You guessed it...

Another round of thank you cards! These were inspired by the lovely Shimelle from her True Scrap class. In her scrap class she addressed the issue of paper hoarding. See, I just knew there was a program for me...instead of 12 though, she gave us 6 steps. One of the most important steps is to use the paper when you love it. I have been holding on to this My Little Shoebox paper for the longest time. This is the Sky's the Limit- Follow the Cloud page. I love the clouds, the sunny yellow on the flip side, everything is just lovely on this paper. But it was time to let go. (Don't tell, but I kept one sheet. Shhhh, it is our secret!)

So, I played! It is amazing how much fun it is to play with paper you love! I just sat down, and began cutting and arranging and came up with a series of fun cards. Another batch of thank you cards sent off to the troops! I'm just gonna keep sending cards, 'til they send 'em home!

Have a great day everyone, may it be sunny with blue and pink clouds!

Nothing like a good sketch

Once again I am pushing past my paper hoarding. I am using the paper for current projects rather than saving it for the best rainy day project ever. What am I saying? It is raining here in Southern California, so I guess I did save it for a rainy day project.

First, a big thank you to Friday Sketchers for a very inspirational sketch. Their design team had some really fun samples to check out! Next, to Stamping Up, I say thanks for the stamp set Life Cycles. It has been more fun that I can tell you. I wish I could display them all, but for now I am just showing off the basket cycle with the friend quote. Lastly, another big thank you to...by now you have probably guessed it, Apron Strings. The paper came from their Smaller than a Breadbox kit. It is Bella Blvd (one of my favorites) from the Sunny Happy Skies collection. I was holding off on using this paper...hoarding it for the perfect project. Then I said, "Jana, this is awesome paper and you have some cards to make. Brighten some days, you old scrooge!" So here we are.

Another round of five thank you cards for the troops. I would almost feel sorry for the super girly cards, but I am just hoping they get to our ladies over there who could probably use some pink and some bling! The last card is a fun friend card that I could not resist playing with.

There is just something about happy paper being used that puts a big smile on my face. Thanks to Sunny Happy Skies, I am a sunny, happy girl!

Oh, the holly tree

Thank you Jingle Belles! Another song prompt to get my Christmas card making back on track. The suggestion is to add ivy and holly. Luckily, I am using graphic 45 and Making Memories. Both had some fun holly accents and were so pretty with a lot of old world charm. The design team's inspiration was fabulous and inspired me to collage.

It was more fun than I could possibly imagine. This may be a new trend for me...playful collage.

Gratituesday...a day late.

What am I grateful for this Tuesday and Wednesday, several things. But the one that stands out lately is mason jars. I love canning jars.

Our recent move to a coastal city reminded me of creepy crawlies that get into plastic bags of food. We have lost more coconut and flour that way. So, I started trying to find the perfect plastic containers that would maximize pantry space and contain all of my food. It gets expensive. Then I started putting some smaller items into my pint jars. Next, I tried to put some of my bulk items into larger quart canning jars. When I started making my own spice mixes, I found the mason jars helped me out again. Now, I do not know what I would do without my fabulous and fun mason jars.

I like looking into my pantry shelf and seeing my jars of goodies lined up like toy soldiers. Occassionally, I have the worry about breakage. But overall, it is a working and workable system. Who am I to mess with that?!!

Cute pictures take a while to scrap

In addition to my paper hoarding, which is now common knowledge... I am a picture hoarder as well. I know that you are wondering, "where does it end, woman?!" It is just so hard when you see super cute photos! Alright, I will own it, it is just so hard for ME when I have super cute photos. I have to wait for the right, super cute paper and the right, super cute embellishments.

This layout is part of that serendipitous experience. I have super cute pictures of my niece at the local science museum. I have some super cute paper from my Apron Strings kit. More of the Imaginisce Animal Crackers. And I have some super cute star beads and flowers.

The colors do not show that well, but trust me, in person, this layout is a blast. It helps that Gillian is such a cute subject! Apron Strings does it again.

Another round of thanks

Back to the thank you project for the troops. A little boy, Stephen, was inspired to try to send a thank you card to every serviceperson that is currently deployed. After doing a bit of research he came up with a grand total of 180,000 cards. To help him reach his goal, Bazzill is having a contest. For every five thank you cards you make and send in (with form) you are entered to win two tickets to creative escape.

So, here are my next round of entries! It has been a lot of fun making these in addition to supporting the troops I have through Soldier's Angels. Most of the letters I get back assure me that nothing brightens the day of a deployed soldier more than news from home. If you have the time, I really encourage you to participate. Let's help Stephen and the troops!

A simple housewarming gift from afar

My fabulous friend, Becca is moving! As I type, she is moving boxes, two labs, toddler, baby and husband to a new pad. And I thought I was tired.

After turning to my Apron Strings kit again, I pulled out the We R Memory Keepers' family keepsake line and made her some treats. First, I made her a simple housewarming card. A little bit of Bazzill cardstock and some embellishments and it was complete. Then I thought that she might be busy...pause for understatement. And it will take her a while to scrap a page on the new house, or move. Or even worse, she might forget to take pictures of the moving process and new house. Hence, the playful 8 1/2 x 11 layout for her new home. All she has to do is add the picture and through in a little bit of journaling if she wants.

Another day of sending love from one coast to another.