I am a card making machine

One of my goals for this year is to cultivate my friendships (old and new).

I wanted to make sure not to miss anyone’s birthday and thought an actual card would be much better than an email or E-card. I am not really a card maker. Well not lately anyway. I was a stamper long before I scrapbooked and only used my stamps for cards. I have not stamped since I started scrapbooking (well maybe once or twice) and I have never used any of my scrapping supplies for cards.

So, you can see how surprised I am that I seem to be a card-making machine of late. LOL! I think it all started with the SOSF valentine exchange where we had to send a handmade card. I then went on to make a card for my mom and now this card for one of my good friend’s birthday. I sure do hope she likes it.

MCR ROCKS!!!

Last night B and I (along with my nephew) went to see the My Chemical Romance concert up in Phoenix. I have been waiting to see this show since I bought the tickets back in January. We had such awesome seats in the first section by the stage. We were supposed to be in the 8th row but ended up sitting in the 7th row. I have NEVER been so close to a stage before! I just wish I could have snuck in my camera as others were able to do.

As for the show, the band played all their songs in order off of "The Black Parade", as The Black Parade. Talk about theatrics! There were flying balloons, confetti and lots of fire. Being so close to the stage, we could feel just how hot those flames were.

The show was AWESOME!!! MCR really do know how to put on a show and the encore lasted forever!

And so did the ride home. I drove us up to the show but on the way back home, I got sick and B had to drive. We even stopped a couple of times on the way. I have not been sick like this in YEARS! We got home somewhere around 2:30am and I think I finally felt well enough to sleep around 4:30am. I still have a bit of a headache even now but I am feeling much better than last night.

Is it Saturday?

Wow! You would think with me being out of work and all that I would have tons of time on my hands to write for my blog. It seems to be just the opposite. My calendar is filling up and my to-do list is growing. I don't even know what day it is today.

On Thursday, us "dislocated workers" (how is that for a term?) had a meeting with the Unemployment office and Job Services. All I can tell you is that I am more confused than ever. First off, we did not even get the letter stating that we were signed up for this meeting in our exit packet. You see….from what I hear we were not supposed to be let go until the end of next month but to make the paper work easier on the company they decided to lay off the seven of us in my group. But since it was all done so quickly, our packets did not include all the info it should have.

So back to Thursday's meeting. It was supposed to be from 1:00 to 4:00. Lots of paperwork was filled out and I did not even have time to read it all. We were just told to follow along and fill it out and sign it and hand it over. Come to find out the one gal with Unemployment gave us totally WRONG info and when we questioned her, she got VERY defensive. So we did it like she told us to and now all of our Unemployment claims are being denied.

Then there was the TEST. They told us we were to take a test. A test that was supposed to take about 2 hours to complete. We started the test around 4:00 (when the meeting was supposed to end) and then we were interrupted to fill out yet more forms. So of course, when 5:00 came around I was not finished. Who knew that an SAT type test was required? I have not taken Geometry since 10th grade!! On Monday, I have to go back and finish the test. I am NOT looking forward to it at all!

Hello Mojo!

It's back. Well it was 12 hours ago.

How sad is this? See this scrapbook page?

I started this page over one year ago at the Scrappay Diva's sleepover (or was it 2-years ago?) and finally finished it last night/early this morning. It was pretty much finished except I added the velvet flowers, doodling and journaling. Yikes! I even used my own handwriting!!! Even with just adding that little bit it still took me hours to complete. Now isn't that silly?

I have to tell you, I have many many pages in different stages of completion just stacked and hidden everywhere. I was actually going thru a stack of pages and pulling the completed ones to put in an album. I found that all my layouts had the pictures falling off the page. Some even fell off completely. I use the Hermafix tabs and even the Tombow permanent glue but they do not seem to stick on the Bazzil cardstock. I don't know what to do.

What adhesive do you find works best when sticking onto cardstock?

So instead of stressing over it, I decided to do something else and deal with the adhesive issue later. Well until you all tell me what glue I need to buy. LOL!

