned out:

Your Ice Cream Personality:

You are not a particularly modest person. You're proud of who you are, and you don't care who knows it. You are incredibly cautious. You rather miss out on something than make a mistake. No one would ever call you wild... but they would call you responsible. You are a somewhat open minded person, but deep down you're fairly conservative. You don't like trying new things very much. And if you do find something new you like, you stick with it. You tend to have a one track mind. You prefer not to multitask. You can be a big dramatic and over the top sometimes. You are bold in every way

The Ice Cream Personality Test

Pretty accurate - of course, I don't know what the other results show LOL.... Wanna see what ice cream says about your personality? Link above!

And finally, leaving you with a Hybrid project I did a few weeks ago for Sara Amarie


Credits can be found HERE

That's it for me today! See you soon!!

Good Monday Morning - sharing a few Hybrid projects

I just have to say that I am having the time of my life (digi-life that is!) right now. I just love playing around and creating new hybrid things. And the designers at the Sweet Shoppe make it so easy and so much fun. First thing I have to share is a tattoo that I created for Penny Springmann's blog using her Chirp kit. It was created using Invent It! Body Sticker Tattoos for ink jet printers.





And in August, I created this Hybrid bridal shower card for my niece. She and her husband to be are very outdoor-sy people. The gift card is for a major sporting goods retail store - Amanda informed me that she used the card for a much needed new life jacket for Kayaking.


Credits can be found HERE

So, after creating the bridal shower card, a light bulb came on and I began planning out a fun baby shower card that could hold a gift card and this is what I came up with:


Credits for the Baby room card can be found HERE

I actually have 2 projects that are in the "planning" stage right now. I have the kits and am working on buying the supplies I need to complete them. I'm on vacation from my full time job this week but am working extra full time this week at my other job for extra cash so I'll have some daytime project time.

That's it for today - catch ya on the flip side!!

FOBTY fun and a layout

Happy Saturday everyone! Quick posting today for the From Our blog to yours posting at the Sweet Shoppe. It's a "how well do you know your crayons" quiz and I must say that if I would have stuck with my first instinct, I would have done much better! LOL But it was fun to see some of the old names as well as some of the new ones!!!



On another note, I just finished up late last night with a layout using Penny Springmann's newest kit "Practice Makes Perfect" and it's on sale right now so RUN and pick it up!!!



Credits can be found HERE

That's it for today - I am off to go find a few things for an awesome HYBRID project I want to do.... stay tuned!!!!