Just Roll With It

We are nearing the end of the school year here, and with that we have a few events and such to attend to support our wonderful children. Last night was a showcase choir concert for Carter, and it was over two hours long! His freshman group performed at the beginning and then again at the end with the combined choir. In between was about an hour and a half of  hard working, inspired singing that we did enjoy, but might rather have been at home instead of there. We do appreciate all of the effort and talent, but hadn't realized the length of time that we had committed to, so had postponed dinner until we could eat together. Well at 9:30 we all sat down and enjoyed a a re-heated but delicious pasta dish that Dave had prepared earlier. All in all it was an entertaining evening and Carter was fantastic, we can't wait to watch him perform in the future. All said and done our theme for the day was "just roll with it". Sometimes the best memories we have made are the ones that weren't planned and came with unexpected circumstances. These are the times that I will surely miss most when the children are all grown and onto their own adventures.

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Scrapbook Workshop By May Flaum

It was so much fun to contribute to this book, thanks May for including me!
To celebrate that it is on pre-order now at Amazon, I am sharing a little sneak peek of one of my projects, and given the contributor list for this book, it is sure to be not only amazing eye candy, but super-de-doopery inspiring!!
















You can find the book at Amazon, Scrapbook Workshop: The Best Techniques From Your Favorite Scrapbook Bloggers

And because I am feeling so inspired myself, I am off to craft the day away! Just got some of the new Magic of Oz by Graphic 45 and it is stunning!!

Happy Saturday!
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Hello Monday!

Wow, sorry it has been a week since the last update. Not that I have even been so busy that I couldn't, just not that much to update about I guess. With the kids in their home stretch of the school year, and getting ready for Chloe to graduate in just in a couple of weeks, we are excited that summer will soon be here.
So how about "hello" to Monday with a couple of Hero Arts stamps and some Cosmo Cricket paper? That will get the creative week kicked off in style  :o)

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Happy Mother's Day

I feel very blessed to have a kind, loving and sweet spirited mom who loves me unconditionally with me on this earth still. So many of my sweet friends have lost their mothers too early and I think of them on days like this, and want them to know that I know that their moms are proud of them and are watching over them everyday. It also makes me hug my mom a little harder, appreciate what she does a little more and reminds me that I need to enjoy what I have and let petty things go, life is to short.
Best to all of you hard working, sacrificing, generous mothers, the world just wouldn't be right without you.

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It is Lilac Season!

The smell is so intoxicating and the colors spectacular! They are one of my favorite reasons to live in Utah where the cold winters give way to beautiful blooms that can't exist in the warmer climates. Our lilacs are just beginning to bud and I can't wait to have vases of them filling the house!

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Sewing Pattern Flower Tutorial

Wrote and shared a tutorial over at the CLASSroom blog on how to re-purpose old sewing patterns into easy to make, beautiful flowers. If you have a second head over and check it out, there are also directions in the same post on how to use a scallop shaped die cut to make a rosette flower, cool, crafty stuff!

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Chalkboard Hambly Rub-On Easter Eggs

Oh how I love Hambly rub-ons, they are like buttah!! And using them in unique and different ways is an exciting challenge. So with Easter being tomorrow, if you are looking for a really fun way to use some of the odds and ends of your rub-ons, why not paint some eggs with a little chalkboard paint and then use the rub-ons and some chalk to make these fun place cards for your table?
I wrote up a little tutorial over at the Hambly blog if you would like more in depth description on the how to. This idea has loads of potential for other home decor items, fun cards and scrappy projects as well  :o)

Happy Easter Friends!
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A Fun Graphic 45 Le Cirque Card

I have been so busy, life feels like a bit of a circus right now, so a  "hi" card that has the lady on the high wire seems just right! I feel very blessed that I have wonderful people in my life that give me the opportunity to stay very busy creating with beautiful products. And with this being Easter weekend, I have a lot of gratitude in my heart. It is finally Spring here, in spite of the storms that have been barreling through, it is such a treat to look out the window at the hyacinth on the ground and the blossoms on the trees. The grass is having a hard time recuperating from the dogs having good romps on it, but it will make a comeback eventually. Anyway, good to sit still for a brief moment and take in the beauty from the world putting on her finery.

