It's a party...um, I mean, a blog hop!

It's time for another blog hop with Guylou's Inimitability Design Team! Woot Woot! We don't really need a reason to party or blog hop or any of that good stuff, but we do have one, believe it or not. We've got 300 members over at Crafter's Digital Art Center (CDAC). What a milestone, not to mention a good bit of fans of Guylou's awesome digi images. Oh, wait, I'm supposed to tell you that if you came here from Brenda's blog, you're in the right place. If not, head back over to Guylou's Inimitability and start over!

Ok, back to it. This time around, we're taking a walk down memory lane. Each of the DT members will showcase projects she's made using GI images. Without further ado, here's some of mine and the reason(s) why I picked each card to showcase. I've made so many using GI images, that it was hard to choose! I tried to offer a variety. Darnit, I digressed again. Ok, ok, here they are:

The inside of this card says, "call me. I'd love to help." I'm showing you this one because I've had people ask me in the past, "what in the heck am I supposed to do with images of housework?" Well, you turn them into fun cards with word plays in the sentiment.

I added this one because I'm actually rather proud of it. I don't say that often; I tend to focus on the negatives of my own work and go ga-ga over everyone else's. However, I really have a hard time with masculine cards. I always make them too cutesy or cartoonish, or end up adding girlie stuff before I realize it. I think I managed to stay totally masculine rock star with this card. At least, I hope so!

And here's just one more:

I chose this one because anyone who knows me knows that I have this thing for apple images. I don't know why, or what it is about them, but I love them. When G drew this image, it had to go down on a card! I used flowersoft for the sunflower centers and a cute little apple button off to the side. Then I put glossy accents on the apples in the basket. Good enough to eat! Well, how about just some eye candy???

Alright, I'm done talking about me and my work now. Really. Here's what you need to do now. Head on over to Carmen's blog. She's got some more eye candy to show you! And don't forget, once you're done hopping, leave a comment and use the linky at Guylou's Inimitability, letting us know which image is your favorite. You have the chance to win a RAK that includes one free GI digi image of your choice, as well as some fun embellies to use with it!

Oh, and just in case you get lost, here's the order of the hop:
Trina
Kim
Dale
Brenda
Me (you're here!)
Carmen
Guylou (our awesome creator/illustrator)
Tracy
Guylou's Inimitability

Thanks for hopping along with us! The winner will be chosen randomly, so come on, give it a shot! It's not hard; hop along, leave some comments for our DT (we all smile at some love, you know), but most importantly, leave a comment and your email (private..it won't show) at the GI blog.

Clean scrap area + a tiny bit of time + a good challenge or two = one card

That's my equation for today. Apparently, one card is about all I'm going to get out of myself today. I've been hit with some rotten news on top of some GI issues, so I am definitely not at my best. Anyway, Anita Be Stampin' has resumed their blog challenge for the year. This time, it's a sketch. Go check it out! I've used a fun freebie that you can get if you join the ABS group on Papercraft Planet. This card is also for the Outlawz color challenge to use Brown and Pink. I hope it has enough of both colors; I'm concerned that it might be a bit too much white. I guess they'll let me know if it is!

Um, let's see. The image was colored with copics. It's hard to tell, but her little legs are covered in RV000 rather than skin tones. She's got some light pink tights. What little girl doesn't like pink tights? I used three different spellbinders dies and some papers from my scrap drawer. I think the heart paper is from K&Co's Kazoo line, but I'm not sure. The little rubber hearts were on clearance at Michael's ages ago and I am finally getting around to using them. The borders are done with pink liquid applique. I embossed a lot of the cardstock with the Cuttlebug swiss dots folder. It's my fave. Thanks for checking it out!

Yippity do da! Woot Woot! And whatever other phrases come to mind.

I am so stoked. Finally, I have completed my scrap space reorganization project. It took much longer than it should have, mainly because I got overwhelmed and only worked on it in short spurts. That is, until this weekend, when I resolved that it was getting done no matter how frustrated I felt.

