Here We Go….!!!

Happy Friday and Happy Memorial Day Weekend to those in the US!  I was at my grandma’s in NY visiting for 2 days with Riley and am headed to Montreal today for the weekend.  Riley is still at my gram’s visiting and then I’ll come back Monday morning around 2 am and then leave for home at 4 am…phewwww.  Then I might be dead for 2 days and then get my act together by Wed/Thursday of next week…we are going to see Zac Brown Band next week so I GOTTA get it together right? LOL!  My grams will be 91 next month and she’s still going good….this bodes very BADLY for my hubby hahahahaha…he always wants ME to slow down and I say not until I’m dead.  Well my mom will be 70 and my grams is 91 and they STILL haven’t slowed down so I’ve got a lonnnnnng ways to go right? hee hee  And oh boy what a trip Riley and I had to NY.  My lovely GPS decided to take me a quicker way…a way I’ve never been before IN MY LIFE and I’ve been up to my grams many, many times so I was like what is going on.  WELL we went thru every small town between PA and NY…one lane roads, tractors, Indian reservations…you name it.  I told Riley I was taking him the “SCENIC ROUTE” LOL…and it was pretty and quicker but it unnerved me a bit since I’d never been that way.  And my car was needing gas…yeah right about the time I entered the National Allegheny Forest Park…no gas for miles and miles…I was starting to sweat bullets and NO cell phone reception.  It was like my GPS had talked to my hubby’s crack-smoking-GPS and decided to join in on the fun…TO TORTURE ME.  I mean really?  Why does this happen to me SOOOO much…I’m travel cursed I tell ya!  So please if you pray, pray I have NO major incidents crossing the border…I’m super nervous about it…and that I get to Montreal quickly & safely LOL!  And my French is very rusty so not sure how good I’ll be if I get lost ‘eh?

NewsBitz:

-I've got some upcoming CMC Copic classes around the country and in Canada....see all registration info at www.cmcroad.com if you are interested!  I'd love to see you and its always fun!

-a NEW CMC Copic class is coming soon.....hopefully will be ready by end of July...hmmm what ever could it be? LOL

NY Slideshow:

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Summer Kick-Off & Blog Hop!!

Today my CMC Challenge DT is having a fun blog hop to kick off my CMC Summer Sale which starts today and then runs thru August 24th….all the CMC Classes are on sale (Copic, Pencils, Magnolia, Distress Inks) so go on over and check them out.  Also the new CMC Challenge starts later today (8 pm EST) which is to use any Pinks & Greens.  Our sponsor this challenge is the Saturated Canary and Krista has the most amazing collection of digi stamps…so go check them all out when you get a chance.  And yes, yes Suzanne did NOT follow the Challenge Guidelines…I didn’t use any green but I did use some pink LMBO---but I figure I’m the owner so I have some leniency right? '

So if you hop along with my wonderful DT today (I love these girls not only because they are super talented but because they are beautiful women, lovely, kind and fabulous to know) and leave comments…you will be entered to win some fun prizes (a free class at CMC and $20 Gift Certificates to online craft stores), so we hope you will hop along with us.  I’m the start of the Blog Hop today & the full hop list is on the front page of the CMC Site HERE if you get lost.

I'm entering it into the following fun challenges:

Aud's Sentiment Challenge (any sentiment on a card) 

Charisma Cardz Challenges (no flowers) 

Little Miss Muffet Challenges (anything goes)

Divas by Design (flourishes)

Penny's Challenges (anything goes)

Ruby's Rainbow (things with wings)

I used the beautiful Saturated Canary digi “Cerridwen” for my card today.  To me she had a woodsy-fairylike feel so I decided to color her in natural-woodland tones for a forestry feel.  I used some beautiful papers from Kaisercraft “Vintage Timeless” because I loved the browns and elegant patterns.  The leafy swirls were all cut from my Silhouette Cameo.  The sentiment is from PTI and my butterflies were done with a MS punch and then I inked them with soft brown ink.  All my papers were distressed with my Zutter Distress machine. 

She was colored with Copics: E49,E29,E25,E31,E50 / E99,E97,E25,E49,YR20 / E11,E00,R20.  Then I added a few stickles to her hair…hey she’s a woodland creature so she sparkles a bit LOL.  The butterflies got some stickles too…they’re magical butterflies LOL.  And some diamond glaze on her eyes for shine.

Ok so I hope you continue the blog hop with my fabulously-talented DT today and see all their beautiful projects. 

Next on the hop is our Guest DT Gal Alyce Keegan…so go check out what she’s made today!!

Calorie Burners!!

