Be Kind

Hi!

I hope you've all had a great weekend, filled with fun things.  We got home from our vacation to Denver last night, and I already want to go back.  I LOVE Denver!!  I lived there for a few years, a while back, and I have been trying to get back ever since.  It just feels like "home" to me, almost like I'm supposed to be there.  It was awesome to catch up with old friends, and meet new ones.  This was my daughter's first trip to Colorado, and she has now fallen in love with Denver as well.  She did everything possible, in an effort to get me to extend our stay. lol  I'm fairly certain we'll be back there sooner than later. :o)

Now, onto today's crafty goodness.  I am happy to bring you my next card for the latest House of Cards challenge.  For all of the details on this weeks challenge, click HERE.

Since there are 5 Monday's in this month, this weeks challenge is an all play, so to say.  This means that all of the different design teams are participating.  There's an inspiration photo and you get to choose the type of style of your choice.  For this week, I chose CAS, again.  I'd really like to get better at CAS cards, and the only way to do that, is to keep making them.  I struggle with the color orange, so when I saw the inspiration photo, I was a bit stressed.  I decided that CAS was definitely the way to go, for me.  I really love this Be stamp set from Simon Says Stamp.  It was perfect in portraying the message I wanted to send to someone who's always struggling with anger issues. 

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Inspired By #85 - Inspiration Photo
Annabelle Stamps #168 - Sketch (my very loose interpretation)
Glitter & Sparkle #43 - CAS
Pile It On #30 - Anything Goes

I do hope you'll head over to the HOC blog to see all of the gorgeous cards that are posted today.  There are TONS and they're all pretty wonderful.  Maybe you'll get the chance to join us this week too!

I'll leave you with a few photos I took of our trip into the mountains.  This was Sydney's first time, and the look on her face was priceless!  She had a huge smile on her face the whole time we were up there.  That makes me happy.

 

Oh!  And before I forget, I was really excited to meet one of my favorite papercrafting idols, Laura Davis (A Day In The Life of The Paper Poppy, @healthy_mama).  I've been a huge fan since the early 2 Sketches 4 You days, so this was truly a highlight for me.  She was kind enough to fit us into her schedule, and joined us for lunch.  Let me tell you, she's even more beautiful in person, and she is as beautiful of a person on the inside as well.  We had a lovely time, and I'm so glad that I got to meet her.  Thanks again Laura!

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs!

A Man's Heart

Good day!

How's it going?  I hope you had a good weekend, and are starting your week off well also.  It was a nice, relaxing weekend in the Castro house.  We didn't do anything but go see the movie The Conjuring on Friday.  My daughter and I are huge scary movie fans, so this was a must see for us.  I wasn't sure if it was going to be that scary, but there were some great moments.  I think we'll see it again, once it's on DVD.  We've begun our vacation countdown as well.  In 3 days we'll be in my favorite place, Denver!  I am dying to get there already, and am finding it more and more difficult to be patient. lol  If any of my crafty friends are in the Denver area, and want to have lunch or something, let me know!  It would be awesome to meet any of you!

Anyway, I'm back with another House of Cards project for you.  This weeks theme is Shabby & Vintage.  I've gotten better at CAS, which means that Shabby and Vintage are now two styles that I really struggle with.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE.  Below is the card I created.

I really distressed all of my edges, and I tried to make it look "vintage" with my inking.  I do hope it's close to being considered shabby and vintage.  I really wanted to support this weeks group, so I am just going to go with it.  I've got another card for my stash now too.

I've also combined the following challenges in my card:

WordArt Wednesday #89 - Anything Goes
The Paper Players #155 - Sketch (I flipped it)
Addicted to Stamps #60 - Lots of Layers (I've got 8)
The Hybrid Chick Card Caravan #46 - Red, White & Blue

I do hope you'll head over to see what the HOC Shabby & Vintage DT have created for you this week.  They're beautiful! 

Have a good day!
Hugs!

HOC Month One - Classic & Elegant

Hiya!

This is my second post for the day.  To see what else I've been up to, please scroll down.

