Friday, July 30, 2010

July Recap for 2010 100+ Reading Challenge


It's the end of the month and time to recap where I stand in the 2010 100+ Reading Challenge. I was able to sneak in a couple extra books in July. :) It's a lot easier to do when they are so good. And yes, many of the books I read in July were just awesome!

I love books by Sherryl Woods. (Click here to visit her web page.) When I picked up Home in Carolina by her I didn't realize that I had read at least 3 previous Sweet Magnolia novels. So I was re-united with old friends, remembered their history, and this makes the book so much richer for me.

Here are some thoughts on the other books I read in July:
  • Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie: I liked the paranormal aspect of this book, but it was a little harsher than I would have liked (details about murders).
  • Poppy Done to Death by Charlaine Harris: I liked the way the characters interacted with each other and how this plot played out. I didn't figure it out beforehand.
  • Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison: This took me back to the 80's – high school, best friends, sleep overs, fads, drama...
  • Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich: Ever since I listened to several of Janet's audiobooks, I can't read one of her novels without hearing Lula's voice in my head. LOL This wasn't as good as some of the others, but it still had me laughing.
  • The Bikini Car Wash by Pamelo Morsi: My first novel read by Pamela. It started out fabulous, but lost some of it's zing toward the last third or so. Still, I enjoyed it; glad I read it, and will be looking out for more books by Pamela.
  • The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen: One of my favorites for this month! Written simply. Easy to follow. Sweet. No harsh language, morbid details, etc. Excellent book for teens to adults.
Most of the books I read come from Doubleday Book Club, eHarlequin Book Club, the library, Barnes & Noble, or are borrowed from friends.


JULY 2010
  1. Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie
  2. Poppy Done to Death by Charlaine Harris
  3. Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison
  4. Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich
  5. The Bikini Car Wash by Pamela Morsi
  6. The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
  7. Home in Carolina by Sherryl Woods (A Sweet Magnolia Novel)
BOOKS ON THE SHELF WAITING TO BE READ NEXT:
  1. Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery (A Fool's Gold Romance)
  2. Stay by Allie Larkin
  3. Lowcountry Summer by Dorothea Benton Frank
  4. Return to Sullivan's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank
  5. Summer House by Nancy Thayer
  6. Hannah's List by Debbie Macomber
  7. The Summer Hideaway by Susan Wiggs
BOOKS ON ORDER WAITING TO BE SHIPPED AND READ NEXT:
  1. The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright
  2. Ghost Shadow by Heather Graham
  3. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
  4. The Angel by Carla Neggers
  5. Lust, Loathing, & a Little Lip Gloss by Kyra Davis
JUNE 2010
  1. Haunting Jordan by P. J. Alderman
  2. Cemetery Dance by Preston & Child
  3. Happiness Key by Emille Richards
  4. The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand
  5. A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans
MAY 2010
  1. Revenge of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

***I can't believe I lost track of what***
***I was reading in May & June!***

APRIL 2010
  1. Night Rising, Vampire Babylon Book 1 by Chris Marie Green
  2. Sailing To Capri by Elizabeth Adler
  3. Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
  4. Godmother by Carolyn Turgeon
  5. Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz

MARCH 2010
  1. The Beach House by Jane Green
  2. Benny & Shrimp by Katarina Mazetti
  3. Return to Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux
  4. Murder in the Raw by C. S. Challinor
  5. When Autumn Leaves by Amy S. Foster
FEBRUARY 2010
  1. Mighty Old Bones by Mary Saums
  2. A Slice of Murder by Chris Cavender
  3. Vi Agra Falls by Mary Daheim
  4. Too Rich and Too Dead by Cynthia Baxter
  5. Lavender Morning by Jude Deveraux

JANUARY 2010
  1. The Prayer of Jabez
  2. Ghosts From The Past by Glen Ebisch
  3. How Not To Make A Wish by Mindy Klasky
  4. There's Something About St. Tropez by Elizabeth Adler
  5. A Princess of Landover by Terry Brooks
  6. Ghost A La Mode by Sue Ann Jaffarian
  7. Death of the Party by Carolyn Hart

Thursday, July 29, 2010

3" x 3" MINI ALBUM

In August of last year, I posted a 3" x 3" mini album I had made.  Click here to see that post.

