I DID IT - Finally.

So, I've been following Dave Ramsey's program for almost two years now. It took awhile just to get the idea of doing this get-out-of-debt thing. It took a few months to get a budget and make it work. And granted, DH isn't really on board with the whole plan.
But, the thing is, I want to be debt free. I'm tired of having a huge portion of my paycheck go to someone else. I want to be the one that benefits from working. I want my money!!
So, I've sacrificed, I've sold, I've worked extra, I've quit doing some very stupid things.
And slowly, very slowly, I've been crawling out of this whole that I've dug.
And today?
Today, Dave Ramsey is offering FPU for $89.00! I've been saving money for Christmas, and still have money left...so, I bought myself an early Christmas present! I am so excited! I even got free shipping and did not have to pay tax!!
I cannot wait to receive it.
I cannot wait to continue on this journey.
I cannot wait to be debt free!

Still Plinking Away...

So, here it is just a few short weeks away from Christmas...have you finished your shopping??
I'm almost done. I have a few quick gifts that I need to get...and then I will be done. So far, I am under my budget. Also, I have found some great resources to help me in getting good deals, or at least benefit me in the future.
One site, an all-time favorite, is www.mypoints.com. You simply sign up, and shop online through their site. When you have completed a purchase, you will get points back, which in turn can be used to earn gift cards to various stores. You can also increase your earnings by participating in short surveys, clicking on e-mails, and using their printable coupons.
Another site that I just recently found, www.shopathome.com. You sign up, shop through their site, which offers coupon codes for discounts and free shipping, and when you have completed your transaction, a percentage goes back to you!! You can easily cash out at $20.00, AND, you can earn $5.00 for referring someone once they register and make a purchase. I've already earned a rebate back!
www.ebates.com is similar to shopathome, however, I have found that shopathome gives you a higher percentage back at the stores that I prefer.
Granted, the point of these sites are to shop. Which means, you have to have money. I have budgeted my spending per person for Christmas. I made lists and have looked for great deals. The point is to save as much money as possible so I can throw that back at my debt...which I am struggling to not increase. So, any little bit that comes back to me, is great. Gift cards? Can easily be used at my favorite retailers to buy toiletries, printer ink, dog food, etc. Cash back? Can be thrown into my snowball.
Will be back later with pictures of some cards and projects that I have been working on - see you soon!

Another One...

Well, it's almost 4:00 p.m. Two more hours to go before the mall closes...Michael's and Jo-Ann's close later. I need black yarn, and brown. I'm learning how to make amigurumi...and I need more yarn. But I don't. I need to practice crocheting. I need to use the craft supplies that I already have.

Here is another card I made, in order to stay busy, to keep the shopping bug at bay...lots of glitter, took me awhile to figure this one. I need something easy to whip out, something that I can give to co-workers. Something that I won't mind if it ends up in the trash at the end of the day. Although, I truly do mind if it does end up in the trash. Because I spent my time on these...they are like little children...I picked out the colors, the ink, the paper I cut, the stamps that I cared for...they are all like small children...only they aren't noisy, I don't worry about where their fingers are...what is going in their mouths.

Okay, maybe they aren't like children. They are like great little attention grabbers that keep me from screaming at the boy who once again has his finger up his nose. Which was just digging around in the front yard looking for mud.

Stamps: Big on Christmas

Ink: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Spica Glitter Pen in Red

Paper: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Soft Suede

Accessories: Top Note Die, Old Olive Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

First Christmas Card of 2009

Oh how I want to go shopping!

I want to run to the mall, buy clothes and makeup, pretzels and a coffee! I want to shop for my family! I want to shop for my friends! I want to walk down the hall swinging bags of fun new stuff. I want to push past other people, all spending money and happy with their family and friends. I want to look at boots and sweaters, search for video games and size tags! I want to shop and shop and shop!

