Still soggy!

Well, all the parades and fireworks were either cancelled or postponed until today.  We ended up going to the Waukee parade, even though it looked like it was going to rain.  Well, it did rain on us most of the parade, but it was just a light rain.  The kids still had fun collecting the candy.

I couldn't get them to turn around and look at me for a picture, so everything I have is their backs.  Hope kept giving me a play by play of how many pieces of candy she had after each one she grabbed.  She got so excited when one person walked right by and put something right in her bag.  She didn't even have to battle for it.  :)  This was at the beginning of the parade, but by the end it was raining heavier and we were kind of wet by the time we got back to the van.  Oh well.  Not sure if the fireworks will go off tonight or not, so we will have to catch those some other time.

Also, since it rained yesterday, the I-cubs game was cancelled too.  So we decided to go out to eat, since it was too wet to grill out too.  Well,  we tried several places, and ended up at a Japanese steak house because it was one of the few places open on the 4th of July.  We laughed because it was kind of similar to the ending of "A Christmas Story" where their turkey get eaten by the dog so they end up at the Japanese restaurant on Christmas Day.  Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra, Ra Ra Ra Ra!  :)

Hope is hidden behind Noah, on the far left side of the photo.  She got scared the first time he got the grill hot with the large flame, and was a little worried the second time too.  Noah kept telling her it was ok that it would just be a little fire this time.  Noah and his family love to eat at Japanese steak houses, so he knew just what to expect.

Hope was trying to catch the steam from the hibachi grill.  Our food was fabulous, and we went home and had home made strawberry shortcake.  YUM!  And we played games.

Finally, it stopped raining long enough for us to get outside to do some sparklers in the back yard.  That is all we are allowed to do in IOWA, but some of our neighbors started shooting off the larger fireworks.

I hope everyone had a great and safe holiday weekend.  Now back to work tomorrow!  Bummer!  At least it will be a short week.  Yeah!

Darla

(Soggy) Independence Day!

Well, I am sorry to report that here in Iowa, we are having a VERY soggy 4th of July.  The parade we were planning to attend today was supposed to start now, but it is raining (so we skipped it).  We are supposed to go to the I-Cubs game tonight, so I hope the rain moves out by then.  Otherwise, we will just enjoy some "indoor" time with our friends and maybe get a chance to do some sparklers with the kids later tonight.

Everyone, have a safe and happy 4th of July!

And on to some scrappy news...

Here is another card to share with you.

I used MME papers, shimmer cardstock from Archivers, Crate Paper rub ons, clear button, tulle and Kaiser Craft pearls.

The rub on on says "Thanks".  I know the colors of the card are not patriotic, but I would like to say thank you to all the service men and women and their families for their service and sacrifices to protect our freedom.  May we all truly appreciate the freedoms we have each and every day.

God Bless America

Darla

Scrappy time!

I had a great Friday!  How about you?  

I had most of the afternoon to myself, so I started creating some cards using some scraps from the Pink Paislee Amber Road line of papers from last fall.  I loved these papers, and didn't want any of it to go to waste.  I will share some of these next week, so check back then.

Hope is enjoying a movie, and I get to scrapbook tonight too.  I might actually go read for a while outside, since it is so nice out.  I started reading the "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner".  It is a short book about one of the characters mentioned in the "Eclipse" book.  I should have started it sooner, but I just picked it up yesterday at Target.  Anyway, my friend Kristi and I are going to see the movie Eclipse on Saturday night.  Can't wait!  I am definitely team Edward when it comes to story line, but (Jacob) Tayler Lautner-YUM!  :)

Well, here is another card to share with you (sorry the color seems to be off).

I used more scraps from the MME papers, Crate Paper rubons and two small pearls.  EASY!  Nothing fancy, but whoever receives this, will know it was home-made.  :)

Enjoy your evening!

Darla

Yummy tastes of Summer!

Look at what I found...

peeking out from behind those leaves!  Yummy tomatoes.  I better get some bacon this weekend for some BLT sandwiches this week.  I can hardly wait.

I am also off for a FOUR day weekend!  YES!!!!!  I love holiday weekends.

Tomorrow I plan to scrapbook for a while in the morning and then Hope and I will head to the pool to cool off.  What a perfect way to start the holiday weekend.

And speaking of summer, my "Summer Fun" mini album is for sale at The Scrappy Gourmet.  Check it out here!  It has lots of great product from Pink Paislee.

And finally, another card to share with you.

This is a fun summer card with MME, Prima flowers, Archivers gems and Kaiser Craft rubons.  

Have a good night!

Darla

Not much going on...