I decided to deal with this stack of unfinished layouts and other scrappy supplies that just seemed to have gotten lost in this ever-growing pile, once and for all. Instead of just moving the pile to a different spot, I decided to start from the top and actually complete these pages and put away the new scrappy items that are hiding in it.

So, the huge pile is gone - but now I have multiple piles. LOL! Not what I wanted to end up with. I have a huge pile of cardstock that needs to find a home. I also have a stack of unfinished layouts. I was getting tired and was afraid that the huge pile would get knocked over by my cat so I think breaking the pile down was the most logical. Now I just need to make myself complete these layouts before I do anything else. Wish me luck!

The Scrappay Results

Here is the layout that I made for last night's first ever Scrappay Hour.

I just wish the scan showed the colors a little better. The jewels should be pink and not clear. I really had a great time with this page. Especially since it is the first page I have completed so far this year! Now if I can just keep my scrapping mojo flowing.

Supplies used:

Bazzil ~ Cardstock
Basic Grey ~ Patterned paper
Making Memories ~ “Bordeaux” paint
Heidi Swap ~ Chipboard letters
S.E.I ~ Ribbon
My Mind’s Eye ~ pink jewels
Flower punches
Embroidery floss
Zig Writer
Deco scissors
White Uni-ball Signo pen

To see other finished layouts please click here:

Scrappay Hour #1 ~ Finished layouts

They all turned out great!!!

Scrappay Hour is a GO!!!

Head on over to the Scrappay Divas blog and join us for our first ever Scrappay Hour!!!

Don't forget to check-in and let us know you are there!

Scrappay Hour #1 ~ Check-in

Scrappay Hour #1 ~ Info

Scrappay Hour #1 ~ Supplies List

Cha-cha-changes

I have wanted to change the template on my blog for months now but I never seemed to find one that I liked. So I finally edited my old template and I still was not happy. When I switched to my last template I really really missed the white background. But I lived with it because I just LOVED the photo I used at the top of the blog. I could never find a new template that would work with such an odd sized photo.

Well things are different now. No more gorgeous photo. And surprisingly for someone that really only likes the 2-column templates, I really like how this 3-column template looks. So right now it is basic but I hope to spice it up a bit in the near future.

So what do you think? Is it too busy? I am going to change the colors around (you know the links and stuff). I kind of have an idea but what colors do you think would look good? I just know that the grey has got to go.

Here's mine

Starting this Monday the Scrappay Divas will hold the first ever Scrappay Hour! I am pretty excited about it as I have not scrapped in a long time. I just hope that I finish in time to watch Heroes. I may end up scrapping during the commercials. Good thing there is a second television in the room next door.

If you would like to join us for Scrappay hour please click the links below for additional info. We would LOVE to have you join us.

Scrappay Hour #1 ~ Info

Scrappay Hour #1 ~ Supplies List

Here are my supplies for Monday's scrap. Well most of them are here. I still have to decide on the embellishments and which one of the 3 different ribbon colors I will use. I must say...it sure is hard trying to find patterned paper with just 2 colors that will match the photos. I still have not decided if I will use the scalloped scissors or the buttons. I am going to have to wait to see what the instructions are first.

Another day down

I spent most of the morning at the dentist. I went in for an exam and ended up getting a cavity filled. Now my mouth hurts! I get to go back tomorrow and get a cleaning. The dental office is so cool with trying to fit me in this next week to get my teeth taken care of. B has been going to this dentist for years but this was my first visit. It is in a fancy office complex (we are talking glass walls/doors and marble floors) and I felt a bit under dressed in my jeans and sweater.

I am trying to get as many appointments as I can before my benefits run out. I have a feeling that I won’t make it to the regular doctor. It will be so expensive to get my teeth fixed that I may just concentrate on getting as much done as possible. I still have not decided.

Yesterday ended well. I helped my friend pack up her stuff and then we all met for breakfast/lunch. I also watched “Little Miss Sunshine.”

Have you seen it?

I really liked it. I am SO glad my family is NOT like that!

The day after

I don't know what it is but I sure could not sit still yesterday. At the rate I am going, hopefully my house will be the cleanest it has ever been. I guess since I was already in the mood to throw things out (8 years of work stuff) that it just carried over at home. Sleep did not come easy either. At least I was up bright and early this morning.