But I can't. I must remain strong in these times, where all the television ads are clawing at my wallet. These times that cause sales to pop into my e-mail and tempt me to spend spend spend. I must remain strong. I must remember my budget. I must remember that I have an ultimate goal.

I must not say "This SUCKS".

In order to remove myself from all of society's temptations, I decided to finally work on some Christmas cards. Okay, really I just made one, in duplicate.

Stamps: Season of Joy

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Old Olive

Ink: Versa Mark, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, and Ruby Red

Accessories: Dimensionals, 1/2" Circle Punch, White Embossing Powder, Chocolate Chip Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

I must give credit to this card on Splitcoaststampers, it caught my eye as I was looking for inspiration. A true beauty...

For Kathy and Bob

My friend Kathy is stressed. And that is putting it nicely. Not even nicely. That's just the tip of the iceburg for her. She is struggling with family issues, with caring for her parents, with living life...but she manages to put a smile on her face, to help make my bad days shine, and she always is willing to listen.

Or, she pretends to listen and nods at all the right places...

Her husband had a stroke when my little one was out ill. I wasn't able to be there for her the way that she is always there for me. The moment that I returned to work, I ran to her desk and hugged her. Because sometimes, there are no words to convey all that your heart wants to say. Bob is getting better. They hospitalized him and he had numerous strokes while there. Fortunately, there is no permanent damage that the doctors can find. He is slowly coming around to returning to his spitfire self. He has trouble remembering how to do some things, but all in all, he is healing and recovering.

I made this card for them, to let them know that I was thinking and praying for them...

Stamp Set: God's Beauty, Trendy Trees

Paper: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Old Olive, Whisper White

Accessories: Circle Scissors Plus, White Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals

Still Practicing

Worked on this one...

And made this one...

MDS - My First Attempt

Okay, first off, let me warn you:

I am NOT a scrapbooker. My mom tried to get me started when my daughter was born with pre-made kits, embellishments, all sorts of stuff. But, I never really got it. As time has gone by (ten years +), I have come out of my creative coma and gotten into cardmaking and paper crafting. So, when Stampin' Up! came out with My Digital Studio, I thought "Perfect! Now I can do scrapbook pages that aren't permanent! It's okay to make a mistake!!" And so, when my life finally took a change for the positive, it was the first thing on my list.

Here is my first attempt. Look back, I said "attempt". I will get better.

Online Extravaganza!!

Shhh!!!!!
On Monday (the 23rd!!), SU! is having an online extravaganza! They are going to have massive discounts, up to 50% off on some items! The catch? You have to order online!! So hurry up! Make your wish list and hit up the site Monday! Prices are only good while they last, and I can guarantee that I will be checking the site as soon as the clock strikes 12:01!

Ack!!

Tomorrow is my son's 5th birthday, my baby, my sweet, sweet, little angel. Well, sometimes. Sometimes he is just the funniest, sweetest little person I have ever come across, ever. And then, there are moments where I feel like I see through his gorgeous brown eyes and can see extreme dislike emitting from the pupils, his brow furrowed to no return, and tiny horns protruding from his scalp...usually that's every morning on a weekday.
Today I am hoping to work on my stampin' stuff...I ordered the new My Digital Studio and I am currently downloading it onto my laptop as I type. I can't wait to work with it!! I also ordered the new 3D pop up tree with ornaments (Christmas cards need to be worked on!!), and I ordered two Build-A-Bear dies...absolutely cannot wait to play! Of course, it has to wait until after we get back from our Lowe's Build and Grow class today...hopefully I get a cup of coffee first.
I am also preparing my craft area for new stuff! The new Sale-A-Bration catalog and the Mini Occassions will be out very soon, and I need some room! If you are interested in checking out my list, please contact me at ambercerda at hotmail dot com. I will be selling lots of stamp sets for half price, and some rarely used ink pads, also for half off. I've decided to take on the Craft Ink Pads, I have found that I can create some interesting projects with the craft ink. Please stay posted, there is some more news I cannot wait to share with you!!