Hi everyone & Happy Monday to you all!  I am recovering from my weekend in Baltimore at the OutLawz Retreat that I taught at….I had a blast and it was so much fun to meet so many of the girls.  We had lots of laughs, lots of good food and a few frosty drinks (hahaha…well I only had 1/2 of one cuz I’m good like that)…I lacked in sleep but it was so worth it.  And for all those that flew in from all over including Canada, I hope you have safe travels home and that you had a good time!  I’m running around like a mad woman today (I know, I know what else is new right)…I leave Wednesday morning for NY to go to my grandmothers house for 2 days (she’ll be 91 next month and still can outdo me with energy most days) then heading up to Montreal to teach for the weekend.  Let’s hope the border patrol is very “kind” to me on my way over…even though I KNOW I’m not a terrorist they sure make me feel like one.  It makes me SOOOO nervous that sweat drips off my scalp and I never sweat…and its all so silly but I love that the first 2 questions they always ask me are “Do you have a gun?” and “Do you have liquor in the car?” to which my smart-ass self says (cuz’ I can NEVER help myself) “Do I NEED to have that to go to Canada?” hahahahahhaha…like I’m gonna say YES, YES I do have a gun and a case of beer in the back…REALLY? LOL!  But I always get INTO Canada easier than I can get out of it….what’s up with that?  I mean I’m an American citizen and the Americans give me MORE crap about coming back into the States…ummm I do live here and have for 38 years…I’m pretty sure I am not cooking up terrorist/takeover plans while I’m in Montreal with fellow crafters LMBO!  So pray for me on Friday that all goes smoothly….you can envision Suzanne sweating at the border patrol and then trying to figure out the speed limit in kilometers so I don’t get my butt arrested while I’m on the other side LOL.  But I’m looking forward to the trip, it will be good to see my grandmother and my son is coming with me…he’ll stay in with her while I go teach…he loves it up there and I don’t worry about him so its all good.  We usually go in the summer but this year he will be in Redskins Football camp and the high school football starts July 29th and they have to be there everyday.  So it was either now or he wouldn’t be able to go and with my grandmother’s age I wanted him to get up there again…cuz’ you never know.  And I’ve always wanted to go to Montreal so that will be fun….my French is very rusty but I know some basics and I’ll have an interpreter in my classes to help out LOL.  So yep watch out Canada cuz I’m coming….and then again in August…..and then again in November hahahaha!

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Feelin’ Sporty!!?

Today the Magnolia-licious DT has a fun sporty Blog Hop for you titled “Sports Day” and we all used sporty Magnolia stamps or stamps that could be sporty LOL! Make sure to visit the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blog for details on the hop and how you can join in on the fun.  I decided to use an Edwin stamps…I always feel sorry for him as he can be a bit neglected in all our Magnolia fun LOL. So I created a fun-shaped Boy’s Tennis Card for the hop today!

I'm entering this into the following challenges as well:

One Stitch At A Time (anything goes)

Robyn's Fetish Challenge (anything goes)

Little Claire's Challenge (male themed) 

Send A Smile 4 Kids Challenge (anything goes for kids)

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge (for the boys)

 

This cutie is called “Tennis Edwin” and he’s from the sports themed “Winner Takes All Collection” which has such fabulous images in there…perfect for sporty themed projects…and you could match him up with cute Tennis Tilda!!  (he comes in mini size too here)  And YES I used my new Silhouette Cameo to cut the large tennis ball shape out (and the fun Tennis font/title was cut with it too).  I used a CB folder to emboss the tennis ball and give it some texture….I was going to cover it with lime-green flock but of course I have allllll the colors BUT that one LOL. (and yes I did order some…cuz you never know when you may need it right ahhahaha).  In the white cut-outs I added Stickles for sparkle…yeah even my boys cards must sparkle in some way .  For the “Tennis” title I studded it with black pearls to bling it out a bit but in a more boyish-fun way and a few more at the top to bring some of the black up there as well.

Edwin got colored with Copics: C9,C7,C5,C3,C1,C00 / YG03,G20/ E11,E00,R20.  I added Diamond Glaze to his shoes and racket for some shine.  I cut the tennis ball out and popped it up with dimensionals on his racquet instead of next of him.  Such a sporty lil’ dude.  I played tennis all thru high school and loved it but sadly I haven’t played in a long while…I always mean to and then I just run outta time…boyo how does that happen ‘eh? LOL!

Ok so now you need to hop on over to Patti Jo’s Blog!!

She’s sure to have something fabulous to inspire you!!

Ring Me Anytime!

Helloooooo friends---ringy-dingy-ding!!!  Hope your week is going swell for you!  Do you like to talk?  Do you like to talk on the phone?  Here is a nugget of info for you about me that you can squirrel away LOL!  I HATE, HATE talking on the phone!  I mean I detest it, it makes me sweat…I walk around and just freak out.  Why? I have not a clue to tell you the truth.  I think it boils down to the fact that I cannot do anything when talking on the phone…well not do it well anywho…so to me talking on phone is a BIG waste of my time.  I have to just sit or walk around and talk..I cannot do emails, I cannot type, I cannot color, I cannot cook….it’s a bad mix I tell ya or it ends badly   If I have to call to make an appointment I put it off till last minute or make my hubby do it.  Thank god for the rise of email appointments and reservations…I LOVE THEM!  Now I will email you all day or text you…no problemo!  I text my friends all day long everyday LOL….we have conversations all day long…not all at once…just texting when we can.  I have friends I can text late at night cuz’ I know they are up like me hee hee…or if I need a laugh I can text them…I love them!  But do I talk on the phone to them?  NO…not unless I absolutely have to or need to and they know it…they make fun of me, but they know how I am.