My mom came over during New Year's weekend to help me assemble the desk and Jetmax cubes. Then it was up to me to do the rest. I've still got the decorating to do. For instance, the pink keyboard tray that came with the desk was too low, so I am going to repurpose it as a shelf and put it over the printer, with all of my flying monkey memorabilia on it.

Anyway, I also plan to add labels to everything, but I have to type those up yet. In the mean time, I've got a pretty good feel for where things go. Now, if I could just put things away as I buy them, that'd be a step in the right direction.

This is the main corner, where I do most of my work. It looks like a jumbled mess, but it's actually really organized. The trick will be to keep it that way. The scrap table was a gift from a friend, so I have no idea where it came from. The little white cart is from Ikea. The four drawer unit is from Target. The little four drawer unit on top of that is from Joann's.

Thanks for looking at my space! I won't bore you with details of what is in each drawer, but if you want to know, feel free to ask.

My hope is to spend tomorrow crafting, now that my space is all organized and clean. I would love to make some cards for blog challenges, plus I've got a DT assignment for Guylou's Inimitability that I need to get done! There's going to be a blog hop coming up soon...I think in two weeks. Stick around, and I'll tell you more as I find out!!!

Motoring on by with another challenge!

Ok, first off, please forgive any goofiness in this post. I am in one of my goofball moods tonight. However, I'll take it and run with it, especially given the absolutely crappy mood I've been in off and on for weeks now. Tonight, I am positively giddy and I haven't even been hitting the liquor cabinet, baby! It might have something to do with the retail therapy I engaged in tonight at the Hobby Lobby. All I have to say is that it's a good thing for my wallet that their scrapbooking sale this week sucked. I did get some goodies, though, and I think I'm still flying high on the joy of bringing home new stuff.

Ok, ok...you don't care what a nutjob I am or about any darned shopping trips. I gotta get to the point. Yeah, yeah, I get it. The point is that you need to get crafty once again. Yes, you need to do this. No excuses. Find some time, because we all know how relaxing and therapeutic crafting can be. We all also know how bossy I get. I'm gettin' bossy now. As the bossy witch on the block, I hereby give you your next duty...I mean, challenge, from Guylou's Inimitability. It's an easy one, because you don't even have to follow any particular design or theme. That's right, ladies and gents, this one is ANYTHING GOES. You wanna make a card? Have at it. A gift box or bag? Go right ahead. A tissue box? Let's see it. A scrapbook page? Well, I dare you. I think you get the idea.  Your entry isn't due til January 20th. Post it over at the Guylou's Inimitability blog. Here's what's even better: you can use any old image you want! If you use an image that is not from the GI store, you get one chance to win. If you use an image that is from Guylou's Inimitability, you get two chances to win. However, if you used the featured image (Angela), you get three chances to win! Yes, I said three chances! I know times are hard, but she's only $2! And you can find her right here: Angela

Without further ado, here's my card with Angela. She's got some 'tude, beeping her horn and making people move out of her way. She's a bossy chick. Maybe Guylou should have named her Gina (but, I haven't seen such a thin bod on me since high school and I don't think my legs have ever looked that good. We also won't mention that I can't ride a bike, so I sure as heck would fall over on a scooter/vespa)!

Remember, folks..you've got til January 20th to enter the Anything Goes challenge at Guylou's Inimitability. Oh, wait. I told you I am a nutjob and a goofball. In typical fashion, I goofed and forgot to tell you that there is a prize to the winner, too! I'm not going to say any more. I'm going to keep you in suspense and make you hop over to Guylou's blog to figure it out. It's worth playing along. What are you still doing here?!? Get to it!

Project scrap room - self destruct

So, this is how it started. I boxed up my scrap room. A mess, for sure, but I've seen worse. The plan was to

have my mom over last weekend to help assemble my new lovely pink scrap desk and my new jetmax cubes. It happened that way. It sure enough did. It hasn't progressed much further, but more on that in a minute.

