Papercrafts Magazine Very Schmancy Retirement Card

** I am entering this as a last minute Paper Crafts Magazine April Gallery challenge! Check it out HERE ** I love me some Papercrafts! That magazine is soo amazing and gives me tons of inspiration.

Hello Everyone, here is a card that I made for friend of my Uncle's. It is to celebrate her retirement and basically the criteria for this one was very girly with no pink. An oxymoron? Nope not at all. I have 3 girls and there is not a bit of pink in my house.

This card shall be called the coming of the fancy schmancy. I just love love it in general. The patterned paper is GCD Paris Nights Stack (very fancy) the paper is actually flocked. The small frame is from Michael's and came unfinished. I tried some generic crackle paint that didn't work. First I painted it BRIGHT yellow, then crackled medium then off white. Hmm.. don't know what I did wrong, but I'm getting the Tim Holtz stuff for next time. The silhouette stamp is Hero Arts and I just adore it. That pearl/rhinestone swirl (fab right?) flower and leaves are recollections. The ribbon is Hobby Lobby. Since the paper is flocked and the frame is thick I used a lot of hot glue. This is always tricky because of course you have to worry that you are not warping your paper and it is EXTREMELY permanent. The Congrats! is a colorblock rub on. I very rarely use rub-ons, I am very clumsy with them and the weird thing is that it looks shiny but it's not.

So this is how it all came together and I'm happy with the results. Thank you so much for visiting my little blog, I am always grateful for the opportunity to share. Until next time amigas.    

Monkey Business with Unity

Hello Friends. Today is Friday which means Unity Stamp Company (the bestest) Friends with Flair <----- click there to see all of the goodness.
Today's card is a Monkey card that I've been meaning to make for a while. I just love these cute little monkies. They are from Joann's and I really don't think I paid more than a couple of dollars for a bunch of them. The paper is KI Memories Wild Life stack and die cut. The burlap is from Hobby Lobby and the cardstock is DCWV. The Unity stamp is from the May 2011 Kit of the Month.

My pic actually came out pretty well. It got LOTS of natural light since it's ROASTING here in So Cal. Like Summer weather in April. Good for me, not so good for my cooling bill. ;-) Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. For us it's date night for the Hubs and I tonight, maybe some shopping for the chickies and I (ahhh!). I have 3 teen girls so just getting one church dress and sandals for each is crazy expensive and a lesson in patience. Since we actually have to FIND said dress and sandals for each at the store that they like. That means making the rounds at Kohl's, JCP, Macy's, Forever 21, sometimes (if I'm lucky) Target. But that's life right? I'll miss that when they are off to college and all grown up.

Don't forget leave a comment, Unity will be giving a prize away to 2 random people. Thanks for visiting my little blog. Have a great weekend, until next time Amigas :-)     

Friends with Flair

Hello friends, today is Friday and for all of us Unity lovers that means Friends with Flair . Today's card is a masculine card. The stamp is a Unity Itty Bitty called "My Favorite Mustache" and is super cute. I am going with the big mustache trend and running with it.

I got the color combo idea from Papercrafts Mag. Love them :-) The striped paper, clothes pin and mustache are Recollections from Michael's. The Cardstock is Coordinations, the pokie border is Colorbok, the star border is K&Company Cut n' Paste Border sticker. I used Tuxedo Black Memento to stamp and a combo of Ranger Tea Dye and Antique Linen to distress. Hope you like it. Hope you have a fabulous weekend. I'm trying to do something a little special for my handsome blue eyed Irish boy for St. Patty's. We don't drink, so green beer is out LOL! A trip to target may be in order ;-)  Until next time amigas.

Sara's Craft

Hello friends, and HAPPY Friday. Today I have a craft for you that my daughter Sara made. Sara is INCREDIBLY artistic, she has amazing talent. She paints like a young Monet, she definitely got that from my Mom, who is also a great artist. I helped very minimally. Only to show her how the modge podge worked, then she took the reins on it.  It took less than an hour, that includes drying time. It looks so cute on her wall. Check it out.

Easy peasy, it looks a little streaky here but it's not. Just my horrible picture taking LOL.

Supplies: black, light pink & white acrylic paint, 10x14 canvas, matte modge podge
these felt pieces (they are supposed to be coasters ?) are from the day after Valentines, cost = 25 cents each

Basically she covered the canvas with black, let that dry. Step 2 tilt canvas and splatter white and pink, let dry. Modge podge the back of the felt pieces with a THICK layer and attach, let dry. The modge podge is milky white but dried clear even on felt.The end. Hope you enjoyed this, thanks for stopping by. Until next time Amigas.