Well, it was a typical day...Work, Eat, Work, Eat, Work...Go Home!  The files I worked on today totally fried my brain, so I hope to relax a little later tonight and do some scrapbooking.  I call it my therapy!

Anyway, here is another card I created last weekend.

This uses more of the MME papers.  I simply tied brown tulle around the pattern paper and attached it to the card base.  I punched a label punch (stampin up) and added a Crate Paper rubon.  I used foam tape to pop the label punch up over the tulle.  Then I just added a Making Memories pearl brad at the knot of the tulle ribbon.  Simple.

Since i don't have much else to talk about, I will sign off for now!  Later!

Darla

The reason we scrapbook!

Tonight was SO awesome!  During Hope's bath time, she was asking about the last time she went to the Boone Valley Railroad train.  Tomorrow she is going there with Grandma D, Aunt Dawn and the twins.  She is so excited, so I told her I would show her pictures from our last trip.

So as I searched for the scrapbook with those layouts, she also wanted to see her baby pictures.  So for the past hour she looked through several of her scrapbooks and looked at every detail.  She even noticed all the areas where I had hidden journaling.  It was so cute to see her looking at the journaling (even though she can't read yet) looking for her name.

This is why I scrapbook!

Well, I don't have layouts to share, but I will share another card I made over the weekend.

This card also used My Minds Eye papers, Melissa Francis chipboard glitter flower, Stampin Up butterfly rubon, Basic Grey pearls, American Crafts brad and Spellbinders die (label die cuts).

Well, that is all for tonight!  Good night!

Darla

Great weekend!!!

We had a great weekend around our house.  :)

Yesterday, we had a chance to do laundry and clean up the house (we have guests coming to visit next weekend).  Ok, not that exciting, but the evening gave me time to get crafty.  Joe and Hope went to an indoor arena football game and had a lot of fun.  While they were gone, I got a chance to scrapbook.

I worked on planning out a few layouts, which I am not sure when I will actually put those together, but I will be sure to share once I do.

I also used some scraps to make some cards, which I will begin to share with you tonight.

Here is the first card.  The papers were My Minds Eye, rubon-Stampin Up, Gems-Glitz, and Flower-Prima.

Today we ended up going to the pool with the twins and my sister.  It was very nice, a slight breeze and partly cloudy.  It wasn't very busy, so that is just the way I like it at the pool.  :)

Then time to play for Hope and I finished up a few more cards and then cleaned up my scrapbooking area.  I feel like I got so much done this weekend and very rejuvenated when I get to scrapbook (with something to show for it).  :)

Everyone have a good evening, and check back for more cards to follow.

Darla

Sneak Peeks!!!!

Ok, if you haven't check out the "What's Cooking" section at The Scrappy Gourmet, then now is your chance.  My Summer Fun project includes all kinds of Pink Paislee (& other) goodies for your summertime memories.  This kit will be available on July 1st.

Also, I found a website that has a list of early 2010 Summer CHA sneak peeks.  Check it out here, and check often as it is updated as CHA gets closer.

I am so excited that I get to go to CHA this year with my sister Dee, from The Scrappy Gourmet.  I think another of my sisters, Debbie, is also going to go.  The first time I went to CHA, I described it as going to the worlds largest scrapbook store, but not being able to buy anything.  It was a lot of fun seeing all the NEW products.  I don't think I will get to stay for the superstore event at the end of CHA, where you can actually shop.

Anyway, I am sending my husband and daughter off to an indoor arena Barnstormers football game tonight and I am going to scrapbook!  Yeah!

Have a good night!

Darla

Card 19 - Happy Day

Well, this is it.  The last of the cards I created on my last retreat in WI.  This was inspired by a card in Papercrafts Feb. 2009 magazine, submitted by Eleanor McGarry.

The card base is Pink Paislee paper.  Other papers included:  Making Memories, Crate Paper and My Minds Eye.  The buttons were actually Karen Foster button brads.  The rubon and star and square punches were all from Stampin Up.  I used pop dots to give dimension to the stars.

Next time I will be back with an additional sneak peek of the summer fun album for The Scrappy Gourmet.

Everyone have a great night!

Darla

Card 18 - Happy Birthday

I have actually made many versions of this card since I started making cards with my scraps.  it is so easy and can be made to look masculine or feminine.

It rained again this morning, but when it was done it got really steamy out.  So when I got off work at 4:30, I picked up Hope and we talked daddy into coming to the pool with us.  It was so perfect.  The water was the perfect temperature and Hope met one of her future classmates, Cali.  I hope they end up in the same class.  We are anxiously awaiting to see who her Kindergarten teacher will be.

Well, check out the blog at The Scrappy Gourmet for a sneak peek of my Summer Fun project, which will be available for sale on July 1.

