paper fiori

So I guess it's a time of reflection, the start of a new year.  It's been a good year all and all!  My family and I are happy and healthy, my husband has a good job, and I'm able to stay at home to care for him and the girls.  We are all very blessed to say the least! I've had some great acknowledgements this year too!  I reached my publication goal - a card of mine in the Paper Crafts July/Aug issue and have had several more creations gracing the glossy pages throughout the year and more to come!  It's so exciting, it makes me so giddy every time I see them there!  I've also won a few online contests and magazine contests!  The highlights being Paper Crafts Stampin' Royalty Contest and the World Card Making Day contests.  Both have been such an honor, and gives me being locked up in my craftin' spot for so many hours validity. I have also been much more diligent with keeping up here - occasional lapses, but on average at least I'm posting over 5

Have you seen Paper Crafts Connection today?  Check out the announcement here!

The new Color Inspiration Issue from Paper Crafts Magazine?!  I was really excited to have been a part of this inagural special issue!  If you haven't picked this one up yet, it's REALLY inspirational ...hence the name...  The call for this was kind of 'hush-hush,' as they wanted to make a big splash with it hitting the stands.  PC asked for card creations with 100+ color combinations I think I made about 15!  I am honored to have 3 of my colorful creations accepted for this issue!  To keep the color consistant, they gave us Bazzil colors to work from.  You didn't have to use their paper, but the colors had to match - perfectly.  They had 6 different categories with many combos within each.  This one was my favorite combo, I actually use it all the time so it easy to whip up a fabu card for it.  The colors were Whirlpool ...Baja Breeze... Tropical, Petty Cash ...Certainly Celery.... and Nutmeg ...Soft Suede .  Isn't it pretty?  These are also colors I use my

Here it is!  The big news!  Well, it's big news for me, and a BIG giveaway for you!  So do you remember the contest Paper Crafts Magazine was hosting for World Card Making Day last year. ..I can't believe I need to say 'last year'...  I had made some cards that I shared with you in November.  I had quite a few that I really loved that I submitted, like this one Isn't she adorable?  She reminds me of Lily when she was 2.  Golden curls, cute little dresses...  But I digress... I had a card that won in the contest!!!!!   Yes!  Little ole' me!  I was bouncing of the walls when the e-mail arrived from Kelly Smith at PC in November!  She made me promise not to tell you until the new year.  I have to wait until March to show the card that won - it was really cute!  It has been really hard not to share my groovy good news!   I was even more excited when a very large box arrived on my door step the week of Christmas with this inside YES!  ALL of this was inside! 

WOW!  Did you have a fun filled holiday season too?  We all had a great time, but I'm REALLY glad it's back to normal here.  The holiday decorations are packed away, waiting to be hauled into their attic home; the gifts are organized and available for the girls to play with; family is home safe and sound.  Now that the parties are thown, handmade gifts are given, cookies eaten, pounds gained, and school is back in session; it's time to get my craft on!  It has been WAY too long since I was able to have fun in my craftin' spot for things non holiday related.  Since Thanksgiving, I've only been able to make these gift bags filled with Homemade Pecan Caramel Sauce ...yummy ... and gift tags for teacher gifts ...these are the only 2 paper carfts I got to this season ;(... and make a bulb garland, wreath and new signage for a couple of   Cameron Mitchell's Restaurants ... only the best restaurants EVER... I also repainted and repaired my childhood doll highcha

Have you recovered yet?  Me either.  Which is why I haven't posted, well, one of the reasons.  Consulting with Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, hosting family and parties have taken up a lot of my weel-intentioned time.  I do have photos to post for you, the are on a new camera we have in the house and I still haven't had the time to figure out how to get them off.  I'll have DH help me tomorrow.  ALSO - I have some exciting news and a BIG GIVEAWAY on the 1st to share!  So make sure you come back here for a chance to win a paperific prize! See you then!