Valentines and Birthdays

Hello friends. Today I have a couple of cards to share. First my Husband's Valentine's day card. I didn't show it yesterday because of course I didn't want him to see it. It's simple but cute. Jared is definitely a man's man, so no frilly, cutesy ribbon for him. I did add some felt hearts...ummm... it's Valentine's day LOL. He can live with it.

Second is a birthday card I made for my Uncle Rafael. He is the bestest sweetest uncle ever. The weird thing is that he is two years younger than me so we grew up together like brother and sister. I was raised by my Grandmother so we are very close and he is truly one of the best people I know. Happy, happy birthday boy! Hope you enjoy, until next time Amigas.

The Stamp is Autumn Leaves, the paper is Fancy Pants-Love Story Collection (which I totally <3) Yeah I drew in the plus and equals myself, crooked :-( and inked it up with some Antique Linen and Tea Dye, Black ink is Tuxedo Black.

The clouds are Unity Stamps, the Puppy is a $1 stamp from Michaels! So cute!! The paper is Coordinations and Recollections. I added some Stickles and rhinestones from Michaels. The birdie is colored with my Prisma pencils.

Yay for LOVE!!

I'm back today. A record for me, two days in a row of sharing. Here are some more detailed cards that I really put a lot of love into. They are very soft and romantic, probably not a card I would give my Husband. He's a Man's Man for sure, so all of this soft ribbon and sweet stuffs would make his head explode! Haha. There is a LOOOONG materials list for all of these cards. I will post that later. Today there isn't much going on around here. I'm home sick with no voice and what feels like a sinus infection. So when I'm less cloudy I'll get it together and share the goodies. Hope you have a wonderful day of love. Until next time Amigas.  

Love in Bloom

Hello there friends. I haven't posted any cards to share in forever but I've been creating away. It seems that January just completely skipped me and we went straight to February. The best part of this Valentine's Day is that my girls decided that they would hand out Valentines this year! I almost jumped out of my chair when I heard that! They are 16 and 14 so I haven't been asked to help with Valentines in YEARS!! There is something super awesome about this holiday. No big pressure at all, just little trinkets and goodies to the ones you love. no holiday crowds and pressure.  I just love it. Here are some fairly simple cards I put together. All of the bases are Kraft cardstock by Co'ordinations.

That chipboard is Martha Stewart, everything else is Colorbloc, ribbon is Hobby Lobby.

These monkeys are DCWV. So cute!

All of this is Colorbloc, the white cardstock is Wausau papers, twine is Martha Stewart.

I have more cards to share tomorrow. For now I'm off to buy some treats for my 4 Valentines. My sweet Hubby and my 3 sweet girls. Hope you have a super sweet day. Until next time amigas.

Hey Stud, it's Friends with Flair

Hello Friends, it's Friends with Flair at Unity today. Today I'm sharing a quick card for one of my Uncle's birthdays. I actually got this one in the mail on time and he should be receiving it on his birthday! A miracle for me. One of my new years resolutions is to not be so flaky with my card sending. So I am getting a running start on the new year. I hope to have another post tomorrow but who know with me. Flaky remember? It's not that I'm not excited to share my little creations with you it's just that I am a flake. Yep I said it. The first step is to admit I have a problem right?

This stamp is a Unity Itty Bitty "Hey Stud", get it here. It isn't very old and I've had my eye on it for a while. Unity always runs great promotions so I just waited for the right time to strike! LOL. The paper and K&Company Cut and Past Stack, which I have used to death! This paper looks pretty unassuming but is SUPER versatile!

Leave me a comment, I may be the last entry since it's late and I didn't get a chance to upload this earlier. Unity give a prize to one random participant and one random commenter. Yep, flake :-( That's okay cuz I love Unity and love my Uncle so I'm happy I was able to make him this cute retro card.

Friends with Flair Christmas

Hello friends, today is Unity's Friends with Flair. Yay Unity! This cute little snowman is from the November Kit of the Month. I don't have any coloring tools but I'm thinking Santa has some treats up his sleeve ;-). So excited!

I made him by paper piecing which is so fun to do also. the red pokie paper is DCWV 'Tis the Season Stack, the Kraft is Coor'dinations (the best sturdiest kraft ever) and the other cardstock is  American Crafts, the fluff ball, ribbon and twine are from Michaels. I inked him up with Memento Tuxedo Black and used Tim Holtz ink for the back ground. Also, I used a Marvy snow pen for the top of the snow, added stickels for the rest. I used distress stickels on top of the birdhouse and on the fluff ball. Super cute right?

