Unity Challenge Dec.15-Jan.15

Gosh, I sure love to get these things in under the wire! ;) This one is for the Unity Challenge ending tonight at midnight! I'm *so* proud of this little gift bag..it's made with an irridescent cardstock, all handcut! I used a Heidi Grace template and my husband helped me score it...this was *not* easy but it was worth it. My son claimed it for himself hehe.

What I really love about this, is there is nothing new and exciting about it, but it still has a modern feel. The stickers/papers are all from a stack I picked up at Michael's a few years ago. As a matter of fact it's a "rob and bob studio" holiday slab by provo craft! (Holiday Slab IV) Do they still make holiday slabs?

The stamps of course are Unity! I used Ticket to Christmas. I *love* this one. How can every Unity stamp be my new favourite? They stamp *so* crisp and you get them for such a good deal since there's no wood. :)

Happy Hip Hop and Happy Birthday Angela of Unity!!

Hi hip hoppers. :) This is the card I have to share with you today. It uses 2 of the co-brand (Cosmo Cricket) itty bitty's.

I useda bunch of unconventional stuff here..the doily, the crepe paper, the tissue paper is from some vintage "multistamp transfer" paper which I used to create the flower and stamped the quote on. The leaves are vintage velour ones I found at a thrift store.

Have a great weekend!
~A

November KOTM challenge

Phew! Just under the wire. I play every month, so I don't like to miss! Working 70 hours a week...I just don't have as much time as I would like to play! Check out all the entries HERE!

The background...was the bane of my existance. I was having a hard time figuring out how to layer the Spellbinders Impressabilities using a Big Shot. I finally got something working, but not sure if I did it right...

I also got to use a couple oldies! Like the making memories vellum tag..WOW those are old! :) The little chipboard "joy to the world" I think may be DCWV? The flower was made by my online friend Norine Borys! She spent her summer up in her cottage making 100's of flowers for her online friends at Love is in the Details! How sweet, eh? :)

Thanks for coming by! Have a good weekend!
~A

We Fish You a Merry...

Welcome Friends with Flair! I'm trying so hard to get in a Christmas mood, but I just feel like a grinch!! Anyone else get like that..? I always feel so rushed, like I'm not doing enough! Well...trying to get in the mood by revisiting some old cards. I used an Ippity set for this one. One of my faves! (Don't we say that about ALL our Unity? heeh) The saying is just one I made up on the computer.

Happy Weekend!
~A

It's been a while. :)

Well...leave it to me to get things done just under the wire. :/ I wish I had more time to craft...because I feel like I'm really forgetting how to do things. It results with me not being too happy with anything I make! It's hard because I work 70 hours a week. BOOO to work, right?

Anyways..here is my card for the Unity kit of the month stamp challenge! I keep playing...but really I have one more kit left I can purchase. I'm missing one from 2011. 2 or 3 from 2008 that I can't get now, anyways. I'm a pretty bad Unity addict! ;)
I used the sentiment from the KOM April 2009. The snowflake is from September 2008 KOM. The tag, I made using a paper bag from starbucks... yep I treated myself to a banana nut loaf slice..hehe. It's so moist, can you blame me..? I don't bake!

Have a great weekend!
~A

11/11/11

Today, is a special day. It's my little boy Alexander's 4th birthday. I'm short on words but my heart is full. Here are pictures of each of his birthdays over the years:

BIRTH DAY

1ST BIRTHDAY

2ND BIRTHDAY

3RD BIRTHDAY

4TH BIRTHDAY (today!)

Can't leave out the awesome cake I made for him. My husband helped with making the icing and decorating the outside. :D Alex's favourite colour is: rainbow. :)

Here is a divine slice. We're all just waking up from our diabetic comas. ;)

AND...if you're here with friends with flair, here is the card I have to share. Made for Alexander using the Simple Stories "life's short...eat cake!" set:

We had a wonderful day here, I hope you did too! Enjoy your weekend!

~A

A card and some photos!

This is a card I made for the Unity Challenge. The challenge was based on a fall poem. I actually like the way this card turned out! It's simple and me. I love those zing embossing powders, wow they sure pop! The stamps were from Unity's September 2008 kit of the month...wow! It's a line of 5 trees, but I stamped 3 of them individually onto pop dotted circles. My goal is to go back and use some older stamps. I have SO many unused stamps!

(click)

Here are some photos from Halloween! My 3 (4, on Friday!) year old son asked to be Luigi. Man, I thought it was going to be a challenge...but it came together SO easily. I loved it..he was adorable! People loved his costume!

My daughter went as a devil... I don't think you'd find a prettier little devil! :) On a side note...it's SOOO hard to find an appropriate costume for a little girl! My daughter is 8 and I was embarrased looking at costumes for her!

