USE YOUR STASH - Chipboard, Rub Ons, Stickers

This week's layout was inspired by a sketch challenge over at Studio Calico.  Happily, the only new product I used on this was the chipboard pennant pieces from Maya Road.  All else was from my stash.

I used two stickers for the border.  One is a striped pattern (Scenic Route) and one is a glittery zig zag stitch (Cloud 9 Designs).  I also used the "I Love You" sticker cut from another Scenic Route border sticker.

The flower rub ons were a great addition to this page, just giving that corner a little accent.  I love subtle accents.

And chipboard...besides the pennants, I used the negative chipboard pieces from some old Scenic Route alphas.  It's so nice to use up this old, old stuff!

Patterned paper is from Cherry Arte and gems from My Minds Eye.  Twine from my stash, Stampin Up I think.  Ink was from Color Box.

Title:  Word

Journaling reads:   Your sudden expression of "coolness" just totally cracks me up!  This was at Panera Bread in 2007.

FRIDAY FAVES - Hexagon Pillow

I'm in love.  I searched Etsy for something similar with no success.  Anyone willing to make these for me, let's talk. 

FOUR EYES DESIGNS - Shop Update

I loaded some new father's day cards in my shop over the weekend.  I love these two:

I Love You Dad.  See more pictures of this long sized card or to purchase here.

And I love the vintage look of this Star Father's Day card.  Click here for more pics or to purchase.

USE YOUR STASH - Circle Punch, Tape, Shaped Brads

I have been giving my circle punch a workout lately! This layout uses a piece of patterned paper that I had punched circles from for another project.  Love being able to use all of this without wasting a bit.

Also really old vinyl alphas and metal brads (the arrow parts) from Around the Block.  I've had these in my stash for a few years.

And check out my use of the tape (which is new from my Studio Calico kit).  I punched half circles to create a scalloped border at the bottom and use two pieces to cut a freehand heart.  One of them is in the "O" of Chocolate and the other between the arrow brads. 

Title:  Chocolate Cake

FRIDAY FAVES - Pink Paislee's Starlight Collection

This line would be perfect for boys pages or 4th of July!  Isn't it lovely??  See more on the Pink Paislee website.

FOUR EYES DESIGNS - Shop Update

UPDATE: These button sets have been sold.

Just listed...my favorite button set to date - Tortoise Shell Button Set.  Click here to view more pictures or to purchase.

And my Wood Blossom Button Set.  Love the woodgrain textures!  Click here for more!

USE YOUR STASH - Making Memories Alpha Rub Ons, Sticker Negatives

This page again uses a bunch of new Studio Calico goodness, but I also threw in some older things from my stash.  That really is the best way to use your stash.

I have so many of those Making Memories rub on alpha books.  Many of them have no e's, s's, t's, etc., and I really should toss them, but they sit waiting to be used.  I got creative with the "T" in lost by using a "J" and cutting off the curly tail to create a "T."  A technique I've employed often to try to use these up.

I also used the outline of an old bracket journaling sticker to create a home for this layout's journaling. 

Title:  Lost Tooth

FRIDAY FAVES - WRMK Vintage Blue Tags

Although I'm not fond of the entire collection, I so love these tags in the We R Memory Keepers Vintage Blue line.  They would be gorgeous on a scrapbook layout or a card.  There are three other designs available, all $.25 cents each.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Coping

HAPPINESS:  This past week we celebrated Mother's Day by taking my mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law out for brunch at Big Foot Inn in Harvard, IL.  They had a wonderful buffet of smoked salmon, beef, ham, eggs, crepes, waffles, potatoes, salads, cakes, Swedish meatballs, fruit and more.  Champagne was served as well, all for a reasonable $17.95 for adults.  I thought it was worth the 20 minute drive considering our other options with similar buffet choices were all near $30 a plate.  I can't even eat my money's worth at Old Country Buffet so they make a fortune off of what I eat.  Hubby's brother and girlfriend also came down for the event.