Recently, Mary @ CardzTV has provided instructional videos on how to make them and then how to decorate the inside of them.  Click here to see her HOW TO make it with 1 sheet of 12" x 12" sheet of paper.  Click here to see how she DECORATED the inside of it.

I forgot how much fun these were to make.  So after watching Mary's videos, I decided to make another one.  I remember me, my Mama, and my Sister spending a whole morning last year just making these.

Here are lots of pictures of the one I made today.  Sorry if some of the angles are off.  It was hard to keep the pages opened to photograph, and I was trying to keep my fingers out of the pictures.


Okay, so maybe using the flash isn't a good idea.  The border is purple, but without the flash it looks blue.

This paper is from DCWV Nana's Kids.  Buttons and felt flowers from Joann's..


These paper doilies were found at the grocery store.  Rhinestones from Joann's.


I love these white, lacy bows with the pearl in the center - also from Joann's.
The flower is from DCWV Nana's Kids with a pink rhinestone in the center from Joann's.
I used Black photo corners to keep flower in place.



The strip across the middle here can have something slipped inside.




Again, this slip can hold something.





If you have any questions, please just leave a comment.

Toodles!
Janis

BBQ

WHAT I LEARNED TODAY:  SPILLING COLD, BOTTLED WATER OUT OF THE FRIG ONTO YOUR LAP IS SHOCKING.... JUST FYI.....WRITE THAT DOWN.  LOL


Good afternoon all my crafty, bloggy friends!  Here is a card I made today for Paper Playtime's Ch# 9:  BBQing.  Click here to hop on over and see what's up with this week's challenge!

Card base: textured bright orange from Value pack pre-scored for easy folding
Yellow mat cut @ 5 1/4" x 4" from Recollections
Ziggy mat cut @ 5" x 3 3/4" from DCWV Nana's Kids
All cuts from Cricut cartridge:  BLOCK PARTY
Phrases cut @ 2"
Hand with Match cut @ 3 1/2"
Ribbon from Joann's or Michael's


Have a fun day!  Stay cool in this heat!
:) Janis

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

THANK YOU FOR CARDS TO DADDY!

THANK YOU SHARON, SUE, & SANDRA FOR CARDS TO MAMA & DADDY!!

Mama and Daddy did drive here to visit us yesterday morning and left after a nice lunch.  Daddy says his heart beats funny and feels funny sometimes and his diabetes blood sugar is sometimes good, sometimes drops so low he gets weak, and sometimes high.

I am driving them to Charleston on Aug 4th for a consultation.  We aren't sure if this is a day trip or just to meet the surgeon before the surgery the next day.

Please keep them in your prayers.

Thank you!!

Mama has saved them, but accidentally threw the envelopes away.  So, I don't know all the addresses to send thank yous.  But..... thank you!!  I have such talented bloggy friends!!

:) Janis

LOVE BUG


Lookie!  Lookie!  Mama and Daddy came to visit us in our new apartment today in Georgia, and she brought me some flowers.  Pretty.  :)


I made this card this afternoon.  It's good to get back into the swing of crafting again.
  • Cardbase purple cardstock cut to make A2 size card
  • Black mat 5 1/4" x 4"
  • Ladybug mat 5" x 3 3/4" from DCWV Nana's Kids
  • CREATE A CRITTER page 66
  • Ladybug 2 1/2"
  • Phrase "Love bug" 2"
  • Googlie eyes!
  • Rhinestone hearts and antenna rhinestones all from Joann's
  • Ribbon from Michael's (I couldn't find a purple, green, or pink that matched and then I remembered, "HEY!  I GOT BLACK RIBBON!"
  • White doodle dots with white gel pen from Michael's
Toodles!
Janis

Thursday, July 22, 2010

OWL & PUSSYCAT WENT TO SEA


I've been having so much fun crafting again.  As many of you know, we've been back in South Carolina now for about 4 weeks from our move from Alaska.  We have a home here that we are renovating.  It's getting too stressful to live here and renovate at the same time, plus my hubby drives 2 1/2 hours a day back and forth to work (combined - not one way) in Georgia.  