Walgreens Trip

Busy shopping today, going to be a busy week since I missed all last week with my daughter being sick.

I took off to Walgreens to take advantage of the 2 for $5.00 Ziplock deal, I needed some gallon size bags to put some corn meal away in, and I wanted to take advanatage of the SC Johnson $5.00 rebate. I also wanted to pick up some gummy worms that my son needed for his class, and today they were Buy One, Get One Free.

Here is what I bought:

3 boxes of gallon sized Ziplock bags - $3.59

1 Box of Quart sized Ziplock bags - $3.59

Buy 2 for $5.00

(2 coupons for $1.00 off)

12 pack of Charmin - on sale for $6.49

(coupon for $1.00 off)

6 rolls of Bounty - $6.49

(coupon for $1.00 off)

4 bags of gummy worms - $0.99 each

Buy one, Get One Free

Total Price before Walgreens Deals (before taxes): $31.30

Price after Walgreens Deals: $24.96

Price after Coupons and Register Rewards: $19.96

After SC Johnson Rebate: $14.96

I hope to get better at my couponing and rebates soon...with practice, I'm sure I will.

CVS Trip

So CVS finally opened here. I've been waiting for over a year, waiting patiently after I saw that the permit to build had been approved, then continued to wait, as the building came up, interviews were held. I read up on how to use as little money as possible for as much as possible.

Today I went, my first real trip with coupons, money saving websites were scoured last night, my coupon binder was sifted through, and I wrote out my plan on a sheet of paper.

Here is what I bought:

4 Colgate Total Whitening - Regular Price : $3.49

CVS Deal: Buy 2 for $5.50

(Limit 4)

$1.00 ECB with purchase of 2

(Plus I had a coupon for $0.75 off)

1 Gilette Venus Embrace Razor - Regular Price: $13.99

CVS Deal: Buy 1 for $9.99

(Limit 1)

$5.00 ECB

(Plus I had a coupon for $2.00 off)

2 CVS Green Bag Tags

- Starting November 1st, they will give you $1.00 ECB with scanning (bring your own "green" bag") to be paid out at the end of the month

Total that I should have paid, before tax and card: $29.93

After I swiped my card: $22.97

But, I already had $12.00 ECBs from the Grand Opening Coupon ($10) and one prior ECB ($2), so after ECBs: $10.97

And after my $2.75 in coupons: $8.22

Plus - I got $7.00 in ECBs to be used towards my next trip.

Not bad for just learning. I can't wait to see what's out for next week!

More updates...

I very rarely share pictures of my babies...their mine, mine, mine. But here is one of my daughter, I took while we were down south with family. Her aunt had promised my daughter and my niece face paintings, and on the day we left, we made it to the face painting booth. Here's my daughter, with purple swans across her face. If you look closely, you can see freckles that chase across her nose and sprinkle over her cheeks; she gets that from her dad.


Here is a picture of my son, playing with his DS in a box I had brought home to be recycled. Instead, the kids made a playhouse out of it. I let them paint it and tape it to their liking, and that evening, my son dragged it into his room and begged to sleep in it.

Here is a "Thank You" card I made for a co-worker who was very generous lately. Can't say exactly because he made me promise, but he is a great person and is the person you want in your corner when things start to get down and dirty...

Here are two of the butterfly cards I made for my Challenge Group. We are now down to the original two members, and I must admit that I slacked. However, I am hoping to get back into the groove of things and really let go.

Hope you enjoy!

Been gone way too long...

Okay...I know, I'm sorry! I've been gone way too long!

School has started for the kids and I've been busy with homework and class projects...trying to figure out how to make my itty bitty income work for the whole household, printing coupons, trying to get extra money into the house, trying to stay positive, LIVING.

DH finally got a job that he's been holding steady. Too many people were not making good on their promises, so he took something different and has been working about six days a week. Hoping that the income will start to make a difference, I know it took a severe toll on my health and I have been feeling significantly less stressed now that he has a job and something is being contributed.

