A Little About Me

I went to school for computers and when I say that I mean fixing and networking. But I gravitated more towards the programming and graphics/software side of it. This was almost ten years ago.

Now where I work, when I initially got hired that was what I was hired for. However when they started downsizing and shuffling departments around they decided that in order not to lose me that I would better serve the company in Marketing. So I now work in Business Development but don't let that fool you I still do IT work because there's only one person in IT now and when he needs help who does he call? No, not Ghostbusters...ME! I'm also the one that also does all the graphic work and web design.

To give you a small idea of what I have done the most recent one I have done for my company is http://www.sameconference2007.com/. I'm about to redo our company's however that's a little way off.

Now that I've given you a little back story I can tell you the real reason for our post today. I LOVE PLAYING IN PHOTOSHOP!!! So, whenever the opportunity arises I jump at it. That may even mean someone hasn't asked me to help them gets help, I know I'm sad...it's a weakness.


For example, when at work when they wanted me to take people out of a picture of a courthouse. I whined and moaned about how they were crazy while inside I was jumping up & down at the challenge. Now, you can't even tell people were even there.


So, this week you can guess what I've been playing with, WHAT you can't? I was playing in Photoshop silly. I made banners for people. Like I made this one for bee-yoo-tee-full & talented seester, Abra, today, she's a photographer...besides being just an all around artist. Then the other day I made one for Lauren Meader, who I'm sure quite a few of you know how talented she is. Then the quite a few days ago I made one for my SBS2 siesta Catherine when I was helping her get her banner/blogspot situation straightened out.

Hey at least it has helped me not be quite as bored at work this week. And yes, I'll stop rambling now.

Finally

I know, I'm finally posting again. I have been busy working on new projects, I've just really not had much to say recently. However yesterday I got my swaps back for the ATC swap that I showed you I did. They look really good so I figured I would show you what everyone did.

Made by Rhiannon

Mine


Made by Stephanie Mosher


Made by Tracy C


Made by Trena Breannen


Made by Jen Marie


Made by Lorien


Made by Melanie Robson


Made by Michele H


Made by Nancy

Playing today

So I yes I saw the HP commercial but no I didn't go looking for it. It was on the side of one of my browsers today so I decided to play. I think they are kinda cute. Ok, I won't keep you in suspense anymore. They're the Gwen Stefani harajuku dolls, you design your own. Anyway, here's mine.

The winner

Sorry I didn't get a chance to post this yesterday. I was down being a construction worker again today & yesterday. And I couldn't quite figure out random.org mainly because I think I am too tired so I shouted in the other room for my mom to pick a number and she chose #11.

Kat paper crafts

If you will just get me your information I will get out in the mail to you this next week.

Blog Candy

To help break in my blog, I thought I would give some blog candy away. It helped that I found this lying around on my desk the other day.

It's the Making Memories A Season of Giving. All you have to do is leave a comment here. I'll draw from everyone that has entered Friday, December 7th.

ATC Swap

This is one of my first ATC swaps. So technically it's my second. The other one was a scrapbooking one that was all about me, I mean how boring can you get. I think I really like the way this one came out better. I made these for Tracy Clemente over at Eat, Sleep, Stamp. I can't wait to see what every one else made.

Stamps: Grumpabella, need a hug ; Paper: Heidi Grace Designs - Wild Daisy Road, Bazzill, SU Vanilla; Tools: Tab Punch; Misc: PCP, OMS, Stickles, Brads; Ink: Pallette Noir

They're Baaack!

My blog rolls are back with no further adieu. After making changes last week to my layout they had disappeared. So I spent this afternoon adding them back on. Not even sure if anyone missed them other than me.

Busy Bee

I ended up taking the day off work Friday but don't let that fool you into thinking that I layed around all weekend doing nothing. In fact it was quite the contrary. Not all of you know but I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Over the past 16 weeks they have started construction on a Kingdom Hall in a town close to where I live, laying foundation and such. I went down there Friday to lend a hand.

I was there Friday for 7 hours, 5.5 of which I was working on rafters and plywood for the roof. Before I scare anyone, I was just on the ground doing the cutting and measuring. The last part of the day I was running wire for the telephone and whatever data they would need. Thankfully that part I already knew how to do. This is how it was looking when I left Friday night.