Off to relax and read a scrapbook magazine for some inspiration.

Darla

Card 17 - Time to Celebrate!

The last set of cards are all very masculine. 

The card base was from Making Memories.  Other papers included My Minds Eye and Crate Paper.

The stars were die cut using the Sizzix star die from Stampin Up.  The green and cream stars were the same color and I used small scallop scissors to trim it slightly smaller than the green star.  Tied twine through the button and attach in the center of the star.   I added the rubon and that was it!  

Well that is it for today.  I have 2 more cards to share with these scraps and then I will share a sneek peak of a project I finished for The Scrappy Gourmet (unless they beat me to it).

Darla

Card 17 - Happy Father's Day

This card was originally going to be the Father's Day card Hope and I were going to give to Joe.  Then once I decided to get him a golf card (prepaid to golf at 3 courses) then I made a different card.

The card base was from Cosmo Cricket, and the other scraps I am not sure.  I just thought they all went together very nicely.  The chipboard star was die cut using the Sizzix star die from Stampin Up.  Since the inside of the card had cowboys on it, I decided to use a neutral color on the inside.

For Father's Day, we met some friends from out of town at a local furniture store.  They were coming into town to look for a new bedroom set and we needed bar stool for the kitchen.  We didn't have any luck, so we headed to the mall to eat lunch at The Cheese Cake Factory.  YUM!

Now I need a nap after eating the cheesecake we brought home with us!  :)

Darla

Card 16 - For you

This is the last card I made from the My Minds Eye scraps.  I used a cream cardstock card base, and just added tulle and Prima flower.   I punched a label using the Stampin up punch, trimmed the top edge and added my sentiment.  Very easy!

 I love so many lines from My Minds Eye.  I was planning out some pages today for layouts I will create (at a crop at a later date).  They are always so easy to use as all the papers are so beautiful.  

Anyway...on to other news.  We bought a NEW car today, and I mean NEW!  We have never bought new before, so this was very different from any other car purchase we have ever made.  We ordered a 2011 Ford Edge.  It should be here in late July or early August.  Unfortunately, the car is for Joe and I still get to drive the van, but it is still fun.  He is going to let me drive it once in a while, I think.  :)

So after we bought the car, we went to one of my favorite scrapbook stores, called Memory Bound.  It is located in Ankeny, Iowa, so if you are ever in the area I highly recommend making a stop.  Anyway, I picked up some goodies and got to scrapbook for a little while this afternoon.

Now I am on my way to pick up the kiddo from my sisters house.  I had her girls yesterday so she took Hope for the day.  Luckily Grandma D is there to help out too.

Well, I hope everyone had a great Saturday!  

Darla

Card 15 - Butterfly and Glitter

Ok, here is another card using the scraps from My Minds Eye.  This time I added Pearls (Archivers), Stick Pins (Making Memories), Chipboard Frame (Tattered Angels), Butterfly die (Sizzix-Stampin Up) and Glitter (Stampin Up).

To make the straight glitter edge, I used thin red Tacky Tape all around the edge of the cardstock.  Then I just took off the top layer and sprinkled on the glitter.  SO EASY!  I was very sparkly after completing all these cards with glitter.  :)

Today it was rainy off and on again.  Hope graduated from Safety Town this morning.  She had a blast going each morning this week to learn about various safe practices (stop signs, playing, riding the school bus, etc.).  All the kids recited the poems and songs they learned about safety and they had a slide show of photos from the week.

Grandma Deloris was able to come with me to the graduation, and then we had lunch and did some shopping.  

Joe looked at my purse the other day and said, "I can't believe I am going to tell you this, but you need to get a new purse".  I laughed.  I am not usually into buying things like purses, but I have been looking for one for a while now.  I pulled out an old one from the shelf because I didn't like the last one I bought.  So today on our shopping trip I found a great purse.  It is pink and has bling.  :)  I also found a little black dress that I wasn't looking for at all but the price was right and can be worn to work or for dressier occasions.

My favorite purchase today was two more pairs of Sketcher tone-up flip flops.  If you haven't tried these shoes, they are AWESOME!  I have never been able to wear flip flops because they hurt my feet.  Well, these actually have an arch support and are the BEST!  So they were on sale.  I got a pair of black ones, and paid for them.  Then I went back to the shelf and saw that the white ones were $10 cheaper than the black ones, so I got those too.  They didn't have them in my size, but at Famous Footwear they have free home delivery.  This is a GREAT service, and I can't wait to get my new shoes next week!

We also picked up the twins (Annie/Ally) and took them with us to see Toy Story 3.  It was a very cute movie, and I must admit I even shed a few tears at the end.  If you have younger kids, I highly recommend it.

