Hat Card

I am so sorry that I have been MIA for so long. As I mentioned last week, I have been swamped with making samples that I can't share just yet. I promise to share them as soon as I can. When I saw this super cute card on the All Things Great and Crafty blog, I knew I had to make one too. I came across Barb's blog by accident one day and really enjoyed what I saw. She has some cute stuff posted!

In any case, my MIL's 70th birthday is on Monday and she collects hats, so I knew this would be the perfect b-day card for her. I didn't have a template so I just made my own by cutting a standard sized A2 card. I covered the front with some patterned paper I had in my stash from (I think) an old Die Cuts with a View Mat Stack. Then I used some Papertrey Aqua Mist Stitched Ribbon to wrap around the middle of the hat. I used a CTMH Big Pinks Flower with a CTMH Window Charm in the middle. Before I adhered the Window Charm, I stamped a piece of Papertrey's Aqua Mist Cardstock with a sentiment from Papertrey's Mixed Messages stamp set in black ink. Then I put the self adhesive Window Charm on top and cut around it. The card was quick and easy, but think it turned out kind of cute.

Father's Day Thoughts and Digi Cards

Father's Day has been hard for me for a long time. My Dad, whom I was VERY close to, was killed in a plane crash in 1991. Before I had kids, I dreaded this holiday because it always reminded me of the huge emptiness I have had since my Dad's passing. However, since my Hubby became a Daddy almost 5 years ago, I can enjoy the holiday again. I now have another reason to celebrate. So, don't forget to do something nice for your Dad or your Hubby tomorrow. Give them a big hug and tell them that you love them because you just never know when the Lord may take them Home.

Need a last minute card for your Dad, Grandfather, or Hubby? I found a great Freebie on Rina's blog today. She has a few different Father's Day cards ready to print and send. Click here to download them. (They are really nice!)
Have a great Father's Day tomorrow! Don't forget to hug the Fathers in your life. *Ü*

Questions & Top Secret Stuff...

I feel so silly right now. I just realized that when someone posts a comment on my blog and it gets emailed to me, I cannot reply to the email. If you have posted questions on my blog in the past and haven't received an answer from me, it isn't because I didn't answer. It is because I am super lame and replied to the email with an answer instead of posting the answer on my blog. I am soooo sorry about that. When I get time, I will try to go back through the comments you have all left and post the answers to your questions here.

You have also probably realized that I haven't posted anything in a while. I am creating some fun things, but I can't post them until after Convention. Sorry. Top secret stuff goin' on over here. But, as soon as I get back from Convention at the beginning of August, I promise to post my fun new artwork. In the meantime, I will still try to post some art, but it won't be as frequent since I am swamped with trying to get the Convention stuff done.

More Purse Books

Here are a couple more purse books. The first one uses the paper from CTMH's Whoops-a-Daisy paper pack and the Happiness stamp set. (I love that set!) It is also a smaller version of the purse using A2 sized envelopes.The second one uses the Let's Get Together paper along with the June Stamp of the Month (With Love.) We will be making this at a workshop later this month.

Purse Books

I think my camera is fixed now. I changed some settings and it seemed to do the trick. Anyway, here are a few purse books that I made over the past couple weeks. The first one I saw was here on Jan's Stamps, Paper, Scissors blog. She did a great job explaining how to make them. Then I saw a few more posted on the CTMH Consultant Board and another adorable one made by Bren Yule. So, of course I had to try one for myself. Once I made one, I had to make more. They are so fun to make.

Here is the first one I made. I used standard A2 sized envelopes so this one is sort of a mini purse book. I used the butterfly paper from CTMH's new Blue Ribbon paper pack and the yellow striped paper from CTMH's Let's Get Together paper pack. The stamps used were CTMH's June Stamp of the Month called With Love, Whimsical Wings, Cottage Floral, and Journaling Jots.

Where's Lisa?

You are probably wondering where I am and why I haven't posted in a few days. Well, my camera is doing some weird things and I can't seem to take a decent photo to post for you. I am so sorry. As soon as I get it fixed, I will have some fun projects to post. Hopefully within the next couple of days. In the meantime, have a great weekend.

Sweetheart Layout

This is another layout inspired by Kim Jepperson from the CTMH Training Academy. I posted one a week or two ago and decided to make another one to match. I may end up framing them and putting them in my daughter's room.

Here is a photo with both layouts together...
Cardstock: Blush, Bamboo, Chocolate, White Daisy Other: White Daisy Just Blooms Flowers, Baby Pink Accents, Pewter Brads, Edge Distresser, Sanding Block, Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon,Dimensional Elements Simple Alphabet, Dimensional Elements Fresh Shapes (heart), Sewing Machine, White Thread

Anyone have a recommendation on a new washing machine?

Sorry. This is totally not design related...

So our washing machine was having some problems and when the guy came out yesterday to look at it, he basically said that it would cost over $400 to fix it so we should probably just buy a new one. Yikes! I am usually one to research something forever before I buy it, but this is something we need to get soon. So...do any of you have a washer that you love and would recommend?

Free Shabby Princess Desktop

I think I may have mentioned Shabby Princess before. Each month they design a free desktop "layout" that I like to put on my computer. They just posted the June Desktop and it is soooooo sweet that I wanted to pass it along to you. Here is a link to their blog where you can download it. They have lots of other fun stuff too!

Back from my Weekend Retreat...

Thank you for all of the birthday wishes and for the super sweet comments and emails that you have all sent to me over the past few weeks. You made me feel so loved! *Ü*

I am home safe and sound from the retreat in Lake Arrowhead. I had the most fabulous time with my buddies Cindy and Bren and made a new friend too. (Hi Annette!) I have to say that Cindy and Bren spoiled me rotten. From the amazing make and take projects to the birthday gifts to the great food and the super yummy chocolate cake, I think this was one of the best b-days I have ever had!!! Thanks you guys!

Here is a picture of Cindy and me on Saturday.
I didn't get as much done as I planned, but it is my own fault. I was gabbing away the entire weekend. It was just so nice to be able to have adult conversations without being interrupted a million times by my kiddos. I was actually able to finish a sentence a few times. LOL!

Here is one of the projects that I finished. It is a make and take project for a party that I am doing later this month. I used the June Stamp of the Month called With Love. I think I will have the girls sand the pink cardstock on the card which I didn't do.
My hostess also wanted an option for a make and take layout so this is what I came up with. The photo is Jeanette Lynton, the CTMH founder and CEO, and me from the Leadership Conference last year. This was right before the Director's Dinner when we jetted off in limos to the San Diego Zoo. It was super fun!!
I will post more projects that we did at the retreat later this week. Stay tuned...