Happy Mother's Day 2013

Happy Mother's Day!!

To all Mother's - Hope you have an extra special day!

Until next time ~ Carol.

Boy have I missed you...

Gosh has it really been that long...

Man on man have I missed everyone!

Had to take a little hiatus sorry I neglected my blog for so long but you should know, I am caught up and will start posting again this weekend!

Hope everyone has a great week.

Until next time...Carol!

First customer...Valentine's card

Good morning blogger friends!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and start to a new week. We had a lovely weekend and good Monday, although, yesterday seemed the day for announcements:

1. Pope Benedict XVI - announced his resignation.

2. My boss announced she is leaving for new position in another state.

3. a co-worker and friend announced her retirement for later this year.

4. my Daddy announced that he is retiring in June of this year.

So far, 2013 seems to be the year of changes.

Saturday a friend of a friend contacted me to make her a card to give to her child.  Of course I said yes! She continued on and asked what the cost would be.

Me: What? What cost?

Her: You know the cost of your cards, so I know can pay you?

Me (to myself): get paid to make a card...

Me (to her): ummm, I'll get back to you....

I know others charge and get paid in this business, to do something they love but to be honest, I never that what others would be interested in paying money for the stuff I make.  Sure I know they like and appreciate the items I make and give, but to pay.

So, yes - I finally had a commissioned card and here is the result.

The letters are Graphic 45 Antique Typewriter Wood Stamp Set and the hearts are from My Creative Time's 100% Sweetness Stamp Set and Stitched Heart Layering Die.

The pattern paper is an American Crafts 6x6 paper pad found at Target.

Ribbon and twine are from my stash and the pennant is from Elle's Studio You and Me collection.  To glue it all together, I used Glue Dot's Mini Glue Dots and Scotch Tape Glider.

I was so excited about this one but I believe it had more to do with the fact that someone (other than my friends/family) liked what I do enough to be willing to pay me for it.

Until next time - happy scrappin'! ~ Carol

MCT Designer Challenge Thursday: 1, 2, 3...

Decided to finally join in at My Creative Time's Designer Challenge Thursday.

This challenge comes from Liz of Liz's Paper Loft.  Her challenge: 1 bow, 2 pattern paper and 3 buttons.

A few My Creative Time products: Build a Banner Kit, Stitched Postage Frame Die and Flower Petal Die.

The leaves are Die-namics Royal Leaves from My Favorite Things. All pattern paper is from Echo Paper Co. Victoria Gardens collection.

I based my layout on Sketchbook365: February Sketch Challenge, sketch by Yvonne Yam.

Thank you for stopping in, hope you enjoyed today's layout.

Until next time - happy scrappin'! ~ Carol

Mr. & Mrs. Congratulations

Good Morning friends!

Over the weekend I helped host a Pampered Chef Wedding Shower and I have to say, that was fun!  Thirty ladies trying to watch a cooking demonstration in one kitchen - LOL...not the best idea but it was exciting.  The Bride-To-Be loved it and that's what matters.

I started with this sketch from Cardabilities Sketch #68.

Here is my take on the sketch posted above.

The hearts were made using My Creative Time's: Stitched Scallop Heart Die Set and the letters are from Just Simply Live Stamp Set. Also, the ribbon is from my stash and Studio Calico wood veneers.

Congratulations sentiment is from My Creative Time's Vintage Sentiments Stamp Set.

And on the back, I added this super cute little heart of hands from My Creative Time's Lots of Love Stamp Set.

Hope you all have a fabulous day.

Until next time - happy scrappin'! ~ Carol

Graphicat Design Sketch 21

Welcome back to another fun filled challenge with Graphicat Sketches.

For today's sketch challenge, I used an image and anti-valentine's day sentiment from Graphicat Designs to showcase this beautiful sketch for Graphicat Sketches sketch 21 challenge.

I am loving this image and sentiment from Graphicat Designs.

The pattern paper is My Mind's Eye Union Square 6x6 paper pad.

And below is the inside of the card.

So go over and grab yourself sentiment or two and start playing along with Graphicat Sketches challenge.

Until next time - happy scrappin'! ~ Carol

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

Head-case Girl meets Lonely Boy...blah blah blah...you've read this already, right? 

*insert evil laugh*  OK, maybe....not?

What do say when the book you read leaves you speechless...?

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay is the most intriguing, humorous and dramatic novels read in a long while.  Goodreads description, "The Sea of Tranquility is a rich, intense, and brilliantly imagined story about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances."

I have to admit it took me a few times to get into this one, even with the interesting start. The story line alternates but the perspectives of Nastya - walking in the wrong place at the wrong time and Josh - who is the living equal to Death (personified) and everyone knows it. The characters, Nastya and Josh are both lonely in a sea of people and have endured more tragedy  and heartache than any other high school student I know. Drew carries demons of his own but tends to hide it better than most.  It wasn't until later into the story, reading how lives interweave and form (in spit) of the gut-wrenching devastation that is revealed much later in the novel.  What made The Sea of Tranquility crawl into my heart and live there is the friendship and familial bond formed between Drew, Josh and 'Sunshine' that made this story.

One of my favorite parts in the novel, toward the end, is dialog between Josh, Drew and Nastya's mother.

"What is she to you?" she whispers...

Drew's muffled voice rises up from the floor before I can respond.

"Family," he says.

And he's right.

So to answer to my first question; yes there are books out there that tell stories about the path leading a boy and girl together but nothing (so far) compares to the portrait Katja Millay paints with Josh, Nastya and Drew.  

I cannot NOT recommend The Sea of Transquility by Katja Millay is a MUST read Young Adult novel for 2013.

If you do decide to give it a chance, let me know your thoughts once you've read it.

Until next time! ~ Carol

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Museum and dance

Good Morning friends!

It is a chilly morning for Texas but so beautiful.

Just want to share a quick post of two pages in my SMASH book.

Both are of my son; the first is a school field trip to Texas State Bob Bullock History Museum and the second is one of him at his first public appearance for dance. 

At the time of his field trip to the History Museum, I was embarrassed to say that it was my first visit.  I have lived within driving distance of the Museum since it was built years ago, just never took the time to visit.  After the day was over, I was ashamed that we had waited so long.  

It was AMAZING! The culture and history of our Great State - Texas all in one place!  Pictures are not allowed (bummer) but it is worth the time and visit.  We have another trip planned for spring break in March, this time the whole family is going.

Also, at the Museum, we watched an informational 3-D movie about the Global Warming called 'To The Arctic', following a mother polar bear and her two cubs.  It was an awesome and very informative movie.

The second page, He is Santa Claus in his first public hip hop dance event in early December.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

Until next time - happy scrappin'! ~ Carol