It's Monday, which brings us to the next challenge at House of Cards.  I've been participating with them since the first post went live, at the beginning of the month, but this week is focused on my group - Classic and Elegant.  Below is the theme for this month.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE. 

And here is what I created:

I LOVE butterflies!  These Verve butterflies are among my favorite, and when I saw the theme for this months color challenge, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them.  I colored them with my Copics, in the colors matching the theme, and then cut them out.  I don't like to fussy cut, much, but they're exactly what I hoped they'd be, once I put them on my card.  I used THIS sketch, even though the challenge is now closed, because it was perfect for what I wanted to do.  And, I'm happy to have another card to add to my stash, yay! 

I have also combined the following challenges in my card today:

Totally Papercrafts #175 - All of a Flutter
Speedy Fox & Friends #168 - Favorite Technique (dry embossing)
Robyn's Fetish #168 - Things With Wings
Hybrid Chick Card Caravan #46 - Red, White & Blue

I do hope you'll head over to the House of Cards challenge blog to see what my friends have created for you today as well.  They're pretty fantastic!

I'll be back with more crafty goodness soon...
Hugs!

Use Your Words - Story

Hello!

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a good weekend, and are having a decent start to your week.  I'm excited to bring you my first post as a new DT member for Use Your Words.  Seeing as how I have TONS of photos and hoarded supplies, this is going to be a great push for me to use them.  In case you haven't heard of them, here is a bit of information about them.

Our challenges will be posted on the 1st and  15th of each month.  You will have until the 29th of the month to complete the challenge.  On the 1st and 15th you will be given  a challenge inspiration word. This word can be used as your title or in your journaling.  We MUST see the word somewhere on your project.

Our challenge this week is the word Story.  For all of the details, click HERE.  Here is my interpretation...

As you can see, there are no photos on my layout.  I wanted to do something that was close to my heart and had been an idea in the back of my mind for a while.  This is a VERY personal situation for me.  I was baptized as a baby in a Catholic church, but I chose to become a Christian on December 3, 2011.  I'm still considered a "baby Christian" by many friends who have been Christians for a lot longer, but I am just as dedicated to living the same, faithful life as they are.  I wanted to make sure that my daughter was being guided in the right direction as well, and am thankful that He has shown her the way too.   

On this layout, I used some new goodies from the Studio Calico Roundabout kit.  It's travel based, but I really thought the papers would go well with my theme.  I also combined them with one of my favorite Verve stamps (Philippians 4:13 plain jane), and some items I got in my Simon Says Stamp June card kit.  The stamp in the bottom right was a perfect fit for this.  A bit of Mister Hueys mist, some washi tape, and some stitching and I was done. 

To be honest, I was a LOT nervous about this first layout, as it's the first I've created in over two years.  I wasn't sure I was going to be able to make anything that was even close to the amazing projects that my fellow DT friends have created for you today.  I decided to keep it simple, and do what made me happy, and am satisfied with how it turned out. 

I do hope you'll head over to see the gorgeous projects posted on the Use Your Words challenge blog.  They're gorgeous!

Back soon with another crafty post!
Hugs!

Birthday Wishes

Hola y'all!

I hope you've had a wonderful Saturday, and that the weather is being nicer to you than it is to us here in NW Iowa.  I've got three teenage girls who have been at the pool for most of the day, and they're headed back for the midnight swim around 9pm.  I'm glad they're keeping themselves cool, and entertained. lol

I needed a birthday card for a friend, and this is what I came up with.  It's not too girly for a guy, is it?

If you know me, you know I have a difficult time with masculine cards.  I have taken on the approach that if I keep it simple, it works out better.  This is a good example of that, I believe.

I've combined the following challenges in my card:

Creative Belli #173 - Stars
Color Throwdown #250 - Bermuda Bay, Crumb Cake, Melon Mambo & So Saffron (I used colors I thought were close)
Freshly Made Sketches #94 - Sketch
CASual Fridays #109 - Polka Dots
Annabelle Stamps #167 - Polka Dots

I'm going to take the girls to dinner, then we're having shaved ice, before they head back to the pool.  I'll be back soon with another something fun.  I know Monday I've got two really cool posts going up for some new DT work.

