...the hills are alive....

...with he sound of music! I just have to brag for a minute and share our exciting news with ya'll {it's my right to brag being a mom and since this is my blog, well your stuck reading it!} Kailee, my oldest and only daughter...she is 12, tried out for the Katy High School production which is Sound of Music this year....and guess what.....{drum roll please!}....she made it! She got the part of Louisa!!! Isn't that so fun! She was so excited that she didn't know whether to scream, cry, jump up and down or faint...and so she did what any preteen girl would do, she promptly thanked the director and ran out the door with cell phone in hand to call everyone she could! Then did the screaming! :) She will do nothing but eat, sleep and breath it for the next 2 1/2 months, but I think she will be phenomenal!! I am bursting with pride!...can you tell?!!! :) Well...anyway...that plus a crazy running around day kept me from stamping...but I am going to squeeze in a few minutes tomorrow! Also....just to toot my horn for a minute...I finished my Christmas cards!! I don't think I have ever finished so early in the year!! :) What a huge relief! Ok...enough....have a fabulous day! :)

time well spent

I have been busy working on Christmas cards the last couple of days...I might actually get done with all of them this weekend....that would be a huge accomplishment and major "to-do" crossed off my list! Now let's just hope that talking about it won't jinx it!! :) {and now all I have to do is get a picture of all 4 kids...looking at the camera at the same time...with no one crying, making bunny ears, mouth open in mid picture asking "are we done yet"?, eyes closed, turning around to look at the kid behind them or scowling!!! {aaahhhhh}...what are the chance of that happening do ya think?...wish me luck!} I have wanted to share them with ya'll but there are people on my christmas card list that look at my blog....so I don't want to ruin the fun of opening Christmas cards! So I took a short break this morning and made this card to share with you. I used the Time Well Spent set again, I love this sentiment in the set!. I used the layout from a workshop idea on the Stampin' Up! website. It's a cute, simple and fast one! I also got to use my new paper Darling Doodles...it's so cute and fun! Hope that you are all having a great beginning of your week! Have a good day....THANKS for stopping by!
what's in it?...
stamps...Time Well Spent
paper...purely pomegranate, groovy guava, whisper white, darling doodles dsp
ink...black, groovy guava, purely pomegranate, wild wasabi, brocade blue
accessories...brocade blue brad, purely pomegranate ribbon, star dust stickles other...stamp-a-ma-jig, blender pens, dimensionals, paper piercer

Have no fear!...I'm here...I'm here

Ok...so I went on a blogging sabbatical!! I have just been soooooooooooo busy!!! I had family in town and then I went to Seattle again...this time because my little sisiter got married!! It was wonderful...she was beautiful, her hubby is awesome and we all had a great weekend! I'm so glad I was able to be there!! :) At the last minute I decided to extend my trip by 2 days and so when I got back home it was a mad dash to get Thanksgiving shopping done and prepare all the food and...ya know all the rest of the crazy that goes with it! Then this last weekend we spent putting up the tree, decorating the house, watching Christmas movies, feasting on leftovers and relaxing by the fire!!! :) So it's left little time for stamping! I did have a couple things to show you though! I did sneak in a few stamping minutes the other night after everyone else went to bed! I made this card with the new set all the demo's got. (this is one of the new level 3 hostess sets that will be in the new catalog) I like the set...it's cute...I think as it gets closer to spring I will use it more.
what's in it?...
stamps...Time Well Spent, sentiment from a stampendous stamp
paper...real red, regal rose, mellow moss, river rock, pretty in pink, whisper white
ink...real red, regal rose, river rock, pretty in pink, mellow moss
accessories...star dust stickles, spring moss ribbon
other...dimensionals, blender pens, paper piercer and mat pack

**Also I wanted to share a picture of these cute place cards that Kyler made for our Thanksgiving dinner! He is my 4 yr. old!! To say he loves to draw and color would be an understatement....he stamped the turkeys and colored them in with his markers and the wrote the names too. :)

