A Long Overdue Update

Wow this last month has been super busy!  I am almost settled in now (just have to organize the garage & my craft stuff).  There isn't much on the walls yet either but I hope to get that taken care of soon. 

Classes are over until January.  I passed both classes.  If you think online classes are an easy A, you are wrong!  I did better in my Accounting class than I did my Microeconomics class.  I am looking forward to my next Accounting class ~ Auditing I ~ and I am also taking International Business.  My advisor has told me that I could graduate as early as this May!!  Woohoo!!  BUT... I would have to take an overloaded session in March.  But I think I could do that.  I have a good support system behind me now and that helps!

I hope to finish up my Christmas shopping on Thursday as I will have my kids all next week and won't be able to shop for them.  And I'm going to try to start posting at least a couple times a week again.  I should have something posted either later today or tomorrow. 

Now I just need to find a job!!  :)

Why I've been MIA lately...

I won't bore you with the details but there have been some major changes happen in my life this past week (but they have been building for quite awhile).  Most of you know that I am going back to school and so far that is going really well.  It's only the 4th week and I've already had 3 tests ~ 2 in my Microeconomics class and 1 in my Intermediate Accounting class, but I think I have one in Accounting this week too. 

The biggest change is that I am no longer with Matt.  It is a very long story... so to sum it up, I'll say this.  In 2007 we got divorced.  Due to some bad luck on my part, he let me move back in with him last October.  I thought things were going to be different this time around but they weren't.  I was very unhappy.  We never did get remarried.  I found a place and have been moving out this week.  The kids are not sure what is going on but they are young and resilient so they will do just fine.

Once I get settled in this week, I will start posting again on a regular basis.  Thanks for bearing with me through all of this!

Squigglefly Challenge #25 ~ Gatefold

This week's challenge issued by Kim is to make a gatefold card (instructions can be found here).  This was a fun card to make.

For my card, I used a new image from Crissy Armstrong called Mudzie plays Christmas Tree.  Looks like he is all tangled up with those lights and sparkly garland.  I colored him with my Prismacolor pencils and blended with OMS.  For a bit of bling, I used Diamond Glaze on the lights and ornaments and then I added some Stickles to the garland.

The inside is pretty plain except for the sentiment.  I used some words from a new Inkadinkadoo set that I got (can't remember the name).  Be sure to head over to the Squigglefly Blog to check out the other Design Team creations!

Supplies
Paper: from stash
Stamps: Mudzie plays Christmas Tree (Squigglefly)
Ink: printer ink; Memento
Accessories: Diamond Glaze; Stickles

Pumpkin Goodie Bag

Here is the prototype goodie bag we are making for my daughter's Fall Party (this Friday).  Another mom and I assembled 18 of these.  The kids will be able to attach their own faces, stems and leaves.  Then they get to fill a little goodie bag with candy to go inside.  :)

Well, school has really kept me busy!  I've had to do a lot of refreshing in my Accounting class but it has been fun!  The Economics class has been a challenge but I will get it.  Looking ahead, it seems like I will have a test or quiz every week!  I will try to keep posting things but it might not be more than once or twice a week.

Supplies
Paper: from stash
Stamps: none
Ink: printer ink
Accessories: Xyron

Couple More Desktop Calendars

I'm on a roll with these!  Both kids spent the weekend with Grandma so I had some time to craft.  I got 3 of these made but I'm only showing 2 because one of them is a Christmas present.  :)

This one uses a Sugar Nellie stamp called Daisy.  This is one of my favorite images!  I used an older sketch from Bloggabella even though it doesn't use a Stamping Bella image.  I am really happy with how this one turned out.  Hubby even said this one was his favorite.

This one uses the cute Swiss Pixie named Gretel.  The paper is the same that I used on one of my picture frames that I recently redid.  Sketch comes from the September Guest Designer challenge from Clear Dollar Stamps.  Image was colored with my Prismacolor pencils and blended with OMS (I can't afford to make the switch to Copics yet).  Added stickles to her wings for a bit of bling and the bow is stuck on the outside of the acrylic frame.  :)



Supplies
Paper: from stash
Stamps: Daisy (Sugar Nellie); Gretel (CC Designs)
Ink: Memento ink
Accessories: acrylic frames, stickles, ribbon, flower brads

Squigglefly Challenge #24 ~ Thanksgiving sentiment

This week is Rhonda's turn to issue the challenge.  She wants us to make a Thanksgiving card using a Squigglefly sentiment.  I didn't have a sentiment just for Thanksgiving so I got creative...