So, we finally found an apartment in Georgia and we are moving this weekend..... again.... but it's a good thing.  He won't have that LONG drive anymore.  And I don't have to stress about not having a kitchen sink, dishwasher and unpainted drywall and unfinished floors.  LOL  Good times.  Good times.  

So, if you don't hear from me in a while, be patient.  I may not get back in the groove until early next week after we unpack and get settled.... again..... :)

I altered a writing journal for a couple of challenges going on.  This was fun to make and so super easy.

Here's the before pic and the after again:



  • Background paper from Debbie Mumm Nursery Rhyme
  • Kitty cut from CREATE A CRITTER page 38 cut @ 2"
  • Owl cut from GIVE A HOOT page 28 @ 2" (there is an owl and Kitty in boat cut, but I didn't use that one - didn't even know it was there until I started looking for the owl cut)
  • Boat is actually oval tag in GIVE A HOOT page 74 cut @ 4" and cut in half
  • Pole for sail and sail were cut free hand
  • There is jute / twine on the sailing pole
  • Acetate covering the cream sail (I don't think you can see the shine in this picture)
  • Green lashed googlie eyes!
  • Dark green rhinestones for owl eyes
  • Water boarder from GIVE A HOOT page 76 cut @ 1 1/2" 
  • Everything adhered with Zots Dots Medium, Scotch Photo Splits, Zig 2-Way Glue Pen
This is my submission for the following challenges:
  1. Die Cut Dreams Challenge #57 Acetate
  2. Incy Wincy Designs Challenge #51 Alter Something
Sailing away now to pack.... again......
:) Janis

SWEET PUPPY


Run, Puppy, Run!!

I am loving my new paper!  LOL  Okay, so when do I get new paper and NOT love it?
This background paper is from Debbie Mumm Nursery Rhyme.  So precious.
There are so many adorable pages in here.  I'm itching to use the paper with the sailboats and another with piggies.  I'm feeling the need to pull out NEW ARRIVAL Cricut Cartridge and CREATE A CRITTER.  What do you think?

I have a list of challenges I wanted to create something for.  The challenges were all found on THE DAILY DARE site where they list challenge blogs by day of the week their challenges start.  



I think these buttons are the bomb!  So pretty!
And check out these new googlies eyes I got yesterday with eyelashes and makeup and everything.  LOL


The sentiment says, "BUTTERFLY KISSES".


Here are all the details:
  • Cricut Cartridge PAPER PUPS 
  • Puppy cut twice from page 93 at 2"
  • Background pattern paper from Debbie Mumm Nursery Rhyme
  • Satin ribbon from Michael's
  • Bubble Sentiment from K & Company
  • Googlie eyes from Joanns!
  • Puppies are chalked around edges using Stampin' Up chalks to add definition and character
  • Puppies are adhered with pop squares
  • Buttons adhered with Zots dots Medium
  • Paper adhered with Scotch Photo Splits
  • Card base is Kraft cardstock cut using measurements from Martha Stewart Scoring Board!
  • #10 Card (will fit into #10 envelope which is the same as a Business Envelope)
  • Card cut at 7 1/2" x 9 and scored at 3 3/4" to make card size 3 3/4" x 9"
  • Background papers cut at 7" x 3 1/2"  and  1 1/2" x 3 1/2"

I am submitting this card for the following challenges:
  1. Papercraft Star - Challenge #5 Circles (buttons, googlie eyes, candy on top of cupcakes)
  2. Charisma Cardz Challenges - #29 Anything but square (long card)
  3. Cricut Cardz Challenge - #34 Cake, cupcake, cookies or candy (cupcakes)
Gotta scoot.  So much paper screaming to be used.  Toodles!  :) Janis



BLAST OFF!


Have you been over to Mary's CARDZTV site?  She has the most wonderful ideas and instructional videos.  I have her to thank for this Easel Card!  Check out her video on how to make your own Easel card HERE.