And here are our Angry Birds pumpkins. Angry pumpkins? hehe. We had so much fun with these. They looked awesome lit up. We didn't get a chance to take a pic of them with candles in.
Have a great day!

~A

1st Birthday

I have 5 or 6 layouts sitting on my desk that I haven't put into albums..they've kinda been sitting around waiting to get scanned since maybe May and June. EEK. I haven't really scrapped much since then...maybe a layout or two. So, I'll try and get some of these uploaded so I can put them into my albums!

This is my DD on her 1st birthday. She is 8 now. Holy smokes, where does the time go? Just a quick layout with some random pictures from the day.

(click to enlarge)

Have a great week! I even have a card ready to go for friends with flair on Friday! Yay!

~A

friends with flair!!

Just a quick post to join in on friends with flair over at Unity!! I used an Ippity set here. I paper pieced the stack of books on dictionary paper and it was embossed in black. The butterfly I used glossy accents and then covered it with doodlebug glitter! I love doing this even though not often. The green seam binding NEVER scans right..but it matches the lighter green in the polka dots!

(click to enlarge)

Thanks for looking and have a GREAT hop and a GREAT weekend!
~A

All Things Unity #42 BINGO

I tried taking a picture of my card this time..not sure I'm much happier with the results. BUT, I used my crummy cellphone camera. ;) I made this card for the challenge over at All Things Unity using a bingo card. I chose the last row down which was ribbon, sentiment, bling and free space. I chose rubons for that last space. The rubons I used were actually heidi swapp..from like 2005!! I could NOT believe they actually worked as well as they did (aside from the little paper sliding around so I didn't get a perfectly straight rubon!) considering they didn't work very good the FIRST time around!

Well, hope the pic is not too crummy. Still working on that! :D I'm also playing along with the HYCCT challenges at Splitcoast. So this one is for the 2nd challenge which was to use rhinestone bling.

Have a great week!

~A

Friends With Flair

I haven't done FWF with Unity in quite some time! So...I hope I'm doing this right! :) The set I used was What Matters Most by Ippity! I haven't used these particular stamps until now..and those butterflies are just so pretty! I had fun cutting them out and glitterizing! :)

This card is also a part of the Ippity Challenge to do one of the Hope You Can Cling To challenges over at Splitcoast Stampers. There's a new challenge everyday and the ladies are sending cards to a hospital in Texas I believe for Breast Cancer patients to use.

Anyways...busy day of work ahead. Have a wonderful weekend!

~A

Chick Challenge #2

Last day for the Chick Challenge #2 over here. Challenge was based on this sketch:

Here is my card in all it's crooked scanning glory. :) As usual, I have a real hard time with shape cards and I'm never happy with them...so I went rectangle. :) Funny thing about this card, is that I'm not even religious in any way! Although, I do love a lot of the beautiful messages! This card uses the Ippity set: What Matters Most.

Have a good day!
~A

Chick Challenge #1

Sorry for the crooked scan.. I'll never get good at that. ;) Definitely try and take pics more often! This card uses the Ippity set Authentic Man.

The girls over at Ippity (By Unity) have a new challenge blog! Check it out at: Chick Challenges {with Ippity}! This is the first sketch challenge and I'm excited as I can maybe start actually USING all these Ippity stamps I've hoarded! Short post today, I've been battling a cold all weekend...BOO! It's a long weekend too! Have a great week!

~A

Unity Sketch

Just a quick post to add my card that I had done DAYS ago. :) It's for the Unity Sketch Challenge. I used fewer "bars" and flipped it. I love the centre stamp. Sorry, as usual it scanned a bit wonky..time I learned to take photos! ;)

Happy Sunday!
~A

Buckle Up!

I used to belong to a kit club at a defunct place now. (Just Cre8). The kits were massive...and I still probably have a dozen. I'm very much an extreme shopper, slow crafter. ;) A few months ago I challenged myself to make as many projects as possible with a kit. The following layout is from a February kit and I think at last count I had 22 layouts and 8 or so cards made with it! That is impressive. It helps that I *loved* this kit. It was mainly Fancy Pants - Splendid.

In any case, as the supplies dwindled, the layouts got simpler. :) I really enjoyed this process. I only have a few scraps left that I'm going to try and NIL! Not enough for a layout but I'll add background paper..because I have a set of glitter alphas to use up. There's really not enough letters to spell anything!

Today, I just felt like sharing a layout. I don't blog stuff as soon as I make it, I'm not fast, I'm not regular. As my husband says... I'm consistently inconsistent! lol

(click to enlarge)

Thanks for coming by as I slowly add things to my blog. :)
~A

Falling Leaves

Another month, another Unity challenge. I totally need these, it's the only way I get my rubber inky!! I love that all the challenges get you using different stamps.

