It was a BEACH day!

The sun finally came out here in Pensacola and we were so HAPPY!  We spent the day at the beach and enjoyed so much of what Pensacola brings.  We enjoyed the beautiful white sands, the gorgeous ocean water, and the Blue Angels (Flight Demonstration Team) flying over our heads. Hearing the Blue Angels was just the top of the cake for me.  It really is the beautiful sound of FREEDOM!  Yesterday we toured the Naval Aviation Museum.  It had been almost 9 years since we had been there.  Brandon was just a baby.  Lots of memories inside that building for Russ and I. 

I decided to put together a simple layout using My Digital Studio showing a few pics of our day.  I don't use My Digital Studio as often as I should.  The program is quite easy.  Honestly, if I can use it… anyone can.  Stampin' Up! has added lots of new digital downloads recently!  If you are interested in these, please email me.  I can send you a document of the recent downloads. 

Here is my simple layout:

The layout makes me happy because it sums up the entire day.  I think Brandon will wear the face mask home with him.  He hasn't had it off his face for longer than a couple of hours since he got off the plane.  It's so funny! I have lots more pics to share but my Mother threatened she would not feed me the rest of my vacation if I posted a shot of her in her bikini.  <sigh>  A girl does have to eat!

Moving onto crafty things…

September 1st is a BIG day!  The Holiday Mini is going LIVE and it's one of the best in my book with so many beautiful products.  My card tonight has a few products I think you will enjoy!!!

The Designer Series paper is called Candy Cane Christmas.  It's such a fun designer paper with such a great color combination.  You have Garden Green, Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride and Real Red.  Awesome.  I used the stamp set called Merry Crittermas.  It's loaded with all kinds of cute animals.  I used my Blender Pen and ink pads to color the little guy in on Whisper White paper.  He was punched out using the Extra Large 2 1/2" Circle Punch.  Now that is ONE big CIRCLE punch! Woot! I also used the new Glitter Brads on it.  These are so fun.  Lastly, I used the Glass Glitter in Silver on his hat.  So fun. 

I hope you are enjoying your week.  We're not sure what our plan for tomorrow is but I know it will be fun.  Just being with my family is so worth it. 

XOXOXO

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Florida Sunshine… or NOT!

Hello from not so sunny Florida!  We arrived late Friday night and it's been raining since!  While the rain really stinks it hasn't stopped our family from having a good time.  The kids spent 3 hours in the pool yesterday and enjoyed every minute of it.  It was pouring and they were splashing. 

Yesterday we had our entire family at my mom's house and it was CRAZY!  There were dogs, kids and then the CRAZY adults.  Throughout the day I just kept thinking how happy I was to be around all these CRAZY people.  It's rare to have the entire family around these days. 

Already we've had a few adventures.  Adventures in my family always=chaos.  We went to breakfast this morning after church and my mom decided to make a scene by falling out of my dads truck with a dress on.  She landed gracefully and nothing is broke.  She did receive lots of help and her grandkids thought she did an amazing job of getting back up and in the truck.  Luckly, the dress stayed intact and only got wet.  We are taking pity on her today and thanking our lucky stars she didn't break something.  Phew! Chaos—->SERIOULSY!

I'll leave you with a cute card I made before I left.  I love the new Designer Papers in the Mini and this one is my favorite.

You'll notice it's just patterns of paper cut and then a white gel pen made squiggles around each piece.  I added a few buttons and that completed the card.

I hope you are drier than we are.  We are off to the movies today.  I'll share more of our adventures as they happen!!

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Something Special for my Mama!

Although you cannot physically see my excitement… I am so excited I couldn't sleep! I am SOOOOOOO excited because my family and I are flying out to Florida today!  Yippie! Everyone is packed except for me of course.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  I'll be doing the FAST pack this morning.  It's going to be a big reunion as many of my family members come together.  My brother, Aunt and Uncles… So AWESOME. It's also our last summer hoo-rah before the kids start school. 

Last night I made something special for my mom.  Check it out…

The big question on my mind- "How will I get this on the plane without a wrinkle.  I'm flying with two kids, a dog, the prince and now the box.  Oh jeez.  This sounds like a blog post all by itself. 

Back to the box- The box was made from the Box #2 Die Cut.  This has always been one of my favorite box Sizzix Die Cuts because I can cut the top off and make the box all my own.  Very versatile box.  There are a few Holiday Mini products on the box too.  You can see the supplies I used below.  All products of course Stampin' Up! They are so fantabulous!

Stamps: Messages from Mom, Artistic Etchings, Style Beautiful

Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake

Ink: Early Espresso

Accessories: Rhinestone Gems, Box #2 SIzzix Die Cut, Big Shot, Large Label punch, Early Espresso Taffeta ribbon, Neutral Buttons, Cutter Tool Kit, Linen Thread. 1 3/4 Circle Punch, Spritzer Tool, Self adhesive Pearls, Vintage Trinkets

*The Big Scallop around the edge of the box is a new die cut coming out in the Holiday Mini. WOW!!!

