Overlooked

I've been lurking over at the Overlooked latley and I think I am going to get involved. Subject one has really got me going. Here is a preview!!


Her favorite place to be might be on the counter with her tea bag all ready, just waiting for some hot water, or it may be right next to me on while I am blogging! More to come!

Hugs,
Heather

P.S My fortune cookies are done! They are soo adorable! Pictures will be up tonight!! Go visit overlooked (this means you Gretchen)

Here I am!!!

I know you all think I fell off the face of the earth, but here I am. The past few weeks have been unbelievable here. You always here the expression one thing after another....that would sum it all up for me! I am happy to be back to my little blog space and to catch up with you all.

Before I was sucked into sickness/family sickness land, I was working on challenge 6 layout for Got Mojo. I didn't get to complete it in time to submit but I wanted to share it all with you. The challenge was to scrap a resolution that you repeat year after year and to sew either by hand or machine on the layout. Here is my take...
I am in love with Fancy pants and their True papers and RubOns. I stocked up on them a while ago. I did hand stitching on the photo and made a little heart out of felt.

This is another layout that I completed....this was a fun layout!! Hubby and i are always wanting to try new things. We tried a Chinese place on a whim and we both fell in love. Hubby never really liked Chinese but he certainly does now. They know us by name there now. The background paper is the actual place mat from our first visit there and so are the fortunes! Like I said, I had fun with this one and even broke out a PP pattern that I had for the take out box!

What I am working on now....I found this tutorial for a cute valentines project the other night while reading a blog (sorry, I don't remember which one). I started it last night and I am hoping to finish them tonight. Can't wait to give them to my valentine.

What I am loving today....Came across this last night and I sooo want to do something like it on my walls!! And...I am loving the cute valentines book made by AE that she has on her blog today!!! And...I am loving that RVKC now has subscriptions!!!

I am off for now....gotta get some sleep. (My body is on 11-7 time now....damn work schedule). More later!!!
Hugs,
Heather

Coming Soon

I will be back with some new stuff to show you guys soon. I am battling the stomach bug and a mean upper respiratory infection over here. One of the perks of healthcare...you get everything they got!

Here is a small sneak peek at what I was working on when I got sick....hope it will tide you over.


Hang in there!
Hugs,
Heather

Stash Diet Update

I am moving right along on this stash diet. I have to say I am thankful because it has certainly kicked my butt into gear. Right now I have created 7 (yes, seven) 2-page layouts and 5 projects!

This is up on my wall already! So fun to make!

I made this right before christmas. A little late for this year but we will put it to good use next year!!

More pictures coming soon!
Hugs,
Heather

Happy New Year!!!

What I love about new years is the feeling that it is a new beginning and everything is starting over fresh!! I have recorded some goals for myself for 2008 and I really feel that this is the year that I will make them all happen.

In 2008 I wish to:

1. Save MORE
2. Eat a little MORE healthy
3. Exercise MORE
4. Laugh MORE
5. Be MORE organized
6. Be MORE creative
7. Journal MORE
8. Learn MORE
9. Clean MORE
10. LIVE MORE

Over on Ali Edwards blog, she was talking about what she chose as her word for 2008. Originally, LIVE came right to mind. I want to live more and do things to help us "LIVE" better. When I looked at the list I made of my 2008 goals, MORE stood out. Every one of my goals had more in it, so it seemed fitting to make my word for 2008 "MORE"! Thank you to Ali for getting me thinking.

I made myself busy today, getting ready for the new year.
~~I pulled out a few of the journals that I altered a few months ago that were just waiting for a purpose. One for me (birds) and one for DH (red and black)! We are going to use them to record the things that we are eating and when we exercise. I realized that I have gained almost 20+ lbs in the past 3 months and it is starting to effect my life on a grander scale. I don't want to have all of the health problems that are plaguing my family due to obesity. Neither does DH. We have made a promise to ourselves to be a healthier us!
~~I cleaned the house (including my scrap space) and rearranged a few things that were bugging me. I hung a few things that I have had forever and haven't gotten to until now. Three inspiration boards all clean and ready to be filled in the new year (also inspired from Ali Edwards)...My inspire sign that I picked up at a cute little store this past summer...A cute valentines heart from Michaels that I picked up recently. It is on the inside of the door now but it will eventually hang outside...and lastly, some pictures that I took and matted in college in a basic photography class. I have 10-12 of these and I am going to hang the rest of them up this week. Don't they look very artsy when they are on the wall? I felt a great wave of accomplishment getting all of these thing in their own little spot in our home.

