Pics from the "photo shoot" revealed!

As promised, here are some of my favorite pics from the "photo shoot"! I finally got the editing done today in between events at Mara's swim meet. I know, 10 pics is a lot to download just to read my blog this time, but considering I took around 190 pics, showing you 10 of my favorites isn't too bad, is it?! Can you tell it was like 32 degrees and overcast that day? We were all freezing, but I don't think it shows too badly in the pictures. Everyone just took it in stride and put up with it pretty well. They were all troopers. I love pics taken at the riverwalk. We didn't have to move very far to get all these great settings. Anyway....TFL! :)

Yes, I'm still here! I just haven't done anything scrappy related for awhile now. Been feeling alot like CRAP! I've officially been sick for a whole month now. Think it's time to go to the doctor yet?! Maybeeeee......

Black Friday shopping was utter chaos. But, I got darn near all of my shopping done! Yay me! :) Heard a couple of stories from the area that just blows my mind. At the Princeton Wal-Mart someone decked a worker. At one in Evansville, a guy decked a woman shopping because she got the last of something. And, he hit her with whatever it was they were fighting over. Somewhere in like NY a WalMart employee DIED because he was trampled to death! Crazy stuff. I don't go for the deals, I just go in case I get a good deal and to just plain get my shopping done so I can enjoy the holidays. Bring on the Christmas music!

Well, peace out for now. I'm headed to bed. Yeah, it's 6:10p.

My last hurrah with Creatively Yours

Yep, my final assignment for Creatively Yours. We had to choose a sketch that wasn't assigned to us during our time on the DT. I chose Sketch #23. Drug out some BG Gypsy paper that I've been hoarding. It's a wonder I even get any scrapping done with the way I hoard my scrappy stuff!

During our annual photo shoot at the rock park, the girls wanted me to take their picture in front of this sign hanging on one of the out building doors. They were so funny, disgusted looks and all. I, actually, thought it was kinda cheesy, but I humored them. Turned out kinda cute, though.

TFL!

So glad we're friends...

Quick card I made from a sketch at Creative Scrappers. Wonderful card sketch to use up scraps of paper! I have a feeling I'll be using this layout ALOT! :)

Used scraps from a BYOM kit and a SU stamp set (blanking on the name).

TFL!

Big Man on Campus

Yep, another Creative Scrappers sketch!

This is my nephew, Christian. He's in his 2nd or 3rd year at Georgia Tech. Over Memorial weekend we went to visit Aunt Jeanne and took a drive over to GT to visit with Christian. Hard to believe he was about Mara's age when I first started dating Steve!

I used stuff from a BYOM kit and stuff from extras there, too. Stuff from my stash are the stars and the mask I used on the cardstock with silver metallic rub on stuff. Turned out kinda cool, I think. Weird thing...I was thinking silver paint would just rock on those stars. I honestly didn't think I had any, but I found some! I also used gold paint mixed with red for the solid star and that turned out pretty cool. Lots of subtle bling on here.

TFL!

My Brown Eyed Girl

This was something fun at Creative Scrappers....a 1 Hr. Layout Contest! A sketch was posted at 9p EST. You have one hour to see what you can come up with and post in the gallery by 10:15p. The owner draws a name from everyone who participated and the winner gets a scrappy surprise! Cool, huh?

Well, this layout was done using a BYOM kit, of course!

TFL!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you're spending some quality time with your friends and family, giving thanks for all the blessings in your life. I know I am!

And, Happy Birthday to my favoritest cousin, Kristi! Don't worry, I won't mention your age! ;)

I'm braving the madness tomorrow and going shopping with Mom and Kasara. What the heck am I thinking?!

Sisters

Yes, you guessed it! Another sketch from Creative Scrappers! Are you getting tired of hearing that yet?! Too bad! Just kiddin' ;)

Pics of Mara and McKenna taken 2 years ago as we were walking out the door to their Christmas program. I had to beg them to take a nice picture, but only agreed if they could do a pose of them rockin' it out! Crazy girls.

This was done using some really old paper....MME Bohemia and accessories. And that's it!

TFL!

I took some pictures on Saturday....

for my friend, Angie, and her family. Her ENTIRE family! It was loads of fun! I got home and started utilizing the Photoshop Elements 6 that I've had for about 9 months and not done hardly anything with except crop and stuff.