Have I told you how much I love glitter?  I's just so fun and sparkly!  Not only do I love using glitter in my paper crafting, I also use in in my holiday decorating.  Some might call it cheezy, but not me....although, perhaps I'm cheezy and don't even know it?  No ...I have great taste.... that can't be it. Any way, I promised to show you some photos of one of my favorite parts of my house for decorating, my mantle!  I use every glittery, shiny, eye catching thing I can get my hands on to make it spectacular! First a couple close ups of the glittery, shimmery fabulouseness!  I have been collecting some of these ornaments for the last few years.  The big blue snowflake is from ...none other than... Walmart this year!  They have a section of MY color there right now!!!  Is someone else out there decorating in my colors?  Not in my neck of the woods, it seems I'm the only one buying it.  More for me the day after Christmas to buy!  The big gold one in the corner...I

Do you remember me telling you I LOVE Christmas?  The tree, the snow, the laughter, family get-togethers, baking ...lots of baking...,  visiting Santa, church on Christmas eve, ornaments, watching my daughters' faces when they see the presents under the tree on Christmas morning.  It's all so magical! The one thing I DON'T like about Christmas is....red and green.  I can't stand that combination!  Red and white perhaps, not green...ick!  Perhaps is stems from my mother's decision to decorate our Christmas tree in pink and blue to match the house at the tender age of 13.  Not only did she make this decision, but we went from a real tree to a ....gasp.... fake one!  For the first few years, I was appalled!  We were the only house that had a 'designer' tree, and to top it off it was  fake ! ... how embarassing for a teenager...   Later in high school, I began to appreciate it ...a little... and would help out.  Then, when I became a florist, I had the sole r

Has it really been that long since I posted?  Crazy!  As life has been too.  I think that's par for the course this time of year, how about you?  Life's been crazy?  I really have been creating some things, just not many cards ...cookies, cakes, fattening things yes; cards, no...   I have about 8 more cookie recipes to create with about 5 doz per recipe.  I have lots of photos to share with you starting tomorrow - cookies, sauces, containers and the like. But for today, I have an offer for you!  I am a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, just to get my own products at a discount.  'Cause I LOVE their stuff - high quality papers, beautiful colors, great images, my list goes on.  I am however, short on my minimum orders to stay current ...ooops.... so I'm offering my discount to you, 20% OFF but only for a limited time!  Here's the deets: Got to the Stampin' Up! website and check out their Current Catalogs . Make your list, check it twice, and e-mail me it at kr

I feel so special!  They featured the winners of Paper Crafts Stampin' Royalty Contest on Paper Crafts Connection today!  There I am ...40 lbs heavier... I'm the second on the top ...the one with the weird bangs .  They even showed my card on there again ...blush...   Thanks again for the kuddos Kelly!  I love you Paper Crafts!

So, I'm home from my very fun weekend! The movie was wonderful, Ashley is VERY talented! It is now being sent on the indie film festival circut and we'll have to wait and see how it does there. I'm hoping for some great reviews on the storyline for her. It was AMAZING!!! Also, before you read on, I know I wouldn't have been able to enjoy my weekend without the support of my amazing hubby Rob. One of the strengths of our relationship is we know sometimes we need to escape the pressures of life. I was able to do that this weekend while he took on the mother and father roles for 54 hours. Thank you my darling - you are my rock and love. ***smoochy*** Now I'm home. Late last night. And I came home to a war zone. All that was missing were shell casings and sand bags. Disaster area does NOT completely describe the mess I came home to. But let me explain in my dear sweet hubby's defense...It's hard to have the our two professional wreaking balls on yo