I have a list of scrap related goals for 2008 that I have compiled. One of them is a 365 project. I've been thinking of one of these for a while but I hit a wall when I realized that most people do a self portrait 365. I am not ready for that (I think it has something to do with the 20+ lbs I recently aquired)...I don't have the courage for it yet. I started thinking and what I had in mind until I get enough courage is to do one about the things around me. I vow to take at least one picture a day of life around me until this time next year. Along the way I hope to sharpen my photography skills and learn all the little in's and out's of my new camera. I am really excited about it (so excited that I took 53 pictures today)! You can view today's picture here.

I will share them rest of my scrap goals with you later this week. I just finished a few projects for the "stash diet"...stay tuned for them! I wish you all a appy new year and good luck with all of your goals.
Hugs,
Heather

Randomness

Christmas is done...Wondering what is in store for us in the new year...Will our resolutions stick for once...Where will we be financially this time next year...Will I ever get that crocheted jacket done...When is RV going to announce the next kit...I am soo jones-ing for hot chocolate with baileys...I forgot to water the christmas tree today...I'll miss the christmas decorations when they are all packed up...Is it ever gonna snow...Ugh, I have to go back to work tommorrow...I ::heart:: the color pink!!

Merry Christmas

Just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! We spent this evening with family, at my mother's house. It is our tradition to do Christmas Eve and have dinner and enjoy being together. It was fun and it brought back memories from when I was a kid!

Here's a picture of our tree taken tonight after all the presents were put under it!! I am obsessed with putting bows on everything!! They make me smile!

Tommorrow I start an official list for 2008 of the things I hope to accomplish. I have never been very good at resolutions so I am no longer calling them that! :)

Merry Christmas!
Heather

Christmas Cards!!!

Here are the scans of my homemade Christmas cards for this year. Everyone should have received theirs by now so I can finally post a picture of them. I made 30 all together from my stash. These little babies count as number 2 of 50 for my stash diet challenge!
I hope everyone is done with their shopping. I got the last of the presents wrapped on Friday and the stockings are stuffed and ready!! 3 More days to go!!!! YEAH!!!
Hugs and Happy Creating!
Heather

Time and Resolutions

Wow! It is hard to believe that it is the 18th of December already. Seven more days till Santa!! Time is just flying by!! It has gotten me thinking of New Years Resolutions and Planning for next year...It has me buying new day planners to keep track of my time and thinking about this past year and all of the changes we have gone through.

Our #1 new year's resolution this year is to save money over the next year. I have been trying this for months, only purchasing things out of need, and for the most part I have stuck to it. I admit, there was 1, maybe 2 moments of weakness, but I am back on the wagon!!! On that note....

I came across a challenge "The Stash Diet" posted here and I am happy to say I am jumping on board and doing it!

The challenge is this:
1. Create 50 layouts using only products, tools, and supplies we have on hand.
2. Cardstock and adhesive can be purchased when needed. Who can make many pages with no adhesive?
3. Gift certificates, RAK's, DT kits are not included -those can be used.
4. Larger altered projects count as 1 layout.

This sounds like the easiest "diet" I have ever tried to follow! If I can do this, it will give me a jumpstart on the New Year and NOT spending. Here is my first layout from my stash! Only 49 more to go. I'll keep you all posted and I will be posting each and every layout and project so stay tuned!!

Hugs and Happy Saving!
Heather

Happy Tuesday

Morning! I think I am almost over my bout with Strep! Still drinking the tea with honey though. Going back to work tonight! Hopefully I will get a full shift or two in before I get sent home! HaHa!!