The leaves are from a new set from Nina called Autumn Accents.  I just scattered them over an area (this was a bit tricky but not too bad).  Then I printed it out.  The sentiment comes from the freebie called Words Paper.  I just cropped the word giving out of it and printed that out as well.  The layout comes from the Sheetload of Cards October issue.

Be sure to link up your creation on the Squigglefly blog!

Classes start today for me!  I am getting nervous.  They are online classes so I don't have to go to an actual classroom.  By my calculations, if I take 2 classes every 8 week session I should be finished with my Bachelor's degree in Accounting this coming summer (2010).  I'm taking 2 classes: Intermediate Accounting II and Microeconomics.  I will keep those who are interested updated.  :)



Supplies
Paper: from stash
Stamps: Autumn Accents (Squigglefly); Word Paper (Squigglefly)
Ink: printer ink
Accessories: none

New Images

Just wanted to remind you that the new images that you have been seeing peeks of this week are NOW AVAILABLE! Here is a link to see all the new ones. Or you can just go shopping at Squigglefly.

Remember that somewhere on Squigglefly's site there is a button that looks like this...

Go try to find the button and when you do, head over to Holly's blog and leave a comment telling her where you found it. You have until Saturday to find the button. On that day random.org will pick FIVE winners from the people who have discovered the hidden button. The five winners will each win two images of their choice! You can pick one of the fabulous new images, or a favorite you've had your eye on! So head over to Squigglefly and start looking for that button!

I am off to go get ink so I can play with more new images!

P.S. There are lots more freebies here at Squigglefly!!

Squigglefly Sneak Peeks Continue

Welcome to day three of the sneak peeks of Squigglefly's newest images!  The images you have seen over the last few days and today will be available for purchase on October 17th.  Be sure to check out the Design Team's blogs to see lots of peeks of what's new!  There are links on the left side of my blog or on the Squigglefly Challenge Blog.

Now for the fun part! Remember that somewhere on Squigglefly's site there is a button that looks like this...

Go try to find the button and when you do, head over to Holly's blog and leave a comment telling her where you found it. You have until Saturday to find the button. On that day random.org will pick FIVE winners from the people who have discovered the hidden button. The five winners will each win two images of their choice! You can pick one of the fabulous new images, or a favorite you've had your eye on! So head over to Squigglefly and start looking for that button!

I don't have a card yet as my printer is out of ink and I haven't been able to get into town to get more yet. Hopefully I can get ink later today but in the meantime, be sure to check out all the Design Team blogs as they have some great peeks for you (I know, I've looked today)!

My Sneak Peek ... Squigglefly Day 2

Sorry I didn't have this posted earlier but I struggled with how I wanted to put this one together.  I am really happy with how it turned out, although my picture didn't turn out so well.

This card uses a sentiment "Happy Fall" from Crissy Armstrong and a new set from Nina called Autumn Accents.  It is a set of 4 different images.  If I get ink for my printer today, I will try to have a card tomorrow showing the 4th image.  The picture does not do the card justice at all!

Don't forget that Saturday is the big release over at Squigglefly!!  And you have until Saturday to find the hidden blinkie for your chance to win 2 free sets!  For more information and to see what the blinkie looks like, visit my earlier post, here.

Challenges entered:
Stamp Something ~ brown plus something
Stampin' for the Weekend ~ orange, brown and green
Secret Crafter Saturday ~ autumn colors
Whimsy Stamps ~ get punchy



Supplies
Paper: from stash
Stamps: Autumn Accents [available 10/17/09] and Happy Fall sentiment (Squigglefly)
Ink: printer ink
Accessories: circle punch, brown & white dotted ribbon

Squigglefly Sneak Peeks ... Day 2

Welcome to day two of the sneak peeks of Squigglefly's newest images!  The images you see over the next few days will be available for purchase on October 17th.  Be sure to check out the Design Team's blogs the next few days to see lots of peeks of what's new!  There are links on the left side of my blog or on the Squigglefly Challenge Blog.

Now for the fun part! Remember that somewhere on Squigglefly's site there is a button that looks like this...

Go try to find the button and when you do, head over to Holly's blog and leave a comment telling her where you found it. You have until Saturday to find the button. On that day random.org will pick FIVE winners from the people who have discovered the hidden button. The five winners will each win two images of their choice! You can pick one of the fabulous new images, or a favorite you've had your eye on! So head over to Squigglefly and start looking for that button!

I will be back later with my sneak peek!!