Happy Birthday with Heidi Swapp

I've been trying to 'catch up' on my card making this week.  I went to the craft room one night this week while I was on a conference call for work.  I had to be on the call, but didn't really have to participate.  So while I was stuck on the phone I cut out some balloons on my Silhouette and made some birthday cards.

I used 2 sided paper from Heidi Swapp, enamel dots from Basic Grey, a banner die from taylored expressions, a Happy Birthday sentiment from Technique Tuesday and ribbon from American Crafts.

These cards will be going to Operation Write Home so that our troops can send them home to their loved ones.  Check out the website and see how you can let our troops know you care.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April
James 3:9 - 10  With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness.  Out of the same mouth come priase and cursing.  My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

Taking Off

We recently took a trip to Las Vegas.  I judge the success of a vacation on the number of pictures that I take on the trip and how many scrapbook pages come from said pictures.  On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being the lowest, this trip was a 2.  Not enough pictures to create many scrapbook pages and most of them documenting things we'd done on past trips.

The first trip to Las Vegas was automatically a 10 because it was the first experience.  The second trip to Vegas we went to see the Eagles and Barry Manilow and of course gambled so it was a 10.  The next trip to Vegas we took the girls.  We saw Barry Manilow in concert and went to the Hoover dam.  We got to stand on the Hoover dam and watch cars drive by.  Now you can't drive on the Hoover dam anymore which of course automatically makes that trip a 10.  :-)  You see a pattern here.

This trip we went to see the Eagles in concert (been there done that) and we gambled (been there and done that, too).  We did go to the Kounting Cars garage and VivaLasVegaStamps, but those were just couple hour jaunts.  So like my Mom said - so you relaxed?  Like she was surprised.  On Saturday, we never even walked outside the Casino.

So, again after being very wordy, I am getting to my point.  This trip was on the verge of being a 1 until I got the following picture from the plane as we were taking off.

If you look in the middle of this picture you will see Mandalay Bay at the far right, the new Ferris Wheel in the middle and the Stratosphere wwwwwwaaaayyyy at the end of the strip on the middle left.

The fact that I was sitting by the window was a miracle in itself.  Todd likes to sit next to the window so he can sleep.  I think that is wasting a perfectly good window seat.  I was sitting there because I made Todd feel guilty.  It's a gift.  He is 6'3" and is a big boy.  He swears the window seat provides him some extra room.  The flight wasn't full so I got the window seat the whole time.  He slept in the aisle seat and leaned over the middle seat.

Considering I took this picture with my ipad out an airplane window - I was pretty impressed with myself.

And that is how the trip went from a 1 to a 2 memorabilia wise.  Relaxation wise - it was great.  However, I do have a favor to ask.  If anyone goes to Vegas - I left something behind.  I would appreciate it if you could pick it up for me.  It's at the Mirage - my money.  lol

Have a great day and be inspired.

April
Psalm 118:19  Open to me the gates of righteousness I will go through them and I will praise the Lord.

Blog Stalking Friday - Doublestick Heaven

I discovered this blog more recently that a lot of blogs I stalk.  And I find myself pinning from it all the time!

Laura Bassen is a member on a couple design teams for products that I like.  She creates all kinds of cute cards.  She uses bright colors and fresh designs.  You can find her blog here Doublestick Heaven.

If you're looking for some cute ideas and videos - go check out her blog.  You will be glad you did.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April
Colossians 1:17 - 18  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church;  he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Viva Las Vegas!

We went to Las Vegas for President's Day weekend which happened to include Valentines Day.

We went for multiple reasons.  One to see the Eagles in concert at MGM.  Two was because my husband loves the Eagles and loves Las Vegas so if the Eagles are playing in Las Vegas - he wants to be there.

While we were there Todd wanted to go see the Kounting Cars car collection.  He has a 1968 Camaro that he has had since high school that he wants restored.  He was actually hoping to talk to someone about getting it restored, but Danny wasn't there.   As a matter of fact, when we asked about talking to someone and were told you have to send an email to get anything looked at.  I told them that we'd sent an email.  We were then told it would be one to three months before they could get back to us.  This is not unexpected as it is a popular show and they do beautiful work.  It did, however, make me question the shows where people came to the door right as they were closing to talk to Danny and he saw them.  My husband does not agree with my suspicion.  :-)

And again I am being wordy, but there is a point to my story.  Since we went to Kounting Cars and took no side trips I decided we should go check out VivaLasVegaStamps in person.

It was a little off the beaten path, but not far.  We took a taxi.  The outside is not your typical Vegas advertising.  lol

Inside is a stampers dream.  My pictures are just a small part of the extensive collection of wood mounted stamps.  It is overwhelming which is just like Vegas.  :-)

I found a Yorkie stamp that I of course had to have.  For stamping I tend to prefer the clear acrylic stamps.  But the beauty of a wood mounted stamp is that not only can you use it to decorate cards, it is a decoration in itself.  I will use the Yorkie stamp, but I bought it more for decorating than stamping.  I also found a stamp that looks like Allie, my Mother -in-laws baby (dog).  And since Betty (my Mother-in-law) watches Gracie when we go out of town, I got it for her.  She is the only one I trust to watch my little lady.  :-)

I wish we had a stamp store in Louisville that had the extensive collection that VivaLasVegaStamps has.  If you're ever in the area - go check it out.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April
Genesis 2:7  And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul.