When folded, it makes a regular size A2 card!!



I just giggle when I look at the puppy's leash being pulled along with the UFO.  



And this little kitty is so cute!  She doesn't look too upset Puppy is getting dragged away.  In fact, she looks kind of happy about it.  And a little suspicious, if I may add.  

I used my new bows from Joann's.  I can't make pretty bows, but I know how to buy them already made in a neat little package.  LOL  It even has a little pearl on it.  Awwww.

Here are all the details:
  • Bright orange cardstock from Recollections.
  • Fun, glittery stars, checked background paper from DCWV Nana's Kids (so bright and cheery!)
  • One piece (card base with easel fold) is 4 1/4" x 11" scored @ 2 3/4" and 5 1/2"
  • Front of card (to be attached to base) is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
  • Checkered pattern paper for front of card is 4" x 5"
  • Checkered pattern paper for inside of card is 3 1/4" x 4"
  • Checkered pattern papers sponged around edges with ColorBox Chalk Cat's Eye in Lavender
  • Bow from Joann's
  • Cat's nose is pink square rhineston from Joann's
  • Lots of POP DOTS used!!
  • White gel pen. brown Crayola magic marker, and Stampin' Up chalks used to enhance images
  • Blast Off clear stamp from Joann's
  • EVERY DAY PAPER DOLLS Cricut Cartridge
  • Dog page 74 cut @ 2 1/2" and again with Blackout feature
  • Cat page 74 cut @ 2 3/4"
  • Leash and collars page 74 cut @ 2 1/2"
  • UFO, Telescope, and Star trail all on page 65 cut @ 2 1/2"

THIS IS MY SUBMISSION FOR THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES (all found on THE DAILY DARE website where challenges are listed by the day of the week they begin.  I just love this site!):
  1. Crafty Cardmakers - Easel Cards
  2. Cupcake Craft Challenges - Cats & Dogs
  3. My Time To Craft - Challenge 100 Check It Out
  4. C.R.A.F.T - #60 Out of this World
I hope you'll have a chance to check out Mary's Cardz TV blog and all the blogs I'm submitting this for their challenge this week.  Really cool places to visit...... and hopefully you'll play along as well!

Time to blast out of here,
:)  Janis


BIKINI CAR WASH QUOTE

Remember I told you part of why I loved this book?  Because there is a special needs sister in it that just makes me smile and think of our Bonnie?

Well here is a quote from the pages I was reading yesterday.  This is another reason why I love this book - the HUMOR in it.

THE BIKINI CAR WASH by PAMELA MORSI page 100:


"Well, you look nice," she said.  "Did you have interviews today?"


"Just one," Tiff answered.  "And when I showed up, they told me that they'd changed their mind about filling the position.  So I guess I got dressed up for nothing."


"My pop says that 'nothing is for nothing.'  There's always something good that comes out of everything."


Tiff laughed.  "He may be right.  I passed my ex-husband on Hagar Street and he was so stunned to see me looking good, he walked into a light pole.  That alone was worth the extra effort with the makeup."


Hahahahahaha!  Poor fella.  Hahahahahaha

I'll be checking out THE DAILY DARE this morning and seeing about making some cards today.  Check back later for some new creations straight from my Creative Studio.  :)  Janis



Wednesday, July 21, 2010

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD



I feel so honored!
I just found out that I won (okay really I tied with one other) the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD over at
 Paper Craft Star with this above submission!  You can see all the winners over on their blog by clicking HERE.

I found their challenge blog from THE DAILY DARE, and it was the first time I participated in one of their challenges.  I'm so excited!!

:) Janis

I AM LION; HEAR ME ROAR!


Guess what papers I used today?  My new DCWV Nana's Kids Glitter & Embossed stack.  These colors are so beautiful.  Makes me think of sherbet ice cream.  Yummy.


Here's the card I made.  I did go back and add some yellow jute to the button after I took this picture.  It did make the button look a whole lot better.  You'll just have to use your imagination since I was too lazy to re-take the picture. LOL  (I'm still fighting that nap that's been tugging at me all afternoon.)

