Happy Valentine's Day! Or "I love you day" as we call it. We got up and took Mat's mom out to breakfast at Dinah's.

A local hot spot here in L.A. and home to the famous apple pancake. I had no idea what that was til I met Mat.

It is absolutely delicious!! So we dined with Mombo and then went to Staples because I was out of ink. When I got back in the car I got this in my seat.

A husband after my own heart...I just got a Slice before Christmas and barely have any cartridges so this was big. I know jewelry is the big thing to get from your Valentine and hubby was going to purchase something for me at Tiffany's this year as a surprise. Of course I caught on and asked him not to...I am going to redecorate my craft space with our tax refund and I am just so excited. That really is enough for me. So I love that he listens to my craft wish lists I spout off at random and purchased a great backup gift...

After a few errands Lily was ready for a nap so we came home to relax a bit and recharge. She is so sweet when she is sleeping. She slept til after 4!

We finally got motivated to go out for our family I love you evening and as we hit the light on Vista Del mar I barely caught the sunset before it sunk into the sea...we went Pssssss! for Lily and she cracked up!

We parked the car and got out to take Lily down to watch the waves. She was so into the crashing of the waves and the sound it made.

Here's a shot of Daddy and Lily

I love living 10 mins from this...it's so beautiful.

After we headed to our favorite date spot, The Kettle. Mat used to take me here for breakfast and dinner while we were dating. I just love this little spot on the corner of Downtown Manhattan Beach. We had a yummy dinner with Lily and enjoyed just being out. Surprisingly it wasn't too crowded.

And finally a trip to Blockbuster to rent a movie to snuggle up to and watch once we put Lily to bed. It was a really nice Valentine's Day and I am so thankful for such a wonderful husband. Babe you make life so sweet! Thanks for your constant love and support!
I hope you all had a very special I love you day. It's been a tough month with some peeps I care for losing their loved ones and sweethearts. I hope that they will feel the love of those they lost on this sweet day since love truly is never ending and can be felt even when we are gone.
Thanks for stopping by!

Ella's Sketch and other creations...

Have you visited Ella Publishing? It's a great online publishing company that has ezines loaded with fabulous tips and techniques. Right now they have a fun little contest going on their blog here.

So unfortunately I haven't been able to play til this week but the sketch was an easy one to play with and of course I love incorporating Imaginisce products into the challenges I participate in. So here's my take with Imaginisce's Scooter's vacation line

I used some Washi masking tape from Love My Tapes to journal on. You can use the Sakura white gel pens on these easily and they dry well and don't smear after they are dry.

Here's a card I made this week for the Jacksonbelle Embellishments blog Zva creative feature using this week's Card Patterns sketch #50. I noticed this sketch over at my scrappy friend Amy Tsuruta's blog. Thnx for posting that friend! I also used paper from the new Cosmo Cricket 8x8 paper pad called Garden Variety. The stamped image is Basic Grey also available in the Jacksonbelle store.
Thanks for stopping by today!

Valentine decor & Imaginisce tutorial

Hi friends! Today I want to share a fun and easy Valentine Home Decor project I made with a re-purposed hot chocolate tin from the holidays and Imaginisce's Sweet Cheri Line.

This festive Valentine home decor was easy and quick to create with just a few supplies

Here's a close up of my glitter hearts

And the Candy Kisses tag I created with an Imaginisce rub-on and some Martha Stewart micro beads. For the canister I just covered in with patterned paper and cut appropriately. I added a strip of scallop edge punched paper with a Imaginisce Sweet Cheri border rub on for decoration.

To create the hearts here's your supplies needed all of which you can pick up at your local craft and hobby store. I used a coupon to purchase the Martha Stewart glitter pack and saved a few bucks. The foam hearts are 2 per pack and 1.99 each. I had the sticks and adhesive on hand already.

First insert the long lollipop stems into your foam heart carefully, then pull them out and add a small amount of hot glue and re-insert the sticks to secure them in the foam heart.

Then just spray the liquid adhesive all over the heart and sprinkle the glitter generously. I used a piece of vellum under to catch the glitter as it slides easily back in to the bottle.
Designer tip: When you use newspaper under the glitter it catches on the paper and doesn't slide as easily back into the bottle which is why I suggest vellum.

Repeat the step to create 3 hearts. Tie bows and the bottom of the hearts and then place brads in the center of the flowers and place in the center of the bow. I attached them with Glue Dots. For one of the front heart I used my Slice to cut two different sized hearts and layered them with pop dots to add dimension.

To finish the project off I purchased some floral foam and placed it inside the canister and slide the lollipop sticks into place and then pulled them out and added hot glue to secure them in. I then used hot glue around on the base and topped some crinkled paper strips to cover the foam.
Start to finish this project took me about 40 mins. I hope you'll try some fun home decor with these ideas!

For more ideas and tips from the Imaginisce Design Team visit our blog. Thanks for stopping by today!

