Quick Layouts and Derby Wishes!

Hi everyone! Just wanted to share a super quick 2 page layout I made the other night. I LOVE the photo pages American Crafts makes. Super easy for those times when you have a lot of pictures you want to include, but really would like to keep it simple! This was Labor Day and my little guy was playing cornhole with his great grandparents! (Yes, these are my grandparents and they are still cool adn young enough to play cornhole :) LOVE IT!!!) So simple, so basic, and I got to use all the pics I wanted of the event!!!  I apologize for the lighting and pic, but wanted to snap it and get it up here to show you all :)

on the backside I did another LO with the pics from the rest of the day :)

Quick and easy peasy! Happy Oaks day to all my other Kentucky peeps!! Tomorrow is the Derby!!! Maybe then the city will settle down a little bit :)

Do you watch the derby? ANyone have a favoorite this year?

A Pic of Hubby and I from Churchill Downs last year (or maybe the year before, lol)

NEW American Crafts Dear Lizzy!!!

Just an FYI. My American Craft Sales Rep this morning sent us the NEW! Mid Releases. This includes 12 new Dear Lizzy Adhesive Fabric Papers, an DL Album Kit, New Thickers,  and NEW rose ribbon :) (Did I mention I already ordered ALL the new rose ribbon :)

I will have it for sale in my shop soon! (It ships mid May :) And the prices will be WAY cheaper than stores since I buy it to play with and then just sell the rest that is left :)

So, what is your fav color ribbon?

Double Duty!

The Challenge this week at DCRU Blog is to create 2 of something!  The DT all created with the Backyard and Every Day  collections from American Crafts!  (Only one of my FAV manufacturers AGAIN :)  Here is what I decided to make for the challenge this week! I love simple :) You should join in too!:)

I decided to make 2 super fun but super simple cards :) SO bright!

Items available at DCRU:

Prism  Cardstock,  Tim Holtz Distressed Ink, American Crafts Patterned Papers,
 Buttons, Glue Dots,  3D White Foam Adhesive, Cuttle Bug Divine Swirl Embossing Folder by Provo Craft

Come join in with us!

Fun Bridal Decor!

Hi fabulous readers! Much going on around here! Friday was the FFA Banquet at my old high school. My family and I gave away 3 college scholarships to 3 seniors in my brother's memory. It is such a bittersweet thing. He loved to help others, loved FFA, farming, animals, his friends, etc. We used to joke that Bub loved the 7 F's (faith, farm, food, family, friends, football, and females :) Love him. Miss him. Wish the best to those who we picked for the schaolarships and we know they will carry on his legacy.

Here are some cute favor tags for a bridal shower! Didn't they turn out fun!!

and here is the banner that was for the same shower!!

Wish you could see the fun stickles on the "diamond!!!"

and I am LOVING the dress I put on the other end!!

Have a great Sunday!

Some great links and a couple pics :)

Hi everyone! Hope you are making the best of this wonderful week! I know I am sure trying to do so! Matthew and I spent time running bases and playing ball at a ball field after preschool yesterday.

Martial Arts class and a much need stop at Graeters were in order after that!!! If you live near one, Graeters now has smoothies that are FAB! I had the Berry Banana & with a splach of orange juice, yummy & not too thick!!

A couple things to check out if you are in the bloggy surfing mood :)

My friend Allsion has a FAB promo going on for anyone even thinking about becoming a Stampin' Up Demo. It's worth reading :) You can check it and her blog out here :)

Remember my friend Andrea of Patchwork Pages? Well, she started another blog dedicated to schowcasing layouts with multiple photos, Multiple Choice. ! GREAT inspiration! Head over and become a follower if you aren't. You will love it and her :)

And now for a little crafty goodness :) More from the "Banner Queen" as super fab Deb called me :) LOL.. I always knew I was royalty :) Pink and white with matching toppers that made it's was to VA last week :)

So, what are you doing today???

xoxo-sj

Earth Day Projects at DCRU

The Challenge this week at DCRU Blog is to create an "Earthy" project. The DT all created with the Earth Love collection from Cosmo Cricket!  (Only one of my FAV manufacturers :)  Here is what I decided to make :)

and this one too!

Items available at DCRU:

Prism Packaging Cardstock, Earth Love By Cosmo Cricket PP, Earth Love Chipboard, Tim Holtz Paper Distresser, Tim Holtz Distressed Ink- Tea Dye

Come join in with us!

Fantabulous Cricut- Wings!

The challenge todat at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog is to create a

"WING THEMED" Project! I know, most will be birds and butterflies, but around here wings mean things like airplanes and dragons! Love having a little boy! LOL.

Would you believe that this is the SECOND identical banner I have created like this. I made one for a mom, then another mom saw it and wanted one for her son with the same name :) Crazy!

So, pull out your cricut and join us for a FAB challenge this week!

Banner time!

Well, You can really tell you have slacked at blogging when my Top Scrap Blogs rating went from under 100 to 133, lol. Oops! Oh well! I am back up and running and promise not to neglect you any more......for a while, lol.