So if you are not a Kit of the Month member go here and make it happen. Trust me you will love it.
Unity is giving away an awesome prize to a random participant and commenter so leave a comment and maybe we will bring each other some luck! ;-)

Hope you like it and thank you so much for visiting my little blog. I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas and enjoy this beautiful season with your loved ones. Until next time Amigas.

More Christmas Cards

Hello Friends, just checking in again with more Christmas cards. I had made a promise that I would have some pajama and movies days this week because it was the first week that they are on vacation. Yeah that was unrealistic for sure. I have a million things to do and have not wrapped one gift. In our family Christmas dinner is on Christmas Eve so I basically always have one less day for everything.

Am I the only one? Well heck no! This is par for the course for Moms, in addition the Hubs is off the the next 4 days so my schedule will be thrown off for sure. Although he is a delightful Hubby he just throws everything of kilter with his relaxing self.

So here are a couple of cards that I made. Lotsa different manufacturers and materials, I will share later today. I am off to take one of my twins to get a tooth repaired at the Dentist. Yep, sucks!

Hope you like them and as usual, thank you so much for visiting my little blog. Until next time amigas.

Christmas Cards Yay!

Hello Friends, just wanted to share some very simple cards I made in between all of the Christmas madness. Yep it's December 21st and I'm mailing my cards today. Bad Jazz! It had been a heck of a month. I'm sure for all of you as well. I think Moms should get a spa day on December 26th! I just got a call from the Hubs that he FORGOT about his office potluck and it's in a few hours so can I whip something up? Man, he is lucky he is such a sweet guy! Or else I would have gone ballistic. Seriously, so lucky to have such a wonderful hubby but I'm not too bad myself. If even for the simple fact that I didn't strangle him, LOL!

So the first two cards are made with DCWV papers. LOVE! The stamp is Inkadinkado and was embossed with silver embossing powder. The snowmen are some super cheap but pretty cute stickers from Walmart. Yep Walmart, they were like $1.50 for a big sheet. The ribbon on the second is Joann's. The third card is made with Colorbloc glitter paper, and Me and My Big Ideas Mambi Chips, a Wilton doily and a Cuttlebug embossing folder, some silver ink and there you have it.
I had heard of the Mambi Chips and found them at Joann, I really like them and think you will too. They have a retro chic, cute feel to them.

I hope to be back before Christmas with more cards. Lots to share. Until next time Amigas.

Lookin' Good

Here is a quick card I made using my good ole' Unity Stamps, the paper is Recollections. I used gold Brilliance ink, stamped the sentiment with Memento Rich Cocoa and dry embossed it with my 5x7 swiss dot folder. I think its not called swiss dot in the 5x7 size but you get what I'm doing right? I made it for my husband since he decided to give himself a new look and grow a mustache and goatee. Just a little note to let him know how much I really like him :-)

Tomorrow I will start to share Christmas Cards! Yay!!!! I just love, love, love making them!  Until next time Amigas!

Wild Card Goodness

Hi Friends, Just popping by on a BUSY Saturday to share a couple of cards. I made these using my Cricut Wild Card Cartridge. I scored this for like 17 dollars at Target when they stop carrying Cricut stuff. The top one uses DCWV paper and a Martha Stewart cupcake sticker. Ther lower one has the same DCWV paper with a Making Memories center thingy  (yes that's a technical term), a Wilton's doily, Jolees circle lace thingy and some Joann chiffon ribbon. I inked everything with chalk inks and Tada!!

That's it for now just wanted to share some goodness. I actually had some time to craft yesterday and will be sharing that with you next week. Hope you have a great weekend, until next time Amigas :-)

Gratitude is homemade Day 1-8 Aunt Teresa

The center can is Crafty Secrets, the other stickers are Recollections (Michaels)

The white cardstock is Wausau Papers (love it!) it's a bit shimmery and holds the embossing well. The pink gingham and twine is Martha Stewart, the kraft is Coordinations.

Hello Friends, today I have a sweet card that I made for my Aunt Teresa. I was raised by my Grandmother so my Aunts and Uncles are like big sisters/Aunts all in one. I have to say that although I really didn't have my Mom in my life I always felt like I had a bunch of Moms. Sometimes that's good, sometimes (like in my teens) it isn't so good. I am so very blessed that I have 6 Aunts and 2 Uncles that I grew up with. With a family that big you really get all kinds of personalities. Every one of them has an AMAZING talent, they are ALL amazing mothers, sisters and daughters. Like many other very close, very big families we are each other's best friends. For sure there are times we don't always get along. Duh, anyone who says their family doesn't disagree sometimes are TOTALLY fibbing! But we ALWAYS love each other.