Just kidding.  Here's the new picture:


Don't you just love this shimmery rainbow ribbon?  I got this today at Joann's too.  It's so pretty.

  • Card base is orange sherbet from Value Pack pre-scored for easy folding.
  • Large black mat 5 5/16" x 4 1/8"
  • Small black mat 5" x 3 3/4"
  • Green embossed dotted paper 5 3/16" x 4"
  • Monkey paper 4 3/4" x 3 1/2"
  • Lion from CREATE A CRITTER page 56 cut @ 2" and with SHADOW feature
  • Pop Dots for Lion

Okay.  I feel better now.  I got my "card fix" addiction happy.

This is my submission for:
CUTIE PATOOTIE, anything goes as long as it's cute, cute, cute.
I think this card is cute, cute, cute.... no LION!  LOL
Go check out Papertake Weekly Challenge.  Love their challenges!  I found them on THE DAILY DARE which lists tons of challenge blogs by day of the week.  How cool is that?!

Have a 'ROARING' good day.
:)  Janis

IS IT NAP TIME YET?


Is it nap time yet?  I'm so sleepy.

I went to Columbia today to take Mama shopping at Joann's.  Neither one of us have done that in so long, I figured it was time for "girls to the craft store" shopping.

It was a quick trip.  And she ran into an old friend there who they used to double date with way back when.  

I got some new paper stacks!



I also got a few other things - adhesive, replacement blades for my trimmer, bows (already tied), fabric roses (so pretty), larger buttons (soft sherbert green and orange colors), and some googlie eyes with eyelashes!

Problem is now all I want to do is sleep.  I guess I'll have to play a little later.

Oh, and completely off topic, I'm really enjoying the book I'm reading:



There is a special needs sister in here. It reminds me of Bonnie (although this person is much more advanced than Bonnie).  I just smile when I read it.  That's not what the book is about, but I do enjoy that part of it.  The rest of the book is pretty awesome too.  I'll have to see if I can get more books by this same author when I'm done reading this one.

Have a sunshiny day!
(yawn)
Janis
(zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz)


Tuesday, July 20, 2010

I WILL BE AT PEACE

Good morning! Today is a good day.  A good day.

Here is a card I made yesterday early afternoon, but I scheduled for it to post first thing this morning.  I wanted to leave up my other post all day yesterday to give plenty of time for people to see we had a sponsor for this week's challenge on my other blog, PAPER PLAYTIME, so that you all could participate this week!

On to this card....

The image is from a Google search for "free tree color pages".  I love trees!  And this one was so pretty, I had to use it on my card.

The image was colored with Crayola Color Pencils and the grass and sky was chalked with my finger using Stampin' Up chalks.  I used Fiskars Medium corner rounder on the edges.

I used my Martha Stewart scoring board to create a card just a little larger than the A2 size I normally use.  This is the A6 size.  You start out with a piece of cardstock 9" x 6 1/4" and score it for the fold at 4 1/2".  The cardstock base is from DCWV Ultimate Year Stack.  It's textured and colored on both sides so I'll use my white gel pen to write on the inside.

The background pattern paper is from K & Company cut @ 6" x 4 1/4".


Ribbon from blog candy won from http://creativecandy4u.blogspot.com/ last year.

Rhinestones from Joann's.  I just love the heart rhinestone I put in the tree.


Sentiment is Bible Verse Psalm 4:8, "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety."  (NIV)

I'm mailing this card to my Daddy this week.  We still don't know when his heart surgery is going to be.  They are suppose to be calling us and letting us know.  The doctor said it would be this week, but we don't know when yet.



Mama is a little worried about Daddy, and Daddy is worried about Mama.  LOL  Here's my point of view.... Yes, this is scary for all of us.  But the bottom line is, it doesn't matter what the doctor's say, how the circumstances look, what the percentages are, or what opinions are spoken...  God is going to do what God wants to do when He wants to do it.  And we just have to trust that God knows what He's doing.  Yes, I believe in prayer and miracles.  And I trust God completely.  I mean really, I know I can't control it.  So I just have to trust in Him.  We all do.


Have a blessed day!
:) Janis