Now, if I can only keep him on track and make my goal of becoming debt-free a mutual goal. Wish me luck!

Now, to keep you updated:

I have been making cards! Not as many as I would like, but some. So - prepare yourself, I'm going to make a list!

Here are some "Thank You" cards that I made for my co-w0rkers who helped make my 30th Birthday one of the best birthdays ever....

I tried to change it up a little, I don't want anyone thinking I just crank these out in five minutes...

This one I made for Liliana, who just turned 6! My girlfriend invited the kids and I to her birthday and we had a great time!

Pretty simple cards, but they took a lot of effort since I haven't been feeling very crafty lately...hoping that will pass soon!

Birthday Invitation

A co-worker asked that I make birthday invitations for her mother's 80th birthday. ACK!!

What do I do? Head straight over to splitcoaststampers...and browse browse browse. I found this card and fell in love with it. I kept the layout and the basic idea, but changed the colors and the butterfly. My co-worker and all those that received an invitation LOVED them.

Here is what I came up with:

What do you think?

Paper:Whisper White, Old Olive, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Great Friend

Ink: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Dimensionals, Scallop Edge Punch, Mat Pack, Paper-Piercing Tool, Clear Embossing Powder, Backgrounds 1 Sizzix Texturz Plates

A Masculine Birthday Card

A co-worker asked that I make her fiance a birthday card. My instructions: he likes fishing.

Hmmm...

So, I came up with this:

What do you think?

Paper: Not Quite Navy, Garden Green, Creamy Caramel

Ink: Versa Mark, Chocolate Chip, Not Quite Navy, Garden Green

Stamps: Upsy Daisy; Fish - Inkadinkadoo

Accessories: Jumbo Eyelets, Cutter Kit (distressing tool), Linen Thread

DD's Birthday

Today is my DD's birthday. 10 years old. I can't believe it.

I remember being in labor with her...forever.

I remember being scared; my water broke in the bed and I had thought I peed the bed. I can laugh about it now...but at the time, I was frantically trying to clean myself and the bed and try to control my tears while my husband was whistling in the shower.

I remember holding her and being so exhausted, and learning that if my husband left his shirt he wore at night in the crib with her, she would sleep until she woke up, hungry.

I remember how she hated frilly lacey clothing, and now that's all she wants.

I remember that I felt like I was a horrible mother because I never gave her a baby doll until she was about 18 months...she seemed content with her blocks and balls and story time.

I remember telling her that she was going to be a big sister, and her turning around, the sourest face, and in the whiniest (is that a word?) voice, told me that she didn't want a baby, she wanted a rabbit. I tripped and fell I was laughing so hard.

I remember everything like it was just a second ago, and she laughs at me as I tear up: Stop Crying Mom.

Ah, the little moments.

Anyway, today is her 10th birthday. We made her choice of dinner: tacos. We made a cake: vanilla with sprinkles. We talked about our day and tried to countdown to the next family member's birthday (mine!).

Here are some pictures of the card I made for her.
I am still working on that pop-up cake die.

Here she is blowing out her candles...

Happy Birthday Lady Bug!

Birthday Gift for the Boss

Today is my boss' birthday. At the final hour, my co-workers apparently voted me in charge of getting a gift and making a card - so kind and thoughtful they are!!! He's into sour candy so I decided to run to Michael's, pick up a jar with a lid, and fill it with Sour Skittles. I thought that it was going to be a quick one-stop shop. However, Michael's had only the jar and NO sour candy. I grabbed the jar and headed to the local corner drug store, where I emptied their candy bins of every Sour Skittles they had. I took off to home and proceeded to make a card and decorate the jar. What do you think? Not bad for having to do a last minute birthday project.
Paper: Whisper White, Pacific Point (Retired)
Stamps: Party Hearty
Ink: Basic Black, Pacific Point
Accessories: Circle Scissors Plus, Dimensionals, 1/16" circle punch, Pacific Point Striped Ribbon, Linen Thread, Dimensionals
Paper: Pacific Point, Whisper White, Good Morning, Sunshine DSP, Summer Sun
Stamps: Happy Everything
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: 1/16" circle punch, Pacific Point striped ribbon, silver brads

Summer Days

Well, DH still doesn't have a job. Two months, ten days, and counting...

