Booty!!

In pirate talk that means, "Arg... I got good stuff!"
Last week my friend and I went to Big Lots and found so much scrapbooking stuff made by American Crafts and Heidi Grace for $1 and $2. We got paper, ribbon, rub-ons, flowers, chipboard, etc. and these really cool felt and foam alphabet stickers called Thickers. We went to 5 Big Lots and every store had something different. Of course I had to get one (or two) of everything!! Here is part of what I got:

The Goods

I wanted to use my new stuff to make a couple of cards. A couple of years ago I went to the scrapbook expo in Ontario. One of the vendors had this great deal on My Minds Eye paper pack set. It came with cardstock cut out pieces, double-sided cardstock and these cardstock frames. I knew I never would use the frames in layouts, but then later it dawned on me. Use them for my cards!! So I used my new ribbon, rub-ons,the Thickers and the mats.

HI

Make a Wish-Birthday Card

Still trying to stamp some cards. I need to find some cute stamps.
Have a great week!

Ja mata ne!

A Good Week

This past week was a good week.

1. I was supposed to get a 5% raise on my check. But somehow personnel in HQ messed up and only gave me a 3% raise. I emailed my personnel specialist and she realized the error. My personnel specialist isn't someone who does things in a timely manner, but within the hour my supervisor gets an email to approve my Range change and raise. I thought it was going to be the other 2%, but it was for another 5%, for a total of 8%! I haven't topped out at my range yet and this will get me there quicker. I think it was another boo-boo but my boss already signed and approved my new pay and HQ better not take it back!!

2. A co-worker and I went to lunch at Martha Green's. I had a pulled pork sandwich with sweet potatoes fries. It was so good that I want to make pulled pork sandwiches. I'm on the hunt for a good recipe.

3. Saturday we went to LA. Little Tokyo had the Cherry Blossom Festival. The weather was nice and we had so much fun. We had lunch at a ramen house. It looked like a dive but I have heard good things about it. We probably waited about an hour but it was worth it.

Bertie likes ramen too!

There was also these guys who did some amazing origami. One guy made a bunny out of dollar bill. Another guy made a Koi fish also out a dollar. Check out the detail, down to the scales on the koi and the placement of the eyes on both the bunny and koi.

Bunny

Koi

Then we walked to Olvera Street and and looked around there. After that we walked to Philippes and had a French Dip Sandwich.
I can't believe the price of gas at one station that was across the street from Philippes! People were even pumping gas there!

HOLY CRAP!

There weren't any Cherry Blossom trees in Los Angeles, but 3 years ago my sister and I paid a visit to Japan and were fortunate to see the Cherry Blossoms in bloom. So I thought I would make a Cherry Blossom card.

Cherry Blossoms in Japan

Cherry Blossom card

And I thought I would make a card for that awesome bowl of ramen!


The Japanese writing on the card is a stamp and it says 'Konnichiwa' which means hello.

I hope eveyone had a great week and weekend like I did!!

Ja mate ne!

Just a Note

Found another $1 stamp at Michaels. I also used my Stampin Up! Polka Dot block stamp. I love it! It's absolutely my favorite stamp. I bought a package of gray cardstock and I like how it matches so many colors. Maybe I'm going through a phase because last week I bought a bunch of black cardstock!

Just a Note

Not a Stamper...

I had a four day weekend and it went by so fast I felt like I didn't accomplish anything! The only thing I did finish was the wedding album for Krystal's friend. YIPPEE!! I hope she likes it.
Krystal had to create a book or something for work and she bought the new DCWV Spring mat stack along with the coordinating cardstock and rub-ons. She only used what she needed for her project and gave me what was left, which was quite a bit. So I decided to make a couple of cards.

I've looked through lots blogs and thought I could gather some inspiration from them to stamp a card. Kristina Werner has a fun blog. Every Monday she has a card tutorial. I also came across another blog (Hey Wendy!) where she stamped the image and then used Copic Markers to color and fill in. Amazing!!

I don't have many stamps and the ones that I do have are either sayings, alphabets or background stamps. Stamping scares me because I'm not very good at coordinating colors and what not. So I looked through what stamps I did have and made a couple of birthday cards last night. I do have to give credit to Kristina Werner because these cards are inspired by her designs. I tried to make one girly card and one for a guy.

Hey Cupcake!

Happy Birthday

I am very disappointed in how my cards turned out, which only proves I'm not a stamper. I couldn't find the sentiment I wanted on my girly card, so I wrote it out which was a mistake because I hate my handwriting and it came out crooked. I don't like the color of the package of the other card, but I guess creating a card at midnight looks better then than during the day! Oh well, they can't all be beautiful!
I'm not giving up though. Hopefully, I'll be able to get the hang of stamping.

Tomorrow is QK club day at my scrapbook store. I have a couple of card ideas swirling in my head. We have also been asked to make some sort of cultural dish. I'm going to make mochi. It's easy, peasy Japanesey!!! haha

Ja mata ne!

Happy Spring!

I'm not much of a stamper, but I found this cute little stamp at Michael's for $1. It's so simple and so me and I thought it be fun to use on a card. I made a few and sent them out to friends. I'm trying to make more cards and send them out, and hopefully I'll gather some inspiration from stamping.

Catching Up...

It's been a while since I've posted.
Lots has been going on and I haven't had the time to sit down and write.
For some reason the computer has been running sloooowwww. Because I don't have the patience for a slow computer, I haven't been online much.
Chris re-formatted the Mac and installed this new OS-X Leopard thingy and the computer seems to be running much better and faster!

First of all, I just want to say don't take good health for granted. Growing up I never got sick, but it seems lately that's all that's been happening to me. First that nasty virus that's been going around and then I made a trip to the ER. I am also extremely tired all the time and I hate that feeling. Hopefully the doctor's can figure out what's going on and I can get back to feeling like myself again!

So....I've been trying to clean up my scrap room. It's a disaster!

BEFORE

Even Miss Emma Peel was snooping around in the mess. I hope to have the room cleaned up soon. I'll post AFTER pictures when I'm done.

Because my room is in such disarray, I don't feel like making my cards. But because I have the Quickutz club I usually makes a couple of cards for that.

Wedding or Anniversary card
Father's Day Card

Krystal has asked me to make her friend a scrapbook of her wedding. I thought it would be fun and easy, but because the pictures are of people I don't even know, I find it extremely difficult to scrap. Why is that?? I wanted to try to finish it this weekend but because my creative juices are not flowing I don't think it will happen (**insert sad face here**).

Now that my computer is up and running a little faster, I plan on posting a little more.

I hope everyone has a Happy Easter!!

Ja mata ne!

P.S. Chuck won $4000!!! He's a lucky SOB. We plan on going on a cruise and of course I'm going to get me a new Quickutz alphabet and dies! hehehe

Star Design by Jules

Hey all,

My friend Julie has started an Esty site.
She is selling beautiful handmade cards and frames.
Every year she sends me a handmade Christmas card and I love receiving them!

Please check out her awesome work and buy a card or two!

Star Designs by Jules