What Have You Been Reading?

How are you doing on your 2010 Reading and Library Challenges?

Yesterday I started reading a Jude Deveraux book, "Lavender Morning", after our trip to the library.

I didn't put it down until I got to page 200!  I have forgotten how much I enjoy Jude Deveraux books.

2 of my favorites of her's are "The Summerhouse", and "A Knight in Shining Armor".

 

I think my next trip to the library will include catching up on some of her other novels I haven't read yet.

Stamped: Inkadinkado Bird Assortment

The frame around the red bird, is really red, not orange like this photo misleads you to believe. :)

Card Base: Dark red from Value pack pre-scored for easy folding!

Background paper from The Best of K & Company

cut @ 5 1/4" x 4"

Bird paper cut @ 2 1/8" x 2 1/4"

Red mat for bird paper cut @ 2 1/2" x 3 1/4"

Ribbon from Joann's

Buttons from stash

Smiles, Janis

Stamped: Inkadinkado Bird Assortment

Oh I just love purple!

Card base muted green from Value pack pre-scored for easy folding!

Background papers from The Best of K & Company

Ribbon from Joann's

Stamped image from Inkadinkado Bird Assortment

Bird colored with Crayola makers and crayons

Smiles!  It's snowing!!!  Janis

Stamped: Inkadinkado Bird Assortment

OK, I have to say, this one is my favorite so far.

Card base: Light gray from Value Pack pre-scored for easy folding!

Background papers from The Best of K & Company

Pink paper cut @ 5 1/4" x 4"

Green paper cut @ 5 1/4" x 2 1/4"

Owl stamped on Confetti cardstock

Owl paper cut @ 2 1/2" x 2 7/8"

Ribbon from Michael's

Owl stamp from Inkadinkado Bird Assortment

Owl Colored with Crayola Markers & Crayons

I am really liking making these cards with the little birdies.  They are all so cute!

Smiles, Janis

What Name Do Your Children Call You By?

Inspired by a post by Kisatrtle's Kreative Korner, I just wanted to share a small thought. She has gone from being called Mommie to being called Mom.

What name do your children call you?

Our oldest son, James, calls me Mothership.  That always makes me smile & feel happy.

Our oldest daughter, Keri, calls me Mom.  Makes me feel blessed and proud.

Our 2nd daughter, Kati, calls me Mommie.  Makes me feel warm inside and special.

Our youngest daughter, Bonnie, calls me MomMom. Makes me feel happy and loved.

Smiles, Janis
aka Mothership
aka Mom
aka Mommie
aka MomMom

Stamped: Whimsical Birds

These little birdies are so precious!
So, we all enjoy making cards, but how many have you actually mailed to your friends lately?  I put 5 in the mail today for this week.  :)

Card base: Muted Blue from Value Pack pre-scored for easy folding!

Background papers: The Best of K & Company;

Green paper cut @ 5 1/4" x 4";

Blue paper cut @ 2 1/4" x 4"

Ribbon from Michael's

Bird paper cut @ 2 1/2" x 2 1/4"

Bird stamp from The Paper Company - Whimsical Birds

Bird colored with Crayola crayons & markers

Background of Bird paper colored with Stampin' Up chalks

I spent a little while yesterday just stamping out all these images so that all I have to do is grab one, color it, and add it to a card. :)

Smiles, Janis

Stamped: Inkadinkado Bird Assortment

Oh how I have missed coloring. LOL

Card Base: Kraft cardstock 

Baby Blue background paper: Recollections cut @ 5 1/4" x 4"

Pink background paper Recollections cut @ 5" x 3 3/4"

Patterned background paper: The Best of K & Company

cut @ 4 3/4" x 3 1/2"

Bird paper cut @ 3 1/4" x 2 3/4"

Bird Stamp: Inkadinkado Bird Assortment

Bird colored with Crayola crayons and markers

Bird background chalked with Stampin' Up chalks

Isn't card making fun?  Smiles, Janis

Stamped: Whimsical Birds

I love this set of bird stamps!  And this pink ink was in the dollar bin at Michael's!  Love it!

Card Base: Mauve from Value pack pre-scored for easy folding!

Background paper: The Best of K & Company

Ribbon from Michael's $1 rack

Ink: Studio G from $1 rack

Stamp: The Paper Company Studio - Whimsical Birds

Have a fun day!  Hugs, Janis

New Day, New Me :)

I've been a member of Weight Watchers in the past with success.  I was an active member in SC before we moved here last fall.  When it came time to renew, they advised I wait until I get to our new home and find a meeting place and renew there.

As you can guess, that was not a priority item on my list of getting moved and getting settled.

Yesterday I renewed my membership with Weight Watchers as an online member.  In the past I've gone to meetings and always enjoyed them.  So I will probably join in them again here, but for now at least I'm getting back on track with the on line tools.

If you've never tried WW, I certainly have only good things to say about it. As embarrassing as it may be, I'm going to share my "BEFORE" picture with you.  This was taken last Sunday, so it's current.  Hopefully in the next few months I'll be able to show you pictures that reflect a smaller me.  :)

Believe me, it took a lot of guts for me to put this picture on here.  I usually only post pictures that show my face.

