Amazing Day

It's hard to believe that the first month of 2016 is over. It had been such a hectic month for me and my forecast for February is even busier. Not to mention it's a short month. Aughhh, sometimes I wonder if I intentionally do this to myself. You know, cram so many things into a day and then question where the time went. 

Last night, I worked on our taxes with just what I have on hand. I am still waiting on a couple of 1099's. Well, as expected we owe Uncle Sam again. Sometimes, I don't know whether to pray for a salary increase or less taxes. It's so frustrating when you try so hard and work so hard to save a little bit and at the end of the year, you just hand it over to the government. Forgive me, but often when I drive around and I see hobos at almost every corner of the streets asking for coins or change, I think to myself, "tax free money, isn't that nice?" I suppose I should be grateful and feel blessed. And I am. However, I still am a very pissed human being during tax season. Never mind me, I am just venting, and what's a blog for if I can't rant about my thoughts, right?

On to my cards. I still have plenty of those mini calendars, so we made these easel calendar cards in class earlier this month. Aren't they so adorable to put on your desk to remind you to "Make Today Ridiculously Amazing?" No matter how much taxes you have to pay come April 15th. Haha! I also love that they are simple and monochromatic. Super easy to create and did not require a lot of products. I purchased the mini calendars from skybluepink.com 

I am sooo loving the Wildflower Fields Designer Series Paper from the Sale-a-Bration catalog. It's definitely a must-hoard item. Remember you can get a pack of it free with every $50.00 order until March 31, 2016. Also, those pretty Lost Lagoon and Blackberry Bliss satin ribbons are currently on Clearance, so this is a good time to stock-up. They are so nice to make bows out of...silky and smooth. 

Well, that's all for today. Thank you for stopping by. Please click the Supply List below to find out all the materials I used to create these adorable easel calendar cards. To place an order and receive a free item for every $50.00 purchase, please go to My Online Store.

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Birthday Blooms

Happy MLK Day, everyone! It has been raining here since yesterday. I love the rain and I especially love it on a 3-day weekend when I don't have to leave the house and I can stay in my pajamas all day. I stayed up all night listening to the rain while getting caught-up with Downton Abbey. It's their final season and I am going to be heartbroken when it's over. What will my life be after Downton? Haha! I am sure I'll live just like how I managed after Mad Men.  

Anyway, I want to share with you another beautiful card that we made in Cards class last Saturday. I used Birthday Blooms from the brand new 2016 Occasions Catalog. I just adore this stamp set and it's amazing to color. The coordinating Birthday Bouquet Designer Series Paper is also a must have. I used the Archival Black Ink on Shimmery White cardstock. I love how much thicker it is and it gives off a subtle shimmer. I just have to be really frugal with it because only 10 pieces comes in a pack.

Well, that's all for today. Sadly, chores don't take a holiday. Thank you for stopping by. 

To order the materials used to create the beautiful card above, please click the Supply List below.

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Wildflower Flowering Fields

For the past ten years, one of the things I look forward to about the new year is Sale-a-Bration aka SAB promotion that Stampin' Up! offers. Beginning January 5th to March 31, 2016 - for every $50.00 purchase/order from any of Stampin' Up! current catalog(s) before shipping and taxes, you will receive one free stamp set or paper pack or Project Life Specialty Card Collection. I just love freebies! Don't you? It must be the woman in me and how I do math when it comes to shopping. But for some odd reason, getting a freebie with my purchase justifies the expense. I feel that the freebie somewhat absolves me of the guilt because I get more for my buck. I am sure I am not alone on this theory. Come on, admit it! Haha! Anyway, this year's SAB catalog is super awesome and I truly love everything in it. I was so excited to use the Flowering Fields stamp set and coordinating Wildflower Fields Designer Series Paper. I love it when things are matchy-matchy. They've done all the hard work for me. Everything fits! 

We made the cards below in cards class today. Watercoloring is so therapeutic. It's so interesting listening to all my gals chatting and laughing then all of a sudden they will become quiet and that's when they are coloring the stamped images. Aren't these cards so lovely? You can change the sentiment according to your needs. I know, I always like to have thank you cards handy. However, this is also perfect as a sympathy or birthday card. 

I know that the Clear/Cling stamps require less space, but to me I only buy Clear mainly because it's cheaper. When it's FREE, I always pick Wood mount stamps. I find that it's sturdier and I can trim the rubber according to my preference. I hate getting halos when I stamp and the rubber is not trimmed properly. I also get annoyed when I have to adhere and remove the stamps on clear blocks. Wood mount stays true and whenever I feel like stamping, I just take them out of the container without messing with acrylic blocks plus making sure they stick. 

Well, that is all for now. Have a wonderful 3-day weekend. Thank you for stopping by.

To order the materials used to create the cards above, please click below. 

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Bohemian Birthday Card

Our 2016 was not off to a great start. We had a scare with my daughter and had to rush her to the hospital almost a week ago. She first complained that the right side of her stomach hurts. Gradually, the pain increased until she just started screaming in pain and started vomiting violently-like. I thought it could be appendicitis.  After five hours in the ER, lab work and ultrasound, the doctor casually asked, "Any history of kidney stone in the family?" I shamefully raised my hand and hugged my daughter then told her with a grin, "Blame your grandmother!" I stayed home with her for two days. It's got to be one of the worst feelings for a mother - to watch her child in pain helplessly. I am her mom and I wanted to fix it and take it all away, but I couldn't. She is much better now and slowly regaining her strength. Hopefully, that incident taught her to drink more water. 

On the other hand, I had time to reflect and write while she napped after exhaustion from pain. I've not written in my journal in a good while. It's an utter shame on my part because I do plan to sit down and write every morning while I slowly drink my coffee, yet I don't. Why not? Because watching videos on youtube always win. This year, I want to write more. I've proven it to be really good for me all these many years. And I need to make time for it. 

I want to share this really cute and simple birthday card using Bohemian Designer Series paper and Banner punch. I also glued a piece of DSP on the envelope flap. What an awesome way to dress-up an envelope. 

I received an inquiry from one of my blog readers if I could share the measurements of my cards. Ha! I didn't know I had any followers. So, from now on I am going to try and do that. 

Card Recipe:
Base Blackberry Bliss - 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 scored at 4 1/4, 4 1/4 x 3 
Mat Very Vanilla - 5 1/4 x 4, 4 x 2 3/4
Bohemian DSP - 1 1/2 x 5 1/4
Bohemian DSP for Envelope flap - 5 3/4 x 2 1/4 (trim edges to fit the flap after it's been glued)

I found it easier to glue the middle banner first so it guided me when I adhered the others on the sides. I just used the edges of the Stampin' Dimensionals to adhere the banners. Worked out awesomely! 

Well, that is all for now. Thank you for stopping by. 

To order products to create the adorable card above, please click below. You can even conveniently print the Supply List on the bottom left corner.

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