The funny things I find around the house!

I am always finding funny things around the house, placed there by my daughter Hope.  It always makes me smile.

I noticed a couple of days ago, this horse pen was hanging from one of the brackets holding up the stairway banister.  It is kind of a dark area, so it just blends right in.  I have no clue how long it had been there when I finally noticed it, but when I did I just had to smile.

Of course, it is still there for now.  Now that I finally remembered to take a picture of it, I will show Joe tonight.  He will probably ask Hope about it and then she will give us that silly grin and take it down.

You just never know what you might find (or where you might find it) around here.

We started decorating for Christmas over the long weekend.  Despite being sick, I did manage to help a little by adding some ornaments to the tree.  Otherwise, Hope and Joe did most of it.  They had a lot of fun, and I had fun taking pictures and watching them do it.

Hope got so excited as she dug out each ornament to be put on the tree.  She found special places for all her favorite, which included the ones she made in pre-school.  Those are some of my favorites too.

Ok, on to some scrappy inspiration...

This first card is similar to one I saw in a magazine and just loved it, so I had to create one with my own twist.

This one was made from a Fancy Pants journal note and a few other little extras.  Simple.

That is all I have for today.  Have a great night!

Darla

Bingo Halloween album

Ok, I know it is Christmas season, but I actually worked on a Christmas project during October, so I guess it was only fair that I finished up a Halloween project at the beginning of the Christmas season.

I actually started this mini-Bingo album over a year ago.  And I got the cover and the first two pages done and I just wasn't into it.  Well, I kept collecting Halloween stuff to use, which was WAY more than I knew I could ever use.  So I decided it was time to finish it up.

This was my favorite part of the album.  I punched a hole in the circle journal spot and used pop dots to raise up over the 4, which I wanted to focus on how old Hope was at the time of the photos.  I had an orange gem circle that was the perfect size to go around it.  

As I was editing the photos, I noticed I forgot to add "OR" like I had planned.  Oh well.  

This is the back of the mini-album, and I tied lots of ribbon around the rings that hold it together.

Once I sat down and decided to finish it, it really went together fast.  

Speaking of scary stuff...

I was walking up my drive way last week and saw this...

I have NEVER seen a spider quite like this before, so I couldn't resist running inside to get the camera to take a picture of it.  I am sure my neighbors thought I was crazy (although I am sure it probably isn't the first time).

Well, I feel a coughing fit coming on, so have a good night!

Darla

Thankful...

I am thankful for cold medicine and LOTS of boxes of kleenex.  Yes, we all have colds at our house and didn't do much of anything yesterday.  Joe made his famous chicken and dumpling soup, which tasted great.  I took a long nap and just laid around all day.  I felt terrible.

I feel a little better today, so I think I will make it.  :)

No Black Friday shopping for me.  We are going to stay at home and just have some fun.  We might even do some crafting/scrapbooking later.

Speaking of being sick, here is a Get Well card I could have sent to myself.  :)

This card was made from scraps of several layouts using Fancy Pants papers and journal notes.

Check out the new Bakery Items I have for sale at The Scrappy Gourmet.  I am selling a lot of my cards there, so if you see anything you like, pick it up today!

I hope all you crazy shoppers out there got some great deals.  As for me, I would rather avoid the crowds, so I started shopping early this year.  I am pretty much done with Hope and now just need to pick up a few things for my nieces and nephews.  

Have a great day!

Darla

Still tinkering...

I am still trying to get a visual that I like.  The colors will probably change some throughout the next few weeks until I get it how I want it.  :)

I may end up starting all over again.  You just never know.

Anyway, starting to get a cold and the weather is getting really cold here.  Hope is out for the Thanksgiving break, so we are going to see the new Disney movie Tangled tomorrow.  Can't wait.  Then we are going to snuggle in for the long weekend and hang out at home.  Yeah!

Originally, we were going to go visit this guy...

...but since we are all sick, that isn't a good idea with him being in the NICU.  So we will just have to settle for the updates they post on Facebook.  He is getting stronger everyday.

Well here is a few more cards I made with the Pink Paislee scraps.  

Below is the outside of the card...

...this is the inside of the card.

Well, I am going to go take a HOT bath and see if I can steam this cold right out of me.  I am tired of drinking hot tea, icy (protein) shakes and Diet Coke, etc to soothe my throat.  I know, Diet Coke isn't your typical throat soother, but it always helps me.  That's my story and I am sticking to it.  :)

Goodnight!

Darla

What do you think?

Ok, I figured out how to make some changes, and added most of the images I have posted to my blog into a new page I created, My Gallery.

So if you are looking for some inspiration, stop by my gallery and check it out.

Let me know what you think.

Goodnight!

Darla

Hi!

Ok, not much going on around here tonight.  Just watching DWTS final and trying to make some updates on the blog.

So just thought I would share a few more cards.  Here they are...

