Tags 4 You x 3

I am having such a productive weekend. Yesterday, I spent all day sorting and organizing my closet and my daughter's. I filled two huge bags with clothes and shoes we don't wear anymore to send back home. I do this at least three times each year and yet, it still amazes me how fast things accumulate. I am still on a roll, so this will be a quick and short post. I want to share with you how I came up with my very own version of DIY Washi tape using scraps of Designer Series Paper. I created three cards for different holidays with the same layout. I was very proud of myself when I finished.

I am really loving this Tags 4 You stamp set (Wood 131820 Clear 131823) from the Holiday catalog. It has a coordinating Label Bracket punch (132153). I am such a sucker for punches. It just makes everything so easy, don't you agree? I rummaged through my scrap box and used them sort of like Washi tape. These ones are all retired DSP scraps. Well, there you have it.

That's all for now, folks. Have a wonderful Sunday! Thank you for stopping by.

True Love

I believe that a single decision changed my life forever. Twenty years ago today dressed in Levi's jeans, white t-shirt and a pair of Tretorn shoes, witnessed by my dear grandmother and aunt, I married my husband in the municipal hall officiated by the mayor of our hometown. There was no wedding cake, no guests, not even a wedding ring. My husband and I kissed and promised each other our love and devotion until death do us part. And the rest is history.

Surely, after twenty years of marriage most of the romance was replaced by duties and chores. Over the years, working and raising our children have been the main focus of our daily lives. Admittedly, sometimes I feel like we've forgotten how to just be a couple anymore. We're parents, so it frightens me to think how we're going to cope once the nest is empty. Perhaps we can travel then. To be able to just get in the car and drive. In the mean time, I am grateful that I have been married to my childhood sweetheart just about half of my life. Every so often, I'd still catch a glimpse of that boy I met thirty years ago and without fail still feel butterflies in my stomach. Just a few weeks back, we met at Safeway (yep you got it, Safeway) so I could shop during my lunch break and he could then bring the groceries home. I was standing in the middle of the cereal aisle when he walked towards me with a smile and winked. Just like that, my knees weakened, my heart skipped a beat and time stood still even just for a very brief moment. I guess that's how I know that after all these many years, he is still the one for me. There was no extravagant wedding, but he's made me so happy and given me the most amazing marriage...dull and uneventful to many, full of butterflies, nonetheless.

I wanted to make this card colorful, but since it's for my husband I thought he'd appreciate this more. I used Papillon Potpourri and Best of Butterflies stamp set. I had the sentiment custom made in the Philippines. Huge thanks to my Tita Ising who had it done for me. She is awesome!

Well, that's all I have for now. Thanks for stopping by.

Creepy Crawly Halloween

I just love this time of the year. The weather is perfect! I have been busy making Halloween cards and I thought I'd share it with you. I usually mass produce holiday cards this time of the year, so I always make sure they are not too complicated. This one was really simple, but the layers were kind of time-consuming. I was surprised that it came out really cute and the colors are awesome. I would totally wear an outfit with this color combo. As I age, the brighter the better. It distracts people from noticing the things I want to hide. Although, I must admit that I am not one to lie or deny my age; it's still sort of depressing sometimes. Oh well, c'est la vie.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Halloween Bash (Wood 130577 Clear 130580), Positively Chevron Background stamp (Wood 130496 Clear 130499)
Paper: Card stocks in Tangerine Tango, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black and Whisper White
Ink: Classic Stampin' pad in Tangerine Tango (126946) and Basic Black (126980)
Accessories & Tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Chevron Embossing Folder (127749), Sponge Daubers (102892), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430) and Bat punch (retired)

Well, that is all I have for today. Thank you for stopping by.

Autumn Leaves

It was a very full and hectic first week of October. My sister and nephew came to visit last weekend. It was so wonderful to spend time with them. I see my nephew only a few times a year and each time, I am so amazed at how much bigger and smarter he gets. There was this one afternoon when he and my nieces were playing in my mom's backyard; and as I watched him walking towards me holding a balloon I was instantly transported to a time many years ago when my son was that little. I cannot believe he is now nineteen and out of the house. I miss him every single day. I always get so excited when he calls or when I receive a text message from him. I hope he calls more often. Then again I remember being that young and the last person I wanted to talk to was my mother. I always had an excuse such as school and work or that I was too busy hanging out with people whose names I don't even remember anymore. Lucky for me, my mom is still here. I hope my son knows this...that I will always be here for him.