Right now I am sitting at my old cube copying the files off of my computer. I am very happy that they let me do that. It was not too bad coming in here this morning. That is until the 2 people that I dislike the most on the team came into work. One is the person that basically hand-picked who stayed (basically the ones that have never stood up to her) and the other is someone that a bunch of us thought of as a friend until we realized that she was actually playing everyone against each other. Right now they are both whispering away. I just walked in on them and they were surprised to see me here. It did not help that one of them came in already bragging loudly on her phone about the whole situation.

I feel for my other co-workers as their jobs have now all gone to India. As for me. I don't know why I was let go. My stuff is not anything that can be outsourced. In fact there are only 2 people that can do what I do and I am one of them. Sadly, both of us were let go yesterday. So poor customers will not get any of their issues taken care of since no one knows how to fix them. From what I can tell the majority of the people were those that have worked here 8 years or more. I guess we were just too expensive to keep.

So....now my goal is to get as many doctor's appointments made before my insurance runs out. Thing is.....I don't have a doctor.

Thanks to all of you that posted comments on my last post. I really do appreciate it.

Life is full of surprises

I am no longer employed.

Now for some crafty content.

Not much scrapping being done around here lately but I did make another card. This one was for my Mom’s birthday which was last Saturday.

Supplies used:

Bazzil - cardstock
Quickutz - "Vixen"
American Crafts- ribbon
Making Memories - rub-on letters, jewel brad
Prima - velvet flowers
My Mind's Eye - heart
Colorbox Chalk ink - "Burnt Sienna"

….and I don’t know if I ever shared this layout on the blog or not. I did this layout last year. I have not scrapped yet this year. In fact, I think this is the last layout I did. I made it for my first ever attempt at a DT position. It was a contest that each challenge had less and less people participating. Well I never even made it past the first round. I did not think it bothered me but I have not scrapped since. Well I have tried to scrap but I have yet to finish a page. Hopefully, once work settles down a bit (here’s hoping) I will get my scrapping grove back.

Supplies used:

Basic Grey – Patterned paper “Blitzen”
American Crafts – letter stickers, brads
Bazzill – cardstock
Heidi Swapp – snowflakes, white paint
Fiber
Computer font - Juice ITC

Thanks for looking.

Yawn!

This week has gone pretty well.

Well from what I remember it went well.

I have been so busy with work that I cannot even remember what I did yesterday. The days are such a blur. I may have been tired every night after work and have not read any personal email in quite awhile but I got so much accomplished at work this past week. That is a good thing. YAY! However, I ate tons of junk. That is a bad thing. BOO!

Now that it is Friday, I am exhausted and it is really hard to concentrate. I think my body has crashed from all the sugar I ate this past week. I am so happy I got so much completed though. I think changing my WeeMee buddy helped to boost my mood and productivity.

Seriously. I really do.

The only thing is…..it is a drug taking WeeMee.

My WeeMee has more excitement in it’s life than I do.

All short girl wants to know is…..where the heck do I get that darn red pill?

I need a new WeeMee

Life is not fair.

I thought I had created a cute WeeMee Buddy. Sweet and an Angel (just like me)

That is until my friend made one.

Then while we watched hers got picked up by a limo and a helicopter.

All mine did was get pooped on by a bird. I think that is pretty much indicative of how last week went.

I think it is time to make some changes for this week (and not just for my WeeMee Buddy).

I made a card.

Finally something crafty to post to the blog!

Supplies used:

Bazzil – Cardstock
Making Memories – Rub-ons
Quickutz – Chocolate Letters (Vixen) & Chocolates
QVC Ribbon
Colorbox – Chalk Ink “Creamy Brown”

I am so proud of myself. I actually did something crafty! LOL! Well I have actually done a couple of crafty things but since they are gifts I really cannot post them to the blog as yet.

Speaking of cards…..Head on over to Stefanie’s blog to check out the cool cards she made for Valentine’s Day and for a chance to win some Blog Candy!

A "fairy" sweet package

I have always loved to send cards or letters to my friends. I have not done it as often as I used to and I miss it. One of my resolutions for this year is to cultivate the relationships I already have and I also hope to make new ones.