And its NOT that I don’t like to talk to people…lordy I like to talk don’t get me wrong hahahaha…just not on the phone cuz’ I don’t do “ONE” thing really well.  I need to do multiple things at all times or I start sweating…literally…the only thing I do well by itself is sitting and reading or showering heehee.  Even then I’m still checking in on email and such LOL….well not IN the shower but afterwards for sure!  And this apparently is very genetic…my grandma, my mom, my sister and my daughter are ALL the same….so I think it’s a genetic defect LOL.  None of us like to talk on the phone…however I do talk to my mom for about 30 mins every other week via phone (GASP).  But the more I talk about this “issue” the more I find I’m not alone in this…so if you are LIKE me let’s talk about it ok?  Via email or chat box or text though LOL…let’s let the rest of the world know we are not ODD but rather we value our time and we are still friendly and like to talk…we just choose to not do it on a PHONE!!

Hey, I revel in my oddness…its what makes me ummm "special" right….I tell my kids all the time that everyone should have some oddities cuz’ it makes you unique KWIM.  I have no issue with my “issues” so why should it bother anyone else right? LOL!  So you will laugh when you see my project for today! (and nope I wasn’t a phone talker much when I was a teen either lol…ask my mom)


NewsBitz:

-My CMC Classroom Newsletter is HERE if you didn’t get it thru the classroom site!  Starting May 25th thru Aug 24th is my Summer CMC Sale--all CMC Classes are on sale including bundled classes….go to the site to find out more!

-If you live in the NYC, CT and Massachusetts area…I will be teaching in Stafford Springs, CT first weekend of June…go to www.cmcroad.com to sign up!  And I’ll be teaching before CHA in July as well in Chicago!

-SCACD has new goodies in ‘da house!  New papers by Authentique, BoBunny and more, LaBlanche stamps and Luminarte products.  Go check ‘em out!

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Ringy-Dingy-Ding!!!

I may not like to TALK on the phone but I do adore my iPhone for many other reasons LOL.  And I LOVE this cute new retro image from La La Land Stamps called “Telephone Marci”…isn’t she ‘da bomb?!  I made this for one of my BFFs as she’s not been feeling well and I thought she could use a bit of a boost via a card and some goodies from me   Sure hope she likes it!

I'm entering this into the following challenges:

Bunny-Zoe's Crafts (anything goes) 

Make It Monday (anything goes) 

Paper Pretties (glitter)

Simon Says Stamp & Show (anything goes)  

Stamp & Create (for the ladies) 

Deep Ocean Challenge (for a woman) 

Sweet Stamps (fave color--mine is black lol)

 The papers are new from Pink Paislee “Vintage Vogue”..I love pink & black together…always fun but very retro too!  That awesome retro phone was done with….tada…yup my Silhouette Cameo! (I love it, I’ve used it more in one month than I used my Cricut in 4 years LOL)  If you are sitting on the fence about it…go GET ONE…really its easy to use and I love being able to pick my images when I need them instead of buying cartridges.  Oh My Crafts has coupon deals (google or ask someone on facebook to find out what the current coupon code is..usually 25% off) that are fab!  I cut out the black top layer and then cut the back part of it out of pink cardstock…then I stickled the insides of the pink for sparkle.  I distressed all my papers with my Zutter Distress machine and those flourishes are a Memory Box die “Valencia Die”…so delicate.  The sentiment came with the La La Land stamp (there are 2 included) and I just loved this one…yeah yeah yeah…I am only a TEXT away LOL!

She got colored up with Copics: R85,R83,R81,RV10 / C9,C7,C5,C3,C1 / E25,E31,E50 / E11,E00,R20.  I added some fun black and white polka-dots to her headband…it screamed for pattern.  Then I used Diamond Glaze on her glasses and shoes for a nice shine.  Stickles on her shirt, bows and hairbands and then a couple small pearls for her buttons.

If you haven’t checked out the NEWEST La La Land Stamps…well go and see ‘em…they are super cute!!  And they also have digi stamps now too…so you have lots of choices!!  See ya later gators!

Its a Dandy!

Happy Monday everyone!  Its a dreary, rainy day here in Virginia...blech...I'm not a fan of rainy days (well only if they are lazy days lol) and today is not a lazy-do-nothing-day here.  Sorry no posts, I was pretty sick last week and could barely see straight but I'm feeling better.  And then this weekend we worked in the yard planting and mulching and grilling.  Unfortunately my Washington Capitals lost (boo hoo..sniff sniff) to the NY Rangers...we had people over to watch the game outside in the cabana but it didn't go the way we wanted LOL.  Oh well I'm proud of the team and how they played this year...there is always next year right?  Spoken like a true die hard fan LOL!  But I am happy that I got all my plants planted and everything is looking good outside....we just have to work on the one flower bed on the side of our house and we are DONE...for the moment until I pick something else to do hee hee.  I really want a fountain near the cabana and when I start thinking on something, I start planning how to do it...and working on the hubby to convince him we really NEED it ;)  The kids got me a new Crepe Myrtle tree (hot pink) which is my fave....so that will be planted soon once I get the utility company to mark our underground wires for the nursery...don't want any ruptured gas lines KWIM!  So it was a great Mother's Day & Happy Belated Mother's Day to all the moms, aunts and grandmothers out there....hope you got spoiled and spent time with family!