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Once Upon a Springtime Treat Wrap

I wrote a fun wrap tutorial and it is over on the CLASSroom blog. It is easy and something you could use for all sorts of gifts and treats of different sizes, quick too! It was made with the darling Once Upon a Springtime collection from Graphic 45, the stamps from that line are so cute. This image was stamped with Walnut Stain Distress ink and then colored with various Copics to get that color scheme that I remember from my childhood and the Beatrix Potter books with Peter Rabbit.
Easter is almost here, better make a few more of these to surprise the kids with  :o)

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Stamping Royalty Reject

I sent in quite a few this year and had no luck. In hindsight I can see where I could have stepped up my game, but that is what I love about contests like these is that the winners are so inspiring and we all come away better crafters for playing along  :o)
This card was made using a stamp set from Recollections that is very cute. Just a simple black silhouette on cute patterned paper and tied with tulle and twine.
If you are interested in a fun impromptu blog hop, head over to Damask Love where Dr. Amber is up to it again!

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Hero Arts Cuteness

I just adore this stamp, I made this cute card and sent it into the Paper Crafts Royalty contest, but no crown for me this year, so why not share the Hero Arts cuteness?
Not much going on around here besides crafting constantly and attending Chloe's Senior banquets and such. Last night she was awarded an MESA scholarship and tonight is the High Schools awards banquet, we are so very proud of her and how hard she has worked.
So weird to think that this fall, now that Tyler is home and Chloe is graduating, we are going to have 3 students up at the University of Utah. I can feel my wallet getting lighter already, lol!!

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Oh the Possilbilities of Washi Tape

I wrote a tutorial for using washi tape with die cuts for the Hambly blog, and it went up today. The layout that I made using the fun shape is one of my current faves because of the color combo and the whimsical feeling it gives, really so much possibility in life isn't there?!
Thanks for your patience with me not having posts up for the last week either, I took a much needed break after creating about 75 different types of projects for varying deadlines and such. My brain was kinda mushy, so the timing for a getaway was perfect when I got an invitation to a very dear friends wedding and she just happens to live close enough to my sweet aunt Bev who had been bugging me to come and visit her and my fun cousins in Mesa, Arizona. Sunshine, friends, fun, lots of relaxing and plenty of good food gave me a wonderful recharge. Now I am back, ready to take on the other stuff that is on my plate. Amazing how good a little recharge on the soul feels  :o)
And now with buds on the trees signaling that Spring really is in the air, it will be nice to get a little recharge from our own Utah sunshine by spending some time outside hiking, walking and playing some tennis, yay!

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Celebrate Today and Everyday

I have to admit that I haven't come down from cloud 9 since Tyler has been home  :o)

It feels so great to have him here, to see his face unexpectedly come around a corner and to hear his voice from another room lifts my heart to the highest heights. It is little things like that where I find the most happiness, and reminds me what the really important things are. So today is the perfect day to share this sweet card. It is snowing here in Utah and my crocus have just started peeking out of the ground this week. A few posies in the baskets of colorful bikes are perfect for the spring weather that is just around the corner don't you think? And I really want a bike like this adorable Hero Arts stamp, so cute!!

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Be Yourself

So often we have pressure to make others happy, adjust to meet the expectations of the workplace or our peers. Today I am reminding myself and you (if you are interested) to be yourself.

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Susiebee Studios in da House!

Just a few weeks ago a very talented and sweet friend asked if I would have some time to help her with a project. I love to help, and the kind of help she needed is one of my favorite kind to do  :o)
She needed a few people to play with her new paper line, and then share what they had made, I can do that!! So BIG congrats to Susan Weckesser on her product line Susiebee Studios, and BIG thanks to her for letting me "help/play" with her papers, so fun!!!

I am really excited for her, she is living her dream!
These papers are so bright, and beautifully designed using Susan's personal art, I felt inspired to make of layout of Laurel from her graduation picture that reflected that same idea, live your dreams! The title is fly, and how appropriate is it that we use all of the hard work we do everyday to get us closer to our dreams?