Now that a bunch of large orders are in the mail,  I can breathe as I catch up on the rest! A few things to share with you.

Super fab banner that was party of a Shower Package for a customer:

ANd now Matthew's creation, his version of a banner he made while I was working at my parents last weekend:

Have a fab day! Back with more super soon!!

OH- AND for those of you who are not around these parts :) Yesterday was THUNDER OF LOUISVILLE< the world's largest air show and fireworks show. Kicks off the Derby festivities! SO, lots of Derby-ness to share with you coming up! Pull out the big hat and wait for it.....wait for it...... :)

Dirty Laundry? LOL

I got a great set of stamps from There She Goes, and this laundry image and sentiment cracked me up :) I forgot that I hadn't shown it!

Off to the surgeon with Dustin in just a little bit!

SO READY to have a day at home to catch up on the house and I REALLY need to create for fun, not just orders from my store (seriously, I think I have made 20 Bride To Be banners in the past week)  and Design Team! EEK!

Have a fab day!!!

Oh, and I got this quote from my friend Mauri's blog:

"Do not underestimate the intimacy of running, and the people with whom you share those miles."

Kristin Armstrong, Mile Markers Blog, runnersworld.com

Love this as I am gearing up to start my training for the Virginia Beach Half Marathon!

Minnie-licious!

Hello there my fab readers :) I have not fallen off the face of the earth :) Just super busy! Traveled to stay all night with the parents Saturday/Sunday, MOMS group at my church Monday (happened to be "my" meeting of the term to be in charge of :), trips to Whole Foods and Kroger yesterday since we actually have to have food in the house when the kiddo is home :) (Dust and I ordered out a LOT last week since Matthew was with my parents, which made grocery shopping NOT a priority!) Add business/personal taxes, trips to doctors/surgeons (with another tomorrow), and preschool starting back today, and I've been blessed with a SUPER BUSY business at the moment!

SHEW :)

Here is a picture a customer sent of a set Minnie cupcake toppers she bought in use!!

Well Behaved Women....

Happy Day everyone. I am traveling again this weekend. A stay tonight with my parents and bringing my lil' guy back home :) I miss him :)

Just a couple pics to share today :) They aren't new, but are new to the blog :)

Stamps are Rubber Romance Stamps :) Wish you could see the "salt" details of the stickles on the rim  and the glossy accent to make the glass look real :)

Have a FAB day :)

Long Day, American Crafts Swap Sponsor!

Long, but productive day.

Wish I could say that it was a productive day in the crafty studio, but it wasn't :)

Catching up on housework, arguing with not so pleasant Medical Assistants about getting Dustin's meds refilled, running errands, and putting together packets for my church MOMS group meeting on Monday. I am on the planning committee and this meeting was my responsibility. Topic: What Louisville has to offer our children in the summer :) I have lots of great handouts from local businesses, so free play passes, discounts to a local dinner playhouse, etc. Fun times.

ANYWAYS. I just wanted to take a second and THANK the AMAZING people at American Crafts.

I host a scrapbook page swap around here locally, and for some non locals :). The year is broken into quarters and each quarter has monthly themes. At the end of the quarter, you turn or mail in 3 pages for each theme. Example: first quarter ended March 25th. Everyone turned in 3 January pages (Snow Much Fun) , 3 Feb (Wild About You), and 3 March (Spring).  Then, you get 3 pages back from other people for each month. You can do whatever you want with the theme, in any direction you want! AND you get some great pages by others to add to your books. Again, FUN :)

WELL, American Crafts is sponsoring my swap right now! They have generously sent some great products for me to include in the "swap back" bags to the participants! How cool! This month, the girls are going to get some ribbon back in their bags from AC :)

They really are some great people and my Sales Rep Rocks:) (If you are interested in participating in the swap, email me! We alwas have room! All skill levels are VERY welcome!!!  Okay- enough talk!

A crafty picture, LOL. :

Some fun cupcake toppers for a 4 year old's birthday! I loved this paper! American Crafts Celebration line from last year! :)

Doctor Day and Easter Pic ReCap :)

Hi all! Off to doctora appointment snad such for Dust today. A new surgeon to get his opinion on where we are right now! He can say the same thing, or something different, and we'd be happy either way. It is close to impossible to get another surgeon to look at you if you have been operated on by another surgeon before, much less 3 times (Surgeon A did the cervical disc replacement/fusion and then the 2 lumbar sugeries in Aug and Nov.)  Not to mention that surgeon a's office is telling us there are even more problems. We go back to surgeon a next week. Oye Vey.

So, just a quick picture from the weekend. Easter was a blast with all my family. Aftet church, we managed to grab a snapshot of my immediate fam. (Minus Dustin who couldn't travel the hour and  a half to my parents. :(

Dad manged to somehow change clothes after church before we could get the pic!!!! Grrr.... he looked so cute in his orange shirt, LOL.