My goodness, this year completely passed me by. Can you believe it will be Christmas in like two months! Oh well, I want to share this really simple and easy Autumn Leaves card. I love fall. I really do. I had an amazing Stamping Event yesterday. I get so inspired when the gals like the projects I prepare for them. We've been making Christmas cards, so I will be sharing them with you soon. It really depends on my photographer (daughter) who's always attached to her bed on weekends.

Card Recipe

Stamp set: Wonderfall (Wood 131949 Clear 128087)
Paper: Core'dinations Colorcore Card Stock in Early Espresso (127848) and Very Vanilla card stock (101650)
Ink: Classic stamp pads in Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, Old Olive and More Mustard
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Autumn Accents Bigz Die (127812), Spider Web Embossing folder (retired), Sponge Daubers (102892), Stampin' Sanding Block (129367), Early Espresso Baker's Twine (123124), Naturals Designer Buttons (127554), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Well, that's all for now. Have a great week, everyone. Thanks for stopping by.

Retired BNF Friday #22

I cannot believe that it had been six months since I posted a Retired BNF (But Not Forgotten) project. Shame on me, right? I am going to try my best to change that and not stay away too long.

I want to share with you this colorful birthday card. I used the Aviary stamp set and Everyday Enchantment DSP. I just love this color combination. I stamped the birdcage twice on Very Vanilla card stock, then cut it out and pop it up with stampin' dimensionals to give it a 3D effect.

 

Well, that is all I have for now. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone. Thank you for stopping by.

Black Magic Stamping Technique

Happy Fall, everyone! I just finished talking to my mom on the phone to greet her happy birthday. Mother Nature gave her a good birthday gift - it rained so she didn't need to water her plants. When I tell my co-workers that I talk to my mom at least twice a day, they probably think I have such a sad life. The truth is, I actually enjoy her company and I cherish her wisdom. We actually see each other almost every day because we walk together every afternoon. Twenty or so years ago, I wouldn't have anticipated I'd have a close relationship with my mother. God knows I'd always been such a difficult and strong-willed child. I fought with her every chance I got. I remember how sometimes even when I knew what she was asking me to do would be good for me, I would go the other way just to prove to her that she wasn't the boss of me. Now that my own children are older and willfully making decisions, I often feel what I put my mom through, and I have great kids! I hope none of them turns like me. Smile. And what is it about rolling of the eyes? It must have been a prerequisite to becoming a teenager. When my daughter gives me the "tone", you know the tone like you don't know anything, I seriously want to go on strike. Then she'd say, "Seriously, mother!" Oh well.

I have been inspired by a couple of technique videos I saw on Stampin' Connection called Black Magic, so I have been practicing. It was so much fun coloring. I was surprised how fairly easy it was, provided you have a good stamped image. I used one of my very favorite stamp sets called Morning Soft, basic black cardstock, white craft ink and water color pencils. Yesterday, with the sound of the rain in the background and sitting in my corner coloring, I felt completely at peace. I sat there thinking Someone in Heaven must love me, because I didn't even have to get out of my pajamas to be happy.

Well, that's all for now I must attend to my chores. We are going to take mom out to dinner tonight. Happy birthday to the strongest and bravest mother I know. Thank you for raising three strong and brave daughters.

Snowflake Soiree

I cannot believe I am already working on Christmas cards for my upcoming class. This year is going by way too quickly. I want to share one of the cards we will be making next month. I am still trying to decide which color combination to use.

Cards Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Snowflake Soiree and Delightful Dozen
Paper: Card stocks in Pool Party, Smoky Slate, Island Indigo and Shimmery White
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Pool Party, Island Indigo and Smoky Slate
Tools & Accessories:  1/2" Seam Binding ribbon in Pool Party, Rhinestones Basic Jewels and Stampin Dimensionals