 I have a quick funny to share with you all....its from my trip to San Francisco that I went on with my daughter a few weeks ago.  We were celebrating her 16th birthday of course and I and I had driven into San Fran to spend the day with her.  I decided that we would do the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus because its such a great way to see the city in a guided tour and you can hop off at any place you'd like and get back on.  So we are at Pier 39 buying tickets...err I was buying tix and Alexa was standing next to me.  Suddenly she yells "OMG MOM!  There are naked men coming on bikes!" LMBO....so I pay and I turn around and there are about 25 men (butt nekkid) riding on bikes with horns and balloons yelling Happy Birthday (it was Earth Day)...alll I saw was nekkid bums on bikes as they went by.  I looked at Alexa who has the most horrified look on her face and I say "I got those for you for your birthday instead of the singing ape....did you like it?" hahahahahahahaha then we both bust out laughing!  Only in San Fran I say.....and since it was Earth Day we saw alllllll kinds of things including hippies lighting up joints on the streets.   Alexa says on the way back home "I've never been more cultured or seen so many strange sites my entire life!".  Remember we live in Northern VA outside of Wash, DC and its pretty cut & dry conservative here so this was a bit of a shock to her system hee hee but it's all good right?  You just gotta laugh....and then I think....hmmmm seems those men's private areas might be hurting from those bikes just a wee bit huh? bwahahahahahahaha ;)

Here's a quick slideshow of some fun weekend pics for ya (shhhh don't tell hubby about his pic ok) and the BIG GUY is Alexa's best bud Darrius and he was my helper this weekend as well...good kid!  The weather was beautiful so we were outside all weekend gardening, grilling and watching TV in the cabana...good times!

NewsBitz:

-I'll be in Baltimore this weekend teaching my Copic classes....I have 2 spots left open if any one is interested!  Just email me and let me know.  Then I'm off to Montreal Canada and to see my grandma in NY next week...Riley is going to NY with me as well but not to Canada.  Also upcoming is Stafford Springs, CT and then I will be in Chicago teaching July 15th (not certification but my coloring/technique classes)....all details at www.cmcroad.com!

-New Videos are coming...I had to re-shoot them cuz I was too stuffed up & sniffly to ever let them be seen by anyone LOL!  Sorry!

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A Yankee Doodle Dandy-Girl!

So today I'm sharing a fun project I made using a cute newer Magnolia stamp from Magnolia-licious and the Princes & Princesses Collection.  I'm calling her a Yankee Doodle Dandy cuz' she's all dressed up in USA patriotic colors...its not a 4th of July card but these colors are always fun to use together and I liked the playful blue-jean effect.  I created an easel card...although this one does not stand up as much as a traditional easel card due to the embellies I have coming off the edges...but that's a-ok with me cuz the more stuffs I can fit on it, the better ;)

I'm entering this into the following challenges:

Make It Monday (anything goes)
Corrosive Challenges (bling, flowers & doilies)
Let's Ink It Up (bling)
Inspire Me Fridays (anything goes) 
Stampin' for the Weekend (4+layers)

My papers are all scraps...man I love using up scrap paper...even if I still have a gigantic bin of it, but hey I'm working on it!  This lil Magnolia cutie is called "Tilda with Blue Blanket" and she IS my daughter...my daughter still has a blankie at 16...it is falling apart terribly (see this post here) and she carries it around when she's at home and says she's NEVER giving it up LOL!  So this card was themed for her hahahaha!  (the mini version of this stamp is HERE)  The doily accents were cut on my Silhouette Cameo...yup I just love that darn machine...I'm in love with a machine...who woulda thunk it?  Then I added small red pearls to each circle of the doily for more detail.  I distressed my papers and angled all the layers a bit...I like that altered look...more casual and fun.  The heart dies are from Spellbinders and then I ran them thru an embossing folder for more texture.  Flowers are a mix of Prima and others that I layered and then added some leafy scrolls with a Marianne Designs die.  The sentiment is a Close to My Heart stamp given to me by my BFF Pat (thanks Pat)!!

She got colored with Copics: R29,R24,R22,R20 / B26,B24,B21 / C3,C1 / W5,W3 / E00,E11 / YR24,E35,YR20. (the W's got used over the R29 & R24 to create a deeper red)  Then I added Stickles to her dress ruffle and blanket ruffle....her blankie is in much better shape than my daughter's LOL!

That's it for me today!  If you haven't checked out the NEWEST collection called "Summer Memories 2012" at Magnolia-licious...you have GOT to go see them, they are super cute & you will want a couple, a few, maybe all of them LOL (I just got mine & cannot wait to play)!!  Have a great evening!

Who’s Got a Boo-Boo?