Disclaimer: This is not an actual picture from the site. I forgot my camera at home. I borrowed this picture from another Brother in Holland, Michigan (Aug 03)

I didn't go Saturday because I already had previous engagements. My sis came w/o her boys to have a girls night with mom & me. We went to Outback & watched Shrek 3 (which was pretty funny if you ask me) and then later she & I watched The Nanny Diaries (again, I liked this too).

Sunday, I went again. This time I was on the tile crew. I learned how to dry cut tile. I'm hoping before it's all over with I'll be able to wet cut tile too. I got started with that around 10am and left around 3:30pm. We really wind down on Sunday afternoons so everyone can get home and get ready for their real jobs. Next weekend we're going to be doing wall tiles.

Baby's Got a New Look!

One of the reason's I've been MIA recently is I've been working on a new look. That's included a new header and a well everything. I'm not sure I like my background yet or not but it will do for now. Let me know what you think.

That's not the only thing that's new around here. I got a new laptop over the Thanksgiving weekend. YES! I was one of the brave souls that got up very early Friday morning. I have never gotten up early for Black Friday before. I was lying in bed when my alarm went off at 5 am wondering about the little sanity I have. I knew I had a long day ahead and really thought I was insane to want to get up just because I thought I really needed a laptop. Now, don't get me wrong this was/is A REALLY GOOD DEAL. {Warning: I'm about to go geek on ya! } It's a 2g RAM, 160g Hard Drive, 15.4" Display, DVD+CD Burner wait or I could show the ad....

I'm really proud of myself with what I got, I'm just not really impressed with Vista which what came loaded with it. If you've seen any of the PC - MAC commercials, which I love, I now totally understand what they are talking about. Anyway, I got one of the last ones and I got there at 6:01 am and was out by 6:15 am. Did I mention they opened at 6?

More Freebies

Go check out Krissy's blog the Creator of Hanna stamps for a chance to win Hanna Stamps. She also sends you to all of her design teams' blogs for more chances to win. She pre-celebrating the launch of the official website. I'm so excited for her, her stamps are ADORAGABLE!!

Got Copics?

Just thought I would give everyone a heads up that doesn't have any. Although I have two, I broke down and bought them at Hobby Lobby the other day. I got Prussian Blue & Lipstick Red. Oh, yeah the point. Gina K is giving you the chance to win some copics or at least 36 of them. How cool is that? And all you have to do is leave a comment on her blog <--click there.

And yeah, I actually had time to make a couple of cards this weekend. Mind you I would have made more but Mom came over to watch Ocean's 13 (good movie but I think the 1st might just be the best). Now get this, my mom is a crafter just like me but she wouldn't let me work in the adjoining room where I could see & hear the TV just fine, she wanted me in there with her. So this was all I got done this weekend. Bummer!

Paper: Daisy D's, SU Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Misc White; Stamps: SU French Flair, Misc Geisha, Cherry Blossom; Ink: SU Craft White, Rose Red, Stazon Jet Black; Misc: Acrylic Slides, Foil Tape, PCP, OMS, White Embossing Powder

Paper: K& Co. Bandana, SU Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, Creamy Caramel; Stamps: Lizzie Anne Cowboy; Ink: Stazon Jet Black; Tools: Circle Scallop Punch, Black Pen; Misc: PCP, OMS, Square Stickers

Photo Shoot

As some people know my sister is a accomplished photographer although she will argue with you til her face turns blue, polka & plaid...well you get the point. Well a few weeks ago she delievered my gift to the parents to be, Jessie & Mike. She did this when she was going to be taking pregnancy pics of Jessie. They ended up using my blocks as props in the pictures, they came out so cute. Now, I can only show you one under threat of death. The one I'm showing you I figured was safe because Jessie has it on the baby's website but shhhh! don't tell.

New Tool Review

Fingertip Control Craft Knife

This thing is amazing. I wasn't quite sure how well I would like it or how much control you could have over it, I mean for all intents and purposes it's an exacto knife. Well, let me tell you this is not your run of the mill exacto knife. It's an extension of your finger. It works great. It actually does work really well on curving if you want it too as well. As Julia S would say C'est Bon!

Inkadinkadoo

The other day I talked about a contest Lindsey B was holding using Inkadinkadoo stamps. I also only showed a glimpse of the cards I made. Today I will show you all of them. Sorry it's taken me so long to get them up. I've been kinda busy at work. Lindsey actually posted the winner on Monday...Lynda Benden who I offer CONGRATULATIONS!!!