Mr. Turkey

Hi!! I was so busy all day cleaning yesterday getting ready for company, I didn't get to post anything...but I wanted to share this cute little turkey with ya'll. I was trying to think of a simple, fun card to show off some of the DSP for this months promo at my Club Mtg. tonight. I made this turkey using the Apple Cider paper. I used all different kinds of punches to make the turkey pieces. I used a big 2 inch circle punch for the body and the 1 inch circle for the head. I used the word window for the feathers and for the beak the photo corner punch, and just cut a corner off....and for the gobbler I used one of the flowers from the Spring Flower Bouquet punch. I will show you a few other club project later this weekend! Thanks for stopping by! Have a fantastic Friday!!! :)
what' in it?...
stamps...none
paper...chocolate chop, whisper white, close to cocoa, Apple Cider DSP
ink...close to cocoa, chocolate chip
accessories...fat chocolate ribbon, pewter brads
other...punches: 2 in & 1 in. circle, Spring Flower Bouquet, photo corner, word window, black marker

mojo challenge

Wow I am on a roll this week...I have had a card to share everyday....even with family coming into town tonight!...I keep finding myself putting off the laundry & mopping & dusting, so I can come sit and make cards!!! :) So I guess today is a mad dash to the finish line to get the house in order!! Then stamping after it's done....not before!!! {if I keep saying it, maybe I will actually do it that way} Ok...on to the card! This is a card I made using the layout on Julee's blog Poetic Artistry...she does Mojo Mondays to get you goin' It was a great layout this week....I had alot of fun making this card! I used this cute snowman image that my good friend Tiffany sent me clear back in July {sheepish grin here} I am just now doing something with it...so sad! Anyway....she was so sweet to send me so many stamped images...so I am going to make a few more of these cards, cuz I love the way this one turned out!
Have a great day!!! It's Thursday....yippee....all my shows are on tonight!! :) {the office, grey's anatomy, er, ugly betty}...fun!
what's in it?...
stamps...It's Snow Time
paper...river rock, real red, old olive, Dashing DSP
ink...black, real red, old olive, river rock, whisper white, close to cocoa, only orange
accessories...fat olive ribbon, pewter brads
other...blender pens, circle cutter (cm), distresser

holiday ornaments

I have been wanting to use my new build-a-brads for a while now but didn't know what I wanted to do with them...I can't use them on just anything...I am having a hoarding problem with these little things! I didn't want to waste any of them! So it occurred to me to try using them as ornaments! I have the stamp set Hung Up on the Holidays on my next order, but I was getting impatient waiting for it....so I thought why not make my own! Instead of using my 1/2 inch circle punch for the brad I used a few stickers from my Winter Bright Scrap Kit, they fit perfectly! I drew my own string and bows {which are not quite they way I would like them....but I wasn't in the mood to redo the whole card for a bow imperfection!} :) The sentiment is from Laughter & Merriment from Hero Arts.
Thanks for coming by.....AND a BIG HUGE THANK YOU to all of you for all the wonderful comments you leave....ya'll are so sweet! It makes my day to see so many nice things!! :)
Have a wonderful Wednesday!!!
what's in it?...
stamps...Laughter & Merriment (hero arts)
paper...real red, wild wasabi, pretty in pink (all textured), whisper white
ink...black
accessories...pewter build-a-brads, wild wasabi ribbon
other....black marker, stickers (winter bright scrap kit)

color challenge card

So it's been a long time since I did a color challenge over at Spiltcoast. I made this card this afternoon for the challenge, which was Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi and Ruby Red. It was a tricky card for me....I kept wanting to scrap it and start over and use a different red. I think since I got Ruby Red I have used it twice! The card still doesn't seem quite right to me, but that's why they are called challenges, to make you think outside your own box...right?! I used my cute little stocking from the hostess set Event Full. I also used my oval nestabilities for the blue oval. I always forget I have them...I need to put them in a spot where I will see them more! Since they are so easy to store...I have hidden them from myself...they take up no room at all!! They are so fun and easy to use! Anyway...I did sponging on all the layers and added some silver brads to finish it off! I dunna know...you tell me what you think...could I do anything to make it better?...or is it just me being too critical with a color combo I am not so into!
what's in it?...
stamps...Event Full
paper...whisper white, wild wasabi, soft sky, ruby red
ink...wild wasabi, soft sky, ruby red, basic black
accessories...silver brads, wild wasabi ribbon
other...blender pen, stamp-a-ma-jig, oval nestabilities, cuttlebug, sponges

oh...also I wanted to share a quick pic of the boys from Halloween!!! Poor Kailee was so sick that she went to bed and missed Halloween but not the boys...they had a blast at the party we went to and made a haul trick-or-treating!! :) Austin & Tyson both decided to be Vampires and Kyler was our courageous lion!! (dad took the pictures...I think had I taken them....I could've found a better backdrop than the garbage cans!!) :)

a card.....can you believe it?