Both of these cards were made from scraps leftover from the layout in the previous layout.  The banner looks like it is made from a heart punch, but I actually cut small triangles from the outside of the scallop circle die cut paper.

Below is just a simple scrappy card you can easily make with any coordinating scraps of paper.

Well, now I am off to conquer the techie blog world and make some updates to my blog.  Wish me luck!

Darla

Birthday?

My daughter and Anna (our neighbor) were playing with a nativity set (it plays music and tells a short version of the birth of Jesus).  Anyway, Hope looked at Anna and said did you know that Jesus' birthday is coming up?  Anna said, "no".  Hope answered, yeah, we celebrate his birthday on Christmas day!  She was so excited about it.

Then they went off to play "school".

I became an aunt again yesterday.  My husband's sister, Kristine, and her husband Mike welcomed a baby boy early yesterday morning.  As I mentioned earlier, she was suffering from pre-eclampsia, so she ended up delivering about 6 weeks early.  The baby is doing great, and pulled out his oxygen tubes 5 times the first morning, so they decided to leave them out.  He was 3lbs and 5 1/2 oz.  I keep calling him "he" because he hasn't been named yet.  Kristine is still under critical watch and hasn't been able to visit the baby.  She had a very severe case and had swelling of her brain.  So please keep her in your prayers for a quick recovery.  Once she is able to visit the baby, they will decide on a name.  I think Mike has taken videos of the baby for her, so she has at least "seen" him that way.

Anyway, I think things are starting to slow down here (just a little), but will be busy this weekend.  A football game (which is going to be very COLD), an early Thanksgiving brunch on Sunday and the HARRY POTTER movie.  I wish I had the energy to go tonight, but will be waiting until Saturday to go with my sisters.  Can't wait.

Anyway, here is another layout I started at the WI retreat, and finished last weekend.  It is made with Pink Paislee papers.  Love this collection.

It is hard to tell, but the stars are dimensional.  You can see it better in the first card below.

I got the idea from the Pink Paislee website.  I just scored down the center of each point all the way across to the valley on the opposite side.  Do this on all of the points and then fold them to make a dimensional star.  I added a couple of foam dots to keep the shape.

The card below is cut from the center of the circle scallop die cut paper.  The banner in the layout was cut from the scallop circle paper, and the center was left over with the nice bold star in the middle.  I attached the circle to a circle card.

Well, I have a lot more cards to show you from my left over scraps, so stop back soon!

Darla

Loose ends...

I have a few misc. layouts, cards, etc to show you from several different projects.

The first card is the last one I made from the Cosmo Cricket Snorkel paper scraps.  The inside says "Just dropping you a line...".  I figured this could be used to just send for a general note or possibly a birthday, etc.

This is one of the few layouts I finished when I went to the Wisconsin retreat back in October.  I just finished up the journaling on the page.  I know you are probably wondering, well where is the journaling.

Well, I hid it behind the photos.  I found these curly tree ornament hooks at Hobby Lobby and thought they would be neat to use in scrapbooking.  So they jumped right into my cart.  Hehe!

Here is the entire journaling.

Next is another layout I worked on in WI.  This was at the same event.  It was a princess party hosted as a fundraiser.  The girls got to meet all their favorite princess and get their autograph.  I made a pocket for Hope's autograph book, and put a paperclip on it so it can be pulled out for viewing.

And finally, one last card I made from the princess paper scraps.

On to other news....

I didn't get picked for a jury on my first day I was called, so I had to call in again today.  The only wanted 1-86 and I am number 71.  Bummer!  So I have to go back again tomorrow morning and hopefully not wait all day long to find out if I will serve on a jury.  I just hope I am done early enough to go to the Radio City Hall Christmas Spectacular show.  I have tickets for the 4:30 show to go with a friend and Hope.  The back up plan is for my mom to go in my place if I am not done in time.  Otherwise, if I can make it we are going to get an extra ticket for mom to go too.

I am so glad mom was able to come up this week to help out.  I have been very stressed out about several things going on.

We had Hope's first teacher conferences.  They went really good.  I am so proud of the improvements she has had in the short 2 months of school.  Very exciting.

I would like to ask for  prayers for my sister-in-law, who is having difficulties with her pregnancy.  She is due January 7th, but is in the hospital due to pre-eclampsia (not sure how that is spelled).  The took her by ambulance today from her small town hospital to Iowa City where they have a better NICU and doctors to treat her issues.  They are predicting they will need to deliver the baby by tomorrow after, if not sooner.  Please pray for a safe deliver and good health for their premature baby boy (we think).  :)

Ok, that is all for tonight.  I finally got pictures of a few more layouts and LOTS more cards I completed over the weekend.  I will be sharing those with you over the next few weeks.

Darla

LONG day!

Well, I got called for jury duty.  I sat around at the county court all day long and was not chosen for the jury.  BUT, I am not off the hook yet.  I still have to call in tomorrow night to see if there are other jury members needed later this week.  FUN!