Hello my friends and Happy Thursday!  Well depending on whether the Washington Caps won last night will depend on if it’s a happy or very-sad day in the Dean household…here’s praying it was an awesome game.  If not I will go into hiding for a few days while I dry my massive tears up and wallow in team-pity LOL. **note: I’m watching game & its 2-0, keeping fingies crossed, my family told me to stop cussing…so now I’m holding my breath…I may need resuscitation LOL** It doesn’t help that my sinuses are soooo stuffed and packed right now and verging on a major infection me thinks….makes me feel like an elephant is on my shoulders..so not conducive to getting much done or feeling like it either.  I have high hopes to get some new videos shot but if it sounds like I have the plague I will re-shoot them LOL…I refuse to put videos up of my snuffling and sneezing and I’m pretty sure y’all don’t wanna hear all that either!

And I have big plans for this Mother’s Day weekend so the weather BETTER cooperate…its been raining here for days and enough is enough.  I want to work out in the garden, plant all my new flowers and tree and get my pots all done & prettified.  We are grilling out hopefully and Alexa’s friend is coming over to make a cake & have dinner with us.  Her friend is a large male….lol….literally he is a giant…and he is in love with me…hahahahaha!  He’s a sweet kid who will be a senior this fall and is being scouted by college football coaches…but seriously he is HUGE and yes he has a crush on me….why I am not really sure but whatevs (I only like older guys like my hubby AND Tim McGraw heehee).  But him and Alexa have been good friends for awhile so he’s coming over to hang out with us on Saturday for awhile.

For those that watch The Voice---were you happy with the final choice?  I was (no I won’t tell for those overseas that have yet to see it) but I really liked all the finalists although the winner was my fave.  I was not real thrilled with Xtina and her mode of dress…or undress that she displayed…or her snottiness towards Tony Lucca…seriously what was up with that?  Now that the Voice is over (boo-hoo) I have to go catch up on my 9 episodes of “Once Upon a Time”…sports watching has eaten up a lot of my usual TV viewing LOL!  Anywho hoping y’all have a great day ahead of you!!

NewsBitz:

-Registration for my CMC Copic classes  are up at www.cmcroad.com including Baltimore next weekend, Chicago in July, Montreal in 2 weeks, Ontario Canada (2 locations) and Connecticut!  Come seeee me, I wannnnna seeeee you LOL!

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Got a Boo-Boo?

I figured since I’m a tad under the weather I’d make a “Feel Better” card for myself…bwahahahaha..no not for me but for anyone else that may not be feeling so hot!  I used a brand new “Peekers 3” stamp by Elisabeth Bell for SCACD…isn’t she a cutie?

I'm entering this into the following fun challenges;

Fab-n-Funky Challenge (bows & buttons) 

Just Keep On Creating (anything goes) 

Perfect Sentiments Challenge (get well)

Papertake Weekly (cute)

Shopping Our Stash (3 + papers)

So this cutie is called “Boo Boo Peeker”…awww don’t you wanna give her a hug?  Those delicate papers are by Simple Stories “Baby Steps”…the patterns are so soft and pretty and I love the brown…it really grounds the pastels and shows ‘em off.  The border is from a MS border punch but my swirls are done with my Silhouette Cameo again (from their online store)..I sponged them with color and added some Stickles.  The ribbon is distress/dyed ribbon I buy off of Etsy…its handmade with natural dies and so pretty.  I topped it with a button, pearl and some thin twine.  Her shirt was paper pieced to match and then I shaded it with my Copics.  Copics were used on all of the image:  G21,G20/ R21,R20 (both of those combos were used with my Colorless blender as a paintbrush)/ E29,E25,E31,E50 / E00,E11.  The tiny tag was done with a PTI sentiment and punched out with the Tiny Tags punch by SU (given to me or my bday by my BFF Tina)!

That’s all for me today….hope you all have a fabbo day!

How ‘Bout Some Sunnies!

Hello my friends & Happy Tuesday!  Are you happy today? I’m pretty happy LOL…I have a fairly easy week, no major deadlines…that NEVER happens but I have my own to-do list I gotta finish up.  Still watching the Washington Capitals duke it out for the Stanley Cup…I swear the games are gonna give me cardiac arrest.  If you are my neighbor you’d hear all of us in the Dean house yelling like NUTTO’s LOL…I was really screaming last night….gave myself a darn migraine   And then there is The Voice…oyyyyy…that Christina Aguliera…what can I say…I’m just NOT a fan.  Couldn’t they have someone on there that is nicer, kinder, more covered-up than her?  But I do love me some Blake, Adam and crazy Cee Lo Green hee hee…but I was so sad to see Katrina go…I loved that gal’s voice!  I am behind by 8 episodes on Once Upon a Time…I will have to catch up on that soon…all the sports games have taken away from my regular TV viewing LOL.  We did hook up a tv out in the cabana so we can watch it out there while enjoying the patio…but I am not sure I will use it much…I like the quiet and relaxation that the patio brings KWIM.