I added a little stickles in scattered straw from the distress line on some of the darker parts of the yellows in the sun and stars and the flower, and some bright sparkly yellow stickles on the lighter parts of the same images. Just a little extra dimension besides the parts that I had fussy cut out.

A banner, kite, flowers, clouds and sunshine...
so many of the things that make me happy, and all on one layout, sweet!!!
I hope you will stop by and congratulate Susan, and maybe find some time to live a little of your dream today, I know I was inspired to live a little of mine  ;o)

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Grateful to Have Tyler Home!

It has been a little over a week since my last post, and I want to thank everyone who came by to see my little "reject" card and for all of the really nice comments, so thoughtful and kind!!
Here it is with the small change of going from a baby card to a welcome home card. Nothing earth shattering, just a sentiment change and a design line around the card base.

My family and I spent the last week anticipating and preparing for my oldest son to arrive home after being in Brazil for two years serving an LDS mission. His flight was scheduled to arrive at 3:55 p.m. on Thursday afternoon and we eagerly awaited him at the airport, constantly checking the arrival board to see the change from "on-time" to "arriving".

My status at facebook was:

"At the airport waiting....
Big stomach butterflies from anticipation!!!!
If I get any more anxious that stomach might fall right out of my butt!!"

There were some very funny and appropriate replies, but the one that made me giggle and seemed the most realistic was from Leslie Ashe. She said "or if butterflies are following you, we know why  ;D happy waiting!"

Thank goodness (or there might have been butterflies following me around!), Tyler's flight ended up arriving a few minutes early, at about 3:47 (give or take a minute, lol!) I spotted him and snapped a few pics as he made his way out of the secure terminal area and spotted me spotting him  :o)

As soon as he saw all of us, he started walking a little faster, trying not to be rude or to break into a run. But he was dodging other travelers like he was in an obstacle course, and then bee-lined right into my arms and we hugged for a few long sweet, happy, sobbing mommy moments before I remembered I needed to share him with the rest of the family  <3

Another missionary mom whose son was not on this flight but one soon after was so sweet and grabbed a family shot for us, thanks to her for letting me be in the picture!!

The rest of our afternoon was spent doting on Tyler and his every whim :o)
It was awesome!! We had pizza from his favorite pizzeria (The Pie!), we got our 7-11 trip in so he could have a big Dr. Pepper and we put in Iron Man 2 and sat back and enjoyed watching it with the sound so loud you could feel the furniture shaking, good times!

Welcome home Tyler!! I am so proud of you for serving with a loving and generous spirit, and thrilled to have you home where I can enjoy your wit, charm and enthusiasm for life!
I love you!
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Sweet Baby Boy

The emails requesting projects for the latest Paper Crafts project Go-To-Sketches 2 went out today and I was thrilled to have a few cards make it into this special issue! But with all calls come rejects and I thought it would be fun to share this one tonight, because tomorrow I am going to do a little makeover on it and have it ready to give to Tyler when he gets home in just 6 days!!!

Watch for this special issue to hit the stands, because with only 288 cards being selected from 2,760 submissions, it will be knocking our socks off!!
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Happy Birthday Kit

Very excited about this kit, I worked on it during December. It is now in the Scrap and Paper Shop ready to for you to make at least 6 cards (with plenty of product leftover to make more!) with a price of under $3 for each, you can have a card for most every birthday occasion.

And in other news, our son is only one week away from being home!! We are so excited, he shared some really cool pictures from the center point of the South American continent last week, hopefully someday soon we can go back with him and see all of the places that he has been telling us about for the last two years  :o)

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UTEE and Mold and Pour Beauty!

Okay, that sounds kind of cocky, but I sure do love this little card that was made with Cosmo Cricket's Circa 1934 line and some very unique embellishments that I created using UTEE and Mold and Pour products. I am always wanting the "perfect" match for my projects, and this technique with these products lets me get great results!