Here is me, my mom, sister, monkey, then Dad and the eternal boyfriend-in-law, Luke, lol. I don;t know if they will ever get married HA! We give him a hard time, but we love him.  It's just now getting easier to take these "family" shots without my brother. It's taken 4 and a half years for us to be able to say "Family Picture" and not cry.  I have no doubt that he was with us on the beautiful day. Love you Matt.

And just a couple more from the day:

On his new tire swing from Nana and Papa!

ANd opening the eggs with Macee (AKA RooRoo, my parents doggie and best friend to my little guy :) We hid roo her own eggs this year filled with doggie treats. She LOVES egg hunts :) She would pop them open, eat her treat, and move on, LOL!

and monkey was spoiled by everyone who walked into the house :)

Have a fab day guys!

Update later!!

Karate Kiddo

Late post for me. Sorry! Been in bed all afternoon nausiated and weak! Why does it never fails that when I have a few days without Matthew, I manage to be sick, LOL!!!

Oh well!

Just a quick LO I did at a crop last month. Using my Gypsy, I welded the title from the Cuttin' Up Cartridge, vertically. I am seriously missing my lil karate kiddo!

BUT, We have doctor's appts for Dust tomorrow, so I know he is having way more fun with my family :)

Trust...

So, I just HAD to share this with you guys today :)

I just love the sentiment! (From the Devoted Set from Ippity by Unity!

It is a beautiful day here in KY! Hope you are enjoying your day!

DCRU Challenge

Hey all. Another challenge Tuesday at DCRU!

Here is my project for today!

Here is the recipe!

Cardstock: Prism Papers

PP: Lucy Bird

Stamps: Puddle Jumper Daisy

Pen: Inkssential White Opaque

Markers: Copic Ciao

Dies; Spellbinder Scalloped Circles

Be sure to jump over and play along with us at http://www.diecutsrusdesignteam.blogspot.com/!

The Winners are.......AND another giveaway!!

KarenB and Melisa, come on down!!!!

You are the winners of some fab Dear Lizzy Adhesive Fabric Paper!!!!

(You can thank random.org, lol)

Email me your shipping address!

NOW- TIME FOR ANOTHER GIVEAWAY :)

(You love me right??!!!??! JK)

Guess what arrives at my house tomorrow?

Another box from American Crafts- some more Dear Lizzy I ordered :)

Some are items to be restocked in my store, but some are NEW :) 

SOOOOO. This giveaway is for some 6x6 Dear Lizzy Paper:

OR Some Dear Lizzy Buttons:

OR (In case DL isn't your style :) A random 6x6 Paper Pack like this:

Yep, you can pick which of the three you would like if you win. And because I feel so blessed, I will let 2 winners win again :)

Entering is easy- you HAVE to be a follower on the right, and you have to comment :)

And just so you understand my reasoning, I make my giveaways only eligible to followers b/c I only think it is fair. The followers are the ones who leave me amazing comments, who inspire me, who make me feel blessed and thankful, therefore, they are the ones I want to reward :) Thanks you all!!!

Oh and if you aren't already, become a Facebook fan on the top right!I do special giveaways there too :) hinthint: today :)

DCRU Easter Blog Hop!

Hi Everyone! Today's post is part of the DCRU Bunny Hop!

If you landed here from Hannah's blog, then you are in the right place!

Make sure you start at the beginning and leave comments on ALL the DT gals blogs for your chance to win some super great prizes!

Here is my eye candy for you!

And here is the recipe with the links to the DCRU store!

PP: Basic Grey Lemonade 6x6 Paper Pad

Cardstock: Prism, Packaging Paper Brown

Pen: Inkssentials White Opaque Pen

Stamp: Unity Stamp Company

Ink: Memento, Brown

Button: Cosmo Cricket, Garen Variety

Die: Spellbinders Scalloped Circles

Adhesive; Glue Glider Pro & 3D Dots

Tool: Paper Distresser, Tim Hotlz

And just in case you want a lil' more ...

Items from DCRU Store:

Just Rite Stampers

Cuttlebug Embossing Folders

And now comment, then get to hopping! Only 2 stops left, starting with the

fabulousily of GWEN!

(Who happened to have a birthday this past week :)

Good Luck winning this Easter ANya!

Fun Day!

Been a lil busy today. My apologies for the late post!

Here is why:

Easter Party at Preschool...complete with.....

Egg Hunt....and

the Easter Bunny! Then when we got home...

a super visit with 2 of my bestest sorority sisters and friends and some hungry hungry hippo action :) and a couple...

pictures :) (aren't they beautiful :)

Have a fab weekend everyone! Heading to visit my parents tomorrow and coming back on Sunday. Yankees/red sox Game :) (Yes, basketball season officially ends in my world when Kentucky is no longer in the running :) GO CATS :)

But don't worry! the DCRU DT Blog Hop starts tomorrow, so I have a post all scheduled :)

Customer love :)

I LOVE it when customers share their pictures with me.

Shown here are the tags and cupcake toppers from a recent party :)

Can't wait to see her pic of the stickers and the banner!!

Those cupcakes make my toppers look even better!

Thanks Sonia!