Talk about amazing! I used Photomerge for the first time. OMG. I took several pics of one pose so that hopefully out of all of them, one of them would be good. Well, if you choose all those pics, PSE layers them. You choose your base photo and then go thru all the pics individually and circle the good faces. It automatically puts them in your base photo and your end result is a perfect photo!!! This totally rocks my socks, man.

In some other photos, you could see a wooden stake in the ground. I was able to make that disappear! Too stinkin' cool! As soon as I'm done editing the photos, I'll post some on here. I can't wait to show you!

Back 2 School

Yes, another sketch from Creative Scrappers! I can't help it, the sketches are just callin' to me! LOL!

Pics of my girlies on the first day of school this year. Isn't it funny how the color of their tans is the same exact color of my pantry?!

Used some Basic Grey Recess. Yep, everything is from that line...even the chipboard scissors! Well, except the ribbon, that's just from my stash. Oh, and I used the spiral punch from SU on the journaling tag.

Man, I keep forgetting to put the pic in the post! Geesh.

TFL!

New name frame!

A co-worker asked me to make a name frame for a friend of hers who just had a baby, so this is what I came up with! I just love doing these name frames. I never want to give them up, they always turn out so darn cute!

I used some Basic Grey papers that I've been hoarding...Blush, so pretty! Some chipboard stars that I painted tan and pink and then distressed with some brown ink, HodgePodge hardware from SU in vanilla, ticket corner punch, scallop edge punch, and my Cricut cartridge and I'm blanking on the name of it! I did that the night I worked on it at Tiffany's, too. I'm losing my mind! Oh, and the stamp set I used was Bundle of Joy (retired) for the background and the stamped image in the small vanilla frame.

TFL!

Infinite Goodness

Card using another sketch over at Creative Scrappers! Except, I really strayed away from the sketch on this one...but, that's ok, right? Isn't that the beauty of sketches? :) I used a stamp set that I've had for a looooong time that I've yet to use....until now!

Stamp set: Infinite Goodness (retired); Cardstock: More Mustard, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy; Ink: More Mustard, Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Close to Cocoa; Accessories: hemp string, twill

TFL!

Spring Solitude Thank You card

This card was done using a sketch over at Creative Scrappers! If you get a chance, check it out!

Stamp set: Spring Solitude, Technique Tuesday set; Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Choco Chip, Really Rust, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White; Ink: Really Rust, Creamy Caramel, Choco Chip, Tempting Turquoise; Accessories: SU markers in Always Artichoke, Choco Chip; Technique: Stamping with markers

TFL!

Cheers to You

Creative Scrappers. I'll just leave it at that. :) I got some major scrapping done in one evening using their awesome sketches, can you tell?!

Finally whipped out this stamp set I've been dying to use! Isn't it adorable?! I paired it with the paper that keeps freaking multiplying in my stash....CUTIE PIE from SU like 2 catty's ago (it seems like, at least)!!! Watch out Doodlebug, this stuff is going in the Scrap Sale! I can't stand looking at it anymore! I made 8 cards using different variations of the sketch and didn't even put a dent in the scraps of Cutie Pie I have. Seriously. It's doin' the dirty in my scraproom and having little scrappies. Disgusting.

Stamp set: Cheers to You; Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Whisper White; Ink: Staz-on Black, Bashful Blue; Accessories: Stickles, SU markers in Rose Red, Old Olive, So Saffron, More Mustard, Signo pen, white taffeta ribbon.

Helps if I put the pic in the post, doesn't it?!

TFL!

Goofy Girl

This was made using yet another sketch over at Creative Scrappers! They post a new sketch every Sunday. If you do each sketch (either layout sketches or card challenge sketches) and upload them in the gallery by the end of the month, a random winner will be drawn for a prize! I just love doing these because it makes me get stuff done!!

These pics of Mara were taken a year ago at our annual photo shoot at the rock park. Yes, I'm still scrapping photos from that shoot, Tiffany! ;)

I used some leftover MM Noteworthy, Cricut Cuttin' Up and All Mixed Up, some Rusty Pickle chipboard hearts (painted HS white and TH crackle paint pink) and some SU ribbon (Purely Pomegranate {retired}, white taffeta, pink gingham).