Hope you'll check back soon!
Hugs!

All of My Love

Greetings!

It's been a busy week, but I have managed to get some crafty time in.  I'm excited that tomorrow's Friday, but my goodness, time sure is going by VERY quickly!  In two weeks from today, I'll be basking in the breathtaking views with my favorite girl.  We're headed to the Denver area for a nice, extended weekend getaway, with my mom, sister and brother in law.  I can't wait to see her face when she sees the mountains.  This is her first trip to Colorado, and I sure hope she loves it as much as I do.  Maybe I can talk her into applying to the University of Colorado? *crossing my fingers*

Anyway, here is a card I put together before bed the other night.

I'm not a huge pink fan, but I really wanted to use the floral paper, that I've been hoarding for a couple years now.  Everything came together rather easily.  I like how it turned out, and now I've got another card for my stash.  I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Mojo Monday #301 - Sketch
ODBDSLC161 - Love, Wedding or Anniversary
Papertake Weekly - Old, New, Borrowed or Blue (my patterned papers are old, but the die cut is a new die I just got)
Kaboodle Blog #179 - Anything French (the green background stamp on one of the panels is the French Script stamp from SU!)

I was excited to find out that I was chosen as a Pals Paper Arts Pick.  Thanks a bunch!

I'm off to watch a movie and hang out with my girl, before heading to bed early.  I'm exhausted and I have an early conference call in the morning.  I hope all of you have a wonderful evening!

Hugs!

Use Your Words

Hello, hello!

It's a wonderful day here, and I can't wait to be done with my work day, so that I can come home and play with some more new goodies.  We got a much needed rain shower this morning, but now it's going to be hot and humid.  A couple months ago, when it snowed in May, I was longing for the warm Texas weather.  Now that we've got the heat and humidity, I am almost regretful I missed it. lol  Anyway, I'll move on to why I'm posting today. 

I have tons of photos that I haven't done anything with, in ages.  I haven't even created a scrapbook layout in probably two years.  What's bad about that, is that I have tons of supplies, and photos, but I'm not doing anything with them.  I'm even subscribed to the monthly Scrapbook Kit at Studio Calico.  When my new box arrives each month, I oooh, and ahhh, over everything and then put it in my scrap room with the rest of them, where they have began to collect dust.  I've been afraid to create any kind of layout, due to my lack of creating them, and therefore just let the boxes continue to collect dust. 

I'm happy to announce that I'm dusting off all of my goodies, and photos, and jumping into the scrapbooking world again.  Thanks to Brenshevia, over at the Use Your Words challenge blog, I have been given an opportunity to use up some of my stuff, and finally use the photos I've been collecting.  She has kindly invited me onto her design team, and I couldn't be more excited.  I'm nervous, but still excited. lol  I'll include a bit about the challenge site below, so that you can get a feel for what we're going to be doing.

Our challenges will be posted on the 1st and  15th of each month.  You will have until the 29th of the month to complete the challenge.  On the 1st and 15th you will be given  a challenge inspiration word. This word can be used as your title or in your journaling.  We MUST see the word somewhere on your project.  

I will be back on the 15th with my first reveal as a new DT member.  I do hope you'll join me on this new journey, and use up some of your neglected goodies and photos as well.

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs!

Hugs & Kisses

Howdy y'all!

I hope your weekend was a good one!  I would have loved an extra day to sleep in, but alas, it's back to the bump and grind of a regular work week.  The good thing, is that I don't have to be at work all week, until 10am.  I don't mind going in a bit later, but working later has its disadvantages.  Thank goodness it's only temporary. 

Today is week two of challenges over at House of Cards.  Even though my cards aren't due until the third week of the month, in support of their first month, I will be attempting to create a card each week.  This weeks challenge is CAS.  Here is what I created.