I wrote a tutorial over in the CLASSroom, would love it if you would pop by and check it out  :o)

Happy crafting!!
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Graphic 45 Le Cirque and a UTEE Coated Metal Flower

Just a quick share of a project that I created a tutorial for over in the CLASSroom.
I LOVE the new Staples line from Graphic 45, they pieces have such a beautiful finish, and they are so versatile. This project incorporated the Le Cirque paper line, but this card would have been just as fun and beautiful if I had used any other products because that flower is so stunning. I hope that doesn't sound to braggy, but I didn't create the flowers or think up UTEE, some other amazing people did that, I just sprinkled and heated a little happiness to make a really unique piece of art.















I hope you pop over and check out the how to do, it is a lot of fun, and there are a lot of different results that can be achieved with just a few small adjustments.
















I am so excited that I can hardly sleep, my son will be home in 15 days!!
Can you even imagine how the anticipation is swirling in our house?!!
So happy!
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Winner!!

We have a winner thanks to Random.org!
Congrats to Elaine Allen!!






















I will get this sent out as soon as I hear from you!!

Happy Valentines to everyone!!
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A Share The Love Give-A-Way!!

It was so fun using the products from Skipping Stones Designs in January, and Heather had sent me a set to give away! In all the commitments I had for projects that needed to make CHA deadlines, I had forgotten to do the give-a-way for the Heartsong set that she had sent, so lets do it now!! To make up for my tardiness, I have a set of Echo Park "Be Mine" paper to go along with it, a fun way to share the love!














Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win by Sunday at midnight. I will randomly select a winner Monday morning as the valentine that will get this sweet set of goodies!

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!!
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A Doodlebug Hi!

I made a really cute card for one of the Paper Crafts calls awhile ago, and it has been left unloved hoping that another call would come along that it works for. But alas such has not been the case and because it is made from the Doodlebug Sweet Love collection that is ridiculously cute, it seems like a great time to share it!

All of the flowers are from the Icon sticker sheet some are adhered right to the Hero Arts kraft card stock and other were put on Scrapbook Adhesives foam squares to give them some fun dimension. Of course the flowers have fantastic spot glitter on them that is hard to see in this picture, and those buttons are from the Green Doodlebug button card (delish!!) Some random machine stitching in a green thread that is the same color as the buttons adds another element of texture that I really like  :o)
Hope everyone is having fun getting preparations made for their special valentines!
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Paper Smooches Co-Hop!!

Have you heard?

Kim Hughes opened a stamp company on February 1st called Paper Smooches!  On The first day of every month, she is releasing 3 new whimsical and fun clear stamp sets that she hand draws.

Kim asked me to create a card using one of her February stamp sets.  I used  Birthday Buddies on the card that I have created.

She offers high quality photopolymer clear stamps, shaped card templates, a design center and so much more

There will be a monthly challenge on the The Paper Smooches Blog. (Free digi stamps are involved) Participants will be eligible to be a guest designer for the following month.
Now if you would love to see more fabulous inspiration, head on over to Teri Anderson blog!!

Here is a list of some of the Industry's top designers who are also playing with some Paper Smooches Stamps today:


Michele Boyer
Alli Miles
Lori Craig
Julie Campbell
Carole Burrage
Karolyn Loncon
Kim Kesti
Betsy Veldman
Maren Benedict
Debbie Olson
Melissa Phillips
Carly Robertson
Julia Stainton
Becky Olsen
Teri Anderson
Kyrssi Ng
Heidi Van Laar
Heather Pulvirenti
Laurie Schmidlin
Lisa Johnson
Lori Barnett
Jessica Witty
Asela Hopkins
Rae Barthel

Please help me welcome  Paper Smooches Stamps!!
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Live, Laugh, Love

These simple words can create a beautiful and well lived life. Chloe is such a beautiful girl inside and out, and is so good at finding balance in all of those things. I want to be more like her, and appreciate her example to all of us every day. The newest Hambly on this is the gold Silhouette Overlay and the Remixed Wood Grain in brown on gold shimmery paper and again I have left some design room for Washi tape. The bright pink with the delicious brown and richt gold is such an elegant and whimsical combination, just like Chloe, and it makes me smile from ear to ear!

I just love this picture, she looks like she has an interesting secret doesn't she? (maybe she does, lol!!)

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