WOYWW 247 - Moving Right Along

It is Wednesday which means that it is take a picture of your desk day and share on the Stamping Ground. If you don't know what I'm talking about head on over to Julia's Blog and check out all the links to the most awesome desks around the world.

It seems 2014 just keeps moving right along.  I thought when Archivers closed that I would have more time to work on projects on the weekends.  The weekend they closed I was in Las Vegas with my husband.  Speaking of which - I will be sharing my visit to Viva Las Vegas Stamps in another post so stay tuned.

This weekend I worked a little and we had our first Scrapmania replacement crop at our church.  The turnout was low, but I got six pages 'done' of our trip to Washington D.C..  I put done in quotes because I still need to add embellishments and titles.  So that was Saturday.

Sunday was just as busy.  I got up, changed the sheets on our bed, made mashed potatoes and chicken strips for our monthly dinner at church.  After our church dinner I went to the eye doctor to get my contact prescription and got food for the bunny.  Then I got my car washed before heading over to my BFF's to go to our monthly card club which I shared in an earlier post.  I'm exhausted just typing about it.

I said all that to say that my weekend went by without me having much time in my craft room; although, I did lots of crafting.  But next weekend - I plan on spending the WHOLE weekend in my craft room.

Wow - I am especially wordy today - I apologize.  Finally, you say, here is what my desk looks like:

I am off to do way more desk hopping than I did last week.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April
Psalm 95:6  O come let us worship and bow down.  Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

Moving the Wrong Way - Project Life Week 52

I'm really not going the wrong way.  lol  I'm just technologically challenged.  I believe I've overcome my issues loading my videos to youtube.  But for some reason I loaded weeks 2 and 3 before week 52.  Hey - it is what it is - right?

So here is my Project Life process video for week 52 of 2013:

Have a great day and be inspired.

April
Luke 6:37 - 38  Do not judge and you will not be judged;  do not condemn and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven.  Give and it will be given to you:  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap.  For the meaasure you use will be the measure you receive.

Get Well Soon

As always seems to be the case - I need cards.  I desperately need to sit down and make some cards.  It seems like I need sympathy cards and get well cards most of all.  And those kinds of cards are not the kind that you can send at a later date.   :-(

Monthly card club and Sherry to the rescue.  As I've said before - the sweetie that does our monthly card class makes the cutest projects.  This month we made 2 cards which were perfect for get well cards and a cute little box to put them in.  And when you look at my pictures below - I know you will agree.

She got the sunshine image from the Silhouette store.  I am going to buy that one now because it would be perfect for get well or just saying hello cards.  It is so happy and bright.  Just making the cards made me smile.  I hope the receipients of these cards do the same.

The card stock, banner shapes and cloud embossing folder are from Stampin Up.  The sentiment is from a Hero Arts set that has a sentiment for any occassion.  The little box shape came from the Silhoutte store.

And not only did we make the cutest cards, Sherry made chicken and cheese enchiladas and chocolate lasagne.  Yummy!

Have a great day and be inspired.

April
1 Timothy 2:1 - 2  I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in godliness and holiness.

Project Life Organization

As I have gotten more into my Project Life scrapbooking, I've also found new ways to organize my 3x4 and 4x6 cards.

I was walking through Hobby Lobby trying to find something to use my coupon on.  And at the top of the shelf there were some wooden boxes.  I asked one of the associates to get them down.  And this one came home with me.

The slots hold the little cards and the big cards.  And then it is easy to go through them to pick out cards for my layouts.

There are handles on the side which make it eaasy to pick up.  It's decorative and functional.  You've got to love that.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April
1 Timothy 6:11 - Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness

Project Life Process Video Weeks 2 and 3

I have had a heck of a time getting a video to upload to youtube.  I think I am technologically challenged.

I have been using imovie (the new version) exporting it to Quicktime, then trying to upload.  When that didn't work I used the older version of imove and exported it to Quicktime.  I ended up copying the quicktime version of the movie to an SD card and using my machine with Windows 8 that is connected directly to my modem.  It finally uploaded!  My internet speed is pretty slow and I think that the wireless was slowing it down even more.  But I really don't even know.  lol

And I said all that to say - check out my new video.  :-)

I am trying to upload week 52 now.  My theory will be tested.  :-)

Have a great day and be inspired.

April
Psalm 51:16 - 17  Certainly you do not want a sacrifice, or else I would offer it;  you do not desire a burnt sacrifice.  the sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit - O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject.

Blog Stalking Friday - Michelle Zindorf

One of the blogs that I regularly stalk is Michelle Zindorf's blog located here.

She makes the most unique cards using inks and stamps from Stampin Up.  Her cards are literally art.

And even if you're not so much into making cards - she raises chickens too!  We got a coop tour just the other day.

Check out her blog - you will be glad that you did.  :-)

Have a great day and be inspired.

April

Psalm 23:6 - Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

WOYWW 246 - I'm Late I'm Late for a Very Important Date

I know I am running behind, but I actually took these pictures on the right day.  :-)  I just got back from Las Vegas and then work has been CRAZY!

 If you have no idea what I'm talking about - head on over to Julia's Stamping Ground Blog and check out all the desk from around the world.  Even though I'm late - it's never too late to go blog hopping.  :-)

Enough for excuses - here is my desk:

As usual I am rearranging with the stuff I bought from Archiver's sale.  And now I have even more.

This is a pegboard in progress.  It will be different next time you see it.

Well, that's my world.  I'm off to see what everyone else is up to.

Have a great day and be inspired.

April

James 3:17 - 18  But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.