The color combo is the same the first four weeks, but the style of card is different each week.  I love this shimmery paper, with distressed inks on it.  It makes the color shimmery as well, once you've added them.  CAS is a style that I have always loved, but haven't really been able to create well.  I always want to keep adding stuff to my cards, rather than letting them be simple and lovely.  I do love how this turned out, and I am going to continue to try to create more CAS type cards.  I used THIS sketch, even though it's from a while back.  I really thought it would be perfect for today's CAS theme.  I hope the recipient of this card enjoys it as much as I enjoyed making it for her.

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

2 Sisters #151 - Red, White & Blue
Totally Gorjuss #191 - Anything goes, with circles
The Shabby Tea Room #174 - Inspiration Photo

I'm off to get ready for work, and start my day.  I do hope you'll head over to the HOC blog, to see the gorgeous CAS cards that are posted for you today.  They're wonderful!  Also, I hope you'll stop by tomorrow.  I've got another post scheduled, with some interesting news.

Have a great day!
Hugs!

Shore Do Love You

Yola!

How's your weekend going?  Mine has been wonderful!  My daughter is home safe, I've been uber crafty, and I got a bonus because I'm now past my probationary period in my new position.  I'm now a permanent employee.  Yay!  If only I could sleep past 6:30am, I'd be even more happy.  Darn internal alarm clock! :o)

When I lived in Dallas, I worked at a LSS, where I got to meet the amazing Jen del Muro and Susan Liles.  They're both awesome, and fun, and I'm glad I got the opportunity to get to know them.  When I found out that Jen had started her own stamp company, I couldn't have been happier for her, and I couldn't wait to get my hands on her stamps.  I got my first couple sets of Reverse Confetti stamps a couple weeks ago, but hadn't inked them up until yesterday.  I absolutely adore them, and can see myself owning just about every set they come out with. lol  AND!!  Have you seen her amazing Design Team?!  Goodness, there is some major inspiration going on over there!  Anyway, here's my first card, using her stamps.

I used the Happy Harbor set.  Isn't this adorable?!  I love these colors together, and even colored with my Copics (with shading! lol).  As an added embellishment, I Googled how to tie a sailors knot, and wound up choosing the Carrick Bend knot.  It's not that difficult, and I like the way it looks.  I think it's a great touch to the card.  This card will be sent to a very good friend of mine in the great state of New York, who needs a bit of cheering up.  I hope he enjoys it.

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

CCEE1327 - Sumertime is Beach Time
Reverse Confetti SFYTT - July Sketch
SCS IC396 - Poketo (photo below - you can visit their site HERE)

I'll be back soon with more craftiness.  I'm off to get ready for church, and then my daughter and I are  headed to an extra special lunch, just the two of us.  My heart is happy...

Hugs!

I Can Do All Things...

Hiya!

Happy Saturday!  I am excited that I got to sleep in this morning.  Nothing like getting a couple extra hours of sleep. *happy sigh*  I'm sure I would have slept longer, had I not received a text message from a certain someone who's in another time zone. lol  I'm also super excited that my daughter will be home this afternoon.  I missed her very much!  I wanted to get some crafty time in before she gets home, so I created this, before breakfast even. :-)

This is my very loose interpretation of VLVJUL2013 sketch challenge over at SCS.  I wanted to keep it very simple, so that the sentiment was the focal point.  There is someone very close to my heart that will be going through something very difficult over the next few weeks, and I wanted to make sure she knew that I was praying for her, and that God would get her through it.  We both know it will all work out in the end, but getting there is often the hardest.  I've really taken a liking to CAS cards, and I LOVE how this card turned out.  It's simple, and beautiful.  I don't use the color purple often, but it's her favorite, so I know she'll love it.  

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Word Art Wednesday #87 - Anything Goes
VLVJUL2013 - Sketch (again, my very loose interpretation)
CAS-ual Fridays #108 - Include Fabric, Felt, Canvas,etc. (the bottom layer of my focal panel is SU! fabric glued to cardstock, and then cut out with my Nestabilities to create the "frame")
Crazy 4 Challenges #193 - Lets Get Wordy (focus on sentiment, big or small)

I just found out this morning, that I was chosen as the Diva of the week, for THIS card.  What a shock!  Thanks a bunch!