For the three above I used the same set. The set I posted about earlier. I just used a skirt and arms to make the vase & stems for the bottom card.

Ode to Puppies

Yesterday when I read about Em not being able to keep Bella and how much it really broke her heart, I really understood. If you've ever lost a pet for any reason you know the pain it causes. This January will be two years since I lost one of the best friends I've ever had, Rogue. Rogue and I had bonded instantly. He was part Husky and had one blue eye, one brown. He never met a stranger - person or animal - he loved them all; which was funny because everyone was scared of him. So, in memory of him & bella last night I made this card.

Stamps: eat cake graphics Wags & Great Truth #59; Ink: Stazon Jet Black & Real Red; Misc: Square Punch, Stickles, Red Pen, PCP, OMS; Paper: Close to Cocoa; Very Vanilla; Scrap Pack from Walmart

Now I have a new friend, a very close friend that I love very much. She doesn't replace Rogue but she occupies a very different place in my heart...Bandit. And no, there's no theme in the names going. Actually a friend of mine recommended her name because when you look directly at her she looks like she has a mask on. Whereas Rogue, I had his name picked out before I picked him out and it was actually a perfect fit.

FYI & a test

This is to let everyone know that I have changed where my blog is. This is mainly because the kind and sweet Keri S. pointed out to me the old site wouldn't accept comments unless you signed up as a member. Well, I thought that stunk and I know a lot of people wouldn't want to do that so I promptly changed where everything was to make it easier on everybody because I couldn't find a solution at the other place. Here's hoping the works.

Here we go again

I'm hoping this is going to work. Over the weekend I was only able to work on one challenge mainly because I didn't have time to do much more, I'll explain more on that later. It was for the Bella's Color Challenge. I got to use one of my Bella's I haven't used yet. See I get a new bella every month thanks to Christie Ortman and her Paper Pretties card class box. I've been doing these for quite a while and I have to tell you her boxes are superb!! They are always jam packed with goodies. This next month when I get mine I'll have to take a picture before I dissect it...oh & besides I might even have to offer that bella up as blog candy because it will be the wreathabella and since I don't celebrate Christmas...hmmm.....

Oh, yeah the card I made, here it is.

Stamps: Veggiebella, Misc Sunshine; Tools: D'Vine CB, Corner Rounder, Ticket Corner; Misc: MM Velvet Ribbon, Stickles, PCP, OMS; Paper: SU Pretty in Pink, CC, Bashful Blue, Misc Paper from Big Lots with Peter Rabbit on it

She'll Be Coming Around the Mtn

Ok, so there were alot more the just she, ie me. There was me, my mom, dad, sister, her dh, ds, & in laws and we were coming around the mountain when we come. At least that's what my nephew and I were singing in the car to distract him from the fact that the stupid trees were hiding the mountain. Who knew that 4 yr olds would get mad at trees for doing that? Every year around this time of year we make a day of going to the mountains to see the changing of the leaves. My family has done this ever since my sister and I can remember. Now that Abra, my sister, is married; we include her extended family. This year we went to Anna Ruby Fall's near Helen, Georgia. We've been trying to go someplace different every year. We also got some family shots on Abra's camera which I can wait to see. I got some good landscape pics and candids. Here are some of those.

Abra & Me

Spencer (my bil) & Liam (nephew)

It's getting kinda chilly

I really don't even live in climate area that gets cold and really normally hate cold weather. In fact, I love all the seasons but winter. However for some reason recently I've been really wanting to do a lot of things design wise with snow related stuff. For example when Roxy posted this week's sketch challenge & Julia posted her challenge; this is what I came up with...

Stamps: LAD - Snowmen, Snow Flurry, Snowflake & SU Doodle That, Mini Messages; Paper: Pretty in Pink, Pixie Pink, Creamy Caramel; Misc: Brads, Liquid Applique, Versamark, Prismas, Narratives by Karen Russell Ribbon, Pearl Ex

I didn't succumb with the second one but I'm not so sure that I'm happy with the way it turned out. I know how I've wanted it to go in my head but anyway I'll let you be the judge. I used swirls to kind of stand in as tree limbs.