In the process, we had to take apart this old, nasty computer desk that I've had for years. I know it doesn't look bad in these pictures. Well, except for being messy. However, the doors don't close properly, the fake wood is peeling...it's just gross. I've had the thing for 9-10 years, and my mom used it before that. We had a blast taking a rubber mallet to it and breaking it up. We left the pieces big enough that my uncle, the king of rubbish, has plans to use them to build some shelves. Not in my house, thank you very much. Oh, and while we're on the topic of this old desk, do you see the lovely computer sitting on it? Many thanks once again to the awesome Shane, who helped me pick it out. My friends live in it and it's the perfect little house for them!

So, the jetmax cubes are assembled and in place. The new computer desk sits there in all of its pink deliciousness. Did I mention that pink is the best color in the whole wide world? Ok, moving on. Now the time has come to unpack everything and figure out where it's all going. I've made progress. I really have. I've got about 3/4 of the room unpacked and organized into neatness. And then there's this corner. This corner is going to be the death of me. It's where I sit to scrap and I just can't make up my mind how to set it up. I've hit the wall, people. This mess may be here for a bit, or it may just self destruct one of these days. I mean, I've got motivation in the form of challenges to meet and new goodies to use. Somehow, though, I just can't seem to get it together. I decided to blog about it, in hopes that seeing these nasty pics would be the kick in the butt I need to finish up. But, I guess not. I mean, after all, I'm sitting in the same darned room as this mess and that hasn't helped yet. Sheesh.

As you can see, Athena isn't much help. She's just chillin' in the chair, unbothered by this mess. In fact, I think she and Sophie think it's fun to pick through and hide in, when they aren't putting on superior airs from their little desk chair throne. Yeah, they aren't helping my motivation any. I need to get this done, and yet right now, I'm so tempted to just push the mess to the side and move on. One day, it will be done. It will be all nice and pretty. And I'll show it to you when it is. Even if that's not til 2030.

Just because you haven't seen them in a while...

Here's some photos of my babies. My mother-in-law got them these balls with feathers attached for Christmas. Sophie was fascinated. She chased them up and down the hallway, batting at them like soccer balls. Athena, on the other hand, couldn't have cared less. The picture of Athena is from earlier this year, when I had thrown my old robe over the couch and she decided it made the perfect resting spot.

Typical cat, huh? Soft and fluffy makes a good bed. Perhaps that's why they lay on me so much!!!

Reminder to self: you need more pictures!

Oh, and because someone asked at some point, both girls are sealpoint siamese. They are not from the same litter, but had the same dad. Athena's litter was born on September 23, 2005. Sophie's was born the very next day. It's hard to tell here, but Athena is more of the "modern" siamese with a triangular face, longer body, and almond-shaped eyes. Sophie is an "applehead" with a rounder face and eyes, and shorter, more squat body. Both are very active and loving, although Athena's a tad afraid of strangers. Therefore, visitors to my house often see Sophie only, and she loves it that way. She gets all of the attention!

Best Bunnies

Here's another little image that makes me smile. My mojo has really deserted me; I had hoped to get so many more crafty projects done over the Christmas break. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way. Yeah, I got a few things accomplished, but not as many as I'd like. I was just having a hard time with design and also with motivation. Once again, I let a sketch rescue me. This one is from Friday Sketchers. I added a few of my own elements to the sketch, like the hearts, lace, and felt photo corner. This card is also for Simon Says Challenge and the All that Scraps Wednesday challenge to make a card inspired by a song. I heard this cute kid's song the other day called the Snuggle Song with Schnuffel bunny. Since this cute little girl from the Greeting Farm is snuggling her bunny, it seemed perfect.