I had a blast in Vegas!  Thank you ALL so much for all the birthday wishes..love you all!  I’ve decided that I like 38 and so I will remain 38 for at LEAST 5 more years ok? LOL!  My trip to Vegas started off less than pretty though…fasten your seatbelts and prepare for this ride my friends!  I was at the airport by 4:15 am and I am NOT a morning gal but I prefer early morning flights (no people, no lines, fresh pilots & planes ya feelin’ me).  So I’m pretty grumpy in the morning and if you don’t speak to me for a bit, you are better off.  So I get in line for security and I can get thru security pretty quickly….lord knows I have to go thru it a lot right..seriously I usually have no issues with security, I just go and do it!  Well I’ve been on some special medication/antibiotics and I take it with yogurt in the morning so it doesn’t make me sick…super important when I’m flying cross country.  I get thru security and of course they pick my bag up…oy…here we go! My flippin’ yogurt WAS .2 (that’s POINT 2) OUNCES OVER THE LIMIT….ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  I looked at that TSA woman and steam was comin’ thru my ears so I said (yep wait for it)….”Well then…give me the friggin yogurt and my spoon and I will eat the POINT 2 oz so I can bring it thru?  Does that work for you?”  She says “are you becoming belligerent with me?” “WHY YES, YES I AM and I’M ABOUT TO BLOW CUZ ITS 4:30 am and I have to HAVE my yogurt for my medicine and you are concerned about POINT 2 OUNCES? I THINK NOT!”  SERIOUSLY…I’m gonna blow up the damn plane with .2 ounces of Greek yogurt.  TSA START USING SOME FRIGGIN’ COMMON SENSE…for realzers!  So she looks at me and asks in a deadly calm voice and says “Should I ship it to your final destination?”…..OH MY GOD I almost snapped at that point and so I said “Ummm yeah why don’t you ship it on out to Vegas you dumb-a#$ and let’s see if its edible by the time I get there seeing that it’s a refrigerated item!?”  REALLY?  UGH these people are so annoying and I’m not usually so flip….well I am but I am usually able to hold it in better LOL…but I was MAD…hornet stinging MAD!  And you WOULD NOT BELIEVE what I've gotten thru security with on my person by accident....craft scissors, bottles of water, aerosol cans...that THEY MISSED mmmhmmm. So I just grabbed my bag and walked away before I got arrested and never made it to Vegas at all, no use arguing cuz they will always win KWIM.  So I figured I’d get a HUGE Coke and settle on in for a bit before my flight and let the pure sugar sink into my system so I had no more outbursts.  So I go to the only open kiosk at 4:30 am and get a large coke…walk all the way to my gate…sit down…settle in…and yep they gave me a DIET COKE…ewwwww…disgusting...I DO NOT nor WILL I drink diet...yuckers!  I just quietly got up and threw it away and sat my ass down and never said another word to anyone till I got on the plane..I figured I wouldn't press my luck KWIM...but geesh I just wanted a Coke...how hard is that...sniff sniff!

I’ll share some more stories this week but just have to tell you about my cabbie DJ Bob…my #1 travel tip is to always find a great cabbie, get his card and use him the whole time!  Well we found DJ Bob and he had a ROCKIN’ sound system in his cab hooked to his iPod and he took requests, we called him every night and he ferried us around all over the place!  We HAD THAT CAB ROCKIN’ everytime…it was so much fun!  And he shared cabbie stories (and pics) with us that I can never, ever repeat LOL….funny thing was…he was a retired NYC police officer ahhahahaha!  Too fun, only in Vegas my friends!

There is a slideshow below of some pics for you...my camera was left in my room most of the time so I don't have a ton of photos...sorry.  But I did meet up with a fellow paper-crafter whom I've known for a few years, Wynneth Happer from the UK.  She Facebooked me and let me know she was gonna be in Vegas at the same time as me and wanted to meet me in person and I happily agreed!  So we met up at Serendipity 3, had a lovely lunch and some awesome frozen hot chocolate (a must-have)!  So waving HI to you across the pond Wynnie....love ya!

NewsBitz:

-CMC Copic Classes----upcoming locations are Baltimore, MD / Montreal Canada / Connecticut!  I just put up registration for Chicago in July…so go forth and register if you wanna come party with me and some Copics LOL!  www.cmcroad.com

-Hold your horses…yes I am video-taping 2 NEW videos today for YouTube..I know its been awhile so don’t fall over LOL!  I hope to have them ready to go by Friday for y’all and YES they will be on coloring

Slideshow of Pics:

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Some Sunnies!

After having such a nice birthday celebration with my friends in Vegas and then with my family (YES my birthday dinner was MD Blue Crabs as always…my most favoritest food in the world…yummers) I wanted to share some sunniness with you all!  And how can you not smile when you see yellow and a darling image like this one from Saturated Canary!!  This card would be fabulous for the upcoming Mother's Day holiday in the US this Sunday...Happy Mom's Day Mom and all you other fabulous mothers!!!