He is staying home with the kids...which is saving some money...however, I'm not too sure how the kids are doing.

My poor little boy, he's getting ready for Kindergarten...and according to him, he's "growed up" already. He fights to stay awake, refuses to take naps, and refuses to hold hands while walking. However, I came home from work and found him passed out in the hallway, his Pandy and Hot Wheels not far from where he dropped...

If he knew I laid there watching him, stroking his hair and listening to him breath, he would be so angry! Oh, how I love my little guy!

My daughter on the other hand, has taken to playing in the mud. While preparing to enter 5th grade, I assumed that she would become interested in woven friendship bracelets, lip gloss and nail polish; my favorite things in 5th grade were the Little House on the Prairie books, those woven friendship bracelets, and playing with my pet rabbit. Hers? Playing in the mud. Here's her latest masterpiece:

A Cookie Jar with Cookies.

How I wish I could be home with them to see what happens during the rest of the day!

August Deal of the Month

This month you can earn free Designer Buttons from Stampin' Up just by ordering $35.00 worth of stamps from pages 76 - 90 (Growing Up section). You will get your choice of Latte,
Playground,

and Sherbet.


Each package comes with 30 buttons, 3 of each design, which are marbled, circle, embossed flower, star and flower.

Buttons are an amazing accent to your projects. These buttons come in Stampin' Up!s exclusive colors so they coordinate with your papers and cardstock, plus they come in an assortment of cute designs. They stick on easily with Glue Dots and Pop-Up Glue dots. I enjoy threading buttons with a small piece of linen thread, just to add a bit of detail to the card.

To earn your stamps, order $35.00 worth of rubber in the Growing Up section here.

Birthday Card

Today is a co-worker's birthday. I made this card for her. She is in love with purple and angels. I don't have an appropriate angel stamp for her, but I thought that the Beautiful Butterflies Die was perfect with a little scrap vellum, a whisper of beauty, a simple thought. I embossed the sentiment for a little bit more punch.

Paper: Basic Gray, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Walk In the Park DSP
Stamps: Congrats (SAB 2008)
Ink: VersaMark
Accessories: White Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Beautiful Butterflies Sizzix Die, BigShot, Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon

Card Class/Party!!

If you know me and are relatively close, you've received a card or other item from me, maybe a Post-It Note Holder or desk set, a box of cards, or maybe a bag of gift cards. If you know me, you know I enjoy rubber stamping. It's cathartic, it's about the only thing that I have that's even partially mine.

So, next Saturday, August 8th, I'm having a class/party at my house to learn why I like Stampin' Up! and all it has to offer. You can come and meet new people, or learn something new about someone you already know. Have some snacks, and take home some great projects.

What: Card Party!!
Where: My House
When: August 8, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to noon
Cost: $8.00 (payable via cash, check or PayPal) by August 5th
RSVP: Call by August 1, 2009, to save your spot! (661) 979-4081

Here are a few sneak peaks of the projects we will be doing, just a peak!

Final Deal of the Week - Heart to Heart Punch

Heart To Heart Punch

Regular Price: $15.99

Sale Price: $10.99

"When your heart is full, you often want to show it.Punches are a quick and easy way to add interest, dimension, and color to your cards, tags, and scrapbook pages. You can glue punched shapes directly onto your projects or layer a sheet of cardstock that has been punched over a coordinating card stock for a reverse effect.

You can contact me directly at ambercerda@hotmail.com or pick up your punch here.

Deal of the Week - Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware

Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware

Regular Price: $29.95

Sale Price: $18.99

That's over 30% off!! A great deal!!