I have to brag a little.  My dearest, bestest friend has a younger sister.  Ashley Close ...her pen name is Finley Leighton...   I've known her since she was 6.  She has become a wonderful, confident woman at 24.  She's smart, witty and beautiful!  Like her sister, she loves all things theatrical and currently works for a filming company in Arizona.  A few years back she wrote a screenplay - I know!  She was so young!  Anyway - it was made into MOVIE ... a real movie in theaters... by Glass City Productions called Happily After .   Happily After theatrical trailer from Glass City Films on Vimeo . It takes a while to load... The big city premier was in Chicago 2 weeks ago, how exciting is that?  The majority of the movie was filmed in the Toledo, Ohio area, as the owners of the production company are from Northwest Ohio ...so is Ashley .  Since it was filmed there, they are having a premier there as well and lucky me got a ticket!  Perhaps you'll see me gracing the

Have you seen the NEW special issue by Paper Crafts Magazine ?  It's called Card Creations, Favorite Occasions Volume 2.  There are some awesome ideas in the glossy pages, not to mentions a few of my own!  Some of my favs are Shabby Chic Doily by Julia Stainton  on page 19; My Heart Adores You by Kim Hughes  on page 66; and Thanks a Million by Erin Lincoln .  Here are the creations I had accepted for this issue and read on for some exciting news! A Perfect Day Cardstock: (Soft Sky - current substitution: PaperTrey Aqua Mist) SU! Patterned paper: (Sweet as Cherry Pie) Websters Pages Other paper: (Days of the Week Journaling Cards– Happy Neutrals) Websters Pages Stamps clear stamp (Up, Up and Away - ‘thanks for’ sentiment) PaperTrey Ink…dye, pigment, solvent, watermark, chalk : (Chocolate Chip marker) SU! Accent: (white pearl stickers) Kaiser Craft; (Pretties Kit – pearls and crystal for home-made pins) SU!; Pearl headed corsage pins) Oasis; (fabric doily and button) no v

Ok, so I really loved this card too!  This is yet another one that was submitted to Paper Crafts Magazine's World Card Making Day Contest .  It was so shimmery and glittery, very luxe!  I really like making Holiday cards with untraditional colors, since I don't decorate in red and green.  You should have seen this one in person - gorgeous! Cardstock: (Baha Breeze) SU! (Bronze Shimmer) TPC – Hobby Lobby Stamps…rubber: (Sincere Salutaions) SU! Stickers: (Blue glitter snowflakes) Martha Stewart Crafts - retired Ink…dye: (Versamark) SU! Embossing Powder: (Silver) Ranger Ink Fibers: (brown double faced satin) Michaels Finished size: 4.25”x5.5

How stinkin' cute is this?  I really love the image, it's from scrapologie.blog.com.  Check out all her adorable images.  I printed it out on cardstock and shabbied it up a bit with doilies and buttons.  It's too cute! Cardstock: (ivory) 110 lb cardstock Patterned paper: (Olivia) Basic Grey Other paper: (Doily) Wilton Stamps… clear: (Delightful Dahlias – sentiment) PTI Ink…dye: (Basic Grey, Real Red) SU! Accent: (blue clear buttons) Digital element: (Vintage valentine) scrapoligie.blog.com Fibers: (red felt rick rac) Hobby Lobby; (red twine) SU! Finished size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Happy Birthday dear friend!  My darling, I enjoy our early morning visits and chats!  You have been a source of inspirations, challenges, giggles and fun.  I admire your addiction to all things beautiful, trendy and paperlicious.  You introduce me to new ideas, products, techniques and obsessions ...ahem, can I say burlap and doilies?... I have been the lucky recipient of a couple of honors with you as well.  For all of that I thank you ...and so does my credit card company... You are truely Moxie Fab!