I hope everyone has a BLESSED day!  Hugs, Janis

Stamped: ZAP!

Here's a different kind of card.  ZAP!

LOL!  He's so cute!

Card Base: Kraft Cardstock

Pink Background paper: Recollections - Baby

Patterned Background paper: The Best of K & Company

Green mat: Recollections - South Beach cut @ 2 3/4" x 2"

Pink mat: Recollections - Baby cut @ 1 3/4" x 2 1/2"

Ribbon from Michael's

Robot & Zap Stamp: Recollections - Robots

Chalk: Stampin' Up!

Have a ZAPPY day! Hugs, Janis

New Arrival: SUN SHINY DAY!

Are you having  a Sun Shiny Day?  I hope so!

Card Base: Bright Yellow from Value pack pre-scored for easy folding!

Black background paper: 5 1/4" x 4"

Patterned background paper: 5" x 3 3/4"; K & Company - Berry Sweet

Ribbon from Michael's

Cricut Cartridge: New Arrival

Flower Sunshine: page 100; cut @ 3 1/4" with shadow

Butterfly: page 101; cut @ 2" with shadow

So easy and so fun! 

If you visit, please leave a comment so I can come visit you too!

Thanks!  Hugs, Janis

New Arrival: UNDER THE WEATHER?

I almost made the elephant's face on this card green and added a caption, "Feeling Green?".  But decided to go with the "Under the Weather" instead.  LOL

Card Base: Green from Value pack pre-scored for easy folding!

Black background paper: 5 1/4" x 4"

Patterned background paper: 5" x 3 3/4" K & Company - Berry Sweet

Stamp - Heidi Grace

Cricut Cartridge: New Arrival

Umbrella: page 83 cut @ 4"; Lime Green - Regular cut; Black - Shadow feature; Pink - (shift) Regular cut

Elephant: page 112 cut @ 2"; Black - Shadow feature; Body - Regular cut; Face - (shift) Regular cut; googlie eyes; mouth outlined with red Crayola crayon

Submitted for: Paper Cutz Challenge #29

Have a FUN day!  Hugs, Janis

New Arrival: BABY DELIVERY

Here is a simple card, but I like it oh so much. :)

Card Base: Cream Yellow from Value Pack pre-scored for easy folding!

Blue background paper: Recollections - South Beach

Patterned background paper: The Best of K & Company

Ribbon from Michael's

Cricut: New Arrival

Baby: page 85 cut @ 3"

Baby outlined with Chalk from Stampin' Up

Hugs! Janis

New Arrival: TUB TIME

How many of you ladies read in the bathtub?  Surely I'm not the only one.

Card Base: bright green from Value Pack pre-scored for easy folding!

Brown background paper: Recollections Fashion Colors

Patterned background paper: K & Company - Berry Sweet

"HI!" stamp: from Joann's; ink from Michael's

Cricut Cartridge: New Arrival

Tub & Water drips: page 95 cut @ 4"

Tub papers from Recollections South Beach & Baby Girl

Water Drops have Glitter Glue OPAL on them

Everything adhered with either Scotch Clear Photo Splits or ZIG 2-Way Glue Pen

Have a fun day!! Janis

New Arrival: BABY

Today I had one of those headaches that don't want to go away.  Yuk.  I hate those.  But I really wanted to make a card, so that's what I did whether my head wanted to cooperate or not.

Card Base: Bright Aqua from Value pack pre-scored for easy folding!

Ribbon from Michael's

Background Paper: Nana's Nursery - Baby Girl

Chalk from Stamin' Up

"BABY" stamp from JoAnn's

Cricut Cartridge: New Arrival

Baby Carriage & Hearts: page 95 cut @ 3 1/2"

Shadow feature used and cut in brown

Everything adhered with Scotch Photo Splits & Zig 2-Way Glue Pen

This card just made me smile. I hope it makes you smile too.

And if that doesn't do it, maybe a new picture of my new grandbaby will help you crack a grin.

Hugs!  Janis

Paper Doll Dress Up: WE'RE MOVING

Guess what I got in the mail today?  NEW ARRIVAL Cricut cartridge!  I love the simple cuts.  And I LOVE the BLACKOUT and SHADOW feature on these carts!

Card Base: Mauve from Value Pack pre-scored for easy folding!