Stamps: A*Muse Bird Cage, Autumn Leaves Rhonna Farrer Swirls, Karen Foster Snap Stamps; Paper: Basic Grey - Blitzen Wonderland, Bashful Blue; Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Garden Green, Rose Red; Misc; Grosgrain & Satin Ribbon, MM Brads, Red Brads, Tab Bunch, Blue A*Muse Ribbon, Prismas, Black Pen

For the one above I did two challenges in one again, Em's color challenge & Beth's Try a Technique, but it was my very 1st pocket card.

I'm a dork!!

The sooner you come to learn it the better. So yesterday when I went to go sign my life away for my new car, and I think I might have signed away my first child don't know yet might still looking everything I signed. The moral of the story was my dad is the one that took me down there yesterday and in the process of everything when he left with him he took my bag of projects I just finished and was going to tell you about. Fear not, I should be getting them bag today, so all is not lost. YEAH!!!

I'm getting a car

Imagine in your best sing songy voice ever. I've been thinking about getting a new car for a while. See I currently have a 95 Mazda 626 LX and while it still runs and has it quirks. It's starting to fall apart, I've had it seven years. I'm doing a preemptive strike by looking for a newer car. Well, last night I went and test drove an 03 Mitsubishi Galant... it is nice. So, I'm going to get it in the morning and then I will post a picture for you to see. YEAH!!!!

Back in the game

Yesterday I decided to get back in the game. What game you may ask? The challenge game. I frequent SplitCoastStampers. And anyone who's ever gone there knows they frequently post challenges. Well now not only are there the weekly posted challenges but now because of Member Companies there are challenges posted under there as well. Lizzie Anne Designs & Stamping Bellas are two of the companies that I checked out yesterday and YES! they had challenges posted under their forum areas.
This is what I did for LAD challenge.

Stamps: Lizzie Anne Designs - Jolies Fleurs, SU - Cute Converse; Ink: Stazon On Jet Black; Tools: Ticket Corner Punch, Tab Punch, Prismas, Mineral Spirits; Embellishments: Silver Brads, Red Grosgrain Ribbon; Paper: Ballet Blue, Cool Caribbean, Blush Blossom, ?? PP

And for the Bella Challenge

Stamps: Stamping Bella - Jammybella, eat cake graphics - Gwennie informs her mom; Ink: Stazon On Jet Black; Tools: Paper Piercer, Prismas, Mineral Spirits, Liquid Applique; Embellishments: MM Brads; Paper: Basic Grey from Romani (Gypsy) line, SU Pink Passion, Misc White

AHHH Mondays...

Although I don't particularly like Mondays, it does mean I get to post on my blog from the weekends. So there is a silver lining in my clouds. And I was actually very busy this weekend. I was working on Jacksonbelle's Inkadinkadoo challenge and made 5 cards for it (not sure if I should show you those or not so I'll just give you a sneak peek).


I will however show you one of the stamp sets I used from Inkadinkadoo to make several of my cards. I think it is just the coolest.


But I will show the one I did make with eat cake graphics and gina k stamps. I love it because I've been holding the idea in my head forever and I finally got to make it.

Stamps: Gina K - Just Be-claws & Eat Cake Graphics - Little Beach Huts & Beach Sign; Misc: Prismas, Odorless Mineral Spirits, Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Powder in Antique Linen (for the sand)

Hobby Lobby Find

ok, so I went to Hobby Lobby the other day because I was really looking for one of the Cuttlebug Embossing Folders that was snowflakes*edited to say found at http://www.ecleticpaperie.com/ AND on sale.

But I can't seem to find one anywhere. Ok, I know to my point. Did you know they have copic markers? I didn't!! Now, I'm not usually one to join on bandwagons..no really, I'm not. I usually if ever take forever once it's overflowing to brim and there's no more room on the bandwagon try to jump on. So they have them in a broad spectrum of choices and you can even use that 40% coupon that you can download off the Hobby Lobby website. Now I just need to figure out what colors to start off with to see if I'm even interested in using them. I did end up jumping on one bandwagon that day.
Let me just tell you I love this tool. I resisted it like I have nothing else. I thought I can just you sandpaper like I always have. Let me just tell you one more thing those smaller precision ones work MIRACLES I tell you, MIRACLES!! It's the Basic Grey Precision Tool pictured here.