Our Hodgepodge Hardware Kits are an amazing value - each kit contains approximately 200 pieces of hardware! It includes an assortment of holders and brads. Create memorable gifts, cards, scrapbook pages and handmade books with these must have accents!

To place your order, click here.

August Challenge

July is coming to a quick end, can you believe it????
Our August challenge is coming up, and I got to pick for this month. So, I picked butterflies.
I'm quite excited; I've seen some amazing work with embellishments and different tools to create some beautiful works of art.
One difference this month regarding our challenge: All of our submissions will be donated to Cardsforheroes.org. It's important to me that our Armed Forces are remembered. So many come back with emotional and mental issues, including physical, that they need us. A small token for their major sacrifice...
If you would like to join in our submission to our servicemembers, please forward your cards to:

Amber Cerda

7812 Big Bear Street

Bakersfield, CA 93307

Remember - no glitter (including Dazzling Diamonds)

I am hoping to have them all in so that they can go back in the mail by August 31st.

Remember, the new catalog is live so all the new papers and stamps are available. You can place an order here.

July Deal of the Week #3

Square Fire Rhinestone Brads!

Regular Price: $10.99

On Sale: $6.99

Brads are a fun addition to any project, and these Rhinestone brads add extra fun and sparkle. Rhinestone brads coordinate with Stampin’ Up!’s exclusive colors, so there's no need to guess about what colors to use your brads with.

■ Square brads: Approximately 80 per package (4 colors in 2 sizes)

■ Fire assortment coordinates with the following colors:

Pink: Pink Passion, Pixie Pink, Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose and Rose Red

Red: Real Red

Yellow: Summer Sun and YoYo Yellow

Pumpkin: Pumpkin Pie

As you may notice, I love brads...they are a great way to add character to your project...a little "bling" never hurt anyone!

You can place your order here!

Look at What My Husband Made Me!

See? See?

Ooooh, I love it. He gets frustrated when I pull my stuff out, sprawl it all over the kitchen table and then keep getting up to watch the kids, stir a pot or fold some clothes. My ribbon was in some little organizers...but with kids and no time...it ended up looking like a rat's nest!

So, yesterday he took two rolls of ribbon out into the garage (You better bring that back without GREASE!!!) and made me the ribbon holder. I love it! I do believe that this little gift has won him a pan of brownies...just as soon as the temperature goes down.

A Loss...

Remember I told you about the woman who had a severe brain injury and had to learn how to LIVE all over again (see here)? Her mother passed away...

I am emotional - I am heart-broken for her and her family. I am angry. I see my babies and want to hold them, I want to remind them that I will always be here, even though I truly might not be. I want to sit next to my mom and have her stroke my head...but I'll settle for sitting here and listening to her breathe on the other end of the phone.

The funeral is tomorrow, and I cannot bring myself to go. It should be a private moment, and I don't want to be there, a distraction, while this amazing, inspiring woman tells her mother "bye" for the last time...I cry just sitting here typing it.

I'm sending her a card...just to let her know that she and her family are in my thoughts and in my prayers...

"In our hearts, we all know that death is a part of life. In fact, death gives meaning to our existence because it reminds us how precious life is."

Mojo Monday #94

I seen this week's sketch and I HAD to play!

So, here is my submission:

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Whisper White and Razzleberry Lemonade DSP

Ink: Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry and Crushed Curry

Accessories: Rich Razzleberry 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Ticket Punch, Dimensionals

I made this card for a co-worker who just had an appendectomy. I hope she recovers well.

SU! Big Shot Die Pack Give Away!!!

http://www.stampinaddicts.com/ has so many great ideas using the Stampin' Up! Big Shot AND is giving away a Big Shot Die Pack as part of the Stampin' Up! summer celebration. To enter, all you have to do is blog about it, post about it on Facebook, or Twitter about it. Then, contact SA and let them know about your entry. This is my entry! I hope I win!!