So I finally made a card...I feel like it has been forever!!! It's been over a week since I have been able to sit down and do anything! I decided to ease myself back in by doing Beate's weekend sketch challenge...it's easy to make a card when half the work is done for you. This is a great layout! It's a 5 1/4 in. square card. Since the card is so roomy there are tons of possibilities!! I had to use my Big on Christmas set again. I just can't get enough of it!! I also used my Dashing Designer Series Paper. I used a lot of silver brads...I was just in the mood to poke holes and use lots of metal!! :) Hope you like it! I am off to bed...trying to catch up on some sleep! :) THANKS for stopping by!!! Have a terrific Tuesday! ......... {hugz} T
what's in it?...
stamps...Big on Christmas
paper...real red textured, old olive, river rock, very vanilla, Dashing DSP
ink...old olive, real red, river rock
accessories...silver brads, red ribbon
other...dimensionals, stamp-a-ma-jig, paper piercer, blender pen

I'M HERE!!!

Hey everyone!!!
Just a quick hello to let you know I am still here! We have had a stomach virus at our house!! {*yuck*} After my last post about heading out to enjoy the weather and hang out with the fam....it came to a screeching halt when my son Austin got sick! The kids had been battling the yuckies all week and he was the last to finally get it! So by Sunday evening, I thought we were home free....but not so! It was my turn!....I caught the bug too and of course mine stayed longer than anyone else's! So between that and my daughter Kailee ending up with bronchitis...that was our week! BUT...we are all feeling good now and we did take all day yesterday to enjoy the beautiful fall weather! We had a picnic at the park, played tag, threw the football around a bit, played mini golf and had a fantastic time! Then my sweet daughter babysat the boys last night so that me and Shawners could have a date night!!! I had to get shoes for my sister's wedding and so my sweet husband followed me all around the mall and helped me find just the right pair, without a complaint!....What a man!! We had dinner and then came home to all the kids in bed and a clean kitchen!! I have an incredible little family!!! I am blessed! :)
Well....I am off....have a fabulous Sunday!!! I will have something to show you soon!!! :)

Z fold card

Hey everyone!! How has the weekend been? We have had THE MOST gorgeous weather here in Katy...we are lovin' it!!! I made this card for Beate's weekend sketch challenge. Her challenge was a Z fold card...I have never actually done one, so I was excited to try it! Of course it was super easy...same piece of 4 1/2 x 11 in. cardstock...just folded a little differently. I used my Happy Holidays again & got to use a few small pieces from my Winter Bright scrap kit. I love the colors in this Scrap Kit! Pretty much what you see is what you get...nothing too fancy here! I am going to keep this short and sweet! I wanna get back outside and enjoy the day with my hubby and kiddos! {thanks for coming by!!} ......Tara
what's in it?... stamps...Big on Christmas, small dot stamp
paper...wild wasabi, real red, bashful blue, Winter Bright SS Kit patterned paper, whisper white
ink...wild wasabi, real red, regal rose, so saffron, close to cocoa, versamark
accessories...silver brads, crystal stickles, rhinestone brad, cardstock sticker (from SS kit)
other...photo corner punch, paper piercer & mat pack, dimensionals, blender pens

