So last week Sherry and Katie issued a challenge to actually DO something with all the ideas that we have pinned on on Pinterest. Hmmm...novel idea!

I've actually pinned a bunch of home decor and organization ideas, but none that I'm really ready to commit to yet. So I decided to dive into my Color Combos board. Which is actually more of an 'inspiration for cards' board. But hey, tomato, tomahto.

So I made some cards based on the pins from my Color Combos board. Here we go!

Up first, this gorgeous photo with that beautiful green dress with a lace/doily overlay.

Though who is that scary man behind them? Oh wait, maybe an officiant? Like this is their 'you may kiss the bride' moment? That makes sense. Deena's inner monologue, stop talking now.

So here's my card interpretation:

I used PTI New Leaf cardstock and some doilies from Michaels (which stick together like mofos). I even added a Prima flower in that fun raspberry color to match her shoes. The sentiments is from Waltzingmouse Stamps Big Day Additions set.

Next....

I liked the way the leaves were around the perimeter of this. And I'm a sucker for anything with pretty leaves.

And now the card:

I stamped around the cream layer with PTI's Turning a New Leaf. I used Spring Moss ink and then layered with Aqua Mist ink. I used some patterned paper layers as well, from My Minds Eye Stella and Rose Hattie collection. The card base is PTI Pure Poppy. The quote stamp is from Waltzingmouse Stamps Words of Wisdom set.

(insert best announcer voice here)
And now..... The final entry into the Pinterest Challenge....

In this corner, hailing from the online archives of Pinterest.com, this photo!

And in this corner, the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge

And in *this* corner, my bff's birthday. Which is only three weeks away from mine, so we do a combined celebration every year.

(how many corners am I up to?)

They all converge in the middle to make this loveliness!

A birthday card for my bff using PTI Ocean Tides and more paper from MME. I'm on an orange kick lately, so that flower is front and center. You can also see a hint of a Vera Bradley gift card peeking out there.The number dies and stamps are from PTI's Big Birthday Wishes set.

Oh, and my bff isn't 29 anymore, but she refuses to admit it...(she just hit her mid-30s). But no matter how old she is, I love her to death. And she'll always be older than me. HA!

So there you have it. My entries into the Pinterest Challenge. Thanks Sherry, Katie, Emily and Lana for hosting!

Hey everyone! I decided to take part in the Young Crafters Unite! blog hop, hosted by Britta and Marie.

Now, I know I'm not the youngest crafter out there, but I think 32 still qualifies! And some days I feel like I'm about 14 because I'm so overwhelmed by the world. Thank God I have my friends and family to help me through!

You should have gotten here from Amber's blog.

Here is my card for the hop. My cousin is having a baby shower/dinner this weekend. It's out in Colorado, so I won't be attending. But I will see her later this summer, hopefully she can hold that baby in until after my visit! Here is my card for the gift that is on its way to her in the mail!

 

Supplies:
PTI cardstock in Ocean Mist and Stampers Select (plus a hint of Raspberry Fizz and Hawaiian Shores)
Stamp is Stampin Up!
Patterned paper is MME Fine and Dandy and PTI

I didn't intend for the papers to be all crooked, but one landed that way and I decided to just go for it. My favorite "thing" here is spotlighting a part of a stamp with paper piece and pop dots. I love pop dots!

Thanks for looking at my contribution to the Hop. Please leave a comment, randomly selected commenters will win their choice of $20 from Simon Says Stamp, a set from Lawn Fawn, or a set from Paper Smooches. Pretty cool!! I have purchased from all those places and they are awesome.

The next stop on the hop is: Kristy Smith.

Enjoy the hop!

I, like everyone else on the planet, have become a Pinterest addict. It is wonderful! It has quickly become the fourth regular tab open in my Firefox window (the others being Two Peas, Facebook, and Google Reader).

I have a board called Color Combos. It's a combination of color combos and inspiration for cards and/or decorating.

I pinned this photo, which apparently originated at Martha Stewart Weddings:

Which turned into this card:

I cut the patterned paper into a tie shape, put that on a white card base. I folded the kraft paper like a lapel and used a Making Memories pin to attach a Prima flower. I used the Linen and Canvas impression plate on the kraft cardstock to look like fabric. The sentiment is on a piece of white cardstock, like it's coming out of the pocket.

I also made a Smokey Shadow version, with Ocean Tides accents:

I made it in time for this Tuesday's Trigger over at Moxie Fab World! Go me!

Here is the Trigger photo:

I had my Lawn Fawn sets out just playing around and I thought the colors would go perfectly with this little birthday hat. This is from the Hat's Off to You set.

I think it is so cute! I really channelled the CAS vibe here, but for once it finally worked.

 

Supplies:
cardstock - PTI stampers select, hawaiian shores, orange zest, raspberry fizz, simply chartreuse
stamp - Lawn Fawn Hat's Off to You, PTI Birthday Basics
other - Nestabilities, pop dots, Memento Tuxedo Black ink

I made this a few days ago, but my uploading is too late for the Moxie Fab Challenge. But oh wells, it's still a cute card.

 

Supplies:
PTI cardstock - kraft, stampers select, sweet blush, dark chocolate
Stamps - PTI Love Songs and Hero Arts sentiment
PTI impression plate - picnic plaid
Ink - PTI dark chocolate and sweet blush

May is shaping up to be a super busy month. Good things, bad things, in between things. I don't even know how to prioritize them!

In no particular order...