Now all three girls are playing and Grandma D and I are enjoying some peace and quiet (with the exception of the occasional outburst from the toy room).  After seeing Toy Story 3, I hope the toys are being enjoy being played with).  :)

Have a great night!

Card 14 - (butterfly) Happy Birthday

This is another simple card made from the My Minds Eye papers.  Love it!

I die cut the card from the largest Spellbinders label, making sure to have the fold just inside the die.  I tied gold tulle around the top.  I added the rubon to a scrap piece of pink cardstock and trimmed one end to look like a banner.  I added the gold glitter (stampin up) to the butterfly (Maya Road) for my final detail of the card.

Hope and I went to the pool again late this afternoon and had a great time!  It is nice to get to go after I get off work because it isn't as busy then and we can ride the lazy river as long as we want to.  :)

Hope is also having an exceptionally good week.  She is going to Safety Town this week where she learns about safety and the rules of riding the bus to school, etc.  I hope this is exactly what she needed to encourage her to not have accidents.  She hasn't had any this week, and it has been such a relief!  

Anyway, I hope everyone has a nice evening!

Darla

Card 13 - blank notecard

OK, here is another die cut card using the scraps from My Minds Eye.  I used the largest Spellbinders label die cut to make the card.  You want to make sure you leave one edge just inside the die, which is where your card will fold.  I cut a smaller label for the center paper.

The flower is from Melissa Francis.  It was originally white/cream, and I used 3 shades of Copic pink markers (RV10, RV 11 and RV 13) to color the flower to match my card.  Finally, I just tied sheer ribbon around the center of the card and tied a knot through the center of the flower.

The inside is blank, so this card could be used for anything, once I decide who the special person will be to receive it.  :)

Well, after more rain this morning, the sun finally decided to come out.  And boy did it get steamy out!  Wow!

Anyway, I hope you all had a great day and enjoy your evening.  I don't have to cook tonight, and I am hoping to do a little scrapbooking later on.  

Darla

Cards 11 & 12 - Thanks so much & Friend

Here are two similar cards I created using scraps from a set of layouts I created earlier this year.

They are both similar to each other, with just small differences.  The papers were from My minds Eye,  Butterfly die-sizzix (Stampin Up), Pearls-Kaiser Craft, Gems-Archivers and Misc.-rubons, buttons and twine.

I loved these papers and just had to make something very special with the scraps.  I have several other cards using the same scraps I will share later this week. 

I hope everyone is staying dry where you are.  It has rained every day for several days, and there are all kinds of flood warnings here in Iowa.  At least none of the storms have been severe with tornados, etc.  I think it is supposed to rain every day this coming week.  I hope we get to see the sun a little bit!  

Hope and I did finally make it to the pool last Wednesday.  It was a little cold since it had rained a lot the day before, but it still was a lot of fun.

Enjoy what is left of the weekend!

Darla

Card 10 - Embossed Happy Birthday

I feel a pattern going on here!  This card was also super easy to make.

I used the Stampin Up Medallion background stamp with the embossing ink.  I then sprinkled on red embossing powder and used a heat gun to set the powder.  Once it cooled off, I added the black gems and stamped a sentiment.  You could use this basic card for any occasion, depending on the sentiment you added to it. 

This card was inspired by a thank you card submitted to Paper Crafts magazine, by Mary Bieber.

I didn't get my "happy birthday" stamped on very straight, so that is probably why I am always hesitant to stamp on my projects.  I guess I just need to practice more.  :)

On a side note, I have been working on a new project for The Scrappy Gourmet this past week.  It is a summer mini-album using the Pink Paislee 365 degree line.  I love the colors of this line and it goes great with all kinds of summer pictures.  I was waiting for my most recent order of pictures from Shutterfly to arrive (which arrived yesterday) and I can finish up the last of the project.  Can you believe I hadn't ordered pictures since the end of 2009.  That was a lot of pictures, including Disney.  It was exciting to look through all the pictures from Hope's birthday, Easter, Disney, Graduation and everything in between.

Darla  

Card 9 - Smile!

Ok, I am finally to the last card I made with the We R Memory Keepers scrap papers.

Here it is.  Again, this one was pretty easy too.  Everything except the gems were from WRMK.  

Well, the weekend is over and back to work my normal schedule this week.  No more holidays or vacations, etc. for a while.  BUMMER!

Darla

Card 8 - Thanks!

This card was SUPER easy!

All I had to do was put on the chipboard word, draw lines with a black pen, and add gems.  EASY and FAST!  :)

Ok, not much time today, so fast is good right!  Later!

Darla