So, this past month I decided to join in on the SOSF (Valentine’s) parcel exchange. This event’s theme was “Handmade card & Chocolate.” (Isn’t that invitation gorgeous?) I love to pick out gifts for people although I do have a problem with worrying whether or not the recipient will like what I pick.

Well the fairy that sent me my package sure does not have to worry about whether or not I like MY package - 'cause I do! It was so exciting to open the box and look inside. (Sorry ~ due to my excitement of going thru the box, the lighting on these photos is not too great).

My new friend sent me some yummy chocolate in a cute red heart box (not even B got me one of those).

I also got some scrapbooking items that included some really cute iron-on bling. I have not seen this before and I just love it! I just need to pick out a shirt so I can brag about being the "Scrapbooking Queen!" :)

I also got a purr-fect (LOL!) kitty bowl and magnet. It really is a cute bowl.

And lastly….what I really loved was the handmade picture. How precious is that?

Thank you Amy for being such a great “fairy” friend. :)

Monday was…

…my birthday.

I took the day off from work and I can finally say that I was able to catch my breath. It was so nice.

I really didn’t do anything but I was finally able to catch up on my mail. I got my package from my secret fairy. I am so sorry secret fairy that I did not let you know when it arrived. In fact, I just opened the package tonight! Pictures coming soon! Just wait until you see what she sent me!

My mom cooked us a nice dinner. Very yummy. But all my mom’s food is yummy! We had steak, baked potato, calbasitas (squash) and my mom’s homemade tortillas. Then we had rice pudding for dessert. YUM!

I went back to work today. My cubicle was decorated and my co-workers got me a cake. Even though I played hooky on my birthday, they still got me a cake. Of course I don’t think they need an excuse to buy a cake. LOL! ;) The only bad thing about today was coming into work and having over 1,000 cases waiting for me!

Yep! I said 1,000+! I sure am going to be busy for a very very very long time.

Tonight is UGLY & GREY!

I must say that I was pretty happy with the way LOST turned out last night. Although a lot of what happened was kind of predictable. I am looking forward to seeing OTHER characters (NOT the OTHERS) next week though.

One thing that irks me about the show is that I just want to be able to watch the show and not have my mind guessing at things all the time. I get tired trying to figure out if everything little thing was a clue or not.

I guess that is why I like Thursday nights.

Tonight is THE night for Television.

'Cause it is the "no thinking so much my brain hurts" kind of TV.

Even though I love Ugly Betty and Grey’s Anatomy I always seem to be doing stuff while it is on. I never seem to be able to sit still. I think it is because B watches his Smallville downstairs and I am upstairs on the not so good TV and it is just not so comfortable up there. But since we only have cable downstairs he gets to watch his show on the main TV.

Although…..I think that if it were the other way around, he would still be watching his show on the main TV and I would be out of luck.

Why is it that Women are always the ones that sacrifice for the darn man? Not that missing a TV show or two is a sacrifice but darn it! All these things add up!

Is it just me?

Tonight I will be LOST

Tonight it is all about LOST.

I am looking forward to the show starting again but I don’t have that same excitement I used to have about it. I really do hope that these new episodes get me back to loving the show like I used to.

Am I the only one that feels this way?

Last week was not so good

I am so happy last week is over.

I lost my driver’s license and debit card on Tuesday. Talk about a mess. I have been without my debit card before but came to realize just how much a driver’s license is used now-a-days.

So without access to any money, I was not able to buy anything this weekend. I was not able to go to the post office to mail off these packages I have sitting here. I could not even use my credit cards as ID is required to use them (talk about embarrasing when I had nothing to show the gal this weekend). I was not even able to buy medicine as due to the law – a driver’s license is required to purchase.

On top of that I have been having sinus issues all week so I have not been a happy camper.

But you see….today is Monday and even though Monday’s are not supposed to be good – this one is.

I found my debit card and license today!

So even though I still have the sinus headache from this weekend, I can now go and purchase something to help. I can also get to the post office and buy bread. LOL!

This is a good day. :)

Well…. as long as I don’t think about how behind I am at work!