So I didn't get home in time to take pictures of the projects I did this past weekend.  I will get to it eventually!

In the mean time...I do I have a few more cards made from the Cosmo Cricket Snorkel scraps.  Enjoy!

I thought these were great bright colored scraps that would make fun birthday cards.  One of the papers had various large circles that I punched out.  Very easy cards.

Everyone have a great night!

Darla

Ooooops! Missed a page!

I realized the other day that I missed sharing a page of the military album.  So here it is...

Anyway, I had a lot of fun scrapbooking with my girlfriends, Kristi and Kelly.  I didn't get a chance to take  a picture of what I got done, but I will try and get to it this week.

This week could be crazy, because I have to report for jury duty in the morning.  I am not sure what to expect since I have never been called for jury duty.  If I didn't have a lot going on this week, I actually wouldn't mind being on a jury.  I must admit, I am a little curious about how it all works.  So we will see how it works out.

I have a few cards to share from the scraps of the Fishing with Dad layout I shared a few posts ago.

Alright, that is all I have to share tonight!

Darla

Thank you for your service!

These are simple words, but mean so much to our veterans when we show our appreciation of their service to our Country.

A while back I made the following album for a potential project for The Scrappy Gourmet.  Due to being unable to find some of the product I used, it isn't a kit that is for sale.  If you are interested in something like this, please contact TSG to see if an acceptable substitution could be made for the products she isn't able to get anymore.

Anyway, here is the project...

Also, thank you to the families of all those that serve our country.  I can't image the stress involved with each deployment and pray for each and every soldier to return home safely.

Everyone have a great night!

Darla

Rainbow art

I love how this turned out!

The picture doesn't do it justice, but it looks really cool in her room.  This was my first time creating anything with a hot glue gun.  Well, I did end up burning my fingers a few times and only got one glob on my (favorite) sweat pants.  Oh well.  Now I won't be so intimidated to try it again someday.

I also am slowing working on finishing up some other layouts and cards I started several weeks ago at a crop in WI.

Here is one layout made using the Cosmo Cricket Snorkel line.

I had to get a little creative with the title since I didn't have an "N" and a second "D", so I trimmed off a "W" and turned a "P" upside down to make the letters I needed.

Above, you can see I added a pocket behind my 5x7 photo.  Below is the photo included and the back is blank for more journaling or another photo.

The hook was made with black wire and I just shaped it to look like a fish hook.

This was also my first attempt at using Photoshop Elements 8 to do my journaling.  It took a little work, but I finally got my circle journaling figured out.  Hopefully I can figure out how to do it again if I want to.  :)

Well, I am off to start supper.  I also made some fishin cards from the scraps, so I will share those with you this week over the next few days.

I also hope to have a lot more stuff to share with you over the next few weeks, because I am SCRAPPING this weekend.  I am shipping the kid and hubby to his mother's place and having some friends over for the weekend.  YIPPEE!  

I hope to get lots done, but we usually make time for some good eating, some good wine and maybe some shopping too.  You just never know what we are going to do.

Til next time!

Darla

The flu...

...has struck our house.  Hope came down with the flu late Thursday night, so it was a long night up with her.  One time after she had been up, she looked at Joe and said, "I don't think I am going to be able to go to school tomorrow".  I stayed home with her on Friday and she woke up right before the bus usually comes.  We were laying there in bed and she asked why Reilly, our dog, was barking.  I explained it was because the bus was waiting to see if she was coming.  She said, "I just want to go back to sleep".  Later, she asked me if I told her teacher that she barfed.  :)

Anyway...

I finally finished adding the gems to the rainbow painting for Hope's room.  I will share a picture once I get it up in her room.  It looks pretty cool.  I can't wait for Hope to see it in the morning.  She was helping me, but I finished it after she went to bed.

Well, I am heading to bed to start another busy week.  Goodnight!

Darla

The morning bus routine

I love the new bus routine Hope has started.  Now that the weather has gotten a little cooler I have been standing inside the door after Hope walks out to meet the bus at the end of our driveway.  Before the bus gets there, she turns around and blows me a kiss, hugs herself, waves, high fives her hands together and knuckle bumps herself.  It is too cute.   After each activity, she turns around like she is waiting for the bus and then turns toward me and does the next action.  Too CUTE!  I love it.  It always sends me off to work with a warm fuzzy feeling.

Then when she gets off the bus, she always yells from the end of the driveway "hi mom!".  Every day I am forced to try and come up with a new way to ask her how her day was because she gets mad and tells me every day is always good, why do I have to ask every day!   The kid is too funny!

And as I type, she is making "books" for all her friends and plans to sell them all over the WORLD.  She definitely has big ideas.  She even made one for her teacher too.

Well, I don't have much new to show you.  I did make a home sweet home card for my friend Kristi a while back.

Everyone have a good night!

Darla