I read several blogs a day and today on Bling, they asked what our favorite site for art and culture was. For art and inspiration I turn to Flickr. ::flickr love::

There are so many things on there and when ever I need a cheer up or want some inspiration, I can always find it there.

Another sourse of inspiration is {A}!! I am truly in love with the December daily album that she is making!

Come on May!!!

May seems so far away right now! Can't wait to see this one! Anyone else a fan?

Oh the bright lights

Found this while searching you tube for a video. It's synchronized Christmas lights. Very cool! Wish I knew of one like this in our area. Enjoy!!



Hugs and Happy Hilidays,
Heather

things I am LOVING!!!

((Sorry about all of the links..I really wanted to share some pictures with you all but....blogger isn't letting me upload any of them. Seriously thinking of switching to typepad))

What do you do when it is December and you still have pumpkins sitting on your steps? LOL...you add glue and glitter and call them Christmas Pumpkins!! I had to do something with them and I wasn't ready to get rid of them yet. I'm really thinking of making them a Christmas Traditions.

Few pictures of things I am loving right now...
1. Target has these cute wooden ornaments for 99 cents and I am sooo loving them. Found the hearts and stars a few days ago and scored the tree's today!! SWEET!!!
2. This little baby was an early present from my dear husband...here's another one
3. My favorite spot here in town. Captured this picture with my new camera. It has a cool panoramic feature where it stitches two photo's together. SWEET!!
4. Our NAKED tree!! We decorated it yesterday and I'm gonna get some pictures tonight.
5. The US postal service for delivering this little baby!! Can't wait to create with it.
6. Flickr...need I say more!!

Hugs,
Heather

3 little MEN from NJ

These little babies are going out in the mail today to my 3 swap partners. They are part of the Red Velvet ornament Swap. No matter where I put them or hung them, I couldn't get a good clear picture of them. I really need to tone up my photo taking skills!! Help is appreciated from anyone willing. LOL

Hugs,
Heather

Altered Photo Frames

I just put the finishing touches on these frames that I altered.


These are simple 4 x 6 frames that you get at any Michaels or home store. I took the glass out and made a background using paper from the September "Reform School" Red Velvet kit. I then added a small gold picture hanging as a hook. These are going on the wall by our entry way for us to hang our keys on. Thanks for looking!
Hugs and Happy Scrapping,
Heather

Baby it's getting cold outside

...So I made myself a scarf. So simple and easy it was (just call me yoda now). Here's the pattern:

Yarn: 1 skein of Lion Brand Wool-Ease thick and quick in wheat

Hook: S size speed hook

Ch 12
Row 1: In 3rd ch from hook hdc, hdc in each ch to end (9 hdc)
Row 2-74: Ch3, turn, hdc in each ch.
(row's can be adjusted to desired length)

Tightly fasten off and weave in ends. There ya go! I'm off to be!
Hugs and Happy Crocheting!
Heather

Christmas Decorating

I recently started decorating the house for Christmas. Here are a few scenes from the house...This is the little scene next to our tv. The gingerbread house is a tart burner that I purchased at The Candle Factory in Beachwood. I am burning Evergreen Scented Soy Beads in it. The house smells sooo good right now. I was hunting around for some cute picks to go in my plants and I found this little guy...isn't he cute!! The plants that he is sticking out of is on the ledge between our living room and kitchen, and it happens to be right next to Blue's cage. I think the bird is too small for her to notice. I thought it would be cute for her though.
I visited a web page a few days ago that showed me how to make this .it is a Styrofoam cone that I wrapped in fancy yarn. So fast and soo easy to make. I purchased three little wood star for the top and I hot glued them together to form a circle. I made a second smaller one too. They are both sitting amongst the plants on the ledge. I also added a few pom pom's to the top of it to give it color. Wish I could find that site again. If I find it I will share it with you guys.