For this card, I stamped the leaves in versamark and then coloured them in with chalk. I *love* this technique! The "thankful" is embossed. I just love that stamp!

Have a great week!
~A

Sometimes...the smallest things...

take up the most room in your heart. ~Winnie the Pooh My little DD when she was several months old. It's kind of ironic because she's REALLY tall now.. she is the tallest 3rd grader in her class and she's a foot taller than a lot of the kids!

I used the Unity Sketch to make a layout. It's not easy to turn a card sketch into a layout. :) If you look at the flower I used the little heart pins stamps from the September 2009 kit of the month. Sorry, about the colours, my scanner did not like!! I tried to correct as much as possible but that's the best I could do!

Just need a place to park..

I have these Unity stamps for trade from the recent grab bag:

Unity August Challenge

You know what I love about the Unity challenges?? It gets me using my Unity stamps AND using up scraps! :) Just what I needed to get back into the swing of things!

I *struggled* with this card! This is the first time I did an actual stamped paper piecing. I've stamped on pp before but never really cut out small details. :) My fingers are just too chubby and I have no patience! lol

The theme was *Back to School* I used a schoolhouse and the quote from a previous KOTM. I'll be passing this card on to a friend of mine who is a single mom, 29 years old and going back to University full time for her education degree!!! So proud of her and this quote was PERFECT!

The little branch is from a sizzix die. My kids actually punched it out while they were playing with it and I never thought there'd be a use for an orange branch...but since I never actually used the die myself (blush) I thought it was too cute to throw out! Ahh..there's always a use for something, no?

~A

Banners, Tags & Flags!

Just a quickie! I've been trying to get 10 minutes today to get on upload this car before heading off to the lake..and things never do work out as planned, do they? lol Well.. this didn't turn out quite how I expected, but that's ok.. I still kind of like it! This is for the Ippity Challenge!

August Unity KOTM Sketch Challenge

Wow, I can't believe I've manage to participate in a 2nd monthly challenge! :) It's easy when the stamps you are using are so amazing! This is the sketch:

This is my card. It's not a great image of it, but I actually took it with my cellphone because it was way too thick to scan. I tried to hide the words in a circle with stickles...it's actually less obvious in person, but flash doesn't lie. ;) I didn't want the words to show because I just wanted it to be the number 5 for a 5th anniversary. I'm happy with how it turned out. It's hit and miss with me and cards!! lol

Stamps on this card are from the August Unity kit of the month. I just got them today! Yay! :)

Hello? Is this thing on...?

Just trying to creep back in here...I've been making a few things here and there. Yes, I'm shocked myself. I made this card for a Unity Stamp Co. challenge! Click here to see the challenge!

I made this using up an old Just Cre8 kit that featured the Fancy Pants Splendid line. The stamp is from the July 2010 Unity Kit of the Month. I love it! Next time, I'll have to stamp it on smooth cardstock to see the details a little better!

Also, my Martha Stewart punch seen on this card is on the fritz? How disappointing for something that isn't used very often. It will NOT punch through bazzill at all. It hardly punched through this flimsy white cardstock!

Stay Tuned for some other stuff! ;)

A layout!

My friend from junior high had the wedding of the century. She even had a photo booth service set up...it was such a blast! She is the one on the left in the group photos. The machine printed off 2 sets of each...one for the brides scrapbook, where you sign with your photos and the other you get to keep!

(click to enlarge for details)

I've been trying to really start using my hoarded up goodies...I find that I like my layouts more when I am using stuff I hoard..huh, wonder how that happens! ;) Love the BG and the FP glitter cuts! The flower is Chatterbox.

Friends With Flair

Good morning, Unity peeps! :) I forgot to post last night so this is super fast before I go to work. I am in an ATC Swap...and this is what I came up with... I love these so much I wish I made one for myself! :( This is the Brave Girl kit..which is proving to be one of my faves!

"Born to Fly" was stamped on acetate and the butterfly was stamped and embossed with AC Zing powder...yummy! :)

Enjoy the hop, I'll be back later to check everything out! Make sure to start at the Unity Blog to get the full list of Friends With Flair!!! Have a great day!

Ippity Hop!!

Just a quick post tonight! It's late and I'm getting used to a new keyboard..much softer keys! For this card I used the Kissmas & Mistletoe stamp set. It was my first time cracking it open! I love these pretty snowflakes...I used white embossing powder. The "Peace" is stamped on a transparency! Plus, I finally allowed myself to use a teensy bit of vintage lace... I'm sure the other thousands of meters laying around won't miss it! lol
Thank you for stopping by and don't forget to visit everyone on the hop! Go to the Ippity blog and make sure not to leave anyone out! XO

Friends With Flair

A quick post today, it's really late! If you're here for FWF make sure to start at the Unity blog so you don't miss any of the fabulous creations!! There is a TON of talent!