I'll keep you posted on the family affairs and hopefully show you my favorite White Sandy Beaches. It's never a dull moment when we travel either.   Stay tuned. 

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My card needs to be on a DIET!

Oh Boy! This card could potentially weigh 5lbs with all the goodies I laid on top of it.  Whoever receives this card, it may cost you SERIOUSLY.

Sometimes I just get crazy urges and cannot stop the insanity of adding products.  JEESH!! My goal tonight was to be in bed before midnight.  Umm… that didn't really work! It's now WAY after midnight and I just finished this card.  I just got involved and that is my final answer! This card is all about the Holiday Mini as we count down to one of the BEST Mini Catalogs that's about to debut.  The paper, the stamps and the accessories are just fantastic!  The project ideas that I keep thinking about are non stop.  My only problem is TIME.  UGH!

Anyways, let me share this crazy card and explain some of the fun stuff.

Are you as excited about Baja Breeze coming back as I am?  What a fun color.  I think it has a vintage feel to it and this snowman is my favorite image in this stamp set called Jolly Old Saint Nick. 

I started the card with Baja Breeze and stamped a snowflake image from a new set called Jolly Bingo Bits-another Holiday Mini fav of mine.  I added the Candy Cane Christmas DSP.  This DSP just makes me happy.  Maybe it's all about those cute birds or the vintage feel of the ornaments!  I dunno, but I do know I LoVe it!  Now, this is where the card building went haywire.  You see the Crumb Cake Scallop thing that is underneath the snowman?  That is actually a Mini Lunch Sack that I cut to fit my 3 x 3 card.  These will be available in the Holiday Mini.  I love them because they are already scalloped.  Basically this is a card with a card.  Almost a little surprise for the recipient. On top of the trimmed lunch sack I stamped my snowman in Basic Black ink and colored the image in using my Stampin' Pastels.  Again, a product that I see NOT used enough.  Love having Whisper White chalk and Very Vanilla chalk.  If you haven't tried Stampin' Up!'s pastels, you really should.  Every color at your fingertips for only 24.95 (#120962).  Or you can just get the New Color Kit with all the new colors we've added this year for only 14.95! STEAL! (#120963).  I added some button brads on the snowman's belly using the Vintage Trinkets.  I also added a banner and used a Safety Pin from the Trinkets to hold it in place.  There are a few layers of ribbon added…. I got a little carried away.  My
 3×3 card is pretty simple.  I only added more of the DSP and a beautiful BIG button. 

I think I can officially go to bed feeling satisfied.  Could be a different story when those sweet gems of mine wake me up bright and early.  Whoopsie! I can only blame myself for this crazy stamp addiction!

Have a GREAT Day!

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Treats for all seasons!

A couple of days ago you will remember I showed you the treat holder I demonstrated at my workshop.  You can see it again HERE.  I promised a video and I have it ready for you.  There is a funny in it, as always.  Jeesh!

Instead of doing the same ole treat I switched it up and created a little treat for Halloween.  My poor kids are so confused with the holidays right now.  Alexis does NOT understand why I am creating for Halloween so soon.  Brandon thinks Christmas is next month!  So funny!

Okay, here it is…

Ready to create? Watch my video:

Materials List:

Stamps: Wicked Fun

Ink: Basic Black

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Naturals Ivory, DSP Wicked Fun Specialty #117400

Accessories: Decorative Label punch (Holiday Mini), Glimmer Brads (SO fun, coming in the Holiday Mini), Markers: Tangerine Tango, Concord Crush, Basic Black, Vintage Trinkets, 1 1/4 Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Border Scallop punch, Chocolates at Costco…

In other news, I am trying to get my kids ready for school.  You know the drill- haircuts, school clothes and school supplies.  Tonight as I put my boy to bed we had a deep chat.  More like another life lesson.  I have to admit that I love bedtime because it seems to be the time my kids really open up and chat.  Probably because they don't want to go to bed! Tonight's conversation was so sweet.  It was all about making new friends.  He's nervous and misses his friends in Colorado.  I wiped away little tears tonight and shed my big tears later.  Again, this will all be water under the bridge soon.  Friends will be made and we will laugh about all this soon. With our other moves the kids were smaller and meeting new friends was all relative.  Now that they're a little older this is a HUGE issue.  I'm excited for the school year to start so they can meet new buddies.  I think the first day of school will be memories like their first day of Kindergarten.  Bittersweet.  I'll be nervous for them myself. 

Enjoy the video and we'll meet up again in a few days-possibly tomorrow if I can get myself together. 

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