No tree pictures to show you yet. We are getting a real one from the local fire department here in Beachwood and they aren't in just yet. Did anyone notice, these aren't camera pictures? Yep, my camera is fixed. The part came yesterday and I did surgery on it and put the new battery cover on.

More later!
Hugs and Happy Creating!
Heather

p.s. OMG, it took me almost an hour to do this post. The door bell is ringing off the hook today. I had to keep going to answer it. I am soo not that popular usually. Chinese food guy, mailman with goodies from RV were ok. but the third, someone from the election board for someone running. I shooed her away!! Bye for now. Off to work!!

Do you feel what I feel..

Lately I have been doing alot of other crafts besides scrapbooking. Crocheting and working through this holiday week has been taking up my time. Today I plan on sitting in my scrap area, and after a quick clean up, I am going to make something!

I am feeling the need to get back there! I have always said that scrapbooking is my outlet, my therapy. It's the cure all for what ales ya! LOL

This is also an area where I have WIP's (works in progress..a crochetville abbreviation for ya). They all get done in their own time. I am think of making a goal to get one of them done soon.

Here is a really bad picture(from my camera phone) of those photo holders I mentioned a while back. I got them at Pier One months ago and I plan on making little scrap pages to go in them for Christmas presents.


I am still waiting on that battery cover for my camera, so please bear with me as I share a few more camera phone pictures. Apples and Clemintines from my counter...hubby likes clemintines now too so i can buy them without them going bad.


Some nuts....Hubby's family always has a bowl of mixed nuts and a cracker out around the holidays...it is something that they have always done, so I got these for him. It's a tradiotion for us now too!!

Hugs and Happy Crafting!
Heather

I ::heart:: Crochet!!!!!!!!

I was searching the internet for crochet and I came across this great site! If you crochet, you must visit the Crochetville site! It's a great message board for getting help and meeting others.

I spent a good amount of time on there and found some great patterns. Here are a few of the items I bookmarked to make after the holidays.

1. City Girl Cap

2. Giselle Fingerless Gloves

3. Granny Square Purse (I was thinking different colors)

4. Snowy Owl Toy (So harry potter)

5. Steering Wheel Cover (of course, it would be in black and yellow to match bee. Do you think it would be too much to add little bee's on it? I am obsessed!!!)

6. The Crocheter's Messanger (perhaps my favorite) Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3

I was reading the holiday issue of Crochet Today and found this coat! WOW!! I am soo in love with it. This is number 7! Can't wait to give it a try.

Just added this little guy, Bo the Snowman, to my christmas to make list.

Update on my current crochet project...I have 4 pairs of fingerless gloves completed and one stocking! One more stocking to go!!! yeah!!
Hugs and Happy Crocheting,
Heather

I wanna hear from YOU!!!!!!!!

Soooo, I got this cute little holiday themed questionnaire in my email today and I thought I would share. Feel free to copy and paste your own answers in a comment to me. In the spirit of giving, I'll pick a name from those that submit answers and send them a small Christmas prize!!! Enjoy!!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrapped

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Yes

5. When do you put up your decorations? I start the day after Thanksgiving

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? anything my mother makes

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Christmas

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? we lived in an old farm house when I was little and there was a small round opening in the floor of our bedroom (how they heated old houses back in the day). We used to peek down it at what was going on downstairs. My bedroom was right underneath the living room. That's what I remember so I am guessing that is how I found out.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? lots of lights and handmade ornaments

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? love it when I don't have to go out in it. hate it when I do, especially since I no longer have 4WD

12. Can you ice skate? only on my butt..LOL

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I got a speak and spell when I was little and I remember not letting go of it until it finally died. Funny thing is I really cant spell. Go figure!! Also, the year I got a cabbage patch kid. (they were big in my day)

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? family

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? grandmas cookies and pumpkin pie

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? opening one present on Christmas eve, making grandma's cookies, hiding a present in the tree.

17. What tops your tree? angel

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I'll be home for Christmas

20. Candy Canes? YESSSSSSSS

21. Do you feel Christmas is too commercialized? Yes