Jacksonbelle Tuesday

Hi friends! It's Tuesday and time for another great challenge from Jacksonbelle Embellishments. Since Sunday is Valentine's day we're celebrating Love this week . We'd like to challenge you to make a project that represents love to you! Here's is my take on the challenge. I love the heart brad in the center of my felt die cut. It's my heart and it belongs to my sweet hubby.

Supplies: Basic Grey Sugar Rush,
Love My Tapes Japanese masking tapes, Delta stamp series by Basic Grey, Sugar rush brads, Misc twine, felt die cut, Prima flower, Love My Tapes Adhesive runner and decorative safety pin.

We’d love for you to play along with us! If you do, please use keyword JBE092 when uploading to SCS or PCP or leave a link to your project in the comments section of this post!
Now check out what our design team created for today's challenge

Dawn Lusk

Julie Lacey

Heather Pulvirenti

Windy Robinson

Stephanie Severin

Amy Tsuruta

Pam Varnell

Lynda Benden

Tobi Crawford

Jill Dunn

Heather Lee-Reppen

Carly Robertson

Lindsey Botkin

Thanks for stopping by today!! Have a happy Tuesday wherever you live. It may rain again here in CA but I feel bad for those back East in the snow storms so bundle up and stay warm. :)

Ack! I'm so excited!!!!

Hello friends! I've got some big news to share today :) I'm officially the director of online/social media and designer for Love My Tapes! I am so excited to be taking this new direction in my crafting career. Whew did I just say career? You mean I can stay home with my kids and have a job doing what makes me happy? Yes I can! I love my hobby, it really fullfills me and yet gives me an identity other than mommy and I am so thankful to all my supportive friends who have been there for me and share in my excitement.
When I had the opportunity to attend CHA last year with Unity Stamp Company I had a conversation with Angela about how I wanted to find a way to be able to do what I love and still be home with my kids. She gave me some amazing advice and I really took her words to heart. I love that she is so easy to talk to and a really genuine person. It's been a great journey the past year so far, achieving a goal of mine and becoming a member of the Imaginisce Design Team as well as designing for Paper Posies, Jacksonbelle Embellishments and Get Sketchy.
And now becoming a part of the Love My Tapes team. I have Bree to thank for that connection. I guess the 130.00 phone call was worth it huh girl!
So I officially launched the Love My Tapes blog today and the Facebook fan page. Be sure and stop by to enter our drawing! You could win some of our fabulous double sided adhesive!

Now for something scrappy, here's a layout I scrapped for this month's sketch challenge at Paper Secrets. It's base on a sketch from the super talented Becky Fleck and I used the new Pink Paislee Queen Bee line I got a sample of from CHA. I covered the Pink Paislee booth and new releases at Winter CHA on my Examiner page today. If you want to win some new Pink Paislee then hop on over to my column here.

Other supplies: Prima flowers and say it in crystals, Heidi Swapp clock mask, Pink Paislee chipboard and rub on.

Rub-on reads: The future belongs those who believe in the beauty of their dreams-Eleanor Roosevelt.

And a little close up of my journaling.
I am buying this entire collection and the Artisan collection when I can get my hot little hands on it!! I've never been a fan of yellow but I am now...giggle.
And as if things couldn't get any better...



I could hardly believe my name was posted there! Thanks so much to the amazing designers and team at 2Sketches4You!

Well friends I think I've bent your ears enough for one day, see you tmr with a new challenge from Jacksonbelle! Thanks for stopping by!

Winner Winner...

Hello friends! Whoa! I am so excited to share a couple of fun things with you this drizzly Saturday in Los Angeles. I got an email that I won the prize for January at Paper Secrets! I can hardly wait since I don't have any 7 Gypsies in my stash and the RAK is wonderful! You've got to check out this fun community here. There are several great challenges each month and you are entered to win every time you participate. Fun stuff so be sure and check it out!

Next I got an email from Jen about Crop night at 2Peas yesterday and was able to play along with the challenges but since hubby was on the computer I only got one challenge posted. Here's my take on the 14 hearts challenge. We had to create a card with at least 14 hearts so I stamped mine on a Kraft paper heart I cut with my Slice and stamped with a Basic Grey stamp set.

I used Jen's Feb kit from 2Peas and a fun metal clock face from Making Memories to create my take on the challenge. I also used this fantastic gingham ribbon that I love so much I have 3 spools on hand in my stash.
I had fun with the crop and at the end found out that I won the 9pm 14 hearts challenge! Too cool!! So far I've had a lucky weekend! Hope yours is going great too!
Here's what my kiddos are up to tonight. Scott is teaching his lil sis how to play her Leapster2. She's got food all over her face and got ketchup in his shirt too. I'm not gonna tell him just yet...

Thanks for stopping by!

Get Sketchy #24

Happy Friday friends! It's another sketch challenge at Get Sketchy. Here's this week's sketch

We're using digital images from In Style stamps this week, here's my card.

Supplies: Jen Martakis February kit, Americam Crafts thickers, Love my Tapes Japanese masking tape.