I am so grateful that I know during the most difficult times in my life I have these BEAUTIFUL women there by my side. Actually there was a day in my life that I was in a very critical situation and was living 12 hours away from my family. I made a phone call to my cousin at 4 pm one day and all of my aunts and uncles were there the next day! Like at 11 am. They had rented a big old van and went to get me. In the dead of winter. Ready to bring me and my girls home. Those are the things that make you love your family forever and ever. Yeah lucky me right?  

 We always have a birthday to attend, wedding getting planned or a baby being born. Being a member of my family is a full time job! So a little about Aunt Teresa. She is an amazing strong woman. She has the most kids of all of us, 5! She is the diplomat of the family, she has the kindest personality, she is the definition of grace under pressure. She is a great baker, an AWESOME Mom, and a loving devoted follower of Christ. One of the things I notice about her is she is such a sweet wife. You never see her talking down to her husband or being disrespectful. Her and my Uncle's marriage is an example to me, they just are a great couple. So this is for you Aunt Teresa. Thanks for being an example of awesomeness and grace.  

In honor of this month of gratitude I will post a month of gratitude. I have 8 aunts and uncles,  so they are my first 8 things to be grateful for.

Oh Babies!

Hello out there! Just wanted to share a mini album that I made for a sweet church friend that had twin boys. Tons of different companies used and I realized you get a nice look a my very ink stained dirty fingernails, lets just ignore that part, LOL. I have 16 year old twin girls so I can totally relate to her. Having twins is INSANITY. First you usually have some kind of difficulty during your pregnancy. Bed rest, one growing more than the other, high blood pressure, and twice the pregnancy nuisances. I delivered the twins almost 2 months early via C-Section. NO fun! Then after they are born you are worried about them thriving. This is in addition to being sleep deprived and lets not mention the expense involved and your hormones going CRAZY twice as much! I remember just breaking down like my dog had died because they went through a case of diapers (yes, a case from Costco) in like 3 days. I was totally hormonal and exhausted. As much as I struggled and thought it would never end, I miss it. This being said, I also got a horrible case of the baby blues. Like crying at the drop of a hat, feeling overall hopeless and miserable and then feeling guilty for not being elated that, despite the odds, I had 2 healthy little babies. Two years later we added a little sister to our collection of children. They are now teenagers two 16 year olds and a 14 year old, all girls.

   All I can say is I MISS THOSE DAYS. I miss the days that I could hold them, feed them, change them and their needs were met. These days we are in now are about preparing them for the big scary world out there. For letting them slowly interact with all of those strangers that you told them never to speak to, to talk to boys that could break their hearts, make decisions that could impact their lives forever. The worst part of all? The look you get from them when they are little of total adoration is gone. Yes, heartbreaking. This Momma does not want to let go. I'm certain that sometimes my heart actually hurts at the thought of all of the temptations and dangers out there. I am so in awe of my family and all of my dear church friends that I see beaming as they see their children take successful steps to adulthood. I see daughters getting married in the temple, sons going on missions, going off to college. Now that I am in the trenches I understand what a battle, journey, odyssey (insert dramatic word)  it is.
  I'm going to get a little Jesus in here, how much did it hurt Heavenly Father to send his son out in the cruel world. I have worked so hard to keep my daughters safe and have a happy childhood. What is that in comparison to what He went through. How does He feel when he sees all of us making bad decisions? He has sent us all of the tools we need to succeed but how many times do we refuse them and think we know it all. We do not need any help. The feeling I get with my daughters of wanting them to know at their young age what I know now at an older age is impossible. Yet is still wish. How does Heavenly Father feel? Gives me so much to think about.

The other day I was upset and told my Husband that I wish I knew what to do next to help them and keep them safe. I wondered why was all of this happening. He just told me, " when you look in the mirror can you honestly say to yourself that you've done your best so far?"  I thought for a moment and answered , "I can honestly say that considering all of the circumstances,  yes" I had been praying so much for wisdom and for peace. This simple question from my Husband brought me back to reality and out things into perspective. We both came from very sad childhoods and our Grandmothers were our Guardian Angels, so we know bad childhoods. My girls still have free agency and they will have to make mistakes and stumble. But my job as Mom is to never give up the fight, I've been entrusted with these little spirits by Heavenly Father and I have a job to do. Yeah world, I'm going to fight you to the end for my Babies. Because they are my heart and they will still always be those little girls with pigtails and overalls at the playground.  

Sorry to go on and on but one of the reasons for this blog was to have something for myself to share and create. Maybe one person will read this and not feel so alone. So I made this for my sweet friend because I cannot picture her having any time for scrapping her sweet little boys stuff. I know that the first 6 months go by in a whirlwind so hopefully this will help her remember a little bit.

Thank you for visiting, until next time Amigas.