I know a sweet little girl who will be celebrating a birthday in a month or so. Perhaps I'll save this card for her. Or maybe, Mr. Mojo will take mercy on me and visit again, so I can make more cards! With my luck, he'll come back as I am working on my scrap room next weekend. My mom is coming over to help me get my Jetmax cubes and new computer desk set up, plus to help me move old furniture out of this room and down to the basement. That should be fun - ha! NOT. I know I will love it once the room is all set up like I want it, though. I'll just be hating life for the time it takes to get it that way! As always, thanks for looking and sharing any thoughts. I appreciate it!

Happy New Year...soon enough!

2011 is almost here, and the Belles n Whistles challenge blog is hosting a challenge to celebrate. This challenge seemed perfect, since I'm way over making Christmas cards (although I did make one yesterday morning. Nothing like the last minute). I don't have any New Year's stamps, so I just wrote out the sentiment. Usually, I'd print it off on the computer, but I didn't want to waste ink with sizing issues. Well, let's face it...I'm tired and didn't feel like experimenting with that frustration today. I woke up way early this morning and I'm not at my best. Anyway, I figured what better way to bring in the New Year than this cute baby? I think we've all heard the story of baby New Year, right? If not, look it up. I'm too tired to do it. Ok. Yeah. I said I'm tired. Cut me some slack for this short, not quite coherent, probably a bit cranky post, ok? Sheesh. And oh yeah, Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas!

I haven't made it a secret that I'm not feeling exactly festive this year. Tomorrow afternoon is the gift exchange with Rick's family. I am hoping I can keep it together; I find that I am very emotional right now. One thing I hate to do is to cry around other people. I've always hated it. I don't know why, but it doesn't make me feel better. I prefer the kind of sobbing I can do on my own, with only my cats for company. I have preferred to grieve on my own throughout this whole journey. I go to the cemetary alone. I spend Christmas Day alone. Don't go feeling sorry for me....this is what I want and it's healthy for me (this opinion was reinforced by my therapist, so don't go getting all concerned and thinking that I don't know what I need. Alone time is EXACTLY what I need. I find myself defending this position a lot, in case you can't tell. LOL). So, anyway, I'm a little worried that I won't keep it together this year. To try to make myself jump a little more into the holiday spirit, I made this ornament for the Belles n Whistles ornament contest. I have no illusions that it'll win; the competition is fierce. However, it sort of calmed me to craft and this image always makes me smile. I was going to do a "baby's first Christmas" ornament and give her as a gift, but then I decided to make something that I could hang up in my scrap area to remind me that there are always blessings. A silent, peaceful night is one of them. New babies to love is another. And then there's Christmas trees and snowflakes and fun things all wrapped up in a bow. Yeah, I gotta remind myself that blessings abound, so she's currently dangling from a hook in my crafting space, trying to be that reminder. What a tough job for such a little girl, but I think she can handle it. Merry Christmas to all of you and thanks for your continued prayers and positive thoughts. I hope your holidays are full of fun, love, and laughter.

Another Sweet Pea Dream (or two)

I think I've mentioned a few gazillion times now that Sweet Pea stamps are my new obsession. Tonight, I was in the mood to create. The last challenge on In a Sweet Pea Dream was a monochromatic card. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to make my monochromatic card. Since the current challenge is "Anything Goes," I figured that meant that I could still give the monochromatic card a shot. The image is colored with copics in various shades of green, then accented with a stardust pen. The bling is hard to see in this pic, though. I had some Basic Grey paper sitting around (no surprise, since it's one of my fave manufacturers). It seemed to go perfectly with the image.

While Mr. Mojo was flowing, I also colored another Sweet Pea image to enter in the In a Sweet Pea Dream challenge. This one also qualifies for the Simon Says challenge to make a card using primarily blue, white, and silver. I chose turquoise as my shade of blue and just distressed edges and layered various textures. I embossed thick vellum using the tree textured folder from Tim Holtz (I think!). As it was going through the machine, it cracked and I thought that ended up being perfect for this card. Thanks, as always, for looking!