By the way, don't forget that the new House of Cards challenge will go live on Monday morning.  You still have time to join the current challenge though.  You can click HERE, for all of the details.

I'm off to finish laundry, clean the house, and maybe make something else.  I do hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs!

Change is good, sometimes...

Hello friends!

For those of you who visit me often, I'm sure you've noticed quite a change.  I had been thinking about updating my blog for some time, so that it looked more professional, but hadn't had the chance until now.  I have to admit, I'm super excited about it.  Sharon at Plumrose Lane did an amazing job!  It's funny how an update, and a new look, can make you feel so much better.  I think I'm most happiest about my customized blog banner, at the top.  It's the first time it's looked that good. lol  I've also gone from Where'd All My Money Go?! to One Crafty Chica.  It goes better with my email, and everything else, and is more mature sounding.  I loved the old title, but it's time to grow up, a bit. :o)

I guess I should get back to work, now that I've done nothing but stare at my new and improved blog for the last half hour. lol

Have a great weekend!
Hugs!

Celebrate

Greetings!

Happy 4th of July to all of my American friends!  A very special Thank You to all of those who have served, and are serving, to protect our freedom!

I hope you're enjoying the time off with family and friends.  I don't have much planned for today.  I'm just going to relax, and play with all of my new goodies, as much as I can.  I wanted to participate in a few challenges I saw, and use one of the Design Seeds color combos (below) that goes well with this holiday week.  Here is what I put together.

I'm still struggling with my photos.  I think I may have to just break down and pay for a real light box.  This way, my photos will be consistent.  Either way, this card turned out exactly how I pictured it in my head.  That's always a plus for me.  That doesn't happen very often. lol  I really wanted to use the new stuff that arrived in my Simon Says Stamp July Card Kit, and am glad that I was able to pull it off.  I suppose this card could be use for several different occasions, not just 4th of July or birthday.  I'll just keep it in my card stash, and use it when I need to. 

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Color Q #196 - Real Red, More Mustard, Night of Navy, Crumb Cake & White (Hoping I'm close enough)
Stampin Royalty #183 - Anything Goes
Pals Paper Arts #162 - Pacific Point, Real Red & Crumb Cake (Hoping I got close enough, again)

I'm off to make more stuff, and eat some amazing food that we've prepared for today.  Later, I suppose I'll leave the house, and go watch the fireworks with my mom somewhere.  Maybe. :-)

Just a quick reminder, before I forget.  Have you checked out the new challenge at House of Cards?  I hope you will, and if you can, play along with us.

Enjoy your day!
Hugs!

Happy Birthday!

Hello!

How are y'all today?  I'm glad it's Wednesday, and I have tomorrow off.  I plan on being a total bum, playing with my new Simon Says Stamp goodies.  If anyone needs me, I'll be in my room. lol

I'm totally excited that the House of Cards challenge blog is up and running, as of Monday.  My cards aren't due until the third week of each month, but I am going to try to create a card each week this month, to show my support.  Here is what I created for week #1.

There is an awesome photo posted, with a fantastic color combo, that is very fitting for this holiday week.  The theme is Cute & Fun.  I'm hoping I pulled it off well enough.  I'm not much of a cute and fun person, but I dig how this turned out, and I've got another card for the card box. Yay! :o) 

I've also combined the following challenge in my card:

Kaboodle Doodles #178 - Flag Colors (USA is red, white & blue)
Craft Your Passion #169 - Red, White & Blue
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
ODBDSLC160 - Patriotic - Red, White & Blue

I do hope you'll head over and check out the challenge.  There are some fabulous cards posted by the DT.  Maybe you'll be supportive too, and join us?

Have a great 4th of July holiday weekend!
Hugs!

Use Your Words (DT Call)

Hi y'all!

A friend of mine just recently told me about a new challenge blog, for scrapbook layouts, called Use Your Words.  I haven't created a layout in forever, as you've probably already noticed, but I think it's a very cool idea.  The challenges are bi-monthly and focused around one chosen word.  For all of you layout people who visit, you should head over and check out their info.  You can find them HERE, or details on their DT call HERE.

Hope you have a great day!
Hugs!