After brunch we stopped at my parents' house for a visit.  Mom and I chatted about card making for a bit and I gave her the bird & nest candelabra set I had purchased for her.  She loved it!  I knew she would because I thought it was gorgeous.  My mom also showed me the memory book she finished about my sister.  That is always hard to read though it all holds precious memories as well.  Glad to have them, hard to look at sometimes.  We had some leftover meatloaf, pork roast, mac & cheese and homemade bread for dinner before heading back home.

It was a great day spent with family.  Can't ask for more than that.

This past week my daughter had her Spring strings concert.  It is her second year playing violin and she's pretty good at it.  She chose not to do a solo or duet which I was disappointed about.  I know she can do it, if only she had the confidence in herself.  As of right now she's wanting to join choir next year instead of continuing with the violin (can't do both in middle school).  I'm really sad if that is the path she chooses.  I just hate to see her stop something knowing that she will lose the skills pretty quickly when she does.


SADNESS:  I can't remember if I posted this but a couple of weeks ago my doctor put me on some blood pressure medicine to help treat my headaches but also to protect me from the genetic heart disease and high cholesterol that I'm dealing with.  The first couple of weeks I was truly headache free.  There were a couple of days where I could feel a headache coming on but it never developed.  This week has been worse, with headaches almost every day.  They are still not as bad as they were and I can deal with them pretty easily.  I have also been dealing with a lot of tiredness this week and waiting for the sunshine and warmer temperatures to return.  I'm sure all of the rain, cold and darkness we've had hasn't helped.


THOUGHTS:  My brother and his wife are due to have their first baby within the next few weeks!  The shower is this weekend and I'm very excited.  I can't wait to see how they react to their little girl and I can't wait to meet her!

CONFESSION:  I've been eating like crap this week.  Dove chocolate and Heath bars keep finding their way into my mouth.  Also lots of M&M's at night.  I'm drinking the last of my Smirnoff Blueberry & Lemonade tonight, hoping it will ease my headache a bit.  So yummy!

Trying to let go of some negative feelings and emotions this week.  So far I have been able to do that without a problem.

FOUR EYES DESIGNS - Shop Update

I have some new cards for you this week!

A cute birthday card:

For more pictures and to purchase click here.

And a BFF card:

More on that card here.

I have a vintage looking kit and some buttons coming soon!

USE YOUR STASH - Die Cut Butterflies, Phrase Stickers and Gems

Sorry these pics aren't the greatest.

I *LOVE* these die cut butterflies from K&Company.  There were about 25 on a 12" x 12" sheet in many colors.  I am going to be so sad when they are all gone.  But stash is stash and I've got plenty of that so use them I shall!

I also used some phrase stickers, gems and outlined some chipboard pieces for my outlined images on the cardstock.

Title:  Wii Tennis

FRIDAY FAVES - Ranunculus

I am a huge rose fan, my daughter's middle name is Rose and my childhood Labrador retriever was Amanda Rose (Mandy). Clearly roses are meaningful to me.

Lately though I've discovered Ranunculus. We can't grow them in Wisconsin and I've never even seen one in real life, but ahh, their photos speak to my soul in warm, refreshing ways. Someday I will hold one of these lovely bouquets of my own.

Check out more Ranunculus pics here. They come in so many different colors and sizes!!

FOUR EYES DESIGNS - Shop Update

UPDATE:  The mocha latte button set (top) has been sold.

I loaded some new buttons in the shop!

Check out this Mocha Latte set:

You can see more photos and purchase these here.

And this Woodland Blend set:

 More on this set can be found here:

God bless our troops

Our troops in Afghanistan getting their freak on to Lady Gaga....HILARIOUS...

USE YOUR STASH - Rub Ons and Photo Border Strips

A lot of this layout is new Studio Calico goodness but I threw in a ton of old rub ons.  Check out the way I used them in this photo border strip.  I also reused a piece of patterned paper that I had punched a circle from for another page.  

Title: I Love This Face