SAME Conference

So the conference I was at last week. WOW!! We had been planning it for the last two years and to say I had been involved would have been an understatement. When my boss 1st told me about it I had never even heard about it and had to go look up what it even was which by the way is Society of American Engineers for those that are curious. Anyway, when she first volunteered us it was just for registration but by the time it was all over with we were over golf and I was doing the website which if you want to see it's still up for now at www.sameconference2007.com.
Over the course of this I got to meet some of the most wonderful people. Candyss, our event coordinator; Becky, one of the event chairs; Jay, the other event chair; Dan; Jennifer, ice breaker; Haley, the other ice breaker and these are just the main people. That's not even to mention the 2 star General I got out on the dance floor, hehe, yes I was a hero for one night.
But the best part was that even though it not only threathened to rain it threathened a tornado watch yet it cleared up long enough for them to play golf on the PGA rated Callaway Gardens Mountain View course and then it poured. YEAH!!
OK! Enough of my ramblings on this, when I get pics I will edit to put them in.

Gift Frame

Ok, so I know it’s been a while and it’s not that I’ve been a slacker (although admittedly I’ve been some of that too) but I’ve been really busy. Last week, my work sent me to a conference at Callaway Gardens. I can post more on that later. Right now, I telling you about the frame I made for a friend of mine and her dad, ok they are both my friends. We all went to the Aquarium September 16th. Anyway, I finally got around to printing some really good pictures of them that I had touched up and printed.

Paper: Basic Grey Pheobe, Pale Plum; Chipboard: Basic Grey; Stamps: Lizzie
Anne Jolies Fleurs; Ink: Versa Mark; Tools: Basic Grey File Tools

Faces are blurred out to protect the innocent…LOL! I’ll upload some more of my projects I’ve been working on later.

I'm gonna miss my buddy

Robby. I've been working with Robby for 5 years now. He's now getting married and moving off to Austin, ok so it's in the reverse order. He and his fiance, Kate, are moving to Austin this weekend and then they're getting married. But I'm really going to miss our Monday breakdown of Heroes. I mean that's not the only thing but well if you have anyone like that in your life you know what I mean. So today I went to lunch with the two of them and it was really nice. I gave them their going away/wedding gift.

Paper: Martha Stewart Fennel, Mi Tienties Dark Brown, Bazzil
Adobe, Canvas, Certainly Celery; Stamps: SU Best Blossom; Embellies: Karen
Foster Screw Brads; Tools: Ticket Corner Punch; Misc: K&Co. Champagne
Glitter Chipboard Letters; Ribbon: Martha Stewart Sage & Silver

Lilah Claire

A couple of friends of mine are having a baby...ok are you ready for this hehe...Jessie & Michael Jackson, ok her name is really Jessica but really we call her Jessie. I know, I know it's funny but we love them anyway. Anway, I made this for them or at least their wee lil one to come.

Paper: Basic Grey from the Romani (Gypsy) line;
Blocks & Letter: 1 1/2 square from Michaels; Ribbons: Misc;
Flowers: Primas; Rub-ons: American Traditional; Misc: Mod
Podge, Jewel

I got the wonderful idea for the blocks from Emily Giovanni, I wish I could claim it for myself but I can't. For the Large L. I used the leftover paper that I didn't use for the blocks and traced it out and cut inside the line so that it would be the right size and then glued it on. I'm really sorry about the quality of the pic but my camera is not working that great and I had to take this with my camera phone.

True Friends

True friends are those that do things for you without your asking and unexpectantly. My grandmother has been "sick" for some time now, she had broken her shoulder and had rotater cuff surgically replaced. Well, my grandmother's friend, Dilma, from Mississippi was in Georgia visiting her brother, Paul. We've known that family for years. Anyway, Dilma, Paul, Christie (his wife), Andy (his son), Leah (a friend of Dilma's) and Ethan (Leah's 2 y/o son) all drove 2 1/2 hours out of their way to come visit. They spent the entire afternoon with her and us. Well, out of appreciation I made this card to send to them as a thank you.



I used the Basic Grey Romani line for the PP. The flowers are Primas that I got from Target. I only used on stamp on this project which really surprised me, SU's Riveting, with Swarvoski Crystals to accent it. Then just plain grosgrain ribbon. Didn't really take that long to make it.

Where to start?

Where do you start when you start a blog? I have to be honest I've never been good at even keeping a diary. As young child I never got the point. I'll try to be good at this put I won't promise anything. I'm going to do some back posting first because it's taken me several days to get this up and there's some things I've been wanting to put up. So welcome to my world.