Ribbon Share

Just wanted to post a picture of the Ribbon Share, which I am currently putting out there:

So Cute! I wish someone was my demo and would package something cute for me!

This is a yard of each color for $6.00, $2.50 for shipping. You can contact me directly at ambercerda@hotmail.com if you wish to participate, or are interested in participating in a paper/button/brad share.

Tri-Fold Shutter Card

I finally did it! I was so inspired by Sandy Hancock's blog with her cards that I just had to try to make the Tri-Fold Shutter card. I spent most of Sunday working on it, a little bit of Monday morning before work, and finally finished it this morning before I left for work.

What do you think?

I would love to post the recipe for this card but it was a gift/kit. I do know that it was the Tickled Pink kit from Close to My Heart. I used my SU! Stampin' Pastels, the Ticket Punch, and of course dimensionals. I also used my Dazzlin' Diamonds and a 2-way Glue Pen.

Week 2: SU! Weekly Deal

This week's deal is the Sizzix Big Shot Doctor's Bag. It is normally $69.95, but for this week only it is on sale for $49.99!

I know many stamper's that make use of this bag, as a tote to stuff their supplies in while on the go, and also as a personal travel bag, to use while attending conventions and other "weekend" trips.

Remember - these deals are only good for one week, so don't let them get past you!

"Happy Birthday, Human"

Isn't this the cutest? AND, it's masculine!

I love it. It's for a co-worker's little boy who is turning 11. We are going over for dinner tomorrow so I worked on this little gift card holder for him. You can get the instructions for this cute idea here.

Paper: Basic Gray, Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Bashful Blue, Real Red

Stamps: Lots of Bots

Accessories: Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Dimensionals, atyou Spica Red, Crystal Glaze, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch

Independence Day

"It is easy to take Liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you." Dick Cheney
I served my Country, I am a U.S. Marine. My husband served, and together, We Stand. Every Fourth of July comes, we take it to heart. Some of our family members have served, Marines Corps, Army, and Air Force. We have friends that have served, that still serve to this day. We know all too well the effects of war; the losses that can be suffered. To us, it is not just about hot dogs and Kool-Aid. We know. We feel it deep in our blood. We raise our flag proudly, we hold hands and pray.

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family.
Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my Country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.
If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again.
Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer.
(A Marine's Prayer)

And we remind ourselves to be humble, WE are the lucky ones.

I hope you enjoyed the day, I hope you stayed safe. And I hope you remembered to be Thankful

Mojo Monday - #93

Lucky for me, I had the day off! I was quite excited about having the day off all week, I had planned to work on a submission for Mojo Monday, work on my challenge for July, and try to figure out the Tri-Fold Shutter Card. But, life, of course, intervened. DD went to art camp and we had to pick her up by noon, DH wanted to go to Costco, everyone needed lunch, someone decided they needed cheesecake...life.

I didn't get everything done that I wanted to, but I did get these two cranked out for this week's Mojo Monday Challenge. I really feel inspired by these card sketches, and I hope that I am able to participate by creating at least one card a week.

Here is the sketch for this week:
And, here are my cards that I did:

I made two, I really wanted to create today, but, like I said, Life happened.

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Candy Cane DSP
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Basic Black, Bashful Blue
Stamps: The More the Merrier
Accessories: Scallop Square Nestabilities, Scalloop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Rhinestone Brads, Basic Narrows Grosgrain ribbon (Michael's), Dimensionals, Blender Pens, Sizzix Texture Background 1

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Green Galore, Rainbow Sherbet DSP
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore, Chocolate Chip, YoYo Yellow, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Copic E00
Stamps: Domestic Goddess (Hanna Stamps)
Accessories: Spots & Dots (Cuttlebug/Provo Craft), Curling Ribbon, Clear Dew Drops (Robin's Nest), Blender Pens, Pixie Pink Fun Flock, Scallop Circle, Circle, and Classic Oval Nestabilities, Zip Dry Paper Glue, 2-Way Glue Pen