TFL!

Vases in Vogue

My step-BIL, Jason, asked me to whip up some stationery for his daughter's godmother, Melissa, so this is what I came up with! I cut out the vase and then pop dotted it...love how that turned out! I got the colors from the ever awesome SU color wheel, which is a must-have!!!

Stamp set: Vases in Vogue (retired); cardstock: Whisper White, Apricot Appeal, Bashful Blue, Glorious Green, Pretty In Pink; Ink: Pixie Pink, Apricot Appeal, Bashful Blue; Accessories: SU markers in Glorious Green Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, Scallop edge punch, stampin' dimensionals.

TFL!

Pocket Silhouettes Thank You cards

Just some quick Thank You cards I made to send to family for my Birthday money (which went towards the Big Shot that's coming my way!!) I couldn't stand them up to take pics because I scallop punched the back part of the card! These cards are a CASE from my friend, Nicole. Thanks, Nicole! ;)

Stamp set: Pocket Silhouettes; cardstock: Natural White; Ink: Pretty in Pink; accessories: light pink gingham ribbon, Scallop edge punch, marker in Pretty in Pink.

TFL!

QuiKutz Revolution for Sale!!!

Ok, folks, I have a QK Revolution die cut machine for sale for $28 + shipping (whatever that may be...if you're interested, I'll find out how much it costs to ship to you). You get the carrying case, die cut machine, and embossing plate (never been used). This machine is practically brand spankin' new, only used TWICE, for one card and one layout with the nesting circles die.

This machine is in tip top condition, I didn't have any problems with it whatsoever. I'm selling it because I just bought the Sizzix Big Shot (plus several awesome, Stampin' Up exclusive dies to go with it!!!). I'm a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, so I *needed* the Big Shot (which Stampin' Up sells) to show to my customers and hopefully sell one to them! Crazy, vicious cycle! LOL!!

Anyway, here's some pictures of the Revolution....the case, the case opened, and pics of all sides of the machine and a pic of the base where you can see where it hasn't been used too much. If you have any questions, ask away!!!

What's her deal with FROGS?

This is my latest layout for Creatively Yours sketch blog! I used stuff from the November BYOM kit, Scenic Route goodies. I almost didn't even post this layout....not my best work, to say the least. When I worked on this, I'd been battling a fierce sinus infection/nasty cold for the last 5 days. Don't worry, I already apologized to Noella for not giving my best for her awesome sketch!

Is this not the cutest little face you've ever seen?!

This is little Toby!! He is just the sweetest little thing ever! He is adapting to life in the Birrell household just fine. When he first came last Wednesday he was a little bit timid. One day in this house and he made himself at home! He's running everywhere, but still likes to follow us around. He sleeps in his pet porter on my nightstand and he likes my fingers in the door of the cage before he settles down for the night....and he sleeps thru the night! I've not gotten up in the middle of the night since his first night home with us! Housebreaking him is proving to be a bit challenging, though.

Oh, and Steve has completely fallen in love with him, although he won't admit it! But, who could resist this little cutie pie?!

I forgot to post the cards that me and my Stamp Club swapped using the technique we learned in September....the grid technique!

Everyone was so creative! I loved the grid technique on Carolyn's fish card to resemble scales. It was so neat how everyone stepped out of their little scrappy box and came up with such wonderful ideas! Girls, I hope you don't mind that I'm posting them on here!


And, here's the card I did for the swap...


Stamp sets: Baroque Motifs, Punches Three; Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White; Ink: Real Red, Old Olive; Ribbon: Real Red grosgrain; Other: Scallop Square punch, Stampin' Dimensionals; Technique: Grid technique

Congratulations card

Steve called me last Tuesday late afternoon and asked me to whip up a congrats-on-your-baby-news card real quick for some friends who recently found out they are expecting! So, this is what I whipped up really quick. You can't see it too well, but there are yellow Stickles in the giraffe spots!

Stamp set: Bundle of Joy (retired); Cardstock: Whisper White, Apricot Appeal, Wild Wasabi; Pattern Paper: DSP in Apricot Appeal and Wild Wasabi from the 6x6 pad that was a hostess benefit in the last SU catalog; Ink: Apricot Appeal, Old Olive; Other: brads, ribbon, ticket punch, Stickles