Everything but the Kitchen Sink-Around the House Challenge #5-Box Tops

The beautiful snow and hot chocolate (i love it) were my inspiration for this challenge. I used a hot cocoa box for the letters SNOW and for the tree cut-out. I also used a technique that I learned at my "Paper Dolls" (SU) class last week. Thanks again Joyce!
Project Materials:
SU stamp sets - Jumbo Alphabet and Branch Out
SU stamp pads - Staz-On Timber Brown, VersaMark, Real Red, Not Quite Navy, Bordering Blue and Brocade Blue
SU paper - Real Red
Accessories used - SU Crystal Effects, white gel pen, clear rhinestone

"Rambling's with Ali"

Tulip Poplar covered in snow with buds waiting to bloom in the spring, along with a birds nest just waiting on warmer weather. I'll post an updated photo of this beautiful tree in bloom in the spring.

Now, I've got to take advantage of being "snowed in...." like "clean" our home. I hope to play with some challenges later today and tomorrow. Happy Saturday!

"Rambling's by Ali"

Jeffrey, our son-in-law turned 30 on January 27th. Due to snow, no get together today. He'll eventually get his "homemade" card. He is a contractor and currently building their home. During this time of year he's always having to wear his black rubber boots. They have a countless number of trees on their 11 acres, but one in particular has a swing on it for Lola, Abe and Maggie (yes, Grana "me" has also been known to swing on it). Thus, the card was put together with all of that in mind. It's hard coming up with a "man card," but this is my attempt. These are a few of my favorite Stampin' Up stamp sets (Scene in a Garden and Branch Out). I love trees and the way they change with the seasons. The "Happy Birthday" stamp was used from a stamp set from 2002 "Button Bear." I had to really talk my sweet mom out of her collection of stamps + other stuff years ago when I discovered that she wasn't using them any longer. I received 12 stamp sets in all. I've spent the last week going through her 2002 Stampin' Up catalog to label the case and stamps. SO FUN! Thanks mom and love ya!

Project:
Stampin' Up stamps mentioned above; StazOn Jet Black and Timber Brown; Classic Brocade Blue and Barely Banana; Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon; Basic Black marker and Small Tag Punch.
Other - paper and accessory

"Rambling's with Ali"

Here is a picture of another precious "grand" of ours, Addie Lane Goolsby, turned 2 on Friday, January 29th. They live in White Sands, NM. Her dad is in the Army. She is so much fun to be with and so stinking cute too!

"Rambling's with Ali"

I LOVE snow. I think it's so beautiful. Our offices closed early Friday. Lola (our 1st born grand) came over for a couple of hours. She had school work to finish, we had lunch and then "Cinderella," again! I have to admit it's been a while since we've watched "Cinderella." It's usually a must (in Lola's world) when she comes over without Abe and Maggie (her younger siblings). So, here is a picture of a very happy little girl watching "Cinderella," and yes, a sucker after lunch.

"Rambling's with Ali"

"Rambling's with Ali" is just that....me (Alison) rambling about life and general stuff. I will save the silly and funny details of how I settled on the name for a later post. For now, I wanted to share a make-up tip I thought of (not that it's an original idea or anything....you could've been doing this for years).

You know when you are putting on eye shadow it can flake/spread around your eye? Well, this kept happening no matter what brushes I used. I found the ones that come in the compact ususally end up losing their cushioned tip long before the eye shadow is gone. When I use my more somewhat "expensive" brushes, they seem to flake/spread eye shadow on my face as well. Well one day I thought of using a q-tip for applying my eye shadow. It worked and I love it. No more "flying" eye shadow on my face. The q-tip is good for two colors...one color for each end. Toss in the trash and it's done.

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One other beauty tip I learned from one of my car-pool friends (I carpool with two lovely ladies). This tip came from Kristi. I shared my q-tip/eye shadow idea and then she gave me a tip on using a cotton ball to put on blush. I tried it and liked it. It works also. I told Kristi and Laurie (carpooler) that they were going to be a part of "Rambling's with Ali" from time to time.

Everything But the Kitchen Sink - Sketch Challenge #3

EBTKS Sketch Challenge

I'm so happy to participate in my first "official" challenge (should it have taken me all day?) Anyway, I had a blast and hoping that the more challenges I participate in the quicker my card will get made :)

When I first saw the sketch I looked through my stamps to find one that I thought would work with this challenge. I'm pretty happy with my choice of SU "Pretty Amazing."

My card is 51/4 x 4

SU Paper: Parisian Breeze Speciality Design, Not Quite Navy, Close to Cocoa, Bordering Blue and Rose Red

SU Ink Pads: Staz-on Timber Brown, Not Quite Navy and Rose Red

SU Punch: Scallop Oval and Scallop Edge

SU Markers: Close to Cocoa, Brocade Blue, Night of Navy and Rose RedOther: White card stock and accent

College Fresman Ladies

I've had the great pleasure of having these young ladies, plus others and a couple of guys in my 6th grade Sunday School class. I stayed with the same group 9th - 12th grade. I have enjoyed every minute of watching them mature into young Christian ladies.

Here goes.....my "Happy Heart Day" card. Be sure and look under the "Happy Heart Day" message.

Supplies Used:

SU Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette Paper

SU Basic Black and Ruby Red Stamp Pads

SU Watercolor Pencils

SU 1 3/4 Circle Punch

Accessories: SU Crystal Effects, SU Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Crystal Accent and White Brads

My First Card Challenge

I told myself today was the day to create my first card for a challenge. I return to work tomorrow, so wanted to go ahead and get this done. I hope to participate in other challenges. I'm going to have to find a way to work it into my schedule.

Joyce V. Holleman, Stampin' Up Demonstrator

My sweet and "very" patient Paper Dolls (name for our Stampin' Up club) instructor, Joyce Holleman has a web site. YEA! I am very happy that she has put her "creations" on the web, as well as Stampin' Up creations. Please be sure and visit her site for the "inspiration" you may need to start making cards, scrapbooking, etc. Check Joyce out at www.joyceholleman.stampinup.net

Practicing Creativity By Courtney Baker

Please be sure and check out my friend Courtney's blog @ http://courtbaker.blogspot.com/. She has launched a new business and will be teaching "card making" classes in Lebanon.