I'm entering her into the following challenges:

Art With No Boundaries (anything goes)

Crafty Boots Challenge (yellow)

Creative Stamp Friends (Mom's Day)

Daisy Doodles Creative Challenge (digi/flowers) 

Hooked On Craft Challenges (flowers) 

Love to Create Challenge (Mom's Day) 

Make it Monday (anything goes) 

Stamp & Create (for the ladies) 

Pink Elephant Challenge (Mom)

This cutie is a digi from Saturated Canary called “Nevaeh”…she’s just a doll me thinks!  I used some beautiful papers from Prima called “Sun Kiss”..I adore the aqua and yellow combo and pretty sunflower prints which inspired this entire project!  The swirls are from the Silhouette Online store and I cut them easily with my Cameo…I have to say you know I’m a HUGE swirl/scroll fan for the past 2 years now and with my Cameo I have hundreds to choose from.  I’m like a kid in a darn candy store I tell ya hahahaha!  I inked the swirls a bit because I like them to have some dimension.  The butterfly is from a MS punch…I punched one out of yellow cs and then one out of aqua paper and layered them together and added some small rhinestones after inking the edges of the butterfly.  The huge sunflowers were from my stash, not sure who they were by originally LOL but I just knew they had to make it on the card!  I distressed all the papers with my Zutter Distress machine cuz me loves it!

She of course got colored with my Copics and yes there were a few lol:  YR24,Y15,Y11,Y000 / E11,E00,R20 / BG75,BG72,BG11,BG10 / E35,YR23,YR21,E50 / YG97,G99,YG03,G20 / C3,C1/ E25,E31,E50.  I added Stickles to her hair (in the lightest highlites so it looked as if the sun was sparkling on her) and the lace trim of her dress and some blades of grass.  Around the image I inked with my fave Inkssentials Blending Tool …hands down worth the money and I use it every day!

That’s all for me today..I hope you have a beautiful day…I’m on to go video tape some videos for y’all!  Hugz!

Hold Your Breath!!

Happy Thursday Everyone!  Today I turn the BIG 3-8...yeah yeah I know you are all chuckling saying I'm still a baby but today I realize I'm realllllllly in my late-thirties LOL, no longer early thirties and 40 is looming...ack!  I have to say I'm not really looking forward to turning 40 in two years...I have loved my thirties a lot and I certainly don't want to go back to my twenties.  I think the twenties you do a lot of growing up, make lots of mistakes along the way and really start learning who "you" are.  I spent my 30th birthday in the hospital after having abdominal surgery so it really wasn't that big of a deal for me.  I'd had kids in my early twenties so I always felt older anyway and I think part of that was having siblings that were so much older than me (11 years).  I grew up more like an only child and was around adults a lot, so I always preferred to be around older people.  My husband is 7 years older than me and most of my very bestest friends are 8-15 years older than me.  So really turning 40 shouldn't be a big deal right?  Yeah well on May 3, 2014 I will be on an island and no one better bring up my birthday that day...I'll pretend its just a normal day and keep on rolling LOL!

On the other hand turning 38 today is gonna be fun! I'm in Vegas with some friends and we are spending the day shopping and laying by the pool and going to Serenditpity 3.  My family watches "Tanked" (the show about the over-the-top aquarium builders that are here in Vegas) and they built a huge gumball aquarium for the front of Serendipity and I MUST see it LOL.  Then we will go out for dinner and do some clubbing...I like nothing more than listening to good music and dancing..and no I won't drink as it makes me sleepy and I'm not much of a drinker anywho but I will have a glass of yummy wine at dinner LOL.  Last night we went and saw Criss Angel & Cirque du Soleil called "Believe" at the Luxor which was really good...I enjoyed it.

What have I learned in my thirties?  I've learned to have a whole LOT more patience, things that used to rile me up I now can brush off and move on.  I've learned that not everyone in life is gonna like you, for whatever reason and its OK.  I'm at the point now where I'm like "if you don't like me for any pre-conceived reason, well I don't really give a damn" LOL.  As long as I like myself and know that the person looking back at me in the mirror is someone who loves, someone who cares, someone who is kind and someone that has values that matter...that's all that matters to me.  I've learned that friends are the family you get to choose, cherish them, take the time to nourish them.  I'm so thankful for the friends I have in my life...they've got my back no matter what and I've got theirs.  They don't judge me, nor I of them.  And I've learned that laughter and smiles take you a long way in life...having a bad day, call a friend and share a laugh...it helps.  I've learned that family is the UT-MOST important thing in life...if you don't love and have the love of your family then life doesn't matter as much.  I've learned that kids grow up quickly, so you gotta really pay attention to all those moments and days and times you spend with them...value it even if sometimes you wanna pull your hair out & run down the street screaming (amen...oh yeah I have days like that lol).  That having a loving, caring & supportive spouse is a gift I am beyond thankful to have in my life...he's my bestest friend, my soul-mate and one love!  I value quality time with my family so much more now, really making sure to live in the moment and cherish it all.  I know that life can be short, and sometimes cruel and punishing and poof it can all be gone in one brief moment.  So I've learned to have "YOLO" as my mantra (and its a small tattoo I have too, shhhh don't tell my mama..she'll whip me)...You Only Live Once...its something I repeat every day...even making the most out of a trip to the post office.  Hey along the way you could do a good deed, someone could do something really nice for you or you could just have a cheerful conversation with someone for 2 mins.  I know when my feet hit the floor (whether they are tired feet or not) that I am happy they touched the floor...I'm alive to enjoy another day...and no matter what happens I will be thankful for that opportunity.  I've learned that life IS one BIG opportunity...an opportunity to enjoy it, embrace it, live it, love it and remember that is is "OURS"!  I've learned you HAVE to live your life for yourself, it was given to YOU, you cannot live your life for someone else...you will never be truly happy.  Yes you can live a life that includes someone else or a life that makes others happy but in the end its YOUR life and the only one you get.  Take charge of it and I truly believe that if you love yourself and are happy with yourself and your life...then others will take notice and be happy to.  And to me that is the most important thing I learned and embraced in my thirties. I am 100% happy with my life even the bad stuff as it teaches us lessons, sometimes hard ones, but it makes us who we are and it makes us stronger and hopefully makes us a better person.  So yes my glass is ALWAYS half full, I'm usually always smiling and yep tomorrow will be a great day too and the next and the next as long as I'm alive living it.  So yeah when 40 comes it will hurt just a bit...but I'll be grateful that I'm alive to enjoy it!  So I'm off to have an EXCELLENT day and hope you are too :)