let it SNOW

I wanted to post this yesterday but I have spent the last 2 days in bed with a migraine and a fever....but I am feeling much, much better today!!! It's a good thing to feel good & just in time for the weekend!!! :) Here is the last card I made using the Big on Christmas stamp set. I used the "Let it Snow" this time. I finally got around to doing these super cool icicles that I learned to do from Roxy {*thanks girl*} She has an awesome blog!! Check it out... she has lots of great tutorials!! I used textured cardstock & the patterned paper from my Winter Bright Simply Scrappin' Kit . I love this scrap kit....I can't wait to do more with it!! Have a terrific Friday...the weekend is almost here!!! yippee!!! Since the fall weather has finally hit Texas...we are going to be doing something outside to enjoy it!!!! :)
Thanks for stoppin' in! {hugs} ....Tara
what's in it?...
stamps...Big on Christmas
paper...bashful blue textured, whisper white, Winter Bright SSK patterned paper
ink...bashful blue, real red, only orange, wild wasabi, black
accessories...white ribbon, crystal effects, glittery embossing powder, blue brad
other...blender pens, black marker

Big on Christmas #2

Ok...here is card #2 that I made with this set!!! When I did finally order this set I thought, hmmm I will probably never really use the "NOEL". I just didn't think it was as cute as the others and wouldn't ya know it...this was the first card I made!! I love the NOEL!!! Isn't that funny how that works! I also ordered the Dashing DSP...LOVE IT!!!! So I took my colors from the Dashing papers...I stamped the "o" on the DSP to make my ornament stand out a little...it's cute I think. I also added some of my new olive ribbon. I think I might have to do a mix of Christmas cards this year, cuz I really want to make more of this card! I better wrap up...you should see my to-do list for today...anyone wanna trade?.... {*wink*}
:) Tara
what' in it?...
stamps...Big on Christmas
paper...real red, old olive, very vanilla, Dashing DSP
ink...old olive, basic black, silver
accessories...red brads, old olive "fat" 5/8 ribbon
other...stamp-a-ma-jig, blender pens

Big on Christmas #1

I got my Stampin' Up! order last night!!!...finally!...my UPS man didn't come until almost 8pm! {talk about makin' a girl wait!!} I am so excited to have the Big on Christmas set. When I first saw it in the catalog it wasn't anything special and then the more I looked at it the more I liked it!...so finally I got it!!! I already made a card with each of the images, today here is the first of the 3 cards I made....Happy Holidays. It's actually a pretty simple card...I just colored it in with my blender pens and then made a cute bow with my ribbon, to give it a "present" look...a cute idea I got from Laurie (click here to see her card). Thanks for stoppin' by today...have a great day!!! :)
what's in it?...
stamps...Big on Christmas
paper...so saffron, real red & wild wasabi, both textured, whisper white
ink...real red, wild wasabi, so saffron, black
accessories...wild wasabi double stitched ribbon, crystal stickles
other...blender pens, glue dots

a file card

In my blog candy that I won last week from Tiffany, I received 6 file cards. So this afternoon after I got my stamp area all cleaned up I decided to make one real quick. I used one of the Wild Wasabi ones. I used my Apple Cider paper and True Friend stamp...{by the way, today it's finally cold and feeling like fall here in Houston so I had to make a run to Starbucks to have a Carmel Apple Cider...have you had one?...they are soooooooo good!!!....so must be an Apple Cider day for me!!!!} anyway.... I didn't do anything to personalize it or put any sentiment on it yet, cuz I'm not sure what I am going to do with it! I hope that you all have a great week...FALL is finally here!!! {yippee}
what's in it?...
stamps...True Friend
paper...wild wasabi, river rock, chocolate chip, whisper white, Apple Cider DSP
ink...river rock, chocolate chip
accessories...rhinestone brad
other...dimensionals, scallop punch, 1 1/4 circle punch, circle cutter (cm), corner rounder

Christmas Stars

I found this great tutorial on Paper Pleasing Ideas...{click here for the tutorial} for these star ornaments! Aren't they cute? They were so simple and so fast!!! Even the most paper challenged could whip them up!! :) There was no stampin' with these, but if you wanted to stamp your own patterned paper you could! I made about 6 to try different widths for the points of the stars. These are the 3 I liked the best. I ended up doing my tips 1 3/4 in. {that will make more sense once you read the tutorial} I used my Cosmo Cricket Be Good paper! Give these cute things a try...they are fun, fast and cute!!
Happy Sunday...hope the rest of your weekend is good!!! :)