Bailey's leg has been bothering her for the past few months. She had a barely there limp about three months ago. It wasn't after she ran, but only after she ran, then rested. After a few weeks, we took her to the vet. The vet said he didn't feel anything, she wasn't sensitive to the touch, really rest her for two weeks, start her on anti-inflammatories. See how things look after two weeks. X-rays are always an option.
Two weeks later, she seemed to be okay. We kept her out of daycare, tried to keep ball playing to a minimum. Then after two days back at school, the limp came back. So we decided to try x-rays. Before they did the x-rays, the vet's office wanted us to see the more experienced ortho vet. So we did. He didn't feel anything, no breaks, no tears, no crunching, not sensitive to the touch. Let's try a good two months of rest and anti-inflammatories. That was about two weeks ago.
Then yesterday morning I took her downstairs to go out in the morning. She started running around the yard like a crazy dog, which isn't unusual. Then she yelped and jumped up the steps holding her back paw off the ground, still yelping. I yelled for Ray to come downstairs. I think that was the last bit of her ligament really tearing. It was 6:55 am. I called the vet's office and asked when they opened, which was at 7. We got her in for a 9:45 appt. At the vet, they are almost positive she's got a ligament tear. Possibly MCL or ACL. We take her tomorrow for a full evaluation and see what is recommended. It will probably be surgery. I'm thinking postively, she is so young and full of energy. I know she will do great after surgery. But in the meantime she is just getting really depressed. She's not herself and I hate that. I am giving her many many kisses and snuggles, mostly because she can't run away from me! She is going up and down stairs okay (I stick by her to help if she needs it) and jumped up in bed with me a few times last night.
She is my baby girl. Here she is relaxing in the basement. This makes me giggle.

Next up...I'm hoping to get a new job with my bff. We worked together years ago (it's where we met) and became bffs. THis job is not only fit for my experience, it's what I like to do, it's literally three minutes from my house, AND my bff works there. It literally could not be more perfect. There have been a couple really good signs, but I've got several steps to get through first. So good thoughts for that are appreciated.

We're also doing a round of IUI this month! Ray had a doctor's appt the other day and had very promising test results. So as soon as Aunt Flo makes an appearance, we're starting on the drug regimen. And by we, I mean me. But Ray takes meds every day and is great about it. I am horrible about taking pills regularly, so I really appreciate his dedication. We'll do the injectibles again this time around, since we had three good eggs last time. So with Ray's improved results and my good response to the injections, we're hoping for the best.

Michael's Confirmation is the 13th and Nicky's Communion is the 14th. Ray has Youth Sunday the 15th. I have the GMA Arts Festival on the 21st. And we're going to a Phillies game on the 24th.

Oh boy. This is going to be crazy! But I like it. I hate being bored.

So over on I Heart Organizing, Jen has a challenge for April going on. Project Purge!!! I have recently realized that we've been in our house nearly FIVE years. Wow, time flies. And in those five years, there are some things that we have not touched since we moved in. I know, it's shameful. But I'm not alone out there.

Working at a CPA firm means the first two weeks of April are super busy. Even for admin staff. So I just started the purge process. I started in the kitchen. I didn't take any photos of the before unfortunately. But here are the items I'm purging!

Old George Foreman Grill
Tons of unused glasses/mugs/cups

 

Then I attacked the junk drawer. I remembered to take the photo when I had all the stuff from the drawer out on the counter/stove.

And here's the organized drawer. Not the best, but much better than before!

And here's all the trash out of that drawer

I definitely want to continue the purging process. Pots and pans are next. And our pantry/food cabinets. Nothing is safe!

This card will be sent to my sister for her birthday next month. I'm still hanging in there with getting birthday cards out every month. I might be a day late or so, but at least it's getting there! April is a crazy month with birthdays and anniversaries, then I have a boatload of Mother's Day cards that I want to send. Oh wells, good thing I enjoy it!

This card qualifies for the PTI Make it Mondays, since I did some distressing around the edges of the sentiment panel. I also did some around the flower panel as well, but it's harder to tell.

Supplies:
Cardstock - PTI Plum and Lavender Moon
Patterned paper - PTI boxes in Ripe Avocado
Stamps - PTI YOF Sweet Peas. Colored with Copics
              Happy birthday from Inside and Out: Birthday
              Sister from Women of Life
Jewels

This is another unloved card that I made for the Paper Crafts sketches call. I LOVE this card. I want to make tons more like this in different colors!

Supplies:
PTI cardstock in Pure Poppy and Kraft
October Afternoon patterned paper
Heart Punch by Marvy
STamp by Hero Arts

Ray and I saw this movie a few weeks ago. THe only thing I can say is WOW.

Actually, that's not the only thing I can say. I just loved it. Such a powerful movie. I know it's a true story that is all "Hollywood-ized", but it was just amazing.

Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush were incredible. Geoffrey Rush absolutely deserved that Oscar nod and Firth deserved the award. I have a personal thing against Helena Bonham Carter, so when I say I didn't like her, it has nothing to do with her acting.

Colin Firth plays King George VI, who is the father of Queen Elizabeth. He stammered well into adulthood. He was the second son, so his older brother was in line for the throne. So at least he was safe from major public view. Well, until his brother chooses his woman over the throne. So it's up to George to take over the monarchy.

George's wife finds Lionel Logue, who has a reputation for unusual speech therapy methods. Remember, this is the 1930s. There weren't the advanced methods that there are now. Or even the understanding of why people stuttered. Or compassion for them.

So George and Lionel work together, form a friendship, and learn so much from each other. It was just a very powerful and beautiful movie. There are some great funny lines too, especially from Rush.

I am so happy it won Best Picture, so so so much deserved. I loved it.