And for anyone else that has a birthday this week....big Happy Birthday Wishes to you...hope its fab!  And my pal Marti's birthday is tomorrow too...hope its fabulous!!


**If you get the chance my wonderful girls at my CMC Challenge DT have put on a blog hop for me today.  They each made cards they thought "represented" me LOL and they're telling my secrets and stories....I'm not sure whether to shoot them or hug them LOL...but you are sure to find it entertaining.  Start with my pal Tina's Blog Here!!

Alexa's Bday Slideshow:

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Under the Sea!!!

Today I'm sharing a super-fun project with you that I created for the May Magnolia-licious DT Challenge that I am hostess of this month.  I've challenged everyone to make a summertime themed project with a twist (the twist is optional of course)...twist is to use variations of blues, oranges and yellows on their projects.  I love this color combo...it screams SUMMER to me and it just is CHEERY.  I hadn't had a chance to use this Magnolia cutie yet but thought it would be a perfect match for this month!  You can find all the details for the challenge & see the DT's projects at the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blog.

I'm entering this into the following challenges:

Crafts & Me (fave colors)

Simon Says Stamps (birthday)

Truly Scrumptious (dies/distress)

City Crafter Challenge (text & tulle)

Make It Monday (anything goes)

I started with a base of a circle card and then had fun adding to it.  I always start with a semi-vision of what I want in my head...and then usually it just takes a life of its own LOL!  This cutie is called "Swimming Tilda" and isn't she fun?  (you can find the mini version here too) and they are from the Winner Takes All Collection found here at Magnolia-licious.  The papers on this are all from Authentique "Gathering" which used my color theme.  I distressed most of the papers with my Zutter Distress machine.  I used some tulle that I burned with a match...omgosh I love to do that...I'm like a mini-pyromaniac LOL but I love the curled up texture it gives it.  The scrolls are done with a Magnolia Doohickey die then I inked them with some blue ink and added "water bubbles" with my Diamond Glaze.   And that fabulous "Under the Sea" was done on YES my new Silhouette Cameo machine...I am so loving that machine and its so easy to use too!  I inked it with blue and orange inks and added more water bubbles to it as well.

The coral and starfish were cut out with my Slice, then inked, stickled and put on with dimensionals...the starfish got a coat of Straw Distress Stickles for more texture.

She was colored with Copics: BG72,BG11,BG10 / E11,E00 / E35,E31,E50 / YR15,YR12,YR01.  And then I added some more Diamond Glaze to her snorkel mask and bubbles, stickles to her bathing suit and around edges of circle...you can never have enough sparkle!

That's it for me today...hope you enjoyed my rambling birthday post LOL!  See you later gators!

Glitter Anyone?

Hi everyone! Today I’m flying to Vegas for my birthday to meet up with friends…check in again on Thursday cuz I’ll have a new post for you and some of my birthday activities for that day LOL! And perhaps pics…but you know what they say…what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas…hahahaha!

The Design Team for Gina K. Designs welcomes you to another fabulous Inspiration Blog Hop!!! Gina and the Design Team will inspire you with many beautiful ideas! And as you hop through their blogs, make sure to leave a comment on each of them because we will choose a few random comments and those stampers will each win a grab bag of deeply etched, pre-cut Gina K. Designs stamps! To see the full list of winners check the Big News forum at Stamp TV a couple of days after the hops!! 

Today the Gina K DT is showcasing the NEW Free with Three “One In a Million” stamp set. So if you buy any 3 of Gina K stamp sets you get this beautiful set for FREE! Instead of doing embossing or coloring with Copics like I usually do I decided to stamp the main image into my Glue Pad and then glittered it with this lavender-holographic Art Institute Glitter. The swirls are from a Magnolia Doohickey die, flowers are by Prima. I love the color combo of violets and spring greens…fresh and fun for spring and summer. 

• Gina K
• AJ Otto
• Carolina Buchting
• Cathy Tidwell
• Deb Felts
• Donna Baker
• Emily Giovanni
• Giovana Smith
• Jimmi Mayo
• Lee Murphy
• Lori McAree
• Melanie Muenchinger
• Michelle Woerner
• Sharon Harnist
• Suzanne Dean (that’s me..thanks for stoppin’ in)
• Theresa Momber
• Tina Gilliland
• Vicki Dutcher