Background papers: Black cut @ 5 1/4" x 4"; The Best of K & Company cut @ 5" x 3 3/4"

Ribbon from Michael's

Sentiment hand written: We're Moving

Cricut Cartridge: New Arrival

Truck: page 119 cut @ 3" using Blackout and Regular cut

Truck papers from Recollections - South Beach collection

Hugs! Janis

JoAnn's WOW Factor

Ever get Cabin Fever?  Well, this chickee got it today.  I finished a really good book, "Vi Agra Falls," this morning.  I love finishing a good book, except then I have the dilemma of what to read next.  Because there is always a 'next' with me. :)

I wanted to get out of the house into the nice weather for a change.  It's been unusually warm here.  Yesterday it got to 34 degrees.  Ice and snow are melting off the trees and rooftops.  A huge icicle feel off the roof and flew past my window where I sit at the computer yesterday and scared me to death. LOL

I rode out to JoAnn's for just a few minutes.  Didn't really want to spend any money, but wanted to look around.  I picked up the 12x12 Cricut mats that have been impossible to find around here for about a month.  But I just couldn't make myself purchase one.  I've already ordered them from Custom Crops and they are still on backorder.  I just couldn't make myself buy another pack and for a higher price even though I did have that 50% off coupon in my hand.

I walked past all the beautiful DCWV patterned paper stacks which were all 40% off.  Pick up a couple of stacks that caught my eye, then told myself, "No.  I have tons of paper.  Just say 'no'."  LOL

And then I walked down the stamping aisle.  OH MY GOSH!  They had clear stamps on clearance.  Regularly $14.99 for $2.97.  Hmmmmm.... I've been wanting some simple sayings for my cards.  Nothing large and no quotes, just quick little messages like "hi" or something like that.  So I leaned over, stooped down, and studied every single pack on clearance.  And yes, I did end up buying a pack.  But that's okay.  It's something I wanted and would never have paid $15 for.  I bought a pack of 22 stamp sayings for just under 3 bucks.  AWESOME!  I just love JoAnn's. :)

Hope you all are having a FANTASTIC day!  What's given you the "WOW FACTOR" lately?

Paper Doll Dress Up: HUMP DAY

When I worked at a doctor's office in SC, we used to come up with silly questions or "things to ponder" on Tuesdays and call them "TUESDAY TICKLES".

Jennie especially enjoyed these.  I was thinking of her today and Facebooking with her catching up.  She is expecting her 2nd daughter in just 7 days.  How exciting.

I was thinking of Jennie when I made this card.  Hope it makes  you smile.  :)

Card Base: Cream from Value pack pre-scored for easy folding!

Background papers: From stash (probably from a DCWV stack or My Mind's Eye stack)

Sentiment generated from computer: "Do Camels Celebrate Hump Day?"

Cricut Cartridge: Paper Doll Dress Up

Tan Camel: page 77; cut at 3 1/2" using REAL DIAL SIZE; outlined with a brown Crayola crayon

Brown Camel: page 77; cut at 4 3/4" using REAL DIAL SIZE; outlined with a white Crayola crayon

Enjoy!  Hugs, Janis

Paper Doll Dress Up: BARREL OF FUN

Need a Party Invitation?  Here's an idea!

Card Base:  Bright Green from Value pack pre-scored for easy folding!

Yellow Background paper: Recollections - South Beach

Patterned Background paper: K & Company - Life's Tapestry

Musical Instruments Stickers:  Mrs. Grossman's

Cricut Cartridge: Paper Doll Dress Up

Barrels: page 64 cut at 2" and 1 1/4"; outlined with white gel pen

Sentiment: generated from computer using Comic Sans font

Hugs!  Janis

Paper Doll Dress Up: LOOKING BACK

You may or may not know that I am very into Heritage, Family Tree & Family History.  I find it all so very interesting.

Today's card is made with Family Heritage in mind. There are several ways this card can be used:

• This card can be used as a Birthday card and include all the achievements through the decades.
• ... as an invitation for a Genealogy club gathering
• ... on a scrapbook page with photos and info on your ancestors
• ... etc.

Card Base: Dark Teal from Value pack pre-scored for easy folding!

Background paper: The Best of K & Company

Sticker Sentiment: From Heritage sheet

Cricut Cartridge: Paper Doll Dress Up

Wagon: page 64 cut @ 3 1/2" (NOT using Real Dial Size); cut twice - once in brown & once in cream

Wagon Details: I edged around the top with a brown Crayola pencil and added shading to the "inside" of the wagon; The bottom of the wagon was edged with a white Crayola Pencil.

Hugs! Janis

Bonnie Makes Cupcakes

Beautiful, Peaceful Day

What a beautiful day we are having!  Here are some pics of the many, many layers of the clouds in the sky right now.  I'll do some crafting a little later.  I'm trying to be quiet right now because my hubby and our daughter are both napping.

What are you up to today?  I'm going to grab my current read for a while.  I'm currently reading "Vi Agra Falls" by Mary Daheim.  I've only just started, but I'm already enjoying the noisy neighbors and awkward moments. :)

Here are some pictures of our fun weekend.  We parked downtown Anchorage and just walked into lots of gift shops.  It was so much fun!

See this Eagle?  Pretty impressive carving, huh?  Look at the price in the next picture.  Oh My Gosh!

Tom wants this coffee table.  It's extremely detailed.

Just what every little girl needs - a life size stuffed polar bear in their bedroom.  LOL

I want this!  This picture does not do this carving justice.  Look at the bear that almost has the salmon jumping into it's mouth.  Gorgeous!