This was a last minute addition to my Paper Crafts Magazine World Card Making Day Contest submissions.  It wasn't my fav, but it did use up some of the Dear Lizzie stickers I've been hoarding.  I stamped the Certainly Celery paper music notes to add to the notes in the wheels. Cardstock: (So Saffron; Certianly Celery) SU! Patterned paper: (Heat wave – creamy coconut) American Crafts Stamps…rubber, foam, clear : (Glee) Technique Tuesday Ink…dye: (Certainly Celery; Soft Suede) SU! Accent: (yellow buttons) PTI Custom mix Vintage buttons Sticker: (Dear Lizzie - Frolic) American Crafts Fibers: (orange grosgrain) ; (yellow embroidery floss) DMC Finished size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

I love the Holidays!  Baking, time with family, playing games with everyone; it's just a wonderful time!  I also love to make holiday cards.  Here is one I made for the Just Add Ink challenge today.  I masked the background with a paper dioly and sprayed with Tattered Angels Key Lime mist.  I then dried the doily, folded it up and attached a medallion to the front, to make it look like a wreath.  It is so cute and shimmery in person.  Cardstock : (Stardream Crimson) TPC – Hobby Lobby Other paper : (Doily) Wilton Stamps… clear: (Everyday Treats) PTI Ink…dye : (Real Red, Basic Black) SU! Color media…spray: (Key Lime Pie Glimmer Mist) Tattered Angels Fibers : (red grosgrain) SU! Tool : (1.75” circle punch) EK Success type Finished size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Well, we just got home from Disney ...tear...   The kids all had a great time and I think the adults did too.  Rob and Elizabeth arrived a few days earlier than Lily and I did with this parents.  They gave us the night off by watching the girls so we could go to EPCOT's Food & Wine Festival.  What fun we had!  If you have never had the chance to go, I HIGHLY recomend it.  Try it during the week as opposed to a weekend, they're a bit more crazy then.  The concept is you are able to 'tour' countries by tasting their food!  They add 10+ more countries to the festival to the original 11.  Rob's favorite was Mexico's Tamal de Pollo (Chicken Tamales) and Korea's Lettuce Wraps with Kimichi Slaw - boy was it SPICY!!!  I LOVED everything from France ...even tried the escargoe... the Lamp Chop from Australia, and we both loved the Fisherman's Pie from Ireland.  Everything was delicious!  We ended the night with a late dinner at Les Chef's Bistro in Franc

With hubby and baby away, it's been like old times here with Lily and I.  She is really enjoying the 1 on 1 attention, and I'm enjoying the peace and quiet!  Don't get me wrong, I adore my baby, but a break from the constant sibling bickering is a treat!  We'll be seeing them on Friday when we get to Disney World.  I've been getting all kinds of treats ready for all the kids on the trip, and I'll be showing you them later this week and next. For now, here is another item I had submitted to Paper Crafts for their last call.  It wasn't accepted, but so many others were, so I'm not complaining.  It's just a cute little favor made for homemade candies.  Again with pink - my favorite!

What a fabulous day!  First, tomorrow my hubby and toddler leave for Florida in the am ...ahh I can sense the calm in my house now...   My PTO meeting went well, as it's been surrounded with controversy ...it's like high school, who'd a thunk... and I received notice that Paper Crafts accepted 6 , yes 6 of my current submissions!  I did the happy dance on the table with that one! ...just like college... Here is one of the items that wasn't accepted for this call.  It's a home decor item for a baby's room.  I picked these colors, not only because I have girls, but because it matches my daughter's room.  I love pink!

So during my daily inspiration from various blogs, I was introduced to Pam Wilson at Chicks of a Feather .  The fabulous Dawn McVey mentioned Pam on her blog My Favorite Things , so I of course had to check it out.  I love to see what other creative ladies are doing out there and send them my love, and she happens to be a fellow Buckeye!  This is her 1 year blog-aversary so why don't you go and give her some lovin'...she also has a giveaway happening....  In honor of her event, here is a Party Chicky for her!

How cute is this image?  I found it on scrapologie.blog.com.  While Ranjini no longer has an online store, she posts beautiful vintage items on her blog to share.  I really liked the image, but I don't think I've done it justice.  I'm still trying to get my paper mojo back.  But it makes me excited to see Cinderella in 8 days!!!

This is a card I made for the Paper Crafts World Card Making Day Card Contest.  I didn't send it in.  I like the color combination, but it just didn't come together like I wanted it to.