If you want a chance at this week's prize, create a card base in this weeks's sketch and link it up with Mr. Linky by Thurs Feb 11th here



And I had to post this pic just because it's so adorable. My daughter found my issue of Scrapbooks Etc. and was flipping thru the pages sitting quietly on our couch, so I had to snap a pic.
Have a great Friday and thanks for stopping by!

My Mojo and Kauai...

Hi friends! It's been a crafty week for me. I love Webster's pages and I never get the chance to spend time creating with their products. During the sneek peeks before CHA I won one of the new collections from Websters! I've been stalking my mailman all week but I'm patient and I'm sure that it will be here soon. In the meantime I got out what I do have on hand plus some scraps from my pal Heidi and created.
So here's my take on this week's Mojo Monday sketch with some Webster's yummies and my new MS birds on a wire punch.

Supplies: Websters patterned paper, Prima flower, MS birds on a wire punch, Hambly screen print, Webster's lace trims and Japanese masking tape.

I also had time to scrap a layout for the Inspire Me February challenge. The challenge was to print a picture on patterned card stock. I chose this pic of Lily and I in Kauai. It's such a beautiful island with so many wonderful memories for me.

I journaled on the masking tape with a Sakura white gel pen

Here's a close up of the pic on the patterned cardstock. I also love those Prima roses. So delicate.

Thanks for stopping by today

2 Sketches 4 You & some exciting news

Hi friends! It's Weds, and I'm finally getting back into the swing of things after CHA. I had some time to create a card for this week's 2Sketches4You challenge yesterday. I've really missed playing along these past few weeks so I was excited to dive into this weeks sketch from Kazan

Here's my take with some paper from Jen Martakis's digital February add-on Leaves & Swirls. You can purchase this kit at 2 Peas here

Other Supplies: American Crafts ribbon, Prima flower, stamped image Hero Arts, bling Hero Arts and misc felt embellie

Here's another card made with Jen's Feb kit and some Zva bling and K&Co letters. I also used Japanese masking tape from Love My Tapes.

Here's another card I made

And my first Hybrid layout

Do you notice all these projects are created with Jen Martakis's digi kits?


Well...here's my exciting news!!! I've been asked to join Jen Martakis's Creative Team as a hybrid artist. I am so thrilled and excited to have this opportunity! The team is absolutely amazing and made up of so many talented women.
Thank you so much for stopping by today!

Buttons, Brads or Bows Oh My!

Morning friends! This week at Jacksonbelle Embellishments we've got a fun challenge for you. It's all about buttons, bows and brads! Create a card using at least one but we challenge you to use all 3! Link up your creation to the Jacksonbelle blog or if you post on Splitcoast Stampers or Paper Craft Planet tag your creation with JBE091.

Here's my card with all three OH MY!




Supplies: Basic Grey Sugar Rush 8x8 paper pad
Stampavie Rachelle Anne Miller clear stamp, Fairy Tale House.
Papertray ink button, misc heart brads and ribbon

Now check out what the other designers came up with for the challenge. I know you'll love their designs!

Dawn Lusk

Julie Lacey

Heather Pulvirenti

Windy Robinson

Stephanie Severin

Amy Tsuruta

Pam Varnell

Lynda Benden

Tobi Crawford

Jill Dunn

Heather Lee-Reppen

Carly Robertson

Lindsey Botkin

Before I go I want to thank all the lovely ladies that stopped by my blog yesterday and left a comment. I appreciate each and every one of your kind words!

And last but not least I was excited to see that I was featured as a Guest Designer for Tombo on their blog yesterday. I was really touched by the huge compliments Joanna paid my work and the sweet comments left by my crafty friends.

Ok that's it I proimise, thanks so much for stopping by today...

Imaginisce February Sketch Challenge

Happy Monday friends and Happy Birthday to my little sis Em! Hope you have a wonderful birthday kiddo!
So the Imaginisce Team has a little surprise for you today. It's a sketch challenge and the sketch is from our very own, very talented Julie Bonner. You may have seen Julie's sketches before at 52 Sketches 52 weeks. I know I've drawn inspiration from them before. We all decided to post our takes on this fabulous sketch to our blogs.
If you didn't arrive from the Imaginisce blog, head back over and leave a comment on today's post because we have a prize package of the new lines valued at $75.00 up for grabs. If you leave a comment on each of the Design Team members blogs that participated you get an entry for each comment you leave. That's lots more chances to win! Good luck.
Now here's the sketch

And here's my take with our new Scooter's vacation line. What a fun and cute line to work with. Perfect for summer and vacation photo's as well as HONEYMOONS! {grin}

That's us, newly married at Wailua falls on the beautiful island of Kauai in 2007. My hubby is such a hunk!

Oh and in case you haven't heard, Imaginisce has a new tool that was unveiled at Winter CHA by our very own Madge. It's called the i-rock!


And it's coming soon...Bling it on baby!


Thanks for stopping by!