This layout is FULL of firsts! :) It was my first time ever, using corrugated cardboard for a background. As you can see, I'm not very good at stripping it..I wanted a little bit more of the paper to stay on. I get either all or nothing when I try it!

The glimmer mist is hard to see, but if you click on the image it may work better...it's homemade glimmer mist using luminarte! It actually turned out really well..and then I added paint to try and thicken it up..nope...not a good idea! ;)

The ribbon flower was SOOO much fun to make... I am so gonna try more of these... I spritzed the ribbon with my homemade glimmer mist before rolling it up!

I have work today, so I'll be back later tonight to check out all your wonderful blogs, can't wait! Enjoy the rest of FWF Hop!

Stamp set used: Where You Should Be by Ippity

{Ippity} Hop time!

Wow, the time sure flys by! This is my 3rd Ippity Hop, I can't believe it! I am so in love with Ippity stamps! I never really thought I would love making cards more than I do scrapbooking! But, quite honestly...it's hard to make time to do everything when you work full time and have a family to raise, try to be healthy and active. Cards are perfect for this because you can use an hour after bedtimes to whip up a card or two and still have time to watch a movie with your SO!

This card was for Unity's challenge of orange/teal/navy blue. What a fuuuun colour combination! You can't really tell but the gingham ribbon is navy blue and so is the c/s!
This card was for the yellow/turquoise and one other colour challenge! The other colour I chose was red! The turq. and the red make the eyes go all googly when you see this in person. I really must try and get some sort of light box going to take better photos of my cards. ;)
Anyhow, this card uses the love in return set by ippity and the garden variety by unity. I used the award ribbon, cut it out to make it a flower..that was fun..I'll have to play with that a little more in depth when I have a chance!

Enjoy the rest of the Ippity Hop everyone! I know everyone did a beautiful job and I look forward to seeing everyone's projects! You can see them all by going HERE!

Friends With Flair Friday!

Hi there blog hoppers! Today, I have a special layout to share with you. It's a layout of my son Nicholas' birthday! I did this layout this past weekend and it didn't even really click...that my son's birthday is approaching yet again! In this photo he was celebrating his 5th birthday...and on Saturday he will be 11! I'm so proud of him yet for those of you who know me, my heart really hurts on July 24. So, I am so proud to share this with you since his birthday is tomorrow!


The papers are WRMK,a lthough I'm not sure if the green swirly one is. I outlined part of the flourish to make it pop a little bit more. The stamp I used was an Ippity stamp from "Love In Return".

I am super duper excited for the release of the new Ippity sets!! It will be a hugeeee order for me coming from Stephanie! It will be the whole Spring AND summer line!!!! *squeee* It was just last month that I got the whole winter line. I *love* Ippity stamps with my whole heart, they bring me joy! *teehee*

I'm also still waiting for my July Unity KOTM, anyone else stalking their mailman? Unity has the greatest product around and I'm so happy to have so much yummy Unity!

Enjoy the rest of the FWF Hop! Don't miss any of the girls, check the Unity blog for the full list!

Have a blessed weekend! (I have to work all of it! *wah*)
xo

{Ippity} Hop!!

Hello!
Thanks for stopping by for this weeks edition of the Ippity Hop! I am heading off to bed, but wanted to post this before I go, since I need to work tomorrow! *wah*


I love making cards with "hello" type sentiments on them, because then I can use them for anything. I usually have so many cards just sitting in a box never to be loved! Does anyone else do this?

This card was a scraplift of Maria (scrapsbym) she is super talented! :) I wish I wasn't too lazy to pull out my machine, because I think machine stitching really adds a lot of nice texture!

Have a wonderful day! I will be back later tonight to leave love for all of you!! :D Don't forget to check out all the wonderful work by starting at the Ippity Blog!

Unity Friends With Flair Blog Hop

Hello!!!


This is my first Unity blog hop! I'm super duper excited!! I have to work, but I'll be back to check out everyone's projects later in the day! :) To make sure you get to see everyone's great work go here: Unity Blog

I made this card this past week for the 8th Unity Challenge, but really wanted to share it here on my blog. I'm actually quite happy with this card this time around, I guess 3rd time's the charm!

I used the Melody Ross Brave Girl set! Who *doesn't* love it...! It is perfect for some ATC's too! Which I plan on doing in the next few days!

Teal/Pink/Orange...I *love* these colours together, don't you? :)

(Click to enlarge)
Here is a closeup of these adorable pins..and the cute button. Interestingly enough, the button is a Chatterbox one! :D Thanks for stopping by today, I'm happy you could make it!!! Don't forget to stop by all the girls' blogs, they are super talented these ladies that use Unity!! :D

~A